News stories to make you smile: August 14, 2017

A friend recently sent out a plea for good news coming out of the U.S. Any good news. Because lately, it seems like the already massive number of bad news stories south of the border are increasing.

As Canadians, we consume a lot of American media. But in reality, our own news isn't much better. On any given day, the ratio of negative to positive news pieces is ten to one; some days, you'll be hard pressed to find that one. If it bleeds, it leads, right?

I know a lot of people would blame mainstream media for this. But media isn't charity. It's business. Even government-subsidized news outlets have to be able to compete for ratings to survive. Which means that the fault really lays with us -- the consumers.

If we want the media to start sharing more positive stories -- and I mean real positive stories, not just celebrity updates or lifestyle trends or mom blog sound bites -- then we need to start giving our attention to the kind of stories we really want to see. In an effort to do this, I've decided to start a new type of curated post; one where I share a few of the best positive news stories I've come across each week. Maybe even each day.

Finding good news to share isn't easy. I could give you a plethora of posts on corrupt politicians, or environmental disasters, or war or famine or hate. The positive stories -- the ones that make you smile or inspire you to do better, to be better -- seem few
and far between. Some of the ones I share will probably feel like a stretch. But this just underlines why good news is needed, maybe now more than ever.

So here are a few good news stories for August 14:

Mayor of Saint John Don Darling Combats Hate with Epic Statement Celebrating Pride

"I'm a human being and it's the right thing to do." Saint John, N.B. mayor Don Darling takes a stand against hateful social media comments targeting the city's Pride parade.

'Ecstatic and Joyful': Pastor Hyeon See Lim Reunites with Family After Release from North Korea

Toronto-area pastor Hyeon Soo Lim was reunited with his family in Ontario today after more than two years in detention in North Korea.

Alberta's Oil Workers are Shifting to Renewable Energy Jobs

Since oil prices collapsed in 2014, Canada has lost more than 40,000 jobs in oil, gas and related industries. But interest in green energy training is growing, as are job opportunities in this area.

I hope you enjoy these, and please, please feel free to comment with good news of your own.

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