The world we live in...

What is happening in our world?

What happened to love and honesty and hope? I know, all of those words are huge and have a massive meaning behind them.

Let's be honest, if we all loved a little more, were a little more honest with people in our lives and had a lot more hope for our lives then we could live a much more peaceful existence.

I am not one to follow the politics of the world but, when I have turned on the news and seen some of the comments from potential future leaders in other countries, such as the USA - it frightens me. It frightens me big time. Are we seriously living in a world that is at the point of potentially electing someone into office who has such a hatred towards certain types of people? Are we at the point of going back in history and re-living Rosa Parks story but, in a different form.

How did we end up here? How did we end up in a world of hate? Those of us who have children are attempting to teach them love, honesty and give them the hope they need for the future. One day though, they are going to be set loose into this world full of anger, frustration and sadness.

As a child, we learn that we are special. Our parents cheer us on when we learn to eat, learn to talk, learn to walk. What we do as a child is regarded as special and each moment is documented and celebrated.

As we get older, we tend to feel the pressures of society weighing heavy on us. Even in high school, we can see the pressure mounting. What college or university we choose to attend is heavily scrutinized but people within our social circle and beyond.

When we graduate high school, society dictates that we should automatically attend college or university right away. We should move out of our parents’ home. We should have a job at the same time that we attend college.

Once we finish university, we are “supposed to” go and get a career job. The next steps in life are all set out for us. Sometimes the order of the following events is slightly reversed but, they are all to be completed. We are to purchase a home, we are to get married, we are to travel and see the sights of the world, we are to settle into our career and we are to have a family.

Why?

Why is this the “proper way” that we are to live our lives?

Why do we feel the societal pressures to achieve all of these societal goals?

What happens when you do not achieve them all? Are you suddenly placed on the “failure” platform and destined to lose at life?

I believe that we need to create goals independently for ourselves. Why are we attempting to appease everyone else by creating our cookie cutter life? Are we actually more interested in creating happiness for everyone but the person who matters the most – ourselves?