Good News Drought

 

Have you ever wished for something remarkable to manifest in your life—like an unexpected financial windfall, a bonus, a refund, or an inheritance? I am someone who lives in the realm of positive expectations, always believing the glass is half full. I thrive on hearing good news and stories of answered prayers. Gratitude is woven into my daily life; I express thanks to God profusely throughout the day. There’s nothing I cherish more than hearing positive physician reports for myself and my family. As a natural-born cheerleader, I take immense joy in seeing people thrive and live their best lives. But lately, I've been yearning for the exhilarating thrill of receiving good news from a different avenue—like an unexpected check in the mail rather than another bill. Just imagining it fills me with excitement.

 However, I must admit that I’ve been wandering through a "good news desert," with no relief in sight. A desert, as defined, is a dry, arid region that receives little rainfall and has sparse vegetation. The word "sparse" perfectly encapsulates my experience of a good news drought. Good news happens, but its occurrence is inconsistent. And rarely does the news extend beyond medical reports. A welcome mirage of waterfalls would be so rejuvenating, yet that’s not my fate. The heat is scorching and unrelenting, and the longed-for water remains a figment of my imagination. My usual upbeat demeanor feels under siege. Some days, the cloud of discouragement looms large. Hope and faith are my secret weapons. Even on my lowest days, I reach for memories when I obtained a good surprise, I check messages on my family chat page, and I get joy in knowing they are doing well. I find joy in knowing what meals they will be eating or preparing. I get joy in hearing about something they watched on television. So those things become the rejuvenating waterfall in what felt like a desert. I will continue to have hope and faith for an exciting, good news experience but in the meantime, the joys of good health, love of family, and community service will have to suffice.