The Best of the World is NOT on Your Screen

I saw a post recently that really stuck with me. It said, “If you want to see the worst of the world, watch the news. If you want to see the best of the world, get outside and experience life.”

Yesterday, I saw the truth in that firsthand.

I went to my daughter’s college because she and her service organization were hosting a Halloween party for children with cancer. They call them “heroes,” and there were seven of them - brave, joyful, little souls. The room was filled with college students dressed in every costume you can imagine - Minions, Disney princesses, Marvel superheroes. One girl had painted herself in stripes and was the little girl from the book A Bad Case of Stripes. Another had crafted a circle of petals all around her face - not just a headband, but a full mane of color - and she became a flower.

The students didn’t just wear costumes - they became the characters. They laughed, they danced, they made crafts. They let the heroes jump on them, hug them, and be completely themselves. It was one of those moments where you look around and think, “This is the GOOD in the world.”

Afterward, we walked out onto Main Street, which is usually packed with cars, and the whole world seemed to pause. The road was closed for the annual Halloween parade. Families lined the sidewalks, kids ran around in their costumes, and everyone was smiling. For a little while, the noise of the world - the fear, the anger, the constant bad news - just faded away.

It hit me that this is what real life is supposed to feel like. Not the endless stream of negativity that fills our screens, but the simple joy of showing up, helping others, and being part of something bigger than ourselves.

So yes - I agree whole-heartedly with that post. If you want to see the best of the world, turn off the news for a bit. Go outside. Be around people. Watch kindness in action. The best of humanity isn’t hiding - you just have to look up from the screen to see it.

Some of you may recognize that cutie in the picture above - that is my 21 year old daughter exactly 20 years ago!!

Time flies - get out there and LIVE! Be kind and spread JOY!