Though we sometimes allow negative, often more vocal viewpoints to dominate our consciousness, let us take a moment to remind ourselves that far more good happens in this world than bad — here is some of the good news from last week:

• The City of Natchez completed its audit with an unmodified opinion, which is essentially a clean audit in terms of the materiality of the financial documents, for the first time in many, many years. Albeit several months late, the audit reflected a positive trend, as auditors expressed cautious optimism going forward. Though the city has more work to do, the confidence expressed in newly appointed City Clerk Megan Edmonds bodes well for an office that had been in shambles.
• Ada Morgan fulfilled a lifelong dream when she was crowned Miss Vidalia. At just 6 years old, Morgan needed multiple stitches near her left eye and lip following a dog bite. That incident, thanks to some help from her mother, taught Morgan how discover her own “inner beauty,” something she carried with her into this year’s pageant. Morgan, who wants to become an elementary teacher, could teach us all a lesson about loving ourselves for who we are.
• Natchez National Historical Park historian Jeff Mansell was named the 2017 Southeast Region Park Employee of the Year. Mansell beat out employees from 60 other parks in the region. One of Mansell’s notable achievements is his work coordinating the Natchez History Minute Project, a compilation of minute-long videos on various historical topics for each day of the city’s tricentennial year. Mansell exemplifies hard work and dedication to his city, and his recognition is well-deserved.

If we encounter someone in our daily lives who stresses the negatives, perhaps we should remind them about all the good that also happens each and every day.