There is Some Good in This World

and it truly is worth fighting for

“It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It's like the great stories, Mr. Frodo, the ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn't want to know the end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad has happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing this shadow, even darkness must pass. A new day will come, and when the sun shines, it'll shine out the clearer. I know now folks in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going because they were holding on to something.” Sam

“What are we holding on to, Sam?” Frodo

“That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for.” Sam

Lord of the Rings, the Two Towers

I turn to this quote when I’m feeling soul level exhaustion. I remind myself that this is ‘only a passing thing, this shadow.’

It is, you know.

I will always stand on the side of compassion, kindness, acceptance, inclusion, beauty, hope, joy, generosity, selflessness, honesty, equity, and unconditional love. I will always fight the good fight and speak truth to power. I will never remain silent. It is who I am and who I have always been and I don’t know how to be anything other than this. If you’re reading this, it is likely who you are and who you have always been and you also may not know how to be anything other than this. It can feel very lonely, being a truth teller ‘in times of universal deceit.’

In every epic tale there is a moment when the light fades to such an imperceptible glimmer that it feels as if it will never shine again. We are nearing that moment, my friend. In dark moments like these, it can feel like everyone has forgotten the good, that darkness and danger will never recede.

Retain hope, no matter what, because no one can take that from you unless you freely give it. I believe that whatever happens, no matter how difficult it gets, no matter how dark it might become, that this ‘darkness must pass and the sun will shine out the clearer.’ I feel it in my bones that we’re almost there. I feel it in my bones that the dark spell is about to be broken.

If you are feeling depleted, step out and take a breath. I’ll save your place. If you are losing touch with what we’re holding on to, I’m here to remind you. I’ve got a little bit of joy to share and hope enough for us both. If you need either, take some and pass it on.

We will keep going because we are holding on together. We are not alone. A new day will come.

There is some good in this world, and it truly is worth fighting for.