Always remember, no matter the headlines, there are millions of beautiful, joyful, peaceful, fun, and creative things going on.
But first, I must confess that I, who reads a couple of newspapers every day and watches news shows regularly (but not obsessively) know that regular consumption of news, especially broadcast news, makes me depressed. Makes me wonder what’s going on? I wonder:
Are we never to gather? Should we avoid other people and stay indoors tethered to our technology.
Are we not to worship? (Mass shootings at churches and other places of worship?) 9 Killed in Historic Black Church Shooting in Charleston, South Carolina
Are we not to take walks or ride our bikes? (Eight people killed in New York Bike Pathway)
Should we not go to a concert? (Shooting at Las Vegas concert)
Should we not be married or coupled? (Why Didn’t You Just Leave? Six Domestic Violence Survivors tell why it’s never that simple)
Should we not have kids? Should we not work? Should we not aspire? Should we not desire?
No matter what the latest tragedy is, after paying my respects and praying/donating/rewinding, what I fight to remember is this: during each and every one of these tragedies, there were millions of lovely and wonderful things going on;
- Birthday celebrations
- Retirement parties
- A book club meeting (with wine and cheer)
- A Christmas cactus blooming yet again
- Art openings
- Theater performances
- Dances, jazz brunches
- Children riding bikes
- Grandaughters send funny bitmoji images to their grandma
- Movies, marathons and games
- People make soup on a cold winter day
- Technological and medical breakthroughs and advancements
- Acts of kindness – someone gives you the quarters you need for the meter and doesn’t take the dollar you offer.
- Someone flashes their lights and gives you the right of way
- Someone offers a pregnant woman or elder or young child a seat on the bus or subway and stands
- Someone gets up and makes the donuts, brews the coffee, fixes lunches, delivers meals to the infirm, gets the children safely to school, says hello, makes a loan
- Someone shares news of an affordable apartment, a grant RFP, an opening for a job
- People fall in love and make love
-
People worship, create, network and bond
- New babies are born and welcomed
- Treatments are found to cure diseases and ailments
- Hospice eases transitions
As a member of the Tribe of Good People, I send out dozens of holiday cards (never enough – cant afford to send to everyone I love). The loveliest thing that’s happened this holiday season is that I made and delivered a lemon cake for a very special acquaintance who asked me to make one in the sweetest voice weeks’ ago for Christmas. I give and I’m among the millions of us who live with kindness as much as we can every single day.
I will not let the evil that is broadcast and elevated every day drown out all the good that is happening in this beautiful world of ours.
Wishing you peace, love, joy, health and prosperity in 2018.
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What timely and wise sentiments. Thank you. The illusion created from selective media reporting can easily control moods and negatively impact energy. Some reporting is so skewed, for example, that one may wonder why people of color still exist, why they haven’t quit and expired. Yet, they have not. Many positive, stubborn, and creative men, women , children, and institutions continue to strive and make a difference. And millions continue to enjoy life and family, all of which is under reported.
You comments are wise and so appreciated. I wrote a post once about being in despair over disparity reporting. We have abundant love, creativity, joy and accomplishments. Happy New Year.
Thanks for being you.
I appreciate this comment especially from T-Pop.
Thank YOU Candelaria….this particular spiritual in nature POST of yours SAYS IT ALL!!!!
Thank YOU Candelaria for allowing US the opportunity to do the following:
“When you are unable to “CHANGE THE IT” you’re looking at…
then “CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK AT IT” (T.D.Jakes)…..your post did ‘EXACTLY’ this!!!!
Thanks for the great quote from T.D. Jakes. Happy New Year.