Watch the news, read the headlines and you will begin to believe the world is going to hell in a handbasket. I believe that civilization is more good than evil, but sometimes I really have to work at it!
There is a danger to watching the news and reading the headlines. Bad news sells, and if that’s what their selling, that’s what we see, and only what we see. I’m not naive. I know there are bad people in this world. I know bad things happen to good people. I know there is injustice and outrageousness. But, I also know there is more. A lot more. And that more is good.
The most recent issue of Reader’s Digest told a story of 10 of the nicest places in America. They were beautiful stories of neighbors, friends, strangers showing kindness to one another in many different ways, but those cities are no different from any other. What is different is that the people who noticed, were the people who were looking.
Your challenge and mine is to be vigilant against the bad, but never stop looking for the good. If you can’t see it, then be it! Be the someone who makes someone else laugh, that makes somebody’s day just a little bit brighter, that says hello when maybe nobody else has spoken a word to that person all day. Be the someone who notices the shopper struggling with the grocery cart that is stuck together with 10 others; we’ve all been that person; and help them break it free. Be the someone who grabs the door for the person with their hands full. Be the someone who listens, who notices, who makes a difference.
If we all try to be the best self we can be, then maybe the headlines won’t be all bad. But, even if they are, we will know what the news doesn’t tell you. We will know the truth. There are a lot of good people out there.
Amen! We just had this very discussion. Bad news does sell and there are times when I have to tune it out and remind myself that God is in control. Love the reminder that we can all be shining lights of hope in a sometimes dark feeling world.
Kim has literally tuned out the news too. Said he was losing his sense of happiness. Really too bad the news doesn’t dedicate one day a week to nothing but good news. I know it’s out there and we all crave it. Thanks for reading.