This morning I listened to Wajahat Ali give a Ted Talk that reaffirmed my hope. We face many things that give us pause, if not panic: a world wide pandemic, income inequality, climate change, systemic racism, bad luck, cancer, mass shootings, and the threat of nuclear annihilation to name a few. Why should we be hopeful in such times? Wajahat offers three possibilities 1) Have faith in God, but tie your camel first. In other words, let go of what you can't control and embrace what you can control. Be present in the lives of those you love. Do what you can to make the world a better place. 2) Invest in joy. The world doesn't need more masochists or martyrs. The world needs what Mahatma Gandhi called satyagraha, meaning love force or truth force. The world needs selfless kindness, honest expression, and humble acceptance. 3) Invest in the narrative of hope because the alternative is apathy and cynicism. It's hard because it opens you up to the possibility of pain, betrayal, and disappointment. That is scary. It's easier to court cynicism because you invest nothing so you lose nothing. But everyone deserves to experience joy every day, even though it's fleeting. Don't misunderstand. It's not as Bobby McFerrin croons, "Don't worry, be happy." There's plenty to be concerned about, but it helps to feed the fire of hope through love, perseverance, and courage. This is what I believe makes life good, especially today. Thanks Wajahat for reminding me.
Beth, owner of the llama farm, has a big heart for animals. She rescued these donkeys plus two llamas, three horses, at least five dogs, and a couple of cats. She represents the kind of heart that truly nurtures hope.
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