Pay It

Somewhere in the US, I cannot speak for other countries, someone started the "pay for the coffee of the person in line behind you" trend. Since then, people have paid for meals and drinks to benefit someone else. Others have followed suit but with a twist: just pay for a meal or a drink and when a person needs it, but cannot pay for it, then it is there for him or her to have. It does not need to be the next one in line. 

As I was searching for a "positive headline" to share, I came across "acts of kindness" stories gathered by Reader's Digest. I chose to share the following:

The man at the market

When the supermarket clerk tallied up my groceries, it was $12 over what I had on me. I began to remove items from the bags when another shopper handed me a $20 bill. “Please don’t put yourself out,” I told him. “Let me tell you a story,” he said. “My mother is in the hospital with cancer. I visit her every day and bring her flowers. I went this morning, and she got mad at me for spending my money on more flowers. She demanded that I do something else with that money. So, here, please accept this. It is my mother’s flowers.” —Leslie Wagner, Peel, Arkansas

How would you feel if you were on the receiving end? 
How much more grateful could you feel if you were on the giving end?

I realize that not all of us have the finances to buy meals or drinks for others in need. However, if you are ever in the position to go and buy fast food, a slice of pizza on the go, or drinks, look around you to see if there's anyone in need. 
Or, when you are at the grocery store, if you see someone putting groceries or other necessities back because of lack of funds, consider helping out.
Or, if you have a child in school (and the children in the school have to pay for their breakfast or lunch), consider paying the bill for a child. Although things are changing, I don't know that all schools are already providing free breakfast and lunch for their students. By paying their bill, you would help a family in need. 

By doing these small acts of service, not only will the receiver be blessed, but so will the giver. Just remember the words the Savior spoke, "...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40)

Hospitality

If you are a frequent traveler, you are most likely aware that travel plans might need to be changed quickly. Among many possible problems, sometimes the culprit is a mechanical failure and, sometimes, the culprit is the weather. 

In this story, from the Good News Network, ferry passengers were stranded due to weather conditions. They were unable to find shelter, until two kind souls opened their home to them. These people were all strangers to each other. But this did not stop William and Arianna Patterson from welcoming them into their home. The physical accommodations might have not been the best, as many ended up sleeping on the floor, but the atmosphere and the caring these people enjoyed was worth every moment of their adventure.  You can read the complete article, Dock Worker Brings Stranded Ferry Passengers Home: 'You're All Staying at My House Tonight', by clicking on the link.

Would you have done the same, if you had been in William and Arianna's shoes?

This is not the first time that complete strangers opened their homes to stranded passengers. It seems that when things get tough, when situations seem extreme, many individuals find a place in their hearts to help one another. And this kind of behavior brings to mind the following scripture: "And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me," (Matthew 25:40)

May we all find a way to show caring towards one another. And may we do so without waiting on an emergency situation to arise. 

Different Ways of Serving Others

When we think of service, many times we think of just paid staff whether at home, or restaurants, or companies with a customer service department. 

How many of us think also of unpaid individuals who voluntarily "serve" others for the sake of just helping out? 

Below, you will find links to articles about people who, either in a group or on their own, have served others by taking action. These are what I consider "positive headlines."

From the Good News Network:

1. The Gift of Love: 

Teen Floundering in Foster Care Finally Gets to be a Sister With Real Family for First Time  
Aug 7, 2023

1. The Gift of Nutrition: 

GNN Readers Donate 20,000 Meals to Hungry Kids in Partnership With Nutrition Company 
Aug 6, 2023

1. The Gift of Caring: 

Hero Post Office Worker Saves Senior From Sending Thousands of Dollars to a Scammer 
Aug 6, 2023

1. The Gift of Reading: 

CNN Hero: Man Helps Barbers Fill Their Shops with Books to Help Kids Find Excitement in Reading 
Aug 3, 2023

When one gives to others without expecting anything in return, there is a joy to be found that fills one's heart. 

Acts of service can be done every day. Many times, there is not even the need to spend money. Many times, these acts of service don't need to be big; they just need to be performed: a smile or a hello to someone walking by; a door held for someone, anyone...; picking up something that fell, or was thrown to the ground, and putting it back where it belongs. You get the idea. 

Our act of service might never make the news and be posted somewhere for someone to read, but I assure you that it will be recorded in someone's heart and your day will be better for it. 

After all, as the scriptures say, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Matthew 24:40 (from 20 Bible Verses to Inspire You to Help Others)

So, let's get out there and act, serve, and love. Positive headlines will be written in our hearts and in the hears of those we reach. 

