An earlier post today brought to mind the thought that we are constantly bombarded with "bad" news and advertisements that feed an increasingly greedy and corrupt system. Despite all this negativity and the outward appearance of our modern world however, I can see many signs of positive change!
I'd like to start an ongoing thread that looks at and perhaps even "tracks" the positive developments in the world around us over time. My intent is that it may help us all to see many of the "steps in the right direction" that are so often overlooked in the chaos of our everyday lives. Perhaps we can see these as individual "rays of light" that, together, paint a picture of hope for all of us.
So I'd like to start the thread off by mentioning a very cool trend I'm starting to see in advertising. I think it started last year with REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated), when they closed all their stores on Thanksgiving (here in the US) and even on Black Friday. For those who may not be familiar with Black Friday, it's the day after Thanksgiving--when a large number of stores open very early (pre-dawn), have deeply discounted sale prices, and try to rake in as much money as they can. It's become a bit of an "event" here in the US and unfortunately, it has also become known for the ridiculous behavior of some of the folks who participate (mad rushes through the front doors where people are crushed or injured, near-riots occurring over short supplies of high-demand merchandise, etc.).
Anyway, last year, REI encouraged all their employees and everyone else to avoid the "Black Friday Madness" and get out in nature. This year, I've noticed more than a few large retailers and stores are doing something similar--they're closing for Thanksgiving so their employees can enjoy the time off with their families. I know it seems like a small thing, but I still see it as a step in the right direction. Here's a good "mainstream" article on the topic:
So what glimmers of hope for humanity have you seen?
Anything in "the mainstream" or in the public eye?
Anything in your supermarket or neighborhood?
So please chime in...what's your good news?
I'd like to start an ongoing thread that looks at and perhaps even "tracks" the positive developments in the world around us over time. My intent is that it may help us all to see many of the "steps in the right direction" that are so often overlooked in the chaos of our everyday lives. Perhaps we can see these as individual "rays of light" that, together, paint a picture of hope for all of us.
So I'd like to start the thread off by mentioning a very cool trend I'm starting to see in advertising. I think it started last year with REI (Recreational Equipment Incorporated), when they closed all their stores on Thanksgiving (here in the US) and even on Black Friday. For those who may not be familiar with Black Friday, it's the day after Thanksgiving--when a large number of stores open very early (pre-dawn), have deeply discounted sale prices, and try to rake in as much money as they can. It's become a bit of an "event" here in the US and unfortunately, it has also become known for the ridiculous behavior of some of the folks who participate (mad rushes through the front doors where people are crushed or injured, near-riots occurring over short supplies of high-demand merchandise, etc.).
Anyway, last year, REI encouraged all their employees and everyone else to avoid the "Black Friday Madness" and get out in nature. This year, I've noticed more than a few large retailers and stores are doing something similar--they're closing for Thanksgiving so their employees can enjoy the time off with their families. I know it seems like a small thing, but I still see it as a step in the right direction. Here's a good "mainstream" article on the topic:
So what glimmers of hope for humanity have you seen?
Anything in "the mainstream" or in the public eye?
Anything in your supermarket or neighborhood?
So please chime in...what's your good news?