In the midst of a campaign, such as the one we are living through here in Selma, Valley Grande, Orrville — and even nationally, it is not very often we hear those speaking about the positives, the good things that are happening.

Yes, the incumbents tout what they have done and hope that their results are good enough to earn another term, but more times than not, the negative rhetoric we hear — and we at the newspaper report — often times drowns out the “good news.”

But, I’ll have to admit that needs to change, and change quickly.

I think it is time we start focusing on the good things, the good news, the success stories and those doing it “the right way.”

And, this is not just about the news we put on the front pages of the daily Times-Journal. This is about the stories we tell one another, the things in life we focus on.

If we sit here and talk about nothing more than the crime rate, then we miss the great work being done by the amazing officers, deputies and investigators working to solve crimes and protect our neighborhoods.

If all we did was focused on the dismal financial support our state government provides education, then we’d miss the tremendous work being done by our teachers in making every dollar count in educating our children.

If all we did was focus on the streets that had a pothole or those with a drainage problem, then we’d miss the streets that have been paved, the problems that have been fixed.

I’ll admit, it is easy to tell the negative stories. They’re easy to tell because there are always plenty of people bad-mouthing something. All you have to do is turn on local radio at times and you’ll get your feel of negative.

It’s time we — all of us — started to change that.

It is important that we begin talking good about what we are, who we are and what we can be.

It is important we start celebrating our successes, regardless of how small or big they might be.

It is important that we start changing our stars by envisioning a better Selma, a better Dallas County and so on.

I firmly believe that there is truth to the philosophy of positive thinking.

Over the coming weeks, I — and those at the Times-Journal — will begin working on telling more stories about what is right about our hometown and celebrating the everyday champions that make this area truly amazing to be a part of.