An unlikely hero

Picture this:

A 27-year man racing across yards, jumping fences, and cutting through homes. Hot on his trail are police officers trying to bring him down. Soon, citizens hear the commotion and start helping the cops, pointing out where he last jumped a fence or disappeared around a house. The police start closing in. The man is panting hard, the backpack he's wearing is getting heavy. He races around a corner while checking over his shoulder and BAM!!! Out of nowhere an old man rushed at him like a football player stopping the winning touchdown and lays the criminal on the ground. The criminal tries to start running again and BAM!!! A police officer rams into the criminal's chest like a semi hitting a compact followed by a sound like a deep thud from a bass drum and then it's over.

Apparently, an 82-year-old man was out weeding his garden when he heard the sounds of the police chase coming closer. He saw the criminal turn the corner around his house and head straight in his direction. Well, the old man of course decided to do what any average 82-year-old man does while weeding his garden; he called up his football-playing youth, launched into full-blown football mode, and took the guy out.

Best part about it; his name is Miracle.

Read the full story here.

Free Hugs

Need a reason to smile? Here you go.

Apparently this is old news, but I just learned about it when someone showed it to me the other day. I loved it! If you've already seen it watch it again because it's probably been a while. It will bring a smile to anyone's face.

Good job California!

California was hit HARD by the Great Recession. California racked up a monstrous $28 billion in debt as a result of several years of deficit spending. However, Governor Brown has taken the issue head on and has finally eliminated the deficit. California still has a long way to go to get rid of its debt, but this was the first big step to improving California financial health.

I believe that this is a prime example of leaders stepping up to face the new problems we face today. The governor made some gutsy and hard decisions but they paid off in the end. He didn't kick the can down the road for someone else to deal with. Instead, he faced the problem and came up with new, innovative solutions. He revived faith in Californians that things could turn out all right.

Now I realize this may sound like a compaign ad for Jerry Brown, but I really am impressed by how he tackled the situation. I also believe this example shows that we can have trust in our leaders to come up with solutions for the new problems of today. Finally, let us all strive to solve societal problems and be a positive influence for good.

Read more about what happened in California here.

A positive introduction

Have you ever walked a crowded street and watched the faces around you? Most people look straight ahead. Some may look you in the eyes, analyze you with a blank expression, and then look away. Some may catch your glance but nervously look away. But occasionally you may meet a smile; not the "I'm going to sell you something"/fake smile but the genuine smile of someone who is truly happy. They just seem to have a happiness that you can see in their eyes. Then, when they look at you you cannot almost help but smile back. After they pass you, you may feel a little happier yourself. Somehow, you may feel more positive.

Sadly, this type of positive influence seems to be the exception rather than the rule in American society. Americans are literally overwhelmed by newscasters telling the next tragic story, politicians ruthlessly ridiculing their opponents, wars and fighting in over half the world, Hollywood's psychological war against positive values, and negative forecast after forecast for the economy. On a more personal level there's the manipulative salesman at the door, a domineering boss, heavy workloads, selfish uncaring friends, whining complaining family members, depression, and pessimism. At times, the whole world seems as if it is pulling itself and you down into a pit of pessimism, anger, and sadness. Sometimes I watch the news and afterwards the world seems more sad, brutal, and hopeless then it was before. Is this really how the world is? What do you think? How do you view the world? Do you have hope for the future? Or does the future seem scary, dark, uncertain?

My answer to this question is that despite all the nay-sayers, the pessimists, the cravens, the nags, the depressed, and the uncertain, the world is a wonderful place to live and the future is filled with hope. I'm not saying that there is not going to be any hardships or suffering in the future. What I am saying is that despite hardships and suffering we can still make the most of our lives and be happy. This is true no matter what others may say. The pessimists love company in the little pits they dig for themselves. Let us not join them but rise above them and maybe even help lift them as well.

However, what is the key to being positive?

It is our perception.

It is literally as simple as "Is the cup half empty or half full?"

Therefore, my purpose for this blog is to remind myself and maybe others that the cup is half full. I will collect articles, stories, and quotes about the positive world we live in as well as write my own thoughts and feelings. Someday, this blog may be a reservoir of hope and comfort to fill the soul and lift eyes higher. At the very least, it may be a reminder to smile and maybe make someone's day a little brighter.