NY City Ballet Children's Dance Workshop!

"It would mean so much to my daughter and children like her to be able to take part in a New York City Ballet Workshop and for one day feel like they, too, could become ballerinas."

Little Pearl has cerebral palsy.  The New York City Ballet had two principal dancers give not one, but FOUR workshops for 19 children with special needs.  The results are beautiful.  The parents, the dancers/teachers, the Doctor who freed the children from their braces, and, most of all, the children...being children!

Thank you NYCity Ballet for giving these kids a chance to see that they are normal and can do normal things (and then some)!  A true example of how to be the change any which way you can!

Puppies and Reading

What's better than a puppy?

Well, for parents, seeing their kids learn to read is a huge thing...that may or may not trump puppies. 

In the case of an animal shelter in Missouri, though, we can get the bet of both worlds!

The director of education a the Missouri Humane Society explains that many shelter pets are very timid and are not very social, which can make it difficult when they have to impress potential new families who may consider adopting them.

 How does this fulfill a parent's dream of seeing their children read? The humane society has teamed up with local children who are interested in helping with the animals. These kids go through an educational program where they learn about shelter animals and their socialization and they are then paired up with a pup. They practice their reading skills by sitting in front of the dog kennel and reading out loud to them, sharing the photos from the picture-books, and giving treats to any dogs that come out of their shell and approach the front of their kennel. The kennel director explains that dogs that are confident in coming to the front of their kennel are more approachable and more adoptable than timid dogs.

So kids learn to read and practice reading out loud to scared puppies to make them friendly and happy puppies which make them more likely to be adopted by a happy and loving family.

Everyone wins? Absolutely!

Two paws up! Read on, world-changers!

See the original story and photos of these interactions here.

FREE HUGS...because I can't get enough!

I've been following the Free Hugs campaign for years.  It's been a while since I've seen any videos and this one popped up today and, unlike many videos these days, my attention was held through he end, and my smile grew and stayed the duration of the video.  What a great project!  What joy!  What humanity!  Go people!  Hugs make the world go 'round!

Straight Outta LA - Hug Tha Police!

Straight Outta LA - Hug Tha Police!

Posted by Free Hugs Project on lunes, 25 de enero de 2016

Better through Beautification

New Mexico makes some pretty progressive moves.  One of them was in their desert prison and now, there's a new one making headlines: End to Pan-handling.  The government offers employment for 5 1/2 hours a day doing some light manual labor to do city beautification.  They provide lunch and $9/hour in cash for the work that is performed as well as provides necessary services to people to help get them back on their feet and off the streets.

Instead of giving citations to homeless people for panhandling, Albuquerque passed a new initiative that allows them to earn money for jobs in the city. (via Mayor Richard J. Berry)
Posted by Upworthy on miércoles, 3 de febrero de 2016

It's a simple concept, and it's working!  Take a look at the faces of those around you.  Imagine the things that may have put them in their position, and think about how little it takes to end up in their shoes!  Supporting projects like this is supporting your neighbors, friends, family, and maybe someday it'll help you, too!  Your neighborhood is cleaned up and other people are getting the help they need.  What could be better?!

I believe...and you don't have to agree.

I believe that the world is a beautiful place.
I believe that people are naturally good.
I believe that we do bad things and that doesn't make us bad people unless we recognize that they are bad and continue to do them anyway.
I believe in the phrase "do harm to no one" and I'm frustrated when others don't live by it the way I do.
I believe we sometimes hurt one another to feel better, and that it makes us feel better or worse or both...but only until we realize that we cannot take it back.
I believe in love at first sight, in soul mates, in second chances.
I believe that honesty is the best policy and that karma really is a bitch.
I believe that I can do anything I set my mind to.
I believe in proving people wrong for a positive cause.
I believe that women are either cruel or supportive and there isn't much in between.  I won't comment on men.
I believe that love takes work.
I believe in forever.
I believe that you have to take chances to get where you want to be.
I believe in saving cash-money instead of maxing out credit.
I believe that we have the opportunity to change lives every day.
I believe in fresh starts.
I believe in miracles.
I believe in hard work and in sacrifice.
I believe in being loyal.
I believe in Darwinism and evolution.
I believe in standing up for what is right.
I believe in friendship and making an effort to let others know that I care.
I believe in communication and understand its difficulty under special circumstances.
I believe in being social, and not in social media nor regular media, for that matter.
I believe in sunsets and rain storms and the smell of freshly cut grass and bonfires and when the clock reads 11:11.
I believe in the beauty of the world.  And I believe I wouldn't be here if I wasn't supposed to be part of that beauty.