And We Just Call Them Animals

Sometimes, I feel ashamed of being human. We look at the other types of animals (after all, we are part of the animal kingdom ourselves) and we consider them subpar. We think that they are not capable of emotions, love, anger, or what have you. Yet, animals have feelings too. And many times, they behave better towards members of the same species (and sometimes of different species) than we do.

Point in case, this article about four chimpanzees rescued from a circus who, when finally rescued and placed at a sanctuary, embraced one another:

"Footage shows the four chimps joyously coming together with hugs and grooming sessions in the quarantine area, where they will remain in quarantine for two months before integrating into one of the sanctuary’s 12 chimp islands that in total span 150 acres."

They were happy to be together and safe. Oh, how I wish I could have been there in person. I love people, but I love animals even more. They teach us so much and if someone were to tell me I behave like an animal, it would be an honor. 

You can read the whole article on the Good News Network.

I wish all to behave a little more like animals. 

Friendship Over Victory

 I was watching the news last night and they ran a story about two young women who were competing for the national title and a go to the European finals in fencing.
Gaia was winning 12 to 9 against Emilia. As Gaia backed up, she fell and hurt her ankle. Emilia could have gone for the win but, with only a few seconds left, she realized that Gaia would have not been able to keep going and defend herself. So, Emilia decided to do what she thought was only fair: let the time run out and allow Gaia to keep her winning score. 

Emilia could have won the national title and go on to compete in the European finals. She chose friendship over victory. In a world where many are thinking of themselves, Emilia showed us integrity, compassion, and love. 

Below is the translated article from Quotidiano Nazionale.

Fencing, when friendship counts more than victory. A story of fair play and emotion
Gaia gets hurt in the final one step away from the Italian title, her rival Emilia does not attack her and gives up beating her: "Today she taught me a lot". And she bursts into tears

Vercelli, 16 April 2023 – There are golden defeats, gestures that are worth more than an Olympic medal because they remain in the heart forever. Like what the young swordswoman Emilia Rossati, from Ferrara, did yesterday: in the final for the Italian championship under 23 in Vercelli the national title and also a pass for the European Championships was played against her friend and rival Gaia Traditi, from Rome.
At one point Gaia slips and hurts her ankle. The first to help her is Emilia, then the doctors arrive. There are 17 seconds left in the match and Gaia is ahead 12-9 in the score. The blow is painful, Gaia is already in tears when she takes off her mask and receives first aid.
They put her back on her feet, but obviously she is not able to defend herself: she barely stands up. At that point Emilia decides in a moment to give up shooting, moves away from the opponent and lets the time pass, scoring the most winning of defeats. "I made this decision in agreement with my coach", says Emilia, "it was the right thing to do, I would do it a thousand more times".
Afterwards, tears flow with emotion, because Gaia is the first to understand the greatness of the gesture of fair play of the sporting rival: "Today this girl taught me that friendship is worth more than a victory". Not only to you, Gaia, not only to you.

I have to admit that this article (just like the TV news last night) brought tears to my eyes and a renewed sense of hope. 

BlinkNow

 As I was searching for something good to share, I came upon an article written at the beginning of the COVID pandemic last year, 2020. One click led to another, and another, and... I ended up on the BlinkNow webpage. Below is the beginning of their story, taken directly from their website:

OUR   STORY

Our journey starts on a dry riverbed in the foothills of the Himalayas, where one young woman decided to help one young girl, hoping to make one small difference. In the blink of an eye – and with a lot of hard work from a lot of people – that hope turned into a home, a school, and a community dedicated to building a world where children are safe, educated, and loved.

To read the rest of their story and the changes they are bringing about, please click on BlinkNow. The work they are doing is incredible. We can help their work in various ways, and we don't have to leave home either.

If, however, this is not your cup of tea, look around you and find ways to touch the lives of those in your vicinity: hold a door, smile to a stranger, sincerely compliment a friend or coworker, help carry/load groceries. The possibilities are endless. Yes, some people may look at you in disbelief and, perhaps, concerned that you might have ulterior motives. Do good anyway. You never know the ripple effect a random act of kindness might have.

From CNN/MSN

Today's positive news comes from CNN posted on MSN.

This news is about a high school senior who is planning to donate the money he saved up for college to another high school senior.

You may wonder why he wants to give away his money...
The reason behind his decision is a full ride scholarship to the college of his choice. He has the first year covered and, if he qualifies, he will be receiving this scholarship the following three years. 
With the price of college these days, this is a very sweet deal.

Kudos to him for earning the scholarship and double kudos for deciding to turn his savings over to another student. 

You can read more about this student on the MSN page.