Preschool Teacher Who Was Laid Off After 20 Years Wins $250,000 Lottery Prize

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Jan 3, 2021

After a difficult few months, a preschool teacher hit a stroke of good luck when he decided to buy two lottery tickets, instead of one.

Joe Camp was laid off in September after 20 years teaching preschool in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“A month after that, my dad passed away,” said Camp. “And it put me in a dark place.”

But he had a lot of friends and family who told him to “keep sticking in there, keep believing in myself.”

After finding a job at a car dealership sales center, Camp struck ‘gold’.

In December, he was buying his weekly Gold Rush lottery scratch-off ticket—and this time he bought two.

He didn’t win on the first one, so scratched off the second one, and found he’d won $250,000.

“I fell to my knees at the gas pump.”

His plans include a new home for his daughter and himself, and saving for her education.

“I want to get a home because I want to set it up for my family, my grandkids,” he said. “I want to have something for us.

WATCH: After Years of Waking at 4am to Haul Trash, Student is Accepted into Harvard—And His Reaction is Pure Joy

“I never had anything, no one passed anything down, and that’s what I want to do.”

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“New year: a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours.” – Alex Morritt

Quote of the Day

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Good News Network

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Jan 3, 2021

Quote of the Day: “New year: a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately we write it. The choice is ours.” – Alex Morritt

Photo by: Aziz Acharki

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Grandparents Finally Get to Hug Grandkids After 9 Months Thanks to Inflatable Polar Bear Costumes

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Jan 2, 2021

polar bear costumed people-SWNS — Grandparents Barbara, 71, and Clive Walshaw, 73, surprised their three grandsons by wearing a polar bear suit so they could hug for the first time since March. See SWNS story SWLEhug; Grandparents who hadn’t hugged their grandsons since March due to Covid shared a loving embrace on Christmas Day - after surprising them in inflatable polar bear costumes. Barbara, 71, and Clive Walshaw, 73, said the heartwarming hug was the “best six minutes” they had all year as they got to hold their three grandkids for the first time since March 1. The couple have been shielding for nine months and haven’t been able to hug the three boys Quinn, six, Morgan, eight, and Mackenzie, 14 in all that time. Barbara said it was heartbreaking for the children when they were told they couldn’t nip round to see them and wanted to do something special for them for Christmas. They had originally planned to spend Christmas “together” on a Zoom call with a laptop at the end of the dinner table. Barbara, from Bramley, in Leeds, West Yorks., said: “At first they couldn’t understand why they couldn’t come round and it was so heartbreaking.

Grandparents who hadn’t hugged their grandsons since March shared a loving embrace, thanks to a bright idea to use inflatable polar bear costumes.

Barbara and Clive Walshaw said the heartwarming hug was the “best six minutes” they had all year.

They got to hold their three grandkids Quinn, six, Morgan, eight, and Mackenzie, 14, for the first time since March 1, after surprising them with the costumes.

The couple had been self-isolating and Barbara said it was heartbreaking for the children when they were told they couldn’t nip round to see them for Christmas.

They had originally planned to spend Christmas “together” on a Zoom call with a laptop at the end of the dinner table.

But the ingenious grandmother stumbled upon the inflatable polar bears while Christmas shopping online and realized she had found a way to hug her beloved grandchildren safely, on December 25.

She said it was the “best £15 she’d ever spent” as it brought so much joy and a “pure Christmas spirit”.

The couple, who are in their 70s, snuck up to their grandchildren’s home in Kirkstall, Leeds, and hugged it out while protected by the 6-foot costumes.

“It was really hard on all of the boys,” says Barbara. “We normally spend Christmas day with them and we wondered what we were going to do with all that’s been going on.”

The tight-knit family normally spend two to three days every week together, with a spare room for the boys to stay overnight.

“The costumes worked really well. Totally enclosed. It was the best idea I’ve ever had I think.”

“The younger boy was a bit overawed by these massive polar bears, but when he realized it was us it was so lovely. So many cuddles. It was amazing.”

“Everyone was so happy in those six minutes. And we laughed and cried. I loved it.”

