Staying Positive When the World Seems All Negative

I quit subscribing to the daily newspaper a couple of years ago.

At the time, we were having to make some cuts to the household budget. My wife and I both read the paper, and she sometimes needed articles out of it for her college coursework, but I needed to make some cuts, and away it went.

Although we could afford it now, I've chosen not to renew it for a couple of reasons:

1.) I don't want to spend much time reading it, as I don't see that time as productive;

2.) It has an online version, IF there's a news story I want to read;

3.) Basically, reading the newspaper is basically a "downer."

I want to do everything possible to stay positive and upbeat, even when the world around me seems to be full of turmoil. I have plenty of reading to do - books and articles relating to my writing/marketing business. I have plenty of writing to do with my coursework, and the fact that I have a couple of projects I'm in the middle of this month.

In addition to the newspaper, I've also cut back on a couple of radio forum websites. They used to have helpful information, but turned more into "Why is W(fill in the call sign) such a horrible station now?" More of those, and less of the interesting posts like the histories and stories behind stations, are just plain boring. The forum formats and layouts have also recently been changed, and I find them just plain cumbersome to navigate.

Despite the not-very-good things I experienced during April, I still am optimistic about many things. I'm optimistic about my business. My wife is graduating from Florida State University after five years of study and struggle.

My wife and I have struggled financially for our entire marriage - just over five years now. I do believe that recent choices we've made both individually and collectively will bring that to an end. Yes, the choices mean change - for the better!

Here's to a positive day!