Be The Light: Five Links That Sparked My Interest

/ Ally Bean
INTRODUCTION

As you may remember I’ve joined a yearlong monthly event called We Are The World Blogfest.  

The purpose of this event is to highlight positive news stories, presenting them on your blog on the last Friday of the month.

This being the last Friday of May, I have a story, or five, to share with you, my gentle readers.

THE NEWS STORIES  

• A lonely snail almost gets the girlfriend of his dreams. If only.

• Newly discovered shade of blue is getting a name. Cool.

• Saving 7th century architectural history in a 20th century modern way. Smart.

• A baby otter has a lucky rescue. Cuteness.

• Mom gets honorary MBA doing what Mom’s do best. Huzzah!

MY COMMENTARY

I had a difficult time this month finding one positive news story, with a bit of depth, that fits the criteria set out for this event. With The Donald hogging the news cycle 24/7, non-political + inspirational stories disappeared.

Did you notice that, too?

Re-thinking how I could keep true to the spirit of We Are The World Blogfest, I decided to bend the rules and share the foregoing list of some fun news stories that are positive– in their own small ways.

Because, I believe, every little bit of light helps.

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{ If you’re on Facebook, there’s a Blogfest Community – We Are The World page there with connections to other people who are writing posts for this event.  I don’t do FB, but thought you, my gentle readers who like FB, and enjoy positivity, might be interested in knowing this. }

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59 thoughts on “Be The Light: Five Links That Sparked My Interest”

  2. That mom/MBA story was great wasn’t it!
    I would have been more enthused about Jeremy the Snail and his love life had the article not included the ad featuring the “beauty routine” involving some of his pals. Ummm…yuck 😦

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deb, I agree about that Mom story. I’m impressed that she was able to help like she did, and pleased that she got more out of her effort than she thought she would. Yes, I understand about your reluctance to want a snail facial, but think of poor little Jeremy and his quest for love. That story is what you were supposed to be focusing on, my dear.

      Liked by 2 people

      • I do feel for Jeremy, really I do, but I have PTSD when it comes to any creature that secretes mucous. Long story but it involves a slug, a bathing suit dried over a lakeside bush, and the very private place said slug ended up.

        Liked by 2 people

  3. You probably could have guessed that my favorite stories you shared was the snail, the new blue color and the baby otter. Made my day! Thanks for sharing. And be happy!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Beth, no surprise which stories you liked. I thought all of them were interesting. Happy to share them, but wish I could have found one story like I was supposed to. Our so-called president is making life difficult in so many different ways. *sigh*

      Like

  5. Thank you. It has almost seemed lately (like, since November?) that the only relief on social media from the outrage, yelling, and doom saying has been videos of kittens, puppies and other cute critters. And, those have been much needed.

    Liked by 1 person

    • bobcabkings, I know what you mean. Cuteness knocks hate for a loop. But I’d prefer to be reading about people who are doing inspirational things, rather than just cuteness. Sadly, I think people are still doing good out there, but it’s not being reported by the news organizations, so I can’t find it.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Otters are beyond charming. They look smiley and are playful and smart. The word ‘otter’ is even fun to say and look at.

    And I saw the College Mom story on the Nightly News the other evening–what a touching story. She is so classy and poised and selfless. The fact that she remained composed while the announcer became tearful was incredible to me. What strength!

    Liked by 2 people

    • nance, I agree about otters. Too cute for their own good.

      And I agree about how the Mom took her surprise in stride, never getting maudlin or overwrought about what she had done. I liked her instantly.

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  7. Every little bit of light does help. I was thinking this morning that there is SO MUCH goodness in this world. The problem is that evil gets more/better publicity.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Akilah, that’s the problem precisely. I looked for positive news stories almost every day in May, but found none with the kind of impact that would make them a candidate for this blogging event. It’s sad, but like you said, evil gets more publicity.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. I think there are a lot of people quietly doing great good in the world. Scientists discovering miraculous findings, social workers helping to ease the burdens of others, artists adding color and wonder to our lives. They don’t clamor for our attention, though, like those who decide to devote their lives to evil do.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Janis, I’m sure that you’re right about the goodness that is out there in the world. The problem is that when the stories aren’t reported, no one can find them [as in the case of my experience while doing this blogging event]. The news outlets have gone overboard reporting on 45, which in one way is a good thing: he needs watching all the time. But on the other hand, without some balance, the world looks like a gloomy place. ☹️

      Liked by 1 person

  10. I love that blue! The otter is so cute and yay for mom! You made me smile today, Ally, and I think in darkness, that is being the light! You know how powerful I believe smiles are 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janet, I adore that blue, too. How long until it’s a paint color at Sherwin-Williams? Thanks for the encouragement. I like how you think: a smile is the opposite of darkness. I can go with that.

