Throughout the past ten years of writing this “My Town” editorial and hundreds of topics I very rarely struggle to come up with something to write about.
In fact, more often than not I have to try and pick one out of several ideas.
Yet regardless of the content or meaning of my columns I have tried to follow one very important rule throughout the years, and that is to try and focus on the positives.
Now a few weeks ago I was talking to a local resident who brought that fact up and mentioned that some may or do find it confusing or frustrating.
I had to laugh and ask why is it that people may not like a positive beat?
The answer was diverse but focused on the fact that some people don’t think there is that much to be positive about and that there were some serious issues and ongoing problems in the area that I might want to consider.
While this is a very valid point, and I completely agree that there are some very important and serious concerns in our community I would like to believe that is where the news stories and content come in to play.
The news in the papers, television and online is more often than not rather somber, humourless and factual about current beats.
Very rarely does the evening news start out talking about what a great day it was.
In fact, in today’s societies life is often full of chronic problems, desperate and dire situations and grave misfortunes.
There is a lot to worry about, from disease, war, gas prices, poor economies, governments, pipe lines and on an on.
With all this in mind, it is my belief that life is so afflictive most times that taking a moment to read something positive or uplifting is needed more now than ever.
I could write tons of columns on the problems the thousands of residents in the Hazelton’s face.
I could talk about the ongoing controversy and turmoil in the area, but really isn’t there enough of that already?
However, there doesn’t seem to be a boat load of positivity always thriving around us and therefore I thought and continue to think that a few words each week to tell the world what a great place we live in, what wonderful people we live near and with, what incredible accomplishments communities are making and what we as Hazeltonians have to feel proud about is a good thing.
So with all that said, it is so exciting to see softball and scrub coming back to the Hazelton’s and it was wonderful to see South Hazelton community members gather together to make the ball field a better place.
It was incredible to see so many people out cheering on the soccer teams all over the area last weekend.
It’s exciting to see so many new projects underway such as the New Hazelton Trail system.
It was so phenomenal to see so many families out enjoying the parks and their families last weekend.
I am totally stoked about this weekends Best In the West Kispiox Valley Rodeo.
And last but not least, I LOVE where we live, we are blessed to live in Canada, reside in the stunningly beautiful province of British Columbia and to call the gorgeous and diverse Hazelton’s our home.