Believe in the World to Change it!
Be a Helen NOT A Karen
"All the world is suffering. It is also full of overcoming" - Helen Keller. A powerful statement. Helen Keller was an inspirational force in our world. Being deaf and blind did not stop her from pursuing her dreams. Through her works, she was an inspiration to all those disabled. With each experience and success, her soul awakened. She saw and heard the world through her hands and her soul. Fighting stigmas, self-proven that each person with a disability comes equipped with a unique ability.
Standing motionless - eyes closed, listen. Shhhh, just listen!
Do you hear your neighbors arguing or the birds chirping? Do you hear the laughter of children playing or a horn honking? What do you feel? Do you feel peace from the sun warming your face? Or, are you focused on the beads of sweat forming on your brow? When reflecting on each of your relationships, what are your thoughts? Are they positive or negative? It is remarkable when being present in a moment of silence how much you can learn about yourself. Of course, we all want to answer that we heard the birds and the children. We soaked up every bit of the warmth with a smile formed from gratitude. Reality; eighty percent or higher of our society, increasing yearly, either solely focused on the negative or a little of both.
The significance of that truth; pulses discouragement throughout my body and invades my thoughts with impending doom. I yearn to see a world filled with magnificence and encouragement. To prescribe life lenses that are perception-altering to view strengths vs. weaknesses.
Words and humanity are my superpowers! My dream is to inspire and heal others through creativity, kindness, and art:
Believe in the World to Change it!
Believe in forgiveness - we all make mistakes,
Even the strongest willpower can eventually break.
Have an open mind - each soul is not the same,
Strength comes in numbers - stop placing blame.
Instant gratification is an infectious disease,
Right now, today - no patience or ease.
Entitlement is spreading at an uncontrollable speed,
Who will be left standing, who will lead?
Diagnosis, definitions, confined, and red tape,
Not natural nor organic, manufactured - all vape.
Publicly supported - then privately shamed,
Replaced values with the pursuit of money and fame.
Hearts with open wounds - a constant bleed,
Conflict, aggression, corruption, and greed.
There are still few filled with deep compassion and love,
Meant to heal the world - to rise above.
No temper, nor attitude, ill-spirit - no rage,
A minority trait, their proverbial cage.
An alternate route, complex minds so different,
Not stupid, broken, or insignificant.
Stubborn and cold - so much divide,
Struggling to breathe, struggling to survive.
Tiptoe, eggshells, wants to please,
Missed a step, the distracted mind is diseased.
Gave all that was had - hopes for relief,
From the pain of inadequacy, suffering to cease.
Be the change the world needs,
Higher roads, plant optimism seeds.
Pay it forward to those behind,
In every situation, be pleasant and kind.
Smile when vibes are heavy and tense,
Demonstrate purpose, listen through the fence.
Show up and care,
For everyone - not just those in despair.
Promote the wisdom that comes from the aged,
When the small-minded stops listening, disengage.
Prolong children’s innocence and inspire play,
As an adult, keep the light burning through the darkest days.
We each search for happiness - rumored peace,
It is out there with certainty, not a tall tale or tease.
Touch those you love and ask for relief,
For sorrow, frustration, depression to cease.
Ask that the world see a new day,
Where we are bright-eyed/sunny, not drawn - gray.
-AM
About the Creator
Amanda Marks
Words & People are my superpowers! Empowered to inspire & heal others through creativity!
Professionally experienced in corporate & non-profit human services turned Inspirational Social Marketer, Freelance Writer, and Poet.
