I recently watched Andrew McCarthy’s Brats on Hulu.  I found the show very interesting, and I am happy to admit that the Brat Pack was my generation.  As I watched the show, I learned that the actors identified as the Brat Pack didn’t like the label, but they still had power to change our world at the time and bring the teenage story to the world. They continue to change the world, just by making this documentary.  Unfortunately, we all get labeled, and many of the labels are inaccurate and unwanted.  I came of age during that time and had my whole life in front of me.  I graduated from high school and went on to college.  I finished college and found a job.  I remember that I wanted to change the world and make my mark.  I spent the next years trying to do just that.  I have learned a great deal since that time, and still have much to learn, but I learned one important lesson.  We all have the power to change the world, even if it’s only one small part at a time.

When I was younger, there were many things to consider.  AIDS was just being identified, and the world didn’t seem engaged in full out war.  My friends and I were trying to find jobs and start a life that would help us reach our goals.  I thought I knew what I wanted, and I set out to find a life to call my own.  I have worked in social services ever since, and because of that I have an interesting perspective on life and the human experience.  I have worked with developmentally disabled adults, foster children, domestic violence survivors, homeless teens and adults, active-duty members and their families, and Veterans.  I have provided education, support, therapy, skill training, and information to patients, friends, and family.  In my own way, I have changed the world, even if it’s only a small part of it.

People go out and change the world every day.  Some people drive a bus or a taxi that gets a person to an important appointment or even an interview.  Doctors and nurses save lives, and our first responders take care of issues that I couldn’t even imagine, with grace and patience.  A librarian helps people find books that take them to a whole new world, and someone working at a shelter helps a lost soul find safety, if only for a night.  So many people make such a difference in this world, and as you read this, think of all the times you were there for a friend or someone in your family.  You may have helped someone at work with a task, or just provided a shoulder to cry on when they needed it.  You may have helped someone put things in a car, or brought someone dinner when they were sick.  We all do things at some point to help others, even if we have a dark side.

We all have the power to affect others in a positive way, even if it’s only at a local level.  It has been my life work to try to make things better for others, but making things better doesn’t have to be a full-time job.  I wish more people understood the benefit of respect and tolerance.  A person may be an accountant for a large company, but they can have respect for others, even if they don’t understand their choices.  If you boil everything down, we all want to just be able to live a life that works for us.  People should be able to love who they love and enjoy life, within the bounds of the law and social norms.

As you think about the power that you have in the world, use your power wisely.  Use your power for good.  Use your smile to convey comfort to someone who may be having a bad day.  Offer your time to someone who needs help.  We all have the power to change the world.  Imagine a world where we all support each other.  We could respect differences, like religion and political views, without going to war to try to prove what’s better.  No one wins in a war.  I wish we all would learn that.  I’m not naïve.  I know that there will always be someone thinking they know better, but with our powers to change the world, we could shorten the time it takes for teach others to get along.  You have the power.  How will you use it?  It’s all part of being happy, for life.