CHECK OUT: The Mind-Blowing Mathematics of Snowflakes

At around noon on Christmas Day, Neil Walshaw, 45, and his wife Hazel, told their three boys that they’d heard a rumor that there were polar bear sightings in Kirkstall.

When they walked out they spotted their grandparents bouncing over hysterically in the massive costumes.

His youngest son Quinn was so shocked when he saw nana and grandpa walk up to their home that he sprinted back into the house and out again “to make sure it was real”.

MORE: This Austin Restaurant is Making the Funniest Pandemic Signs Anywhere

Neil, said it was the best hug his boys ever had, and a memory they would “never forget”.

“They are the best grandparents in Leeds. They’re simply fantastic.”

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This Week’s Inspiring Horoscopes From Rob Brezsny’s ‘Free Will Astrology’

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Good News Network

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Jan 2, 2021

We’ve partnered with our friend Rob Brezsny to provide his weekly wisdom which can enlighten your thinking and motivate your mood. Rob’s Free Will Astrology, is a syndicated weekly column appearing in over a hundred publications. He is also the author of Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How All of Creation Is Conspiring To Shower You with Blessings. (A free preview of the book is available here.)

Here is your weekly horoscope…

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY – Week beginning December 31, 2020
Copyright by Rob Brezsny, FreeWillAstrology.com

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
The odds of winning a mega lottery can be compared to this scenario: You know that a certain hedgehog will sneeze just one time in the next six years, and you place a big bet that this sneeze will take place at exactly the 36th second of 12:05 pm next January 20. In other words, your chances of winning that lottery are very small. But while this analysis is true in general, it may not be completely applicable to you in 2021. The likelihood of you choosing the precise moment for the hedgehog’s sneeze will be higher than usual. More realistically and importantly, your chances for generating positive financial luck through hard work and foresight will be much higher than usual.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
Author Anais Nin was supremely adaptable, eager to keep growing, and receptive when life nudged her to leave the past behind and expand her understanding. At the same time, she was clear about what she wanted and determined to get what she wanted. Her complex attitude is summed up in the following quote: “If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise.” I hope you will heed her counsel throughout 2021. (Here’s another quote from Nin: “Had I not created my whole world, I would certainly have died in other people’s.”)

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
In 2013, workers at a clothing manufacturing plant in Gazipur, Bangladesh staged a mass protest. Did they demand a pay raise or better health benefits? Were they lobbying for air conditioning or longer lunch breaks? None of the above. In fact, they had just one urgent stipulation: to dispel the ghost that was haunting the factory. I’ve got a similar entreaty for you in 2021, Pisces. I request that you exorcise any and all ghosts that have been preventing you from fully welcoming in and embracing the future. These ghosts may be purely metaphorical in nature, but you still need to be forceful in banishing them.

ARIES (March 21-April 19):
Author Jorge Luis Borges (1899–1986) carried on a long love affair with books. He read thousands of them, wrote more than 20 of them, and further postulated the existence of numerous imaginary books that were never actually written. Of all the writers who roused his adoration, a certain Russian novelist was among the most beloved. Borges wrote, “Like the discovery of love, like the discovery of the sea, the discovery of Fyodor Dostoevsky marks an important date in one’s life.” I’m wondering if you will experience one of these pivotal discoveries in 2021. I strongly suspect so. It may not be the work of Dostoevsky, but I bet it will have an impact close to those of your original discoveries of love and the sea.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
Vietnamese-American novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen has won numerous awards for his work, including the Pulitzer Prize. Here are his views about the nature of accomplishment: “We don’t succeed or fail because of fortune or luck. We succeed because we understand the way the world works and what we have to do. We fail because others understand this better than we do.” I bring these thoughts to your attention, Taurus, because I think that in 2021 you will have an extraordinary potential to enhance your understanding of how the world works and what you must do to take advantage of that. This could be the year you become both smarter and wiser.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
Modern civilization has not spread to every corner of the planet. There are at least 100 tribes that inhabit their own private realms, isolated from the invasive sprawl of our manic, frantic influence. Among these enclaves, many are in the Amazon rain forests, West Papua, and the Andaman Islands. I have a theory that many of us civilized people would love to nurture inner qualities akin to those expressed by indigenous people: hidden away from the mad world; content to be free of the noise and frenzy; and living in attunement with natural rhythms. In 2021, I hope you will give special care and attention to cultivating this part of you.

