Something I’ve noticed even moreso lately – you can say there are many ignorant people in the world, and our world still consists of a myriad of social problems – gender roles, racism, etc. Due to this, many people have become very negative just by living in the world today. They get absorbed in history as well as peoples’ ignorance in the present, and their emotions get involved. They don’t realize how negative and absorbed their thoughts have become.

Where I see the problem is they don’t realize how the time they spend thinking about these things affects them — their own minds, perceptions, emotions — as well as the issue itself. The more energy you put into something the more it will grow. You may think that you have a handle on the issue or are above the issue if you’re placing your opinion on it and putting energy into it. But you are actually contributing to the divide between people by reasserting that it exists or has existed. But we want to move past these issues for the future, right?

Just because things are or have been a certain way doesn’t mean they should be or they will be forever. But in order to shift the focus in a different direction, less time needs to be spent even thinking about these things. It’s time to move on and put energy into a more positive direction, even if others are keeping to their ignorance. Remember the issues of the past and present as you wish but don’t dwell on them. Work instead at creating the world in your mind that you want to see manifest in reality. Dreams can come true, and your own thoughts are a very legitimate tool that will shape yours and others’ realities. The issues of the world will hold you down to their level forever if you let them —

“Humans are divided into different clans and tribes, and belong to countries and towns. But I find myself a stranger to all communities and belong to no settlement. The universe is my country and the human family is my tribe. People are weak, and it is sad that they divide amongst themselves. The world is narrow and it is unwise to cleave it into kingdoms, empires, and provinces.” – Khalil Gibran

I wish more people knew the extent to which their minds can create their realities – most people have heard many times that perception is everything. However, I think where people (and myself) have had trouble with this is they are still too attached to perceptions that are influencing them from external sources. Whether that be emotions they experience, society’s expectations or their parents’ expectations, or just what they’ve come to understand people and life as.

There is so much that we can know intellectually, but as in many things, it comes down to how we use that information. Life is difficult; it is full of people who have lost their minds and souls, full of businesses and governments that don’t have you in their best interest. Business often rules all, not humanity. Everything can be cold, harsh, and it can feel like a big letdown from what we thought life should be like.

If we choose to though, we truly can turn every negative thought or perception into something positive or productive and beneficial.

Our minds are truly the gateway to a heaven on earth.

But it takes practice. Daily practice in detaching yourself from what is, and realizing that just because it IS doesn’t mean it should be, or will forever be.

The world can be in ruin, but you don’t have to be. You can be free.

Our minds are the gateway that will take us from this world to the next. The earth and all its people as it is now are a temporary thing, but our minds are ethereal, able to transform, able to create anything.

You just have to put in the effort, and don’t settle for less.