Sharing gratitude, being love

The Kedron Brook in South Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

When days of cloudy skies turn to light, we experience one of nature’s most awe-inspiring moments — and Saturday morning was such a time. I was quietly reading at my desk and looked up to see beautiful light shining into the room, illuminating part of it. Another few minutes, and the light shifted slightly, spreading further into the room as it took up more of the window. 

It struck me that good works much in the same way. Like the sunlight, it shines into our lives, and though there are days where it seems not to reach every corner of our experience, it is still active, still lending warmth, still breathing life into hope. This beautiful sense of good marches on, even through the toughest times. 

This time of year, gratitude is a point of emphasis, and is always a strong force for good in the world. Thanksgiving gives us a much-needed nudge to slow down our thought and take a moment to acknowledge the most important things. It provides an instant connection to how love is being expressed. For example, food shelves and other nonprofits are continuing to help those most in need, individuals and organizations step up to help their neighbors, and the smallest acts of kindness still go a long, long way. That’s because the light of goodness shining brightly in our hearts is a natural state of being for us, and it’s what we feel when gratitude is expressed. Take the example of Debra Ferrell of Virginia, who founded a nonprofit based on small acts of kindness. 

“It is a kindness organization where our motto is, ‘Be love. Do stuff,’” Ferrell recently told the media. 

Being love. Those two words are hugely important in today’s world, one where, so often, love seems to be very much overshadowed, or even under siege. But every time that issue comes into view, the perspective we bring to the table makes a difference, and it’s something we can consider, something we have the right to change. Even through challenges, the opportunity to be love — to do good, show gratitude to others — reveals life-changing actions we can take right now in our communities. In this world, nothing is more needed, and nothing can stand in the way of good that’s ready to make a difference.

— Gareth Henderson