Right In Your Neighborhood

Bad news from around the world is relentless, and there’s not much we can do to stop it. Which is a problem, considering that exposure to bad news can negatively affect people. Studies show that a steady diet of news featuring violence or tragedy elevate stress, anxiety, and sadness. Add to that the sheer amount of information we’re exposed to through newspapers, television, the Internet, and social media, and we’re virtually drowning in negativity.

What’s the remedy?

Sticking our heads in the sand and ignoring what’s happening in the world? That’s not a great option. Instead, why not be a bright light in the midst of the darkness around us? We can volunteer a few minutes of our time each day to bring good news to people right in our own neighborhood. Investing in our communities offers us meaning and purpose that only comes from giving of ourselves. It also makes your neighborhood a more positive place to live. From coaching Little League to providing a meal for someone who’s sick to yard work on behalf of an older neighbor, the opportunities to be a light in darkness are all around us.

So, what can we do when there’s nothing we can do? Look for ways to be good news to others right in your neighborhood.