Changing What's Normal - Ian Berry's Blog: Are you telling and sharing good news stories often?
Are you telling and sharing good news stories often?
All great leaders share good news stories. How many have you shared this week?
Good news stories are hard to find in newspapers, on television, in magazines, on social media. You can easily find the negative. Bad news dominate or so it seems.
Everyday we human beings are doing good and remarkable things worthy of sharing. We each have a responsibility in my view as leaders to share the good news. I am not talking about sugar coating or fluff just the great things we humans do that really matter.
The reality is the good we do is far exceeding the bad and yet the focus of media seems to be on the bad. I can't recall for examples a news bulletin beginning with a good news story.
Be a person who shares good news. Be one who shares stories about the goodness of humanity.
The following story came via email from my mother-in-law who believes this kind of story should be shared. Is it true? I don't know. Does it matter if it is or not? I have heard thousands of stories like this. And the great blessing of human life is that you and I are living stories like this. We just need to share them more.
"When I was a young boy, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighbourhood .... I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked to it.
I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear. "Information, please" I said into the mouthpiece just above my head.
After that, I called "Information Please" for everything.. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math.
Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died.. I called, “Information Please," and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?"
She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, " Wayne, always remember that there are other worlds to sing in."
"Information," said in the now familiar voice. "How do I spell fix?" I asked.
All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest . When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston. I missed my friend very much.
without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said, "Information Please."
I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying, "Could you please tell me how to spell fix?"
I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your calls meant to me.
I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls."
"Information." I asked for Sally.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this,"She said. "Sally had been working part time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago."
Before I could hang up, she said, "Wait a minute, did you say your name was Wayne ?"
Never underestimate the impression you may make on others..
Lifting you on eagle's wings.
May you find the joy and peace you long for.
Life is a journey... NOT a guided tour."