Ignorance Doesn't Change the World

Wasn’t it easier in the lunchbox days?

Always a bigger bed to crawl into?

Wasn’t it beautiful when you believed in everything?

Everybody believed in you?

‘Innocent’ – Taylor Swift

Sometimes,

I wish that I could go

Back to the days

When

My biggest decision

Was who to invite to my birthday party

Or which OPI Nail Lacquer to buy

And

My biggest prayer request

Was that I would 

“Do well” in my exam or presentation.

When

My biggest problem

Was an unfair teacher

Or conflicting social events.

When

My biggest worry

Was that I wouldn’t get a date to the prom

Or be accepted to a good college

And

My biggest spiritual hurdle

Was how to “Be a witness”

To my friends who

(gasp)

swore.

The days

When

I could buy a product without

Wondering

About the the people who made it

(fair trade)

(sweat shops)

(chemical exposure)

(child labour)

(conflict minerals)

And therefore become

Conflicted

Myself.

The days

When

Having a crush on a boy

Meant I never had to

Actually

Talk to him.

The days

Before I started thinking critically.

The days

Before I left my “bubble.”

The days
Before I learned
That believing in God
Can be hard sometimes.
Before I wondered
What Jesus really meant
When He said,
"Follow Me."

The days

Before I watched the news.

Before I interacted with the oppressed.

Before I saw people’s spiritual wounds.

Before I experienced a world of unnecessary suffering.

Before I knew heartbreak.

Before I recognized my privilege.

Before I asked questions.

Things were easier in the lunchbox days.

These days are hard,

And sometimes they hurt.

But I believe they are worth it.

I guess it's true what they say,

That

Ignorance is bliss.

But ignorance doesn’t

Change the world.


And it won't change me, either.

Internet

Here I am, day 2 of no internet.

It’s funny the things we take for granted, isn’t it? The things upon which we are dependent?

15 years ago, we never would have thought that someday

not being able to connect to a wireless network or Ethernet cord

would put our work on hold

and make us wonder if people would worry that we were okay.

At least, I would never have imagined such a thing 15 years ago.

Or 10.

Or even 5.

But here I am, sitting in the library

Workless

Because a rat chewed through our internet cords. (Only in India)

It’s kind of nice, actually…

It makes you slow down,

Makes you think.

Makes you realize what a hurry we’re in to get things done…

And to probe into the depth of knowledge of the people around you

Rather than the depth of ‘knowledge’ online.

And…I got to read a book.

(note to the reader: don’t worry, our internet has now been fixed and is functioning as properly and efficiently as it is able to in India)