An article in Psychology Today¹ by the neuroscientist Rick Hanson states that when we cultivate good will towards others and towards ourselves, we experience less stress and greater feelings of happiness, contentment, and peacefulness. Similarly, in the Christian tradition, the evangelist Luke wrote that the angel who announced the birth of Jesus heralded a time of great joy for all people, peace on earth, and good will towards men.  I believe it’s a wonderful thing when science and religion overlap and support one another. 

When both science and faith tell us that good will brings goodness, joy and peace to all involved, how might people be affected if we changed the images and words on our money to reflect this fact?  This is all just speculation, however, every vision starts with speculation and curiosity, so let’s temporarily leave the real world behind and speculate!

What words would drive home the fact that true security comes from the knowledge that we can trust other people to help keep us safe, healthy, happy AND that other people can expect the same from us?  What images on our money would show that we can trust most people’s innate goodness, kindness, compassion and generosity, just as they can trust ours?

Maybe these? “In Us We Trust.” “In God and Goodwill We Trust.” “For the Goodness of God and Humanity.” Other suggestions?  Would such words and images help foster innate goodwill if they appeared on something that regularly exchanges hands?  Looking forward to reading your responses!

¹https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/your-wise-brain/201812/acquire-goodwill