i watched "invisible children" with jiaying last night, and i think we came away both humbled at our miniscular efforts compared to the people involved in that project, as well as deeply affected by the number of things that deserve our attention and dedication in the world, yet feeling so small because we can only do so much.

i think contrary to popular belief, the young people are generally pretty much aware about such issues. take a look at the massive responses to Katrina, to 9-11, to the tsunami, and HIV in Africa. I personally was moved by the mission of the Nature Conservancy after the ASB trip. Looking around the auditorium after the movie ended yesterday, i was in no doubt that everyone in the room was touched by the plight of the children in uganda, and wanted to help in some way or another. The problem, however, is maintaining these emotions and commitment beyond the initial shock phase. Generally, the amount of help needed by the victims usually long outlast the public uproar. new issues constantly come up; the public is often overwhelmed by what the media throws at them, and more often than not, anything beyond two weeks old is not newsworthy anymore.

so what can we actually do? i think instead of flirting from one issue to another, one tragedy to the next, we should really dedicate ourselves to one particular incident, and focus all our attention on it. never mind that the issue you are working on is not the "hottest topic" around; after all, we's to judge what is more important than the other? we can only hope that are other people around who are similarly dedicated to other issues; only then will the aggregate level of youth commitment across all issues will be substantial to effect some sort of change.

on a different note, i just want to share this song with you. "you won't be mine" by matchbox twenty (again...). of course, if you've never heard it before, you can always ask me for this or any other M20 songs.

Take your head around the world
See what you get
From your mind
Write your soul down word for word
See who’s your friend
Who is kind
It’s almost like a diseaseI
know soon you will be

Over the lies, you’ll be strong
You’ll be rich in love and you will carry on
But no - oh no
No you won’t be mine

Take your straight line for a curve
Make it stretch, the same old line
Try to find if it was worth what you spent
Why you’re guilty for the way
You’re feeling now
It’s almost like being freeA
nd I know soon you will be

Over the lies, you’ll be strong
You’ll be rich in love and you will carry on
But no - oh no
No you won’t be mine

Take yourself out to the curb
Sit and wait
A fool for life
It’s almost like a disease
I know soon you will be

Over the lies, you’ll be strong
You’ll be rich in love and you will carry on
But no - oh no
No you won’t be mine