Let’s be Positive By Ryan Robinson
As just about everyone knows, you can’t always get what you wah-haunt (to try and quote the Rolling Stones there) but that doesn’t mean you have to complain or whine about it. We’re all guilty of looking like fools when we complain, cry, and have a fit about something if it doesn’t happen how, when, or why we want. I believe the media today tries to highlight these whiners and I think it’s completely unnecessary and illogical.
I don’t think they should be eliminated, but editorials are always very boring and upsetting to me. While it’s great for people to express what they think about an article, a candidate, an issue in their town or whatnot; it is almost always negative and self-centering. Whether it be about ugly solar panels on ten telephone poles in a row, or a mayor wanting to hire a recreation director, or even a governor who seems to be too “stubborn” as New Jerseyians now describe him, editorials are just about complaints every day.
Many local gazettes and papers also have sections for “Spouting Off”, where people complain about something going on in their town or neighborhood. I’ve read a few of these spouts from a local paper in Wildwood that I’m shocked made it through. They were pretty mean and shocking and I think it brings a bad reflection on Wildwood, the publisher, and the sender of the spout.
With all of the negative aspects of our world today, I wrote an article in late June 2009 called “Don’t Worry Be Happy” about different websites and things to do to look on the bright side of the road (another song reference…I’m on a roll). However, that article listed some suggestions of things you can do to combat the negative press. Now, I’d like to offer a challenge to the FLOW Journals, the Suburban, The Record, and any print news organization that reads this to change the problem completely.
I would like to challenge these community papers to create a Compliment Corner on their websites and on their written pages. A Compliment Corner can allow residents to thank someone for doing something out of their way that made their day like a thank you note to a local teacher for helping a student, a quick thanks of appreciation to a person who cooked a meal when they were sick, or even a thanks to a local shop owner who did a great job on a service for a client. I think if you give people the opportunity to be nice, they can be nice back. A nice shout-out of thanks can trigger a new friendship between people and neighbors and can help create a happier, healthier community.
I will be looking for Compliment Corners all over the North Jersey media zone and maybe other papers and websites will follow suit. To be honest, I don’t even know if any other media groups across the country have been doing what I am proposing, but the point is that it’s not done enough…otherwise I wouldn’t have written this article and instead tried to become a Paperback Writer 😉 . There are enough places and times one can be negative…please promote and create one that’s positive.
I would like to submit my nominee for a “shot” at recognition in Compliment Corners of Oakland. The young fellow’s name is Ryan Robinson. Here is a young, blooming, future journalist, growing right here in our own hometown! I met Ryan at last fall’s election event which was hosted by the residents of The Reserve. He did a great job interviewing the candidates and the attendees. I was proud to know that our schools are producing future citizens like Ryan.
Now, once again, this brilliant fellow is showing us talents by conducting another poll relating this year’s election. Go for it Ryan, you have a great future ahead of you.