There is no doubt that we are all in need of healing.

Universally. Socially. Individually.

Our systems are broken.

So broken that some of us only see through eyes of fear and judgment, casting aside compassion and love as if they were the true demons.

Taking lives and invoking punishments without consideration for the true impact of these actions. These actions that little by little, chip away at the human spirit, hardening the vitality of our delicate, tired hearts.

Leaving many of us feeling powerless and wounded.

Perhaps this is the time to look into our warrior hearts and gather those pieces that have been broken, compassionately sit with them and fuse them back together.

Gently, yet with fierceness.

And with these newly formed hearts, we can choose to fight these systems through out empathetic actions and courageous voices.

We can challenge each other to place love in front of fear by looking each other in the eye and honoring our connections, our humanness, our spirits.

If we begin with heart action, we will inspire heart action. Maybe even beyond our wildest dreams.

So, let’s be fierce, brave and loving.

And, never underestimate the cumulative effect of a smile.

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Author: Brandie Smith

Editor: Ashleigh Hitchcock

Photo: Jesslee Cuizon/Flickr