By Ng Kwan Hoong
“I see trees of green, red roses too.
I see them bloom for me and you,
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”
When Louis Armstrong first sang ‘What a Wonderful World’ in 1967, the world was chaotic. The United States was in turmoil: the Vietnam War raged on, the civil rights movement was at its height, and young people were protesting and questioning everything. Amidst the noise and unrest, Armstrong’s warm voice offered something simple yet profound: a reminder that beauty and goodness still exist, and that the world is still wonderful if only we pause to observe and appreciate it.
Its message cuts across cultures, faiths and generations because it speaks to something deeply human: our desire to believe that goodness still triumphs over wickedness.
Beyond the melody and lyrics lies a quiet philosophy of life: one that encourages us to see goodness even amid suffering, to seek light in times of darkness, and to nurture gratitude in our hearts in this heartless society. This is not escapism, not a denial of pain or injustice, but a reminder that meaning and joy are found in how we choose to look at life.
Fast forward almost sixty years, and his message is still relevant: perhaps even more urgent today. Each day, we are bombarded with news of wars, violence, and despair. Refugees flee famine and conflict; families are torn apart; hatred and greed spread across nations. The rise in mental health struggles and suicides reflects a deep fatigue and loss of faith in humanity.
But maybe it’s in dark and desperate times like these that we need his song the most. Martin Luther King Jr., Armstrong’s contemporary, once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Armstrong’s song carries that same truth too. That love, kindness and wonder still matter. They are not luxuries of peaceful times; they are the very tools that rebuild peace. These are what keep us human. These give us hope.
Hope, however, is not something passive. It is a discipline of the heart, a daily act of courage. Hope anchors our lives when the world feels adrift. It gives us strength to act: to promote peace and harmony in our homes, workplaces and communities. We can choose kindness over anger, understanding over judgment, and compassion over prejudice. Every small act of love strengthens the bonds of peace and brings light to someone’s darkness.
From hope, we learn gratitude. Gratitude is hope made visible in our everyday lives. It teaches us to see not what is missing, but what remains. Perhaps we should complain and grumble less, and start counting our blessings. Many of us still have comfortable homes, daily nutritious meals, and the company of family and friends; things that millions around the world yearn for. Let us be grateful for what we have and thank God for our health and the many blessings He has given us. Gratitude opens our eyes to the quiet beauty that still surrounds us.
And when gratitude becomes a habit, hope grows deeper. We begin to see life itself as a wonderful world. Life is fleeting and fragile, yet within its brief span lies immense beauty and truth: a sunrise that warms the heart, a river flow that carries away your burden, a breeze that carries laughter, a simple meal shared with loved ones. Every smile, every act of kindness, every moment of wonder is a reminder that goodness still breathes in this world. In choosing to notice these small things, we are already choosing hope.
“I see skies of blue
And clouds of white
The bright blessed day
The dark sacred night
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world.”
We may not have the power to change this messy, chaotic world, but we can change how we perceive it. The laughter of a child, the kindness of a stranger, the beauty of nature. These are all signs that life still offers hope, even in its lowest ebb.
Maybe it’s time for our radio and television stations to start broadcasting ‘What a Wonderful World’ again. Let our young and old hear it, sing it, feel it, and believe in its message. For it reminds us, even after all these years, that hope is alive.
Yes, there is pain and injustice in this world. But there is also love, courage, kindness;
And hope.
The author is an Emeritus Professor of Biomedical Imaging at the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. A 2020 Merdeka Award recipient, he is a medical physicist by training but also enjoys writing, drawing, listening to classical music, and bridging the gap between older and younger generations. He may be reached at ngkh@ummc.edu.my