It is important for one’s mental health to vent. In the era I live in, we as a society tend to vent via social media and expect our opinions to matter. Perhaps in some cases they do. I can recall times where a retweeted picture provoked my thinking. However, how often can that be said? Sure, in that brief moment you may have paused and reflected on the issue being exploited, but how soon did that pass? Did you continue to relish those thoughts, or allow them to dissipate with a scroll of your timeline?

I have always considered myself incapable of creating mass change. I am a simple, small human being merely existing in a universe beyond my comprehension. How could I possibly change anything? I do not have a huge audience of followers to inspire. As I am writing, I don’t have the slightest inclination of who I may impact, but I have come to the realization that it’s better to try to reach people than to simply let my thoughts go to waste.

I am by no means saying my thoughts are worthy of another’s pondering. That would be a self-righteous proclamation. Instead of forcing my thoughts on another person, I hope to evoke individual reflection. I was raised in a small town where many children grew up to believe what their families believe, and while there is nothing wrong with that, I noticed a trend where close-mindedness was encouraged. To even entertain an idea that wasn’t of the norm was dolefully frowned upon. It is possible to have a strong faith and beliefs while still appreciating others’ faith and beliefs.

It’s difficult to write about thoughts because every individual on this vast, large planet has their own systematic way of thinking. I don’t have the power to say what is correct and what isn’t. All I have are my own thoughts. Sometimes I dwell on these thoughts and wish I didn’t have them. Thomas Gray once said, “ignorance is bliss," and I have thought long and hard about this phrase. I have seen so many families consumed with themselves and their beliefs and their conformity, who don’t even consider lives beyond the border of their county, blissfully happy. These families fail to be encumbered by some of life’s sorrows. When I close my eyes at night, I think of the oppression those of race feel. The oppression of gay individuals, of women, of the poor. I think about the turmoils these people face, and how I take no action in alleviating their pain. I tell myself, “You’re only 18. You haven’t even experienced this world, how can you change it? You have no money, no means of reaching people,” in an attempt to justify my lack of action. This will not be an excuse anymore.

I pose these questions to you, reader: Do you have good thoughts? Upon meeting someone new, do you admire how quickly they smile at you, or do you inspect the crookedness of their teeth? When hearing gossip, do you think foully of the person spreading tenacious, irrelevant news, or the person being talked about? When hearing about someone facing oppression, do you feel sadness and wish to find solutions, or do you immediately seek justifications for their oppression (such as them breaking the law, or “asking for it”)? When you read another person’s opinion on his or her social media, do you recognize the lack of significance a post holds or attack his or her beliefs with your own? Do you feel any regret or anger mentally answering these questions?

As I said before, I have no power in saying what is right and what isn’t, but I wonder, how could it ever be wrong to want and promote peace? There are people out there who are beyond reach. They will never be able to understand what I’m trying to say. They have a clear, defined idea of what is right to them, and despite my warning, will believe I am trying to destroy their beliefs. If, while reading this, you are feeling defensive, you are one of these people, and my only request is that you question why you are feeling this way. Perhaps this can open doors for more complex ideas you are more than capable of manifesting to arise.

If you felt any remorse or guilt while mentally answering those questions, it doesn’t mean you’re a terrible person. You’re human. I felt remorse and guilt while writing them because I don’t have pure thoughts. There are times I wish I would have been blessed with a pure mind free of any mental obstructions. However, the darkest parts of ourselves help us to recognize the parts of humanity that need to be mended. If we didn’t have any inclination of these faults, we couldn’t be able to feel this guilt. This guilt is our fuel to make a change. When I speak of change, I don’t mean putting on a kind face for others for a couple of weeks, then returning to mindless apathy. I don’t mean simply smiling at strangers. I don’t mean making more eye contact with people. I mean actually making a difference. I mean actually investing yourself in issues other than your own. I mean taking a stand for what you believe in for once rather than idly standing aside watching others on a screen. You are much too powerful, much too intelligent, much too capable to be stopped from making a change. Inspire others with your audacity. Stop strictly sharing your opinions on Twitter. Argue with people and challenge them. You will learn so much about yourself and others. Provoke people. If we continue to be lulled by conformed thoughts, nothing will change.