Be the good. Believe there is good in the world. Good will prevail.~Three powerfully simple phrases I saw written on a poster at a make-shift memorial three months ago. Three powerfully impactful philosophies by which I want to live my life and through which I want to see the world, especially in tumultous times.

This is what they mean to me.

Be the Good. Do good. See the world with open eyes, every day. Constantly seek opportunites to help yourself and to help others. Do it for the sake of beneficiance and never for the purpose of self-promotion. Trust your instincts. Go to sleep each night knowing that you have not walked away from someone, or something, that made you uncomfortable-because chances are, that your discomfort pales in comparison.

Believe there is good in the world.

Know that the goodness of humanity always outweighs its atrocities. Know that logic and reasoning can never explain why bad things happen to good people. And if there was ever some sort of “justification” for it, consider that people, both individually and collectively, become stronger, become unified, become one. Humanity.

Good will prevail.

People act. People unite. People emphasize. Goodness will multiple a thousand-fold wherein one good deed, or thought, will inspire a myriad of others.

And if I could add one more, it’s to be grateful.

Accept life’s events as gifts, both good and bad, but especially those events that cause us harm. Use that which could limit your life to make your life limitless and to eventually accept it as a gift that you’ve been given to help others.

These last three days in Boston reunited me with people who changed my life. And these last three days have introduced me to new people who changed my life. I’ve met people whose limbs were lost by bombs but whose spirits were unaffected. I’ve met people who’ve suffered more that is humanly possible but whose tenacity is unwavering. And I’ve re-met people whose friendships changed my life and set the standard by which I would ultimately live my life.

For all of this, I am grateful. Be the good.