If you listened to the recent news or social media, you could not help but hear the phrase Our Better Angels as a result of the turmoil in our nation. As the fate of the nation hung in balance in 1861, facing secession and civil war, President Abraham Lincoln said during his inaugural address: “The mystic chords of memory will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
Explaining exactly what our better angels means is a timely topic. I turned to ChatGPT for a condensed explanation, and AI provided invaluable and endearing words for us all:
Lincoln appealed to the nation’s shared humanity, urging people to let their nobler qualities guide their choices instead of succumbing to division and hostility. When we speak of our of our better angels today, we are calling upon the highest parts of ourselves—the voice of conscience, kindness, compassion, and wisdom—that remind us of our shared dignity and common good.
In times of conflict, fear, or uncertainty, it can be easy to let frustration or anger shape our responses. Yet our better angels whisper of patience when tempers flare, generosity when scarcity looms, and courage when despair threatens to take hold. They remind us that love is stronger than hate, unity stronger than division, and hope more enduring than fear.
Choosing to follow our better angels does not mean ignoring difficulties or pretending differences don’t exist. Instead, it means facing challenges with grace and striving for understanding, even when it isn’t easy. It means practicing empathy, extending forgiveness, and keeping faith that the light within us—and within others—can prevail.
This week, as we navigate uncertainty, may we pause and listen for that still, small voice of our better angels. They are always with us, urging us to rise above, to heal, and to create a world that reflects the very best of who we are.
We do not want our country to remain in turmoil, and that is why I've expanded what began as an email broadcast to my Ruth's Growth Circle subscribers for my Sunday's Weekly Inspiration, I decided to expand into a blog because the phrase and its history are endearing, and we want to ensure a country becomes stronger and more united.
I asked ChatGPT for recommendations on how we can become more like Our Better Angels in our business, career and personal life, and here's its response:
1. Lead with Integrity
In business and career, integrity is the foundation of trust. Choosing honesty, even when shortcuts look easier, reflects your better angels. In personal life, it means keeping your word, honoring commitments, and aligning your actions with your values.
2. Practice Compassionate Listening
Often, people don’t need quick fixes — they need to be heard. Whether with a colleague in conflict, a client under stress, or a family member struggling, listening with patience and empathy honors their humanity and opens the door to healing.
3. Choose Service Over Self-Interest
Your better angels shine when you prioritize contributing to others. In business, this can be mentoring a younger professional or offering value beyond expectations. In personal life, it could mean volunteering, lending a hand, or simply being present for someone in need.
4. Respond, Don’t React
Challenges will always arise. Reacting in anger or fear rarely builds bridges. Instead, pausing to respond thoughtfully allows your better angels to guide your words and actions. This practice can transform workplace tension, career setbacks, or even personal disagreements into opportunities for growth.
5. Nurture Hope and Positivity
Hope is contagious. By keeping an optimistic outlook in the face of adversity, you inspire those around you to believe that better days are possible. In career and business, positivity fuels resilience; in personal life, it strengthens bonds and fosters joy.
What do we do next?
Please consider incorporating one or more of these recommendations into your life. And please feel free to share this blog with others or repost yourself, so that others can read it and understand the powerful history behind the President's words, Our Better Angels.
In closing, I'd like to share this quote from Luciano De Crescenzo: “We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another.”
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I’m Ruth Anita Foote, an award-winning journalist, historian, author, and online entrepreneur—passionate about helping you enhance your business, career, and lifestyle. Whether you need writing, editing, research, or online business development, I’m here to support your growth. My goal is to empower you to elevate your success and make a lasting impact in your field. You can connect to all my social media platforms through Linktr.ee
