This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. ~ The Dalai Lama

The United States appears to be suffering from a plague of senseless killing and heartrending sorrow—and a lack of ordinary human kindness, especially in the political turmoil gripping this country. Many people, not only in the US, but the world over, are in deep depression and grief over all this, and over the traumas occurring all over the planet. The latest, just two days ago on July 14, the French celebration of Bastille Day, was the mass murder of dozens of people in Nice, France.

There don’t seem to be many optimists around today. Sometimes my family or friends accuse me of being too optimistic, uninformed, or just plain crazy. I assure them I am none of those.

But how on earth can anyone be an optimist in this kind of world? Are you crazy if you are optimistic? Or are you just plain stupid?

I am aware of the world we have all chosen to live in. And that really is the point. I am aware of the “bad” news we’re all reminded of 30 hours a day, 8 days a week. After all, the media are mostly in the business of selling bad news. I only glance at the headlines, so I know what’s going on in the world. Then I ignore all the rest.

But I am also aware of all the events—the good news—that never make it to the mainstream media headlines. There is a lot of love, compassion, and kindness out there. But you never hear about that unless you go looking for it. Years ago, my spirit guides said this:

Your mainstream news media work hard at ferreting out everything that’s “wrong” with your planet. And then that’s all they talk about. If that’s all you pay attention to, you’re going to feel pretty awful about your life and your world.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some organization focused solely on bringing you good news?

(NOTE: Today there ARE at least several organizations doing exactly that. One is the Good News Network. While these organizations are outnumbered by the mainstream media, they are a growing and powerful presence. They will definitely boost your spirits.)

Wouldn’t it be nice if every morning, when you woke up, you could hear about all the things going right on the planet? All the good folks helping others less fortunate? All the doctors and healers succeeding at bringing their patients back to a state of perfect health? All the people succeeding financially? All the people who did not have traffic accidents today? And so on and on.

Wouldn’t that be nice?

Our point is there is far more good happening on your planet than there is bad. Good is dominant. Good news happens far more often than bad news. But bad news is all you ever hear about, isn’t it?

Well, you can change that right now. Just go looking for all the good news out there. You’ll feel better about yourself, other people, and your world. We’re not telling you to ignore the bad news. But don’t focus on it exclusively.

Also, know this: You are neither helpless nor useless in reaching out to the many hurting folks on the planet today. There are many things  you can do. But the best thing is to do all you can to stay peaceful—through meditation, prayer, affirmations—whatever works for you.

Know you will be making a difference. The energy and vibration of peace you create and maintain within yourself radiates out to the entire planet, and beyond. You may never see the results, but you will be making a positive difference to all humanity, to all life.

One person, standing alone in his or her peace and joy, is far more powerful than all those lashing out in their anger and sadness. One person, reaching out to another with kindness is far more powerful, than the many lashing out with cruelty.

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This video, 24 Incredible Acts of Kindness, will restore your faith in humanity. As we’ve said here today, there is a lot of “bad” news out there. But there is also a lot of good news which rarely makes it into the mainstream media.