subject: There Is A Brighter Day Ahead [print this page] It is easy to get discouraged these daysIt is easy to get discouraged these days. The economy is in a mess, there is violence and discontent throughout the world, and we hear sad stories on the news all the time. Is there nothing to be happy about anymore? Of course there is! You just need to look for it because happiness and hope is all around you.
Yes, we live in a tumultuous world, but there is still joy and hope to be found. Sit back and close your eyes, just think about your life and focus on the good. Now, take out a paper and write down everything you have to be grateful for in your life. How long is the list? No doubt you were able to think of a dozen or more things that bring you happiness.
The secret to finding hope and happiness is to program your brain to look for the good in life. It can be hard because we are bombarded from all sides with stories of desolation and sadness. But you have to remember, that is the media. Sensationalism sells. If you promote the eleven o'clock news with a story about neighbors painting the house of a widow how many people will tune in to watch? But if you promote with a story about a plane crash or earthquake, people tend to watch. Is it any wonder that we think that everything in the world is bad? Tragic or horrific stories get the viewers attention that is human nature. The news does show the warm fuzzy stories as well, but they are usually toward the end or sandwiched between the weather report and sports.
We have to remember that technology has brought the world to our front door. As a result all the horrors and tragedies of the world are crammed into a 30 minute broadcast. When you look at the suffering in relation to how large the world is and how many people are living on this planet, it puts the tragedy into perspective. There really is no more tragic events in the world today than there were decades ago, we just get to see them all. Think of the joy in the world that doesn't get broadcast every evening. Thirty minutes would not be long enough to show all that is right with the world.
So instead of focusing on the tragic stories you see in the media, turn to your own neighborhood and family. Is there joy there? Can you find reasons to hope for a brighter tomorrow? What about a new baby fresh from heaven, a toddler enjoying his first ice cream cone, or an old army veteran proudly raising his flag? These things and more are reasons to believe that there is hope in the world and all is not in distress. So put on a happy face and tell yourself it is a beautiful day each and every day!
