Good Things

Merril posted this on her Facebook timeline and I so agree.  It seems easy to have my focus skewed.  If I am angry, I can do something.  In the meantime, I really like the positive stuff.
I believe this was originally posted by a Lauren Elizabeth on January 3 at 8:59 PM.  I have taken out a few words to fit it into my writing limits.
“Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die”
It’s hard to be positive in circumstances with what’s going on in Australia currently, however there are good stories out there, and it’s sad that they’re being missed.
I’ve found some of my favorite stories.

1. The Ringtail possum that ran to and climbed up on the firefighter, finding safety in his helmet. That same firefighter dropped off the possum to the station and then raced to a house where he dragged a man out because he was almost killed in the house fire.
2. The kangaroo that was raised by a family when it was young, released into the wild when it was old enough only for it to return years later racing into the family home, finding safety in the lounge room it was raised in.
3. The Aussie spirit of sharing your house with strangers and helping those who need support. This is common but rarely reported.
4. Sikh volunteers driving 700km to assist and cook meals as they said they ‘came to Australia with only a bag on their back and wanted to return the favour as they knew what it was like to have nothing’.
5. A group of mates who drove 10 hours to support the Willawarrin community.  The community ‘adopted’ them, being grateful for the meals and support they provided, supplying everything - from food to all the cooking equipment.
6. Firefighters in SA saving 6 koalas and finding them safety in a nearby house.
7. Local firefighter Kale Hardie-Porter leaving a note for the family whose property they saved and found shelter in that home, writing ‘p.s we owe you some milk’ - this post went international and showed the positive impact of one kind gesture
8. IFAW koala detection dogs searching for any koalas that survived the bushfires
9. Firefighters saving a pine tree that locals decorate every year for Christmas. Locals who have had the tradition for the last 7 years thought the tree would be gone, but firefighters chose to save the tree which might be small for some, but to a community impacted by the bushfires, it was something positive for them to reflect on
10. RFS Commissioner Fitzsimmons displaying amazing leadership and support. He has worn his heart on his sleeve, spoke with the families and friends of those who sadly lost their loved ones to the fires and showed up each day to get the job done.
11. The Navy coming in to rescue and await evacuating those stranded, even allowing their pets to come on board.

You can choose to focus all your energy on one man, spread hate and anger - but really what are you achieving? Be sad - yes. Be disappointed - yes. Put that energy into the voting ballot next election if you wish.  But don’t take away the good stories that are coming out of a horrible situation. Don’t poison your family and friends newsfeed with such anger and hate. Try and focus on the things that are getting thousands of Aussies through this tough time - kindness, love and support.