Love with Positivity + Pausitivity
Aug 11, 2024
Hi Stagers!
Let's talk about positivity + "pausitivity."
→ to see the good by maintaining optimism
→ to be intentionally present and mindful by pausing to appreciate the moment
→ to prevent exhaustion/burnout by sustaining us when the going gets tough
→ to bring light into our daily lives by deepening our connections
You've likely heard of positivity, but you may be unfamiliar with pausitivity.
Don’t worry; you’re not alone—it's a newly coined term that may make its way into the dictionary in the coming years.
→ interestingly, positivity + pausitivity are pronounced the same
→ they represent two sides of the same coin, enhancing the other
→ positivity encourages us to see the good, while pausitivity helps us savor the moment
→ positivity + pausitivity = a balanced and fulfilling life
b/c Together, they create a balanced approach to living mindfully and stagefully—to live fully.
Imagine positivity (focusing on the good by maintaining optimism) as a light we carry, illuminating even the darkest paths.
→ with positivity, challenges become opportunities
→ with positivity, we encourage those around us
→ without positivity, negativity takes hold
→ without positivity, darkness overwhelms
b/c Positivity helps us see the good. And pausitivity helps us slow down enough to see it.
Imagine "pausitivity" (pausing to be fully present by connecting) as the stillness that allows us to truly appreciate and love the journey.
→ with pausitivity, we pause to look and love
→ with pausitivity, we find peace in the present
→ without pausitivity, life rushes by
→ without pausitivity, we miss precious moments
b/c Pausitivity helps us pump the brakes.
Together, positivity + pausitivity invite us to:
→ see the good
→ slow down
→ appreciate the present
→ foster better connections
b/c These practices enrich our lives and strengthen our communities, allowing us to build a more compassionate and supportive world.
They break through the loneliness, isolation, and suffering:
→ within ourselves
→ within others
→ within our communities
→ within our world
b/c Only in breaking through do we achieve breakthroughs.
At Stagefully, we look to the past to understand the future.
→ to examine what history teaches us
→ to learn what worked; what didn't
→ to win at life with wisdom and insight
→ by taking action to create positive change
b/c Past is prologue. It sets the stage for what is to come. Understanding our past becomes essential for staging a successful future, influencing outcomes, providing context, and spotlighting how the human character responds under stress to inform our path forward.
Cool. So, what's an example from history?
→ of a 'real person' leveraging positivity + pausitivity
→ to break through loneliness, isolation, and suffering
→ to improve health and wellbeing—individually + collectively
→ to create a 'breakthrough' movement
Let's dive into the story of someone who made an incredible impact.
Mother Teresa: A Beacon to the World
To showcase, consider Mother Teresa, a Roman Catholic nun widely regarded as one of the greatest humanitarians of the 20th century.
→ Her dedication to serving the poorest and sickest communities earned her widespread acclaim and numerous honors, including the 1979 Noble Peace Prize.
What did she do? She devoted her life to serving the poorest of the poor, reaching out to the most marginalized and lonely who had no one else to turn to, all while emphasizing love, dignity, respect, and compassion.
→ In 1950, she founded the Missionaries of Charity with 12 sisters, an organization dedicated to serving the world's most impoverished and caring for those society had shunned—by living among them and sharing in their struggles.
→ By her death in 1997, the Missionaries of Charity had grown to over 4,500 sisters serving in more than 130 countries, operating nearly 600 homes for the poor, sick, and dying worldwide.
→ As of 2023, the Missionaries of Charity had approximately 5,750 members in 139 countries, operating 760 homes for the dying, orphanages, hospices, and other services to care for the most vulnerable.
b/c She worked to flip the script on poverty in unconventional ways, by getting to the heart of the matter to improve health/wellbeing.
Why did she do it? She understood the grave seriousness of loneliness and isolation, famously stating: "The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved."
→ she knew that the absence of connection was the greatest deprivation
→ she measured wealth in love and compassion, giving everything away selflessly
→ she dedicated her life to building bridges of love/support to those who felt isolated
→ she demonstrated that addressing loneliness was essential for wellbeing and fulfillment
In leading with love, she leveraged positivity + pausitivity to break through loneliness, isolation, and suffering to create a transformative movement, fostering a sense of community and belonging to improve health and wellbeing—with limited resources.
How did she do it? She led with love by leveraging positivity + pausitivity.
→ by stopping next to people instead of rushing past them
→ by looking at people without judgment to see the good
→ by smiling at people to spark love, peace, & compassion
→ by loving people at their points of pain to heal
→ by helping those in need to uplift and empower them
In doing, she created a movement that touched millions of lives & inspired countless others to act by demonstrating that small acts of kindness can have a profound impact on the world.
Where did she do it? She loved fiercely everywhere she went, almost to a fault, sometimes drawing criticism for getting out over her skies. Nevertheless, she persisted, saying:
→ “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”
→ "If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
→ "Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love."
→ “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
→ "It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving."
Her life reminds us that “not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love” to achieve breakthroughs to break through loneliness, isolation, and suffering.
