I know it’s a bit early to be writing this list. And I know I’m a bit old – okay, a WHOLE LOT old – to be writing to you. But I figure it can’t hurt, right? After all, millions of children can’t be wrong. So, my wish-list for this year is as follows:
- An end to world poverty. Yes, this comes up every year by people far more influential than me, but why is nothing happening? For some, it could be relatively easy to make a difference. According to Forbes, the organization that details the world’s richest influencers, there were 946 billionaires in 2007. The average wealth of each of these billionaires was $3.6 billion. Imagine if each one gave $1 million toward ending poverty – that would be $946 million. It costs an average $10,000 to drill a well, yet this can provide a village of 1,000 people with clean water for 20 years. That’s almost 100,000 wells that could be built with the donations of the super-rich alone. Would they really miss it?
- A more sharing and caring world. One thing I love about social media is the way everyone seems to genuinely look out for each other. You need help – ask on Twitter and within seconds you could have 100 answers. This kind of social caring needs to come into the real world. I have high hopes with Obama instigating this type of world approach – please live up to them.
- An end to bigotry of all creeds – homophobia, racism, sexism and more. We’re all part of the same world, people – our problems and successes are all interconnected one way or another. So why decry someone for the colour of their skin or their sexual preferences?
- Stopping the abuse. Whether it’s physical or emotional, there is no place in any civilized society for abuse of any kind. Domestic violence; bullying; mental torture – it all adds up to the same thing. We’re called human beings – let’s start showing it.
- Religious tolerance for all. I’ll admit to not being a religious man, but I won’t decry anyone for being religious. Perhaps one of the reasons I’m not religious is that I see it as being the cause of so many wars and conflicts throughout the ages. Surely this can change? We may not agree with another person’s religious views, but they should still be respected, no?
That’s about it. It’d be great if any came true. Better still, if they all came true I’d be a very happy man. But I’m realistic. I know change isn’t going to happen overnight. But the belief that we can and will change is worth hanging onto.
After all, we can only instigate change through belief, and that is something I have tons of.
I’m pretty sure you do too, yes?
(PS – If you can find your way to putting an iPod Touch into my stocking, Santa, that’d be awesome!)