A disenchanted view isn't the only view
KAMLOOPS (CUP) — Too frequently I
see editorial columns that are simply dripping
with negative observations about the
world.
Sure, there can be a lot of less-than-awesome things occurring in our world on a regular basis. But how about all of the great things most people either fail to, or choose not to, acknowledge? Go ahead and call me a sap or call me naive, but just because there is negativity in the world doesn't mean it has to be the primary focus of our lives.
Don't get me wrong, I've had plenty of moments in my life where I've been the classic "glass half-empty" guy. But more and more these days I try to look at the world through a positive lens. And to my shock and amazement, it actually makes life more enjoyable.
For example, earlier this week I witnessed a group of students come to the aid of a fellow pupil in need. This young individual had lost their balance and fallen awkwardly, causing what appeared to be an excruciating injury, considering how long the individual remained prone.
Before I knew it, multiple people had rushed to this student's aid. One volunteered to call campus first-aid. Another asked the student where his/her next class was, offering to head up there to inform the professor about the impending absence. In the meantime, two passers-by helped the felled individual to a bench in the vicinity and continued to hang around, waiting to ensure the arrival of campus first-aid.
The response time for the first-aid was certainly not something I would have written home about. And for a while, I was far too appalled by the tardiness of the first-aid administrator to appreciate the efforts of a much larger group of caring students who took time out of their day, out their busy schedules, to help someone in need.
In hindsight it saddens me that my foremost thought about the situation was in regards to the slow first-aid response time, as opposed to the extra efforts put forth by people who had absolutely no obligation to help out in the first place.
Without even realizing it, I was subconsciously choosing not to acknowledge the positive angle of what I had witnessed.
Eventually the first-aid arrived and the person administering the care was more than kind to the individual in need of attention. And, in the end, that is what matters in a situation such as this.
What should be commended is the aboveand- beyond efforts of regular, everyday people to help out someone in a time of need. Sure, it might seem like second nature to most people to come to the assistance of someone in distress. But how often do we focus on the negativity of the experience?
Oh, the injury was so gruesome.
I can't believe it took first-aid so long to show up.
Why did only X number of people stop to help? Every other person walking by without a care is such a jerk.
It might be a tired, old cliché, but life truly is more enjoyable when you approach it through a positive looking-glass. I look back on this particular event and smile now, proud to know that campuses are full of individuals who genuinely care for their fellow students - and that is how it should be.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Sure, there can be a lot of less-than-awesome things occurring in our world on a regular basis. But how about all of the great things most people either fail to, or choose not to, acknowledge? Go ahead and call me a sap or call me naive, but just because there is negativity in the world doesn't mean it has to be the primary focus of our lives.
Don't get me wrong, I've had plenty of moments in my life where I've been the classic "glass half-empty" guy. But more and more these days I try to look at the world through a positive lens. And to my shock and amazement, it actually makes life more enjoyable.
For example, earlier this week I witnessed a group of students come to the aid of a fellow pupil in need. This young individual had lost their balance and fallen awkwardly, causing what appeared to be an excruciating injury, considering how long the individual remained prone.
Before I knew it, multiple people had rushed to this student's aid. One volunteered to call campus first-aid. Another asked the student where his/her next class was, offering to head up there to inform the professor about the impending absence. In the meantime, two passers-by helped the felled individual to a bench in the vicinity and continued to hang around, waiting to ensure the arrival of campus first-aid.
The response time for the first-aid was certainly not something I would have written home about. And for a while, I was far too appalled by the tardiness of the first-aid administrator to appreciate the efforts of a much larger group of caring students who took time out of their day, out their busy schedules, to help someone in need.
In hindsight it saddens me that my foremost thought about the situation was in regards to the slow first-aid response time, as opposed to the extra efforts put forth by people who had absolutely no obligation to help out in the first place.
Without even realizing it, I was subconsciously choosing not to acknowledge the positive angle of what I had witnessed.
Eventually the first-aid arrived and the person administering the care was more than kind to the individual in need of attention. And, in the end, that is what matters in a situation such as this.
What should be commended is the aboveand- beyond efforts of regular, everyday people to help out someone in a time of need. Sure, it might seem like second nature to most people to come to the assistance of someone in distress. But how often do we focus on the negativity of the experience?
Oh, the injury was so gruesome.
I can't believe it took first-aid so long to show up.
Why did only X number of people stop to help? Every other person walking by without a care is such a jerk.
It might be a tired, old cliché, but life truly is more enjoyable when you approach it through a positive looking-glass. I look back on this particular event and smile now, proud to know that campuses are full of individuals who genuinely care for their fellow students - and that is how it should be.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
