More? Yup!

Despite the natural disasters, the political disappointments, the mass shootings, the worry about nuclear war, and so many other distressing things last year, there was also a lot of good, as I have been saying.  Not enough good?  Well we can work on that.  It is in our hands, after all.

The human chain was helpful a number of times this year.  In Panama City Beach in Florida, ten people were hit by powerful rip currents and before firefighters or police were onscene, a number of beach-goers joined together and stretched from the sand to the swimmers in peril, and rescued them.  I saw similar heroism after some of the hurricanes last year.

It didn't make the news, but I was invited to a holiday party a week before Christmas, by a woman who provided most of the food, entertainment, and gifts for everyone (actually multiple gifts for most).  There was also a young woman in Greenock, Scotland that you might have heard about.  She threw an even bigger party which included Christmas dinner (a three-course meal) for sixty total strangers!  She had gifts for everyone too.  Of course good news is a bit more common during the holidays, but if you look back at the mentions from the past three days, you will see a number of positive events from throughout the year.

There are many more example too.  I'll try to tell you about more of those positive, uplifting stories that happen, and I invite you to tip me off whenever you hear of something.  My old friend Wes Nisker used to say at the end of his reports on the radio, "If you don't like the news .  .  . go out and make some of your own."  Indeed.  If you want to see a better world, make a difference.  Be a hero!

2017 in the news

As I pointed out the past two mornings, good things did indeed happen in 2017, despite all the bad we remember.  Just about every time I turned on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, I saw a heartwarming story, and Ellen herself continued showing us the way of kindness.

I also discovered Barn Sanctuary, Dan McKernan's incredible organization that  rescues, rehabilitates, and cares for farm animal refugees.  I love watching the updates from them and seeing the animals in a loving and caring environment. 

Marriage equality became a reality for folks in Taiwan when that nation became the first Asian country to legalize marriage for same-sex couples.  Five additional governments around the world did the same: Slovenia, Germany, Malta, Austria and Australia.

Some people have seemingly moved past gender identity bias because in 2017 Danica Roem became the first trans woman to be elected in the United States.  Another huge win for equality as she won a seat in Virginia’s House of Delegates.

My friend Toan Lam didn't disappoint us at all as once again he gave us a year full of uplifting news stories.  His GoInspireGo is truly the place to go whenever you think there is too much negativity in the news.  He shows us the heroes - the folks who make a difference.

Of course all of you probably encountered some positive things in the years just ended too.  You are always welcome to share stories with us in the comments section below.  Happy New Year everyone!  Stay positive, and don't let the bad news get you down.

There's lots of good news

Yesterday I reminded your of some of the positive stories in the news during 2017, but there are more.  For some reason we seem to focus more on the negative, but there actually is lots of good news!

There were uplifting moments during various natural disasters.  We saw so many examples of everyday folks getting involved and making a difference.  It makes you feel good when you hear about people helping people, or even people helping cats!  Who can forget that Hurricane Harvey moment when we saw Gregory Pletcher holding a little kitten in his life vest, that he had rescued from the floodwaters in Cyprus, Texas?

There were a number of stories about homeless people that made it into the newspapers or on television.  One that really stands out for me was about a homeless veteran who received over $360K and now wants to pay it forward.  There are so many who don't just think of themselves.   It sure made me feel good when I heard him say "I just want to do the right thing."

Oh and the story about 93-year-old Clarence Purvis really touched me.  Clarence's wife Carolyn passed away four years ago, after 64 years of marriage.  (Something pretty much unheard of these days).  Even death cannot separate the two.  Whenever Clarence eats at a restaurant where they used to go, he sets up a framed photo of his late wife on the table.  That story moved me to tears.

These are just some of the good stories - the positive things happening that we heard about in 2017.  I'll remind you of more tomorrow.

Some good stories to tell

Were you up late last night toasting the new year? Did you go to sleep early moaning about how bad 2017 was?  I'll be the first to admit that the year just ended was not perfect,  There certainly were a lot of disturbing stories in the news, all year long.  There were also some good positive things that happened, and this week we're going to take a look back at some of them.

Remember the man who serenaded his 98-year-old grandma with "Unforgettable" on her birthday?  How about the six-year-old student who used a lemonade stand to help pay off fellow students' lunch debts?  Both of these stories warmed my heart.  There actually were many good stories like these during the year.

Many news organizations covered the man's T-shirt plea for a kidney which led to a live organ donor match.  How wonderful is that?

Last January we heard from several media outlets about Brennon Jones, of Philadelphia who gives free haircuts to the homeless.  That in itself is pretty wonderful, but there was more to the story.   A complete stranger gave him a free barbershop of his own!

All of these stories were covered by the mainstream media and there were more.  I'll share some additional ones as our first week of 2018 continues.

Goodbye 2017

This is my last post for 2017.  I'm not going to write a year in review this morning, although you will certainly see many of them in the next few days.  I'm not going to talk about resolutions either or about who I think should be remembered as the hero of the year.  I simply want to share a few thoughts.

When you look back on this year now ending, I hope you won't think of it as a year of pain and of loss.  Regardless of how much bad happened, there was still good and we certainly woke up to a lot of realities.  I hope you will think of it as a year of growth and a year of learning.

Those of you reading this now, can be proud that you continue to wake up each day.  Despite the hardships, and yes there have been many, you have become stronger and are a better person.  Be proud of yourself!

On Sunday night, don't despair.  Look ahead to better days.  Raise your glass and toast the brand new year with hope and with confidence.

Back to the Barn Sanctuary

Back in August I first wrote about Barn Sanctuary saying "Be kind to all animals.  They deserve our love and respect just as much as humans do."  I've been following them on facebook and twitter and watching the adorable pictures posted by their founder Dan McKernan.  Seeing what they are doing for their rescued turkeys, cows, horses, pigs, chickens, ducks, sheep, and goats warms my heart.  I mentioned them again in October and you will likely hear me say a lot more.

The cruel and horrific things humans do to animals turns my stomach.  We hear about some terrible incident all too often in the news.  Thankfully there are people who care.  Go to https://www.barnsanctuary.org/ and look at the cute pictures, but also read the inspiring stories of rescue.  It truly will warm your heart!

Oh and speaking of warm, this is not a time of year when it is warm in Chelsea, Michigan where Barn Sanctuary is located.  The food, medical expenses, shelter, and daily needs of the animals is particularly important now when snow is on the ground.  Sometimes folks think they cannot afford to make donations, but as little as a dollar can make a difference!  Skip that latte for a day or two and send it on to Barn Sanctuary.  (Right now before the year ends is an especially good time to make a gift so you can claim it on this year's taxes too).

There are volunteer opportunities if you are in that area.  Check it out on the website.  Tell your friends too.  This is such important work.  No animal should suffer.  Dan and Barn Sanctuary are certainly among my 2017 heroes!

Joy to the world!

Finally!  The special time of year has arrived.  (It hasn't been going on since September, despite what some retailers want you to believe). On Sunday night people all over the world will be welcoming Christmas.  You do still have a little bit of time for those last minute preparations but don't delay!

 

Whether you gather with family and friends in a church at midnight and sing Silent Night) or stay at home in front of a fireplace (or the yule log on television), I hope that yours will be an enjoyable celebration.

 

Many of my holiday traditions have changed since I moved to a smaller community, but that doesn't matter.  The spirit of Christmas is wherever you happen to be.

Yes, there have been things in this past year that make you not want to celebrate.  If you lost a loved one, it just not feel right to be happy, but happiness is within the reach of every single one of us.  There have been good times, AND there will be more, so joy to the world  -  be happy!