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Earthquakes. Hurricanes. Flooding. Drought. Raging fires. Unemployment. Recession. Political gridlock. Revolutions. Terrorist attacks. Wars. Famine. Refugees.
We’ve certainly had it all in 2011 — and the year is only three-quarters old!
It’s sure easy to get depressed about the state of our world. Maybe even feel sorry for ourselves. Lose hope. Or give up.
Who will inspire and guide us?
In tough times such as these, we can learn a thing or two about bucking up our sprits from the handicapped among us — because these people are on intimate terms with adversity and discouragement on a daily basis.
My wife and I lunched with a new friend last Sunday — a young woman who suddenly developed MS in her 30s.
Before MS struck, Cathy Aten had it all: A great career as an artist. Money. Friends. Independence. Travel. And the typical self-absorption that’s common in this hustle-bustle, “all about me” era.
Then, almost overnight, MS transformed Cathy’s entire life. Today, she’s all but confined to a wheelchair and must depend upon the goodness of others for shopping, housecleaning, personal assistance, plus all the little things that most of us take for granted.
Adversity taught her the value of friends and the courage to ask for help.
Today, even in her weakened state, Cathy’s mission in life is to inspire others through public speaking, sponsoring charity events, and her deeply personal blog.
During our lunch, she described how she fights feelings of hopelessness everyday — and also how she continually recreates her determination to appreciate life and every precious moment she has left.
We need each other more than ever these days
I was profoundly impressed and humbled by Cathy’s exceptional courage and the genuine joy shining through her bright eyes and warm smile.
Later, she related how it feels to be “unseen” in our culture, which is so uncomfortable in the presence of the handicapped, the homeless, and the terminally ill. And how strangers go out of their way to avoid making eye contact with her.
We also discussed the direction our world seems to be headed — and we all agreed that things don’t seem very hopeful right now.
So it’s time for you and I to intervene
When one plots the course of events over the past decade — political, financial, and environmental — our world resembles a runaway freight train speeding out of control.
It’s unreasonable to expect that this train will halt itself or abruptly veer off its collision course. And it doesn’t appear likely that our leaders will suddenly come to their senses.
These may be dark days for our country and our world, but you and I can (and must!) do more than sit on the sidelines and watch the deterioration and destruction of our world.
Each of us possesses the power to affect the course of events right where we are, by spreading hope and goodwill to all we come in contact with.
We must remember that darkness is not a force unto itself and has no intrinsic power. It is merely the absence of light.
Kindness is a revolutionary act
We need a revolution. And I don’t mean the kind they’re having in the Middle East.
The revolution I’m talking about is within our own spirit.
Every one of us holds the power to banish these darkened days by unplugging from those products and services which are destroying our health, our environment, and our planet.
We must find ways to say no to the ubiquitous materialism that seeks to monopolize life’s essentials and puts a price tag on them – including social relationships.
And we need to find ways to defy the insidious corporate culture that pressures us to ignore those among us in need of help, kindness, friendship, and care because “we just don’t have the time or money.”
Don’t allow them to turn us into robots or slaves
You have the power to halt this dehumanization – not by protest or violence — but simply by encouraging yourself to be more human every moment of every day.
How? Start by smiling more.
I know, this may strike some of you as facile or saccharine or naively sentimental.
But smiling in the face of adversity takes tremendous courage, conviction, and compassion.
And it’s something every one of us can do.
Think about it. A smile is a very real gift to a stranger that won’t diminish your bank account and can be delivered instantly – with profound effects.
Remember how uplifted you felt the last time a total stranger genuinely smiled at you?
You have the power to bestow this gift on others all day, every day.
Spread “the kindness virus”
It’s truly amazing how contagious a smile can be.
Even more wondrous is the joy you start to feel soon after you begin smiling more. (And this will do wonders for your own physical, mental, and emotional health!)
Smiling at others is a way of connecting to them for a brief second – and one thing we definitely need more of these days is connection.
Those of you who think this is silly, I challenge you try it for a day. You’ll soon see how much courage, determination, and commitment this simple act requires.
For those of you who are “shy,” practicing this exercise regularly will push you out of your normal comfort zone — and perhaps put you in touch with your inhibitions, so you’ll no longer be controlled by them.
Getting started
If this feels weird or difficult, start slowly by merely making quick eye contact with people. Then, start a silent phrase going in your head like: “I wish you well” … “May all beings be happy” … or “May health and love surround you.”
Then watch how you start to feel.
Are you beginning to sense how powerful a smile can be?
Can you imagine a world in which people routinely smile at each other as they pass by?
One positive act leads to another
It’s remarkable how easily these random smiles can lead to random acts of kindness. To helping others. To volunteering where you’re needed — and giving of yourself. And to fighting, in the most positive way possible, to preserve what’s good, just, and precious in this life.
This is true revolution — and you can ignite it right now, right where you are.
Like one candle lighting another, our smiling goodwill can “enlighten” the entire world with love and healing.
I invite you to try it today.
So for you, for Cathy, and for everyone, everywhere who cherishes this precious world and the noble, compassionate human spirit: Here’s what you can do right now to dispel the ignoble darkness that now threatens our happiness, our future, our life (click on the “smile” below)…
Smile
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile
(Music by Charlie Chaplin; lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey parsons; sung by Michael Jackson)
“Smile” is one of my all-time favorite songs — and has become a personal mantra for me in these imperiled times. I’m frequently surprised at how its lyrics can simultaneously elicit tears and give me hope.
The song is based on an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for the 1936 Charlie Chaplin movie Modern Times. Chaplin composed the music, while John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954.
I hope you pass this on to your friends. But more importantly, I hope you’ll shine your smile and your loving goodwill on those in need — as well as total strangers. (And be sure to note how much joy such selfless giving enriches your life.)
Now it’s your turn…
What’s your suggestion for making the world a better place? And what are you doing in your personal and professional life to be part of the solution, instead of the problem.
Please post your comments here for all to see.
P.S. If you’d like to learn more about Cathy Aten — and read her inspirational blog — please visit http://www.cathyaten.com/wordpress/.
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