I’ve become more and more aware of how so many of us are fighting for this need to be right, to be seen, and to be understood. We are also fighting for this need to belong, to fit in and to be accepted. When scrolling online, we are bombarded with opinions and content. Sometimes it feels like we have to have something to say about everything, then other times it feels like we can’t say anything without being criticized, questioned or cancelled.

Our voice has power, never ever underestimate the power of your voice. The impact you make in this world. But I think it’s also important for us to remember that we are not God. We are not God. And the people who we look up to are not God. We do not see all and hear all and know all. We are just people. I think putting people on pedestals is the recipe for a lot of toxic disasters, and let’s face it, we all do it, whether it’s a hot date we perceive as flawless, or an annoying neighbour we think is full of flaws. Let’s be more honest about our imperfections and try to see our common humanity.

The world feels like a scary place when we are scared to speak up. When people in government can drop bombs on innocent civilians without having to face consequences. When the media uses language to normalize this. When influencers encourage positive thinking as a solution for this. Giving too much power to one human or one group of people is dangerous. Putting too much pressure on our life’s purpose believing we are here to help everyone is going to lead to an egotistical perfectionist needing to get it right and know it all.

None of us get it right all of the time. None of us know it all. This should not be a reason to stop helping people. This should not be a reason to stop believing in the goodness in humans. If anything, this should remind us that our ‘good nature’ is not tied to how ‘perfect’ or productive we are or how well we obey others and how good we do in an exam. This should be a reminder that speaking and sharing and creating and living and trying and flourishing all requires being a bit messy and imperfect and making mistakes. People fuck up every day. We fuck up everyday. But not everyone learns from it. Not everyone admits this. So what are you going to do about the fuck ups? Are you going to turn a blind eye? Are you going to continue shovelling in shit? Are you going to cry out “why”? Are you going to ignore it and simmer in silence and resentment? Are you going to blame and shame? Or are you going try to make an active difference from it?

I don’t have all the answers. I AM NOT PERFECT. I don’t know the right or wrong way to live. I can sometimes be a naive hopeful kid full of ambition to ‘make it’ as a writer, to inspire people and help others. But I remind myself: I am not God and not everyone needs ‘help’. I can always only speak from my own views, my own experience and current situation. I wrote this poem that I’m going to share with you. It could help us question the systems we are living in, or it might make you feel like shit, or you could HATE IT. Whatever it does, I challenge you to be curious about your reaction from it.

Poem: You are not God.

You are not God. Though you may think you are as you decide what is right and what is wrong. You are not God. Though you preach that it’s your job to help everyone. You are not God. Though you give some pretty sick advice and so many people claim you are nice. You are not God. Though you have 5 million followers and even more worshippers. You are not God. Though you are very charming as you make beautiful promises. You are not God. Though your life does look like heaven. Living in a mansion must be luxurious. You are not God. Though your love life is mouth watering and your personal life is intriguing. You are not God. Though you wear a wig and slam a hammer, having the final say in the matter. You are not God. Though you recite passages from an old book claiming God is speaking through you to us. You are not God. Though you drop bombs on cities and villages, mutilating babies and killing kids. You are not God. Though some may be convinced that you are. All I see is a scared kid pushing, shoving, taking, and throwing hissy fits. So get down off your high horse and let go of control.

You are not God. Get back to being a human and give God back their role.