Beech Tree News Network

When my cats are outside and I call them to come inside for food, I’ve noticed that they

don’t make a beeline for the door. Instead, they will take a few hurried steps, then stop,

turn around and look behind them. They do this more than once on their way to the

house. There are coyotes in the area, as well as large dogs next door, and tomcats

who come around from time to time. They know there are dangers. Once inside our

four walls, they settle down, eat, sit in my lap or sit on the bar stool in front of the dining

room window, where they watch the birds on their version of cat TV. Once they become

bored, they go to the door, and I will let them back outside so they can involve

themselves in whatever new adventures they can find. They don’t let the things that

could happen keep them from experiencing the things that are happening. My cats

have taught me so much about just being.

Recently, I heard someone say, “Bad news breaks suddenly. Good news

happens everywhere, all the time.” That is very important to remember, because our

brains seem to be wired to a negativity bias, which means that the brain’s natural

inclination is to focus on bad, what-if scenarios. When you do that, you end up with a

skewed perception of reality.

I watch the news every day. I scroll through the gloom and doom on fb, and

there are people in my life who call or text me to tell me how bad things are. I watch, I

read, I listen, but what I don’t do is internalize it all, and that does take effort. Bad news

always shouts at you, “Look over here!” Good news is like the voice of God in Elijah’s

gentle breeze. Good news goes about its own business bringing help and hope and

love and encouragement with it.

Good news is carried in the arms of good people. You’ve seen them. You know

them. They bring food to you when you have lost loved ones, and they sit with you,

offering comfort. They help you bring in firewood when you’re hurt. They celebrate the

birth of your children. They tell you things will be alright. They don’t show up with

agendas filled with political opinions. They know if you wanted that, you could watch

the news. They don’t tell you the world is going to hell in a handbasket. They know you

hear that every day from at least someone you know, someone who won’t make the

effort to find good, because finding good and doing good does take effort.

Here's some good news from our county. Last week, one of Butler County’s

middle school students took home a fourth-place award for an essay she entered in a

state-wide contest for Beta Club members. Do you know how incredible that is? One of

our local officials posted on fb a need for warm clothing and tents for the homeless in

our area—he offered to pick up and deliver the items. Do you understand how much

compassion that takes?

All around us, there are people who are teaching others how to play a musical

instrument, how to paint, how to write, how to sew, how to cook, how to be a decent

human being.

One of the most important things I have ever learned is that whatever you set

your eyes on, and subsequently your mind, that is the direction in which you will

walk—literally and figuratively. I chose long ago to walk in the sunshine and to try really

hard to bring good news with me