Good News!

How did you feel when you saw the title of today’s blog? Were you surprised? Were you curious? Were you eager to read on? The fact is, we are bombarded daily with news. Often it is bad news. So, today I thought we could take a break from bad news and focus on ten pieces of essentially good news:

1. If you are reading this, you are among the 86% of the world’s population who are literate. In 1820, the world literacy rate was 12%.
2. If you are reading this, you have access to the internet. In 1995, internet users totaled 16 million or 0.4% of the world population. In June 2018, that number was 4,208,000,000 or 55.1% of the world population.
3. Even some of the world’s “bad news” like global warming has a good side. This news has caused millions of people to become more concerned for the future of planet earth. This awareness has led millions of us to be more saving of natural resources, to recycle, to appreciate more the beauty and diversity of our world, and to invest in actions and policies that address the underlying causes of pollution and global warming.
4. When it comes to charitable giving, millions of people are very generous. A study in 2016 listed the top ten countries when it comes to charitable giving based on the percentage of the Gross Domestic Product. Those countries are: 1) United States 2) New Zealand 3) Canada 4) United Kingdom 5) South Korea 6) Singapore 7) India 8) Russia 9) Italy 10) Netherlands. One example: In 2016, American individuals, estates, foundations, and corporations contributed an estimated $390 billion to charity.
5. Ever since Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase “Global Village” in the 1960’s, people all over the world have become increasingly aware of our interconnectedness with each other. What happens on the other side of the world impacts us on this side. Similarly, our decisions, policies, events, and attitudes impact people around the world. This awareness is crucial to our future.
6. Diseases that once killed millions of people (bubonic plague, small pox, polio, tuberculosis) have been eradicated or have become increasingly rare in many parts of the world.
7. Child labor, once a common practice in the industrialized world, is now outlawed in most developed countries. (In 1900, 18% of the U.S. workers were under 16. Most worked in factories, mines, and agriculture.)
8. According to the Pew Research Center, 55% of adults say they pray daily. Another 25% say they pray weekly.
9. A recent study showed that more than 75% of adults in developed countries say they are happy. The happiest countries are Sweden, Canada, and Australia. The U.S. was 6^th. But a clear majority of these happy people also said they wish their life was simpler.
10. If you are reading this, you are still alive on earth. That means you still have time to love others and to do more good things! And that certainly is good news!

Did any piece of good news here stand out for you? If so, why?

What piece of good news would you add to this list?

How can YOU become even more good news for others?

Today’s song is by Sara Thomsen. It’s called “Somewhere to Begin.” I’m including the lyrics below. I was really touched by this song the first time I heard it. I hope it touches your heart today:

People say to me, “Oh, you gotta be crazy! How can you sing in times like these?

Don’t you read the news? Don’t you know the score? How can you sing when so many others grieve?”

People say to me, “What kind of fool believes that a song will make a difference in the end?”

By way of a reply, I say a fool such as I who sees a song as somewhere to begin,

A song is somewhere to begin.

The search for something worth believing in. If changes are to come

there are things that must be done, and a song is somewhere to begin.

Additional verses: 2) Dream… 3) Love…

I invite you to respond below to today’s reflection and/or song. My readers tell me how much they love reading all the responses!