With the news over the weekend from Paris, Kabul, Beruit etc. it’s reminded me why I find Reasons to be Cheerful so important. We can find news about evil, violence, darkness and horror with ease. I look at the social media feeds of friends and there is passion, anger, grief, despair and confusion, all of it understandable and much of it calling for peace but unable to look beyond these moments of pair and horror.

So here is a little light at the end of the tunnel, a little hope and a reminder that it’s not all bad.
Life may not be fair but it is better that the news often leads us to believe.

So in celebration of love think about these:

• Same-Sex Marriage now Legal in Republic of IrelandSame-Sex marriage becomes legal in the Republic of Ireland
• Reversed Ruling allows Girl to stay with Lesbian Foster Parents
• Children in Need raises ‘Record-Breaking’ £37 Million
• Fishermen rescue Humpback Whale
• Ban Ki-moon to be the 1st UN leader to visit North Korea in 20 years

And perhaps most touching of all.

• Free Hugs offered in Paris

A good friend once shared a quote from Oscar Wilde –

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars”

So today, read these positive stories and remember that it’s okay to look up:

• Ban Ki-moon to visit North Korea
• Same-Sex Marriage now Legal in Republic of Ireland
• New Wound Dressing detects infection & could reduce unnecessary use of Antibiotics
• Scientists find Key to Malaria Growth
• Children in Need raises ‘Record-Breaking’ £37 Million
• Scottish Shop Vacancies at 4-Year Low
• Ruling to move Girl from Lesbian Foster Parents, in Utah, Reversed
• Fishermen rescue Humpback Whale
• Rescuers battle 70mph winds to save Climbers
• Scottish Affairs Committee to hold regular meetings in Scotland
• Girl airlifted to safety near Cullen
• Largest Ever Crystal Model Built in Vienna
• Free Hugs offered in Paris
• England celebrate Series Win over New Zealand