If there is one genetic trait I’m grateful for… it’s these athletic legs. They’ve carried me at times my life has depended on it.

The first time I counted my blessings, I was in middle school. Approaching home sweet home, seconds after getting off the public bus with my mom, I heard a voice yell “Run, run, as fast as you can. I have a gun.” from the window of a neighboring building. Looking up, I saw a boy who seemed to be slightly older than I was, leaning over his open windowsill, about 6 stories above.

If you hear a threat like that in a dangerous area, do not hesitate to question it. Turning to my mom, I told her to run in sign language and that I would explain later. We ran, carrying heavy shopping bags in our hands, after a long day in the city. The kid exploded in laughter as he reminded us to keep running, repeatedly. Fortunately, the torment lasted less than a minute. Our building was less than an avenue away.

Once the coast was clear and I caught my breath, I told my deaf mom what she hadn’t heard for herself. My mom and I hugged each other, grateful to be alive. Hugs have many health benefits, I was as soothed as I possibly could have been. We briefly spoke about how wild the experience was and continued to do what we would have done any other night. We ate dinner, watched TV, and got ready for the next day. I was not sure what to think about how my day had gone, but remember feeling frustrated with myself for not doing more to protect my family. I felt helpless and struggled to understand how anyone could think of taunting another being like that. I recognize now that perpetrators are desperate to feel valued, and resorting to violence is the unhealthy coping mechanism they’re familiar with. I do not sympathize with them, but I can empathize with their struggle to love themselves wholeheartedly.

As I walk past the building, I still look at the windows, trying to guess which apartment exactly the kid came from. I do not know anything about his situation, apart from the brief interaction we had. I hold onto the belief that the more I know, the more I can help. I deeply crave to get to the root cause of any challenge to prevent others from experiencing anything remotely similar as I am executing my vision of world peace, slowly, but surely.

Physiologically, those in environments where they do not have a restful place to call home are less likely to be motivated enough to work towards the bigger picture. Learning more about Maslow's hierarchy of needs explained the lack of compassion I witnessed between those of different socioeconomic classes. It is normal to move between the pyramid levels in response to the ebbs and flows life presents. Self-actualization is attainable.

Having experienced one year of public education in a lower-income neighborhood, I noticed how outdated and limited educational materials were. No child should be left behind, including the one shouting from the windowsill. Clearly, the kid sought attention.

It is up to us to create a better world. Generally speaking, support tends to go where money is. It’s why I am so passionate about the nonprofit sector and giving back to less fortunate communities, as much as possible. Stay tuned, by the end of this month, there will be a new page on this site to continue fulfilling my dream of sharing as many tools and resources as possible, to help others live out their dreams.

The journey starts with taking care of ourselves to be of sound mind, body, and spirit. The present is fleeting, the past is long gone, and the future depends on the now. The big picture is always present and good things take time.