Burning Beneath

Lately, I find myself deeply confused by the world we live in. One moment, I see the beauty — the kindness of strangers, the generosity of a helping hand, the simple joys shared between people. In those moments, I think, what a wonderful world this truly is.

But then… I see the other side.
The news flashes with images of war, senseless violence, discrimination, children sleeping on the streets. The contrast is so jarring that it leaves me speechless. My heart aches. And I wonder: Why? Why does so much suffering exist?

I understand that life is a balance — yin and yang, light and darkness, joy and sorrow. But knowing this doesn’t make it any easier. Some days, the chaos feels so loud and heavy, it’s hard not to be pulled under by the weight of it. It can feel like the world is unraveling, and with it, my hope.

So I remind myself…
To pause. To breathe. To come back to center.

First, I turn inward — to me.
I focus on my breath, on the quiet rhythm within. I feel my own peaceful energy, no matter how small or faint. I remind myself that peace begins here. If I can nurture it in myself, even just a little, I can expand it — gently, steadily.

From there, I take one small step outward.

To my space. My room. My home.
I look around and feel gratitude. I have a roof over my head. I am safe. That in itself is a quiet miracle.

Another step outward — to my children.
I hold them in my mind, one by one, feeling their unique energies, their laughter, their love. I see the beautiful, kind humans they are becoming, and I remember: I helped shape that. Their compassion, their empathy, their light — it exists in this world because of me.

That realization warms something deep within.
It sparks a brighter thought:

There are so many others like me — parents, guardians, mentors, quiet warriors of love — who are planting seeds of hope through their children. We may not be loud, but we are powerful. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement, every lesson in respect and love — it matters. It echoes.

We may not be able to change the entire world overnight.
But we are changing it — slowly, profoundly — through the next generation.
Through our presence.
Through our love.
Through our unwavering faith in goodness.

As long as we, the people, keep choosing love —
Keep nurturing it, teaching it, living it —
We will never lose hope.
And we will never lose this fight for a better world.