We all know that the world can be a scary place…. and currently, our world is going through a lot of alarming change. With an extremely controversial election taking place less than 48 hours from now (omg) (go hillz) to a new documentary done by Leo DiCaprio (Before the Flood) outlining and exposing the horrifying impacts of global warming on our environment, it kind of feels like the dark days are among us. If you’re anything like myself, these subject matters have me making sure my passport is renewed while simultaneously checking my finances to see if I can afford a Tesla, all while wondering what kind of place my grandchildren are going to grow up- if it’s going to look like mine. It’s hard to turn on the news and be bombarded with Trumps bigotry, heinous crimes, and the world potentially bursting into a ball of flames in the next 60 years. And to be honest with you, I’m really sick of hearing all of it.
Although the current election and our environment are pressing issues that already (and will continue to) impact the way we live our daily lives, it sometimes feels like the place we live in is a constant cycle of bad. I’m here to report that in these times of daunting news stories, there are a lot of really fantastic things going on too.
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A man in Australia saved a baby kangaroo from a grate in the road! If you haven’t already seen the video, you really really should. Faith in humanity, restored.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh8Qi7svjDk
2. The American high school graduation rate is at an all time high! 83.2% of our nation’s senior’s graduated this year, which is up tremendously from years past.
3. Miracle Messages, an organization dedicated to reconnecting the homeless with their loved ones, records videos of a homeless person addressing their parents/siblings/children/significant others and posts it on facebook and other social media sites. 40% of those who made messages are off the streets and living with their families! The video will bring you to tears.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8GKZMBIfJM
4. Research suggests that depression and anxiety can be counteracted by watching videos of baby animals. Viewing these cuties playing, swimming, eating, etc. releases a lot of serotonin and dopamine into your body, which influences how you feel about yourself in a positive way. If you don’t believe me, try it out when you’re having a rough day. You’ll be surprised!
5. Richard Fibbs is a famous photographer using his status for good. His new book, Rescue Me, is a photographic story about 70 dogs in NYC shelters and their road to adoptions. No surprise, his book has raised so much awareness that adoption rates have risen! You can check it out here:
https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/11/Rescue-Me-Book-Richard-Phibbs/506495/
These are only five of the countless amazing things going on around us every second of every day. Although the nightly news can make it seem like the glass is totally half-empty, try to find the good in the world- see the glass half-full. Random acts of kindness, like paying it forward or simply speaking kindly to someone who may need it goes much farther than you’d think. Our world is a beautiful and kind place to live in, but it starts at the level of a single person. Much love!