The beginning of a movement

What’s good?

Thanks for coming along on this wild ride as we begin a movement to change the world through goodness. Not toxic positivity or delusion, just goodness.

In this first edition of The What’s Good Newsletter, we’ll explore goodness as the result of action. We’ll also:

• Learn about some other great resources

• Reflect on what it means to “do good.”

• Take on a goodness challenge

Fireflies

Did you know that fireflies will intentionally sync their light up with other fireflies in order to magnify their glow? In later newsletters, we’ll dive into the spirituality of fireflies but for now, here are some amazing fireflies that help magnify our glow:

• With a slogan like “Real good news, not just feel good news,” how can you resist? Check out GoodGoodGood and be ready to smile.

• If you aren’t familiar with Humans of New York, it is a wonderful mosaic of the human experience and the kinship that connects us all.

• If you’re looking for a great Instagram follow, Mel Robbins won’t disappoint. And she’s got 6.9 million followers who will attest to that.

What’s Good Merch

Who doesn’t love cute merch? Be sure to check out The What’s Good Store and grab a sweatshirt, t-shirt, sticker, journal, and more. This is a great way to support The What’s Good Project while also spreading the positive message to those you meet.

Can you really do good?

Goodness is not an action. It is the fruit of an action.

The action is...

the hug

the handwritten note

the time spent

the listening

the serving

the laughing

It's so important to keep asking what goodness looks like. It is not enough to merely aspire to be good without an understanding of the journey that can lead us there.

We cannot wake up in the morning and "do good." We can wake up in the morning and do actions that result in goodness. Goodness is not an action step. Do not get lost in pining after goodness...

Do a good deed and see where the rest will lead you. If you end up at goodness... hooray! If you don't? Your actions have still paved the way for goodness in the world. It's a win-win.

Do not be distracted by wanting to be a good person, become consumed with being a person who does good actions.

Experience without reflection is half an experience

Here’s a life hack to help keep you aware and paying attention. This is the easiest habit to create that will improve your ability to notice the good. It is borrowed and modified from the Jesuit order of priests.

At the beginning of your day or end of your day, take five minutes in a quiet space and ask yourself these three questions:

1. What is my day/week reflected goodness?

2. What in my day/week felt void of goodness?

3. What gift/attribute do I need tomorrow/next week to promote goodness?

Bonus Step: share your own “what’s good” here. As we build community, it is important to share the goodness we are finding in our own lives.

Spread Goodness

The What’s Good Project is young and growing. Forward this email to your friends who either know the value of good or could use a little good to help them along. They can subscribe below.