Translator: Rinat Bibikov Reviewer: Denise RQ
Change is inevitable.
As the human race develops at astonishing rate,
my generation suffers.
Despite being known as the technologically advanced generation,
we are generation lacking the fundamental aspects of what makes us human:
true human interaction, compassion, and the desire
to be a part of something greater than ourselves.
My generation is a group of narcissists that have no desire to help one another
to fix the problems past generations have created,
and again, to be a part of something greater than themselves.
Gandhi once said,
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion;
and if you want to be happy, practice compassion."
I define compassion as our innate concern and love that we have for one another,
but as people, we either do not understand how to show it
or just don't show it through our day-to-day lives.
However, I believe, everyone here has a large capacity for compassion,
but we just need to understand how to show it.
My generation has lost this instinct to be compassionate.
For example: just recently, I was walking into Foodland,
and an older woman, probably, in her late 60s,
dropped her bag of groceries.
As I bent down and helped her pick her food up,
I noticed multiple people walked right past her as if she was invisible.
The saddest part of my short example is that I was not shocked.
I was not fazed by others' lack of compassion.
And quite honestly, I almost expect no one to help her.
And that expectation is what scared me the most.
I believe that being compassionate can be simple.
And it does not have to be difficult,
it does not have to be shown
monumental acts of helping the community or donating money.
Being considerate to someone can be as simple
as genuinely looking into their eyes when you're talking to them,
respecting what someone asks and maybe extending a hand when someone trips.
However, this kind actions should not boost our ego;
they should not be done out of spite or the feeling of obligation,
but we should be kind for ourselves and for others
for the sake of being compassionate, for the sake of simply sharing love.
With compassion, I believe
our generation needs to embrace the idea of random acts of kindness,
to be kind to our loved ones, to our friends,
and to not fear our innate desire to be kind to people we may not know.
For example: during my sophomore year,
my friends and I were catching the bus down to Kihei to go to the beach.
The bus was packed; my friends and I were lucky enough to get seats
and as we're sitting here, talking and laughing,
I felt inclined to give the woman standing next to me my seat.
However, instead of immediately giving it to her,
I debated it for about five minutes, thinking the most selfish of thoughts;
things like, "I'm going to look too nice," or, "My friends will think I'm weird,"
and the most selfish thought that came across my mind was,
"Do I really want to stand a whole 45 minutes to Kihei?"
After debating this, I decided to give her my seat, and I asked,
"Excuse me, would you like my seat?", and she said, "Oh, yes, please!
I just had a hip surgery, and I'm in constant chronic pain."
And after I gave her my seat, I'm standing here, smiling inside
because she is more comfortable, and well, let's be honest, I'm 17.
It's OK if I stand up on the bus ride.
I smiled and turned my friend, and she gives me the most disgusted look.
It wasn't because I was too nice, or she thought I was weird,
But it was because, and I could tell from her face, that she was upset
she had to sit next to someone she didn't know.
This was the first time I realized people, and my generation in particular,
are becoming less compassionate every day.
Hearing my stories, I encourage you to be an advocate
for smiling at someone you may not know,
giving the older lady your seat on the bus,
and never fearing and shying away
from your innate desire to be kind of people.
What if with this lack of compassion and random acts of kindness
comes the lack of concern and need to see and help our community thrive?
For example, or no: I firmly believe that what we do today defines tomorrow,
and what happens in Hawaii's homes affects Hawaii's schools,
which ultimately affects Hawaii's communities.
Being born and raised in Maui.
I feel the need to give back to my community and preserve this island.
It is essential that we are kind to people
that we know, our loved ones, our friends, and even strangers
because these are the people that make up our communities.
My generation needs to have a positive contribution for our community.
In order to see it thrive.
But again, being involved in our community,
does not have to be monumental donating money
or doing huge things to benefit the community.
It can be as simple as picking up that piece of trash
instead of walking all over it,
or donating those canned goods that have sat in your cupboard for years,
that you know you will not eat.
Whatever the action is, a positive contribution can have a ripple effect.
And doing these small things
can not only make someone else smile but it can make you smile.
I have found, through my community connection,
working with the Hawaii Meth Project mentoring and tutoring
that in doing things for my world, my island, and my community
has made me happier.
And it has made me able and allowed me
to spread the compassion my generation desperately needs.
So, please, please, be a part of something bigger than yourselves
because that's what is going to lead
this generation, our society as a whole, to greatness.
Today, I encourage each every one of you:
friends, family, peers, distant acquaintances,
community members
to tap into your compassion, contribute to your community,
and watch a ripple effect of positivity sweep the islands.
Thank you.
(Applause)