GOOD STUFF THAT HAPPENED IN 2014

As we move into 2015, the TV news shows as well as the Internet are full of the "10 Biggest News Stories of 2014". Unfortunately, most of the ones they speak of happen to be bad news stories. So many times we have to hunt for the good news stories. We might get one a week, or if we're lucky, some newscasters show a heartwarming story at the end of their broadcast. Some of those we remember; some we don't. I decided to find some of what to me mean "good stuff" that happened in 2014. If you have one or more to add to my list, feel free to put them in Comments.

I'll start off with my favorite song of the year. (Next is probably "Let It Go", but more for the message than the overall feel-good experience.) Turn it on and watch:

I defy anyone to remain in a gloomy, negative, pessimistic state while listening to Pharrell sing "Happy". You may even find yourself tapping your feet or wanting to get up and dance a little. Watching folks from all walks of life dance to it is also a lot of fun. I really got a kick out of the Park Ranger.

While stories of Ebola deaths continue to dismay us, there were some good news about it as well. We must not forget the stricken people of Africa nor the aid workers who so generously assist in their recovery. This little boy shows his happiness at being healed.

Mothers of toddlers out there: there is good news for you if your little ones like to play in the dirt and make mud pies. They may get a dose of antibiotics that will cure them of whatever might be ailing them at the time!  New Antibiotic From Dirt

Some lucky students overburdened with college loan debt were happy to hear what a nonprofit organization accomplished with donations. "Strike Debt", a group of anti-debt activists born out of the Occupy Wall Street movement, said it purchased $3.9 million in delinquent private student debt and immediately canceled it". Strike Debt

I fell in love with Pope Francis this past year! He is such a humble, saintly person who seems to follow the teachings of Jesus closer than any Pope of the past. I am particularly impressed with his statement on gays: "If someone is gay and seeks the Lord with good will, who am I to judge?"  That's just one of many reasons he is such a remarkable breath of fresh air to the Roman Catholic church.

Everyone knows what generous gifts given to charity that Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffett, and other recognizable names make each year. The young do so as well.

(Photo from boredpanda)

There is a young man that I saw interviewed on one of the news programs recently who invented the GoPro camera, which is small enough to track the flight of a bird. His name is Nick Woodman. He and his wife Jill gave the third largest gift in the U.S. last year of $500 million to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. They set up a charitable foundation in their own name, the money to be distributed to causes they support -- as yet to be decided. Mark Zuckerberg (of Facebook fame) and his wife Priscilla Chan donated nearly $1 billion to the same foundation in 2013. It is good to know that the younger generation of technical geniuses realizes the need to help those less fortunate or to invest in causes that help the world. The silicon valley foundation supports local as well as global nonprofits in the areas of education, affordable housing, transportation, and environmental issues.

There were many little animal stories for the animal lovers among us. Look at Leon Trotsky the pig in his wheelchair:

Read his story and others like his here: Amazing Animals Show Us How

Speaking of animals, In March of 2014 the United Nations International Court ordered Japan to cease the hunting of hundreds of whales in the Antarctic each year under the guise of "biological research". Have you ever listened to recordings of the sounds whales make when communicating? Beautiful, haunting melodies. Elephants, dolphins, and whales more and more appear to have human characteristics and even methods of communication. They deserve our protection.

Although we can always do better in protecting the environment and the creatures of our planet, there were many positive strides made in these areas in 2014. The Great News Network will keep you informed of the advances being made.

Here are some items of uplifting news you may not have heard yet. (These can be read about in depth at Cracked. Warning: this site has language some might find offensive.)

• The first ten years of this century had the lowest number of annual battle deaths in history, even with the two wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Does this mean we are closing in on World Peace?

• Fewer teens are drinking, smoking, and doing drugs than ever before. (Except for marijuana.)
• The United States and even the world, contrary to the ongoing fighting by jihadists, is becoming more tolerant and less hate-filled than ever before in history. This is especially true of racism and the acceptance of the LGBT community.
• The world's literacy rate is at an all-time high. In the U.S., 99% of adults can read and write, and the higher percentages in other countries is remarkable as well.
• The Number One surprising good news listed in this article is that the world's poverty rate is dropping. From 1991 to 2012 the number of the world's extreme poor was cut in half.

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On a closing note, I want to quote from a little booklet I read from each day published by Silent Unity called Daily Word. World peace was first in everyone's prayers for the new year. Unity said it beautifully:

"World peace begins with people who are peaceful within themselves. It starts with those who find nonviolent ways to settle disputes. They respect others, honor differences, and realize God is in everyone. With every person who finds tranquility, the collective energy of peace grows, like a gentle breeze stirring love within all it touches."

May 2015 find all of us filled with peace and love,
Marilyn