But mostly, her life reminds us that through small acts of kindness, even the simplest gestures can have a profound impact on those in need—when we positively pause, individually and collectively:
→ to stop
→ to look
→ to smile
→ to love
→ and to help
b/c We must not only 'see the good' but also 'pass it on' as best we can. To do this, we must both pause and posit—to truly see, and to share that goodness with others.
In other words...
→ Positively pause. Pausitively posit. Mother Teresa was a master at this, skillfully using every moment to bring light into the world through her acts of love and compassion.
Let's take a closer look at her life.
TIMELINE OF MOTHER TERESA
1910 (Age 0): Born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26 in Skopje, in what is now North Macedonia (then under the rule of the Ottoman Empire), to parents Nikola and Dranafile Bojaxhiu of Albanian descent. Her father was a merchant; her mother was a homemaker. Anjezë was the youngest of three siblings, with an older sister and an older brother.
1919 (Age 8): Nikola Bojaxhiu passed away unexpectedly which left the family impoverished. After his death, Dranafile took on sewing and embroidery work to support the family. She instilled in her children the values of compassion and charity despite struggling.
1922 (Age 12): Anjezë felt a strong religious calling and became interested in missionary work in India.
1925 (Age 15): She became active in her local church, participating in the choir and helping with various community services.
1928 (Age 18): Said goodbye to her mother and sister for the last time. Joined the Sisters of Loreto, and Irish Catholic order with missions in India, and moved to Ireland where she began learning English.
1929 (Age 19): Arrived in India and began her novitiate in Darjeeling, where she started teaching at a girls' school.
1931-1948 (Age 21-38): Taught geography, history, and catechism at St. Mary’s High School in Kolkata. Learned Bengali and Hindi, eventually becoming the school’s principal.
- 1931 (Age 21): Took her first religious vows as a nun and adopted the name, Sister Mary Teresa, choosing the name Teresa in honor of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the patron saint of missionaries, known for her "little way" of doing small things with great love.
- 1937 (Age 27): Made her final profession of vows, becoming "Mother Teresa."
- 1939-1945 (Ages 29-35): World War II raged in Europe and Asia. At the time, India was a British colony and automatically entered the war when Britain declared war on Germany. 2.5 million Indian soldiers served in various theaters of the conflict. The war effort in India led to economic strain and resource shortages, contributing to the Bengal Famine in 1943.
- 1943 (Age 33): The Bengal Famine struck India, resulting in as many as 3 million deaths due to starvation, malnutrition, and disease caused by a combination of factors, including the effects of World War II. It also sparked significant criticism of British colonial policies, accelerating India's push for independence. This crisis highlighted the extreme poverty and suffering in the region, profoundly influencing Mother Teresa.
- 1946 (Age 36): Received what she described as a "call within a call" to leave the convent and live among the poor in the slums of Kolkata.
- 1947 (Age 37): India gained independence from British rule on August 15, which was immediately followed by the Partition of India into India and Pakistan. The Partition led to widespread volatility and mass displacement, with millions of refugees fleeing across borders. The following year, Mahatma Gandhi, a leader in India’s independence movement and a proponent of nonviolence, was assassinated.
- 1948 (Age 38): Left the Loreto convent and began her work in the slums of Kolkata, including the establishment of her first school in the open air, teaching impoverished children. Exchanged her traditional nun's habit for a simple white sari with a blue border.
1949 (Age 39): Received Indian citizenship, symbolizing her deep commitment to her adopted country and its people.
1950 (Age 40): Founded the Missionaries of Charity, focusing on helping the poorest of the poor, after receiving permission from the Holy See which was crucial for its expansion.
1952 (Age 42): Opened the Kalighat Home for the Dying in Kolkata, called initially Nirmal Hriday ("Pure Heart"), where the dying could die with dignity and receive care. This marked the beginning of her work with the terminally ill who had been abandoned by society.
1953 (Age 43): Established Shishu Bhavan ("Children's Home") in Kolkata to care for orphans and abandoned children, giving them a safe place to grow and learn.
1955 (Age 45): Expanded her efforts to care for vulnerable children and young adults by opening Nirmala Shishu Bhavan.
1957 (Age 47): Began working with leprosy patients, opening a leper colony called Shanti Nagar ("City of Peace") near Kolkata. This center provided treatment and support to those suffering from leprosy.
1960s (Age 50s): Expanded the Missionaries of Charity internationally, establishing new homes and centers to serve the needy around the world.
1962 (Age 52): Received the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in recognition of her humanitarian work.
1963 (Age 53): Founded the Missionary Brothers of Charity as a male branch of the Missionaries of Charity. Established to provide the same kind of service to the poor as the sisters, but with a focus on men’s outreach.
1964 (Age 54): Pope Paul VI visited India and, moved by her work, donated his ceremonial limousine to her. She sold the car to raise funds for her leprosy work.
1965 (Age 55): Pope Paul VI granted the Missionaries of Charity the decree of praise, allowing her order to expand its reach globally.
1969 (Age 59): Established the International Association of Co-Workers of Mother Teresa, uniting laypeople worldwide from different faiths and backgrounds to support her mission of serving the poorest of the poor. This allowed people who were not part of the religious order to contribute in various ways.
