In the book, we read that whatever you focus on, you create. So if you focus on the war - even if what you say is "I HATE the war, I want to STOP the war" and so on - you are really focusing on the war, and thus adding your energy to the energy that created it. (I don't want to get all involved in the war controversy here - it just makes a good example) Mother Theresa said it best, "I will not attend an anti-war rally, but if you ever have a peace rally, please invite me." Focus on peace and you will increase the peace in the world.

I think, especially here in the U.S., we have a tendency to focus on the violence, the misery, the things that are wrong with life. Look at the news reports on any given day - be it the local newspaper, or the network news, or even the top headlines for CNN that is on your home page. Is there one single happy or joyful news story there? No. We focus on the misery, and I believe we are one of the most miserable countries on the planet. Which is a bit ridiculous, given that we are also one of the richest and most blessed.

To balance that endless stream of negative news stories, I have a couple of suggestions. One is a site that is becoming somewhat overrun with SPAMMY submissions, but still comes up with some great things - HappyNews.com and my personal favorite, of late, Reasons to be Hopeful - a blog that shares a daily story of hope.

Should you visit "Reasons for Hope" today, you'll see a lovely story about a news service in Britian who made a list of people who make life in Britain HAPPY - as a counterbalance to their 100 richest people list. And - just to emphasize my point about the U.S. focusing on misery - it is mentioned that when the Wall Street Journal queried their readers if they would like such a list - the answer was a resounding "no". Who would want to waste time on happiness when there is money to be made, eh?

Another lovely story I read today is The Day I Met Lance Armstrong. It made me smile, shed a tear, and agree with those last points. You never know who you may meet, how they will affect you, how you will affect them. A life can be changed in a matter of minutes by the actions of a complete stranger. It reminds us to live mindfully, with our eyes, minds, and hearts open, and the person who will benefit most is probably ourselves.

Blessedbe