Well, screw that. I may not be able to bring oil prices down, convince Pakistan of America's innocence, or stop a flood, but I can make a difference in my own life and the lives of those around me by being positive, hopeful, helpful and kind. I can actively search out and fill my life with people and things which bring me happiness and joy. A good mood is contagious and one thing that is free and easy to share.
I don't know if you believe depressing headlines affect you personally, but I'm betting that they do whether you admit it - or even know it - or not. Being concerned about the state of this poor planet is one thing. Allowing bad news to affect your everyday life is another. I understand the impact of rising oil prices because I drive a Ford Expedition that gets less than 14 miles per gallon, and I can barely afford to drive it anymore. And forget selling it right now. I've tried. I'm a work-at-home mom raising two daughters with my husband who is back in school for his Economics degree because we're worried about our future. I'm saddened and frightened by the state of things today, but I refuse to let it affect the quality of my life.
So, in my quest for good feeling today, I ran upon this fantastic website, the Good News Network that only has (gasp!) good news! I'm not saying we should turn a blind eye to the world's problems; we are one world and at the end of the day share responsibility for each other's hardships and should do everything in our power to help one another. But one simple thing we can do every single day is to take responsibility for our own lives and make our own little spaces brighter. Put on a smile and do something nice for someone, even if they don't deserve it. After all, one lonely candle can light an entire room.
"How far that little candle throws his beams. So shines a good deed in a weary world." William Shakespeare
2 comments:
This is such a great post - I was having exactly the same thoughts today as I was reading the news. It's so easy to be overwhelmed and depressed, but there are so many little things we can do in our own lives and community to makes things a bit better.
Thanks, Amy. I'm guilty of letting it all get me down, too, but I'm really trying to be more positive every day. I know it makes such a huge difference in my family's lives! :)
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