To overlook another's good deeds and publicize his wrongdoings is a common practice in today's society. It is a social disease that needs to be cured by praising the virtues of others instead. Many wonderful things occur in society every day, events that are worthy of our attention. What we really need to do is to promote the good and to instill a sense of morality in a rapidly degrading world.

For example, recently Mr. Yang Fuyi miraculously wakened from a six-month coma caused by a massive brain hemorrhage. Although he has yet to recover his ability to communicate verbally, and could initially only manage a smile or shake hands as a gesture of affection, speech therapy and other relevant care have been provided to him by the nonprofit Creation of Life Foundation in the hope that he may one day regain the full use of all his faculties.

In another example, Mrs. Bauer of New Mexico awoke from a long coma on Christmas eve in 1999. She was comatose for sixteen years after giving birth to her fourth child. Her recovery has not only brought enormous joy to her children, but has also given much needed hope to families in similar situations.

During the 1999 earthquake in Taiwan, the Baihao Temple was completely destroyed. In addition to being a place of worship for many Buddhists, it was a sanctuary for troubled youth. Recently, followers have organized a series of fundraising events for the purpose of collecting money to rebuild the temple. People from all walks of life have contributed to the cause.

Earlier this year, at the largest garden in suburban Taipei, sixty-four couples took their wedding vows in front of the Buddha. Venerable Sheng-yen of Dharma Drum Buddhist Order presided over the unique ceremony, which brought a new aspect of Buddhism to the general public. In Taichung, more than 10,000 people joined Venerable Wei Chueh of Chung Tai Temple and Minister Wang Chinping of the Legislative Ministry of Taiwan in offering a candle of blessing to all living beings. The event was widely covered by the media and well received by the audience. When Tibetan monks were forced into exile in India by their own government, Indian authorities took extra measures to provide them with special care.

When Hu Yufan developed three of the world's smallest artificial satellites in the United States, he led humankind into a new frontier and brought unlimited benefits to the present and the future. When two whales were beached off the American coast last June, a group of caring scientists carefully nursed them back to health for their safe return to the Atlantic Ocean. The American people's general respect for animal rights and life is praiseworthy.

Around the globe there are many touching stories and wonderful deeds that prove that the world is not as bad as it seems. What we need from the media is positive reporting and uplifting news, the reporting of events that will change our lives for the better and encourage good social behavior. Let our society be touched with stories of loving kindness and compassion; let our lives be enriched by each other's courage and charity.