‘In Darkness, Be Light’ has been the intention of this ‘We are the World Blogfest’ since its inception. In Darkness, Be Light.

We are entering the 4th year of this particular blogging platform. Small beginnings from 3 or 4 years ago. A handful of people, energetic, from different parts of the world, keen to shine some light on the world, by showing individual acts or collective acts that make a profound difference to another and/or to the/a community. Each month, on the last Friday of the month, a #WATWB blog is put up, of some act, by an individual or a collective, some initiative, that has hugely benefitted the receiver/s. Some person had an idea and wanted to do good in the world. These posts always make my blood vessels expand a little, I feel my my heart widen, and it always fills me with an abiding sense of the inherent goodness of men and women and children.

This is my offering this time, the song ‘We are the World’ Kenny Rogers – RIP – is in it. Willie, Tina, Michael, The Boss, Billy, Cyndy, Dionne, Stevie, Ray, Diana – many others. It’s about 6 mins long. And joyous. And a reminder of how we can make the world a better place for you and for me.

The co-hosts this time round are below and our thanks to them.

Sylvia McGrath, Damyanti Biswas, Shilpa Garg and Belinda Witzenhausen. and Dan Antion on “http://nofacilities.com/

Do pop by them and check out their posts. You will be amazed and heartened at SO much good that is done in the world.

We really are going into the unknown at this time. We feel the ground beneath our feet is shaky. We are concerned for ourselves and loved ones, and concerned for all others too in the midst of this corona virus covid-19. (Corona is Latin for Crown – is the crown and all that is ‘at the top’ and overbearing, dissolving somewhat?) Whatever is happening, may we find meaning – and hope – that a new world may emerge that is for the better for us individually and collectively.

Thank you for reading. Take care, be safe, wash your hands. May you find togetherness in aloneness. May the Force and Grace be with you –

In Darkness, Be Light

58 Comments on #WATWB

  1. It is a wake-up call for all of us. May we all be better people at the other side of Covid19.
    Stay safe. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful song.

    • Thanks Indy for coming by. I am hopeful that all will be much changed for the better post covid-19. All best wishes to you, and stay safe too.

  2. Hi,
    I see the Corona Virus as a wake up call to all of us on this planet. Too long we have lived as if we are the only ones that matter. Especially in the economically developed countries, we give the impression that we are invincible, which is for me a sign of arrogance. It tis time for us to open our eyes and see that we all belong to the brother and sister hood call humanity and start reaching out to help those less fortunate than we are.
    Maybe things would change when we began to change.
    Wishing you all the best and stay safe.
    Shalom aleichem,
    Patricia

    • Hi Patricia, thank you for coming by. I agree about this being a wake up call, a dark night of the soul if you like, but it’s a time when all that has been simmering underneath, repressed, ignored, denied, has now come to the surface and we see the consequences of our arrogance. As you say, maybe things would change when we began to change. This is exactly how it is – we must change in order for change to be effected on the outer. It starts with each and every one of us.

      Shalom to you, Patricia, keep well and safe, Susan

  3. Your blog has often shown and highlighted small acts, individual acts and collective acts of kindness. Sometimes we are aware of the receiver/s. I also believe that these acts often create a ripple effect in the world and we do not know how far they reach. “We are the world” is a great reminder and a beautiful song. I am truly hopefully that a new world may emerge for the better. Unfortunately, it will likely take awhile. Interesting how you mention the word “Grace.” This word continues to surface the past few weeks. Or, possibly, I am more aware of it. You and your family also take care and stay safe. xx 💕

    • Thanks Erica for coming by – so appreciated! That ripple effect is real, I’m convinced of that and it doesn’t matter whether we know the outcome or not. Reminds me of an African proverb – when you give a goat, let go of the rope ie – just give and don’t be attached to outcome. I am blown over by acts of kindness most times because of necessity all around the. Necessity is the mother of invention – another proverb for the day! (note to self: blog post – maybe, maybe not) 🙂 All best to you and family Erica, stay well, be safe, and thank you for your good wishes xx

  5. Great song and much needed right now! Fantastic post Susan! Thanks so much for sharing and for being a part of #WATWB. Stay safe and be well! 🙂

  6. A beautiful reminder Susan, We are the World. That song needs to start going viral again. This is certainly the beginning of the new world order. Stay safe and enlightened. <3

    • Thanks Debby for stopping by … yes it’s an amazing song … relevant then as it is now. If and when there is a new world order may it be strengthening, beneficial and empowering to all. Stay safe and well 🙂

  7. Certainly a timely post for COVID-19 pandemic. Perhaps music can soothe us all in these anxious days. I’ve not participated in the WATWB in a while myself. Can’t quite find the time now–maybe once again in the future, especially if I ever decide to commit to Facebook. I’ve resisted it this long and discarded thoughts of checking it out last year.

    • Thanks John – music is soothing I find, so is no music, but when I do play something in the background I wonder why I don’t do so more often. FB is addictive I have to say. Every few months I think I’m going to take a lonngggg sabbatical from it, but this I have yet to do. Any news on the trip that now can’t happen – re re-imbursemenrt and so on. Are lockdown to any significant degree?

      • Long wait for the reply–finally getting daylight on the trip that won’t happen this year. Looks like a “FTV”–a future travel voucher good at least through next year and maybe into the year after. We are now working on rebooking for the summer of 2021–just a couple weeks later than this year. All’s good! 🙂

    • Thanks Deborah for coming by, it’s lovely to see you here. It seemed so apt this time round to put up the actual song. And the stories that do tell of actual acts are always so inspiring. I hope this finds you well and safe.

