“Don't let the news of the world get you down.
If you think you need LOVE right now, 
the truth is, LOVE needs you.
Don't give up on LOVE, 
because it's LOVE that has inspired 
all that is good in the world." 
- Michael Franti

This is true. Just as we need love, love needs us. I believe all that is noble and good needs our focus and faith now. 

For health and well-being, we need to see and experience goodness. We must recognize it in our flawed and troubled world, in ourselves, in humanity, in nature, and all creation.  

Instead of feeling helpless about growing fear, anger, negativity, and polarization, instead of despairing about the future, we can recognize, nurture, and choose goodness. We must.

We can spread goodness in its many forms. Strength, beauty, courage, compassion, hope, joy, wisdom, reverence, and faith are all forms of goodness and gifts of life. They are all aspects of Love.

And they are all within us. They may have been ignored, neglected, or buried under layers of hurt, but they are there, always ready for renewal, ready to be nurtured, available to help us face life's challenges, meet opportunities, and become the best we can be.

I've heard many people say, "What can I, just one person do?"  I have thought it and said it myself at times. But the truth is: I am one. You are one. But together we are more than two. And there are millions of us in the United States and billions in the world who value love, hope, kindness, and joy; who yearn for greater harmony and peace; and who strive to live the Golden Rule. 

It's time to stop the spread of negativity. We don't have to fight it.  We just have to avoid taking it in and passing it on. 

One simple but powerful way we can spread goodness and love is to smile, warmly and often. 

As 18th century author Joseph Addison said: 

"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity."

With faith, hope, and love, let's smile,
Charlene