When I arrived in D.C. on Sunday, June 4th, I thought there would be a cloud of gray hanging over the politically divisive and antagonistic capital. On Monday, June 5th, I found all the light I and so many others needed at the Newseum for MCON 2017.

MCON is a conference for those who "give a damn about social change and want to turn their interests into action." It was there that I found a diversity of opinions, overwhelming goodness, sincere gratefulness, and movers and shakers. From

While the issues were pressing and sometimes depressing, there was only hope and brightness at the conference. As Margaret Huang, Executive Director of Amnesty International quoted: "It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness." MCON attendees could easily find new ways to light their metaphorical candles. The toughest part is not so much the tools it takes to build a fire but the motivation to start and stay motivated.

In my time at MCON, I came up with a few commitments for myself as an individual to a member of planet earth.

1. As an individual, I will practice kindness and compassion to others by listening to their stories and sharing my own.

2. As a member of my family, I will take time to be present with my siblings and parents and encourage them to be attentive to national and global issues.

3. As a resident of my neighborhood, I will support local businesses and public spaces that are adding beauty to the area like the parks and performance spaces for recreation and entertainment.

4. As a New Yorker, I will volunteer with New York groups such as GrowNYC and the High Line because they support issues I am passionate about -- sustainability, environmental awareness, and community building.

Along the way, I hope to find other groups I can support by giving my time and effort to their causes.

5. As an American, I will remain informed and critical of problems that persist and new ones that arise.

I will be an active participant in my country by exercising my right to vote (intelligently and knowingly) and use my voice to influence others.

6. As a global citizen, I will contribute monetarily to different organizations around the world every month.

MCON served as a reminder that we can all be more involved and invested in the places we live, that we can all be change-makers in this world, that we can all build a better future for everyone, and that we can learn more and grow from who we once were.