Source: TakingLessons.com
Today is a new day… a new beginning, a new endeavour, a new adventure. Today is going to be unlike any other which has proceeded or will follow.
With the start of the New Year, this has become my new mantra I have decided to live my life by. Gone are the days of the repetitive routine- Shower, Study, Work, Eat, Sleep, Repeat. But what, you may ask, has ignited this sudden need for change inside of me? Well instead I counteract that question with one of my own: ‘Aren’t the heroes of today meant to emulate the superheroes of yesterday, using their powers for the sustainability and restoration of what is at its very essence good?’
As a child, I remember clearly looking up to celebrities, television and sporting stars as heroes. They were a source of inspiration, idols who showed us how to best live our lives. Yet it seems that whilst the generations who have come before us were fortunate enough to have predominately good role models in their lives, we, as Gen Y’ers, unfortunately are not as lucky.
Superheroes, like Batman and Wonder Woman taught audiences the importance of morality and justice, to stand up and fight for what is right. Nevertheless, this morning I wake to my Facebook newsfeed being bombarded, yet again, with post after post about one of today’s ‘so-called’ idols Justin Bieber, reportedly being arrested on drug possession charges… and this is not the first time such reports have surfaced.
What upsets me the most is the fact that there are many celebrities out there who use their fame and fortune for the right reasons, but are for the most part shunned by the media in comparison to the Biebers of the world. Take for instance, famous Australian boxer and idyllic family man, Danny Green. After the recent spate of teenage and young adult violence sweeping across Sydney’s night scene each weekend, Danny has taken it upon himself to self-fund his own ‘one-punch’ campaign, centred around being a catalyst of change by leaving the act of punching for the boxing ring, not the streets. Danny’s work aims to educate young people about the dangers of unsocial behaviour and highlights the consequences for both themselves and their victims.
Even from a female perspective, the all-American singer and songwriter Demi Lovato seems to be one of only a limited number of celebrities flying the flag for Team Gen Y. She is the first to admit her flaws and has been instrumental in addressing everyday social issues such as body image and self-respect through the universal language of music and its power to resonate with widespread audiences alike. These are the celebrities who should be idolised. These are the individuals who are willing to go beyond the stereotypical ‘lazy’ and ‘egotistical’ tag our generation has been coined. They are working for the greater good in our world.
However, the search for goodness lies well beyond the celebrity status. There are everyday individuals in our world, who have orientated their thoughts, their actions, and their lives towards the aptitude of others, forever unnoticed and out of the media spotlight.
There are so many opportunities available nowadays for us Gen Y’ers, that is, if you have the will power to step up to the challenge and see situations from a different perspective. If you love to DESIGN… then why not help the Ronald McDonald House Charity create a new playground for sick children to escape the pain and trauma of constant hospital treatment? If you love to GARDEN… then why not become an Optus RockCorp volunteer and develop an oasis for elderly people at a local aged care facility? If you love to play SPORT… then why not participate in the annual Swiss Colour Run and raise much needed funds for worthy organisations such as the Salvation Army who provide support for all kinds of people in times of great distress and desperation. Therefore, I urge fellow Gen Y’ers to find a cause or opportunity to truly do good in our world and together lets follow the motto:
‘Live the life you love, so you can love the life you live’ ~ Bob Marley
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