you gotta have the BALLS to change

Ours is a generation of world-changers. We have talked over coffee for hours covering the "what-ifs" and "how comes" of our schools, economy, politics, media, and countless other social injustices. We see the states and cities separated by income levels, the healthy from the sick, the fit from the fat, republicans from the democrats. MTV versus PBS. Sure, we are a generation of world-changers, a population craving something more. Visionaries. But how does this translate to our day-to-day activities? We shop organic, we turn off the TV sometimes. But how do ensure our good intentions live through and past our lives? The answer is simple. Those of us who wish this "screwed up world could change" must raise our children as if our own hopes are in fact reality. We are already climbing the fence, one side being raised on McDonald's and dessert, the other side being the reality of impending death. Sound harsh? We all know its true. As my broad introduction funnels into my main points, allow me to share some examples. When McDonald's is invited to the YMCA Healthy Kid's Day Fair - something is wrong. When children are raised thinking fried chicken parts and apples dipped in caramel sauce are a good meal - something is wrong. When a eight-year-old boy cannot run for 3 minutes without being out of breath - something is wrong. When Wal-mart advertises a "good life," but encourages its employees to use state welfare programs for health insurance - something IS WRONG. No wonder people are angry. No wonder people are sick. No wonder people are fat. Did somebody you know die early of a heart disease - ever wish they could have made it just one more year? Grandpa could have seen you get your degree, Mom could have been there for the birth of your first child. This is an invitation to true change, a desperate and sincere plea to the first generation of world-changers - raise your children to be intolerant. Teach them to not tolerate food that literally destroys their body, no matter how much more affordable it is. Teach them to not tolerate unethical businesses and to never shop there, no matter how much more affordable it is. Where did all this pollution start? Did we demand too much convenience, cheaper prices? Look at the price we have paid now. How many children do you see with pot bellies? NOT NORMAL. Average, yes. But not NORMAL. Teach your children that too much fried chicken makes the body sick and slow, teach them it is so sad that business would sell so much fried chicken to people. Make them gawk when some kid brings chips to school for a snack. Teach them that hydrogenated oils in their foods is unacceptable. Teach them high fructose corn syrup is not necessary. A majority of the foods marketed as healthy or a smart choice, contain at least one of these deadly culprits. Teach them to turn over the box and READ what is in their food - STOP the blind purchase of processed "food." Instill your hope for healthy food, honest programs, ethical business, LOVE. Teach your children all of your hopes for the future, whether they are similar to these or not. Teach them as if your hope is already a reality, and that not everybody knows it yet. Does this make us revolutionists? Yes - This is an invitation to change, and the truth is - you gotta have the balls to change.


Note from the author: If you made it through this post, first of all THANK YOU. Second, repost this if you think someone on your friends list may want or need a little extra encouragement on topics that feel uncontrollable. We may not be able to stop these business giants, but if we raise our children right, they have a hell of a chance. You may feel like you sound crazy at first, like a mad revolutionist. But you know what? I am. I am mad - and there must be a revolution.