  9. I just watched this the other day and it really made me smile. Thanks for sharing and stay well, Susan. Have a beautiful day. xo

  11. Thanks for sharing this particular piece of music. It was written for a different time but is still relevant. Thanks also for being a part of #WATWB and being the light in the darkness this month.

  12. Thank you, Susan. This beautiful reminder of our oneness on this tiny blue marble floating through the deep darkness of space is reassuring and uplifting.

    I’m heartened by the subtle changes I’m seeing on social media. Is it my imagination or are there really more well wishes, more gifts like this one shared with all our sisters and brothers, more encouraging words, more empathetic responses to others’ suffering? We have needed this for a long time. May we remember it when this virus passes and we re-enter the outer world.

    For now, I find the solitude, though a bit depressing at times, to also be a much-needed respite from rushing and a wellspring of creative stirrings. May we all grow from this experience. Love, Jeanie

    • Thanks for coming by Jeanie. Yes we’re in it together, collectively, this dark night of the soul that is needed for each of us to re-evaluate everything. Does the worst of times bring out the best in us? Does the shadow however alarming it is, contain gold if we can get to grips with it, and see the gifts it offers, not only shadows that are thoroughly disturbing, but shadows of our abilities of kindness, courage, resilience, empathy, compassion – and so on, that are given the space for expression. Is it both an inward and outward time? Are we together in our aloneness?

      I pulled out a book from my shelves a week or so ago: Chop Wood, Carry Water, given to me maybe 30 years ago. I opened it now, and on the side bar is this quote by William Shakespeare (pg215)

      ‘And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything’.

      Love to you and family, keep safe, be well. Susan

  13. I enjoyed participating in #WATWB for that first year. I check-in with a few regular participants to this day. I like your choice for today’s post. Music may save us all. Stay safe, be well.

    • Thanks for coming by Ally Bean – glad I’m one of the ones you participate in. Music does have the power to unite us. You too stay safe and well…

  15. As the others here have mentioned, I too LOVE the song WE ARE THE WORLD as it does such a lovely job of giving me the feeling of togetherness, something the world SO needs now. Thanks for your lovely post in bringing love and harmony into our lives. You are an inspiration. Thank you!

  16. Hi Susan – I went ‘old’ music too … love this song though – just had it blaring out at me! Very ungainly for an oldie – perhaps!! But fun … there’s always wonderful comforting, reflective words for us to consider. As Deborah says above … the UK is doing its thing – we’ve experienced much in 120 years … perhaps we’re fortunate we’re here – take care of you and your family … Hilary

    • I’ve got it on for about the 10th time Hilary. The first words by Lionel Ritchie ‘There comes a time, when we heed the call …’

      The Brits always pull together – we say here in SA: ‘n boere maak ‘n plan’. Worldwide people are pulling together as we and they have in times past. Our ancestors taught us much. All best to you, stay safe. Susan

  17. Thank you for the song. There are so many online resources right now, and people giving their time and talent. Stay well, Susan

    • So many resources, so many in the world doing uplifting things by giving of themselves. Thanks for coming by Merril. Stay safe – family and friends all.

  18. I love ‘We are the World’. I often start singing it to myself. How wonderful it would be if we all lifted our voices and sang it together. I wish you wellness in these crazy times, and congratulate you on three years of WATWB. I won’t be joining in again this month, though the world needs more light, that’s for sure. I get caught up with other things. Look after yourself. Telepathic hugs. xx

    • Telepathic hug to you too Norah, thank you and for coming by. I hope you are all well and keeping safe. Are you in any kind of lockdown?

      • We are, Susan. It’s not total lockdown yet and I wish more people would take it more seriously. I went out yesterday for a short while for some supplies. Prior to that, I hadn’t been out for a week. I’m staying home as much as I can. What about you?

        • Very much at home Norah. Done the necessary supplies a few days back. We CAN go to the stores for food if need be; with ID book and be prepared to have your shopping examined by the cops, to check the necessity, but we think best not to venture out.

          • We have the same recommendations to only go out if necessary. They haven’t gone so far as to check shopping yet. Stay safe.

  19. Wow! Thirty five years later and this wonderful song with its collective message still means so much to so many people,. And still it’s absolutely relevant as the world battles with the devastating coronavirus. Hmm, I do wonder if they’ll remake this song with multiple, social isolating, split screens … or if that’s even possible at the moment?! It would be simply great to watch a new updated version of “We Are The World” and I sense the world wants it too!

    Thank you so much for sharing this video Susan, it’s certainly started my morning on a high note. Last night here in the UK at 8pm, we all stood by our front doors, windows and in our streets clapping our hands for the NHS … for all the extra-ordinary love, care and work our nurses, health workers and doctors are providing us during this pandemic. Our noisy street did us proud with cheers, whistles and lots of loud clapping and the odd car horn blasting!

    Thank you so much for your beautiful, kind-hearted words. Love and light, Deborah

    • Thank you for your lovely comment Deborah. So great that your community responded as they did. The Hippocratic Oath is clearly alive and well on all medical fronts. May their work continue as they help so significantly in battling this invisible enemy. The National Sea Rescue Institute blasted their horn at midnight last night here in Plett. Lockdown has begun.

      It is a lovely song. I wouldn’t be surprised if covers come out re it –

      May all be well as much as possible. Love and Light to you too, Susan

    • There’s been a call here in SA to open our windows, stand on balconies or however we can do it, at 8.00 p.m. tonight and clap hands, shout or do what we can to show support for those on the front line. Thought you’d like to know 🙂 xx

      • Thank you for letting me know! Hmm, if I’d thought about it last night I would’ve taken a drum out to play! Yay! Enjoy your special moment at 8pm. It left me feeling warm-hearted and connected with my neighbours … like we’re all in this together. xx

Comments are closed.