19 Comments

Well said Julia. I so agree. I’m no writer but I do what I can not to contribute to negativity.

Every day for the past four ish years I have done a FB post that always begins Good Morning from the Front Porch! Couple of lines expressing gratitude about something. Perhaps poking a little fun at myself. Including a few pics from my yard that morning. Nothing huge but I began to feel that we all needed something positive to read each morning and so it began. People tell me they look forward to it in a positive way and I’ve noticed some of them changing what they post as well. It’s sometimes the small things and if my small effort causes a ripple or two I’m content

Expand full comment

All of this begins with us. All of it. Thank you, Karen.

Expand full comment

Love this idea. Time for me to follow suit!!

Expand full comment

Thanks Linda.

Expand full comment

this is such a good start for my week after the election -- thanks for incorporating so many crucial lessons...

Expand full comment

"Don’t be that writer who paints the world with complaints. Be bigger than that. Be brave. Do good in the world. Watch what happens in your heart and soul when you do, and when you share it, watch what others do when they see an example they are hungry for."

This is what wisdom looks like -- acts of kindness, listening, and being a light instead of part of the darkness. I appreciate you so much, Julia -- your writing, your humor, your thoughts, and most of all the way you strive to walk the path of love and goodwill. That is my striving too and I'm grateful and happy to be inspired by you.

Expand full comment

You are lovely, Stephanie. Thank you.

Expand full comment

Oh my gosh, the relentless FB and WhatsApp groups we find ourselves part of, only to spend too much time scrolling through enough moaning and groaning to sink a ship. Annoyingly though, leaving the group means not finding the gem of helpfulness the groups were originally set up for.

I do a weekly email at work for a report and always send a joke with it, I also send a witty/cheeky beginning with many work emails and with both have been humbled by so many colleagues elling me these are highlights of their weeks

Expand full comment

If that isn’t a message, right? Let’s be the LIGHT.

Expand full comment

Thank God the election is finally decided and people can get on with what comes next. Whatever that might be. It might not be as horrible as most thought it would be. Who knows? I love reading inspirational stories on the flip side of being negative and resentful. The election year has brought out the worst in many people. Staying off social media and most news reports is a good first step. Your words today are inspiring. Thank you.

Expand full comment

Thank you Lisa. I hope we can find a way forward.

Expand full comment

Great advice

Expand full comment

Thank you so much, Julia! You just made my Monday. 🧡

Expand full comment

Thanks for the example, Erin. We need more of same.

Expand full comment

Thank you for this. There aren’t many emails I get excited about, but yours I do. Always filled with bits of wisdom that hit me in the heart. Just ordered WordFood. 🤗

Expand full comment

Thank you Wendy. There's a outdated chapter in the damned thing about social media, ca. 2010. Oh my does that need updating. That said the rest is all evergreen. Oh I have work to do, and miles to go before I sleep......

Expand full comment

Love this!!

Expand full comment

Huge cheers for Erin, and thank you for pointing us to her right speech and right action. She politely declined the invitation to join the delusion of hate and anger and instead offered an alternate invitation to gratitude and civility. And look -- the shy seeds just waiting to be watered sprouted! Yes, I will do my best to be like Erin. Just FYI, I too am looking after my own wellbeing with extra care right now, and that means finding more space and silence in as many areas of my life as I can for the time being. So if you don't hear from me for a bit, that's why. It's not forever (if I have anything to say about that).

Expand full comment

Hi Julia, I love this post. It is true that positive remarks lift us up, while negative, nasty comments just bring the negativity to the fore and are harmful to others and even ourselves. I love this quote: "Don’t be that writer who paints the world with complaints. Be bigger than that. Be brave. Do good in the world. Watch what happens in your heart and soul when you do, and when you share it, watch what others do when they see an example they are hungry for." I couldn't agree more. It is vital we tap into positivity, which can always be found.

Expand full comment