There’s a short film we’ve shown here at the Foundation many times, to many different groups of people. It’s called Celebrate What’s Right with the World. The whole film is this one man, a photographer for National Geographic, telling stories about people he’s met who have helped shape his vision of the world as a place full of small instances of wonder and magic that happen every day.
Through the news and the internet, in the stories from people we meet and work with and eat with, we can see that this is a tough time in which to be living. We see hardship and tragedy and we begin to believe that’s what the world is like nowadays. We see it, and we believe it. Sounds like a clichéd motto, doesn’t it?
But instead of looking at this picture of the world and finding what’s wrong with it, what would happen if we tried to find what was right with it?
At the heart of Celebrate, the narrator, Dewitt, looks at the camera and says, “if you believe it, you’ll see it.” If you believe there is goodness and beauty and joy in the world, then you’ll see goodness and beauty and joy everywhere. It’s a small shift in thinking, and it makes a world of difference. If you believe it, you’ll see it. And if you see it, you should celebrate it.
What’s right with your world? What can you find to celebrate today? Look for something. Then look for something else. Then look for something else. Share those things with others.
Is there someone who has made a difference in your life, shaped how you view the world today, or got you your first start in business, or gave you the best parenting advice ever? Have you thanked that person? Do so today. And don’t forget to look for others who might need a similar helping hand or word of encouragement.
Do we stick our heads in the sand and pretend everything is okay and nothing’s wrong? No. Denying reality is childish. But adults could probably stand to have a little more child-like optimism and faith about the world. Choose to focus on the positives while seeking opportunities for improvement and actively work towards solutions to problems. Don’t be afraid to celebrate what’s right with the world, especially in times of pain or hardship or tragedy.
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I’ll get back to financial matters next week. If your family or a group of people you represent would be interested in seeing the film Celebrate What’s Right with the World, email me.