Reasons to Turn a Negative Into Many Positives

Once again, a dark cloud descends over our country today with the news of another fatal shooting of police officers -- this time in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

As editor of Menifee 24/7, I try to stay true to our mission as a hyperlocal news website by confining our coverage to Menifee. On days like today, it seems difficult to do so. Yet when you think about it, the thoughts, opinions and emotions felt throughout our nation are the same that are felt right here at home.

So how do we relate such a national tragedy to our own daily life here in Menifee? How can we deal with yet another incident that creates concern among so many about the future of our society?

Well, we can begin by giving thanks for the blessings we have. While government and law enforcement officials struggle to seek solutions to these problems, we can try to ease our own pain by focusing on the positive and trying to spread that positive message to others.

We can give thanks for our own Menifee Police Department, which faced with manpower issues continues to do its best to protect us. Yes, they actually are Riverside County Sheriff's deputies and yes, city officials have yet to figure out the best way to fund more of them for our city. But like police officers everywhere, they are out there putting their lives on the line for us.

We can give thanks for City of Menifee staff members, the mayor and City Council members, whose decisions shape the way of life here. No one said they are perfect in their actions. Are you? You may or may not agree with decisions regarding commercial development, taxes or other issues, but we should keep things in the perspective of a city that really is still in the midst of growing pains. Look at the big picture and be patient.

We can give thanks for the land in Menifee that is available for development and the resulting affordable home prices for so many who felt squeezed out of the urban jungle. Many have relocated here for that reason and have indirectly brought family and friends with them. These folks believe they have a better life; they should not be considered intruders by longtime residents.

We can give thanks for the open spaces we do still have. I enjoy the mix of modern amenities with open fields and dirt roads. It's not everywhere that you can drive out of a shopping center, head down the street a mile or less, get out and pet a horse by the side of the road. If you can't see past the traffic jams, you aren't looking up at the stars at night.

We can give thanks for the many dedicated volunteers in Menifee who give so much of their time to support the less fortunate and provide opportunities for residents in so many ways. These groups include but are not limited to Menifee Valley Community Cupboard, Boys & Girls Club of Menifee Valley, Arts Council Menifee, youth sports organizations, scout troops and the Kay Ceniceros Senior Center.

We can give thanks for our freedom to choose from a variety of churches -- places of worship that can help strengthen our faith in trying times.

We can give thanks for the health we enjoy -- or for those with major health issues, the love of others who are willing to help with blood donations, fundraisers, etc.

We can sit back and complain, dwell upon the negative, look for reasons to make ours and others' lives miserable, or we can look on the flip side.

For me, that's the only way to survive.

Doug Spoon is editor of Menifee 24/7. He and his wife Kristen have owned and operated the hyperlocal news website since 2013.