"Switch" - A Short Film by Kyle Schmalenberg
3,435 views · Published 16 January 2016 · 4:02 · Indexed 20 September 2026
Channel: Baha'i Blog · 2016 · People & Blogs
"Switch" is a short film made by Kyle Schmalenberg based on a poem that was written purposefully to cast a negative shadow when the words are read one way, and the opposite feeling when read in reverse succession. The lines and words are the same; the only thing that changes is the direction and inflection that the swords that are read. This video was inspired by this quote by Abdu'l-Baha: "Lift up your hearts above the present and look with eyes of faith into the future! Today the seed is sown, the grain falls upon the earth, but behold the day will come when it shall rise a glorious tree and the branches thereof shall be laden with fruit. Rejoice and be glad that this day has dawned, try to realize its power, for it is indeed wonderful! God has crowned you with honor and in your hearts has He set a radiant star; verily the light thereof shall brighten the whole world!" The poem invites us to see the hope, possibility and potential in the things that need to change and get better. Like all things, when looking at the state of the world and humanity as a whole, there are multiple ways to view them. We can choose to look at these images through a lens that paints a sad, more hopeless picture, or we can choose to look at those same images through a different lens and see where there is good. Most importantly, see that it can be changed and that we can change it. Below are the words of the poem that was used in the film, and be sure to our YouTube channel and check out Baha'i Blog's site for a variety of Baha'i related content: www.bahaiblog.net. "SWITCH" PART I I should just stop caring I will never believe that I can make a difference. Everywhere I look I see things that make me sad I won’t be the one to say Things can be changed. I can change them Whenever I think that, “There is nothing more powerful than love” That’s the lie “This is the way things have to be” The world will come together as one Isn’t true, and “No one even cares” So one day I will convince you That you cannot change a thing They say You will realize Complacency Is more important than Courage From what I see The power of peace Will not conquer The endurance of greed We are living in a world worth saving? No one is willing to save it Look... Where has our humanity brought us Can’t anyone else see? People shouldn’t value each other any more You can look me in the eyes and say Don’t pretend that There is hope It has been shown time and time again This simply can’t be Just turn around and walk the other way… PART II (Reverse) Just turn around and walk the other way… This simply can’t be It has been shown time and time again There is hope Don’t pretend that You can look me in the eyes and say People shouldn’t value each other any more. Can’t anyone else see? Where has our humanity brought us Look... No one is willing to save it We are living in a world worth saving The endurance of greed Will not conquer The power of peace From what I see Courage Is more important than Complacency You will realize They say That you cannot change a thing So one day I will convince you “No one even cares” Isn’t true, and The world will come together as one “This is the way things have to be” That’s the lie “There is nothing more powerful than love” Whenever I think that Things can be changed. I can change them I won’t be the one to say I see things that make me sad Everywhere I look I can make a difference I will never believe that I should just stop caring
