There is a lot of horrible, depressing news out there today.

Actually, there’s been horrible, depressing news out there all my life. If it wasn’t the Vietnam it was Gaza. If it wasn’t Chernobyl it was Sandy Hook. If it wasn’t the Manchu Conquest of China it was World War II.

There has always been horrible people in the world, and there will always be horrible people in the the world. No amount of training, upbringing, therapy or cuddling will change that.

But as I watched my grandson’s soccer game Saturday, a different point of view came to mind.

Soccer teams always line up after games and stand in line and put their hands out and walk past the other team, slapping their hands and say “Good Game.” Doesn’t matter if they mean it or not; a loss stings and a win elevates. I watched the two coaches shake hands before and after the game.

Brutal football games usually end with teams mingling with the opposition, shaking a hand or hugging or just passing a nod between them. Last week I watched a car stop in the middle of the road and pick up a turtle that was sloooowly crossing the road and put him on the other side. I read in my local town FB page where somebody was shopping at Walmart and digging for change to fill out her bill and couldn’t find any and the person behind her paid for her groceries.

When I see and hear things like this I know that love is not dead. That for all the nonsense that makes the pages there are hundreds and thousands of good people out there, trying to just get by, making kind gestures and laughing and hugging others for unknown reasons.

I was never in competitive sports, but I don’t ever remember slapping hands with an opposing team and saying “Good Game.” Maybe in a Catholic grade school they said “God Bless.” I doubt it, but it’s a heartening thought.

Don’t be afraid to smile at someone. Tell them good game or that you like their dress or shoes. I often say that to outfits that catch my eye, and the recipient is always surprised and smiling in return. I shout “great shot” when the opposite team scores a goal on us and pick up items that people drop and hand them back to them.

It’s not hard.

And you will definitely leave the world a better place than you found it.

Good Game!!