Fall 2016 "Good News" Group Challenge

[Bucky]

Hi everyone - as promised, welcome to our Fall 2016 Challenge. 

It's been two years since I've had a group challenge on our forum - so, it's time to get back into the challenge mode.

These challenges are open to all our members - the more that participate, the merrier.     I realize not all challenges are something people want to participate in - and that's fine - however, please don't ruin it for those of us who do wish to participate.  No Debbie or Steve Downer's please.

So . . . here we go.  Our Fall 2016 Challenge is a "Good News" Challenge.  It seems for some time now there is so much negativity, so much sad, depressing news bombarding us each day on the news or social media.  There are few uplifting, feel good, encouraging news stories.

They say "good news" doesn't sell - the tabloids and media are full of drama, name calling, senseless acts of violence, weather tragedies, etc. 

There's got to be some "good news" out there - news that warms your heart and inspires us - that leaves us feeling good, not depressed.

Here is your opportunity to share some "good news" - whether it is something local to where you live, something at school or work, or maybe, something personal in your own life.  It can be whatever you want it to be.  (Just keep in mind, that what you post on the forum goes out into cyberspace for all to read - you might want to keep names of people or towns omitted from your post to protect your identity.)

Maybe it is something you observed in your day-to-day life, a good deed someone did without expecting something in return.  Or, perhaps, you can create a "good news" situation for someone.

Part of the challenge is for you to come back here, and share your "good news" with us.   

As Anne Murray's song goes . . . . "we sure could use a little good news today".  I'm looking forward to hearing your "good news". 

Bucky

"Along your pathway of life you will observe that you are not the only traveler.  There are others who need your help.  There are feet to steady, hands to grasp, minds to encourage, hearts to inspire and souls to save."       Thomas S. Monson

[Bigleyj]

Hi,

I'd definitely like to participate 😀

Jo.

[Scottietottie]

Nice Challenge Bucky! 

[warmwaters]

I'm in. It's something I've been trying to work on for myself the past few weeks, as I realized had gotten into a funk of "my life is yucky".

[Linda196]

Having read this early this morning ( it's 1:30 PM now) I've found myself actively looking for "good news" and that has already made my day so much better than it might have been!

Nothing earth shattering has happened, but the temperature climbed rapidly from 0C to a balmy 14C, the sun is shining and the autumn colours are coming into their own, so the next few weeks should be amazing!

[Bucky]

Day #2 - "Good News" Challenge

Hi everyone - I'm glad to see we have several people who are going to join in our group Fall challenge.    Anyone reading this can join in our challenge at any time. (I haven't determined how long this particular challenge will be yet - it could be two weeks, or possibly longer - we'll see.)  Linda - nice picture you posted (which I know you made -and by the way, you are the adventurous one, I thought maybe you would join in!)

Last night on the national evening news I was pleasantly surprised they had two "good news" pieces - good for them!

I have a friend that lives in South Carolina.  Sherry's children attend the same school system that experienced that tragic, senseless shooting of two innocent children and a teacher last week.  One of the children died from his injuries.

Such a tragic loss of life for a little boy named Jacob, who was 6 yrs. old.

Yesterday was Jacob's funeral.  They had a Superhero themed funeral for Jacob.  Sherry wrote, "The school asked everyone to wear their superhero shirts.  So sad, but heartwarming to see a community, really the whole state, respond in such a loving way for this boy and his family."

I saw pictures of Batman (driving a sweet looking batmobile), Spiderman, Captain America, Wonder Woman, and a Mutant Ninja Turtle and many other people dressed in superhero outfits.

A community taking a very sad situation and turning it into a celebration of superhero's to honor Jacob and his family.

What piece of good news do you have to share today?  Have a good day!

Bucky

"Good deeds, create good will, which opens the heart to the good news."        Eric Swanson

[Bigleyj]

Hi All,

My good news is that a colleague I have worked closely with for the past 3 years has secured herself a terrific new job.

Its better hours and pay and importantly should be more rewarding. I am thrilled for her.

She will be running a project to assist disengaged young people into training.

Cheers,
Jo 😀

[warmwaters]

Today a friend came over for lunch.  She offered to drive to my place, and I said yes (always hard for me to take help).

We had a nice time, talked about what's happening in our lives, about our (adult) kids.

It was a good day.

[Bucky]

Day #3 "Good News" Challenge

Hi everyone - happy Friday to y'all!

Are you finding any "good news" in your day-to-day life?  Something that puts a smile on your face, encourages you, and makes you feel good?

Jo - congratulations to your colleague on her new job - it sounds like it will be something positive for her.  Warmwaters - lunch with a friend is always good. 

I got to be a part of a "feel good" moment yesterday when I was out shopping.  I had decided that I was going to take some birthday money I had gotten a couple of months earlier and get a few new pieces of clothing.  It never fails, when I have the extra money to make a purchase, I can't find anything I like.

I had found a top I liked, so I was standing in line to check out.  There were two people in front of me.  The one gal was checking out and had quite a bit of infant clothes the cashier was ringing up.  After totaling this ladies merchandise, the clerk told the gal she owed more money (I'm not sure if she had paid part of it with a gift card or what).  The lady got out her checkbook and wrote a check for the balance of her purchase.  The clerk tried entering her check several times in her computer with no luck.  The clerk mentioned that she had had a problem with personal checks earlier going through the system.

The lady checking out didn't have any cash or credit card with her, so she told the clerk she would put some things back.

I'm only hearing bits and pieces of the conversation from where I was standing.

