From Linda Priestley, Editor-in-Chief
Unless you’re like the mean old Grinch who lives atop Mount Crumpit, you probably relish hearing good news, especially news of good deeds. Whether they happen next door or across the world, whether they’re small or momentous, heartwarming stories can make us weak in the knees and give us butterflies— like love with a capital L.
They have an amazing ability to offset the impact of anxiety-provoking bad news and promote more positive emotions, such as gratitude, hope, and trust in our neighbour. Stories of solidarity and humanitarian actions are like a love letter. Team spirit (or is it the spirit of chivalry?) gets us fired up: we, too, want to help or get involved. But even as we’re carried along on a wave of optimism, we may find ourselves buffeted by the crosswinds of distressing or even catastrophic news. That’s when it’s time to put on some rose-coloured glasses and go looking for glimmers of joy.
If you’re on social media, you can find Facebook or Instagram accounts dedicated to posting news that will warm your heart. For example, there’s the Instagram account “goodnews_movement,” which has more than five million subscribers and shares stories of goodness, progress, and positive developments from around the world every day.
The Montreal website globalgoodness.ca offers good news of both local and international initiatives, while its Facebook page is an excellent starting point for news about solidarity and human action. Just follow them and watch your algorithms change!
Similarly, good news about positive aging, here and elsewhere, has an impact. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research has long funded studies that support and promote healthy aging. Globally, the World Health Organization and the United Nations showcase active aging by focusing on inclusive cities, intergenerational programs, community support, and better access to health care.
Of course, these initiatives aren’t perfect and don’t always deliver the expected results. Luckily, those who like good news can help generate it. How? One way is to stay informed about public consultations and calls for projects. In Quebec, for example, the platform Consultation Québec allows anyone to submit proposals, comments, or ideas during consultations on aging. You can also get involved through citizen committees, forums, workshops, or local events, work with associations, or sign up for official newsletters to stay informed so you can have some influence on public initiatives.
There’s so much out there to encourage us to do good deeds and keep the good going.
