When I was younger, my goal was to write/create a positive newspaper. I have been writing for newspapers since I was 18, and I was tired of all of the negativity.

Journalism school taught me to tell the facts, and how, but never mentioned that the facts had to focus on fear and negativity. Many years and many negative articles later, I’ve decided to begin my newspaper – not sure how yet, but I do know the Open group for Bedlam Farm is a great place to start!

I must confess, I’ve been extremely fortunate in my career in that I’ve had the joy of writing for a community newspaper whose only goal is to get as many people as possible on the pages of the paper looking and sounding GOOD! I’ve written about children saving siblings from drowning, cats that have been lost for weeks returning, cancer fundraisers, bike riding/walking/running fundraisers, school kids with amazing accomplishments, many folks overcoming adversity and future leaders. The negative creeps in with the “mass media” stories that we cover on a local level. My paper would do no such thing.

I believe everyone has a story to tell, and I want to tell them. I believe each person has a unique and brilliant tale to tell, and I want to share them with the world. From the mundane to the truly inspiring, I want to hear from you.

I will start with my parakeet Tito.

Tito greets each day, no matter the weather, his mood, or the temperature in the room, with a song. He sings all day long. He sings to himself, his friends in the mirror and me. He loves to sing with Barry Mannilow. He’s also a performer. He bobs, he weaves, he bows and he tosses his head after each rendition of the tweeting song he’s currently performing. Each second is new. Each song a joy. He brings great joy to our home, and makes each of us smile with his antics. He is centered in happiness, joy, love and positivity. I want to be too! The best part? His favorite sounds to make include the following: cats meowing, dogs scratching to be let out and moooing (like the neighbors cows). Rather than fear the cat sitting on his cage, he sings to it, and it sleeps. Sometimes it even purrs and he throws a purr into his latest song. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!!!

I hope that whomever reads this blog will spread the spark. I want to talk to all of you, tell your stories, relish in your successes and join you in your journey. I want the opportunity to create the positive press that the world is so desperate for – the happy, happy, joy that is this life! Yes, things can be hard. Yes, we all have bad days, but then there is the mass joy of a good party – complete with hats – that make those days fade away. A virtual community, a virtual newspaper, our combined creative minds – imagine what we could do.

And in the background Tito meowing to Barry Manilow. Ah, happy, happy, joy, joy!