Editor’s Comment – Good News is Everywhere, if You Want to See It Over the past week I launched the Hour of Kindness and had the pleasure of chatting about Happyzine with several reporters. One of them was pleased to see that we link through to the many good news stories that are being featured in newspapers. She said that she feels frustrated when people make the comment that the media never publish any good news and I realised she had a good point. Each week, there is a huge amount of positive news to be found in online newspapers, magazines, TV and various other modes of news. The thing is, it’s not usually on the front page. It’s only a matter of a) looking for it and it can also help if you b) know where to look. Some media outlets feature far more positive news than others, for example the New Zealand Herald tends to publish a good selection of environmental and human interest stories, as well as the dramatic headlines. And some of the smaller community based newspapers, which don’t publish online, feature nearly all good news. What’s the magic formula for finding the uplifting stories – well for me, it’s looking for it! When I’ve got my good-news ‘radars’ on, it leaps out at me, I see it everwhere. I sometimes find too much! But that’s life isn’t it? You get what you focus on. Remind me of this occasionally, will you? Charlotte Squire Good News Roundup Lets begin with a love story, it was Orchids that brought Oamaru based Margaret and Bryan Harper together several decades ago. They haven’t looked back since and the Orchid collection has flourished to over 500 high quality plants (ODT.co.nz).
Here’s another older citizen with great commitment habits – the day has finally, finally come – ninety five year old Angelo Cammarata is retiring from his bar tending job. He’s been serving in a bar for seventy six years, making the Guiness Book of Records ten years ago (MSNBC.MSN.com). Good news for the visually challenged – this is a new ‘touchy feely white stick’ for the blind. This computer tool gives people the opportunity to explore virtual words and become familiar with them before experiencing them in physical reality (aftau.org). Here’s another fresh concept from the virtual world – ever heard of a Twestival? It’s a Twitter thing. It’s designed to raise money for charities. This year’s Twestival includes people from 130 cities, they’re all comitting to connecting via the online social media tool Twitter, organising charity events and inspiring people to give (abcnews.go.com).
Could this region enjoy a good Twestival? A South African company has proven it’s faster to send data via carrier pigeon than internet. Eleven month old Winston the pigeon carried a data card eighty kilometres, taking less time than it took the country’s fastest internet provider to download the information (Stuff.co.nz). More news of the mighty bird and this time onto positive envirommental news – New Zealand TV presenter Jeremy Wells is throwing his celebritysupport in behind the royal spoonbill in Forest and Bird’s Bird of the Year poll (which opens today) because of “its spoon-like bill, its sense of humour and its devastating good looks” (Forest and Bird.org). Thanks to the New Zealand government’s new home insulation scheme, more than 7000 homes have been fitted with insulation and clean heating over the last eight weeks (People’s Times.co.nz). Conservation Week – it’s happening here in Aotearoa now. Check out events that are happening nationwide in this People’s Times article (People’s Times.co.nz). More good news about birds, a pair of Kokako have been moved to the Waitakares – these are the first Kokako to dwell in this area for more than sixty years. Recorded bird songs are being used to try to settle the birds back into the area (NZ Herald.co.nz). Tree power! Researchers at the University of
Washington have been plugging into a big leaf maple tree for a source of power (Inhabitat.com). In this great commentary Tara Robbins spends the day with a San Fransisco based urban-forager who collects food for monthly boxes of foraged goodies that include fish, herbs, mushrooms, and even sea beans. Check it out for an engaging read (Alternet.org). Introducing the male Kurandra tree frog. Dubbed the ‘fast talking frog‘ it’s among the 1300 other species that have been found in Australia since 1999 (National Geographic.com). Finally, farmers in the US are building some innovative and sustainable ideas into their day to day work. Farm-based natural resources such as cow manure and wind, are supplying increasing amounts of US farms with energy (National Geographic.com). Q & A – with Ali Scott – NLP Therapist Q – ‘I want to create a loving, stable relationship with the father of my child. I want to remain calm with him, no matter what. How can I use NLP to stop occasionally reacting to his behaviour, and become calm and stable in his presence?’
A – One of NLP’S guiding principles is inclusion. Everything is of value. Yes, that includes that reacting. It is of value in that it is trying to get you something, something very dear to you, some positive emotion or positive way of being that you treasure. That something is actually what you are trying to achieve in your heart of hearts when you do that reacting. So, let’s go find that something ……
You will know when you have found it. You will have a sense of recognition, a little bit like coming home- and most importantly, you will feel relaxed.
You might find it just asking once or you might pass through some negatives before you get it. So……What does reacting bring you?
…and then with the answer to that question.
And what does that bring you?………
…and maybe even again until you have your answer.
So now you have it practise this positive feeling/way of being. Every chance you get, get it and enjoy feeling it. Notice when you feel it most, where you feel it most.
Notice what you are saying to yourself when you’re feeling it. And then, when you are with him ask yourself “how can I make this situation even more (add in your feeling here)?”
Enjoy. Ali Scott is an NLP trained therapist, specialized in food issues and how to satisfy emotional AND physical hunger. She is also a poet and writer and uses the healing power of story and metaphor in her therapeutic work.
“After a broken marriage I was fed up with the pain and suffering that I seemed to signify growing as a person. I felt sure there must be a more creative and enjoyable way to grow and develop as a person. Learning shouldn’t hurt!
I began working with NLP and loved the constructive and practical approach to healing and growing. So learning is again a blessing.”
Ali runs face-to-face sessions in Christchurch plus nationwide phone coaching. She can be contacted at: [email protected]
03 942 7071
Ask Ali Got another five minutes, check out more good news at: Fuel your lives up with the good-news and help us put Happyzine on the map (each time you click onto our site, we grow stronger). Make Happyzine your homepage and access positive media each time you use the internet. How can we improve Happyzine for you? Let us know – we appreciate all feedback. |
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