      Liked by 1 person

    • curtisbausse, I’m pretty good at finding what I want online, but this month I walked away almost defeated. I spent close to an hour a week looking for one news story with some depth, but came up with lots of little tidbits like the stories I featured here. Resisting the negative, and the source of it, is getting more difficult. *sigh*

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  18. Well well well, I’m smiling 🙂 – I can feel the endorphins expanding a little bit. Loved all the stories and the new blue somehow ties in with the Medina and those beautiful doors of the ancient city. The other sweet story was otterly adorable … and kudos to Marty and Judy. May more snails be lefty – Thanks Ally Bean for your entirely charming post for #WATWB …

    Like

    • Susan, honored to contribute to your happiness. I hadn’t thought of how the color blue ties in with the history of the Medina, but so true. That poor little snail just about broke my heart. Such a burden to be so different and in search of love! Thanks for stopping by– and for getting me involved in this event.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Oh I think your post is brilliant – 5 fab uplifting stories! I love the snail tale – it’s wonderful to see true love prevail, even if it’s not exactly for the snail one thought. I’m still holding hope for Jeremy though. And well done Crayola! It was so exciting when the new blue was discovered, and I love that there might be a crayon celebrating it. I’ll be first out the door to buy one when they hit the market.

    So glad you shared these – every little bit of light DOES help and smiles are quite the light generators aren’t they?

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    • Deborah Weber, thank you. I went for the spirit of this event. I mean, what’s anyone at #WATWB going to do, fire me for not doing my job? 😉

      I’m rooting for Jeremy to find the love of his life. Such a struggle being a different sort of snail. I’m with you about buying the new crayon color. Any excuse to pretend to be a child again!

      Thanks for stopping by to add your delightful comment to the post.

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  20. Hi Ally – I tried to get the links to open – but they didn’t … still I found the cool blue – so interesting they’ve found a new pigment the first in over 200 years … just from chucking stuff onto the fire … as the alchemists of yore did … Obviously the other links are fun too – and we all need positivity to continue to laugh and enjoy life … cheers Hilary

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    • Hilary. I’m sorry that the links didn’t work for you. They’re opening for me, but I have no idea why they won’t work for you. Maybe they were on “lunch break” when you tried! Who knows? Thanks for stopping by… and trying to get a laugh here. I appreciate it.

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      • Lunch break I think it was … I’ve watched them all now … and agree amazing set of links – loved them all … especially the Moroccan one – that’s brilliant helping sustain ancient traditions … as too the Mom with her degree – amazing … loved them all cheers Hilary

        Liked by 1 person

        • Hilary, I’m glad that the links worked for you. Thanks for coming back and trying again. The internet is great, until it isn’t.

          I agree about the Moroccan history news story, I was amazed by what’s there and how people are intent of saving/maintaining it. Positive news, indeed.

          Liked by 1 person

  24. You did great finding positive, and even quirky stories. You are right about you-know-who clogging the news. So tiresome and frustrating. 😦

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  25. I have been missing the positive news stories, too. But unfortunately those aren’t the stories most people click on first so you rarely see them in the headlines. And I got no time to search for happiness–so bless you for bringing it to your blog! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • kate, I was surprised how difficult it is to find anything positive in the news. I said I’d be part of this #WATWB thinking I’d just throw a post together at the end of each month, but finding the good in the world is turning out to be more work-y than I thought it’d be. 😲

      Like

    • simonfalk28, I agree. Five stories, at least this month, are better than one. That story about the color blue fascinated me, and the otters… well cute wins the day. Thanks for stopping by to comment.

      Liked by 1 person

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