Remaining Positive in a Less Than Happy World

Turn on your television or look at a news site and you are guaranteed to see something that upsets you.

It doesn't matter which side of the aisle you lean, team you root for or flag you salute. There is a never ending stream of bad news that will bother you.

I've talked before about how throwing more hate, anger and frustration out into the world helps no one.

There has been an endless stream of tweets and status updates I've thought about creating.

But, whenever I'm slamming the keys in frustration, I try to stop and ask myself this.

[quote]Will anything good come of me throwing this out into the world?[/quote]

If I can't answer yes, I try not to do it.

Yesterday, I received an email from a woman I shared the stage with on a panel several years ago. She was dropping me a note to thank me for writing Amazing Things Will Happen because after going through some things in her life, she was packing and found the book and reread it.

She wanted to let me know that my words had helped her push forward and through something she was working on.

I share this story as a reminder that there is good news out there too. You just have to look a little harder for it sometimes.

In the midst of someone being on stage and spewing hate, I looked at my phone and found this thank you note.

Did it balance everything out in the universe? No way.

Did it help remind me to remain optimistic and try to keep my glass half full? You bet!

Today as you go about your day, think about what you share and put out for others to see.

Take an extra few seconds before hitting the share or post button to wonder if any good will come of it.

Seek out things that make you smile and share that rather than what you disagree with.

Every bit helps. It may not feel it, but I believe it does.