I'm ready to spend some time talking about "Good News." Let's talk heroes, good deeds, major accomplishments, and random acts of kindness.
I was impressed this week with the story of the James King who found the missing eleven-year-old-girl in the Florida swamp. He said God led him straight through the mud, thigh-high waters, alligators, and dense vegetation to Nadia Bloom. Nadia has Asperger's Syndrome and had been missing four days. Since during the last ten years or so, I've become very cynical, my first thought was not to praise the rescuer but to want an full accounting of his whereabouts in the days leading up to him "finding" the child. The thing about enjoying "good news" is you have to be willing to accept it at face value. So until it's proven otherwise, I'm willing to accept this as a miracle and a selfless act by a concerned citizen who had nothing to do with the girl's disappearance.
Actor Sean Penn continues to be relentless in his quest to save lives in Haiti. Rainy season is almost here and survivors are still living without real tents in areas where mudslides will almost certainly occur. Like his movies or not, he cares about the world.
L.A. Lakers player Pau Gasol gave up some time to make a 4-year-old fan, Ezra Frech very happy. Ezra was born with malformed limbs on his left side. He has an artificial leg that allows him to play basketball. He loves, loves, loves basketball. And he's very good at it!
On a personal note – my good news is that as of last week I've finished with surgery on both eyes and can now drive without contact lens or glasses! Alas, reading and working on the computer will still require corrective lenses of some kind. I've got a dozen pairs of drugstore reading glasses in various strengths that I'm using until I'm cleared by the surgeon to visit the optometrist.
What's your favorite "good news?"
Rhonda (wearing a 2.0 magnification for computer work).
aka The Southern Half of Evelyn David
It's great to read good news--but we all know that's not what sells papers and magazines.
ReplyDeleteOur local newspaper only puts good news on the front page--except if there happens to be a shooting or something that warrants a headline. (We don't have that many shootings, thank goodness.)
I've even been on the front page before with something about a new book.
World news is one page and three or four pages back.
So happy to hear your surgery went well and you can see. I can't use my glasses when I'm working on the computer, but must when I'm reading really small type and driving.
Yay for your successful surgery, Rhonda! That's certainly good news in my book. :-)
ReplyDeleteSee, this is why I love this blog! Sometimes I escape the world because it's so depressing and sad (meaning I don't read the news!). So I didn't know about Sean Penn's passion. I love that. I love that there are people who aren't afraid to do what speaks to them. Sandra Bullock is that generous soul when it comes to giving and helping. Brad Pitt and Anjelina Jolie, for all their Hollywood stardom and the box we love to put them in, are doing really powerful work in the world.
ReplyDeleteAmerican Idol. Their Idol Gives back is pretty huge, and they, too, bring all of us into the bigger world, at least for a short period of time, and guide us in giving.
Chris Rock's wife (can't think of her name)--I heard her speak the other day and she's a firecracker, driven and passionate about helping and being a part of the bigger world we live in. She was talking to Gail King on Oprah Radio (LOVE Oprah radio!!) and they discussed a quote that basically says we live in the world and the rent we pay is the service we give. It's about how we can give back.
It all makes you think and definitely makes you want to be a part of something bigger and more meaningful.
Glad the eyes are doing great!
ReplyDelete