Another day of
trolls on social media. Another day of vulgarity and partisanship in the media.
Another day of needlessly rude emails and people shouting conspiracy theories
instead of caring about each other. Another day with your neighbor who doesn't
follow the rules. Another day of people speeding on streets where kids play.
It's enough to
make anyone despair, what's wrong with everyone? Is everything going to
pieces? Like the rest of us, you're probably looking for something to be hopeful
about, something to inspire you. And it'd be wonderful if there was something
major to point to, but there isn't.
No, if you want
to see good today, there is only one option—do good yourself. As Marcus Aurelius writes, good news is something you
make. You make it with good character, good intentions, and good actions, he
says. You can't wait around for that to happen. In fact, he said, it doesn't
matter if you hold your breath until you're blue in the face, people are going
to stay selfish, stay mean, stay stupid.
All you can do
is refuse to be implicated in that ugliness. All you can do is be the bright
spot you'd like to see in the light. So will you? Can you? Please. Because we
really, really need it.
