Words + Dreams

Every once in a while we hear the old refrain of someone being tired of hearing nothing but bad news.  And they’re right – lately there has been a lot of horrible economic news. Well, I am going to change the bad news cycle, at least for today, with this column.  Today, in order to help us get in the right frame of mind to begin a new year, I am proud to present some really, really good news.

Good news from around the world

1.  In California a healthy baby was born to someone who did not use crack;

2.  In Tokyo a healthy baby was born to parents who were married;

3.  In Calcutta a baby was born to parents who never knew starvation;

4.  In Hawaii someone won a surfing competition;

5.  Today, at the White House, someone smiled;

6. Right now, in the highest levels of government, someone cares about their job;

7.  In New York a lady received her money back on a defective item;   

8. Thousands of planes will land worldwide just fine;

9.  Even as you are reading this, millions of men and woman are getting home from work with no injuries;

10. Millions of kids had great report cards from school;

11. Scientists discovered something;

12. Food was grown;

13. Thousands upon thousands of couples are being married;

14. Even more are leaving to go on vacation;

15. A couple who wanted to get pregnant did;

16. Any number of people got a great deal on a car;

17. Someone is being kissed for the first time and they are ecstatic;

18. Someone just got her or his first job;

19. Someone is being kissed goodnight;

20. A chef is creating the finest dessert ever made;

21. An honest politician is going to work;

22. An honest attorney is going to work;

23. A doctor is donating time;

24. A teacher is looking forward to teaching – for the

5,000^th day;

25. A writer is getting inspired;

26. A child helped with dinner without being asked;

27. A wife remembered that her husband really is a pretty good person;

28. A husband remembered that his wife really is a pretty good person;

29. Someone won some money is Las Vegas who really needed it;

30. Someone won the California Lottery who really needed it;

31. A nurse was inspired;

32. A minister was inspired;

33. A cop was inspired;

34. A firefighter was inspired;

35. A musician was inspired;

36. A painter was inspired;

37. A sculptor was inspired;

38. A mechanic was inspired

39. A construction worker was inspired

40. A chef was inspired

41. A garment worker was inspired

42. A baker was inspired

You can probably see where I’m heading: millions of men and women, girls and boys are being inspired to do all kinds of things.  But here’s the main point: who are you inspiring today?  Who are you working with today to make 2025 the best year of their lives?  Who are you helping?

It’s possible for 2025 to be the very best year of your life.  It’s equally possible for 2025 to be the worst year of your life.  Which do you want it to be?  How are you working to help it be the year you want it to be?

One final thought

Right now, in any number of US cities, as well as other countries around the world, millions of individuals are in great pain.  They are in physical, emotional and mental pain because of hunger, expensive or non-available medical treatment, lack of employment, torture, and so many other reasons.  Let us be kind, let us be forgiving, let us be helpful, let us be generous and let us be loving that we as a people and nation may be what we so strive to be.