We sure could use a little good news

I wasn't going to blog today because I'm feeling under the weather, but when I opened Internet Explorer a little while ago, Yahoo News announced, "Oil prices soar!" ... "Pakistan army accuses U.S.-led coalition of killing 11 troops!", and "Floods threaten economic disaster in Midwest!". My first reaction was to frown, shake my head, and think, "Mmm, mmm, mmm. How sad that the world is going to hell in a handbasket and there's nothing I can do about it."

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

"Energy fears looming, new survivalists prepare"

Okay, I'm not going to comment very much on this. Read the article for yourself and make your own judgements. All I'll say is that to me, while I believe 100% in being prepared, allowing fear and dread to ruin my life today are worse than the possiblity of a looming economic fall. You don't have to agree. Life is short for everyone, even people living off the grid. What difference does it make if you aren't prepared when you've allowed this fear to ruin your life? Dig in your heels and educate yourself. Do the absolute best you can under your own personal circumstances, and live your life with hope, kindness, and joy if you can. Get to know your local farmer's market, make some friends in the country if possible, teach yourself to garden if you don't already know how, and if you aren't a landowner, learn how to container garden. It sounds silly but you might be surprised how much produce you can harvest from a well maintained container garden. It's certainly not realistic for *everyone* to move to the country and become self-sustainable, so arm yourself with knowledge and be confident that you will be prepared in the event of a disaster. Have a plan, and a little faith in mankind. Don't turn your nose up at those who are becoming prepared or scoff at the possiblities, and above all, don't let the fear take you.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i6GXwx2chQltK3liINhxHz_uEGSwD90SI8G80