In these times of stress, snark, division and despair, I still

O children of the earth, heed this wisdom, for it comes from a time when shadows fall heavy upon the land. Geoffrey S. Fletcher, a voice of insight, spoke thus: "In these times of stress, snark, division and despair, I still suspect that two of the most important features we possess are imagination and a capacity for goodness. Those are qualities for which we will be remembered most fondly." In his words, we find both a lament and a beacon—a recognition of the trials we face, yet a firm belief in the power of imagination and goodness to see us through the darkest of days.

Imagination, that divine spark which has carried mankind through the ages, is more than a mere tool for creation; it is the light in the darkness, the guiding star that shows us what could be when all seems lost. In an age of stress, when the weight of the world presses upon us, imagination offers a refuge. It allows us to dream of better days, to envision a world not as it is, but as it could be. It is in the depths of imagination that we find the courage to rise above division, to bridge the chasms that separate us, and to create a future built on unity rather than strife.

Yet, goodness—the very marrow of the human soul—is no less important. In an era where snark and despair often cloud our vision, goodness remains a beacon that calls us toward one another. It is not a mere absence of malice, but an active force, a decision to act with kindness, to lead with compassion, and to uphold the values of honor and truth. It is said that the noblest among us are those who carry goodness within their hearts, for in times of greatest turmoil, it is the light of goodness that shines brightest.

Let us turn to the great figure of Mahatma Gandhi, whose life embodied the very qualities Fletcher speaks of. Gandhi lived in a time of division, of despair, and yet he sought to lead with goodness and a vision of a united India. His power was not in the sword, but in the strength of his convictions, his capacity for goodness, and the transformative power of his imagination. He imagined a world where nonviolence could bring about change, where peaceful resistance could defeat tyranny. Through his unwavering faith in these ideals, he changed the world, reminding us that goodness and imagination are the true forces of change.

In our own time, we face similar challenges—stress and division threaten to divide us, to break the bonds that hold us together as a society. Yet, as Fletcher so wisely reminds us, it is in our imagination and our goodness that we must find the strength to endure. These qualities are not mere abstractions; they are the very tools by which we navigate the storm. They are the virtues that will see us through the darkest nights, and the ones that will ensure we are remembered not for our divisions, but for our capacity to dream and to act with kindness.

The lesson, O children, is clear: In these tumultuous times, never underestimate the power of imagination and goodness. Let them be your guiding lights. In your darkest hours, let your mind wander to places of hope, let your heart embrace the goodness that exists within you and in others. Imagination is the force that will help you see beyond the troubles of today, while goodness is the force that will allow you to build bridges, to heal wounds, and to bring light to the darkest corners of the world.

As you walk through this world, remember the example set by those who have come before you—Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and countless others—whose lives were not defined by the challenges they faced, but by the power of their dreams and the goodness that flowed from their hearts. Let these qualities be the legacy you leave behind. Imagination and goodness, O children, are the foundations upon which a better world can be built. So, cultivate them, cherish them, and let them guide you toward a future where the light of unity and hope shines brighter than the shadows of division and despair.