These days we must work harder than ever to do good, instead of adding to the growing divisiveness in our world. 

And we must resolve to own our lives fully rather than be owned by what happens around us, and yes even to us. 

I found two thoughts so encouraging and empowering to live a better life than my world is currently offering.

The late Father Henri Nouwen encourages us to ask a series of life altering questions:

Did I offer peace today?

Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? 

Did I say words of healing?

 Did I let go of my anger and resentment? 

Did I forgive? 

Did I love? 

These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.

And then Dr Bessel van der Kolk says to traumatized people….

The big issue for traumatized people is that they don’t own themselves anymore. Any loud sound, anybody insulting them, hurting them,saying bad things,can hijack  them away from themselves. And so what we have learned is that what makes you resilient to trauma is to own yourself fully.

There you go–go out and do good, and own yourself fully.