By KJ
Life often makes us ask deep questions about why we are here, what our purpose is, and how the world works. I've spent a lot of time thinking about these ideas, trying to find meaning. In this post, I’ll share my journey and hope it inspires you to start your own path of self-discovery and change.
The Search for Meaning
Since I was young, I’ve wondered about the existence of a higher power and how humans came to be. It’s hard to understand how one divine being could create billions of unique people and those same people fail to understand the interconnectedness of us all. At the same time, evolution theories left me wondering how simple life forms became the complex humans we are today.
These thoughts made me realize how much we still don’t know. Even with all our scientific advances, some mysteries remain—like the exact moment life begins or ends, or what happens after death. But these mysteries don’t have to paralyze us. In fact, they invite us to awaken, to step beyond confusion and fear, and to seek a deeper truth: that we have the power to shape the world we live in. The search for meaning isn’t just about understanding life—it’s about understanding our role in making it better.
Are We Living in a Dream?
While exploring these ideas, I read The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. He suggests that life is like a dream shaped by our beliefs and what society teaches us. This idea made sense to me. It made me wonder—can we "wake up" from this dream and live more freely?
I believe we can. Every mindful choice we make helps us break free from harmful patterns. But daily life often pulls us back into routine, making it hard to stay fully aware.
If life is a dream, it’s one shaped by centuries of conditioning—biases passed down, power structures built to divide us, and beliefs that tell us who deserves more or less. Waking up means seeing these false narratives for what they are and choosing to live differently. It’s not just about personal freedom—it’s about breaking the cycles of harm that have trapped us for generations.
Choosing Personal Growth
Seeing life as a dream changes how we live. It gives us the power to shape our world, both inside and out, to better reflect who we really are. This kind of change doesn’t just help us—it can spread to our families, communities, and beyond.
But growth isn’t easy. Society’s rules, ignorance, and even cruelty can make us feel stuck. Still, it’s during these hard times that we find our true purpose: to keep going, inspire others, and create positive change, no matter how small.
Staying Strong During Hard Times
Lately, I’ve been feeling sad, angry, and anxious, especially after the political changes that started in 2024. As a Black, queer woman, the current administration’s policies feel like a personal attack. Laws that control my body and ignore my existence make me feel invisible and powerless.
This election brought back issues we hoped were gone—racism, hate, and violence are louder than ever. It’s hard to stay hopeful, but I think of my ancestors who faced worse and still stood strong. They remind me that success isn’t always about speed or strength—it’s about endurance.
Even when I feel tired, I won’t give in to hate. My ancestors' strength flows through me. They didn’t just endure—they resisted. They fought, they loved fiercely, and they dreamed of a world better than the one they knew. That’s the torch I carry now. It’s not enough to survive. We must use our voices, our hearts, and our actions to build the world they dreamed of—one where justice, love, and freedom aren’t just ideals but realities.
This isn’t about ignoring sadness or pain. It’s about facing reality and finding strength within it. We are not afraid. We won’t be silenced or controlled. We reject hate and will stand up for love, justice, and freedom. As Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Why This Work Matters
When I think about the work I do, I realize that this moment—right here and now—is exactly why it’s so important. History has taught us that staying silent makes us part of the problem. I admit that I’ve been silent at times. Maybe you have too. It’s easy to get lost in fear, in doubt, in the overwhelming weight of the world’s problems. But silence keeps us trapped in the dream. It allows harm to continue unchecked. The work I do—and the work I’m inviting you into—isn’t about being perfect. It’s about waking up, owning our roles, and choosing to do better. Together.
I often imagine big, bold ways to change the world—standing on mountaintops, shouting for justice, love, and accountability. But I’ve come to understand that the sickness harming humanity can only be healed from within. It starts in our minds, hearts, and bodies, and flows into our families and communities.
I wonder why so many people choose hate. For some, it seems like a way to numb pain. For others, it becomes a tool to feel superior. I’m deeply shocked by how easily people oppress and harm others. And for what? What do they really gain?
We often say power and greed plant the seeds of oppression, and hate grows from there. But I believe there’s something deeper, something in the "soil" of humanity that festers when certain conditions exist. Some people seem driven to cause pain and even find joy in others' suffering. Whether this comes from trauma or something else isn’t always clear, but unchecked bias and harmful behavior only spread more pain—especially to those already marginalized.
The work I do is meant to stop this cycle. It’s about helping people become more self-aware and accountable for their actions and words. It’s about breaking down the walls that make us see others as enemies. Our differences have been used to divide and confuse us, hiding a simple truth: we all deserve justice, freedom, acceptance, and love—real love that includes accountability.
We’re human, so we’ll never be perfect. But we can strive to be better—to bring hope, joy, wisdom, and peace into the spaces we occupy. The path to transformation starts within. When we look inside ourselves, we find the truth of our shared humanity and the light that leads us toward freedom.
A Call to Action: Start From Within
The sickness in our world—hate, oppression, and division—can only be healed from within. We've seen how silence makes us complicit, how unchecked bias festers, and how the smallest actions can either harm or heal. The truth is, real change starts inside us and radiates outward.
If we want a world filled with justice, love, and accountability, we need to transform the spaces we live in—our minds, hearts, and communities. That transformation begins with you.
Here’s how we can move forward:
Pause and Reflect: Where in your life have you been silent when you should have spoken up? What biases are you holding that need to be addressed?
Practice Self-Empowerment: Recognize your ability to create change, starting with your own thoughts, words, and actions.
Lean Into Collective Responsibility: Use your voice and power to uplift others, especially those who have been marginalized or silenced.
Lead with Compassionate Action: Choose empathy, even when it’s hard. Remember that everyone is carrying their own pain.
Hold Yourself Accountable: When you make mistakes (because we all will), own them. Apologize, learn, and grow.
This isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. It’s about waking up from the "dream" of disconnection and stepping into a deeper awareness of our shared humanity.
The time is now.The work begins within.And together, we can co-create a world built on love, justice, and compassion.
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