CANCER (June 21-July 22):
Hurricane Maria struck the Caribbean island of Dominica in 2016. Scientists studied two local species of anole lizards both before and after the natural disaster. They were amazed to find that the lizards after the hurricane had super-strong grips compared to their predecessors. The creatures were better able to hold on to rocks and perches so as to avoid being swept away by high winds. The researchers’ conclusion? It’s an example of one of the most rapid rates of evolutionary change ever recorded. I bring this to your attention, Cancerian, because I suspect that you, too, will have the power to evolve and transform at an expedited pace in 2021—in response to positive events as much as to challenging events.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
I hope that in 2021 you will spend a lot of time meditating on your strongest longings. Are they in harmony with your highest ideals, or not? Do they energize you or drain you? Are they healthy and holy, or are they unhealthy or unholy—or somewhere in between those two extremes? You’ll be wise to re-evaluate all your burning, churning yearnings, Leo—and decide which ones are in most righteous service to your life goals. And as for those that are in fact noble and liberating and invigorating: Nurture them with all your tender ingenuity!

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
“You can’t move mountains by whispering at them,” says singer-songwriter Pink. Strictly speaking, you can’t move mountains by shouting at them, either. But in a metaphorical sense, Pink is exactly right. Mild-mannered, low-key requests are not likely to precipitate movement in obstacles that resemble solid rock. And that’s my oracle for you in the coming months, Virgo. As you carry out the project of relocating or crumbling a certain mountain, be robust and spirited—and, if necessary, very loud.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
In his masterpiece the Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci applied 30 layers of paint that were no thicker than a single human hair. Can you imagine the patience and concentration that required? I’m going to propose that you be inspired by his approach as you carry out your big projects in the coming year. I think you will have the potential to create at least one labor of love that’s monumentally subtle and soulful.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
In the central Mexico hills near Ejido La Mesa, the weather is getting too hot for the fir trees that shelter millions of monarch butterflies every fall. In response, local people have joined with scientists to physically move the fir forest to a higher, cooler elevation. What might be your personal equivalent, Scorpio: an ambitious plan to carry out an idealistic yet practical project? According to my analysis of your astrological potentials, you’ll have a lot of energy to work on such a scheme in 2021.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
Author Gérard de Nerval (1808–1855) made the following observation: “I do not ask of God that he should change anything in events themselves, but that he should change me in regard to things, so that I might have the power to create my own universe, to govern my dreams, instead of enduring them.” If you have a relationship with the Divine Wow, that will be a perfect prayer for you to say on a regular basis in 2021. If you don’t have a connection to the Supreme Intelligence, I suggest you address the same prayer to your Higher Self or Future Beauty or whatever source of sublime inspiration you hold most dear.

WANT MORE? Listen to Rob’s EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES, 4-5 minute meditations on the current state of your destiny — or subscribe to his unique daily text message service at: RealAstrology.com

(Zodiac images by Numerologysign.com –CC license)

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Researchers Pull Carbon Out of the Sky And Convert it to Instant Jet Fuel, Reshaping Aviation For Good

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Andy Corbley

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Jan 2, 2021

A simple, yet world-altering method of sucking CO2 from the air into airplanes where it is converted directly to jet fuel is described in a new paper published in Nature.

With the importance of removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere at the front and center of so many economic and policy decisions, the invention of an onboard system for carbon-neutral flight would represent a massive step towards addressing the climate crisis.

Some estimates puts the aviation industry’s primarily-CO2 footprint of global emissions at just under 1 billion metric tons, or around 2.4% of all human activities.

Converting atmospheric CO2 into useable hydrocarbon fuel is difficult, and as until recently, expensive both in terms of capital and electricity. Using a molecule that is fully oxidized and thermodynamically stable, there are few keys that can cheaply or efficiently ‘unlock it’ for reuse.

Some catalysts, compounds that can attract and force a change in molecules, can convert CO2 into hydrocarbon molecules of a desirable configuration for jet fuels, but their use is limited because they are expensive or require huge amounts of electricity. They’re also inconsistent with producing hydrocarbon chains with the number of atoms ideal for aviation fuels.

