Recent tragic events in this country have caused me to stop and wonder about how far we have strayed in our basic respect for humanity and how we view and treat one another. It is hard to fathom the degree of hatred one must feel to kill another human being. It is even harder to fathom the extent to which this has happened in this country in recent months and of all of the innocent lives lost.
Before he was assassinated, Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Those words are as true today as they were when spoken, but over the last several weeks, our country has been distracted by more darkness than light and more hate than love.
How, then, do we move forward to regain the light and love that we have strayed from?
I think I know what the answer is – or at least where to start: LeadingAge.
As I have seen before during times of tragedy – 9/11 and Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy come to mind – LeadingAge members have an amazing capacity for taking care of one another and the communities they are a part of. They have the ability to rise above darkness and hate, and to offer comfort to those in need.
What I admire most about LeadingAge members are your big hearts – hearts that are filled with compassion for helping people live the best life possible as they age. Hearts committed to making their communities vibrant and safe. Hearts filled with a deep desire to always do better and to do what is right, even if it is hard. Hearts that believe in the fundamental worth of each person, regardless of their stage in life or where they come from.
Hearts that believe in light. Hearts that believe in love.
Your big hearts give me hope for the future. Continue to shine your light. Be beacons for an uplifting view of humanity, justice for all, and peace for those who need it most.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, which is made bigger because of you.