The closing of 2008

[Dunleavy]

There is a song I've been listening to a lot this week. It's on a CD that I've had since 2006 but I've recently unburied it under a pile of odds and ends in my bedroom. I guess you could say I had forgotten I even had it. Thankfully I rediscovered it at the end of the year because it's an appropriate song for the beginning of this next one.
It's called World and it's sung by Five for Fighting on their Two Lights CD.

Got a package full of Wishes
A Time machine, a Magic Wand
A Globe made out of Gold

No instructions or Commandments
Laws of Gravity or
Indecisions to uphold

Printed on the box I see
A.C.M.E.'s Build-a-World-to-be
Take a chance - Grab a piece
Help me to believe it

What kind of world do you want?
Think Anything
Let's start at the start
Build a masterpiece
Be careful what you wish for
History starts now...

I've listened to this song so much, I've even begun hearing it in my sleep. As 2008 draws to a close, I feel a sadness and a hope for what 2009 will bring. There are problems we are facing today which we haven't had to face before. The economy is hurting and many people are out of work. Businesses are closing like never before. It's clear to see there are tough times ahead for all of us. We've elected a new president who I hope will start us on this road to recovery, but it's going to be a long process and we all have to work together to get there. We didn't get here overnight and we won't get back that quickly either.
This song has been making me think about the future. If only it was so easy to create a world out of our thoughts. What would you wish for? Kind of makes me want to watch The Neverending Story again. I think one of the things I would wish for as of late would be for there to be no racial hatred or prejudice. I am still amazed how much there is out there. Recently I've come across it from people I know because of the election of our President. It's shocking and saddens me to hear it from some of the people I considered friends and makes me question that relationship.
But most of all, it makes me think of who I am and who I'd like to become. I believe it was Gandhi who said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." I'd like to be a person who is accepting of others and treats everyone with respect. I would like to be a shining light in today's uncertain times; someone who always has a kind word to say or offers a hand to help. I try to be that person but so often fall short. But can you imagine if we all tried to do a little something for someone without expecting anything in return? What kind of world would that be?

[Dunleavy]

Thanks for commenting.

I like your statement about needing each other. We won't survive if we don't help and rely on each other.