World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day was yesterday. Did anybody know that? Do we feel bad that we didn't know that? Is it something that we should know? Well, whether it is just a flowery attempt to put a band-aid on a problem or a real attempt to make change that needs more support - World AIDS Day can teach us at least one thing. We need more than one day in order to solve the AIDS crisis.

Last year, I was in Africa during World AIDS Day, and I participated in all of the events of the day right there at ground zero for HIV/AIDS. It was an amazing experience. But this year I am in Nampa, Idaho just living and working and having a normal life. So I kept asking myself a question leading up to yesterday, "What can I do to make a difference on World AIDS Day?"

Man, I thought and I thought and I thought about it. And I'm sure someone who is a better person than I could have thought of something great to do on World AIDS Day. But I did realize something throughout my process I realized that I am missing the point completely by trying to make a difference on that specific day. We can't just focus on AIDS for one day or try to make a difference only for one day. We have to expand our our priorities, focus, and attention. I need to expand my priorities, focus, and attention on AIDS from just one day to all year.

So whether you know about World AIDS Day or not makes no difference. (Don't get me wrong, World AIDS Day is great. It brings awareness and connection and publicity. It's a great supplement to the overall fight against AIDS). The thing that makes the difference is people working towards the end of AIDS on a daily basis all throughout the year.

So World AIDS Day was yesterday.

But the day to make a difference against AIDS in the world is today.

And each day afterwards...