- Michael Dahdal
Smoke and Mirrors

In times of despair and uncertainty, we cling to hope and speak in euphemisms to make ourselves and others feel better.
Encouraging each other to trust, to have faith, to show gratitude, to believe, to keep loving.
All words, powerful words, words filled with potential.
But more often than not, empty words.
Kidding ourselves into believing that positive self talk alone, can make things better, it can’t.
In times of uncertainty, what we need is certainty.
We don’t want empty words and promises to cling to, we want something real.
We don’t need more smoke and mirrors, illusions of normalcy
We need something tangible, something concrete that can be lived and experienced.
Authenticity.
We don’t need empty promises, we need meaningful actions.
And all it takes to bring this into reality, is firm commitment.
The conviction and will to embody the virtues we so often preach.
Express them and hope they are in turn somehow reciprocated.
Because when it's embodied in relationship, is when the full power is unleashed
Taking an ideal and actualising it, plucking it from obscurity and putting it within reach.
Paving the way for others to now follow.
It’s YOU that brings these words to life by transforming what could be, into what now is.
Turning fantasy, into reality.
So be the change you wish to see in the world, don't expect it to magically change on its own.
If you’re longing for Love, be Love.
If you’re longing for hope, be hope.
If you’re longing for loyalty, be loyal.
The great works of fiction are themselves a commentary on life itself.
Fairytales and myths are not mere fantasy, but a transcendent reflection of what reality can be
Life, if nothing else is a story that we tell ourselves and each other.
So what then is the story you want to tell yourself?
What is your Life of Pi moment?
Like the old adage goes, “I’m tired of their stories, let’s write our own”
How true that is, the world is your oyster.
So then, what better time than now.
Start writing.