How do breast implants fit into a Positive News website, you ask?

Well, let’s figure it this way: breast implants have caused a good deal of negative news that often doesn’t get a lot of press and attention. Breast implants have been the source of chronic physical complications, toxicity, deformity and greed that surrounds this multi-billion dollar industry.

But a documentary entitled Absolutely Safe openly discusses the various sides of the issue, bringing light to a subject that many don’t take seriously.

Every year, more and more women are choosing breast implants for a myriad of reasons. Absolutely Safe follows the true stories of two young women, Deneé and Wendi, who face their own body image issues as well as deal with the medical issues surrounding this surgery.

Breast implants are not simply an “easy fix” for a woman with image issues. It’s a complicated process with lifelong implications. A documentary like this sheds light on the other side of this decision, which is positive news for women’s health.

Purchase Online: AliveMindWoman.com

Film Site: Absolutely Safe

Songs of Love is a very special charity, dedicated to producing individualized songs for children who are dealing with chronic illnesses. Recently, the charity visited Alder Hey hospital in England. After interviewing several children undergoing treatment, they quickly retreat to their makeshift music studio and create a song for each child, based on his or her favorite things.

The restorative effects on these children are enormous. Not only is the power of music amazingly transformative but the collaborative creative effort helps the child feel engaged and special during a trying time.

Watch this brief video to see how the charity Songs of Love is creating positive news for many children:

Singing Songs of Love - Positive News for Sick Children

and listen to one of their tunes (be prepared with Kleenex!)

Destiny\’s Song

Guantanamo has been a sore spot in the psyche of the American consciousness for some time now. With president elect Barack Obama only days away from office, Guantanamo will see many much needed changes including its imminent closure.

Since 9/11, Guantanamo in Cuba still imprisons over 250 Muslims, ranging in age from 13 to a paraplegic 80-something. But in June of 2008, the Supreme Court decided, in a close ruling, the Guantanamo prisoners can challenge their detention before a federal court.

As Justice Anthony M. Kennedy stated: “The laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times.”

Since then, Federal District Court Judge Ricardo Urbina ordered the release of 17 detainees in October 2008. In November 2008, an additional five Algerians held at Guantanamo were released by Judge Richard J. Leon of Federal District Court in Washington.

And finally, as Mr. Obama prepares for office, we will most certainly see the closing of this infamous prison camp.

Here at Only Positive News, we share with you all the ways in which people make a positive difference in this world. Sometimes its through sweeping, heroic acts. Other times, its through simple means. We also like to encourage good news in your life by showing you ways to live a little more positively.

One way to live in a more loving manner is to be appreciative of what you have already, no matter how humble. Sometimes this is tough to actively do during the day, but before you go to sleep, try the following:

1. Think of 3 things you were grateful for that day. It can be something as big as a job promotion or as small as a great piece of apple pie.

2. Think of 3 things you did right today. We all tend to overly focus on our faults, rarely appreciating all that we accomplished. And again, it doesn’t have to be “I saved the world.” Perhaps you smiled at an elderly lady who looked like she needed it. Or maybe you handled a tense situation with aplomb and ease.

This technique is a really nice way to end a day and set your mind at ease before going to sleep. It’s like clearing the slate mentally and leaving your mind and soul with a sense of positivity after a long day.

art by “artfulblogger” at flickr/creative commons

Sometimes it takes one person’s undying focus and energy to make a change. In this case William Kamkwamba was just such a man, or 14-year old boy, as the case was. Living in a small town in Malawi with no electricity, William was determined to power his family’s home with used parts and ingenuity…and a little education.

“An organization called the Malawian Teacher Training Activity contributed a large quantity of books to the primary school library near my home,” William said. “One of the books was called Using Energy. Inside there were plans for a windmill so I decided to build one to provide power for my family.”

In particular, he was deeply concerned for his sister’s health.

“She was coughing from the candles,” William explained. “They smoke and they are dangerous.

The villagers at first laughed at his efforts:

When I was making [the windmill], all these people were mocking me, saying I was going mad but I had confidence in what I was doing because I knew that if it was written in the book, then it was true and possible.”

Using found parts such as wooden poles, broken pipes, old shoes, copper wire and even his father’s old bicycle, William went to work. William’s first official windmill generated enough energy to light one room!

William, now 20, was recently made a Fellow at TEDGlobal which is a conference that brings together exceptional people from the three worlds of Technology, Entertainment and Design. He now intends to further his work and help his entire village, as well as becoming a celebrity in his own right:

“When I first met him,” relays Tom Rielly, Partnership Director of TED Conferences, “I was struck by his intelligence and ingenuity. He has overcome both the lack of access to education and the lack of monetary resources to set a great example for young people everywhere by making life better for his family. Now all his sisters and he can read at night, listen to the radio and watch television, helping to make them part of the wider world. He inspires me everyday.”

Website: www.williamkamkwamba.com

To watch ‘How I built my family a windmill’ on the TED video channel:
www.ted.com/index.php/talks/william_kamkwamba_on_building_a_windmill.html

At Only Positive News, we welcome reader’s to share their positive news, whatever it may be. The idea behind this is simple: an individual’s positive news has a ripple effect and can make changes, in its own way, on a global level. Plus, it’s just nice to hear personal stories!

