Yesterday I went to the Pacific Grove sanctuary for the Monarch Butterflies as they cluster- 10,000 at a time. The orange and black filled the air. Two Docents gave lively vignettes about the tagging process- just imagine yourself at dawn in the Monterey cold air tinged with ocean salt and your taking each individual Monarch from his scrum and placing a round tag on its wings and then blowing warm air on it so that its wings will open again and they can fly away.
The Docent's seemed to me an example of Nobility of purpose put to a reason that is small but inspiring nonetheless.
There are so many examples of people who spend thier time doing small acts of kindness, courage, grace and love with no thought of being on stage or recognized by others- no applause for these two who braved the cold and were hanging out with a creature that could not vote or pay them a salary.
I like the saying that you will see a miracle when you believe in it, not that miracles happen when you believe. You have to look for the Noble- it is there.
I worked with two women at a High tech company recently who were so unselfish and looking for ways to show that there was good in people through the medium of adult learning courses- they were working in an environment that was not at all conducive to optimism but they chose to be a demonstration of positive well being regardless of the external circumstances.
My point? Take this new year and look for the kindness, the compassion, the generosity in others. Or be the one who loves no matter what.