As people around the world begin to wake up and commit to help build a sustainable, peaceful and just world the single most-often asked question is “So what should I do?” Answering this head on is to fall into a trap, because helpful as it seems to offer suggestions this immediately limits folk from using the full range of their own creativity and individuality.
The compromise I chose in writing Your Planet Needs You was to point out some key principles which can steer us, but still offer plenty of scope for interpretation; one of these is the subject of this post, Just Shine. Here’s an extract from the book
What a wonderful force of positive energy we are in the world. We already know the power of positive thoughts when we are optimistic, helpful and encouraging to others; we know how good this makes others feel.
So every day is a chance to shine and to see this light reflect back in other people
Just Shine starts with being constructive, always finding the good in people and situations, however difficult this might be. It means celebrating Possibility as well as Success; it means the glass is half-full
Just Shine is role modeling the good humour, kindness and courtesy that we enjoy so much in other people
Just Shine means being a source of love and encouragement in the world, leaving others feeling better than you found them
Imagine how far the ripple spreads when you smile or show a simple kindness to someone else. Imagine a room chock-full of smiles, a town brimful of kindness or a world overflowing with love. Isn’t that the Future Worth Choosing?
I know the power of a smile, no-one I know practices smiling better than my wonderful wife, Sand and I get to constantly see the effect that oh-so-simple gesture has on people. So gather yourself, be prepared for people to assume you are i) on drugs, ii) in love or iii) not from round here, and go for it. Just shine.
