Straight Talk TNT

My wish is that people open their minds to others’ words, thoughts and feelings. I see a great strength in humanity — and a greater strength in community and unity. I pray that people will respect themselves, strangers, enemies, and the earth, on a level never reached before.

I ask that we teach compassion instead of encouraging and incentivizing self-interest. Too often we are taught to fight for personal goals and motivations, no matter what stands in our path. From kindergarten through college, I was very much encouraged to work toward a career as a compartmentalized individual unit, profiting primarily myself. This approach is incorrect. Instead parents and teachers must promote careers that aspire to benefit all humanity. Through this, I believe we can begin disassociating from nationalistic tendencies and recognize our common bond as citizens of the same earth.

The recent shootings display the low our world has reached. What concerns me most is that when bad things happen to good people, instead of unity, we choose separation. This is what I would change.

I would fix our broken educational system. I believe the effect would ripple outward more than any other action. It’s simple: 1) pay teachers more — a lot more, like a doctor or lawyer. Now our top brains in college will compete to be teachers rather than something else. 2) Remove teacher tenure. 3) Drastically cut funding for administrators. Many receive six- and seven-figure pay with little advancement to education.

We are so wrapped up in time, money and appearances we have forgotten the natural world. There is little escape from the constant media hum playing with our minds, manipulating our thoughts. Depression, addiction, identity-searching, self harm, attention and eating disorders are more widespread than ever. In 2013, I want to live fully in the present while accomplishing set goals. I want to attend a dance… and actually dance, proud of who I am, not ashamed. I want to leave the media behind and explore Mother Nature.

New to San Francisco, I unknowingly walked through the Tenderloin on my way to work. Drug addicts were everywhere, prostitutes, pimps, the works. People were buying heroin and crack right in front of me and offering them to me, too. Never have I felt more unsafe — or more grateful for a sheltered childhood. Later, friends told me the Tenderloin is known for that. This made me angry that there were no police, that these people aren’t getting help.

The Connecticut grade-school shooting devastated me. The mental state of someone in so much pain that they believe killing is the answer is horrible to imagine. We must reach out and include those who are rejected or bullied. One small act of unconditional love toward a fellow human can change someone's day. And that day can change a life.

Lack of understanding is the root of human problems. Assumptions lead to bullying, hatred and discrimination. If people cared enough to understand where another is coming from, it would resolve disputes and decrease violence everywhere.

I would end human trafficking. Also, I would make giving an automatic human behavior, where everyone, everywhere donated as much to charities as they spent on coffee.