Highlight the good you want to see in the world:

One of my mom’s favorite quotes that she would really teach to me is “Be the change you want to see in the world,” said by Gandhi.  I do think that this is a powerful quote.  It is very important that we try to change the world in the best way that we can.  We need to be willing to go out and do the things that we want to see happen in the world for good.  There are many times we as people can be willing to talk about what we want to see changed, and then there are times that we can even spend a majority of time dreaming about the change, but we don’t actually go out and make those changes.  This quote is a reminder that we all, every single one of us, have the potential to go out in the world and make that change we want to see happen.  

However, I also thought about this quote recently in a new light and as a new quote.  Why can’t it be “Be the highlighted good you want to see in the world.” Even though there are a lot of bad things in the world, and there are many actions that should not be highlighted, I have seen so many wonderful things in the world including many wonderful actions done by individuals.  I have seen teachers spend hours after school in order to help their students.  I have seen some give a huge donation to fundraisers.  I have had friends who have been willing to come over just because they have heard how upset I am by the events happening in my life.  I have had so many people who are so good and doing so many good things in my life that it is hard to not think about it and not want to highlight those good things.  

I think that it can be very easy to focus on the negative items in our lives.  I know that I personally have done that a lot in my life.  I have focused on the wrong words said, the hurtful actions, the insensitivity and the unthoughtfulness.  However, this year I have started a joy journal which is when I write down something joyful from everyday.  This has really helped me focus on the good things that happened to me that day, or it can be something that I saw that brought me intense joy.  This can be watching a parent play a really good game of basketball to a student offering to help me clean my room.  This has been a positive thing for me to notice and since I have been watching these items, I am starting to notice more and more pieces that should be highlighted in our world.  

I think that these things are important to highlight because many of the times, we don’t actually have to reinvent the wheel.  We don’t have to think of a million positive things that we need to be doing in order to change the world.  We just need to be aware of the good things that are happening, and then try to add more of it.   Sure, creativity is great, and it is wonderful to spend time thinking about what we could do that would be good for the world that is different and creative, but at the same time, we should not be upset or discouraged if we feel as though we are not doing something different.  It would be more important to do something really kind that is similar to what someone else has done than not doing anything kind at all.  

My challenge for you is to also write down the positive or joyful things that you see in your life.  This can be like me when I write down one positive/joyful thing from everyday in a journal, or it can be just a list that you keep on your computer.  These can be the kind words that others give to the people around you or to big items like someone rescuing a kitten from a tree.  The point is to notice the kind and wonderful pieces of the world and then act it out in our daily lives.   Some of the main things that I have seen are my older Jr. boys (who sometimes can seem too cool for school) playing basketball with elementary students, a mother shooting hoops with her son, kids delivering May Day baskets, my friends donating to my fundraisers as a way to support me, teammates cheering each other on with their full heart, and a man making sure to greet everyone in the store with both a smile and a hearty hello.  These are maybe what some would consider small things, but they are also the things that would make my heart happy for at least a little part of the day.  So if this is something that brings me joy, I can only imagine that it would bring others great joy.  If I also did that, then I would hopefully make someone else joy-filled and happy.  There are, of course, even be bigger actions like when you hear someone donate thousands of dollars to a great cause, and those spending great time and effort in rescue operations against modern day slavery.  

The world can be rough, but it can also be wonderful.  Start to keep track of the wonderful things that are happening in the world in whatever way that works well for you, and then start to also do those very actions.  I assure you that if you start doing that, then you will be a part of the change that is in the world for the better.