Since When?

It has become increasingly apparent to me in interactions with my peers that we have adopted a horrifyingly negative mentality. The mentality is that it is acceptable to use another person for a sense of gratification with no thought to the feelings of the person, primarily in the area of sex and affection.

Suddenly one day my friend asked me, "When did we become so harsh?" I was taken aback. I make it a priority to be kind to everyone, but suddenly I found myself going out of my way to make it obvious to the people who had hurt my friends that I did not like them. I had arrived at a breaking point. A girl can only watch and give quiet, patient advice followed by quiet, patient comforting for so long. All I could think was, "Was I this exasperating to my friends when I fell head over heels for someone who didn't give two shakes about me?" I was no longer happy to sit on the side lines and observe, or be the brunt of it myself.

Somewhere along the way, my generation lost the concept of consideration for others' feelings, particularly in dealings where actions can be so easily misinterpreted.

You may attempt to rid yourself of all emotion and become a machine designed with the sole purpose of fulfilling your carnal pleasures. But you can't. Because we are human and our emotions are a fundamental part of us.

How do we change this? Gandhi said to be the change you wish to see in the world.

The Story of 1-4-3

The lighthouse keeper kissed his lover goodbye. He was loathe to let go of the woman who held his heart and soul captive. But the lighthouse had to be tended, lest the men at sea lose their way. The keeper's obligation was to them, for they, too, had lovers on shore waiting for them.

"Never fear, my darling, but watch tonight for the light signals. I will send the message of my heart to you."

The keeper's lover waited by her window. She watched as the endless waves thrashed the jetty on which the lighthouse stood, and prayed for no harm to come to her love.

And that night, the keeper filled the lamps to overflowing with oil, and lit them. Then he flashed the lights. One swing. Pause. Four swings. Another Pause. Then the last three swings.

1-4-3

The keeper's lover saw the lights from the lighthouse, and blew a thousand kisses to her lover.

And until they grew old, the keeper lit the lamps every night, to send his message to his lover on the shore.