Let the Glow Grow

Have you noticed that every time you log into Facebook, or turn on the news, or even overhear a conversation in a waiting room, that you're bombarded with the idea that the world is ending? War is everywhere! People are dying! This religion wants to kill us all! Another random bombing! A pandemic claims another life! Awful things, surely, but is this really what the world is comprised of these days?

I have my doubts. Every day, I find some totally heartwarming article that perfectly shows that, at our core, most humans are wonderful people. The world is full of good news, hope, and kindness. To quote a pretty famous movie involving Hugh Grant, "Love, actually, is all around."

Joy is one of the most contagious elements on this planet. Even more powerful than anger or sadness, joy has the ability to soften hearts, broaden minds, and inspire forgiveness. History has demonstrated the inefficacy of using fire to fight fire, so in my tiny little corner of the world, I decided to launch Let The Glow Grow.

It started with the awful news of the San Bernadino shooting. The most common response seen was hatred of a specific religion. Hatred met hatred. Hearts turned black. Since I could not drive out the hatred of the hearts of the two people who committed such a terrible crime that day, I put a little bit of random love and kindness into the world. I decided that for every massive outrage the media whips up, I would be a drop in the bucket for the opposing side, and do some act of pure love, something for which I would receive nothing in return, except a more loving world.

The concept is this: whenever a tragedy occurs, something that you just cannot escape the news - donate money to a charity. Buy a stranger's lunch or coffee. Pick up someone's grocery tab, if you can afford it. If you can't, smile at a passerby. Hold the door open for someone. Help your neighbor unload their car. Pay someone a random, thoughtful compliment. Post an article on your own Facebook that shows one of the countless good things that have happened recently. Need help finding these wonderful stories? There is an entire subreddit dedicated to this. Check it daily to warm up your own heart, and cast out any preconceived notions about the darkness of the world. Spread the good news - this is the most important part! Use the light of your candle to light up the world.

What began as a personal campaign against the darkness that so easily spreads has grown into a crusade to bring attention to the fact that there are so many wonderful people, so many amazing revelations and discoveries made, and such a beautiful world, that I refuse to allow fear-mongering to take hold of my life. I am no Pollyanna, but I know that the best defense against the gremlins is to look for the silver linings. The rabbit hole of desolation is a steep one, and it's best to fight like hell to stay out of it.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness;

Only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate;

Only love can do that."

- Martin Luther King, Jr.