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Gas Works Park became a comforting home to me while attending the University of Washington.  Named for the former occupant, the real draw is the waterfront view, willingly shared to anyone who steps onto its grassy grounds. With each visit, I seem to gleam a new insight. Some way or another, the park taps into my heart and mind, giving me wisdom through inexplicable and intangible osmosis. Through this, one sunny day at that park turned me onto a journey to become more aware of our world and to want to create change. I saw the gorgeous city of Seattle surrounded by nature`s hills and water, a beautiful amalgamation, brought together seamlessly as if the land had willingly allowed the city inside its doors. The more I looked over the site, the more I realized that people, human beings, with their two fragile hands, created the great city. The power we have to build great towers, expansive streets, shops and residences, not only amazed me but also frightened me. The metropolis, intertwining with the land and water, spoke encouragingly and cautiously: I could do something great with my life, but I could also do nothing and, at worst, I could create much harm.  My two hands, no different than others, could build anything. In my case, I wanted not a city but a better world.

That day my heart became compassionately consumed with the thought that we all have a real responsibility to our planet and who we share it with.  The choices and actions of one does not build a city alone, neither does it destroy the land one hopes to build it on.  However, each person who chooses to lay a brick sets a foundation for the next man, woman or child to stand on.  I asked myself if I wanted to build something great, to allow others to reach higher than myself or if I was going to hope for someone else to do it.  I made a choice that day and I am trying to live up to it.

I love that park, it has comforted me each time I have gone and helped me clear my thoughts and opened up new roads in my mind. Although Gasworks Park may not be the impetus to anyone else`s actions, many have a place, person or thing that inspires them most and I encourage you to find what inspires you.  In the end I hope each person can inspire one another, even if the influence is small, inspiration is not a zero-sum game. Add a drop of inspiration to someone’s life and it will build along with each moment that makes them think a little harder and appreciate life a little more.  Luckily, inspiration is contagious.  Inspire one and they will inspire many.

I don’t believe that one person can change the world by themselves, but I believe it only takes one person to start.

Photo Credit: Kris