This.

Sometimes something appears that captures everything you care about. Everything condensed into one powerful expression that needs no elaboration. Just this. It can be a song, a poem, a painting, a piece of music. It might be a sunset or floating in the lake or a gathering of all the people you love. In my case, it might be a music class that I want to wrap up with a bow and show to the world: “Here it is. Every single thing that is important.” Like the chorus rehearsal I just observed this morning with my brilliant colleague, Sofia Lopez-Ibor. Everything we would hope for a child, for a human being— intelligence, responsiveness, connection, joy, beauty, laughter, imagination—manifest in three short activities/ songs.    I think it’s important that each of us notice these things when we are graced with their presence. Share them as we will, though in full knowledge that my “this” that sets my heart soaring and soul singing and goosebumps rising may leave you cold. And yours may miss me in the same way. But still we notice them and speak them out loud, both to confirm the North Star of our moral, aesthetic, intellectual life and to let others know this is who we are and this is where we stand.    So alongside Sofia’s class was a video link she sent me that is a capital THIS!!! When I responded with “OMG!” she wrote back, “I know you very well, Goodkin!” Indeed, she does and I her, as we both follow the same North Star that makes these four minutes the essential expression of everything we care about.    Here's how I wrote about it on Facebook and at the bottom is the link to the video:  This. Nothing makes me happier or more hopeful. It is a reminder of everything worthy that we are encouraged to forget. Amongst these needed truths:    1)   To rise to power does not mean abandoning your humanity.   2)   No one is so important that they shouldn’t take time to sing with and tell stories to children.    3)   No one is so proud that they shouldn’t ask for help getting up from the floor.    4)   We had intelligence, heart and morality at the top for 8 years. Then a horrific second act with a welcome intermission and back again worse than ever, all of us squirming in our seats waiting for the curtain to close.    5)   Obama’s companion in joyful connection with young children is the leading actor in the 3rdact to come that promises a happier ending.    PS  I propose that instead of these absurd pseudo-debates during election years that all candidates have to publicly sing songs with and read stories to preschool children. Then let the kids decide who’s worthy.    PSS The video was tagged as “hilarious.” I object. It is not “cute entertainment,” but a profound Gospel-worthy reminder, “Unless ye become as little children…” Not childish, an adult throwing tantrums, but childlike—filled with a beautiful innocence, sense of wonder and natural compassion.   https://youtu.be/ahaX3y5lzg4?si=tmdMqbQGjzNWyVNI