It’s easy enough to look at the state of the world and feel despondent . After all, there’s plenty of bad news and, it seems, not enough good news .
Big picture stuff is big picture stuff, but if you look around and take in the world on a personal level, there’s plenty of stuff that gives us hope. In fact, just observing your fellow humans in action should be enough to warm your heart, at least a little.
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“People at my local train station leave day passes for other people to use.”
This is one of those things that’s almost certainly illegal, but still, something that most people appreciate. After all, there’s nothing worse than not quite having enough to pay for a ticket.
“Man giving his wife a kitten.”
Plenty of people have gifted their loved ones a surprise kitten, with plenty of great reactions along the way. But it isn’t often that you get to see a photo of the exact moment it happened.
“My husband lost his wedding ring in the sea yesterday. A man has just returned it to him, saying he saw us looking for it yesterday and went back with his snorkel in the evening and found it for him. He wouldn’t accept any money.”
I’d probably give up on finding my ring so fast, so it’s incredible that a complete stranger was dedicated enough to track this down.
“The greatest feeling ever.”
Sometimes, parents get schoolwork from their kids that just melts their hearts. As a parent, you want to be the big, strong protector of your kids, so it must be gratifying to see this and confirm that they feel the same way.
“Wholesome neighbor.”
In many places, it feels like neighborly kindness has gone by the wayside, with more people shutting themselves off from their neighbors (despite the fact that being neighborly is an unequivocally good thing ). It’s lovely to see this neighbor putting in the effort, in another language at that.
“A small bakery in Uttar Pradesh, India gives out free cakes to orphans aged between 1-14 yrs.”
Anyone who’s been to a big Indian city will tell you that homeless orphans are a real thing there — a fact that’s only been exacerbated by the pandemic . Props to this bakery.
“Somebody in my neighborhood started this stand in the summer of 2020. It’s still going strong.”
There’s something really special about gestures like this — whether it’s a free library or a free fruit and veggie stand. As the sign states, it’s all about paying it forward.
“Engineers build and bring teeter-totters to US-Mexico border.”
This seems like a nice gesture, but it’s part of an art exhibit. What’s that mean? It means that the art world is going to have differing opinions . Still, as a person who’s not an art snob, I approve.
“Found Snek all tangled. Mesh was choking and beginning to cut into her skin. Snek safe now.”
It’s truly upsetting to see an animal in distress, and the prospect of saving a thrashing, panicking animal is daunting. It looks like this snake emerged none the worse for wear.
“Current no. 1 & 2 at the Tour de France. Pogačar on the right crashed today, but Vingegaard on the left didn’t take advantage of the situation, but waited for Pogacar to get back on his bike.”
I’m not going to pretend I understand the rules of competitive cycling, but it appears this cyclist values sportsmanship more than winning at all costs.
“Volvo’s new seat belt.”
This story, one that’s been told many times over the years, is an example of corporate benevolence so stunning that we’d probably never see it today. Imagine coming up with a game-changing, valuable invention, and then giving it away in the name of public safety.
“They told my grandma she wouldn’t make it to 18. Happy 61st birthday Mary!”
Oftentimes, a terminal prognosis means just that. But other times, people beat the odds. This woman has lived four-plus decades since her expected death date and is still going strong.
“There is no age limit.”
I don’t think it’s particularly out of place to see people aged 24 or older at a water park. It is kind of unusual — but awesome — to see parents taking their adult kids, though.
“My local library being a bro during a heat wave.”
It’s one thing to have a drinking fountain on the premises, but it’s quite another to have bottles of water for people to grab and take with them as they endure the heat.
“I didn’t even know Christmas trees could be replanted.”
This is a newer trend , one that’s a complete no-brainer from an environmental standpoint. This way, people get their natural Christmas trees, but they won’t get discarded. They’ll eventually grow tall in a forest somewhere.
“Current obsession is getting pillows made for trainees with their first big paper printed on the front. Science office decor.”
Not to be negative, but the aesthetic of these pillows is…well, it’s boring. Still, it’s a cool gesture to show people that their work matters.
“Police officer giving a Buckingham Palace Guard water amid the heatwave in the United Kingdom.”
These guards have very strict rules about what they can and cannot do while in uniform. Thankfully, it’s apparent within the rules to have someone give them water.
“My 64-year-old mother-in-law’s first time in the ocean.”
Swimming in the ocean for the first time is the kind of memorable event that most people never forget. It took this woman a long time to make it to the ocean, but she’s clearly making the most of it.
“I broke every bone in my face and had to have to reconstructed. The left is the face I grew up with and the right is me 9 months later!”
Usually, facial reconstructions make a person look quite different, but in this case, he looks almost identical to before.
“Took my grandma to see my grandpa. Together 70 years and now separated due to health issues.”
It’s heartbreaking to know that health issues have separated this couple, but it’s also gratifying to see that they still get (limited) quality time together.
