A Different View

Like some people (around one billion of them as of the latest official count), I use Facebook to connect with family and friends from all over the world. Unlike most Facebook users, however, I do not check my Facebook page everyday as I don’t feel the need to know my friends’ thoughts, likes and dislikes, and actions at every turn. I have set up maximum security on my page so that I will only see postings from a few selected people. I also share my postings only to people I personally know.

It was through Facebook that I came across a video that compiled bits of footage captured by security cameras around the world. My initial thought was I would see various scenes of criminal activity. The video however showed something totally different.

A man stealing a kiss from his girlfriend, a man picking up a wallet on the sidewalk and hurriedly handing it to the woman who seemed unaware she dropped it, people showing random acts of kindness, friends & families hugging in public, a man dancing on the street infront of street musicians – these were some of the footage shown. At the end of the short video was the message, “let’s look at the world a little bit differently.”

The video struck a chord in me, as it reminded me of a decision I made four years ago. When I started ZOOM, I decided that I will keep its pages devoted to showcasing only what’s good and beautiful about the Sunshine Coast and its people. I wanted ZOOM to be a magazine that will bring smiles to people, and will remind them that amidst all the natural calamities, economic disasters and proliferation of hate and violence, life is still beautiful.

In these pages, you will not find articles on problematic issues, sad stories, political views, controveries and other troubling concerns. I believe that being aware of these things is important but other local media outlets are already covering them. When I turn my computer on every morning, my bookmarked news website already gives me late-breaking news about ongoing wars, political scandals and criminal activities.

I feel that sometimes, we need to be reminded that deep within our hearts, as well as just outside our doors – beauty thrives, love grows and kindness lives. – Edmund Arceo