Feel Good Friday

It’s Friday, the start of the weekend.  Keep your focus positive, and remember that there are many amazing people out there.

Roatan, Honduras
Photo Credit: Doree Weller

Police in Massachusetts are using money seized from drug dealers to fund rehab for people who come to the police station and voluntarily turn in their drugs.  They’ve helped over 100 addicts in two month.  This is an amazing program that focuses on helping people rather than punishing them.

A 9 year-old stood up to protesters at a gay pride parade.  I’m not a fan of when people respond to peaceful protesters in a hateful way; I think that’s an example of being intolerant of other people’s opinions.  However, I think this kid responded to the protesters in exactly the right way.  He stood in front of their signs with a bunch of balloons, blocking them so they couldn’t be read.  No hatefulness or negativity was exchanged.  You go, kiddo!

Doctors are studying near-death experiences, and showing that people experience something after the brain stops functioning.  Very interesting article if you’re interested in learning more about this.

Formerly abused dogs, many of them used in dogfighting, show that they deserve a second chance.  This is a story about dogs who’ve been rescued and shown that they can overcome the past.

The Rock is someone who appears in the news from time to time as a good-guy-celebrity.  He recently spoke at the graduation of inmates from a voluntary prison boot camp program.  This was my first time hearing about it, but in Florida, they’ve allowed some men convicted of crimes to attend a boot camp to help them become better citizens, rather than serve sentences in prison.  Where do I start to gush about how wonderful this is?  I could go on and on, but many studies show that prison sentences don’t deter crime.  Programs that rehabilitate do.  *stepping off soapbox*

Be amazing today.  Smile at someone for no reason.  Be forgiving instead of judgmental.  Be the best you that you can be today.

Be the Rain

Waterfall in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico
Photo Credit: Doree Weller

I think we’ve all been in a situation where we desperately want to make our words understood, but for whatever reason, the person we’re speaking to can’t hear us.  It’s a definite temptation to get louder, more animated, and more insistent.  I can tell you that from my own experience, and from what others have told me, it almost never works.

“Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.”

― Rumi

This is such a lovely quote for so many reasons.  First off, it’s true.  Second, I want to be the person who meets every situation with grace and poise.  I’ll never forget the story of the man who tried to publicly shame a Sikh woman on Reddit, and instead of responding with anger (which would have been totally justified), she responded in such a beautiful way that even though I read this story three years ago, it still hasn’t lost its impact on me.

I aspire to be the rain.

As you start your Monday, take a moment to think about who you want to be, and then remember that as you go forward and interact with the world.

Feel Good Friday

It’s Friday!  Are you excited for the weekend?

Roosevelt Dam, Arizona
Photo Credit: Doree Weller

We always hear when celebrities are behaving poorly, so here’s a story about someone who’s doing good.  Wrestler John Cena just granted his 500th Make-A-Wish for sick children.  He’s the celebrity who’s visited the most children.

Volunteers are fighting wildfires in Washington State.  The state was overwhelmed dealing with the fires, and asked for volunteers.  Over 3,000 people showed up the first day.  A lawyer bought his own vintage fire truck, and has been out fighting fires.  That’s the difference that ordinary people can make.

In New Orleans, a man has invested most of his life’s savings to open a grocery store in a food desert.  He’s opened a store with groceries and other shops.  People in the neighborhood used to have to take 3 buses to get supplies.

Dog comforts a dying woman in hospice.  Many people in hospice don’t get visitors, and a dog can be a wonderful comfort.

A stray dog defended a woman, so she adopted the dog, who later had puppies.

Ordinary people can make a difference.

“No one could make a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”
-Edmund Burke

Feel Good Friday

Hey everyone, it’s Friday!  Time for some good news.

Photo Credit: Doree Weller

A 75-year-old woman was going to be fined and possibly jailed for not mowing her lawn, so some kids, who didn’t even know her, went ahead and took care of mowing her lawn.  There’s a very sweet (and short) video attached to the article.