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Trump’s Venezuela Gambit Tests Investor Appetite for Geopolitical Risk
Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed hardline posture toward Venezuela has reopened a familiar—but newly volatile—front in global geopolitics. By signaling tougher enforcement of sanctions and hinting at a recalibration of U.S. policy toward Caracas, Trump has injected uncertainty into energy markets and emerging-market assets, forcing investors to reassess how much geopolitical risk they are willing to absorb. For Wall Street and global funds alike, Venezuela has long been a paradox: a country with some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, yet burdened by sanctions, political instability, and institutional collapse. Trump’s gambit is testing whether investors believe opportunity can outweigh risk—or whether capital will once again retreat at the first sign of escalation. Why Venezuela Is Back on the Radar Venezuela’s reemergence in U.S. political discourse is not accidental. Energy security has climbed back to the top of global priorities, driven by conflicts, sanctions, and supply chain disruptions. With oil prices sensitive to geopolitical shocks, even marginal producers can influence sentiment. During Trump’s previous term, the United States imposed sweeping sanctions aimed at pressuring President Nicolás Maduro to step down. Those measures sharply curtailed Venezuela’s oil exports and isolated its financial system. While later policy adjustments under subsequent administrations allowed limited easing—particularly to stabilize energy markets—Trump’s rhetoric suggests a return to maximum pressure. For investors, this raises a critical question: are sanctions about to tighten again, and if so, what does that mean for oil flows, regional stability, and risk premiums? Markets React to Policy Signals, Not Just Policy Financial markets are forward-looking. They react not only to decisions but to signals—and Trump’s statements are powerful signals. Even without immediate policy changes, the prospect of tougher sanctions or diplomatic confrontation can shift investor behavior. Oil traders are watching closely. Venezuela’s production remains far below its historical peak, but incremental barrels matter in a tight market. Any hint that U.S. policy could disrupt exports—even indirectly—tends to push volatility higher. Beyond oil, Venezuela-linked assets are thinly traded but symbolically important. Bonds, energy service contracts, and regional equities can swing sharply on geopolitical headlines, reinforcing the perception that politics, not fundamentals, drives outcomes. Investor Appetite Meets Political Reality The core test posed by Trump’s Venezuela gambit is whether investors are prepared to price in elevated geopolitical risk for potential upside. Some funds specialize in distressed assets, betting on political shifts or partial normalization. Others prefer stability and predictability, steering clear of jurisdictions where policy can change overnight. In recent months, there has been cautious interest in Venezuela-related opportunities, fueled by limited sanctions relief and the prospect—however remote—of political dialogue. Trump’s stance complicates that calculus. A harder U.S. line could reverse fragile gains, leaving investors exposed to sudden losses. For institutional investors with strict compliance requirements, even the perception of heightened sanctions risk can be enough to stay away. The Energy Dimension: Oil as Leverage Energy sits at the center of this drama. Venezuela’s oil sector has deteriorated after years of underinvestment and mismanagement, but it still represents strategic leverage. For Washington, sanctions are a tool to influence behavior; for Caracas, oil is both lifeline and bargaining chip. Trump’s approach historically framed sanctions as pressure mechanisms rather than negotiating tools. If that philosophy returns, markets may expect less flexibility and more confrontation. That expectation alone can deter capital, slow production recovery, and amplify price swings. Ironically, tighter sanctions could also strengthen Venezuela’s reliance on non-Western partners, reshaping trade routes and complicating enforcement—another layer of uncertainty investors must weigh. Regional Spillovers and Emerging Market Risk Venezuela does not exist in isolation. Its instability has ripple effects across Latin America, from migration pressures to regional energy dynamics. For investors, this means contagion risk. A sharper U.S.–Venezuela standoff could elevate risk premiums for neighboring markets, particularly those with political fragility or economic ties to Caracas. Currency volatility, capital outflows, and equity selloffs often follow periods of heightened regional tension. In this sense, Trump’s gambit tests not just appetite for Venezuela-specific risk, but for emerging markets broadly—especially at a time when global interest rates and macro uncertainty already weigh on sentiment. Election-Year Calculations and Uncertainty Trump’s Venezuela rhetoric also carries a domestic political dimension. Hardline foreign policy positions can resonate with certain voter blocs, particularly in an election context. For investors, election-year geopolitics are notoriously difficult to model. Policy announcements may serve political messaging rather than economic strategy, increasing the likelihood of abrupt shifts. Markets dislike surprises, and Trump’s unpredictability—whether admired or criticized—adds a premium to uncertainty. As a result, investors may demand higher returns to compensate for risk, or simply choose to allocate capital elsewhere. What Investors Are Watching Next Several indicators will shape market reaction in the months ahead: Sanctions enforcement: Any concrete moves to tighten or expand restrictions would have immediate market impact. Oil export data: Changes in Venezuelan output or shipment patterns will signal whether rhetoric is translating into reality. Diplomatic posture: Engagement—or lack thereof—with allies and regional partners will influence how isolated or escalatory U.S. policy becomes. Corporate exposure: Energy companies and service providers will reassess involvement, offering clues about private-sector confidence. Together, these signals will determine whether Trump’s gambit remains a headline risk or becomes a material market driver. A Calculated Risk—or a Warning Shot? It remains unclear whether Trump’s stance is a negotiating tactic, a campaign message, or a preview of future policy. For investors, the distinction matters less than the risk it introduces. Venezuela’s story has taught markets a hard lesson: political risk can overwhelm fundamentals. Even the promise of vast resources cannot compensate for uncertainty when rules change without warning. Conclusion Trump’s Venezuela gambit is testing investor appetite for geopolitical risk at a time when markets are already navigating inflation, interest rate shifts, and global instability. By reopening the question of sanctions and U.S. policy toward Caracas, Trump has reminded investors that politics remains a powerful market force. Whether capital retreats or selectively engages will depend on how rhetoric translates into action. But one thing is clear: in today’s interconnected world, geopolitical gambits do not stay confined to diplomacy—they ripple through markets, portfolios, and risk calculations worldwide.
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