There are days when I cannot listen to another newscast, I refuse to hear another political analysis, and I opt out of conversations about politics or the environment, crime, terrorism or refugees.

Some days I cannot listen to any more challenging news.

At those times I feel like I need to cover my ears and sing “La, la, la, la, la…” loudly enough to drown out the voices of fear, doom and gloom.

I have my own fear and angst about many things. But I have learned that focusing on fears and problems only makes me feel bad. It blocks the light and causes contraction of the soul.

The antidote to fear and anxiety is love.

Love and fear cannot occupy the same breath, the same thought, the same action.

Finding the Good…

Focusing on the good and finding the good in life has become my antidote to fear and anxiety.

The good I seek is found in the beauty and wonder of nature, small and large acts of kindness, in smiles and giggles, laughter and touch, creating art, moving my body with joy, singing loudly in the shower, and listening to children laughing.

Here my list of good things today:

• A gull soaring across a soft evening sky

• The beauty and wonder of a single flower

• The joy of creating

• Sunlight streaming through the trees

• Beautiful patterns in nature

• The beauty of found objects in nature

• Making a gift for a friend

Going towards what I want moves me into joy, beauty, love, and hope.

I seek small positive actions inside my own sphere of influence.

Laughing

Loving

Playing

Creating

Learning

Helping

I may not change the world in any big way today but every glimmer of light and love lifts the darkness.

Every ounce of joy lightens the load. Who knows when 1 tiny action helps us reach a tipping point towards a more just, humane, and civil world.

May you walk in beauty. May you move towards joy.