The University of Oxford’s Peter Edwards, Tiancun Xiao, Benzhen Yao, and colleagues designed a new iron-based catalyst that represents an inexpensive way of directly capturing atmospheric CO2 and converting it into a jet fuel-range of hydrocarbons.

The basic catalyst is iron-based, and includes other simple chemicals like potassium nitrate, citric acid, and manganese, and when activated, would only need to climb to about 300°C (572°F) to work.

MORE: World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Passenger Plane Lifts Off On Maiden Zero-Emissions Flight

The authors were also able to collect other important raw materials for the petrochemical industry during the conversion process, which are currently only available from crude oil. Essentially, what Edwards and the other researchers discovered was a method for “mining” CO2, which far from being the blanket-term used in climate change studies, represents a wealth of volatile natural resources that can produce all manner for petrochemical products on the ground.

“The advances reported here offer a route out of the current, worldwide [lifecycle] for jet fuels, based on the (present) Production-Consumption- Disposal/Emission structure,” write the authors of the invention whose paper was published in Nature.

“This, then, is the vision for the route to achieving net-zero carbon emissions from aviation; a fulcrum of a future global zero-carbon aviation sector.”

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“Each year’s regrets are envelopes, in which messages of hope are found for the new year.” – John R. Dallas Jr.

Quote of the Day

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Jan 2, 2021

Quote of the Day: “Each year’s regrets are envelopes, in which messages of hope are found for the new year.” – John R. Dallas Jr.

Photo by: Anna Helsinki

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

These Bad Habits Americans Picked Up in 2020 They Want to Get Rid of in 2021

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Good News Network

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Jan 1, 2021

Nearly half of Americans working from home have signed off early to have a drink, according to a new poll—and 45% of these respondents have admittedly taken the liberty of having an alcoholic drink during the workday.

The survey polled 2,000 nationally-representative adults (approximately 800 of whom are working from home) to examine the habits people have picked up during lockdown and how they plan to deal with them in the new year.

Conducted by OnePoll, the survey found that 53% of those polled have been drinking alcohol more frequently during the pandemic.

In fact, 64% of those who are employed (1,400 respondents) shared that virtual happy hours with coworkers have increased their alcohol intake, and 52% of all respondents said that they’ve felt the need to drink while watching the news this year.

So it’s no surprise that six in 10 said they’ll be trying to drink less in 2021.

Drinking more isn’t the only habit that respondents admit they’d like to change.

Two in five people shared they’ve been snacking more and eating more comfort foods as quarantine continues – and they’ve been stress-eating an average of three times a week.

Other habits that grew last year include drinking too much caffeine (32%) and staying in one’s pajamas all day (23%).

It’s also no surprise that one in 10 respondents working from home also found it harder and harder to get out of bed during the work week and often overslept.

With so many months of reinforcement, 45% of respondents said they worried they’ll never be able to fall out of these routines.

But, seven in 10 respondents say they plan on starting 2021 with a clean slate to improve their health.

ALSO: Americans Tried to Stay Positive in 2020, And 66% Agreed Their Communities Are Closer Than Ever

Some of the top goals for the new year included resolutions to exercise more (53%), eat more fruits and veggies (51%) and plan more meals (36%).

“2020 has been rough, so it’s no surprise alcohol intake has increased,” said Nick Taranto, founder of HOP WTR who invented a non-alcoholic beer and sponsored the survey. “20% of those over 21 said their top goal for 2021 is to drink less alcohol.”

TOP BAD HABITS PICKED UP DURING QUARANTINE

Snacking more throughout the day – 40%
Eating more comfort foods – 39%
Not eating as many fruits and vegetables as they should – 33%
Drinking too much caffeine – 32%
Eating more junk food – 32%
Not eating three meals a day – 31%
Drinking too much alcohol – 26%
Not exercising – 25%
Staying in pajamas all day – 23%
Oversleeping during a work day while working from home – 11%

TOP PLANS TO BE HEALTHIER IN 2021

Exercise regularly – 53%
Eat more fruits and vegetables – 51%
Meal planning – 36%
Regulate their sleep schedule – 35%
Jogging – 33%
Portion control – 29%
Fad diet – 23%
Drink less alcohol – 21%

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The First Meteor Shower of 2021 Will Light Up the Night Sky on New Year’s Weekend

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Jan 1, 2021

meteor shower night sky stars sunset man public domain-raman-deep — Raman Deep

2021 looks set to be an exciting year for stargazers, with the first big celestial event happening this weekend, as the Quadrantid meteor shower peaks from January 2 into January 3.

