Charm School

Whether you catch news on TV, read it online, or have a paper delivered to your doorstep (Does anyone still do this?) you’ll see stories that make you scared or mad or sad. There’s nothing new about this. The media always focuses on the negative, primarily because of the way we react to it. It’s not that bad things are the only things that happen; it’s that bad news is more likely to keep us glued to the screen. Happy or funny stories make us smile and then move on. We hear bad news and we press for more details. We write an angry letter and post it, spreading more negativity. There’s a cure, of course, but it takes a bit of effort. Always read the comics first. Read only as much of the mainstream news as you feel necessary, then move on. Search for happier news, and when you find it, share. We'll all feel the better for it.