What A Wonderful World? Really?

Last fall I was a spiritual director on a Via de Cristo weekend at Epworth Forest Camp.  It reminded me of how much I love camp.  At first I was a bit grumbly because our sleeping quarters were so far removed from the main event areas.  I wonder why my first instinct is to grumble?  How about you?  This is something I need to work on – making my first instinct to be more positive.

As I walked from my room to the chapel in the darkness on Sunday morning, I was stunned by the beauty of the sunrise on the lake.  The colors were phenomenal, and it reflected on the lake.  There were stunning fall colors still on some of the trees. The air felt crisp and refreshing.  A perfect autumn morning.  Since I left my binder with my meditation back in my room, I was able to experience this walk twice.  The color of the sunrise only intensified on my second trip, something I enjoyed immensely.

The song “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong repeated over and over on replay in my head.  Then, recently while perusing some of my Boundless Compassion Facilitator resources, that very song was in the Mindfulness session.  I listened to it repeatedly. 

I later found one version on YouTube where Louis gave his impression of what the song meant.  He said that people ask him how he can be so optimistic in a world where there are murders, wars, pollution and more.  He says, “It seems to me, it ain’t the world that’s so bad, but what we’re doing to it.  All I’m saying is, see what a wonderful world it would be, if only we would give it a chance.”

There has been so much negativity in our political scene over the past several years, with so much hate speech.  It seems easier to complain than to lift up.  It can be a downward spiral when we get on that slippery slope.  That is why I think it is important to listen to music like Louis’ “What A Wonderful World” and let it replay in your soul.  Look at the world and find the positive.  Celebrate it.

Did you know that “What A Wonderful World” went to the top of the charts in the UK in 1968 but was barely recognized in the states until 1987 when Robin Williams played it in “Good Morning Vietnam?”  That’s a long time to go unnoticed.  Yet, the song persevered. 

We shall persevere, too, in this wonderful world.  Take a walk.  Go to a park or forest – I’ve heard it called “Forest Bathing.” It is so good for our souls.  Listen again to the song here. Look at the original lyrics here. Then rewrite “What A Wonderful World” based on what you saw. I’d love to read what you write. Email it to me at hopelmoran@yahoo.com so my soul can be revived by what you see in your wonderful world.

Now, let’s go revel in our wonderful world!