Gandhi provides words for living

We live in interesting, but trying, times. Growing up, most of us were taught that opportunity was available to anyone who worked hard and wanted it enough; now, the daily news mostly brings negative reports on the economy, leading us to wonder if that lesson will be a promise unfulfilled. From all over the planet, we receive distressing accounts of abuse of money and power, or leaders accused of acting irresponsibly or maliciously against others or their own people. A North Korea that is rattling its saber more vigorously than it has in the past couple of years, a European continent that has been drawn deep into a recession like that of the United States, a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan, threatening to reclaim the country’s provinces and isolate the Western-supported government in Kabul…. It seems that in every corner of the globe, the prosperity and legitimacy of representative government is challenged, as never before. You’re tempted to just throw up your arms in disgust and throw in the towel. Right?Not so fast. There’s a quote worth mentioning here that comes straight from the mouth of no one less than Mahatma Gandhi. It’s hardly corny, and can be some real food for thought. He said that when he despaired, he would “remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won.”Challenges seemingly insurmountable, like a recession, are temporary things and will someday pass. Bear in mind, our country has survived wars, social change and the Great Depression; compared to the strength of our Union, this recession is nothing but ephemeral. We can and will overcome it, in time. I admit that keeping a cheery mindset when nearly all you hear about is the enconomy’s poor situation is in is something very difficult to do. That said, if we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed by the challenges we face as a country (and as college graduates), we’ll be less able to meet them. Just remember: no obstacle is eternal. The only factor that determines if you can overcome is the limits you put on your own. Gandhi himself suffered repeatedly for his cause of an independent India, but eventually overcame the full might of an entire empire with only the force of his drive to keep going. From my own family, I recall as a child when my dad was laid off. It was rough, but he tenaciously continued to seek work and was successful after a few months.Just imagine what you can do, in your own life. Suddenly, finding a job, finishing school or just being happy and successful doesn’t seem so impossible, does it?