The Practice of Brightness

We celebrate International Optimists Day today.

False positivity can be grating, sometimes even harmful…but we do need hope when it counts.

Little nuggets of positivity do that.

Optimism is hope – when it matters.

🌱

Paula traversed her little block

Offering kindness, hope dealt small;

Not everybody’s solid rock

Just gentle tidings, peace for all.

✍️ 🌱

She waters the neighbours’ sun-parched plants;

Returns a wallet, thoughtless lost;

She leaves a note, of deeds unsung

Of their goodness, does not boast. 

✍️ 🌱

I watch her good deeds, unstated cheer,

And then start to cringe;

Her constant brightness, hope for peers,

Discomfort some,  unhinge

✍️ 🌱

I then learn, a tad too late,

That Paula kept a log;

Of past loss borne,  that her deeds rebate

And brought light through the fog. 

✍️ 🌱

Paula passed, but her notes stay, 

Their kindnesses remain;

To lift the pain, the hurt that frays

To take away Life’s stains. 

🌱 ✍️

Original poem written by Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin. AI tags are coincidental.

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