Throughout history we have had periods of times that are frightening. These times send us spinning into fear and distrust. I believe that we as a people forget our connection to each other. We isolate and allow emotions to take over.

I personally refuse to live my life in fear. I choose compassion, empathy and hope. Watching the last few weeks unfold. I am saddened that we have forgotten the lessons of the past. I too, needed help remembering that in the immortal words of Bob,

“Every little thing, is gonna be alright.”

Bob Marley

I started with empathy.

em·pa·thy
ˈempəTHē/

the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another and feelings with the heart of another. Then I looked up people who empathize.

Mother Teresa is the 1st to come to my mind. She lived her life dedicated to empathy and compassion. Her modest start led to a world wide organization of motivated volunteers . Not to mention, Sainthood and the Nobel peace prize.

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other”

Bettmann / CORBIS

Click here to read more about Mother Teresa and other power women.

Which led me to compassion.

com·pas·sion
kəmˈpaSHən/
noun
sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
“the victims should be treated with compassion”
synonyms: pity, sympathy, empathy, fellow feeling, care, concern, solicitude, sensitivity, warmth, love, tenderness, mercy, leniency, tolerance, kindness, humanity, charity

Nelson Mandela a man who went from prisoner to president, locked up for Grand Treason for over twenty years who flatly refused hate.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. “

Credit: Boston Globe via Getty Images Boston Globe Getty Images

Click here to read more of this amazing man and his journey.

Mr Mandela never lost sight of hope.

hope
hōp/
noun
1.
a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
synonyms: aspiration, desire, wish, expectation, ambition, aim, goal, plan, design; More
2.
archaic
a feeling of trust.

Buddha, who’s teachings, preserved in texts known as the Nikāyas or Āgamas, concern the quest for liberation from suffering.

“You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.”

Click here to learn more of Buddha and his teachings.

I hope that we all can take a moment to remember that time is fleeting. Our lives are short. Every day is a new chance. We are the only ones that can give our power away.