I don’t understand why we spend so much time earning more money only to spend it on entertainment and hoard material possessions and buy more properties.

I don’t understand why we’re dissatisfied with simple living and why we want the latest gadgets and why they advise, “Don’t settle for less.” What’s wrong with settling for less?

I don’t understand why we want to compete and become number one, and why most school teachers encourage us to finish our studies so we can land a high-paying job and buy mansions and travel the world and become famous.

What about virtues and self-improvement and making the world a better place?

I don’t understand why some motivational speakers motivate us to become rich, and why some business magnates only share their knowledge if we can pay (thousands!) for their courses or conferences. Why not give it for free?

I don’t understand why so-called experts don’t work together to keep the planet in harmony and solve recurring world problems such as starvation and violence.

I don’t understand why there are so many homeless families amid countless empty buildings, gigantic churches, and elegant mansions.

I don’t understand why we have food shortage even though restaurants and some wealthy families throw excess foods almost every day.

I don’t understand why we keep spending time, energy, and money actualizing worldwide events like Miss Universe and Olympics, yet thousands of people don’t have food, shelter, and proper education.

I don’t understand why some parents neglect their kids and some only remember their adult children when they need money.

I don’t understand why some people value money more than righteousness, meaningful relationships, and love.

I don’t understand why we keep lying to ourselves, pretending we’re happy as long as we have a high-paying job and the latest gadgets and cool friends and cars, though deep inside we are empty — we’re not doing what we love.

I don’t know the answer, I don’t know. But I want to know why we do these things. I want to know if it’s possible to stop this madness. I want to know if we can do something to better our society.

And even though some of these may have a purpose, still I don’t understand why we can’t choose the things that truly matter. Perhaps someday, someday I will.

But what if every day — just what if — we take actions to improve ourselves and our planet?

If we don’t act now, what would happen to the next generation?