Hey, Doom and Gloom: SHUH TUH FUH CUP!
“Worrying doesn’t take away tomorrow’s troubles, it takes away today’s peace.” – Randy Armstrong
One of my favorite memories from caring for my dad at home during the pandemic was serving him his morning coffee in a white mug with big, bold red letters that read: SHUH TUH FUH CUP.
I would watch as his brilliant—but dementia-stricken—brain processed the words, and then we'd burst into laughter together. Mind you, this is the same man who taught his grandchildren, at preschool age, to sing: "Oh wha, tay goo, siam!" 😊
But I digress.
I suspect many of us have been uttering this expression—out loud or in our heads—as current events intrude on our inner peace. It's all a bit much. Our nervous systems have had enough!
Sometimes it seems we've been conditioned to accept struggle and fear as a normal part of life. Over time, that mindset leaves us with little energy to imagine something better—or even believe it's possible.
Really, who among us would consciously choose to live in that state?
Now more than ever, we need to stop feeding the cycle of doom and redirect our energy toward imagining the kind of life we'd actually like to create—a more joyful, compassionate, and thriving society.
“It’s up to us now. We get to choose what the future holds…What kind of future can you imagine?” – Sir David Attenborough
An Unexpected Thought Experiment
Out of curiosity the other day, I asked AI the following question:
If you were advising humanity on how to create a life on Earth that feels like living in Eden—a world where people live well, experience joy, respect one another, and care for the planet—what would humanity need to do and be to make that possible?
AI responded with a remarkably comprehensive outline spanning more than 25,000 words. Apparently, thinkers, philosophers, and visionaries have been exploring similar ideas for centuries. In a sense, an "Eden Blueprint" already exists—a collection of ideas for creating a world that feels more joyful, equitable, and sustainable for everyone.
Who knew?
Of course, Utopia is defined as an imagined society with highly desirable or near-perfect qualities. But who's to say we can't move closer to that vision? After all, there was a time when landing a human being on the moon seemed impossible.
So please hear me out. 😉💡
“In the end, these things matter most: How well did you love? How fully did you live? How deeply did you let go?” – Jack Kornfield
As requested, AI divided its response into two categories: who humanity needs to be and what humanity needs to do. Both matter.
Because there's a lot to cover, this post focuses on the first question: Who do we need to be? I'll explore what we need to do in my next post.
Who Do We Need to Be? 🌟
To create and sustain a healthier, more flourishing world, we would need to become:
1. Consciously Compassionate
Choosing connection over separation and recognizing our shared humanity.
2. Curious and Humble Learners
Remaining willing to grow, question assumptions, and adapt when new understanding emerges.
3. Playful and Creative
Recognizing that joy, art, humor, beauty, and imagination are not luxuries—they are essential ingredients of a thriving life.
4. Responsible Stewards of the Earth
Viewing the planet not as property to exploit, but as a partner to care for with future generations in mind.
5. Emotionally Mature
Learning to regulate our emotions, communicate openly, and take responsibility rather than assigning blame. Peace requires people who can disagree without dehumanizing one another.
6. Interconnected Rather Than Individualistic
Cultivating a sense of "we," not just "me." Valuing community, cooperation, and shared purpose alongside personal achievement.
7. Reverent Toward Life
Not necessarily through religion, but through awe. Appreciating the mystery of existence, the gift of being alive, and the wonder of the natural world.
“Society becomes how we behave.” – Gavin Newsom
It's a beautifully simple roadmap for becoming the best version of ourselves. It sounds like the kind of world I'd like to live in—and the kind of people I'd like to be surrounded by.
A society built on these qualities would be well-equipped to create a future grounded in our shared humanity and highest values.
Why This Matters to Me
When I started The Positive People Project last year, I had a simple intention: to be a voice of encouragement, inspiration, and possibility—to contribute, in some small way, to making the world a better place.
But I'll be honest. The noise, chaos, and constant negativity of the world occasionally pulled me off center, and I found myself wondering:
"Who am I to talk about positivity and joy when so much is happening in the world?"
Then I remembered the wisdom often attributed to Marianne Williamson:
"Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?... Your playing small does not serve the world... As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same."
I realized something important: choosing positivity and light is not naive—it's necessary. Showing up with hope is not insignificant—it's impactful. And shrinking ourselves in difficult times serves no one.
Few would argue that these aren't challenging times.
A Question for You
So I invite you to ask yourself:
Who are you not to be ______?
Fill in the blank with your finest qualities.
Have you unknowingly withheld your light from the world?
And by "light," I mean the best of your human qualities—your kindness, compassion, courage, creativity, wisdom, love, and everything that makes you uniquely you.
Consider this:
Why do you think you're alive right now, at this moment in history, with all that's happening around us?
Are you here merely to exist, take up space, work, struggle, and reach the finish line?
I don't think so.
You get to choose who you want to be, how you want to show up in the world, and how you respond to the world around you.
“We are very, very small, but we are profoundly capable of very, very big things.” - Stephen Hawking
Choosing Our Future
Let us be the people who step into who we need to become—people capable of creating new systems, new possibilities, and new ways of being that work better for all of us.
And in doing so, we give ourselves permission to show up as our best selves.
If not us, then who?
Maybe it starts by saying SHUH TUH FUH CUP to the noise and chaos competing for our attention.
We've got better things to do with our precious energy—like creating a better story for ourselves and for those who come after us.
I remain optimistic that most people want a better tomorrow.
Imagine what we could create together.
Thank you for being here.
With love and laughter,
Annie @The Positive People Project 🌞
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A few reminders:
*Remember to check back soon for my next post where I’ll share what we need to do to create a better vision for humanity. 😊
**Please don’t forget to opt-in for positivity.
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And last but not least, to get you started in the direction of joy and laughter:
Be you Boo! 😊
