‘Feel-good’ news provides welcome change of pace

Being as this is my first semester writing for The Chart, I felt both excited yet challenged upon reading I would be writing an editorial as my second assignment.

In our lives, we are overwhelmed with negative stories in our media. We wake up and most of us within minutes look at Facebook or Twitter and are met with negativity and it is easy to get wrapped up in it. Therefore, I want to share with you a conversation I recently had with my adviser.

I live in Springdale, Ark., and one of the prominent news outlets is KFSM Channel 5. Each night at the end of the 10 o’clock news, they share a “High Five” feel-good story for the day. I mentioned this to my advisor and we immediately went to the CBS Evening News series, On the Road.

On the Road features stories about folks from every walk of life who, with no deliberate intention, finds themselves providing uplifting and inspirational stories. One such story resonated with both my adviser and me.

An elderly man named Melvin with Alzheimer’s in Little Rock, Ark., was reported missing by his wife. Little Rock police officers took the call and found him without much trouble. When the police officers ascertained what he was doing, they felt obligated to help. Before taking Melvin back to his anxious wife, they had a stop to make. When Melvin and the officers arrived back to Melvin’s home, his wife was in tears.

You see, the officers did more than help a man with Alzheimer’s find his way home. The officers helped Melvin continue a tradition, which had him bringing his wife flowers every Mother’s Day for over 60 years.

The point of this editorial? We need to avoid getting so wrapped up in the negativity that is the news. Instead, look for these uplifting stories. Often, good things are happening in our backyards. We just need to recognize them.

So next time you find yourself in a funk, go visit YouTube and take a trip On the Road.