Processing bad news daily

Each day, as I wake up, I love to discover what’s new and exciting by listening to NPR, my favorite source of news and I’m quickly reminded how bad and rotten our world is. Navalny’s death, Ukraine abandonment, Gaza genocide, Trump’s demented lies and Biden’s advanced age.

All signs that nothing is good and a glaring absence of heart-warming, good news. What am I to do and feel amid that bleak daily universe? Like many, I’m told to manage my news intake by limiting the exposure. 

That’s right, instead of consuming news all day, a morning serving might be plenty enough. Instead of being centered on news, I should look for sources that highlight positive developments as well. Then for every bad news, I should actively seek out good news and share them when I can, as I make an active effort to connect with others to boost my mood and share my positive outlook. 

I should also look for good things to do around me and bring joy to people who need it instead of curling up into myself. While it's okay to feel discouraged by the state of the world, it's important not to let negativity consume us. By focusing more on the positive, and taking action, let’s regain a sense of hope and control in our own lives.