Dearest dearheart,

With the events in Tunisia + a troubled West seemingly losing people to Syria who go off to join the fight, it feels like quite an overwhelming world to live in.

I am personally repeatedly shocked that people would intentionally hurt others. That it’s possible to be somebody who will kill innocent people in a vicious attack like that. That we live in a world that manages to contain all this cruelty + somehow it still turns + we still go on.

Sometimes it’s unfathomable.

For me, these times are increasingly important to have faith in the goodness of people. For there to be darkness, there has to be light. So I look. I seek. I focus on the goodness. Even if it’s small. Even if it seems immaterial in comparison to some of the horrors we are facing. Because everything stems from 1 tiny action. All that is bad has to come from tiny actions, just like all that is good has to.

When I went on holiday a few weeks ago I left my iPad in the flap on the chair infront of me. I had pretty much assumed it would be gone as I thought perhaps it was quite likely anybody who sat in that chair might find it + decide they would like it for themselves. But I was reunited with it back in the UK when some kind soul had handed it into Gatwick’s lost property.

In my local area’s facebook group I am constantly seeing people posting that they have lost their phone or wallet + they seem to be regularly re-united with their belongings. People post that they have found sums of money inadvertently left in public places + try to return it to the rightful owner. Children go missing in supermarkets + are found minutes later by the power of Facebook, phones + a strong group will to make sure that the child is OK.

When we were on holiday a local bought our wine for us at one of our meals. Not for any reason – he just seemed to feel like doing it.

People create petitions on websites like change.org or avaaz.org + have real impact. People come together to form peaceful ways to express their concerns + effect change.

Many of our systems are built on the basis of trust. OK, so we are having to protect ourselves more against threats – but we still do a lot on the assumption of basic human goodness. It’s very easy, for example, to walk out of a shop with something you didn’t buy, but most people don’t do it.

We are inherently good.

I’m glad I live in a world where when a humanitarian disaster strikes, many countries offer support even if they strictly can’t afford it. I’m glad I live in a world where if I fell over in the street it’s highly likely somebody would come to my aid. I’m glad I live in a world where people are shocked by atrocities + feel compelled to stand against them.

We are inherently good. So with all the bad, we must remember that + we must be shining beacons of what it means to be inherently good.

Do good in the face of bad.

Be your best in the face of the worst in the world.

Be the light, when there is darkness.

Let me know how you are seeing the good today + BEING the good today, darling.

P.S. If you’d like to think more about these sorts of topics then join my online community where ETHICS is one of our key areas of focus. We actively try to take small actions each month in 12 areas of focus to help us to live better lives. Join us today for just $60 a year.

P.P.S. If you are local to Berkhamsted then why not join me for a reflective + relaxing gong relaxation on 18th July? Just a few spots left!