We all know the media focuses on bad stuff.
I’ve always been bothered that the media pretty much excludes coverage of positive events and good being done in the world, instead focusing on the negative: Wars, bloodshed, crime, and unvirtuous actions of celebrities and commoners. Given the media’s influence on our thoughts and actions, I’ve always wanted to see a more substantial coverage of positive events and people in the news, as I believe hearing, reading, and seeing good news would positively affect us. The world would shed a great deal of fear and hatred if, each night, people tuned into 30 minutes of news delivered with an affirmative perspective: Good news would fill our consciousness and prime us to think and act with greater compassion, awareness, and inspiration, putting a positive slant on our days. There wouldn’t leave much space for the negative to creep into our thoughts and actions!
Of course, I’m not the only one who thinks this way. The web provides an ideal platform for sharing good news, and there are a number of sites dedicated to delivering positive news. Here are five of the larger sites; some even let you share you own stories!
Making a Difference, from the Christian Science Monitor
This area of The Monitor profiles individuals across the world who are working to do good in their communities. If you’re not familiar with The Monitor, it’s a paper based on the premise that the news affects our thoughts profoundly, and that we must take care when feeding our mind, as our what we think determines the quality of our lives. Learn more at their About page.
Acts of Kindness, from The Toronto Star
This area of the paper is a sort of moderated group blog, where individuals can share stories of thanks for those who have helped them. The stories are quite touching, and for the most part, describe everyday scenes of life and common goodness found in ordinary interactions.
Sonny Radio
Started by Sonny Melendrez, twice winner of BillBoard Magazine’s “Radio Personality of the Year” award, this site and station showcase the good and the uplifting through broadcasts, videos, stories, articles and more.
Happy News
Citizen journalists contribute to a site where “virtue, goodwill and heroism are hot news and brings readers “up-to-the-minute news, geared to lift spirits and inspire lives”.
Good News Network
The top Google-ranked site for good news, the Good News Network evolved from a paper newsletter produced years ago by a by a single mom with a background in DC-area journalism. This is the only site listed that charges a subscription fee — a low one at that — of $2 per month, after a 30 day free trial.
GNN.com
The Good News Now site, presenting stories of goodness and common events, from AOL.
The final site I’d like to mention is one where people can share stories of kindness and gratitude, inspiring news, quotes, and more. It’s also a site that’s been in idea form as a pet project for years, finally gaining a small presence: Litare.com ( I wrote about this site on an earlier post).
ADDED: Yes! Magazine
Another site I recently found, YES! Magazine is “an award-winning, ad-free, nonprofit publication that supports people’s active engagement in building a just and sustainable world.”
Enjoy these sites — and not just once, but on a daily basis, so you fill yourself with positive news and influences!
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