Be Your Own Good News Author

Author: Lee Wise
Copyright date: 2003
Word count: 735 w/bio
Characters/line: 60

BE YOUR OWN GOOD NEWS AUTHOR
Creating Good News Headlines In An Often Not-So-Good World
© Lee Wise 2003 All rights reserved

"READ ALL ABOUT IT!"

In the world of literature headlines are designed to draw
our attention to the product, service or event the author
wants us to focus our attention on at any given moment.

Headlines are designed to cause us to internalize a variety
of responses. Maybe even some like these:

"I wonder if this is true? I'll check it out."

"That's right! I identify. Those other wacky diets
have failed me too. I'm going to look into this."

"Good heavens: that's awful. How could anyone think
that way?"

"My mom sure could use this. I mean, all these people
can't be wrong... right?"

"It's only that much?"

"That's interesting."

"I would like to be feel that way -- just once."

"I admire that type of person."

A good headline, in other words, causes us to respond. We
become engaged at a different level with the author because
he or she got our attention.

A good headline can be powerful.

Now hold on to that thought while I redirect your attention
to the idea of...

CREATING YOUR HEADLINE FOR THIS COMING WEEK

"Create your own headline -- what are you talking about?"

I'm talking about creating your own "good news" headline
for the week. A mental filter that will cause you to focus
your attention on the good things around you.

That's right: the good events. The common, everyday stories
of people who are doing and saying things that bring beauty
into our world.

The wife who gently kisses her child in a grocery store
after work -- even though she is exhausted.

The laughter you hear down the hall because someone is
a bright individual and others relate to him or her.

The person you work with who takes time to write a
sincere note of thanks for a seemingly small act on
your part.

The phone call that meant so much.

The friend who loaned you his car while yours was being
repaired.

The good news you heard on the television.

A QUESTION FOR YOU

What title could *you* give to a headline that would cause
you to *actually see* the small, and not-so-small, good
around you for a short period of time?

"How about a few examples?" I hear you ask.

Sure. Not a problem ;-)

"Caught in the act of doing good"

"Scores of people encouraging others"

"Parents helping their kids"

"So many good things it's hard to keep track!"

"The little things do get noticed!"

"Kindness seen in the most obvious places"

"Needs being met in every section of town"

"Good news in the news!"

Think with me for a moment...

If you were to write a short story filled with examples
that would fit the headlines listed above -- examples from
your everyday world, -- you would have to look for them,
wouldn't you?

And that's precisely the idea.

SOMETIMES LIFE JUST AIN'T PRETTY

Before you ask why I'm suggesting this, I will tell you:
sometimes the world is not a pretty place.

I have in front of me a newspaper, and I am reading
headlines like these...

"Feds targeting prescription fakes."

"Pakistan kills 12 in al-Qaida bunker"

"Weekly Iraq toll: 3-6 killed, 40 hurt"

"Parents face charges in duct-taping"

In spite of these headlines, however, there is good in the
world.

Good people doing good things.
Good people saying good things.

Everyday.
In your world and in mine.

My purpose in suggesting this exercise is simnple...

I WANTED US TAKE NOTE OF THE GOOD WE OFTEN MISS

Creating our own "headlines" for the day or week is an
idea to help us draw our attention to the brighter side
of life.

In my way of thinking...

"It's always good to see the good."

WHAT WILL YOU SEE?

Time to create your own "good news" headline for this week.

Your headline will be ______________________________________

____________________________________________________________

When you will begin ________________________________________

When you will end __________________________________________

Remember: "What you see is what you get."

Yours for a day filled with beautiful moments in time,

Lee

-------------------------------
Lee is a seminary administrator, has a part-time business
at home, and writes two motivational ezines: "A Beautiful
Moment In Time" and "Hope For Daily Living." Permission
is given to distribute article. This paragraph must be
included. Email: Lee@seariches.net
Link: http://www.seariches.net