and now for a bit of Positive News...

Every now and then I become ashamed of how little I know about the happenings and history of my (our) world. Embarrassed, confused & curious. This state of mine is cyclical -

shame>interest>engagement>research>confusion>overwhelmed>helpless>cynicism>shock>confusion>anger>denial>loose interest>disengage

Each time I’ve tried to become a news hound; politics savvy and world aware. There is too much going on and already gone on for me to process. I feel like I’m stepping into the movie theatre halfway through the story. AND it is depressing! Who ever it was in their infinite wisdom that it would be a good idea to deliver a constant stream of 99%depressing and demotivating news, that focuses on the worst qualities of man, needs to be thwacked about the head with a large tabloid newspaper.

When I was at the London Vegan festivalrecently I picked up a copy of www.positivenews.org.uk It does what it says on the cover. It has been knocking around for quite a few years and is given away free in many places and its distribution run is 50,000 for each of its 4 yearly printed publications. Their website gives insight to their philosophy:

Positive News is the world’s original and leading positive newspaper. Focusing on solutions, it reports on people and initiatives that are creating a sustainable, just and fulfilling world. Positive News aims to inform, inspire and empower its readers, while helping create a more responsible and balanced media.

I think it is such a good idea and an integration of both, as the internet is now allowing us to access, would surely help to inform and then empower instead of making the majority throw their hands up in despair.

In this issue, a few articles caught my eye.

The UK has finally realised that real wealth is in the natural world and the UK Government comissioned a financial assessment of the environment, carried out by the UK National Ecosystem Assessors UK NEA. It is reported to be a groundbreaking new system of estimating our national wealth. Besides the financial benefits of cultural open spaces and natural pollution reducers the UK NEA estimated that our little buzzing bees are worth £430m a year to British agriculture. Perhaps now they will introduce tighter controls on the regulations of industrial honey production and the use of pesticides and all the other factors that have dramatically reduced our bee population.

I also was intrigued by an article about an online network for young women to share and discuss issues that they face and activly take part in making the social changes they want to see in the world. Girl Power thrives… www.v-girls.org

There are more weighty worldwide issues but for a bit of fun…because all work and no play makes us dull boys and girls.. The Fun Fed Ltd in London, UK have set up a centre dedicated to Londoners having some good clean fun. The website www.thefunfed.com promises;

‘Come along to have a laugh, forget all your worries, enjoy time with your friends and meet new ones, get some exercise without taking it too seriously, and try something a bit different. We guarantee you’ll leave feeling relaxed and invigorated, with a smile on your face’.

They host dance, improv, acting & singing all in the name of helping adults to let their hair down.

The Positive News covers lots of topics; The Dali Lama, Bolivia, permaculture, local news and book reviews are not the least of its contents.

Perhaps we could all be inspired from the people within the pages of Positive News. Wouldn’t that make better gossip..?

Do you know of anything similiar where you live?