Be The Goodness

I don't remember the exact moment when I said ENOUGH! but it was probably about six, maybe seven, years ago when I stopped watching the news on TV.

​The sensationalism of war and murder and mayhem and hatred made me feel sad and scared. The worst part of it was how powerless I felt; how utterly incapable I was at doing anything. How could I possibly make a drop of difference in the tidal wave of crappiness that was engulfing the world?

The last couple of years have been particularly difficult. 

We've seen anger and frustration at inequity and stereotyping explode into riots. We've seen children die in school shootings but no changes are made to gun policy. We've seen thousands of women come forward with courage and reveal the pain and devastation of their abuse and assaults yet abusers continue to go free.

It's just awful.  It really is. It's depressing and disheartening. 

And yet...

And yet, there's still hope. I see good people every single day, out in the world, smiling and being kind. I see generosity and gratitude on a daily basis. I see love all around me; in my neighborhood, at the grocery store, in my home.  ​I also see it online with congratulations and likes and funny videos and inspirational pictures.  I love all of that stuff because it makes me feel good. And when I feel good, I'm nicer. And when I'm nicer, I spread that goodness everywhere without even trying.

But what if we TRIED? What if we, intentionally and on purpose, spread the love? 

I believe deep down to the toes of my soul that THIS is the way to healing; to be the goodness the world needs. Even when it's hard. Even when you ache to insist that you're right. Even when a smile might hurt. Even when you've had a shitty day. What if, no matter what, you were the goodness the world needs. What if, no matter what, you were the goodness that the person in front of you or beside you or behind you needs AT THIS MOMENT? How amazing could our world be if each one of us in each moment was the goodness the world needs?

I believe it could change the world... one goodness at a time.