A convocation speech posted on-line received over a million hits. In fact, it received so many hits that it was published as a beautiful little white hard cover book. Why? Because its message resonated deeply with many. What was the content that stirred so many people? What qualities rang throughout his speech? Truth, for one. Humour … and finally, profound wisdom.

Professor George Saunders spoke at the Syracuse University in 2013. He shared his life regrets, which surprisingly did not include becoming deathly ill after swimming (naked and with his mouth open) in a river saturated with monkey poo! No, his regret was based on his lack of kindness in high school, even though he felt he was not unkind. Rather, he wished that he were kinder. He realized looking back that his insecurity, ambitions, anxiety and fears were dark clouds that inhibited his true nature. But like the silver lining that reveals itself behind a dark cloud, his authentic nature eventually shone through, illuminating the truth that we are all capable of so much more than we perceive. He ends his speech by asking the graduates before him to not get caught up in illusory success but “to honor that luminous part of themselves that exists beyond personality – their soul – that is as bright and shining as any that has ever been. Bright as Shakespeare’s, bright as Gandhi’s, bright as Mother Teresa’s … and believe that it exists, come to know it better, nurture it, share its fruits tirelessly.”

Everything we say and do impacts our world. Thank you George Saunders for raising positive vibrations on our planet. This invisible magnetic field is ever present, impacting our surroundings in subtle ways. Hence, positive energy raises positive vibrations. Loving energy grows more love while fearful energy grows more fear. ‘Be kinder’ is the ultimate message … to yourself and others. Your life and the lives of every living thing around you will undoubtedly benefit!