Clean Slate: Forgetting Regrets

What's your biggest regret?
We asked people what they regret most. Their answers all shared this one heartbreaking feature.http://aplus.com/s/83d4dc91dee
Posted by A Plus on jueves, 28 de enero de 2016

A beautiful disaster

In case you were wondering...

You're allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work-in-progress simultaneously!

We are rising, we are one!

These trolley passengers in San Diego were treated to a special show by Aaron Evans Art and beatboxer Generik LNC with a powerful message of unity. (via A Trolley Show)
Posted by Upworthy Video on miércoles, 27 de enero de 2016

There are heroes everywhere...

There are heroes everywhere...if you don't see one, be one. - Mike Rowe

GOOD PEOPLE DO EXIST!
Just remember, there are good people out there! whatever
Posted by whatever on lunes, 14 de septiembre de 2015

It's gonna' get better

After losing his arms and legs, this vet decided to embrace life to the fullest, and now he's helping fellow amputees do the same. (via NowThis)
Posted by Upworthy on viernes, 8 de enero de 2016

Some people make everyone else look like big babies, including me!  Thank you to those of you who are going through tough times who don't give up and who not only learn to survive with their problems, but to thrive, who not only continue making their lives work but teaching others to do so as well.  Keep your head up.  Keep learning.  Keep living! 

Why Social Media Sucks...From an InstaModel who knows best!

She was a supermodel, originally found by brands from her blog and instagram posts.  She recognizes that social media edits out imperfections that make us all interesting, and are detrimental to our own health and the health of others.  I thought she was beautiful in her still photos (which she explains could take a whole day to pose, shoot, and edit), but she is even MORE beautiful when she speaks so passionately and intelligently about the social media culture and how "likes and numbers" cause addiction to validation from strangers and how she believes we can change and what SHE finds interesting and beautiful!  Thanks, Essenia O'Neill, for shedding some light on this major issue throughout the world as we become "more connected" and "less connected" at the same time.

Tim McGraw - (Always stay) Humble and Kind

Humble and Kind

This song is so special to me. I really wanted a video that showed the universality of the message of Humble and Kind. Thanks to Wes Edwards for executing this vision and to Oprah Winfrey for lending us scenes of Belief from all over the world. I hope you like it as much as I do.

Posted by Tim McGraw on jueves, 21 de enero de 2016

Murmurs

Don't apologize for being who you are.  Don't worry that you were "too" you or not calm enough or too naive or too bold or too blonde or too tall or short or too crazy.  Don't say you're sorry when you're blamed for being yourself.  It's not blame; it's you.  And you don't need to apologize for being you.  Avoid hurting the feelings of others but do not sacrifice your own self worth or well-being to do so.  Don't tell lies.  Seek the truth always.  It's in the best interest of everyone.  Be wildly and courageously you.  Love.  Seek peace and promote it wherever you can.  Demand respect and give it to everyone you encounter, whether they are deserving or not.  Be you and do not apologize.  You are the only one that exists.  You are a masterpiece of brokenness.  A unique one.  No two are alike.  You are special.  Exist in the way that only you can.  Let life flow through you.  Be a siren of happiness.  Be a light in the darkness for others.  While you are a beacon, do not lose your own way.  Be steady, be strong, know yourself.  There is no one more important in your life than yourself.  Those that depend on you need you to be at your best, so care for yourself first.  Those that don't think they need you may find that your influence changes their lives in unexpected ways.  Keep dreaming.  Keep doing.  Keep creating and inventing and working and pushing and evolving.  You WILL find a way.  You WILL change the world.  You will be the best you that anyone has ever seen...and it will be incredible.

"Helping Others": The Meaning of Christmas

"Philly," a homeless man in Louisiana, set up a tree which was then taken away by the city.  

When people in the area heard what had happened, they brought trees, decorations, and gifts (to put under the new trees).  There were so many trees that Philly gave them away to a women's shelter that didn't have any.  He also said that the gifts people brought were for anyone who needed them.  In addition to the gifts that people donated, Philly said he was most impressed that people were giving each other hugs.  When asked what Christmas means to him, Philly already knew exactly how to respond: Helping Others.  Philly, you are an inspiration and you represent the true meaning of Christmas.  Thank you to Philly and all of the people who reached out to him to share Christmas cheer with their community during this holiday season!

If that isn't a story of hope, community, and love...well then I don't know what is.  Happy Holidays!

365 Days of Grateful: A Year Long Lesson for Life.

She took a photo every day for a year, and it changed her life. Now, she's spreading the power of gratitude to others. (via 365 Grateful the documentary)
Posted by Upworthy on martes, 8 de diciembre de 2015