If I Ruled the World – From a Box to the Blueprint
Manuel Aragon is an entrepreneur out of Colorado with a deep background in business, Tax Prep, advisory, and planning. Has served as a CFO, Operations Manager, Finance Director, and Consultant.
Have you ever heard “Nas. If I ruled the world." I used to listen to that in my head, dreaming of a different life. I played it before I wrote this tonight. I'm not going to pretend I have all the answers, but I do know a little something about being in a box. When I was younger, I made some bad choices, really bad choices, the kind of choices that put me in a small, dark, concrete box, a place where freedom felt like a memory and simple hope felt like a lie.
I spent a lot of time in that box thinking, thinking about the past, thinking about my future, and, mostly, thinking about all the ways I messed up. It felt like my story was already written, and it wasn’t a good one. My reality was heavy, a constant weight on my shoulders. But then, in the quiet, a different voice started to emerge, a soundtrack. That's when I started to listen, to remember "If I Ruled the World" in my head. Then I took it further. I started to imagine. It was written.
I'm not talking about daydreaming of being rich or famous. I'm talking about imagining a new blueprint for the world. I mean, what if you ruled the world? What would you change, not just for yourself, but for everyone?
Breaking the box and the cycle of concrete walls
If I ruled the world, the first thing I would change is the idea that a bad choice has to lead to a dead end. When I was in that box, I learned that a lot of us end up there because we don't have enough options. We're trapped by circumstances, by the things we don't know and the things we've never seen. So my rule would be about opening doors, not closing them. We would stop focusing only on punishing people and instead focus on rebuilding, rebuilding lives, rebuilding communities, and rebuilding futures.
This would be a world with mentors everywhere, people who have walked similar paths and could show you the way out. It would be a world where we talk openly about the things that weigh us down, from mental health struggles to the pressures of life, so that no one feels they must carry those burdens alone. It would be a world where we invest in human potential, not just in prisons.
Beyond the block, beyond the border
As I started to see the world beyond my own concrete walls, I began to learn about history and the leaders who changed it. People like Martin Luther King Jr., who turned a dream into a movement. He showed me that true power isn't about having a title but about having a vision and the courage to fight for it. Malala Yousafzai, a girl from a different part of the world, inspired me and showed how powerful one voice can be when it speaks for the right to learn. Nelson Mandela spent much of his life in a prison cell, like I did, yet he came out and led a nation to freedom.
They all had something in common, they didn't let their circumstances define them. They used their experiences to fuel their imagination for a better world.
If I ruled the world, we'd make sure every kid knows these stories, not just as history lessons, but as blueprints for their own lives. I would tear down the borders that divide us and build bridges instead. I choose to learn from different cultures and to celebrate and share them, understanding that the world is stronger because of our differences, not in spite of them. The struggles in my neighborhood in North Denver aren't so different from the struggles of a kid in Brazil or a young person in South Africa.
My time in that box was just a cage for my body, but it was a launchpad for my mindset. It was where my imagination became my escape route. It showed me that the greatest chains aren't on your wrists, they're the ones you put on yourself when you stop believing you can change.
I'm here today because I used my imagination to break free. I used it to envision a life I didn't think was possible. And I'm still using it to create art and stories that I hope will help other people break free, too.
So when you hear that "If I Ruled the World" beat, or when you're just sitting and thinking, don't just see what's in front of you. Imagine. Imagine a different way. Imagine yourself as a leader, a healer, an artist, or even a peacemaker. Your imagination isn't just a way to pass the time while confined, it's the most powerful tool you have to change your life and, eventually, to change the world. Don't ever let anyone tell you it's just a dream. Every great change started with someone daring to imagine.
I've left some room for you to fill in your own unique details. How would you describe that feeling of being in a box? What were some of the key thoughts that led you to believe in a different future? What would you do if you ruled the world? Imagine that.
Read more from Manuel Aragon
Manuel Aragon, Tax Consultant & Advisory Planner
Manuel Aragon has elite expertise in tax preparation, accounting, finance, cash planning, and tax strategy. Manuel has delivered modern, innovative financial solutions, driving growth and efficiency to multiple companies in Colorado. His leadership and approach have solidified a reputation for excellence, onboarding, and overall client satisfaction. Continues to serve in multiple roles across the front range as a Tax Preparer, CFO, Operations Manager, Finance Director, and Consultant.
