I Choose Light

For the past few weeks, it has been a struggle for me to write. Honestly, some days, it is very hard to see light in the world.

I know I am not alone in the feeling. We live in a chaotic, heavy, and polarized world -- extreme weather, extreme perspectives, extreme choices -- making it difficult to find the common ground that could lead to peace and harmony in our world.

My heart hurts and I do carry a sense of helplessness and hopelessness at times.

But I have also been gifted with much, in particular, with faith and with choice.

Every day, we have a choice in how we move forward in our world. Today, I choose to cling to my faith in a loving Creator, in loving people around me and around the world, and in the abiding presence of light.

I believe in the love of humanity, despite the actions of a few;

I believe in new beauty created out of deep struggles and turmoil;

I choose (again and again!) to be light for others, to smile, to laugh, to wave from afar,

I choose to make joyful noise of screaming and singing with my students, to dance and play;

I choose to be grateful out loud for the sunshine, for the mountains and the snow, the empty space of the prairie;

This is my own mantra for today. What will yours be? Be light to heal and give hope to our world.