I Pledge...

I pledge to see the good in myself and others rather than only seeing the bad.

I've never put much thought into the song Pride by U2, other than it was a good song, until yesterday when I discovered they wrote the song for MLK. As I dive back into my love for U2 and discover a deep love for Van Gogh paintings (and paintings in general) I have unlocked a great need to make a difference with my life. I want to inspire someone, I want to be remembered when I'm no longer around, and I want to unleash the potential that every teacher I've ever had, my parents, and my dearest friends all see in me. I don't know how I will dig into this potential I feel swirling inside, and I don't know how I'm going to make this change. But...the more I watch my solo video I made for my digital design class, the more I listen to that song and think of it's meaning, and think of what MLK and Lincoln did and what Obama says he'll do... Make change for the better and the more I think about the movie Lady in the Water and the movie American Beauty and the book Perks of Being a Wallflower and the books by Ellen Hopkins. I think of all the change great people in history have made and I try to think of something great I've done but I come up short. I know I'm only 18, but I want to, so badly, be a part of history and to be and do something great.

I wish for all of you reading to think of a pledge, something you promise to do, whether it be buy less starbucks or stop using plastic bags at the grocery store, it doesn't have to be huge, but it will be huge to others. I think we have the power to change. All of us. If we come together as one, we can do great things like save our dying planet. She needs us, now more than ever, and we need each other. We can't think of each other as white, black, asian, european, latino - americans. But simply think of ourselves as Americans. And for the world, think of ourselves as brothers, sisters, humans fighting for one cause. Because we are one.

I want to effect people so deeply it will inspire them to be strong when they fear the worst and to honor it when it's the best. I don't know whether I will do this with a pen, paint brush, or just my words...but I want to try. I want to protect the ones in the biggest danger and save the ones everyone has given up on. I want to inspire patience and understanding and acceptance. I want people to forgive even if they never forget, because forgetting a lesson doesn't help us learn anything. Just like if we never make mistakes we will never get any wiser. Maybe I want to be a director, maybe I want to be a politician, maybe I even want to be President, or just a average police officer or a high school pricipal. Either way, I want to inspire people to want to be great, to make a difference for the better, and to be remembered because...

I want to be remembered...
Always.

Author's Note

What do you pledge to do? Tell me in your review. And please pass on this piece of writing to your friends, because I want this message, not my message, but Obama's message to be spread as widely as it can be because I think it is a good one for anyone of any culture.

Reviews

[Belinda Rice]

This is a great write and you know what I Pledge to make everything in life from here on and after better for me my family and my friends and to never again give up Life, Hope or even the real Dreams...To help others as they have helped me and to help see that change is better and will be better.We live life with a lot of pain and struggles, But thats only for a moment till that time passes and when we believe that we can make a difference in this world just by our Voices...I give you a 100% on this cause your right no matter what we want to be we can change it even if we dont know how to at the moment but we can....Life is to short and I also pledge to treat others with honesty and respect from here on...God Bless you for a great write.

[briannachristine]

Thank you for the inspiration to look further inside myself to find something I can give back to human kind. I pledge to make a difference in the lives of children, to promote positive early childhood development and guide parents and the general public in the ways of positive guidance and the importance of early childhood education.

I also pledge to the LGBT community that I will advocate for change in America. I will help ensure hat those who need help will get it as far as working toward equality with social security, second-parent adoption rights, financial stability and ultimately marriage equality. Hate is not a family value and I plan on taking charge and pledge (although I wish I could pledge for everyone, I can only do what I can do) that I will advocate, vote and teach peace, kindness and be proactive through my simple everyday interactions with individuals.

Thank you again for posting such a positive piece.

Take care and live peace,
-b

[Jason Nuciola]

i like it has a good point

[An owl on the moon]

Thank you for this amazing piece, amazing challenge, amazing confession... I pledge to help more people (to be less self-centered, which has always left me empty)... I want to see this world be better for our children... It starts with all of us...

[Wolfwind Words]

This piece, your words were by far the most beautiful and emotionaly charged as any I have ever read. The message you bring to light on this screen brings tears to my eyes, for you have shown so vividly how it is in the hearts of every one to bring change for the better.
As we Americans stand in the door way of a new era, a new president and a new way of thinking. I can't agree more with this message. We must all pledge to make changes in our lives that effect not only ourselves, but all, for our changes ultimately effect everyone.
On December 23rd of 2008, one of my twin baby girls dies of SIDS. As the shock and tradgedy waned, I realized that we as a race no very little about SIDS, the causes and why it occurs.
I pledge to learn more about SIDS and make people more aware of what parents can do to educate themselves on how to prevent it entirely.
I realized that I am not alone in my pain, and that many others have lost little ones themselves. I pledge to be more understanding to others losses and open my heart to theirs.
For in the end, if we stand as one... We the people can overcome any mountain, any hurdle that we may face in our lives.

I thank you for writing this piece and sharing it. It means alot.

Your friend,
Aaron Maycroft

[George Love]

This was very good. Will we come together? I can't say, but with the passion that I know exists in each of us, it is possible. It's time for each of us to find the passion and fuel the fire. 2008 should have been a great year, but too many personal losses forced passion to dive deep into a dark hole. 2009 Started out with hope, then more loss, but with that loss one bright new face came into our world. I'll be the better parent, the better example, better son and I'll practice being the best grandfather I can be. January 19, 2009 my stepfather left this world, but only hours later our first grandson entered it. Life has hope and I pledge to find it.