OPTIMISM

Let's face it, ol' H.C. can be a tad on the dark side sometimes. My world is full of apocalyptic notions. I believe people are inherently evil (You have to convince yourself to do the right thing and talk yourself out of doing the wrong thing. Right?) I believe that a nuclear weapon will go off somewhere in the world before the end of this century. I believe that people are more narcissistic then they have ever been in history, and that as a result our families are falling apart along with our morals. But, there is another side to my personality that a lot of you don't get to see. Believe it or not, I'm basically a very happy person. In fact, my nickname in high school was "Smiley". In order to maintain my sanity, I look for the good things in life. Believe me when I tell you, if you look for only the bad things in life, you will end up one miserable person. Whenever I read the newspapers, I always read the comics last. After a long night of CNN or FOX, I always try to watch a comedy or some comedian. And instead of continuously searching for whatever is wrong with this world, sometimes I look for what is right. So, to help you through these trying times, I'm going to show you the better side of humanity. I really believe this goes on more than you know, it's just that it doesn't bleed....so it doesn't lead.

*Business Man Gives Away Toys*

In Longway , Texas, businessman Don Talley gathers up toys in the months before Christmas to give to needy families in his community. Don and his "Darlings" (helpers) gave away a ton of toys but that wasn't enough. They even reached into their own pockets to buy even more toys so that in their words, "every child in the community would get a Christmas present." Way-to-go Don and his Darlings.

*Secret Santa*

Even though he died this year of cancer, Larry Stewart led a life that should be an inspiration to all of us. During the course of his life Larry gave away $1.3 million dollars as a "Secret Santa" to people in need he found through social agencies or word-of-mouth. He kept his identity a secret up until he realized he was dying and then only reveiled it because he wanted to inspire others to be more generous. RIP Larry, think of all the people you made happy, if only for a moment.

*Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet*

I know it's far more popular to view anyone with wealth as evil bastards who got where they are by crooked means or by stepping on labor. I guess I'll never be able to convince the 30% of you that are always hating anyone with success. But, for the rest of you, consider that Warren Buffet gave away $37 billion to various charities, nearly 85% of his total wealth. The lion's share of that went to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, a foundation that last year gave more medicine and food to people in Africa than any country in the European Union. So much for the kinder, gentler Socialistic notion.

*Salvation for the Salvation Army*

One of my favorite organizations, The Salvation Army, received 31 $100 dollar bills from a person known only as "Leo". The person left a note saying he wanted to outdo a previous donation of 30 $100 dollar bills. Now that's a war I can stand behind. The money will go to helping poor people heat their homes. I find that a little more important than whether or not the Salvation Army will enlist openly gay people, the big issue on the left.

*America the Charitable*

Even the left-leaning MSN has to admit it; "The United States leads the world in levels of charitable activity." The rest of the world tends to forget the wonderful things the U.S. does around the world. From supplying medicine to feeding the hungry, both in our country and outside, no one can deny the U.S. shows her passionate side. With hardly any effort, you can find dozens of barely reported stories of American generosity. Sure, it's true that the U.S. also does bad things, but focusing only on that side doesn't do her justice. Would you want to be judged only on what you did wrong? I thought not.

Now, go forth my children. Take this renewed faith in humanity and smile a little and laugh a little. Watch a comedian or read the comics. Watch a sunrise or just spend a few moments appreciating what you have. While it's true there are a lot of things to be concerned with, your life will be far happier if you spend at least some time searching for what's good...instead of only what's bad. H.C. :)