Next thing I know, to my surprise - and without hesitation, I step up and ask the clerk how much more she needs for her purchases.  She told me $30.  So, I take $30 of my birthday money and pay the clerk.  The lady checking out tells me, "you don't have to do that - I'm sorry, I don't have any more checks" . . . and I told her I wanted to.  She gave me a big hug and told me, "I will pay forward your kindness to someone else".

You never know when an opportunity will present itself for you to reach out to help someone when you least expect it. I bought several pieces of clothes that day - just not all for me.  Birthday money well spent! I probably felt better paying her bill than the lady felt receiving a gift.

What good news do you have to share?

Bucky

"Sometimes the strength within you is not a big fiery flame for everyone to see, it's just a tiny spark that whispers ever so softly, "Keep going. You got this!"    One Spark Foundation

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I have good news today. Had a partial knee replacement 10 years ago and was told its life span is between 10 and 15 years. Went for my 10 year check up today and everything is just fine. Yay!

next check up - 5 years down the line.

Take care - Scottie 

[warmwaters]

Bucky - love your good hearted impulse! Really nice.

My good news for the day is that a couple of months ago I signed up for a college student mentoring program. It's online, and you write a little bio and describe what kind of help you'd be willing to give.  I already have one student I'm helping.  I was contacted by another today, and he wants help figuring out if he chose the right major. He thinks maybe he made a mistake.  I'm so excited to hear more about his situation and to try to help him figure out whether it's just something currently happening, or if he really needs to make some changes.

I like talking with people, and I like helping people. So I'm happy to have a chance. Plus talking with young people, I learn what's new these days.

[Linda196]

My good news for today started with a potentially sad story 9 days ago. In the northeastern part of the province where I live, a small pod of dolphins had stranded themselves in a deep water area, some distance from open water. Seven dolphins appear to have swum into the area at high tide and would not leave the safety of the relatively deep area near the town's bridge. Unfortunately, one of the pod died since the dolphins were stranded. To reach open ocean, the dolphins needed to swim through a kilometre-long, shallow channel.

Today, with the assistance of  fishery officers and experts from Marine Animal Response Society, the six surviving dolphins were herded to open water. Five boats with fishery officers, MARS experts and volunteers used a combination of acoustic sonar, bait and placed a weighted barrier wall behind the dolphins.

The dolphins were herded from the harbour to the sandbar and some of the dolphins were able to swim over. A fisheries officer said the dolphins that were unable to do so were moved to open water with dolphin stretchers.

Fisheries officers are continuing to monitor the pod, to see if they leave the area.

[Bucky]

Day #4 "Good News" Challenge

Hi - Happy Saturday!!   

Scottie - what really good news that your partial knee replacement is doing great after 10 yrs.  Yay for you!

Warmwaters - the student mentoring program sounds interesting.  I'm sure both of the students will benefit from your insight and help.  Thanks for sharing your talents.

Linda - how fortunate for the dolphins that all those people helped them get back to the open water.  Swim away, swim away.  Whenever I see a dolphin, I always think of the old "Flipper" show.

Yesterday at work, we had a guest come that is a retired high profile government person.  On the news, you sometimes see important people who are diva's and expect special treatment, who don't associate with the "common" folk, and think more highly of themselves than they should.

Not everyone is like that.

This person didn't have any bodyguards or secret service personnel with him - it was just him a friend playing some golf. He was cordial and friendly and even talked with us "common" folk.     He's been to our place before, and I'm sure he will be back again.

I definitely live a different lifestyle than this person does - I don't have all the money and all the things money can buy like he does, I don't know all the celebrities and important people he knows - but, in the end, as different as we are, we both put our pants on one leg at a time!  ha ha  He's a good, down-to-earth kind of person.  He even said hi to me when I walked past him (which I did on purpose, as I heard him talking just outside my office . . . hehe).

Have a good weekend . . . keep those good news stories coming in.  To those of you who are just reading here . . . come on, join in the fun . . we'd love to have you.

Bucky

"Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news.  The good news is that you don't know how great you can be!  How much you can love!  What you can accomplish!  And what your potential is!"         Anne Frank

[Bigleyj]

I don't know how it got to day 4 already lol.

Many months ago we made arrangements to have my sons (Anthony) 21st at our favourite Chinese restaurant on the 5th November. He wanted it the weekend after as his actual birthday is on the 8th but for some reason I knew it would be better to have it on the 5th.

Found out today that Brigette (his girlfriend of over 4 years) has clinical placement for her nursing degree starting on the 7th November. If we had the party the week after the 5th she would not have been able to come.  Good news 😀😀

It's really great to read all the good news from everyone.

Keep smiling,
Jo.

[Bucky]

Day #5 "Good News" Challenge

Hi - Happy Sunday!

I hope everyone is having a good weekend.  Our thoughts and prayers to the people living along the East Coast in the U.S. as they deal with the effects of Hurricane Matthew this weekend.

Jo - planning ahead does help, doesn't it?  I'm glad Anthony's 21st celebration will also get to include Brigette. (My son turns 21 in Dec.)

Today's good news is about a local heart transplant survivor who is celebrating 20 years of life with a new heart!

The organ donation gift that a grieving family gave of their sons heart so someone else could live.

Kent has taken good care of his new heart - he has coached his children in sports, he's physically fit, loves the outdoors, and is enjoying life to the fullest.

Does anyone else have some good news to share?  We have almost 1400 members on this forum (granted, not everyone comes to the site all the time), but surely there are more of you who can join us in sharing good news.

Enjoy your Sunday - do something fun today.

Bucky

"Train your mind and heart to see the good in everything.  There is always something to be grateful for."    SimpleReminders.com