With age comes many changes, some physical and some, hopefully, emotional. Today I’m writing this post because in a few days, on Monday May 2nd, our Canadian election will take place. Most who know me are probably wondering where my sudden interest in politics is coming from! lol . . . Age. That is my answer. lol.
Jokes aside, I have come to realize that life is too precious to live it passively. Work, school, chores and our long to do lists take over, but over the past few years I’ve realized that changes in the world don’t just happen through spontaneous combustion. If I care about my parent’s old age health, if I care about my future pension, if I care about the future of the cute 5 year olds in school today, if I care about my living conditions tomorrow, then I have to make the effort to educate myself all year long and not just during election time.
What pisses me off: When politicians de-value our priorities and don’t speak to issues that affect young individuas like tuition fees for example. But I can’t blame them either. The last election in 2008, only 56.8% of Canadians of elegible voting age voted. This is a decrease from 75% in the 1960’s. Bottom Line: If we don’t care, why should they care about us? Like my high school teacher told me, no decision is a decision. Passiveness is a decision. Yes, most don’t have faith a vote will make a difference, but the past few years, there have been several world events that indicate otherwise. If people continue to disempower themselves with negative thoughts and cynicism then it is inevitable that those in power will ignore you, or worse, even harm you, furthering your already developed cynicism.
Ghandiji said be the change in the world that you want to see. No one is asking you to start charities or donate endless hours of time or money. The only thing I’m encouraging you to do, is exercise your right to vote, because you have one. Trust me, it is a privilege, because billions and billions of people DON’T have that option or have to risk their lives to exercise their right to democracy.
What motivates me to vote: I remember the feeling of utter helplessness I felt standing in a Canadian hospital, waiting for over 15 hours for my dad to receive surgery. He is a brave man who never complains to this day, but he was in severe pain, bleeding continuously, and being offered nothing but rudeness from hospital staff, being starved and dehydrated. Oh yes, they gave him pain killers, that was the best solution. No I don’t blame anyone for this service, but I remember it, because it reminds me that I have a choice, a choice to care now so that in the future when a loved one is at the mercy of government services, I can advocate, hopefully feeling a little less helpless, knowing that I have tried to be less passive and let the government know that my family matters through my vote.
Can’t Wait for May 2nd! Thanks for reading!
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