December 28, 2020
by Zette Saquian
Another year has passed and more memories were created. The year 2020 was one of the most challenging and eye-opening years in the history of mankind. Everything we once knew changed. There were limitations to what we could do and to what we decide. It’s like everything took another turn and backfired. A lot has happened to our world in the year 2020. Calamities that shook the world and brought fear and worry in the hearts and minds of the people. Calamities that changed how the world was rotating in our lives. Calamities that served as a warning to how we’re treating our world and how we treat other people as well. This was a warning to all of us— but the question is, does anyone care?
Do any one of us see the significance of the things that happened in 2020? Does anyone have any idea how serious these matters are? Have we ever thought of reflecting on what we’ve done in the past years? Have we reflected on what our ancestors did during their time? Have we ever thought of correcting the mistakes our forefathers started? Have we ever thought of a solution that could help and make our world a better place? Have we woken up to the reality that our world is suffering as we selfishly satisfy our wants without considering the damage it has caused? How long must we remain blind and deaf to the calls of suffering and pain we’ve caused? Wake up! Stand up! Speak up! Nothing will ever change if we continue being selfish and being hypocrites. Our world was always there for us when we needed it, but where were we? Just minding our own business and not even making one step to help. The things happening in our world may be natural, but the intensity was because of our errors and mistakes. The intensity that could wreck and eliminate anything in its path. Because of our selfish deeds, we all have suffered, yet no one seemed to still care. Yet only a few have realized the errors we’ve done.
How many typhoons, volcanic eruptions, fires, and floods must we experience before we could understand and see the mistakes we’ve done? How long must we let our world perish? This was just the beginning, must we wait until things will fall apart and vanish permanently? 2020 was the year for reflection and redemption. It was our time to wake up and do something to correct the wrongdoings built-up through the years. It was our time to change the path our lives were heading by thinking outside of the box and see for ourselves how we affected the world and the people around us. All of these were products of our decisions and actions. It’s our fault why we’re suffering because we let something suffer for generations. We neglected something for a very long time without even trying to save it. Some may have, but what about the others?
Even when the Coronavirus attacked, it seemed like no one still cared. People still did things that worsened the situation. People were still outside frolicking and doing unnecessary travels to different borders, risking themselves and the people they will encounter. How stubborn can humans get? How selfish and stupid can humans be? Will this stupidity help? Will this ignorance save us? We have to wake up to the reality that our world is slowly fading, slowly dying because of us. 2020 was just the beginning and it will not stop unless we wake up and do something to help. As Bob Marley’s Redemption Song stated: “how long shall they kill our prophets while we stand aside and look”, how long must we mentally enslave ourselves and pretend that everything is alright when we know deep down that it’s not? How long must we pretend? How long must we lie to ourselves? How long must we let everyone suffer? We had a year to reflect. We had a whole year to rest and realize the facts and the reality in this world. Our world needs us and this time it’s our turn to help and save it. Even small things can help. Every step we make towards goodness and compassion is a great change to the path and future we’re taking. 2020 may have been a hard and relentless year, but it was also a year for reflection and change. As another year approached, we all must remember the wrath and pain we caused. Together let’s stand up, help, and make our world a better place.
“What have we done to the world? Look what we’ve done.
What about all the peace that you pledge your only son?”
-Earth Song, Michael Jackson