There have been many fascinating things to observe while becoming a parent. Drivers are patient and courteous to us when we’re walking with the stroller. There are 2 ways to look at that—“why aren’t people always this aware and respectful towards pedestrians?!” Or, (the path I choose to take) gratitude and hope for the world. If cars stop to let a baby cross the street, maybe there is hope for the world. Despite all the anger and uncertainty and suffering out in the world, perfect strangers see us with a baby and recognize that’s important. Babies are completely helpless, and people somehow inherently understand they are the future.

We also see who truly cares for us, who see us as part of their inner tribe. It’s important to us that our daughter’s life isn’t chronicled on the internet, so we haven’t broadcast her arrival. Yet the people in our life have inquired about us and how we’re doing, have offered help and support, have wanted to come meet our daughter. We are eternally grateful to have such a support system. There are people in our lives who deeply care for us, and now our daughter by automatic extension. It’s as my Mom says, “You learn in life that you always have more love to give. I choose to add people I love to the people that they love.”

Hope and Gratitude. These are the primary feelings dominating my life this month. Strangers providing evidence there’s hope for the future of this world, and gratitude for our tribe’s support. We only need to see and understand, as a species, that there are millions of tribes around the world offering the same support. That there are millions of strangers allowing those with little ones to cross the street. Can you see it, in your mind’s eye? Stopped cars in Dhaka, Durban and Düsseldorf? Extended tribes rallying together to weather hardship and celebrate successes, tribes raising children together?

If we develop this global consciousness, there is no limit to our potential. We can unite humanity, inspire change, and we can, through the goodness in our collective hearts, change the world. For our children.