I have been reading a lot about the Sri Lanka bombing and when I see the horrors of our world I want to grab the people I love and shield them from the chaos that is going on. When I read about the Syrian refugees, the mosque shooting in New Zealand and the departure of many immigrant children it breaks my heart to know that there is so much terror in our world and that thought can eventually consume an individual’s mind.

Because of this; there are days when I find it challenging to believe in humanity. How can someone just tear a family apart? How can they turn their back on someone that is searching for the land of freedom? And if they feel any guilt at night because of the pain they have caused someone else.

But the most powerful thing about humans is our willingness to keep going only sustained by hope. Hope that our world will find peace, and when that power is placed in motion I see the beauty of what it can do. We humans, uniting to fight against the injustices that occur.

Samuel Ullman once wrote, “When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at 20, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch waves of optimism, there is hope you may die young at 80.” When we are united, we are reminded that there is more to the world than just our selfishness.

To see someone run back into the twin tower during 9/11 to save a stranger’s life, to advocate your company towards Jewish protection during the Holocaust, to courageously defend your faith, sexuality, and race against discrimination. These acts not only caused a ripple in history, but they also left an imprint in someone’s life.

That is the crazy thing we do not see, but we must understand since everything we do leaves an impact; so make sure to be the light that can inspire people.

Thank you so much for reading my blog post today and I hope you find inspiration in my message. I know it was a bit different than my normal post, but this is what has been on my mind lately. Keep a lookout for my next blog post since it will be more geared towards spring and summer fashion.

Also, if you would like to donate to the survivors of Sri Lanka’s bombing click here.

Photographer: Kenzie Alizabeth 
Blog Edits: Rovie Mae
Special Shoutouts: Lyly Nguyen and Theresa Doan

Love,
Thy X. Phan