These are trying times for those of us with sensitive souls. I hear words used as weapons to demolish each other—ugly, hateful, controversial words. Gone is caring, thoughtful discussion or impassioned arguments intertwined with mutual respect. Friends and loved ones that I adore and respect expressing values and choices that are so counter to my own beliefs, anger on all sides. Hate. The combination of the hostile political climate, the frightening world climate and, it seems, a general social climate that allows us to vent mercilessly and angrily over social media...Some days, it's more than I can bear.

Yesterday, I posted on my FB page, "Share something happy. Tell me something hopeful. (All the hate and heartache is bruising my soul.)"

And, to my delight, I have received a plethora of amazing, lovely, uplifting posts: Biblical passages, quotes and affirmations, pictures of animals, flowers and children, dancing families, artwork and even an ultrasound photo.

In addition to all of these lovely visuals were words of encouragement. Tired, weary souls lifting up each other in tough times—reminding each other that there is light beyond dark days, that we have much in which to rejoice, that we are so greatly blessed, that the world is good and beautiful, that the angry, evil and wicked do not represent the majority.

Many, MANY months ago, my friend T.J. Shay (Educator, Ambassador at FableVision and kidlit advocate), founder of "International Dot Day" and "Celebri-Dots" website (both inspired by Peter H. Reynolds' book, The Dot, asked me to create a dot. Today was the day. Inspired by so many kind voices reaching out, here is MY Dot.

I hope it brightens something, somewhere.

Stay positive, friends.

"The amazing book by Peter H. Reynolds that started it all."