By Nanci Dixon
In the midst of an abundance of bad news – rising COVID numbers, unemployment, evictions, homelessness and hunger – some good news stories still bubble to the surface.
We find ourselves mostly posting bad, sad or frustrating news in our Sunday newsletter. It’s not our fault, of course, but we want to make sure you come here and smile too. That’s why we’re bringing you this “Good News” column.
“There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark.” —Helen Keller
Person that owns a 3D-printer sends brailled dice to a school for blind children so that they can play Dungeons and Dragons from goodnews
“It’s okay to be absurd, ridiculous and downright irrational at times; silliness is the sweet syrup that helps us swallow the bitter pills of life.” —Richelle E. Goodrich
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” ―
Barbershop owners Season Bennett and her husband were so moved by hearing of a commencement speaker paying off student loans they went to a local school, East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, to see if there was anyone they could help financially. They were amazed to find that 14 students were in danger of not graduating because of their debt to the school. The amount owed was more than $4,500, and the school had a firm policy on not allowing the students with debt to get diplomas, graduate or walk in the ceremony. Most of the money owed was from lunches and band fees.
Bennett started a GoFundMe site that NFL player Thomas Davis’ daughter saw and Davis offered to pay the debt. The remainder of the funds will be donated to the school’s anti-suicide prevention program. [This story was from 2019 (why they’re not wearing masks), but it is still heartwarming.]
How do crows greet each other in Texas? Yee-caw!
When an Austin, Texas, H-E-B grocery store lost power in the storms last week, shoppers were suddenly plunged into darkness with full carts and without a way to pay. Their carts were filled with essential food and water and the cash registers were down. Store clerks just said, “Go, take the groceries. Don’t worry about paying.”
“Thou shalt not be a victim, thou shalt not be a perpetrator, but, above all, thou shalt not be a bystander.” ―
Learn the inspiring and heartwarming story of Nicholas Winton. Winton secretly saved the lives of more than 650 children.
“Compassion for animals is intimately connected with goodness of character.” —Arthur Schopenhauer
And when the vet gives a dog the dreaded “cone of shame,” a cat buddy cuddles up to make it better.
This made my day❤️ from aww
Hope these just-for-fun videos put a smile on your face. They did mine!
“Press on – nothing can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Perseverance and determination alone are omnipotent.” —
It is always good to remember how far encouragement and persistence can go. It can help conquer fear and propel one into the unknown.
So this week we wish you good news, something to smile about, a bit of encouragement and the persistence to make it through whatever is before you, big or small.
See you next week!
Read last week’s Good News post here.
Hear a “Good News” story? Please use the form below to tell us about it. Include a website or link to a video. Thanks!
Another great collection!
Thanks Nanci!
I’m sure that anyone who saw this would end up with a smile on their face and a really “good” feeling.
Once again…….thanks!
Emerson is quoted as saying: “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Does not all the foregoing, to be of use to your fellow mankind, make one happy? It should. Thank you Nanci. With all the negativity in the world it’s nice to see some sunbeams.
Excellent, Impavid. Thanks! Have a great day! (And on that note, I’m heading out for my second COVID shot.) 😀 —Diane at RVtravel.com
Great addition to the Sunday newsletter. Always enjoy the heartwarming stories.
I think there’s a lot more good out there than we are led to believe. Thanks Nancy for showing us a little of it. I really enjoy it!
Thank you Nanci for these heartwarming and fun stories!