With so many things happening all over the world on a daily basis, we are always bound to come across a positive story worth sharing. We already know that reading the news can be overwhelming at times, considering how much publicity negative events seem to gather and how it infiltrates almost every media outlet we end up coming across.

However, as we all know, not all news is bad news. There are many things happening today that can leave us feeling better about humanity and the world we live in. We just need to take a pause every now and then and appreciate the little joyful things in life, so that we may shed a little light on even the darkest of times.

Here are seven wonderful things, big and small, that have occurred these past few weeks, in hopes that it brings a smile to your face and others!

1. Wikie the orca is the first talking killer whale.

Science is fascinating and this recent event is no doubt another testament that the evolution of animals continues to progress. Although people are saying this is mimicry at its early stage, whales are still known to be incredibly advanced, so who knows what other capabilities will later ensue.

Let us hope though that Wikie, considering her current home and the reality of her circumstance, is treated justly throughout these experiments. The Telegraph mentioned that Wikie has repeated words like "hello" and "bye bye" along with "Amy," the name of her trainer. Check out the video below to hear Wikie speak.

2. Hong Kong finally voted to ban the ivory trade.

Following in suit of mainland China, Hong Kong voted to ban the ivory trade that has resulted in the diminishing elephant population by 110,000, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Now it is time to enforce the strict penalties for those who seek to continue their illegal ivory sales. As those penalties increase, hopefully, so will the elephant population. For now, let us be thankful that this trade is coming to an end and that the lives of elephants are being saved.

3. Students surprised a beloved bus driver with Super Bowl Tickets.

For being a kind-hearted man to his community as a bus driver for the Mount Laurel school district in New Jersey, Gary Kelmer was gifted Super Bowl tickets by that same community. Parents and students chipped in to purchase those tickets, including airfare, that was roughly around $5,000 so that Kelmer, along with his wife, could see the Philadelphia Eagles, a team he has been a life-long fan of. Feel free to see the happiness and love shared by Kelmer and his community in the interview video found at the CBS News website.

4. A high school wrestler with down syndrome ends his season as an undefeated champion.

As with any reigning champion in sports, or life for that matter, a student named Cedric Lehky has impressed his companions and family by winning his last match on January 12, 2018, leaving him with an undefeated season. Let us hope his story inspires others with special needs to do what they love with as much vigor and dedication as Cedric!

5. Veterans from the Vietnam War aim to create a friendship club including their former foes.

After 43 years since their first battle encounter, Vietnam War veterans from Australia and Vietnam are looking to join one another in solidarity through a club to simply enjoy each others' company. This is said to be initiated by a deep respect for one another, considering their army background and war efforts, and so the veterans hope to crack open a cold one and share open and friendly conversations.

6. An Arctic Fox convinces an ice fisherman to share his catch.

Talk about one cute, cunning and determined fox!

7. Lab-grown ears were given to five children using their very own cells.

A significant breakthrough has occurred thanks to the determination of scientists in aiding those born with microtia — a congenital deformity where the external ear is underdeveloped —, which can have severe effects on the health of those affected by it. By creating lab-grown ears using the affected children's own cells, scientists were able to reduce the risk of rejection often seen with fake implants.

Thanks to in-vitro engineering techniques, as stated in the research findings posted in EBioMedicine, "Satisfactory aesthetical outcome with mature cartilage formation was achieved with the longest follow-up of 2.5 years."