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Sunday, February 28, 2009
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I long time ago a read a quote, and unfortunately I do not know who said it, but its words have stayed with me a long time. To paraphrase: “I avoid words, acts and images of crudeness, violence and hatred, for that which my mind ingests becomes a part of who I am.”
I’m not a Pollyanna, proclaiming all is wonderful and right in the world, but I can’t expect to surround myself with negativity and ‘ingest it’ and expect to live a positive life at the same time.
Yes, the reality is that violence, war, hatred and prejudice exist. And, yes, bad things happen to good people, but good things happen, too. Peace, hope, and love also exist in the world.
A few nights ago I arrived home a little early and my husband had the evening news on. I didn’t want to disrupt his normal routine so I listened while I prepared my dinner. I was bombarded, very loudly, since my husband has difficulty hearing, with ongoing commentary and video detailing the worst atrocities in the Middle East, and the most depressing economic horror stories the news staff could find. The assault on my senses was more than I could stand and I was just about ready to ask him to turn the TV off when a special segment started.
The story talked about how one teacher, in one school was using Black History Month to help her pre-school students discover hope.
Using a large bulletin board and a simple mirror placed at a four-year-old eye level she was giving each child a glimpse of who they were and who they could become. The story was touching and full of hope.
Now, you may say that if I hadn’t watched the evening news I would have never seen this story and its message of hope and inspiration.
But, why do I have to suffer through twenty-five minutes of heartbreaking sadness and violence and endless commercials that tell me what a sick and horrible person I am unless I buy this product or that? Why should I have to fill my mind and my heart with news that deadens my spirit and dashes any hopes I may harbor?
Why can’t there be twenty-five minutes of hope and inspiration and a five-minute recap of what’s happening in the world?
No one should be expected to dig through the garbage for a decent meal, why should we have to dig through the garbage of the nightly news for one decent story of hope?
Follow some of my favorite links for some good news for a change, and send me some of yours.
* To watch the news story related above go to: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#29417402
* My favorite entrepreneur and author, Barbara Winter, author of MAKING A LIVING WITHOUT A JOB, also has a website, a blog, an online newsletter (Joyfully Jobless) and a print newsletter (Winning Ways) that are all chock full of inspiration, hope, ideas and stories: http://joyfullyjobless.com
* This blog is great if you are a Mom trying to balance it all and need a reminder that you are ‘More than a Mommy’ and that there are other women just like you. http://morethanmommy.com/
* A story of how music and one person can change the world: http://www.fanfaire.com/Dudamel/abreu.html & to read more http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Sistema
* A 20 minute speech on Creativity and Education by Ken Robinson, author of THE ELEMENT, http://ted.org/index.php/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html (there are lots of video clips to explore this subject on this site…AND you can download them to iTunes and watch them in your iPod!!)
Since I don’t spend a lot of time ‘surfing the net’ I rely on other people to refer and recommend sites of interest. I found all the links above through friends and acquaintances. They are bookmarked as my favorites to refer back to as often as needed.
Email me one or more of your favorite sites and I will share them in a future blog post or email message.
Thank you for taking the time to read and share these thoughts. As always I look forward to your comments, feedback and questions.
Don’t forget to check out and bookmark my new blog: http://thedreamingcafe.wordpress.com/
Best Wishes Always,
Sandy
sandy@thedreamingcafe.com
www.TheDreamingCafe.com, coming soon, 2009
Blog Posts this week: http://thedreamingcafe.wordpress.com/
* 2-28-09, It’s not what you ask, it’s how you ask
* 2-27-09, Envy
* 2-26-09, Book Review: THE ELEMENT, by Ken Robinson
* 2-25-09, Finding ‘flow’
* 2-24-09, Twitter
* 2-24-09, The FUN Factor: Turning ideas and dreams into reality…
* 2-23-09, What is The Dreaming Cafe
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Hey Sandy! Like you, I LOVE learning about wonderful things happening in the world. However, digging thru the garbage is not how we want to feed ourselves! My focus is on good news & self-improvement sites. I’m very choosy.
Here’s one you might like: http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/ Just heard about it on a podcast last week. I listen to so many great ones while i work in the house. All upbeat & inspiring.
I totally agree w/you on turning off the mainstream ‘news’. I learned that (luckily!) maybe 10 yrs ago…and have been much better for it. First suggested by my friend, Rebecca. Her site: http://www.scienceofgettingrich.net Extremely upbeat & very constructive.
Another good one: http://www.happynews.com
And this is a favorite: http://www.ted.com — i listen to lots of these while i work…rarely see them tho they are videos.
Keep up this great endeavor of yours! Thanks!! — S