First spotted in 1825, the Quadrantids—also known as the Bootids—happens every year between December 28 and January 12.

Now known to originate from an asteroid called 1003 EH1, “the meteors appear to radiate from the modern constellation of Bootes,” NASA explains. “Even though the constellation may no longer be recognized, it was considered a constellation long enough to give the meteor shower its name.”

The American Meteor Society is reporting that—along with the Perseids and Geminids we reported on in 2020—the Quadrantids could be the strongest shower of the season.

How to see the Quadrantids

Look up late on Saturday night, or before dawn on Sunday, and you may see between 60 and 200 meteors per hour as they travel at 25.5 miles per second. You may also see the fireballs the Quarantids are known for. Spectacularly bright, they appear visible for longer than other meteors.

You’ll need to get your timing right, though: The peak of this meteor shower will only last for around six hours.

CHECK OUT: See the Stunning Winners of the Northern Lights Photographer of the Year Competition

According to the International Meteor Organization, the period of maximum activity is expected to take place at around 14:30 UTC on January 3. This means that for much of the States, it’ll be in the hours before dawn on Sunday that the Quadrantids are best viewed.

With a nearly full, if waning, moon brightening the sky this weekend, it’s true that it won’t be quite as easy to catch fiery meteors streaking high above our cities and mountains and fields as in other years.

Still, on this first weekend of the new year, it’ll certainly be worth going out—and looking up.

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Man Hasn’t Been to the Grocery Store in 8 Months Thanks to Tiny Pandemic Garden Inspired By Grandfather

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Jan 1, 2021

Meet the man who isn’t running to the supermarket to stockpile—thanks to his tiny urban patio garden which has kept him in fruit and vegetables for nine months.

This green-thumbed Italian—who moved to London six years ago—has grown so many vegetables during lockdown that he hasn’t been to the grocery store for any in eight months.

29-year-old tattoo artist Alessandro Vitale has grown chilli peppers and mint on his windowsill for years, so he was delighted when he moved into an apartment with a shared garden last year.

He set to work transforming half the 8x5m patio area into a growing haven, created a wall trellis for herbs out of recycled water bottles, and installed planters and a greenhouse.

In his first harvest this year, Alessandro managed to produce an impressive haul of 30 different kinds of vegetable, including cabbage, carrots, garlic, fennel, leeks, cauliflower, and broccoli.

Alessandro dined out on an impressive 35kg of tomatoes from just six plants, and he’s picked 10kg of 17 different types of chilli.

Keen to be frugal and environmental, Alessandro’s crops are 100% organic: He uses foraged wild nettle from a park for pest control, and homegrown aloe vera to make fertilizer.

Thanks to his Italian grandmother’s secret recipes, he’s turned lots of it into delicious pasta sauces to see him through winter, alongside veg he’s sorting too.

Alessandro said: “When I was a kid I used to help my grandpa out in the garden. I remember he would import chilli seeds from all over the world and he would have tonnes of plants.

“I couldn’t even go near when they were being harvested as I would have tears coming down my face.

“But since then this love of nature and gardening grew and it’s just something I’ve always enjoyed as a hobby.

Though Alessandro works full-time 45 hours a week, as soon as he’s home he spends a couple of hours tending to the garden. “My favorite thing to make with is jam and sauces from the chillis,” he says.

CHECK OUT: Compassionate Neighbor Subs in to Help Soldier’s Son With Yard Work

He now runs his own YouTube channel SpicyMoustache, sharing urban gardening tips and encouraging others to create urban green spaces.

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Son Finds Original Children’s Book Written by His Dad Returning From WWII PoW Camp, Publishes it 75 Years Later

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Jan 1, 2021

A children’s book written by a father for his son after he returned from a World War Two prisoner of war camp has finally been published—after 75 years.