Rachelle Friedman does a lingerie shoot to prove that people with disabilities can still be sexy.  Rachelle was paralyzed in an accident at her bachelorette party.  In the article, she says that some people think the photos are inappropriate, and I don’t see why.  She says that it made her feel good to do the shoot, and she gets to do what she wants to with her body.  I don’t think anyone has the right to pass judgement on that, like she’s held to different standards because of her disability.  In her book, The Promise: A Tragic Accident, a Paralyzed Bride, and the Power of Love, Loyalty, and Friendship, she commented that some people asked if her then-fiance was still going to go through with the wedding, and that she was surprised, that it had never occurred to her that he wouldn’t.  Because she knows something important: she’s more than just her body.  I say, “Go, Rachelle!”

AC Moore featured a child with Down’s Syndrome in a fundraising campaign.  Julie Gerhart-Rothholz wrote to them and thanked them for including a person with Down’s Syndrome, and told them about Changing the Face of Beauty, an initiative to feature a wider variety of people in advertising.  Not only did AC Moore write back to her immediately, but they also committed to participating in the initiative.  If you want to learn more about the initiative, click here.

A woman lost 200 pounds and went to participate in her first 10K.  She started struggling after the 4th mile, but was able to finish with the help of her son and a Kentucky police officer.

There’s a kindergarten teacher in Albuquerque NM, who every day, asks her students if they’ve eaten breakfast and if they need anything (clothing, to brush their teeth, etc).  She went to sit in the audience of the Ellen show, and was surprised to be honored for what she does.  Here’s the clip from the show.  Yeah, it made me cry.  Teachers do an amazing job.  We only really hear about the crappy ones in the news, so it’s nice to see someone wonderful like this being honored.

Have a great weekend.

Feel Good Friday

Hello, and welcome to Friday!

I had blogs written earlier this week.  Gnomes snuck in my house and stole them.  They kept saying something about “Step 1- steal underwear.”  I don’t know.

But seriously, I lost a blog this week, and I’m not sure where it went.  I thought I lost two, but apparently the other one auto-saved.  (Thank you, blog gods!).  I got frustrated though, and that’s why there were no blogs this week.  I’ll do better next week.

Here are this week’s feel good Friday articles.

In the Woods
Photo Credit: Doree Weller

San Antonio woman fined for feeding the homeless has her case dismissed.  Joan Cheever has been operating The Chow Train for over 10 years, and recently was fined, because it’s apparently illegal to feed the homeless.  She cited religious freedom, stating that’s the way she prays.  Now that the case has been dismissed, it will be interesting to see what’s next for the law.

There is a device to ensure that K9 officers don’t get left in hot cars.  

The California made some changes that please animal activists.  And as we all know, change often begins in California before it comes to the rest of us.

“Growing Local” is both the name of a documentary about farmers and a trend toward determined farmers who believe in the food they grow, and increasing consumer want for sustainable, local foods.  There’s a short article and the trailer for the documentary attached.

The Malawi chief changed the law, raising the minimum age for marriage to 16.  She annulled marriages for more than 300 children (both boys and girls) in her district and sent them back to school.

There’s a lot more good news in the world, but these are the stories I picked this week.

Go forth and be amazing today!

Feel Good Friday

Photo Credit: Doree Weller

A guy tries to give money to a homeless man, and the man takes it, but then asks if the guy will just talk to him for a little while. The video made me tear up.  It’s true that people just want to connect with one another, and that’s more important than anything.  Take 3 minutes and watch the video.  And remember, whatever else you think of homeless people, they’re still just people at the core of it.

 A woman overhears a hurtful conversation between a mother and daughter about a plus sized tank top.  The woman buys the item in question, and her selfie goes viral.

Grey Muzzle Rescue is a rescue run by one man, set up to take in senior dogs who otherwise might not find a home. There’s an article, and a 13 minute video. Well worth watching to brighten your day.

A man overcomes homelessness by knitting bears.

