So why is it that our news media pick all the negative
events – accidents, deaths, and so on, to give us day after day? Of course,
these things happen, but do we need to search them out from around the globe
and exclude the good news about people, the positive events that happen every
day?
I think that if all we hear day after day is the negative,
the catastrophic, the bad about people, we will find it hard to maintain our
own positive outlook, which I believe is key to living a fulfilling life. As
humans, we need encouragement and inspiration.
There is something called the “Good News Network” in the
United States, and a similar web page in Canada. This seems to me to be moving
in the right direction, but neither quite satisfies me. I want something closer
to home and more specific.
So, I’ve been thinking that I would search out a few good
news stories to start.
The Saskatoon Public Library System, which turns 100 this
year is a case in point. It is one of the most heavily used library systems in
Canada (in 2010 patrons checked out more than 2.6 million items –doesn’t that
say something positive about Saskatonians).
In 2011 over 6,825 children participated in the Children`s Summer
Reading Club (stats are from City of Saskatoon 2012 Preliminary Operating
Budget). But of course statistics aren’t everything. I’ve used these libraries
for more than 40 years and have found the staff helpful, friendly and quick. I
request books and DVD’s and in short order I’m notified that they are waiting
for me at the library of my choice. If
Saskatoon libraries don’t have the item, it comes from some other library in
Saskatchewan, since all are now linked (or from an interlibrary loan elsewhere
in Canada). For more than one hundred years, people in Saskatoon have thought
books, reading and related activities as important. I salute the people who
dedicated themselves to begin and continue to run the library system, and all
the people who use it!
Another good news story as far as I’m concerned, is the
riverbank trail system we have in Saskatoon. Once again, people many years ago
thought ahead and didn’t allow the whole riverbank to be bought up for building
lots. Rather, they kept a great deal of it for public parks – free and
accessible to everyone. On these trails, you can see walkers, runners, and
cyclists. Certainly we have unpleasant incidents now and then, but on the
whole, people are friendly, say ‘hello’ to each other and share the trails
peaceably.
Have you any good news stories? I’d like to hear about
people who successfully stood up to bullies, helped friends in such situations,
did a quiet good turn for a neighbour (I have very good neighbours) or stranger,
or anything else positive that you observe or hear.
