ArcaMax

Watching the Artemis II space flight has filled my days with awe and wonder. From pilot Victor Glover's poignant Easter message and mission specialist Christina Koch's "space plumber" story to the crew naming a moon crater for commander Reid Wiseman's late wife. Artemis II really shows us what humanity is capable of. All of this took place with the backdrop of war in Iran and horrid threats spewed from President Donald Trump on Truth Social.

It all serves as a great reminder that on any given day, we simultaneously exist in a world of tragedy and wonder. The good news is that we get to choose what we give our energy and attention to. It doesn't mean that we bury our heads in the sand; it means we decide how we show up on a daily basis.

Social media feeds you content it thinks you want based on your previous activity. Because I don't engage in hateful comments, I don't often receive them. My feed is filled with family, friends, outer space, history and nature. No societal problem has ever been solved in the comments section. Social media can be used for good, but you have to be intentional about it.

It's not just about internet algorithms, either; it's neuroscience.

The real world operates similarly. You don't have to be willfully oblivious to what's going on in the world to find joy and wonder. It's quite the opposite. When you stay informed and choose how to show up, you get to decide if you're going to be purposeful or performative.

If you feed life kindness and engage in thoughtfulness, that's what you will get in return. And not just in the karmic sense. This is the neuroscience part. We train our brains to scan our world for what we value. Humans evolved to scan for threats to ensure survival, but thanks to neuroplasticity, we can also wire our brains to scan for good. No two people perceive our world exactly the same way. Where one sees danger and scarcity, another sees adventure and opportunity. You can move through the world and literally never see the good that's right in front of you because you're too busy looking for danger.

In traffic downtown, a man driving next to me wanted to get over in my lane. I slowed up a little and let him in. His hand went out the window, and I lifted mine to return what I assumed was an incoming thank-you wave. Instead, he extended his middle finger. This confused me until I saw the car in front of him return the gesture. Apparently, he was mad that the car in front hadn't let him in sooner.

This man was so preoccupied with what he perceived as a slight from the other driver that he did not even recognize the kindness I had extended. Instead of gratitude, he chose irritation. How many times do we miss the opportunity for good because we let the negative distract us?

You can rant and rage about what's wrong or you can choose to recognize the helpers. Better yet, you can choose to be one of them. Instead of complaining that the world is going to hell, choose to show up in community spaces to be part of the solution.

Some of the most powerful people don't posture and pontificate because they are too busy doing the quiet, steady work that moves the needle a little bit every day. By doing so, they live meaningful lives, feeling the love of every person they touch.

Organize your life to reflect your values. What you focus on expands. Curate a better lived experience. Your family, your community and your world will be better for it. While you're at it, try to see the world as the astronauts do, as a beautiful oasis in space that we all get to live on together.

Do you know anyone who's doing cool things to make the world a better place? I want to know. Send me an email at Bonnie@WriterBonnie.com. Also, stay in the loop by signing up for her weekly newsletter at WriterBonnie.com. To find out more about Bonnie Jean Feldkamp and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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