What about now?

With the world's negativity saturating many people's thoughts, spread your arms open and take a minute to think about something good that happened today.

By Amy Hanavan

HappyNews Citizen Journalist

Every day I look for things that make me feel good which I can report as happy news. But then I worry is this really news ? I mean isn't news supposed to inform you or educate you about something you don't know?

Sometimes I struggle with the idea that my good news is silly or that readers will think it is too contrived and simplistic. But after a few seconds, I say to myself, "Who cares what anyone else thinks?" I like writing about happy news, and the sole purpose of this column is to get you to stop focusing on negative things in the world and to stop dwelling on all the awful things that could happen that haven't yet. Every time you do that—you waste another precious moment of NOW and another chance to make this minute be filled with joy, love, peace or laughter—and you do have a choice about that.

This moment of now is where our REAL power lies. Unless you have a direct line to some world leader, you don't have a way of influencing the world's political situation. Even those who do have direct access to world leaders often feel as if they have a very limited ability to effect positive change.

That is why I enjoy writing my column for HappyNews. I can encourage people to take their personal power back. Your internal source of power comes from what you are focusing on right now. So what can you notice on a regular basis that is already working well in your life? What is thriving and fueling you in a positive way? The answer to that question is really the source of energy that makes the world go round and keeps this planet going.

A part of life is always changing and becoming something new, and no human is going to change this basic principle of physics.

But the good news is that science has already proven that the way you feel about something affects your experience of it. You can effect change if you are willing to alter the way you look at something. Don't you want to feel uplifted, optimistic and excited about the future and the magic of life unfolding before you? Well I do, and I'm going to keep looking for that kind of positive news in the world and write about it as much as I can.

I have some dear friends who are on vacation this week, and every morning I walk their cocker spaniel, Austin. When I arrive at the house, he bounds over and is so excited to go outside he just can't contain his exuberance. He barks and races around the house waiting for me to gather his leash and drop the newspaper on the table.

As soon as I open the door, Austin charges down the street and stops at the first thing that catches his fancy. He must be allowed to stop and sniff anything that is new or different. His daily walk, although a short distance, can take quite a long time. He is very single-minded and will not be deterred from whatever he wants to focus on. He is oblivious to my rush to get to work or that I'm bored just standing there as he sniffs out a mound of grass or studies some construction debris on the corner.

Each morning I find myself fascinated by his absolute excitement and joy at every detail of his daily walk. He will stop and look at me wagging his tail excitably as if to show me some new delicious thing that has caught his attention. I think of how many years he has taken the same daily walk, and yet he has the enthusiasm and energy of young puppy. He is just eager to examine and explore the world that is available to him.

"I want to be more like that," I thought.

Austin has the secret to life—he enjoys every moment and takes delight in whatever shows up in his experience. Now I realize we humans are not dogs and face a lot more challenges than Austin, but he serves as a daily reminder to me this week that I have to look for things to find delight in.

One morning, when my dog duties were completed, I made my way home and contemplated the rest of my day. As I walked inside, I paused to survey the construction site I am living in while we renovate our new home. I took a deep breath and did not allow myself to think my silent but familiar litany of complaints. We are closing in on the completion of one room in the house, which is a monumental accomplishment. It will be so nice to go into one room that is completely finished and finally clean and in order. That, in and of itself, is great news to me.

As I stood admiring what had been accomplished, I was recruited to go pick out some tile for the floor and decided I was going to appreciate this latest jaunt to another home improvement store. Whenever I go into Lowes or Home Depot, I am always amazed at the vast aisles filled with every conceivable material needed to build almost anything. It is such tangible proof to me of how much goes right in the world on a regular basis. Look at all that stuff that is being imagined, invented, created, manufactured and built and then used to create even more things. It is an awesome testimony to the endless creative cycles of the world we live in.

Imagine if we heard about all of these moments every day? What kind of effect what that have on our stress? If we had good news endlessly streamed at us over our airwaves, would we be a different society? I am certain that we would.

I believe that everything matters. I once read about the phenomenon known as the butterfly effect that some scientist discovered years ago. Even the movement of a butterfly's wings as it migrates, can influence weather patterns on the other side of the world. Maybe if enough people create some new waves of thought and flutter their wings, we can effect some change in a positive way. We have to start somewhere and everything is created one moment at a time. It doesn't matter whether it is positive or negative creation, everything begins with one thought or idea that gains momentum in one direction. Just start now and think about something that you naturally enjoy. Take a walk with your dog and notice something new. Enjoy a cup of coffee, or eat your favorite doughnut. Dance to your favorite song and defy your grumpy coworkers. It really doesn't matter what you do, just start right now.

This story was produced by Happynews Citizen Journalist, Amy Hanavan. Hanavan is a citizen reporter from Orlando Florida. She has her Masters degree in Social Work, and 15 years of experience counseling and coaching people in the achievement of their goals. She consults with individuals and corporations, teaching them a concept she created called The Energy of Success. She writes extensively about the energy and power of our thoughts and our ability to use this energy to create what we want in life.

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