May 16, 2008

Sharing the Good Stuff

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed with the bad news that we forget that there are good things going on around us all the time. We can’t change the headlines, but we can seek out that which is good, that which is uplifting, that which shines with a positive radiance - the good stuff. Here’s some good stuff sent to me by my readers:

Toy’s-R-Us is the target of a lot of jokes in comedic routines, but we all shop there, don’t we? Val thinks we all should know that Toy’s-R-Us is aware that being a mega-corporation comes with mega-responsibility. Their Autism Speaks campaign recently raised $1.5 million dollars dedicated to autism research and advocacy. Did you know that they’ll help you out when you are shopping for toys for kids with special needs? I knew there was a reason I liked that place!

I love the malapropisms that pop innocently out of children’s mouths. John Tighe made me smile when he shared this one from his son, Charlie:

A few years I took my family on holiday to Spain. One evening we were all eating tapas, while watching the sunset over the Med. My son picked up a baby squid and asked what it was. “Squid” I replied.

“Oh..And what are these” he said, looking a bit bemused.

“Those are the Squids tentacles,” I answered.

At the end of the meal everyone was happy, even young Charlie. He had tried all the fish on the table and was feeling quite proud of himself.

My wife was telling him how well he had done and how not many children would try all those dishes. “Did you enjoy the fish?” she asked.

Charlie thought for a while and then said “Yes mummy, I liked the fish, but I won’t eat their testicles anymore.”

People at the nearby tables started to laugh along with my wife and I. Charlie was not impressed and went bright red.

Ah, good times.

Yep, that’s Good Stuff, John!

I recently found a blog that makes me smile every time I visit. Quiverfullfamily is well-written (something that always makes me happy!) and is chock-full of fun family stories. Y’all know I have a thing for bugs, right? I loved this recent post about kids and bugs and life and joy. Well done, my new friends!

Sometimes it only takes a small thing to bring a little sunsine into our days. Lisa, the Queen of Pith, had a happy little surprise at the gas station recently. Don’t you love it when people are nice for no reason at all?

I mentioned las tweek that I was finally “off of the couch” and starting to get involved in my own life again. I’ve kept momentum going, diggng my way out of the clutter a day at a time. It’s a good thing we have those big rubbish bins that are picked up by automated arms on the trash truck. My poor rubbish man would be worn out otherwise, with all of the stuff I’ve been getting rid of! Oh, and do check out Schwim, my big girl visitor for a free smile. Admit it, you can’t look at her without grinning, can you?

I hope you’ve had some uplifting moments in your life recently, too. Have you checked the back pages of your local paper lately? Do yourself a favor and make it a point to find the good news that never gets the bold headlines. Pick a news source anywhere in the world or something great you’ve found on the web. Better yet, share a heart-warming first-person moment that made you smile. Those little day-to-day moments that make us smile are the stuff of a happy life and worthy of sharing. Here’s your chance to recognize them for what they are and spread a little sunshine in the process. Make sure you send me a link when you’re moved to blog about something good going on. I’ll hook you up the next time we Share Some Good Stuff and then we can all feel a little better about what this world is coming to!

Technorati Tags: good news, current events, family stories, local stories, meme