America.

Orlando.

A place where dreams come true. Where fireworks are launched over a fairy tale castle. Where a wizard boy triumphs over evil. Where the sun seems to shine every single day and smiles are abundant from people who travel from all over the globe to enjoy the treats on nearly every corner. A place where in one weekend, two separate events took the lives of people who shouldn’t have died so young.

America.

This is America. A place where we fight about on Facebook about the Orlando tragedy and use it as a political tool.

America.

This is America. A land where our two presidential candidates are likely despised by as many people who will vote for them, and when they don’t like what is said or written about them, they stick their fingers in their ears and say “I’m not listening” like toddlers. Where the truth is relative. Where one-sided “news” reports from slanted news sites posing as legitimate news outlets are taken word for word by lemming readers and shared without thought. Where when we get angry or upset, we turn on our phones and vent without taking a moment to think or allowing a moment to pause. Where social media has turned into a battleground and opinions turn friends against one another.

America.

This is America. Where we fight about who is going to use what bathroom. About who we can love. About where we can feed our babies and if our children can drink chocolate milk or eat cupcakes in school. About whether someone’s skin color determines if they are a good cop, a bad cop, a criminal or innocent. About how mothers bring their children to zoos. About who can own a gun and who can buy drugs.

America.

This is America. Where people are prescribed prescription drugs which are numbing and addicting and turn to street drugs which are tainted with murderous substances. Where we chastise immigrants and turn a blind eye to our family trees. Where we blame the media for everything, yet no one buys a newspaper to read thoughtful reports by journalists who tell all sides of a story. Where we spend our days with our faces buried in phones and tablets and computer screens and it’s all about “me, me, me!” while our neighbors, friends and family are longing for face time, not FaceTime. Where bullies and meanies hide behind keyboards and type things one would never say face to face. Where we immediately respond on social media before actually reading all sides of a story. Where political correctness has overtaken common sense.

America.

This is America. Where we raise entitled children who can’t accept “no.” Who need immediate gratification and trophies and lessons dumbed down so everyone is on the Honor Roll. Who can’t mow lawns or put away their clothes but can play video games for hours on end. Where children crave Instagram “likes” and Snapchat followers and worship opinions of YouTubers. Where we can name every member of the Kardashian family but we can’t name the Vice President of the United States. Where pouty duckface lips have replaced pretty smiles.

America.

This is America. Where we need to teach respect and responsibility in school because those lessons are not being taught at home. Where parents show up en masse when sports are cut from schools but don’t speak a word if a math teacher is let go. Where our youth can’t make change without a cash register telling them what amount to give back to a customer. Where we use plastic and phone apps to pay for everything and don’t know what its like to hand over cold, hard cash that we worked to earn. Where teens are not bagging groceries and working at fast food joints because adults are. Where veterans are homeless and taking numbers for health care. Where we point fingers.

America.

This is America. The land of the free and the home of the brave. Made in America. The birthplace of rock and roll. The Great American Melting Pot. Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses. The American Dream. Freedom of speech. Equal rights. Love thy neighbor. Random acts of kindness. Land that I love, stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above. God bless America. Freedom of religion. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All.

What happened, America?

I think it’s time for a revolution.

And it doesn’t start with Trump or Hillary. Or Bernie, for that matter.

Or God, guns, gorillas, gender issues or whatever argument you are currently witnessing scroll before your eyes.

It starts with YOU.

YOU.

This is you. Instead of typing on a phone, dial a phone number. Instead of looking down, look up. Think twice. Just think. Take a pause. Breathe. Discipline your children. Love your children. Teach your children. Be smart. Embrace knowledge. Read a newspaper. Be helpful. Be giving. Be a friend. Invite a friend for coffee. Look a stranger in the face. Volunteer. Share. Cultivate an open mind. Don’t just click and share. Don’t vent impulsively. Be positive. Encourage. Don’t pass judgement. Examine situations. Have compassion. Don’t be blind. Be open. Open your heart. Be kind. Kindness matters. Smile. Love. Love your country so much that you want to change it.

America needs YOU.

The revolution starts with you. Maybe if we all took more responsibility for the impact we have on others, we can change the future.