Reflection
It is hopeful to focus on the human potential for good. Rather than allowing ourselves to be overcome by the disturbing daily reports, we can focus on those whose actions show the human capacity for nobility, integrity, courage, and compassion. They encourage us by demonstrating how others have found ways of coping, overcoming hardship, responding to difficult situations, and offering help in thoughtful and constructive ways. They remind us that we each hold the power to impact our world positively and we have the capacity to shape our destiny, and to make our own lives worthy of emulation.
Prayer
Let your light shine before others.
Matthew 5:13-16.
Action
Think of people both public and private whose lives exemplify what is best in our human nature. What do you admire in them? What encourages you? What can you do in your own sphere of relationships?
Suggested Reading
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to God.
Matthew 5:13-16
Let us all remember this: one cannot proclaim the Gospel of Jesus without the tangible witness of one’s life.
Pope Francis
Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.
Catherine of Siena
People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?
Thich Nhat Hanh
I have never, ever focused on the negative of things. I always look at the positive.
Sonia Sotomayor
One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don’t invest any energy in them, because I know who I am.
Michelle Obama
Be a force of love as often as you can and turn away negative thoughts whenever you feel them surface.
Wayne Dyer
I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.
Queen Elizabeth II
People tend to dwell more on negative things than on good things. So the mind then becomes obsessed with negative things, with judgments, guilt and anxiety produced by thoughts about the future and so on.
Eckhart Tolle
Only surround yourself with people who will lift you higher.
Oprah Winfrey
I have a relatively sunny spirit, and I always had the expectation that my path through life would be relatively sunny, no matter what happened. I have never allowed myself to be bitter.
Angela Merkel