Some young people my age went out to a bar tonight. They had a few drinks, danced with a date, watched a football game and stayed up with their friends. Some others like my friend Kristin had to work tonight. Maybe business was slow, and they were bored to death, but they were there to make a few extra bucks. Others stayed at home and watched a movie with their siblings and cousins. They had fun watching that thriller over popcorn on the family living room, laughing on the couch and even making memories.
Some others roamed an icy street, looking to escape from their awful life at home. Others partied all night on campus, without regard to the valuable neurons that alcohol deprived them from. Many others looked for shelter and food, not just for them but also for their loved ones. Others robbed a helpless guy around the corner and felt good about it -- even powerful. Some others had sex. Some others cried. Many suffered, while many laughed. Others died, and perhaps a handful of fortunate ones came back to life in a hospital bed or in a carton house.
Me -- I drove. I had an unstoppable impulse that palpitated in my chest. It was the weirdest desire: an urge to do good. I wanted to help. I needed to help. I asked my Creator to guide me, to take me where He wanted me to go so that I could help someone in some way. That is why I drove. I drove with an intense desperation deep inside my heart, yearning to go help someone, anyone. I wanted to save an innocent, or change a life, or give hope. Maybe I did. I can only hope that what I did tonight helped bring a little bit of hope and a little bit of peace to the people that crossed my path. Even if that did not happen, the people I met tonight and the unthinkable events that occurred gave me an idea. Maybe from now on, I should dedicate my life to others.
I don't know if I should go in another do-good trip, or if I should just volunteer at the Catholic church. Perhaps I should go find a homeless guy every week and help him find a way back into society. Or maybe I could venture into dangerous places just to save a single life, while risking my own. I do not know. All I know is that I want to help. I know that this intense desire to do good is not going away any time soon -- and that is all right. I like it. I like having a passion for good. It gives me, above all, a reason to always move forward -- if not for me, for others who may need help.