1971 (Age 61): Awarded the inaugural Pope John XXIII Peace Prize, recognizing her contribution to peace and compassion.
1972 (Age 61): Awarded the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Prize for International Understanding ("Nehru Prize") for her efforts in promoting international peace, goodwill, and understanding through her humanitarian work.
1975 (Age 65): Featured on the cover of TIME Magazine as "one of the world's living saints."
1976 (Age 66): Opened the first Missionaries of Charity house in the United States, in the South Bronx, New York City, expanding her mission to the West.
1979 (Age 69): Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work, which she accepted on behalf of "the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the lonely." Delivered a widely acclaimed Nobel Lecture that focused on the importance of love and compassion. Also awarded the Balzan Prize for promoting peace and brotherhood among peoples.
1980s (Age 70s): Continued to expand the Missionaries of Charity, establishing hundreds of centers in over 100 countries, solidifying the global reach of her organization.
1982 (Age 72): Negotiated a temporary ceasefire during the bloodiest siege of Beirut to rescue 37 children trapped in a mental hospital in the Sabra refugee camp. Accompanied by Red Cross workers, she traveled through the war zone to the hospital to evacuate the children.
1983 (Age 73): Suffered a heart attack while visiting Pope John Paul II in Rome, the beginning of several health issues that would challenge her later in life.
1985 (Age 75): Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Ronald Reagan, highlighting her impact on humanitarian efforts worldwide. Spoke at the United Nations on the occasion of its 40th anniversary, furthering her global influence.
1990 (Age 80): Faced with declining health, Mother Teresa offered to resign as head of the Missionaries of Charity but was re-elected by the sisters, demonstrating their confidence in her leadership.
1991 (Age 81): Returned to her homeland, visiting Albania for the first time since leaving at age 18, where she opened a Missionaries of Charity home.
1995 (Age 85): Met with Princess Diana several times in India and abroad, forming a close bond that highlighted their shared compassion for the suffering. Met with Hillary Clinton, who was first lady at the time, after opening a home for infants in Washington D.C.
1996 (Age 86): Received honorary U.S. citizenship, one of only a few individuals ever to receive this honor. This reflected the significant impact of her work on a global scale.
1997 (Age 87): Stepped down as head of the Missionaries of Charity. She was succeeded by Sister Nirmala Joshi as the head of the Missionaries of Charity after she stepped down due to health issues.
→ Despite Mother Teresa's retirement, she remained a global symbol of charity and compassion until passing away on September 5 in Kolkata, India, from heart failure and other health complications.
→ At the time of her death, she had no personal wealth, living a life of poverty and humility. It is estimated that she helped raise millions of dollars for the poor through her work with the Missionaries of Charity, although exact figures are not available.
2016: Declared a saint in a canonization mass held by Pope Francis in the Vatican, almost two decades after her death.
***Note: Some dates/ages may represent estimates as sources sometime conflict, and as this timeline is meant to provide a sense of her life, to win with wisdom in mining.
Mother Teresa's Enduring Legacy
Mother Teresa's influence extends far beyond her lifetime, inspiring us to focus on the light within ourselves and others, even in the midst of darkness.
Her life teaches us that:
→ positivity means choosing to see the good in every situation
→ pausitivity means taking the time to pause and uplift others with what we have
Her ability to merge these qualities in the face of adversity was truly remarkable.
She showed that:
→ small acts of kindness can create ripples of change
→ love and compassion can triumph over suffering
As she said, “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
Her deep attentiveness allowed her to:
→ connect with people on a profound level.
→ make them feel seen and valued, ultimately enhancing their wellbeing.
This ability to truly listen and be present made her a source of comfort and hope for those who felt forgotten by the world.
The Continuing Influence of Mother Teresa
The Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Mother Teresa, continues to serve the world's most vulnerable. Her canonization as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016 solidified her enduring impact, reminding us of the transformative power of compassion and service.
Mother Teresa’s life teaches us to:
→ Embrace Positivity: Look for the good in every situation and spread love through small acts of kindness.
→ Cultivate Pausitivity: Pause to be fully present, offering your time and attention with a genuine heart.
→ Serve with Love: Extend help to those in need, no matter how small the gesture. Every effort matters.
By living these principles, we can build a more connected and compassionate world, despite our differences, backgrounds, and faiths.
The Legacy of Love, Positivity, and Pausitivity
Mother Teresa’s legacy shows that through love, positivity, and pausitivity, we can improve health and wellbeing by breaking down the barriers of loneliness and suffering that divide us.
→ to do, we need only stop, look, smile, love, & help as best we are able
→ while savoring every moment with a heart full of gratitude
(Thus moving from a ToDo, to TaDa, to ToDa ;))
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Wishing you and yours a lovely day.
Fondly,
Jen Forsman
Founder, Stagefully
"Inspiring a better tomorrow, through a meaningful today."
Sources:
Has India's contribution to WW2 been ignored? - BBC News
Hospital Is Visited by Mother Teresa
India in World War II - Wikipedia
Missionaries of Charity - Wikipedia
Mother Teresa Is Honored at U.N. Ceremony
