[vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Sometimes, real world events compel us to take a step back and appreciate what truly matters in life.

This site is so much fun for me, an indulgence of the interests and passions I enjoy sharing with all of you, made possible by the freedoms and opportunities we are so fortunate to be able to have in this country.

The recent events in Gaza have been very frustrating for me personally, not necessarily stemming from personal or religious beliefs, but from a realization of how today’s “social media” generation gathers its information and formulates its opinions.

It has been shocking to me not only about how misinformed many people are, but also about how unwilling people are to look at both sides of an issue before rushing into an opinion simply because it’s trendy, or “trending.” 

We often hear of today’s generation lightheartedly claiming they get their news solely from Facebook. It’s pretty frightening how actual this statement really is. 

The conflict is in Gaza. But there is a different kind of war being waged in social media right now, a propaganda war. We live in a time where even our media sources have their political biases. There is too much misinformation out there, too many people stating facts based on untruths, and a seeming unwillingness to be open-minded about what really is happening.

This is an appeal to all of those out there who are posting your opinions on the Gaza conflict on sites like Facebook and Twitter:

By making your voice heard, you have a responsibility to seek out information, to educate yourself about both sides of a conflict, to learn about the historical context from both sides, before rushing to a post that is quick to place judgment.

Learn about the history of your own country, the wars it had to fight, the sacrifices your people had to endure, the hard decisions that needed to be made, in order to preserve the freedoms you enjoy today. These freedoms are deserved by every single human being on this planet.

March in the streets if you feel compelled to, attend peaceful rallies, show your dedication for your cause, but make sure you are demonstrating for the right cause. If not, you are inadvertently supporting a side that relies on propaganda and preys on your naivety to further its agenda.

If you live in a country with freedoms, if your government is a democracy that gives you the right to choose your destiny in life, and if these are your personal values, make sure the side you are choosing promotes this. Otherwise, you are are supporting a side that wants your freedom, your way of life, and your life, removed.

Think before you act.

We live in a time when we have the means to make our individual voices heard to a much larger spectrum of people than previous generations. We have the ability to influence. But we can also be susceptible to manipulation by the opinions and agendas of others just as easily.

There is an expression, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

There is power in our voice. If you are exercising that power, if you are making your voice heard, then you have a moral and ethical responsibility to yourself and those you can influence, knowing your words can make a difference, for better or for worse, in the world.

I am grateful for having the freedom to be able to share this viewpoint with all of you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]