My mom once asked me how I was planning to change the world. I remember looking at her and saying, “I was just planning on going to college and being an average American citizen. Maybe one day I’ll start a family or something, but I don’t see any other way for the world to be changed by me.” I also remember the disappointment on her face when she realized I was serious. But what could I do? I was just one small person! That’s where I was wrong, and although it took me a while to figure it out, I think I finally took a step in the right direction. You see, you have to want to change the world, and not just for yourself, but for everyone else—and most importantly, for God. He’s the One calling you to be different and to share His Good News! If you don’t want to change the world for Him, then you might as well be a zombie aimlessly going through life, just following the proper social steps that the world today expects you to take. Where’s the fun in that? So I’ve rewritten those social rules a little bit—here are the first steps to changing the world:

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1. Start smiling everywhere you go. Does this seem tedious to you? It shouldn’t, because smiling at a random stranger (or anyone for that matter) can work miracles. Smiling sends out the message that you’re happy, and you want everyone to be happy with you! Wouldn’t our world be different today if we cut some of the drama and were just happy to be alive in the world God gave us?

2. “Forgive quickly, and ask for forgiveness quickly.” This message is from one of my role models, Leah Darrow, who was a contestant on America’s Next Top Model, but reformed to Catholicism once she found her love for God again. This step kind of goes along with number one, because if we just let things go by fixing our mistakes and forgiving others for theirs as fast as possible, then we can go right back to being happy. My new mission in life is to be happy as much as I can before I die; I don’t want to have room for sadness or anger, because neither helps me be the best version of myself, and it stops me from helping others become the best version of themselves as well.

3. Regard God as your friend and protector. He may be powerful, and by far more superior, but that doesn’t mean He’s out to get you! It may seem that way for us humans sometimes because we have such low self-esteem, thinking that God couldn’t care about us and wouldn’t want to associate with sinners. But God doesn’t want to rule over us as though we were puppets on strings; He would rather have us come to Him by our own free will! The sooner we find God’s abounding love, the sooner we can forgive ourselves for our sins, because God certainly does. He’s the best friend who is always there and will always be there to save you, whether it is from the storm, other people, or even yourself. Know that God wants a relationship with you—He’s always calling.

So go out into the world, ladies! Spread the Good News, sing songs, smile at everyone, love life, forgive quickly, laugh A TON, and change the world! She can laugh! You and I can laugh through God’s loving Grace! I don’t know about you, but I choose to laugh! 

                                                         Your Laughing Sister,

                                                                                         Callie