The World Is Still A Beautiful Place
I’ve seen more than a few social media posts recently, made by friends who are discouraged by the general state of the world but more specifically about things they are seeing in our communities. Vandalism, littering, aggression on our roads and highways … there’s more, but I don’t have the *spoons to host all those thoughts today.
(*See my previous post on Spoons Theory)
In one recent Facebook post, a friend was feeling “dispirited” after seeing that someone(s) had dragged a public picnic table into the lake and left it there with only the top visible. I think he wondered how people could be so self-centred as to think it’s okay to disrespect public property and leave the mess for someone else to clean up. I felt his disappointment at many levels and asked myself if this isn’t maybe at the core of all the problems humanity faces. The “all about me” plague that’s been here for centuries but somehow seems worse in recent years.
To be fair, I think we all have some darkness in us. I’ve recognized it too often in myself. But, I also believe that where there’s darkness there must also be light. So, I cling to the hope that someday humanity might stand more in it’s collective light and come to an understanding that we are all riding this ride together. We are one.
I too get dispirited by much of what I see lately, especially in the news and on social media and I need to force a time-out on myself. I find refuge in walks and talks with my person, visiting friends and family, playing my guitar and especially in photography. Taking pictures forces me to slow down and look for the beauty. Yes, the ugly is still there but actively looking for the beauty is therapeutic for me.
Among the things that “light” me up … clouds. I love them: small, fluffy, crunchy, stormy … All the clouds in all the ways. They almost always change the way I feel and I love to take pictures of them. I hope each time I post here that maybe the images of clouds or other things that I find beautiful, might bring you a little joy too.
I think you love something that much too and to the core of my being, I believe you can use the thing you love to change the world for the better. Ask yourself what you love: singing, drawing, painting, coaching, volunteering, telling jokes, helping animals, helping seniors or kids or local service organizations, your family or friends … there’s an endless list of things that can light you up inside.
Call me crazy but I think the only way to conquer the darkness is to flood the world with light. Praying you find yours and that you shine it all over your social media, your immediate world and the world at large.
Stay well friend. leaving you this week with a few cloud pics from the past couple of weeks. Times when I had to pause and just let myself be immersed in a moment.
“I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art.”
~ Helena Bonham Carter
“Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let the pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place.” ~ Iain Thomas