A child confesses that he worries that people won’t like him because he’s gay, and he gets many responses from strangers reassuring him.  It’s nice to see people come together in acceptance and kindness.

Feel Good Friday

Hello, and welcome to Feel Good Friday, where I focus on the positive things around us.

On the Apache Trail, Arizona
Photo Credit: Doree Weller

Blind cat and her human go on adventures.  This is a sweet story.

Preschool in Seattle visits a nursing home.  The kids perk up the elderly residents, and it’s good for the kids too.  I think this is wonderful, and I hope more places start doing this.

Police officer sings to a toddler to calm her after she’s involved in a car accident that killed the rest of her family.

Child opens a lemonade stand to pay for an iPad.  When a cop sees what she’s doing, he helps her reach her goal.

Dad and daughter do 39 Acts of Kindness for their birthdays.  What a nice way to celebrate.

Have a fabulous weekend!  And remember, be kinder than you need to, and focus on the good whenever you can.

Feel Good Friday

Happy Friday, everyone!

Austin, TX
Photo Credit: Doree Weller

Colorado artist ordered by police to stop stacking rocks under an obscure city ordinance.  When he protested online, the city attorney called him personally to let him know that he had told police to not give out tickets for rock stacking.  This is why power doesn’t reside with any one person.  🙂  A happy ending.

Plus sized lady shares her yoga practice on the Internet, showing that yoga is for everyone, not just a particular body type.

When fifth-graders saw a special needs boy being bullied, they helped him, and from then on, befriended him and have protected him from bullies.  There’s an article and a video; it’s a really sweet story showing the absolute best in people.

Baltimore schools have removed paperwork requirements in schools with high poverty rates, so now every child can get free breakfast and lunch.  Children should not have to go hungry; I just hope more schools jump on board with this.

IKEA pledges a billion dollars to help with climate change.  IKEA has always been about using sustainable materials and less waste, so this is just another thing they’re doing to help.  Corporations can sound good, but IKEA puts their money toward positive change.

Feel Good Friday

Hey everyone, it’s Friday.  But you probably didn’t need me to tell  you that.  😉

Ladybird Johnson Wildlife Center, Austin TX
Photo Credit: Doree Weller

Restaurant owner posts sign in the window offering people in need a free meal or beverage.

K-9 cop in Mississippi saves his officer’s life after the human officer was attacked.  The officer was able to push a remote to release the K-9 cop from the vehicle.

A woman’s labrador led a police officer to her after she fell unconscious.  The officer was then able to get the woman emergency medical treatment.

Seniors cancel class trip to give money to their principal to pay for her cancer treatment.

New York cop tickets a turnstile jumper on the subway, then helps him find a job.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Feel Good Friday

There’s so much good stuff going on in the US this week that I had trouble finding only 5 articles!  I ended up with six today, but I could have gone on and on.  Enjoy!

22 year old graduates valedictorian from college after dropping out of high school.  After Michael Moubarek had an accident that could have killed him, he decided to make some changes, went back and finished high school, and now intends to be a doctor.  Great article, and it just goes to show that no matter what, life can change anytime.  Never give up!

5-year-old invites homeless man for a meal at the Waffle House after learning what “homeless” meant.

Police in Farmington, NH have started stopping people to praise and reward them for following laws.  Police said they feel like it’s helping them to get to know the community, and also nice to be able to have positive interactions with people.  They reported that they thought of the program after seeing a man go out of his way to use the crosswalk after heavy snow.

Teens take service dogs to prom.  Neither of them planned to go to prom, but then they met because of their service dogs, and decided to go together.  Cutest double date ever!  This is a video.

Update.  Last week, I posted about a veteran who has prostate cancer and was released from the hospital to a home with no food.  He called 911, and since then, he’s continued to receive food donations and is now getting Meals on Wheels.  It’s nice to see how much people care.

America’s oldest park ranger advocates for people of color, and she hopes, opens options to little girls.