Shadows of the treasured east, privileged secrets born to keep.

I don't deserve the hand that I've been given.

(In b4 you interpret that sentence in the stereotypical angsty!teen kinda way.)

I am much too lucky to have been born on this continent, a land overrun by dominant ideologies of freedom and opportunity. Suffice it to say billions of people on this good earth don't live life a fraction as easily as I am able to. Why was I given this chance, and not one of them? What makes me more deserving than they, these people with potentially much more potential than I?

I am much too fortunate to have grown up during this era, to live during the turn of the millennia, to witness the induction of America's first non-Caucasian president. I have witnessed wars in progress, societal development, technological advances, pure history in the making. Was there a reason I was born here and now, given the rare chances to experience once-in-a-lifetime phenomena multiple times in my one life?

I am insufficiently thankful for the abilities and talents I have developed and managed to maintain, taking my physical health and mental advantages for granted and rarely acknowledging the fact the majority of humankind does not have it half as good as I do.

I am much too glad my education and daily experiences have provided me with the chance to open my eyes.

I will take all I know, all I appreciate, all I have, all I love, and strive to employ it for the betterment of this world to the best of my human ability.

I think we can all agree I owe it that much.