Day 37 - Leigh-Anne Ingram

Dear All,

When dark clouds are gathering above and they are blocking the light, it makes it ever more important to look at the light, the love, and the hope that exists. I echo the words of Dr. Jane Goodall, who reminded us that hope is a choice, and is one that we must make every morning when we wake up. We are not separate from the natural world — we are part of it. And that means our hope, our thoughts, and our actions still matter. 

I am the granddaughter of European immigrants to Canada — including a Holocaust survivor and a refugee — and I was born in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa, where my parents were volunteer teachers. When I feel tired and grieve for our world, I think of them and what they went through during WWII and the courage it took to rebuild their lives.

Today, the threats posed to human rights, democracy, decency, and truth around the globe are real and painful. When we feel powerless to address the massive issues facing our world today, they may seem overwhelming. It may feel that small actions — at the local, community, or classroom level — are insignificant. But, as Jane Goodall reminds us, we never could have imagined that the flapping of one butterfly’s wings could affect weather patterns in another part of the planet. 

I channel her energy in my undergraduate courses, where we discussed the estimated 92 live conflicts around the world and the growing crisis of mental health among young people. We also practiced self-reflection, open communications and group collaboration skills. My diverse group of thoughtful students represent countries and cultures from all regions of the world in my Mississauga university classroom. They work through their own small group conflicts, learn to communicate more effectively, and solve real-life issues together across cultures. 

In one activity, I prompted them to share one step they would take to make the world a kinder, more equitable and peaceful place by posting a sticky note on our classroom wall. Here are a few of their comments that I would like to share today:

“I promise to be more open and accepting towards others”.

“I will make my mom dinner when she gets home from work.”

“I will get my brother soup because he is sick”.

“I will reach out to a friend who is struggling”

“Every small act of kindness creates a ripple of goodness in the world. Today and everyday you are love and light”. 
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These comments may not seem like much, but as we stood in our classroom and read them aloud to each other, they gained energy and meaning. Students from across the university shared with me how strange and unique it was to have this space for sharing and learning these skills in these ways. I knew that the sincerity and care shown by these students was real, and hope begins with small acts. So, like Jane Goodall and my university students, I choose to go with hope. 

Leigh Anne Ingram, Barrie, Ontario