Are there any good people stories?

I could use a good human story.
There is far too much bullshit being posted on social media platforms and so much fake stuff that I am ready to retreat to the deck with only a drink, a cigar, and a book.
Forever.

To be fair -- 
I have a good life and recognize the joy I find in simple things -- blooming flowers, singing birds, dragonflies hunting in my backyard, etc. Nature provides me with many hours of pleasure just by observing what is going on around me. 

However, human nature often brings me down. 
I seem to find far much more corruption than kindness among my fellow humans. People seem more hurtful than helpful. 
Please convince me that I am wrong.
I need some good human stories.

Good human stories don't have to be anything spectacular. Simple kindness is enough for me. 
Tell me something good!

John

Good Friday

It's Friday of a long, hard week.
Tell me something good!

Mexico is wrapping up the winter league baseball season and the Charros of Guadalajara are in the finals! Aaron and I will be making the trip to see tonight's game three with the seven game series tied at 1-1. All three of the games in Guadalajara are sold out, so we were lucky to get tickets. We'll spend the night at an Airbnb and return to Puerto Vallarta in the morning. 
It's been awhile since Aaron and I have been to a baseball game together and I am looking forward to it. 

In addition to enjoying my time here in PV, I have my implant (dental) surgery scheduled for 2/5. 
It's pretty crazy that I can pay for the implants and the two round trip airfares for less than the cost of implants (same manufacturer) in the US with my insurance. If the cost of dental implants is keeping you from getting them and you are interested in a little medical tourism trip, let me know and I'll put you in touch with my dentista.

Tell me something good.

John

Good Friday!

Hey! Let's make it a Good Friday!
Tell me something good!

I am going to meet a friend for lunch today. I am looking forward to this. Time spent with this guy is always so energizing and informative. We will each bring a sandwich or lunch to a local brewery (that doesn't serve food) and then spend a couple of hours visiting and catching up on life or sharing thoughts. 

It's my third lunch meeting of the week, which is highly unusual.
Monday was a long overdue lunch with another friend (yes, I have two), and yesterday was a volunteer chaplain lunch meeting at Mercy Hospital in Aurora.
Last night was barchurch, so I'm pretty maxed out on people exposure, but today is different. Time with this friend is more energizing and uplifting than time spent with most people.
As I said -- I am looking forward to this.

What's good in your world?

John

Good Friday!

Tell me something good!
Please!

I've been scrolling through my social media feeds and reading the news, so I am in need of some good news. Part of my good news comes from simply making the choice to quit reading so much bullshit and moving on to something else.
Something else for me is going to be moving up to the pool and enjoying the pool and the sunshine before the day is too hot to enjoy. 

So, what do you have for me?
Something good you've done or are doing
Something good that has been done to you or for you
Something good that you've heard or read about

Let's share some good news!

John

Tell me something good -- please!

How about some good news for this Friday?

I've been scrolling through news feeds this morning and it is pretty depressing and frustrating. I could use something good to read about.

I did kind of a big deal for me this week -- I bought a Red Access membership for the Springfield Cardinals baseball team. That gets me ten ticketed seats plus general admission (GA) access to every home game this season. I went to the game this past Wednesday when Waino had a rehab start. I do enjoy going to day games in Springfield. They have back-to-back day games scheduled for the first week in May and I'll probably go to both of them.

Although I am not a big fan of crowds and there are always people that are jerks, the stadium isn't a bad way to spend an afternoon or evening, and I really don't mind going to the game by myself. I may need to scout around to find the ideal GA place for game viewing. Typically I use the benches that line the wall behind the home plate seats. In any case, I am looking forward to watching some baseball this summer.

What's your good news for this Friday?

John

TGIF

We made it to Friday!
Yeah, I know it's not supposed to be a big deal to a retired guy, but somehow it seems to be important that we survived the first week of 2021. 

In most ways, Week 1 of '21 seemed pretty much like the shitstorm that was 2020. 
Nearly 25,000 Covid-19 deaths in the US, but the political chaos and childish president still dominate the news. From the Georgia runoff to the electoral certification to the insurrection at the capitol, the news media has had its hands full and (along with our politicians) forgotten that people are dying out here.

As you can see, I still haven't made it out of my current depressive funk.
So...how about a little help?
Make it a Good Friday!
Tell me something good.
And none of that political BS like Biden will be president in 12 days or pandemic stuff like we've got a vaccine now. Give some good, personal, this is my life kind of stories.

Your mission (if you choose to accept it) is to lift my spirit; to restore my faith in humanity.
It's quite a task, I know. However, I am counting on your collective efforts to succeed.

Tell me something good!
Please.

John

 

A Day of Rest

It's Sunday morning and many of us think of it as a day of rest.
So how about we all take a break from the typical news that seems to cover our news feeds and social media and share something good?

I'll go first.

A week ago I received a message from an old pastor friend asking me if I would consider volunteering as a chaplain. I have to admit, when his message began, "I've been reading your blog recently...," I was a little concerned. It's been a busy time so I put him off until things calm down a bit. I've actually considered this in the past; even going so far as checking into certified chaplaincy programs.
Well, I am meeting him this week to discuss it. I'm actually kind of excited about it.

A funny thought just hit me.
Thursday morning I was with a few Venues' people to do some quick work at the church. I don't remember the conversation exactly, but I do remember some comments directed towards me about my lack of compassion.
Is it possible to be a chaplain without compassion?
Can we choose to be selectively compassionate?
Or is it that I am compassionate, but sometimes choose not to be?

Enough about me!
What is good in your life?

John <><