When so much of what we hear in the news is negative, I am resolving to make every effort to keep my blogs uplifting and inspiring. I learned many years ago, from a delightful mentor, to “Look for the good – and praise it.” I remind myself often to look beyond situations, circumstances, and perceived slights; to turn despair into repair, by repairing my thinking. There are, after all, two sides to every coin.
I have often lamented about the plight of so many non-human species. I have written about the destruction of our forests, the loss of biodiversity, the degradation of our soil, and the plastics in our oceans. These problems are painfully real and they cannot be ignored; but, as they remind us on every airplane flight, we must put on our own mask before we place one on our child. Permaculture design can be applied to our inner, emotional landscape, as well as to our garden. We must tend to our own mental health before we can make any positive change for the rest of the world.There is in fact, a great deal of good news. Sometimes we have to look long and hard to find it; but everyday, in some small way and even in big ways, people all over the world are making changes for the better. They are pioneering new ways of caring for our planet, to begin reducing the damage we have done. They are stumbling upon new information and hope for the future. Even while the threat of extinction looms near for many species, new species are being discovered. Some that we thought were gone forever have suddenly reappeared.
A tiny, chocolate colored burrowing frog – less than an inch in size – has been discovered in Peru. It was not new to the local people who had always known of its existence; but it was the first time a scientist was able to verify it by tracking its beeping underground. The Lilliputian frog, also known as the Devil-eyed frog, was rediscovered after nearly a quarter of a century, in the jungles of Bolivia. It is tinier still, smaller than a dime! The Satyr butterfly turned up in that area as well, after 98 years! A rare Adder’s Mouth orchid has been spotted in Madagascar.
It would behoove us all to limit the time we spend watching major television news channels that promote fear and anxiety. Let us look for at least one positive piece of news each and every day!