Here’s what Peggie M. had to say:

I check out your site quite often, looking to lift up my spirits as I start my work day. And trust me, I needed some spirit lifting! I’ve been unhappy at my job for over 5 years but felt very stuck there. It pays well, I have health insurance, 401(k) etc. So even though I dealt with a really mean and unpredictable boss, co-workers I didn’t get along with and a general hostile, stressful environment, I stayed for economical safety.

One day, the UPS man came by and out of the blue, told me about a job opening at the newspaper down the road. It was for an editor’s assistant (I went to school for writing.) I decided to apply though I knew it was a long shot. During my interview (which I did during a lunch break at my other job), I found out it was an online position and only part-time. The pay wasn’t great but there was room for growth. I was hired and within hours of finding out, I gave my two week notice.

I was scared at first. I was getting paid half of what I made! But much, much happier. Just that alone helped me know everything was going to be alright. After 2 months, I was bumped up to a full-time position. I’m still not making as much, but frankly, I don’t care. I wanted to be happier. That comes first. It’s more important than a 401(k).

So that’s my “positive news.” Not groundbreaking or anything, except for me. Sometimes you have to break the chains of your own fears and trust that when you put your happiness first, the rest falls into place.

Pat Gowens take motherhood very seriously. So seriously in fact, that volunteers vigorously at Mother Warriors Voice, an organization dedicated to getting the word out that motherhood is work and needs to be treated with respect and social equity.

“We actively protest the devastation caused by cruel welfare reform.” says Pat.

Pat has seen firsthand the devastation created from recent welfare cuts, many of them directly affecting single mother households. She talks these women through the mile-thick bureaucracy that often comes between a mother and feeding her children.

Mother Warriors Voice has an active hotline that helps mothers in need in a myriad of ways; from legal to emotional support.

Motherhood is often minimized in our society. As we bailout major organizations that should have known better, maybe we should consider assisting the women who raise our next generation first!

Contact: Mother Warriors Voice
2711 West Michigan Ave
Milwaukee WI 53208
http://www.welfarewarriors.org

Tel: 414 342 6662

Co-founder Delores Huerta

Please send your comments or some positive news of your own, no matter how small!

During trying economical times, its often hard to realize the needs of others. It’s easy to feel all-consumed with your own problems. Financial problems, in particular, can frighten us to the core. We feel our very survival is at stake.

There are spiritual philosophies that believe that it is during our greatest times of need that we should reach out and help our neighbor. Psychologically, it breaks the fear cycle. Worrying about your finances isn’t going to change your situation, that is for sure. Helping others, on the other hand, allows you to focus on others in need and in a sense, clears and calms your mind.

As we start 2009, ask yourself how you can be of service to your community. If you feel overwhelmed by your own troubles, too worried to help others, are there some smaller ways you can contribute? Perhaps its being a little kinder to strangers or cleaning up the park nearby. Perhaps its making a small donation to an animal shelter. Or maybe contributing your professional services to a non-profit.

To take it one step further, how can you contribute to yourself? Notice your self-talk: is it predominantly positive or negative? Can you change your thinking even slightly? Can you catch a negative thought as it s forming? Sometimes, changing your mindset begins with a “gratitude list” or some breathing and meditation or exercise or a good cry.

Positive news starts with you and in turn, your community. Break the worry cycle by reaching out and giving this year.

Positive News for You and Your Community

UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) recently raised $21,000 for communities around the world affected by climate-related disasters. And the beauty of it is: they did it with the help of children’s paintings. These paintings were auctioned off at New York’s Harvard Club and then online, where people from across the globe bid for these charming pieces of art.

The artwork had a very important theme: the fears and hopes children have surrounding our global crisis. 27 pieces were chosen from nearly 200,000 entries. The average bid for each work was $2,000

Charlotte Sullivan, 13, won first place for her stunning piece of art

“I wanted to express the need for everyone to act because climate change is happening now. The silhouette of the figure in my painting represents the governments’ and global businesses’ idle hold over the world. In the background red, oranges and yellows represent fossil fuel power plants and the warming of the planet, while the people that could act, just use the umbrella to shelter behind. The umbrella illustrates the world being turned inside out by the wind. My wish is that everyone should take care of the environment.”

This is not your average finger painting!

To view all the paintings:  www.unep.org/paint4planet

The Seed Savers Network is an organization that exists to maintain the purity of seeds with which we grow our food. Most of us don’t think much about our seeds and the politics behind them. But it doesn’t take much thought to realize a good, healthy and pure seed produces good, healthy and pure food. It also doesn’t take much to realize that big companies have a vested interest in making sure their seeds come first. This often means a slow erosion of the integrity and purity of produce.

The Seed Savers Network vows to maintain agricultural biodiversity in areas throughout the world and to produce local seed production using local knowledge and varieties.

So if you’re a garden lover, this upcoming season, think of finding seeds for your plants from other locals who are more than happy to share. Here’s a list of online resources that help you keep gardening local, healthy and safe - guaranteed to produce the tastiest, lushest produce as well! Keeping it small and local is not only ecologically smart, it tastes better!

So what’s in a seed?

Everything.