Although it’s impossible to underestimate how tragic this pandemic is, a little context in understanding our media is also important.
Harvard Business Review reported that more than 94% of stories shared by the media are negative – that’s a stunningly high 19 of every 20 stories. And that study was conducted before coronavirus was in almost everyone’s lexicon.
Because what we choose to focus on expands within our consciousness, it’s likely that reading all those negative articles, watching your cable news and becoming a stay-at-home, self-taught epidemiology expert will trigger growing depression for today and hopelessness for tomorrow.
My friends, the negative bias promoted by media and echoed in social media feeds is far from an accurate barometer of the world in which we reside.
There are few stories celebrating the global rise in recovered cases, the expanding capabilities around testing and treating, the dramatic increases in the production of masks and respirators, or the generosity of sovereign countries and less devastated states deploying their resources to hotbed areas.
They overlook the countless stories of first responders, health care professionals, custodians, grocery store workers, truck drivers and ordinary heroes showing up daily to keep our nations advancing forward. And there’s rarely a mention of the prodigious effort undertaken by our amazing teachers to radically reorganize lesson plans to guide their students (and their overwhelmed parents!) through the crisis.
We can choose to not only can flatten the curve but create a movement that reminds the world: In spite of today’s adversity, there are helpers showing up, there’s reason for hope and there remains certainty that the best is yet to come.
P.S. In the midst of a 24-hour negative news cycle, we want to counter with messages of individuals, families and entire communities choosing to Live Inspired Together. And I need your help!
Please send me examples of individuals in your community taking positive action to make things better. It could be your spouse cutting the grass for an elderly neighbor or your cousin beginning a food drive for those in need. It could be a story you read about a billionaire donating a 737 packed with supplies heading for NY or a video you watched of a child donating their allowance. Send your favorite stories over to info@johnolearyinspires.com! We’ll be showcasing some of them on a video very soon.
Fear is part of our human experience and necessary for our survival. Yet, if we dwell in a place of fear, we’ll never get anywhere. We must pivot into seeing the possibilities.
Hear much more from Cathy Heller, like how she’s trained herself to embrace the possibilities in any situation.
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/39E8d4N
Spotify: spoti.fi/348zuLI
My website: bit.ly/2UCtQOx
My friends, a few weeks ago life threw us an epic curveball. Today, how can you use this as an opportunity to feel fulfilled with purpose?
Cathy Heller, host of Don't Keep Your Day Job podcast, offers truly inspiring perspective with anecdotes including a Lady Gaga hit, the Moana plot line and her family fleeing Nazis.
[links to listen in the first comment]
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.” — Fred Rogers
Help me find "The Helpers"...and help me celebrate them!!!
#LiveInspired
Cathy Heller is a business + life coach, author and host of the wildly popular Don't Keep Your Day Job podcast. She's dedicated to helping others find a deeper sense of purpose by making a soulful contribution to the world.
When I first asked Cathy to meet with me, I expected her to share her expertise on how to shift into more meaningful, fulfilling work. And then the world radically changed + I found this as a divine appointment.
Today, Cathy shares her journey of courageously taking control of her destiny and how you can be the happiest version of yourself.
Listen to ep. 242 of the Live Inspired Podcast:
Apple Podcasts: apple.co/39E8d4N
Spotify: spoti.fi/348zuLI
My website: bit.ly/2UCtQOx
