What are the headlines that you have been reading and who has been writing them?
Andy Stanley shares an experience that made him aware of who is in charge of his headlines:
“Sometimes I just want to stop. Talk to Covid, looting, brutality. I lose my way. I become convinced that this ‘new normal’ is real life. Then I meet an 87-year-old who talks of living through polio, diphtheria, Vietnam protests and yet is still enchanted with life.
He seemed surprised when I said that 2020 must be especially challenging for him. “No,” he said slowly, looking me straight in the eyes. “I learned a long time ago to not see the world through printed headlines. I see the world through the people that surround me. I see the world with the realization that we love big. Therefore, I just choose to write my own headlines:
• “Husband loves wife today.”
• “Family drops everything to come to Grandma’s bedside.”
He patted my hand. “Old man makes new friend.” His words collide with my worries, freeing them from the tether I had been holding tight. They float away. I am left with a renewed spirit and a new way to write my own headlines.”
As copy editors, we are responsible for the headlines of our daily news. Here are a few that I’ve written for the past week.
• Alum sponsors retreat for students at his former school.
• Soccer coach develops confidence in his players.
• Sixth grade class welcomes kindergartners to school.
• Goofy friend shares enthusiasm for local sports teams.
In order to renew our spirit, sometimes we need to turn off the news and social media. This week be intentional about seeing the world through the people around you. Write your own headlines.
Send a few of your headlines to me and we’ll share them in future Wellness Wednesdays.
From Top 20…Kevin Brennan, Willow Sweeney and Tom Cody…whose headlines brighten my day.
Paul Bernabei
Director
Top 20 Training
paul@top20training.com
