2016 hit us hard. Death, violence, racism, a country divided. So much happened in 1 year, it was devastating. It was a year of reality. It tested us. It showed the true sides of some people and pushed us to our limits. But now we know. And this time we will not stand around and allow for this to happen again. Again and again I say that we are a people of change. That we need to constantly grow and change our mindsets to help change the world. Well, the world hit us hard and now it's time to show everyone that we are not only able to take it but also able to grow from it.
So this is what I recommend. Us millennials have been in the middle of all of this and now it's time to for ALL of us to stand together. We were once known as tomorrow's generation but now, it's our time. We are TODAY's generation. We will no longer stand in the back as the older generation tries to fix everything that has happened. We are now at an age where we are able to make lasting decisions that can truly change the world. We are more than capable of being the change the world needs to see.
This might be cheesy but it's true that "I'm not throwing away my shot". 2016 was a tough year for all of us. I hope that this year hurt you in a way because if your heart hurt at some point this year for the world, then I really do hope that you are encouraged to Rise Up. We have ONE life. But it's not just your life that is important, but the whole world. People just like you and me are struggling to survive right now. Whether they are on the other side of the world or your neighbor, everyone has an issue right now. We are more than capable to make a change to all of this. We won't save the world, that's for sure. But the little things that we do can help. Use your voice. Write encouraging thoughts, share love, use what you are good at to change the world.
To end, make 2017 the year where you are proud of each other. We are all in this world together and will be here for a long time. There are no instructions when it comes to this thing called life, but what we can do is leave a lasting legacy that are kids and grandkids are proud of. We literally have nothing to lose because we all have our own challenges so why not live without being afraid to fall. So in 30-40 years, when it's time for your kids to grow up and take the reigns, let's make it a place where they are safe, loved, and cared for because of what we did this next year. The simplest things in life can make lasting impressions in the world.