As long as we have hope we can cope
WASN’T it brilliant when 2016 ended? It had been the worst year ever, we were full of despair… but then the slate was magically wiped clean. Everything was going to be OK now it was all over. Phew!
And then came 2017, which is even worse.
It feels as if only bad things have happened in 2017… and when you realise we’re not even half-way through it, do you feel hopeful that it might turn around or wearily resigned to inevitable further devastation?
Don’t know about you, but I’m finding it really hard to be year half full at the moment.
That’s what we need to be though, of course. As long as we have hope, we can cope. No matter how bleak and sad things get.
And so let’s turn away from the darkness, and focus on the light, even though we might have to squint a bit. Good things have happened in 2017. Honest! Like…
Those kids interrupted that news interview
Political science expert Professor Robert Kelly was being interviewed on the BBC news about South Korean politics when his children burst in and stole the show. Special mention to his wife, who pinged into the room in the manner of a cartoon character and dragged the kids out while trying – and failing magnificently – to stay out of eyeshot.
Beyonce announced her pregnancy
That was nice, wasn’t it? And with twins of course, so actually it was twice as nice.
There was a new five-pound note
Always fun to try something different – and it either made no real difference or gave people who like a moan something new to moan about, so everybody was happy.
It was summer for a minute
It’s gone now, of course… but it might be back, you never know.
LEGO announced it’s making a Women of NASA set
It’s based on five female space pioneers because, the set creator says, “their contributions are unknown or under-appreciated”. She goes on to say that “women have historically struggled to gain acceptance in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).” A proper step in the right direction.
We all know what STEM stands for now and are therefore cleverer
Hooray!
The people who already knew what STEM stood for before reading that feel extra pleased now
That’s nice for them, isn’t it?
Feline siblings cuddled in a bed
Kitten brother and sister Canele and Amelie can’t sleep separately, and are internet-famous as a result. Heartwarming proof that there is still good in the world. Yes, I know their blanket is too small, but we have to let that go – we’re trying to focus on the positives, remember?
It wasn’t too late
Someone recommended this TV show Search Party to me, and I really wanted to see it but it was on ages ago so I thought I’d probably not be able to… but it’s still on Channel 4 catch-up. And it’s so good! And you could watch it too!
There’s always a chance Labour might win
Everyone thought they definitely knew what was going to happen with Brexit and Trump, and they were totally wrong. The result of this election might be like that – but in a happy way. We might be pleasantly surprised. Could happen. And even if it doesn’t, maybe just having believed it might do for a while will have been good for us.