There’s a lot wrong with the world, now and always.
No leader of a country — or staff members who have access to how that leader presents themselves to the world — should repost racist content.
No one should be personally attacked for expressing that, while they are proud to represent their country on a world stage, they don’t agree with everything taking place in that country.
Nobody should even feel they can’t express their views about their world — including about politics, sports or religion — without fear of being attacked or worse.
Nobody should attack those who are willing to speak out due to their beliefs.
No one should have been able to convince a town council that pumping waste 7 miles uphill for the foreseeable future is a better option than building its own wastewater treatment facility.
The list goes on.
We could look at this and choose to only see the cup as half empty, but we know there’s also a lot that’s right, and a lot that’s inspiring in this world. The cup is also half full.
It’s inspiring to hear the many amazing stories of Olympic athletes.
It’s inspiring to see new records set both locally and at the Olympics.
It’s inspiring when our leaders can come together in bipartisan efforts and criticism aimed at bettering our communities, countries and world. That means conversations — and listening — are taking place.
It’s great to see locals awarded for what they do to make this community a better place.
Again, the list goes on.
We were reminded of so much that’s still right with the world Saturday evening when we watched the Pagosa Springs Special Olympics team take on a team of community members in front of a sizable crowd at Pagosa Springs High School.
Folks in the stands could have left after the day’s high school basketball teams ended, but many stayed, cheering loudly throughout the day’s final game. The community members could have said no thanks to playing, probably while truthfully pointing toward a long to-do list or other obligations. But they didn’t, and everyone was better off for it.
We saw few without smiles on their faces throughout the entire match. We were no exception.
There were amazing shots, great teamwork, a few hijinks thrown in for fun and, to cap it all off, the Special Olympics team handed the community members a blistering 85-7 loss. They appeared perfectly happy to take the loss, with the teams coming together for high-fives and photos following the game.
When we cease to see what’s right with and inspiring in the world, we let the wrong take charge.
Criticism, speaking out and action are absolutely part of making our world a better place. But we also firmly believe continuing to celebrate the good we find and preserving it are also critical parts of that process.
As Desmond Tutu said, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
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