Great News. 📰

Published: Thu, 01/14/21

I’m starting something new in 2021. It’s called Great News.

And that’s exactly what it is.

Once a month or so, I will send you a collection of news that is purely good, uplifting, delightful—news that inspires a feeling of hope for the future. (I think we all need an influx of hope these days.)

It’s important to be aware of what’s happening in the world—the hurt, the pain, the broken systems, the problems that urgently need to be solved. We need to stay informed. We need to do our part to fix the things that aren't working.

At the same time, sometimes you just need a dose of pure joy. Like medicine. To help you get through the week ahead.

I hope Great News can be that medicine for you.

Here is the very first installment of great things, in no particular order...

- Here is a lovely place where you can get (or give) a virtual hug.

- The folks at NASA have a collection of coloring books and activity books for kids (and space lovers of any age), and they’re all free to download.

- Did you know there’s a documentary series about Seeing Eye Guide Dogs for the Blind and how they are diligently trained for their profession? It is the sweetest and most heartwarming thing I’ve ever watched. I wept profusely.

- After closing its doors due to COVID-19, an opera house reopened and singers performed to a live audience…of plants. After the show, a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves and sounded like applause. Then, all the plants were planted in the ground. You really have to see the photos.

- Caitlin Gooch, who goes by The Black Cowgirl, founded a program called Saddle Up and Read. She uses horses to get kids interested in reading. She rides a horse to deliver books to children and the kiddos go bonkers with excitement. So brilliant.

- For the first time in US history, we have a Native American woman—Deb Haaland—serving as Secretary of the Interior. Haaland says, “A voice like mine has never been a Cabinet secretary or at the head of the Department of Interior. I’ll be fierce for all of us, our planet, and all of our protected land.”

- Anita, a Pilates instructor, photographer, and lovely gal who reads this newsletter, is turning 50 years old. She told one of her friends, "All I want for my birthday is a whole bunch of balloons that say Nifty at Fifty." Well, her dream came true.

- International Letter Writing Week happens every year, second week of January. That’s now! These two women, who live on opposite sides of the world, have been pen pals for 70 years and have written to one another, consistently, without any gaps, through “schooling, marriage, parenthood, joy and loss.”

- Here is a workbook I made awhile ago (it’s free) called One Letter Today with letter writing tips and inspiration. One piece of snail-mail can make such an impact in someone's day.

- Also, did you know, you can write letters to seniors living in assisted care facilities who might be feeling lonely. Here’s one program that coordinates this.

- Mikaila started a lemonade stand when she was 4 years old, using a recipe from her great-grandmother. Now she’s 13 and sells 360,000 bottles of lemonade per year. She also donates a portion of profits to charities. Tiny projects can grow into big things.

- My parents, Don and Dale, will be celebrating 37 years of marriage soon. My mom vehemently swore she would never get married again (she did, to my dad), and she'd never have any more kids (she had two more, me and my sister). Their love story reminds me that hearts can change, minds can change, and life can be very surprising. You might shock yourself...in wonderful ways. Congratulations, mom and dad.

- A great song: "Sunday Best" by Surfaces. “Every day can be a better day despite the challenge. All you gotta do is leave it better than you found it.”

- Last but not least: those of you who’ve worked with me in the past know Woz Flint, my incredible right-hand gal, project coordinator, and community manager. Her son Xion, age nine, decided to start his own newspaper. He wrote stories. Got it printed. Distributed copies to neighbors. And he even approached a few folks and asked them to become sponsors and advertisers. They said YES. He has become a local hero and people eagerly await the next issue of his paper. Exclusive sneak peek at Xion's paper: here and here.

. . .

Find a way—any way, big or small—to leave the world a little better than you found it.

Plant a tree. Cook a meal. Mail a letter. Lead a program. Print a newspaper for your neighbors. Give your employees an unexpected bonus. Unlock a door for a colleague, and help someone get noticed or get hired. Help someone learn a new skill, or feel a little more powerful.

Making the world better doesn't necessarily have to be public or flashy. It can be quiet and private. It all helps. It all counts.

Tiny efforts add up to big things.

-Alex

PS. My friend Sarah made this gorgeous music playlist. Great music for a long walk, work-time, writing, whatever you might be doing today.

PPS. Do you have some Great News you'd like to share? *Reply* to this email. Tell me and my team what's making you smile. We might include your piece of Great News in the next installment. We love Great News.

PPPS. Go outside or open a window. Breathe in some fresh air. Even just for twelve seconds. You will feel better.