The Power of Love by Gabrielle

The Power of Love by Gabrielle - July 2017 Scholarship Essay

The pounding in my chest can not be ignored, as the minutes turn to seconds, before I enter the stage in front of a room full of people. I have practiced my TED talk a million times before, yet the growing feeling of fear does not leave my chest. It is a topic that I am extremely passionate about, and that is the importance and power of love in the world. As I enter the stage, the bright lights flush out all else. And before I could even think, the words began leaving my lips. The world we live in today is a very hateful one. It is almost unfortunate, how easily and unknowingly we all hate. Whether it’s ourselves, others, concepts, beliefs, or whatever it may be, hatred is what fuels us not only as nations, but also as people. Yet despite our world being such a negative one, have any of us ever stopped to think what the benefits would be if we started loving more.
It is quite surprising to believe, that a lot of our problems are rooted in the sheer fact that the general public often does not care enough to do what is needed to make that change. What would the world be like if we loved the environment, refugees, and endangered species more than we do now. How many problems would be easily solved with just a little more compassion and love behind the things we do. Though we are taught, not quite purposely but throughout time, that in order to succeed, it is important to focus on your own problems and seeing yourself move forward, before you lend your help to others.
It is also to blame, that many of the decisions we make as countries and nations are made without compassion. It is instilled in us that it is the hard and firm decisions are the ones that will ensure our best success. The less compassionate our decisions are, the more successful the outcomes of these said decisions are going to be. Though, it has been quite evident that even these harsh attitudes towards the problems of our society are not enough to help solve the big problems we are faced with today.
As young children, we are not born with the understanding to hate. It is something that is instilled in ourselves as we age by the situations, people, and influences around us. What is causing us as a society to teach our young to hate. We are influencing the future leaders of our world, once our time on earth is done. Why are we not instead teaching our children compassion and love, so that when it is their turn to be in control of this planet, they can do a little more better for the people on it, than we were able to. More justice could be served, and big problems could be solved, or even at the very least made a little smaller. We have all the power to make the world we live in a better place, and all we need to make that change is just a little more love.