By Ashley Chen
They say that time is money. So what would people do with 10 free minutes on their hands?
Marie Tota, a nursing student at the University of Ottawa, argues that although 10 minutes may not seem like enough time to make big changes, they can be the stepping stones making a difference.
"You can fight ignorance. [10 minutes is] enough time to read an article, do some research, have a conversation, reflect on what you see going on around you in your every day life," explains Tota.
To find 10 free minutes for a cause is more than a humble act. It's also about tackling an issue that you've been inspired to do.
Rachel Gillis, a Grade 11 student at Notre Dame High School, believes that the time is an opportunity to address many of the issues that affect our global community every day.
"I would try to vary the causes. I believe that variety, especially in good deeds, is very important. There are many issues that need addressing in today's world. For me, it's about aiding the less fortunate, raising money for breast cancer research and human rights issues," says Gillis.
Ellian Layos, a psychology major at York University, believes poverty is an issue worth her time, especially with so many people consumed by television and wealth.
"I'd speak to television companies to expose video montages of the critical conditions of poverty for every commercial that promotes food in all the G8 countries. I would also do the same before the opening of stock markets. Just a drop in the bucket from there could be a great help for issues like poverty. If commercials take people's attention away from hours of TV, they will see a glimpse of poverty that can eventually lead to acts of contribution," argues Layos.
A commercial is under 10 minutes. A public service announcement at the stock exchange is not asking too much.
It's time people let go of the negative notion that they don't have the time to be the change. The problems faced daily in our world escalate because of some of the decisions we make. Ten minutes a day are a chance to change all that.
"10 minutes a day is enough to change yourself. It's possible to become more spiritually aware, more sensitive, and more understanding. It's possible to learn. Although there are several things I am or would like to become involved in, I wouldn't have the opacity to describe myself as a warrior for a particular cause, but I do the best that I can for myself," explains Tota.
Ashley Chen is a first year student at York University in Toronto. Having traveled to 11 different countries so far, she has a passion for exploring different cultures and hopes to spend more time traveling to volunteer. This article was published on thestar.com on January 17, 2006. Read more at www.thestar.com/globalvoices,
