Positively Uplifting Stories | December 23 2024

Let’s not forget that even in the midst of chaos, people are doing amazing things for one another. Good things are still happening all over the world!

Since negative news stories often take precedence over positive news content in mainstream media, it may seem like you have to dig a little deeper to find good news. 

We’re here to make it easier for you.

Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful. – Hazrat Inayat Khan

Each week, we bring you uplifting stories so you don’t have to look too far to find inspiration.

  • Therapy Ponies bring comfort and joy to elderly patients
  • A man creates a special Christmas surprise for a little girl
  • An organization recycles millions of cigarette butts
  • A Grandma Stand offers an unexpected reprieve

 

 

Positively Uplifting Stories | December 23 2024

Miniature therapy horses enrich the lives of elderly patients.  

A team of ponies is bringing smiles and joy to elder care homes, hospitals, and schools in England.

Dinky Ponies’ owner Sarah Woodland brings her adorable ponies to visit those in need of unconditional love and support. As the ponies make their rounds, their comforting presence immediately brightens up the atmosphere.

These therapy sessions provide a mental health boost for people who may have difficulty talking. 

“There’s something else for them to focus on. So it’s something else for them to think about to focus on to love,” said Sarah.

 

Man makes Christmas a little brighter for a brave cancer survivor.

Stephen Dunkelberg is known for his acts of kindness during Christmas.

To spread Christmas cheer, Stephen illuminated over twenty homes on his street last year, all for free. He said he did it to bring joy to his neighbors, especially for those who couldn’t put up lights themselves.

This year he made Christmas more special for a brave 3-year-old Aria Newman, who successfully fought cancer.

Stephen used about one hundred fifty lights, and a custom inflatable to prepare Aria’s Christmas gift.

Seeing her house lit up for the first time made little Aria beam with joy!

“We’re doing blue and orange to represent Bluey. I have a little inflatable, a 4-foot inflatable Bluey, that I think she’ll really like,” said Stephen.

 

Organization repurposes cigarette butts for good.

Naman Gupta is on a mission to tackle the cigarette litter problem in a unique way.

Naman’s company CODE Effort picks up cigarette butts, then cleans and bleaches them to turn them into something valuable.  

The discarded cigarette butts are reprocessed into fiber that is used to make a variety of products.

Till now, the organization has recycled more than 250 million cigarette butts!

“If you have the determination to provide something to the society then the people who watch you or the people who like your idea will definitely support you,” said Naman.

 

A group of empathetic grandmas helps people by offering valuable life lessons.

Welcome to the Grandma Stand, where grandmas from all over the US give a good dose of timeless advice.

The portable pop-up is run by Mike Matthews, whose grandmother Eileen was the face of the stand from 2012 until 2018 when she died at the age of 102. The stand allowed her to virtually meet people from all over New York and offer her wisdom.

This initiative encourages people to take a break from the fast pace of life and just talk about what’s on their minds. 

Anyone visiting gets free advice, a listening ear, and a warm hug.

“My grandma had so much love to give, and every person who talks to my grandma feels elevated, feels seen, feels heard. And she also benefitted, like she felt like she was valued,” said Mike.

 

Have a Great Week Everyone! 

And there you have it! 

Don’t forget – we are always looking for more Uplifting Stories! If you have a tale to tell, or want to submit one for a future article, connect with us in the comments below, or through our Instagram page. We’d love to hear from you. 

Have a great week everyone!

Leave a Reply