Bad news isn't wine. It doesn't improve with age.' ~Colin Powell

It's hard not to avoid bad, negative or sad news these days. It's everywhere and at times we're saturated with it. It's like a cold damp miserable fog that just won't blow away. Tomorrow we celebrate the 3rd Sunday of Advent better known as 'Joyful Sunday' or 'Gaudette Sunday'. This is wise and well thought through day and it puts the spotlight back onto the good and positive. We mark, acknowledge and thank God for all the blessings in our own lives. What's the point you may say? It is absolutely essential that we do not let waves of negative news smother the many small stories of good news in every community and in every person. It's not a denial of what's going on in our world. It's not a denial of many sad stories in every community. But it is all about acknowledging that every form of good news does inspire. It gives us the momentum to keep going and keep us in touch with the heartbeat of life itself. In the midst of every cold damp and miserable fog, it is good to know that warmth and sunshine will always break through.