On Keeping Faith in Humanity

Dear Brave Reader,

How ARE you? Are you hanging in there? Are you taking deep breaths? Are you remembering to exhale….fully? Are you taking time away from your screen?

There is a lot going on. And if you have chosen to take part in this moment in time—to witness it, to speak up about it, or even to take action—then you will also need to take good care of yourself. We are running a marathon here. This is not a sprint.

With that in mind, I want to turn our focus to one specific way we can soothe and restore ourselves: the arts.

My background is actually in the arts—that’s what I studied growing up, in university, and beyond. They were, in many ways, my place of worship. It was where my spirit soared. I was especially drawn to literature, film, and theatre.

I mention this because I have deep faith in the arts as a way to bring people together. The arts - in all its beautiful forms, allows us to communicate and recognize in someone else our own human experience. When you think about it, that’s a small miracle. And that kind of connection feels vital right now.

We need to remember that we are ALL connected. That we are not as different as we are often led to believe. And that our differences, rather than being something to fear, can be something beautiful. Differences can be an adventure. It’s why we love to travel, or to eat “foreign” food. They expand our understanding of the world—and of ourselves.

And this is the crux of what I want to say today - engaging with the arts can help restore our connection to our own spirit—and, at times, our faith in humanity. Not always. But it can. And I believe we need that right now. If we are going to stay in this dark marathon—if we are going to remain in the game and find a way through—then we must keep our spirits hydrated and nourished. We need to remember why we are here.

SO, with that in mind I started making some lists, I love lists. These are lists of things that nourish the spirit. Below, I’ll share some ideas—shows, films, music—that do that for me. Maybe they’ll speak to you. And maybe they won’t, because we are all wonderfully different.

What I really hope is that you’ll make your own list. Or lists. I’ll include some journal prompts to get you started, and I truly hope you give this a try. We could all use a little soup for the soul right now.

We are speaking up for something truly great and beautiful. Don’t ever forget that. Humanity, kindness, love, integrity, truth, and justice are worth fighting for. They are worth our courage because, honestly, they make life lovely. This is what the best stories are about. So let’s show up. And while we do that let’s also remember to take care of ourselves, too.

So when you think about your lists I really hope you consider: What stirs your soul? What helps you believe in the goodness of the human heart?

Okay, so this all came about because recently I found myself rewatching Ted Lasso. I needed to spend a little time in a world where people try, fail, are vulnerable and choose each other and the best part of themselves over and over again. And also I wanted a huge spoonful of Ted’s deep humanity over all else. I was in heaven…. Okay so here are some lists:

(or just to feel good)

Ted Lasso – He’s funny, he’s vulnerable, and he sees the best in everyone.

Schitt’s Creek – Deeply human, funny, and all about acceptance and community.

Somebody Somewhere – This is next on my list. Deeply human, funny, tender, and about small-town kindness.

All Creatures Great and Small – True stories about a Yorkshire vet and the village he learns to call home, and the kindness he finds there.

Parks and Recreation – A mockumentary with the always-optimistic Leslie Knope leading the way. Everyone has different beliefs here, and yet they manage to work together and be friends—it’s lovely.

Shrinking – Another lead character who is flawed, tries and fails, and tries again, finding restoration among friends who become his extended family.

Bridgerton – Yes, this could be classified as a little elitist and class-focused, but I love the strong female characters. And if we truly lived in a world that embraced different ethnicities and backgrounds the way Shondaland presents them, then we wouldn’t have racism—and how nice would that be?

Friday Night Lights – Oh, you know it! Let’s not forget this gem (and Tim Riggins 😉). All about American football, with the saying “Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” Let’s remember that mantra.

How I Met Your Mother – This is the show my son turns to when he needs a little comfort. All about friendship and having fun. It will make you laugh and smile—and remind you of times when we didn’t even think about things like ICE, and New York was just New York.

Derry Girls – A comedy about the joy of friendship and community, set against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. These young ladies are hilarious and show a lot of ingenuity.

Stranger Things – Best friends—just kids—take on what seem like impossible forces of darkness. This show has a lot of heart. It takes you on a ride and reminds you that anything is possible. It ain’t over till it’s over.

Anne with an E – A gift from Canada. This is not scary, but it is quietly radical and full of empathy, justice, imagination—and it’s quite fierce.

The Good Place – A philosophical comedy about ethics, growth, and trying again. It is comforting in its insistence that people can change.

Andor – A grounded, gritty look at everyday people who form a rebellion against a totalitarian empire.

(and/or Light Overcoming Darkness)

Paddington 1 & 2 – Let us not forget that Paddington is a refugee and an immigrant. This is practically a manifesto—and you can watch it with your kids.

Little Miss Sunshine – So very human. Flawed people showing up anyway.

The Iron Giant – A young boy defends a giant robot from outer space against a government agent who wants to destroy it. All about courage, empathy, and finding humanity—even in a robot (what?). AND you can watch it with your kids.

Harry Potter Series – Oh yes, dive into the whole series—how awesome. This is all about friendship, standing up to dark forces, and courage.

Lord of the Rings – Oh, how I love this series. Again, it’s all about fellowship, differences, and coming together to defeat impossible dark forces.

Star Wars Series - This is all about the battle between light and darkness. It truly is all about the Force and which side you choose to be on (with every decision you make) And of course friendship and the power that gives us.

The Shawshank Redemption – I almost left this out! Humanity wins in the end—but it is a rough ride getting there.

Spotlight and She Said – I love these kinds of stories, where journalism goes after the bad guy despite it being almost impossible.

Bull Durham – An old favorite. So American, as it’s about baseball—but it’s also just funny, sexy, and about getting older.

Okay, that’s it for now. I’ll have more suggestions in the weeks to come to help balance our nervous systems and keep us powered up. In the meantime, here are some journal prompts to help you figure out what might be good medicine for your spirit right now.

And if you have any suggestions—shows or movies you love that restore your faith in humanity—please share them.

• What forms of art really speak to me, and why?

• Who are some of my favorite artists? Why do I love them?

• What can I do right now to bring more of that art into my life?

• What book, film, or show has helped me feel hopeful and light during a tough time?

• What are some movies or shows I’ve watched in the past that always make me feel good?

• What kind of stories would nourish me right now: gentle, fierce, hopeful, defiant, funny?

• What rituals could I create right now to offer my nervous system a little refuge?
  What do I need to cut out? What is overwhelming me?

Stay strong,
Wendy

Yes its a woman with a lightsaber - why not?