Now hold on to that thought while I redirect

　　Author: Lee WiseCopyright date: 2003Word count: 735 w/bioCharacters/line: 60 BE YOUR OWN GOOD NEWS AUTHOR Creating Good News Headlines In An Often Not-So-Good World © Lee Wise 2003 All rights reserved"READ ALL ABOUT IT!"In the world of literature headlines are designed to drawour attention to the product, service or event the authorwants us to focus our attention on at any given moment. Headlines are designed to cause us to internalize a variety of responses. Maybe even some like these: "I wonder if this is true? I'll check it out." "That's right! I identify. Those other wacky diets have failed me too. I'm going to look into this." "Good heavens: that's awful. How could anyone think that way?" "My mom sure could use this. I mean, all these people can't be wrong... right?" "It's only that much?" "That's interesting." "I would like to be feel that way -- just once." "I admire that type of person."A good headline, in other words, causes us to respond. Webecome engaged at a different level with the author becausehe or she got our attention.

 A good headline can be powerful. Now hold on to that thought while I redirect your attentionto the idea of...CREATING YOUR HEADLINE FOR THIS COMING WEEK"Create your own headline -- what are you talking about?"I'm talking about creating your own "good news" headlinefor the week. A mental filter that will cause you to focusyour attention on the good things around you. That's right: the good events. The common, everyday storiesof people who are doing and saying things that bring beauty into our world. The wife who gently kisses her child in a grocery store after work -- even though she is exhausted. The laughter you hear down the hall because someone  China Candle Stands is a bright individual and others relate to him or her. The person you work with who takes time to write a sincere note of thanks for a seemingly small act on your part. The phone call that meant so much. The friend who loaned you his car while yours was being repaired. The good news you heard on the television. A QUESTION FOR YOUWhat title could *you* give to a headline that would causeyou to *actually see* the small, and not-so-small, goodaround you for a short period of time? "How about a few examples?" I hear you ask. Sure. Not a problem ;-) "Caught in the act of doing good" "Scores of people encouraging others" "Parents helping their kids" "So many good things it's hard to keep track!" "The little things do get noticed!" "Kindness seen in the most obvious places" "Needs being met in every section of town" "Good news in the news!"Think with me for a moment...

If you were to write a short story filled with examples that would fit the headlines listed above -- examples from your everyday world, -- you would have to look for them,wouldn't you? And that's precisely the idea. SOMETIMES LIFE JUST AIN'T PRETTY Before you ask why I'm suggesting this, I will tell you:sometimes the world is not a pretty place. I have in front of me a newspaper, and I am readingheadlines like these... "Feds targeting prescription fakes." "Pakistan kills 12 in al-Qaida bunker" "Weekly Iraq toll: 3-6 killed, 40 hurt" "Parents face charges in duct-taping"In spite of these headlines, however, there is good in the jewelry Storage box for sale world.Good people doing good things.Good people saying good things.Everyday. In your world and in mine. My purpose in suggesting this exercise is simnple..