Move over New York Times: Hello "Fab Five!"
I have really appreciated the New York Times for the role it has played in trying to make sure that we have accurate and truthful information about the pandemic, and about elections. I'm glad to know that such institutions exist. I subscribe to it online, and I think it's important to support such institutions. However, I find it harder and harder to read, and I am to the point where I barely read it anymore.
The reason?
I can't take it. Other than the stories about astronomy (which appeal to my love of the stars as a child) and wedding announcements, I find myself unable to stand the daily drumbeat of disaster. Amid COVID, politics, and climate disasters, I comb the paper in earnest looking for happy stories, stories of people who are doing amazing things and stories of goodness.
The Truth Is Far More Positive
The truth is that there are millions of stories of people who have done amazing things during this pandemic. There are stories of incredible people trying to affect change in this climate, and to better their communities. There are lots of stories to inspire us and to make us want to reach forward. We have only to look around at our colleagues and the work that we are doing every day to save lives to know this is true. But would you know it from the newspapers and from
TV?
Real Stories: Real Inspiration
This weekend I found myself binge watching The Netflix TV show "Queer Eye: More than a Makeover." Remember the original series? A hapless straight man's life is cleaned up by five gay design, food and fashion experts (the "fab five") who know what's best for him. It was funny as heck -- and revolutionary at the time. But the one joke got tired after a while.
The new reboot is so different. The stories they seek are about genuinely good people. These are people who are overcoming obstacles, good to their families, changing communities. Generally, they have given and given until they are exhausted and at loose ends.
Sound familiar?
They are nominated by family and friends who want them to have some badly needed support and joy in their lives. And so the Fab Five show up, like the (you should forgive the expression) "fairy godmother” in Cinderella — and transform their work, their homes, their lives. But this process of transformation is different. It is done from a place of respect and admiration for their humanity. It is meant to be a deep, refreshing drink to the souls of the "heroes" they help.
Exactly What the NP Ordered
As health care workers, the lessons could not be more apt. "Take a little time for yourself." "Celebrate your successes." "Self-care, so you can care for others."
And for me, the stories of genuinely good people being celebrated and rewarded is a deep, refreshing drink of hope and goodness for my soul, too. If you haven't watched it... Season 6 right now is a great place to start.
Enjoy!