When we turn on the news, read the newspapers, listen to the radio, or check the latest happenings online, chances are there is bad news. A lot of it. In some cases, if there is any good news at all, it's likely to be some tiny micro-feature, while the more-horrific, more-heartwrenching news gets the most coverage. If it's bad enough, you'll hear about it for days.
In fact, it's a sure bet that if a winged unicorn landed in Central Park, starting farting rainbows so everyone there started to smile and laugh in joy, and there was a single pickpocket in the South Bronx (a neighborhood that has, sadly, seen a lot worse) -- and that was the ONLY news in New York City that day -- every single newsperson would be in the South Bronx covering the pick-pocket story. Our media LOVES to report bad news; that is what they tell us we want to hear...
How much of this non-stop bad news colors our perception of our world? We see so much criminal activity, heinous acts, violence, heartlessness, lies, cheating and down-right "evil" - in the hearts of all mankind. It's no wonder so many people are looking forward to the world possibly ending this December.
The truth is that while there is bad news, there is a far greater amount of good news. We just don't see it. We don't hear it. We don't tell it... If you had two bits of news - one good and one bad of equal weight - to tell others, which would come out of your mouth first? Unless we were trying to sell something, chances are the bad news would be told first.
Why not change that?
Why not share all the good news you find around you - everyday - and put dampeners on the bad news? Yes, there is bad news in the world, but what does it serve to share it unless you plan on doing something about it? If you are going to make a positive impact, share THAT news. Tell people how others have helped.
Following last year's tsunami in Japan, share the news that there was global turnout of aid and support. Recall how there was no looting or price-gouging immediately following the quake; or how the elderly volunteered to work at the damaged reactors to spare the young people the radiation exposure.
Following the devastating storms the US saw last year, how many times do we share the inspiring stories of neighbor-helping-neighbor, about people traveling hundreds of miles to rebuild towns? After a hurricane, the residents of a Vermont town that was completely cut off from the world met each day on the town green, went to harvest the fields by hand together, and had a community meal with what they gathered day-after-day until normal resources were back in place.
The more we focus on positive aspects of our lives, the more positive news we find around us. But if we continue to focus on the negative, we spiral downwards and close ourselves from our brothers and sisters, from our neighbors and see only an evil world. The world is our choice. Much of what we see, hear, and experience in this life reflects what our focus is on. If we focus on good news, we find many more blessings in our life.
Yes, that is true. Ask many a psychologist. Ask the One who made us. But if you still don't believe it; try it. You may surprise yourself.
Even the word "Gospel" means "Good News."
On Friday evening, I worked late and picked up pizza on the walk home. The local pizzeria was packed and the take-out line started at the register in the back of the dining room and stretched two-thirds the distance to the front door. The wait was over an hour. And yet... as I left after getting my pizza, I must have dropped my wallet. Someone spied it and gave it to the staff. One of the waitresses literally ran out the door after me shouting my name to return it to me, despite the crowd of people inside. No one complained; a few smiled. And I was very grateful for the actions of both the person who turned it in and the waitress. When I got home, I shared the good news. Despite the long wait for food, the evening felt brighter.
It's a new year; it's a new start.
Focus on the positive.
Find a better world.
- ESA
In fact, it's a sure bet that if a winged unicorn landed in Central Park, starting farting rainbows so everyone there started to smile and laugh in joy, and there was a single pickpocket in the South Bronx (a neighborhood that has, sadly, seen a lot worse) -- and that was the ONLY news in New York City that day -- every single newsperson would be in the South Bronx covering the pick-pocket story. Our media LOVES to report bad news; that is what they tell us we want to hear...
How much of this non-stop bad news colors our perception of our world? We see so much criminal activity, heinous acts, violence, heartlessness, lies, cheating and down-right "evil" - in the hearts of all mankind. It's no wonder so many people are looking forward to the world possibly ending this December.
The truth is that while there is bad news, there is a far greater amount of good news. We just don't see it. We don't hear it. We don't tell it... If you had two bits of news - one good and one bad of equal weight - to tell others, which would come out of your mouth first? Unless we were trying to sell something, chances are the bad news would be told first.
Why not change that?
Why not share all the good news you find around you - everyday - and put dampeners on the bad news? Yes, there is bad news in the world, but what does it serve to share it unless you plan on doing something about it? If you are going to make a positive impact, share THAT news. Tell people how others have helped.
Following last year's tsunami in Japan, share the news that there was global turnout of aid and support. Recall how there was no looting or price-gouging immediately following the quake; or how the elderly volunteered to work at the damaged reactors to spare the young people the radiation exposure.
Following the devastating storms the US saw last year, how many times do we share the inspiring stories of neighbor-helping-neighbor, about people traveling hundreds of miles to rebuild towns? After a hurricane, the residents of a Vermont town that was completely cut off from the world met each day on the town green, went to harvest the fields by hand together, and had a community meal with what they gathered day-after-day until normal resources were back in place.
The more we focus on positive aspects of our lives, the more positive news we find around us. But if we continue to focus on the negative, we spiral downwards and close ourselves from our brothers and sisters, from our neighbors and see only an evil world. The world is our choice. Much of what we see, hear, and experience in this life reflects what our focus is on. If we focus on good news, we find many more blessings in our life.
Yes, that is true. Ask many a psychologist. Ask the One who made us. But if you still don't believe it; try it. You may surprise yourself.
Even the word "Gospel" means "Good News."
On Friday evening, I worked late and picked up pizza on the walk home. The local pizzeria was packed and the take-out line started at the register in the back of the dining room and stretched two-thirds the distance to the front door. The wait was over an hour. And yet... as I left after getting my pizza, I must have dropped my wallet. Someone spied it and gave it to the staff. One of the waitresses literally ran out the door after me shouting my name to return it to me, despite the crowd of people inside. No one complained; a few smiled. And I was very grateful for the actions of both the person who turned it in and the waitress. When I got home, I shared the good news. Despite the long wait for food, the evening felt brighter.
It's a new year; it's a new start.
Focus on the positive.
Find a better world.
- ESA
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment