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Good News, Bad News
I just got my weekly news fix, and experienced my usual sense of gloom and doom. I indulged in my gloominess for about five minutes, which is the maximum amount of time I budget for gloom and despair these days. Instead, I decided to reflect on a different kind of news story, not nearly as sensational as the usual fare, but the kind of news I suspect is much more prevalent than we realize given the media's bias for bad news. This news story was actually covered by a St. Louis TV Station, and is about an amazing annual event that occurred this past week in our little town.
Last Wednesday, our beautiful Riverfront Trail Park was transformed into a small theme park for the annual Washington Rotary Riverfront Trail Day. This is a day dedicated to residents who cannot bike, jog or hike the beautiful 3 mile Missouri Riverfront Trail. Senior citizens and those with disabilities come from miles around to partake in their special day. Rotarians, community members and school kids volunteer their time and talent to provide support for our special guests.
Guests are assisted in experiencing the unique riverfront trail by wheel chair, or they may board a tram for a guided tour. Volunteer guides teach guests about the trail's historical significance and its ecology.
Laughter, large smiles, animated conversation and live music fill the park as folks come back from their adventure on the trail to a grand cook-out. After hamburgers, hotdogs and all the trimmings, guests enjoy ice cream sundaes, live music, bingo, historical booths, and visits with old friends and neighbors. Plenty of volunteers are on hand just to visit with guests, and to make sure they are having a wonderful time. Everything is donated. Everything is free.
The idea for this annual event was the brainchild of two awesome ladies who avidly enjoy the wonders of the Riverfront Trail year round. They began to imagine what it would be like if senior citizens and those with disabilities could have the same opportunity...just one day a year. That was 6 years ago, and each year the event grows as more and more people hear the good news and want to participate. It's hard to say who had more fun on Wednesday, the guests or the volunteers. Let's just say, "a good time was had by all."
Volunteering is a way of life in our little town. It has been going on for generations and generations. Parents and grandparents treat volunteer opportunities as a great way to raise their children, taking them along to help in various and meaningful ways. Our schools and churches sponsor students as they choose from a vast menu of projects from local to global endeavors. Rotary Riverfront Trail Days is one example of the continuous stream of good news available for those who want to tune into the Good News Network. While our community excels in volunteerism, we are but a microcosm of the way our Country works.
If there really were a news channel that dedicated more air time to good news than bad, I would be a steady viewer. I am certain that consuming a steady diet of bad news is just as unhealthy as a steady diet of junk food. Until there is such a good news channel, guess I will just tune in to my very own frequency where nearly all the news is good news. I think it is high time that good news receives the "fair and balanced reporting" we all deserve.
And now, for your coaching challenge, should you choose to accept it. What frequency are you tuning into? Good News? Bad News? Consider changing your channel to pick up on more of the good things that are happening around you. See for yourself what a difference it makes.
We'll see you on line next Monday. Wishing You Your Best Week Yet! Enjoy the Good News all around you.
Cheers! Coach Jeanne
The Quality Coach!®, Celebrating over 20 Years of Coaching Great Leaders & Teams.
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