There is still sunshine

How many times have you been told to trust no one and that the world is full of evil? For me, that’s precisely the number of times I’ve tied my shoelaces and walked out the door. The constant reminders come in various forms and tones, from people who’ve been warned many times themselves. Oh and what a coincidence, all these people are women.

At one point, I really believed that every stranger I saw on the street could kidnap me. I still carry that belief wherever I go, because old habits die hard. Who am I kidding. It can’t possibly die when the newspapers remind us of it every single day.

But I refuse to keep expecting the worst from strangers because if someone does kidnap me, it would be a stranger that comes to my rescue like a blessing in disguise.

It’s so simple. I’ve just seen too much good in people to believe it any longer. I’ve met too many strangers that comfort you like a loved one could never. And as easy as it is to say that we live in the worst of times, what good did it do me replaying those warnings constantly in my head?

Yet, I might be totally mistaken. The world might be just everything that I’ve been told – a hidden hell yet to reveal itself. But for now, I’m grateful I haven’t experienced the dark side.

And when I do, I’ll remember all the advice that people have given me. I’ll be ready to embrace change and accept the harsh reality of the world we live in.

But till then, I’d like to believe in goodness.

I would like to believe that every child born today would grow up with so much to look forward to, so much love and joy that the world has to offer.

I would like to believe that I was born in a time and place that has so much to give me and that I have so much to give back to.

So let the world move on in fear and suspicion. For me, I’ll take the road less traveled – one filled with kindness and humanity.

I will continue to hope for goodness, that there is still sunshine left to see.