Scholarship Essay Entry – Matthew J. C.

With the endless list of world issues we seem to be constantly bombarded with in our daily lives, it becomes easy for one to lapse into a state of frustration and sadness. The tasks we are faced with can quickly become so overwhelming that we feel like we just want to give up. Fortunately, the young generation of today carries with it the spark, passion, and drive that our world needs to make a difference. Optimism is the only option.
 
I am currently finishing up my last year at the University of Calgary and will graduate with a BCOMM from the Haskayne School of Business. My path has led me to believe that it is now in our hands to change the world and bring in a positive shift towards collaboration and cooperation on a local, and most importantly, global level. I am looking to take my skills that I have learned through my university career and apply them in a new way within the field of business.
 
I want to start up my own business that shifts away from the profit motive and instead focuses on maximizing value for others. There are so many great individuals and organizations working together to make a difference. We need a place, both physically and virtually, where everyone can collaborate to share resources, tools, passions, and ideas in order to build a better, more equitable world. This will be a place where all ideas and beliefs are welcome – because everyone’s ideas do matter. It will be a location where individuals can meet, talk, relax, and work together on projects by sharing ideas and resources with each other. At this location we will provide the tools and environment for people to grow and better connect with themselves and world around them. It’s about moving away from the belief that so many people carry: that they are not good enough and don’t deserve to have their dreams fulfilled. Empowering the individual will empower the good within all of us so that they can radiate the joy and compassion out into the rest of the world.
 
I am able to keep my feelings of optimism because despite all the problems, the change comes as easy as making a simple choice. The choice is between living life through the eyes of fear or through the eyes of love. Fear wants you to buy bigger guns and build bigger locks. Love sees all of us as going through our trials together, united as one family. We have the technology and tools to share a high standard of living with all human beings on this planet. We need to start taking care of the Earth by taking care of our human family.