In the dark, it can look like we’ve lost our way. Still, I have to believe.

Today’s my birthday and the June solstice! It’s the first day of summer and the longest day of the year (and for my southern hemisphere friends, tomorrow the daylight grows again).

Today, we honor our connection to the universe and to each other, and today, I’m reflecting on all that we share as a human family. There is no other, only us.

Today, I am more aware than ever of the treasures that surround me, and I want to be sublimely happy. But today, I also see people who have so much taking everything from people who have so little, people who want the very same things that all of us want in life: peace, safety, freedom, happiness. 

Today, I wonder how there could be so much fear? And hate? And dishonesty?

How can we turn against ourselves still? Time and time again, we’ve seen where this will lead us.

Today, my heart will not stop screaming. I. Am. ENRAGED.

But you know what?  I have to believe in something. Maybe especially today. 

I have to believe in hope.

I have to believe in good citizens, everyday heroes, the helpers and the healers.

I have to believe that our beautiful hearts can make things better.

I look at my life today, and I see abundance. So many people in this world would view even a fraction of what I have as unimaginable riches, and I’m just an ordinary person. I have to believe that the peace and love and many blessings in my life are meant to be used for goodness. Goodness is meant to be spread. We don’t lose anything by sharing it.

If the state of the world or the state of your life are making you angry too, do not numb out. Do not drift off silently into the darkness. Please, please do not let go of hope. Hold on to the light no matter how dark it gets. Take good care of your beautiful heart and look for the possibilities for goodness.

Today, if you have the freedom to speak, then speak. Speak for the people who have no voice.

If you have love in you yet, then love. Love for the people who are frightened and hurting today.

If you have light in you, then shine. Shine for the people who need a lighthouse today.

If you can stand, then stand taller. Stand for the people who have been pushed down today.

If you have the resources, then share. Share with the people who have nothing today.

If right now it’s all you can do to get through your day, do whatever you can to keep going. Give with your heart. Lead with your heart. Speak with your heart. Hope with your heart. And keep moving toward that sunrise on the horizon.

I know that in the dark, the world can be a scary place. In the dark, it can look like we’ve lost our way. Still, I have to believe that light leads us home. (And I’ve got nothing but sunlight on this June solstice.)

Love pulls us together and through. Please do not lose faith in our goodness and do your good work today.

If you’d like to lend your voice, your time, your funds, your expertise to the families separated at the U.S. border, here are some ways you can do that:

If you’re in the U.S., attend a Families Belong Together rally June 30 or contact your representatives (don’t know what to say? Let Resist.bot help.).

If you’re in Canada, you can help by signing the Women’s March Canada petition.

You can also support these organizations providing humanitarian and legal aid to migrant families from anywhere:

Pueblo Sin Fronteras, serving migrants in the Sonoran Desert.

Border Angels, providing water, legal assistance, and rescue services.

RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services), the largest immigration legal services provider in Texas.

RAICES Legal Representation, Education, and Advocacy Fund (LEAF), providing unaccompanied children with legal representation.

RAICES Family Reunification and Bond Fund, helping parents separated from their children pay bonds and be reunited with their families.

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), represent unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children in their deportation proceedings.

Or check out Slate’s exhaustive list of organizations that are helping.

Seeking more peace, inside and out? Try this (it’s free):

 

This post was published first on Elephant Journal.