What Would You Be...?, by Amy Holm

What Would You Be...?

empowering women, families, and youth-at-risk through improved literacy, increased positive media, and tools for living.

By Caie Kelley

Many times when asked these types of questions I feel as though my answers should be much deeper than they often are. I should work towards world peace or get rid of all disease. To be sure, these goals are wonderful, and people who work towards accomplishing them deserve much credit. But, even with no possibility of failure and an endless supply of money, it is not what I would do.

Let’s be realistic: I am a sixteen-year-old high school student in a sheltered Bay Area community. My current worries include grades, SATs, and passing my driver’s test. I have never faced real adversity. So my goals reflect my privileged position. If I could do anything I wanted, I think I would help people appreciate the simple joys. I know, I know, I should use my position of power to create immediate change, to put an end to violence in the Middle East or create peaceful equality and civil liberties in the countries that lack such ideals. Instead, I would want to use my power to create greater appreciation, and acknowledgement of the bright side of everyone’s current position. I’ll explain.

I’ve learned a lot this year about perspective – the idea that we can never truly understand the viewpoint of others. Our goals and our ideas reflect our environment, the way we were taught and raised, and the sights we have observed. No person’s experience is ever quite the same – and nobody has exactly the same goals. It may sound strange, but I wouldn’t want to make a blanket statement and claim that everyone in the world wants peace or the liberties I value. I also don’t believe something like universal wealth would actually cause true improvement – problems often emerge from greed and desire. And even with ultimate power, I don’t feel comfortable pushing too much of my ideals onto others. Instead, I’ll stick to the goal of appreciation.

I believe that appreciation often leads to positive thinking and satisfaction. Being satisfied is not necessarily the highest good, but if all citizens of the world could at least reach such a level, then we would be a lot better off. How would appreciation be achieved? Levels of satisfaction vary greatly, but I think it would start with gently pointing out that life can be much worse, and providing some basic aid to those who desperately need it (because often those who have the least appreciate the most, and proper help never hurts). I’d start with that – and then work towards targeting what needs to be done on a case-by-case base, avoiding generalities and sweeping measures. The kind of change I’d like to cause is something that wouldn’t have immediate results – or instantly save as many lives as other options would – but would benefit humanity, too. Human beings need food, water, and health, but they also need a sense of reflection and appreciation for their current positions. With that, I think we could reach our individual goals – without too many one-size-fits-all solutions.

Caie Kelley is a junior in High School working to be a reporter on Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, piano, and volunteering.