Finding a Positive

There’s a lot of crap in the world and the press loves to cover it. Radio, press or TV, it doesn’t matter, if there’s something negative or depressing happening in the world, it’s more than likely going to be the lead story. And the second story, and the third story, and after the break the fourth story…

Since it’s not coming to me, I try and make it a point to go out and look for good news; not to block out all the bad news, but just to give it a little bit of a balance. I didn’t have to go looking far for this one, it came to me yesterday and I liked Rashema Melson’s story so much I thought I’d share it in the hope that some other good-news-seeker might also enjoy it.

From NPR’s All Things Considered:

On Wednesday, Rashema Melson will graduate at the top of her class as the valedictorian of Anacostia High School in Washington, D.C. She’s headed to Georgetown University this fall on a full scholarship.

Melson has excelled at her homework — but for the past six years, she hasn’t had a home to do that work in. She currently lives in the D.C. General homeless shelter, along with her mother and two brothers. The shelter houses up to 300 adults and 500 children and has come under scrutiny for its poor conditions…

You can find the rest of the story, and the audio, by going HERE.

“Life is not fair, but despite that harsh reality, you must keep striving for success… You always have that little moment of doubt. But as soon as you’re about to give up, that’s when you know you’ve made it.” – Rashema Melson, Valedictorian Speech, Anacostia High School, 06/11/14

Some days the world isn’t such a gray place.