4 Good Things to Brighten Your Day

Hi. Welcome to Bloom Anywhere. I'm Gwen Moran, a writer, editor, author, and problem-solver. My goal is to share information, ideas, and resources to help you overcome obstacles, reach your goals, and find more joy in life, even when things are messy. Thanks for joining me. (If you got this from a friend, subscribe here: Bloom Anywhere.) I'd love your feedback and suggestions for future topics. Please send me an email: connect@bloomanywhere.com.

Most of the time, I believe that goodness prevails. I don’t mean that in a toxic positivity, “everything will be okay” way. But, I do believe that the proportion of people who have more light than darkness inside of them weighs more heavily on the side of “good.”

The world feels heavy and dark now, but many people are still doing good things, making a difference, and shining their light. And we all need a dose of light right now. Here are four examples.

The Peace Walk

Back in late October, nearly two dozen monks (and their dog, Aloka) left their home in Fort Worth, Texas, and embarked on a 2,300-mile walk to promote peace, healing, unity, and compassion. They have been walking through heat, rain, snow, and other conditions on their way to Washington, DC. They are expected to arrive at their destination on February 12. You can follow their journey on their Facebook page. During their walk, they are also raising funds for their temple.

The Kindness of Strangers

I know first-hand how cold it gets in Syracuse, New York, having spent four winters there during my college years. So, this CBS News story of Rhea Holmes, a widow who slipped into depression and was evicted from her home after her husband died suddenly in 2020, really hit home. Holmes was living in a local cemetery where her husband was buried when Syracuse Police Officer Jamie Pastorello was called to the scene. Pastorello took charge and, in a few weeks, turned Holme’s life around with the help of LeMoyne College, nonprofit A Tiny Home for Good, and GoFundMe donations. Holmes now has a place to say—and a new friend who went the extra mile to help someone who needed it.

The Heroes Fighting Cancer

Cancer is a despicable thief, leaving grief and destruction in its wake. As a cancer survivor, I am often a sounding board for friends and acquaintances who are newly diagnosed. My mantra to them is that the medicine gets better every day. Even in the 15 years since my diagnosis of and treatment for early-stage breast cancer, the protocols and recommendations have changed.

​This ​Dana-Farber Cancer Center piece details some of the more recent breakthroughs, ranging from novel targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to advances in early detection and treatment selection to personalized cancer vaccines. Beyond the headlines about cancer funding cuts, there are legions of cancer researchers continuing their work to the best of their ability, searching for treatments and cures for all types of cancers. That is something for which we should all be very grateful.

Citizen Scientists Help Conservation Efforts

Southwest of Syracuse is another place that has a piece of my heart: Cornell University. It’s my daughter’s alma mater and the longtime employer of my dear friend’s husband, who worked at the Lab of Ornithology as the editor of its magazine. (Ithaca is a great town.)

Each year, the Lab of Ornithology holds its worldwide Great Backyard Bird Count in February. This year, it’s February 13 through 16. Simply share the birds you observe in your area, and you play a role in helping researchers learn about bird populations to help conservation efforts. You can even watch the reports roll in from citizen scientists around the world on this map. National Geographic Education also lists several other citizen scientist projects in this article.

What's Your Good News?

Have you come across some good news, hopeful breakthroughs, or other life-changing (or maybe just mood-boosting) news in your travels? I’d love to know about it. I plan to share good news in future newsletters. Send me your thoughts about that and anything you’d like me to share: connect@bloomanywhere.com.

Bloom Drops

Things I want to share with you.

Finding good news: Sometimes, you need to work harder than others to find good news. But some places routinely provide it. The Good News Network curates uplifting, positive stories that will often put a smile on your face. And Today.com has a channel called Good News, devoted to just that. And while The Optimist Daily may sound cloying, it’s filled with solutions-oriented stories that share ideas that work to make the world better.