We all have had our fair share of disappointments this year. 2016 seems to bring one exhausting thing after another. From the election, to the clowns, to the Ryan Lochte event, it seems like 2016 keeps sending one sucker punch to another. Regardless of how you feel about the election, we are all exhausted from the long process that was the campaigning and mudslinging. But, not all is lost friends. We have hope! There are TONS of really incredible things that happened this year. So, please ignore your uncle's drunken Facebook posts about Reverse Racism and try to focus on these 15 newsworthy stories that will hopefully make you smile. Believe me when I say that I am hoping this counteracts all of the negativity on your timeline.
A 12-year-old taught himself how to sew so he could make teddy bears for terminally ill children.
12 year old Campbell Remess learned how to sew three years ago and decided to give back to kids in need. He taught himself how to sew and visits hospitals every Thursday to deliver a fresh batch. I mean seriously? Kids are just so great.
A high school senior bought his classmate new shoes to stand up to bullies.
Kindness never goes out of style. Even the smallest acts can make a huge difference.
A Little girl used Google Translate to make friends.
An Elementary School Student noticed that a classmate was eating lunch alone. When the student realized that the future friend did not speak English, the student decided to utilize Google Translate and send the classmate a note. Seriously... how are kids so pure? Why do we not listen to them more?
A math professor encouraged his students to bring their kids to class so that they don't miss out.
I know we all saw this post on Facebook, but I also know that many of us have heard really sad stories of mothers not being able to continue their careers because of a lack of childcare. There are still good people in the world, even in the most unlikely of places.
Two middle-schoolers created the best Halloween costume of all time.
These 13 year old BFFs decided to create the "Juslims" Superheroes costume for halloween. Yasim is Muslim and Casey is Jewish. The two girls wanted to combat the poor relationship often propagated between two religions and instead unite in an adorable show of solidarity. It doesn't take much to make the world a better place, sometimes all you need is a little glitter glue.
NICU Babies were transformed into superheroes.
Workers in Kansas City, Missouri decided to brighten the sometimes somber tone of the NICU by covering the sweet babies in superhero capes and costumes. The volunteers also gave the family cards with the babies footprints in them as well as crocheted pumpkins filled with candy. Nothing makes my heart glow quite like tiny babies in costumes.
An emotional support duck named Daniel warmed everyone's heart.
Daniel is a registered Emotional Support Animal that goes everywhere with his owner and helps her manage her often crippling depression. Daniel was a wild duck that decided to follow his owner home one day and the two have been inseparable ever since. Do you think he knows he's doing a good job? I really want to tell him he's doing a good job....
A man used his Halloween costume to grant his dog's greatest wish.
This adorable puppy's favorite toy is his Gumby chew toy. To fulfill this puppy's wildest dreams, his owner bought a Gumby halloween costume which basically made this puppy so stinking happy. Which... in turn made me so stinking happy.
A hairless sweater was given a sweater to help him deal with the bitter cold.
Silky, an adorable hamster who was born with no hair, was recently given a sweater that was hand-knit to help him brave the winter months. Silky wears his sweater full time which made me squeal with joy.
Domestic violence shelters have started to house shelter dogs to help ease anxiety.
Domestic Shelters are perhaps some of the most stressful places in the world. With so many awful things going unmentioned in these spaces, what better way to help people cope than with shelter animals that also need love. Honestly, this idea is so brilliant I am not entirely sure why we didn't think of it earlier.
An adorable pug was given a "Hometown Hero Award" for saving his entire family.
This pug's owners did not notice the sparks that were coming from their stove. The pure pup started to bark up a storm and race around his humans' legs in order to get them to notice and evacuate, thus saving their lives. Seriously... what did we do to deserve animals?
A cheer program was created to help include people with disabilities.
This cheerleading squad noticed that people with disabilities were often excluded from participating in cheerleading, so instead of continuing this practice they decided to do something about it. Now the team is made up of 12 girls and have a wide range of disabilities represented on their squad. They hope to expand their mindset to other schools throughout the country.
A dad turned his son's wheelchair into the Ecto-1 car from Ghostbusters.
Not only that, the very same dad always transforms the wheelchair for Halloween. In previous years he has been the Snowspeeder from the Empire Strikes back and Captain America's Motorcycle. What an incredible way to utilize your resources!
A tattoo artists help women recovering from breast cancer see themselves as a masterpiece.
Vinnie Meyers works with women who have triumphed over Breast Cancer to help them smile again. Oftentimes, there is a severe body dysmorphia that comes with losing a breast and Meyers is working towards helping women feel complete again. There needs to be more people like this in the world.
A rapper created a whole career around his love of cats.
Okay, now here's a man after my own heart.... his entire rap career is about how much he loves cats. I don't think I have ever loved a man more.
So friends, I know it seems glum right now. I know it hurts and life can be kind of confusing. But, there are still good things happening in the world. Cats still exist, Hamilton still changed the world, and there are better days ahead. Whether it's the election, school, or life that is getting you down, remember that you are important, you are loved, and good things are happening everyday. Do not let the perception that the world is an awful place take you over. There are millions of good things that are happening everyday, you just need to be willing to look at them.
