Month: April 2023

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Leaving the World a Bit Better

“My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here.”

This quote is by Jim Henson, a well-known puppeteer, animator, inventor, and filmmaker, perhaps best known as the creator of The Muppets.

Henson’s quote resonates with me because it conveys both hope and humility.  Hope and humility are two qualities essential to living our lives in a meaningful way.  Henson’s having the goal of in some way doing his part to make the world better expresses a hopefulness, a belief that it is possible to do that.  And he shows humility by using the words “my hope” and “a bit better,” rather than suggesting he has all the answers.  Henson’s words are a quiet affirmation of what might be possible.

If each of us had the goal of leaving the world a bit better, and sincerely tried to make that happen, the lives of many people would be positively affected.  It’s essential that we recognize that it is the Creator working through us that makes it possible for us to do anything of value that we do, including that which we are able to do to improve the world.  It’s also vital to believe that each of us has a calling or callings given to us by the Creator that we need to try to discern.

Through that discernment and our efforts to endeavor to follow each of our individual paths, all of us can make the world better, better for our children and grandchildren now and when they’re adults, better for all of the present generation as well as for future generations.

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The Specialness of Being with Children 

“The soul is healed by being with children.”

This quote is by Fyordor Dostoevsy, a well-known Russian novelist, essayist, and journalist who lived from 1821-1881.

A few months ago I had the very special experience of becoming a grandma!  I’m thankful that my grandson is a healthy and happy little boy and that I live close enough to him that I’m able to be with him often.  Having this little person in my life gives me much joy and I can relate to Dostoevsy’s words.

It’s fascinating to observe the ways my grandson changes during the time between my visits.  In addition to seeing the physical change of him being a little bigger than when I last saw him, I enjoy observing the other changes as they have taken place:  when he started to smile, when he began grasping my finger or my sleeve while I was holding him, when he started rolling over, and most recently when he could sit up without support.  It’s also special to observe how he takes in his surroundings, reaching for and picking up toys, looking at the pictures in books we read, and noticing a family member or a pet walking nearby, turning his head to follow their movement.

Seeing my grandson take in his surroundings at such a young age reminds me of the influence we as adults have on children, even when they are very young, and whether we are aware that we’re being observed by them or not.  By watching us, they learn about people interacting with each other, they see various facial expressions, and they notice gestures of affection and sharing.  Children also hear our tone of voice, our laughter, and so much more.

Sometimes when I’m with my grandson I think about how each of us human beings started out as a little child like he is, how we each have evolved into the adults we are, and how we continue to evolve every day.  It’s vital that we evolve spiritually as well as intellectually and interpersonally.  And that we remember that the manifestations of who we are by our actions and our words can have a positive effect on the children around us.