#useyourpowerswisely | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

todaylifeisgood · 5 years ago

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Hana hou!

“Hana hou” means “again” or “once more”. You hear it at the end of a good concert in Hawai’i the way you might hear “Encore” elsewhere.

2008

I was interested in learning more about blogging and social media so I created a WordPress blog. Mostly I wanted to learn the mechanics but I also needed some interesting content. I’ve always been a cup-half-full kinda guy; more interested in the good news that doesn’t always make headlines. I figured that would work.

I wanted to call it LifeIsGood.com, but that domain and many derivatives were taken. I ended up with, TodayLifeIsGood.com. The “today” part made it feel more present. This moment is good. “Today, life is good.”

I learned about hashtags, image attribution, and Creative Commons copyright licenses. I promoted books through Amazon that paid me a few cents per purchase as an Amazon affiliate. I moved the blog to TypePad and learned how TypePad works. After a while, I moved it to Tumblr and learned how Tumblr works. It was great. Just what I’d hoped for.

It wasn’t always easy keeping the blog current, but I did ok. Sometimes I stressed when I didn’t feel I was doing enough or thought that the content was quirky.

Looking for the good in the world to create new content, though, was kinda cool. It fit right into the “what you focus on expands” mindset.

It was fun for a while, then I got busy, slowed down, stopped posting and thought of it rarely.

2020

#coronavirus #COVID19

It’s March 21, 2020, and every day of the last ten days or so have been just a bit crazier than the day before. Work keeps me busy and focused but two nights ago I realized I was a little scared by the empty grocery store shelves -- for groceries that were not toilet paper or hand sanitizer.

I felt better when I read a Facebook post by Matthew Ferrara. I shared it on my work Intranet and some co-workers thanked me for it and asked if they could share it. I felt better reading my cousin Cie’s “good news” posts. She tags them #UseYourPowersWisely.

I remembered my old blog -- the perfect to balance the informative NPR updates. I’m going to keep an eye out for good news and post here.

Take a break from the headlines from time to time and if you find it helpful to look for the good, share your good news: https://todaylifeisgood.com/submit.

Hana Hou!

Chuck

https://todaylifeisgood.com

_______________________________

Matthew Ferrara

March 18 at 9:54 AM

May I hang some lights at the end of the tunnel?

PROGRESS is being made every day on this crisis. For example, a New York Times article that originally quoted a "dire model" has been updated to say: "Projections based on C.D.C. scenarios show a potentially vast toll. But those numbers don’t account for interventions now underway."

That one sentence makes a big difference - because it changes “endless uncertainty” by hanging a light at the end of the tunnel.

And that’s exactly what scientists, medical experts, researchers, government and private companies and most of all - YOU are doing - to intervene!

I’ve been collecting these lights for the last few days, and thought I’d share some here, some of which are finally starting to circulate in the media:

* Scientists in Seattle delivered the first rounds of a potential coronavirus vaccine to several dozen volunteers this week * Industry is taking action around the world. Distilleries and cosmetics companies are switching production to hand sanitizer to donate free to hospitals, schools and high risk communities. * Manufacturers like 3M has put 650 people to work ramping up medical mask output (CNBC) and Ventilator manufacturer Ventec says they can increase production five-fold - to 1000 a month - in a three month period (Forbes). * Johns Hopkins researchers are using antibodies from recovered patients - a longstanding technique - to create new therapies * University of Queensland scientists found two different medications that are currently available completely wiped out traces of the disease in test tubes * Retailers like Safeway, Target, Whole Foods, Walmart and Dollar General are devoting special hours for elderly customers. Major employers worldwide like Facebook, sports leagues and local companies like Wynn Hotels continue to pay their workers. Amazon is even HIRING 100,000 extra people nationwide. * Utility companies and internet providers are waiving limits, fees, payments and cancellations. Local utilities are halting water or electricity shutoffs. HUD, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and local landlords are suspending foreclosures and evictions. * The US Military is mobilizing resources like 5 million masks and 2,000 ventilators and full-scale hospital ships to supplement state and local health services - plus dozens of military research labs. * New cases of the virus in China, South Korea and others have even started to fall - without any new medications or vaccines yet.

It’s important to realize that YOU are a light at the end of the tunnel, too. YOU aren't standing still - doing your part by working from home, minimizing public contact and staying optimistic. All together these efforts are changing those initial computer projections, because they didn’t account for our INDOMITABLE HUMAN SPIRIT to WIN.

Yes, unlike a snowstorm which we know melts after a few days, the finish line for this crisis isn't in sight yet. That’s a huge uncertainty in the darkness.

But there are lights already in the tunnel! History is a series of great victories over adversity by individuals, nations and the world. Or, as someone who lives in Las Vegas, I like to simply say this about humanity:

"Never bet against the house!"

_______________________________

Photo by visuals on Unsplash.

#coronavirus #covid19 #todaylifeisgood

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