Make a Difference

Most of us feel fortunate not to be in the public eye.  Why?  Have you read the "news" lately?  Most of it is negative and burdensome.  No wonder there are so many people suffering from depression... So much negativity and too many critics!

It seems that anything goes when it comes to "a story."  Much of the media twist events in a negative way to spark our emotions.  We buy it and react!  It seems society used to try and avoid the gossip, except for tabloid journalism.  Now, the biggest part of mainstream news seems to be tabloid material.

Quite honestly, I find it disgusting.  There are terrible things happening and we should be aware of them.  But why focus on the negative?  

The law of attraction states that like attracts like.  When we focus on negative things, it takes over our thoughts.  Negative attracts negative and creates more of it.  Likewise, positive attracts positive...and multiplies!

The following quote helps me put things into context.  It gives credit to those who work to make a difference; and it provides me hope and courage as I strive to do the same.

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled and fell, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena: whose face is marred by dust, sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again…who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; and at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."  Teddy Roosevelt, The Man in the Arena

Another favorite quote comes to mind.  (Like attracts like...☺️)

"What I am suggesting is that each of us turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good among those with whom we associate, that we speak of one another's virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults, that optimism replace pessimism, that our faith exceed our fears. When I was a young man and was prone to speak critically, my father would say:  'Cynics do not contribute, skeptics do not create, doubters do not achieve.'"  Gordon B. Hinkley, The Continuing Pursuit of Truth

So forget about the critics.  There will always be critics.  Do something worthwhile.  Don't be distracted from worthy causes.  Make a difference!  We can change the world by accentuating the positive.

And remember:  "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about."  Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray