By Michael Armijo

I’ve looked at society and the everyday human being and I’ve come to the conclusion that; “I just don’t understand.” I don’t understand why people react the way they do, they play little games with others and sometimes, so adamantly, they convince themselves that life really is the misery that they proclaim. They realize that they have power and they pick and choose whom they’re going to benefit. Some people just feel they have the experience and the knowledge to choose who will gain from their power and their position in life; it’s up to them and no one else.

After getting off the phone with someone who had somewhat authority to make life easier for everyone, this person decided that today wasn’t a day to help anyone. At some point in our conversation, she realized that she isn’t going to help, and wouldn’t. Her logic was, “too bad,” and without regard, she decided she was not going to grant me any wishes. She decided that, based on my history, I didn’t deserve anything and I had no choice but to suffer the consequences of the misunderstandings that were evident.

I understand that a structured life has somewhat of a protocol, and procedures were made to reduce error and to be productive. But I also understand that there is an immeasurable element that structure, protocol, and procedure will have to take a back seat to, a measure I call “human compassion.” Not always will there be an answer we’ll always want to hear, and “too bad” ranks up there with the bad words, right next to “can’t” and “impossible.” I believe it’s not what you say in life, it’s how you say it.

When we speak to other individuals, we need to understand the importance of getting our point across. We need to understand the importance of communicating and educating others in order for them to see the entire picture. And when we run into those individuals who prefer not to educate others but instead choose who their power will benefit, we sometimes lose that wonderful vision of life that keeps our heart beating and allows our spirit to replenish.

Although we can sometimes feel that we are in a minority of society, we being the positive and outreaching, and regardless of these misunderstandings in life, regardless of the good intentions that we try to convey as true while others disregard, I still believe in many fantastic things. I still believe in the deep colorful shades that secrete in beautiful rainbows. I still believe the visual childhood implemented premise of the handsome prince charming coming for his beautiful princess, and that a gentle loving kiss can awaken her from her deep and lonely sleep. I still believe in the premise that wonderful people receive wonderful things at Christmas time. I still believe in the treasured happiness that our teachers and our parents implemented into our hearts; those unbelievable bedtime stories of happy scenarios with wish-like endings. And more importantly, I believe in the persistent philosophy in the certainty of the impossible in an age-old phrase that we’ve come to question; that there is a delicious taste embedded somewhere in “Green Eggs and Ham.” And regardless of all those who are out there, this belief helps me keep my faith in the goodness of the human spirit.