Today, I began a post called, “What Is Happening to the World?” which was full of my anxious thoughts about recent events. I had gone to bed the other night, feeling anxious and angry after the news account of the attack on London. I woke up with the same anxiety. Hence the post I just mentioned.
But I scrapped that post.
Look at this.
And this.
And this.
I’m reminded that the world isn’t totally full of sadness and evil. There is beauty, kindness, love, joy.
Yes, there is grief. I’m grieved by acts of senseless violence.
Maybe that’s why one of my favorite comic book characters is Wonder Woman. I haven’t yet seen the movie. But my friends and I plan to see it on Tuesday. When I was a kid, I read Wonder Woman comic books, and dreamed of being a superhero. While I didn’t love her outfit, I loved her strength and outlook of hope. I loved that she used her gifts to make a difference in the world—her way of combatting the darkness.
See that glint of light on the poster? I chose this poster because of the light. Though darkness might seem to hold sway, a little bit of light always shines through.
We can choose to bring the light of hope to someone in the darkness of despair. (Yes, there is a way to do that without sounding Pollyanna or giving false hope.)
We can choose to be fully present to those around us who need a listening ear.
We can choose to let a child show us the wonder he or she sees in the world.
We can choose to be kinder to each other.
A friend sent this video to me on a day when I needed a laugh. Maybe you need this right now. It’s not the cure for cancer or hopelessness. But it’s a start.
Wonder Woman movie poster from dvdreleasedates.com. Other photos by L. Marie.
El Space--The Blog of L. Marie 