When Tomorrow Is Now

This essay by Jared Zabel is an entry in the L.A. Youth essay contest

Even the future will be the present someday. It’s never too early to start planning, something that’s true for people, businesses and even countries. Ten years from today, I’ll be in my twenties and – based on the way the world looks as we start 2009 – it will be the time to be alive and making a difference. I can’t wait.

In a world running out of oil, food, money and even fresh drinking water, there is one precious resource that may soon be more abundant than any time before in human history – hope.  Barack Obama just got elected president of the United States by talking about this resource.  He inspired millions to start thinking that tomorrow – no matter what our problems may be – can actually be better than today.

President Obama is on to something big here.  If enough people believe they can make a difference, they can become a force for change that will spread throughout their lives, their homes, and across every border on the planet.  If, as Gandhi said, we all need to “be the change you wish to see in the world,” then it’s time to get started.