I recently came across a great little quote by Martin Luther, the 15th century German professor/priest and leader of the Protestant Reformation. Luther wrote, "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."
What a beautiful quote! It's an optimist's creed, a reminder that no matter what happens in the world, we still have the power to find meaning, purpose, and beauty in everyday life.
We can choose to live with hope and joy, or we can choose to live with dread. This is something that the film, Life is Beautiful, so poignantly captures and it's a hallmark in the world of self-help and psychology.
I know what you're probably thinking: That's easier said than done, particularly at this moment in history. As an American living in Canada, I am genuinely concerned about the present and future of the US. There are days when I'm glued to my Twitter and Facebook feeds, getting lost in a loop of "bad news" and doomsday prophecies (who else freaked out when scientists moved the doomsday clock to 2.5 minutes to midnight?) It's easy to let the bad news change how you think and act in the world.
But, seeing these changes doesn't prevent us from being optimistic and helping others. Remember that human beings have an extraordinary capacity for love and empathy. And remember that sometimes repression is the straw that breaks the camel's back; the global Women's March was a testament to our collective strength and momentum. We can keep this movement alive and make our voices heard!
In 2017, we can dedicate ourselves to doing small things to make the world a little better. This might mean doing something nice for your partner, or telling your parents and family that you love them, playing with your kids, or complimenting your colleagues. It might also mean doing something nice for yourself and making sure that you are happy and healthy. Take good care of yourself. You are no good to a social movement if you are not happy and healthy. We are all in this together. Let's keep planting apple trees every day.
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| Martin Luther authored the 95 Theses |
We can choose to live with hope and joy, or we can choose to live with dread. This is something that the film, Life is Beautiful, so poignantly captures and it's a hallmark in the world of self-help and psychology.
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| Look for the mundane miracles |
I know what you're probably thinking: That's easier said than done, particularly at this moment in history. As an American living in Canada, I am genuinely concerned about the present and future of the US. There are days when I'm glued to my Twitter and Facebook feeds, getting lost in a loop of "bad news" and doomsday prophecies (who else freaked out when scientists moved the doomsday clock to 2.5 minutes to midnight?) It's easy to let the bad news change how you think and act in the world.
But, seeing these changes doesn't prevent us from being optimistic and helping others. Remember that human beings have an extraordinary capacity for love and empathy. And remember that sometimes repression is the straw that breaks the camel's back; the global Women's March was a testament to our collective strength and momentum. We can keep this movement alive and make our voices heard!
In 2017, we can dedicate ourselves to doing small things to make the world a little better. This might mean doing something nice for your partner, or telling your parents and family that you love them, playing with your kids, or complimenting your colleagues. It might also mean doing something nice for yourself and making sure that you are happy and healthy. Take good care of yourself. You are no good to a social movement if you are not happy and healthy. We are all in this together. Let's keep planting apple trees every day.
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