What In The World Is Happening?

I deviate from poker and want to talk about other things. When I started this blog I wanted to inspire other poker players like myself to pursue their dreams. Since then I have found a higher purpose which is to inspire all to be better versions of ourselves. Be ethical, considerate, helpful and caring, doing what we can to help those in need. Sometimes we think we can't do much, so we end up not doing anything. But I want to tell you, it's time we do something, anything.

Amazon is on fire

Global warming is real

So much has happened in August. Amazon is on fire, the arctic is melting at the highest rate ever, protests in Hong Kong, two mass shootings in the US in the space of 24 hours.....

Once considered one of the safest places to visit - Hong Kong

Innocents killed over nothing

I saw a few of my closest friends donate and urging others to donate to the Amazon situation, which is great. But at the end of the day, if we don't address the root of the issue, these things will never end. I believe the root is "selfishness". The Amazon is on fire and every year Indonesian forests go up in flames because of lazy farmers that light up their fields to save time from clearing it for the next season. Local authorities and governments do not do anything about it because they are profiting from it. Global warming is caused by a lot of factors, including deforestation, eating habits, our over dependency on fossil fuels, etc motivated by profits, self comforts and convenience. Hong Kong clashes will never be over because each faction cares too much about their own stances to back down. Protestors wanting democracy, politicians want to keep their jobs, police wanting a break, businesses wanting their livelihoods back. White supremacy, racism are also prime examples of putting oneself ahead of others.

Maybe you might say I don't do any of those. But we might all be guilty of being "selfish" in a more subtle way. Do you give your seat to the elderly on the train? Do you let people out of the elevator before entering? Do you queue? Do you pay back your creditors? Do you litter? Do you smoke in public spaces? Do you say please and thank you? Do you use headphones when listening to something in a public place? Do you attempt to reduce your carbon footprint? Do you press both buttons on the elevator despite going only one direction? Do you hold the door open for the next person?

Two days ago I helped a new friend move apartments. But I felt kinda sad because after being here for 1.5 years, the only friend that helped him move was someone he met just 3 weeks ago. If only everyone was just a little bit caring, giving, helpful, considerate and selfless. If everyone was nicer to everyone else then maybe people will change. Giving to charity is great, but there are so many things we can do. Smile more, compliment people, be friendly, hold the door after you've opened it, let others walk through it first, say please thank you and sorry more often, keep some plants in your home to produce oxygen, use less plastics, recycle, pick up trash when you visit the beach, put down your phone and talk with the people around you, visit a poor country, do some volunteering, do something for others without expecting anything in return..... Try it. Trust me, it is more rewarding that you would think.

Hope you're inspired. Share this with someone else if you are.