I've been having trouble sitting down to write lately. I don't feel like I have any inspiration these days, and struggle with what to say. Today, I thought I would try a writing prompt to jump start some thoughts.
Prompt: If you could invent something to help mankind, what would it be?
This is an interesting prompt that came up after a year filled with so much hate, unrest, and violence in Kansas City and around the world. I think about the 152 homicides in the metro area thus far, the 58 killed and hundreds more injured by a gunman in Las Vegas while they were attending a concert, those that face racism/discrimination on a daily basis, and the terrorist attacks overseas. My heart goes out to those affected. With that being said, I wish that I could invent a medication that would give everyone empathy. Why empathy? Well, empathy is "the ability to understand and share the feelings of another". I believe that the people who commit the heinous acts I've mentioned lack empathy. If they did, they never would have intentionally caused pain to another individual by guns, words, etc. It would force the person to stop and think about what they were about to do or say. You would have the ability to understand what affect the action would have on the other person. You've heard the idiom, "Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes," it's a reminder to think of other's feelings.
I think one of the most important characteristics a person can have in the quest to make the world a better place is empathy. There are many news stories and viral videos around the internet to validate this point.
I challenge everyone who reads this (including myself) to think of a way you can go above and beyond to show kindness to someone you know really needs it. Take action, be the medicine someone else needs!
***Feel free to share any of your stories with me at reesewritings@gmail.com.
