I was commenting on a friend’s Facebook post today, trying to put across the message that we need a little more positivity in the world and how positivity catches hold, just like negativity, if we let it.
So, here’s the deal. (Yes, I’m on the soap box again.) I don’t post negative stuff on Facebook, or this blog for that matter. It’s a conscious choice. I decided that what I put out into the world will try to be positive and beautiful and kind. Not to say I’m not aware of the myriad of things about this country, the world, the way things are politically and spiritually and environmentally, etc., etc., etc., and on, and on, and on, that could be changed. Or frankly, need to be changed. I know there are issues. I know there are things that are wrong. I know we all have varying ideas about what those things are. I’m aware. I just choose, being the person I am on the this planet, to only put out positive energy. At least, that’s what I strive to do.
Here’s why. There’s enough bullshit out there already. There’s enough opinion and doomsday predictions and nasty words and accusations and scare tactics and bullying behavior and finger-pointing and hurtfulness to fill pages and pages for years and years. Frankly, it doesn’t really solve anything, or do us any good. It’s divisive and has about as much impact as spitting in the wind.
I believe in what comes around goes around, do unto others, being kind to our fellow humans and the planet, what you put out you get back 10 fold, I believe in being the change I wish to see in the world. And the change I wish to see in the world is that we all become kinder, gentler, less judging, more helpful, less greedy, not as self-centered, nicer versions of ourselves. We can choose to look at all that’s wrong, pointing fingers and shouting doomsday predictions, or we can look at what’s right, and build on that. We can try for understanding and compassion instead of accusations and tearing people down. Ideas, even if they aren’t yours or mine, are all valid. None of us have all the answers. Which brings me to the thought that a little less arrogance would also be in order. Thinking we have all the answers is the first step to not getting any worthwhile answers at all. And believing we know, without a doubt, what’s best for our neighbors, our towns, our country, or the world, is crazy thinking. Just sayin’. No one knows everything, and the moment we start to think we do, we’ve cut off our nose to spite our face. We can only try our best, try to evolve with our problems, and try to respect each other. We all, whoever we are, deserve at least some modicum of respect. As human beings with feelings if nothing else.
So, I know there’s a lot going on in the world. I know some of it isn’t good. I know some of it needs to be changed. But, I also know that there’s beauty and light and love and kindness and compassion and gentleness and giving and loving and respecting and grace out there. People are, generally, good. Most of us want the same things in life. Most of us want not only ourselves but our fellow humans to be well, to be happy, to be fulfilled and to have joy. Most of us are good people doing the best we can to get by, to have a life, to make a better future for our children and grandchildren. We are more alike than we aren’t.
Like I used to tell the kids I worked with, “use your powers (and there are many) for good, not evil”. You have a choice. I choose to try to emphasize the love and beauty and light and joy in the world. Not to say my way is better than any other way, but it’s my way, and this is my blog. This is the best way for me. It helps to remind me, every day, that there are good people out there and good things happening. It helps me remember that we are more the same than different and that there’s so much creativity and goodness in the world. If I seek out the positive, I find it.
I think of it like this… a drop of light creates a ripple of kindness, which leads to waves of joy and compassion and understanding that flow out well beyond where that one drop started. Just think what would happen if we all got together and tried compassion and understanding and joy for change. Think of what could happen. Think of the huge wonderful waves that shared energy would create. Think of how beautiful that would be.
The Life of Things 