Raise our standards, not our voice

I see the world’s problems, even though I avoid the news. Because my ♥️ can’t bear all the violence & injustice.

We may not be able to do much that’s truly impactful, but not everything is far from our own doorstep.

I wondered what image our young people have of growing up. Perhaps mainly more haste, more achieving, more possessions… more doing, less being?

They hear us say that the world matters. But do we truly live that out?

Do we choose to have less, so we can give more? Do we break the silence, even when our voice isn’t loud enough to immediately drown out all the noise?

Just in our small world.

I remember how it felt for me back then. That admonishing finger… that sanctimonious little voice: “Changing the world will never work anyway.”

I never liked it. Still don’t.

Now—even more than then—I feel a stream of forces. 

Driven by young people, perhaps even more than adults. 

A longing for authenticity. 

For meaning. 

For togetherness.

Let those forces grow and become stronger than today’s powers.

Then we’ll take care of each other again in the future—not out of duty, but out of love.

So I’m not the adult or mother who asks (her) children to simply adapt to this world.

I hope they dream of a more beautiful version.

And contribute to it in their own way.

With gentle strength.

Driven by love.

And nourished by positivity that never fades.

Love,

Maaike