THE GOODFINDERS
A friend told recently of a sermon she heard in which the minister talked about people he considers to be "goodfinders." The word pretty well defines itself. Goodfinders are people who spend their time and energy finding good. This may seem like a simple idea, and yet the practice is actually complex and challenging. To become a goodfinder is nothing less than a monumental task of personal transformation that requires the active and consistent use of right brain processes and creative energy. The world is already full of what we might call "badfinders." It is easy to be a badfinder. It requires no effort at all. The part of the human brain that identifies what is wrong, missing, not right or good enough operates automatically and instinctively on an ongoing basis. Badfinding activates fear, which can further shut down higher brain functioning making us less intelligent. Goodfinding requires that we look above, beyond and through the immediate crisis or fear reaction that is usually on the immediate horizon of conscious thought. Finding good not only in the world around us but in the inner world of our own mind, body and soul is the most challenging activity of all. Add to this the idea that "what we pay attention to grows," and consider that finding good adds to the greater good of all humankind. Look around at your world. See if you can tune into the miracle of the moment. Smile at a baby. Pet a dog. Touch the face of a friend. You just added to the abundance of good.
