Making changes today for a better tomorrow

Youth are the future. In both the Catholic community and beyond, it is the youth who will shape the world of tomorrow.If we want a better tomorrow or if we see issues that need alteration in the world today, it is the young people who can make these changes.

But sometimes age can be used as an excuse for inaction.Too often, many may feel they are too young to do anything that will leave a lasting impact.

A classic example of how youth are powerful enough to make a difference can be seen through the actions of Craig Kielburger.

He identified what needed to be changed by recognizing that child labour and slavery were wrong.Then, he acted to free the children from their poverty by founding Free the Children — when he was only 12 years old.

But we do not have to be the next Kielburger.Making changes in the world can start in our own daily lives. How can we be Christ for the world?Where is Christ absent and how can we include Him?

Two years ago, I spoke to a group of underprivileged students about the importance of education and community leadership. In that presentation, I created a simple acronym to get my point across.The acronym “I CAN” stands for Identify Changes; Act Now. So what needs to be changed in our world, our communities, our schools or our families?

It is easy enough to identify situations in the world that need to be changed: poverty, bullying, abuse, hatred and war. However, the second step is more of a challenge.We need to act now to make change a reality.Age cannot be an excuse.

If we see that poverty exists in our community, do we decide to donate our gently used clothing to non-profit organizations or do we volunteer our time at food banks?If we see there is a new student in our school who sits sadly alone, do we invite that student to join our group of friends? If we realize we are constantly arguing with our parents, do we apologize and try to improve the relationship?The list is endless.

Each day we can easily identify changes that we can make to improve the world by being Christ for others.

We are all part of Christ’s body; we are His hands, His feet.Through our words and actions, Christ is present, making the world a better place.

But we need to take our own initiative.

No one can force us to make changes.We need to choose to take the time to smile more often, to visit the lonely, to go abroad to help the poor or do whatever we feel is necessary to bring Christ’s presence to others.

And as Blessed John Paul II reminds us, “The future starts today, not tomorrow.”

(Gagliano, 20, is a life sciences student at the University of Toronto.)