Good News in 2005?

A co-worker of mine just pointed out to me that there wasn’t any really good news in the year 2005. If there had been good news, it was definitely overshadowed by the major natural disasters that occurred over the past year. Over 200,000 people died in the Indonesian tsunami disaster; starting 2005 off with a cry for aid. As our year unfolded, the United States was then treated to the longest hurricane season on record – and with Katrina’s arrival, the most disastrous as well.

I don’t know that there wasn’t any good news in the face of these occurrences, however. From what I understand, the overwhelming amount of giving that took place in the wake of both of these horrific events was unprecedented. My take on that reaction is that there is a glimmer out there. A glimmer of what in fact we all need to be reminded of – we are the same across the globe.

We love our families the same. We suffer the same. So many lives are being led out there that are not so vastly different from the lives we live here in this country. And after Katrina, how can anyone say that the Third World is the only true representation of poverty? 2005 was a true reflection of what binds all of us together, and that can be good news as long as we keep it in mind going into the New Year.

A short attention span toward life is detrimental in many ways. The mainstream media news shouldn’t be the only reminder that we all need more good news. Find it every day. Look around you, and it is there.

I received fantastic news this morning. My friend’s 13 month old son took ten steps over the holiday weekend all on his own. How many babies across the world saved that for their parents during this season of peace? We are all connected by the tiny triumphs that life provides us, as well as the tragedy. But the triumphs, now that is the stuff of true good news. May 2006 bring some of it to each and every one of you.