Yesterday I heard
His Holiness the Dalai Lama speak at William and Mary. My daughter Mariel goes to school here and being able to visit with her and hear His Holiness was such a treat. As I sat in William and Mary Hall, watching it fill up with students and visitors, I felt such a surge of optimism and positive emotion. I felt full of hope for our planet, which often feels torn apart and desecrated.
I had my art journal with me and took one of the pages I had collaged but not written on (it's actually a page of scraps and leftovers) and started to make a list in the blank hearts of some of the things that make me feel hopeful. (This is why it's great to just "unblank" a few pages -- you never know...)
HHDL: Seeing all the students fill the seats (4000 were given to students in a free lottery) made me hopeful that some of them will take his message to heart -- that it is in our own self interest to be compassionate towards EVERYONE, even our enemies, because at heart, we all want the same things - to be happy and free from suffering. And we all face the same problems -- sickness, death of loved ones and eventually ourselves, pain and suffering. So even if you hate the actions, feel compassion for the actors. Knowing that His Holiness is on a tour where he is visiting many colleges made me hopeful about all the young people who will hear his message of love and tolerance.
THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS: While waiting online to go in, I struck up a conversation with two nice people. Connecting with them made me feel warm inside. It also made me think about how, after the tsunami in Japan, the earthquake in Haiti, and 9-11, strangers pitched in and helped each other. The willingness of people to help each other in times of need, or even just waiting on a line, makes me hopeful.
ART: The community of artists on the retreats I've been on, and in the blog world, makes me feel very hopeful. So many of us are doing work that taps into global concerns, or are creating work to donate, or are connecting with and supporting each other. It fills me with warmth and hope.
MEDIA: The ability to connect with people around the world, to see how others live, and to hear about their challenges and successes, makes me hopeful. As the Buddha said, if you see yourself in others then whom can you harm?
MY DAUGHTERS: I have two girls who live each day with warm hearts and open arms. There are so many like them -- children who care about the world and who want to make it better. This gives me hope.
What makes you feel hopeful? Let me know.
Thank you for visiting! If you are so moved, please leave a comment. Hearing from you means the world to me.
Linking up with
Mandarin Orange Monday, Inspiration Avenue (challenge is orange!),
Art Journal Everyday,
Paint Party Friday and
Creative Every Day. Please visit the amazing artists linking up at these great sites!
