The Genie InsideUs

Cara Marie Fernandes

How much do you know about this planet? It’s magnificent. Lush green forests teeming with wildlife and balance, sprawling grasslands, tall, awe-inspiring mountains disappearing into the sky with slow-moving icy glaciers like God’s personal ice-cream parlour. Rivers like slivers of blue freshness, slithering through the landscape, sometimes bursting out in a rush of rapids to fall down as thundering waterfalls. The oceans, their vast stretch of clear blue housing a whole other world in their depths. Clouds floating overhead like bits of white candy-floss when calm, and home to Nature’s fury in a storm. Have you observed the beauty of lightening as it cracks across the sky like a whip? Or the setting of the Sun and the soft, warm golden glow that it bathes the surroundings in? Have you stopped to notice the variety of trees and flowers – present in every colour and fragrance imaginable? Pink cherry blossoms, to purple grass, to every other colour in the rainbow and beyond. The wildlife! So many different species of birds and animals! Some deceptively dangerous, some surprisingly harmless. In every size and form possible. And the people! All so different, each with a unique story. And this is just a tiny glimpse of the diversity and beauty that our planet has to offer. Every day, every creature, every creation is a miracle when you stop to think about it. It’s so beautiful you could lose yourself in  it.

And yet, we choose our immediate comforts over this magic. I refuse to believe it is because we do not care. We do. But we have become so lazy, so complacent, so terrible comfortable in our lifestyles that we are quite content in believing that we as individuals can’t do anything to help the situation – to end the poverty, or save the resources, or restore the human rights where they need to be restored. When it comes to problems that we need to solve, it’s not that we are incapable – we hold ourselves back with our self-made restrictions.

We all have a tremendous force inside us with which we can do many great things. Initially, I didn’t believe this myself. What could I do for my Earth? I was just one small person in a ginormous world. Charity or carpooling is alright – it helps – but it is not fully satisfying. Then I began volunteering in a school for the less privileged. I didn’t teach them any specific subject or languages; I taught to inspire. I taught them about the planet, little things and big things they could do – from closing a running tap to showing respect. I got them to embrace themselves, taught them about passion, true passion. I want to do my part in making good citizens, because the world is being pulled and pushed along by its citizens. I consider myself fortunate to teach even, because as the daughter of an Army Officer I have changed over sixteen schools, experienced many different ways of living, been to different places, met many unique  people.  It  has  taught  me much  about  the world.  And I  want  to increase  these  experiences to better know my planet. Like a math question, you can attempt to solve something only when you understand it. I will travel – visit more places, meet new people. I will experience the vast diversity that my Earth has to offer. It’s only natural to want to protect something you love. You can live your entire life thinking you don’t have the power to Change. But that’s like giving up before you even start something. There is so much untapped potential in each of us. I used to think that was a myth – whenever my elders told me this. But once you try, you see how true it   is.

I want to inspire. I want to motivate. In this world in which problems still exist I want to focus on the good in people and in situations and really put out all the love and energy in me out there so that somehow, in any way at all, I know I have made a difference. That is my role as a citizen of the Earth.