Despite my résumé, I’m not a huge fan of today’s media. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying there aren’t loads of wonderful, ethical, idealistic journalists out there who want to make a real difference in people’s lives. In truth, this is probably the case more often than not, but they’re usually not the people who hold the purse strings. And those who do, unfortunately, seem to believe that sensationalized violence sells better. That evil should be slapped under a microscope and analyzed and theorized and replayed and dissected to the point where it’s absurd. That the monsters deserve more attention than the martyrs … because human beings are innately fearful … and that is an easy quality to exploit.
But I could go on about this forever and get nowhere. (As many, many others have done.) So instead, I’d like to share some of the sites I found last weekend, after I wiped CNN from my bookmarks and went on a search for “positive” news. They might just help you remember that for every horrible thing that happens in the world, there are a million other reasons to smile.
1. The Good News Network: This site gathers stories from around the globe. In addition to categorizing its stories by region, the Good News Network also makes it easy to find whatever your aura needs at the moment–be it cute pets, a good laugh, or a hero.
2. The Daily Good: I spent far too much time browsing this collection of inspirational stories and pictures, but it was well worth it. Start with last week’s “35 Images of Kindness Found Within Conflict,” and you just might just fall asleep a little easier.
3. Sunny Skyz: This is where I read about a rescued dog who finds comfort in a turtle costume, a homeless man who reviews and sells books rather than begging, and a 95-year-old woman who served as the flower girl in her granddaughter’s wedding. Good stuff.
4. Positive News: Published in the United Kingdom, Positive News may look like a mainstream news site at first glance, but go ahead and read the headlines. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
5. HuffPost Good News: Yes, you read that right. The Huffington Post.
6. Optimist World: In their own words, Optimist World specializes in “good news headlines, inspiring stories about charities, positive corporate social responsibility activities, sustainable travel, optimistic stories from the world of sports, and so much more.”
And if all that fails, you can always type “cute puppy videos” into your search bar and see where that takes you. Here’s a start
laurakenyon.com 