Lost and Finding Joy

Today is March 18, 2026. It’s been an interesting 6 years since 2020. It’s been interesting to notice changes in people, customer service, and society as a whole. Too much has changed in the wrong direction. Before, it was common to love our neighbors, help our neighbors, and even trust our neighbors. Now, there seems to be a divide and distrust with many people. I used to feel an abundance of peace on earth, especially at Christmastime. I’ve been missing that peace.

I’ll give you an example of some of the subtle changes. My husband is a friendly, outgoing guy. He notices people around him and often says, “hello,” to them as they pass each other. Most are too focused on whatever their mission is at the time and won’t even acknowledge his kind gesture. A few will acknowledge his gesture, but even fewer will smile back. This is opposite of what things used to be like. Most appreciated acknowledgment and would often smile back. Few would ignore you altogether.

I feel like we have lost some humanity, (quite a bit actually), in this world. I think a lot of people are consumed with stress and anxiety. Maybe people don’t trust kind gestures from strangers anymore.

My Dad recently told me, “If you can’t do anything about it, just don’t worry about it.” My Mom often says, “Change the things you can, and accept the things you can’t.” We can’t do anything about others responses, so I’m not going to worry about that. I can be kind to others. I’m going to strive to act more like my husband. I’m going to smile and say hello more often; even if the gesture falls on deaf ears.

As Gordon B. Hinckley has told us, we can “try a littler harder, to be a little better.” Maybe I can make a small difference by spreading a little good cheer. I can be the peace I’ve been missing.

~Many blessings to you and yours!