‘Now It Can Be Told’ was penned by Arthur Stiby after he was released from a Japanese-run detention center. The Royal Artillery major was captured by Japanese forces after the fall of Singapore in 1942 and endured horrific conditions. To keep his and others’ spirits up, he wrote plays and sketches to be performed as entertainment for fellow PoWs.

Upon his return to Britain, Arthur then wrote the first parts of the children’s book, which features a brave daschund involved in a wartime mission,. A talented writer, he sent his work in easy-to-read weekly installments to his son Robert at boarding school.

Thought to have been lost, the incomplete manuscript was rediscovered while Robert was sorting through old family boxes recently.

Robert said: “My father died long ago, but recently I have had time to sort out a lot of family stuff. There in a dusty old box, I found this tattered, dog-eared copy of the original, but incomplete, manuscript. I was overjoyed. Although I am no longer eight—I am now in my eighties—reading it again was such fun that I decided to publish it.”

He and nephew Jamie Stiby-Harris then set about finishing the book—with Jamie doing the illustrations.

Robert added: “I hope this little book will bring as bring as much enjoyment to others as it did to the grubby little schoolboy for whom it was originally written.”

CHECK OUT: The Adventure Stories in This Non-Fiction Children’s Book are the Perfect Confidence Boost for Kids

The book is available for £7 ($9.50), and all proceeds from the sale of the book to go to the Salisbury Hospice.

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“Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach

Quote of the Day

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Jan 1, 2021

Quote of the Day: “Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing.” – Sarah Ban Breathnach

Photo by: Chris Lofqvist, CC license

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

‘Memory Cop’ Uses Incredible Face Recognition Skills to Catch 2,100 Suspects–Including People in Face Masks

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Dec 31, 2020

An eagle-eyed police officer dubbed “Memory Cop” has used his mind-blowing face recognition skills to catch 2,100 suspects—including those wearing face masks.

England’s Andy Pope boasts a photographic memory, which means he can recall faces from CCTV images years after he has seen them.

His incredible skill has seen him collar suspects for crimes which range from robbery, indecent exposure, sex assaults, and attempted murder since 2012.

The super recognizer, who says his skill is “impossible to explain” but credits “instinct” for usually being right, had spotted 1,000 offenders by 2018.

Last year, his ability led to 406 people being caught, including 16 in just one day, and he has now sailed past the 2,000 milestone during 2020.

The 43-year-old has managed to snare over a hundred suspects this year and has even identified wanted criminals who were wearing masks during the pandemic.

Andy, who works for West Midlands Police, says he has kept relying on instinct to catch crooks despite face coverings making them harder to catch than ever before.

His skill has led to the officer being a finalist in the Against All Odds category of the Amplifon Awards For Brave Britons 2020. Winners in some of the other categories included Manchester United soccer star and ‘free kids meals’ hero Marcus Rashford, as well as NHS fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Averaging one recognition every other shift, he also became one of the first 20 people in the world to form part of the Super Recognisers Association in recognition for his razor-sharp ability.

He said: “Although it’s been a year like no other, I’ve still carried on as usual with the same preparation coming onto a shift.

MORE: Kindness in West Virginia: Police Give Traffic Violators Gift Cards Instead of Tickets

“The most important thing is being able to assist in catching criminals and keeping the public safe, especially given the year it has been.”

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How to be Happier in 2021: Toss Out Your Usual List of New Year’s Resolutions, Says Study

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Good News Network

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Dec 31, 2020

So you want to look trimmer, be smarter, and successful next year? You strive to exercise and call your friends more, and spend less?

You are not alone. New Year’s resolutions are as ubiquitous as they are difficult to keep. Does it even make sense to set such lofty goals for the new year, hoping anew each January first that this time really is the charm?

Any motivational researcher would have “ambivalent feelings” about New Year’s resolutions, says Richard Ryan, an international expert on motivational research and professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Rochester. “The evidence shows that most of the time people aren’t successful at them.”

But don’t throw in the towel quite yet. Ryan, who is also a clinical psychologist, says that any occasion that gives us an opportunity to reflect on our lives is ultimately a good thing. It doesn’t have to be on New Year’s. “Whenever that happens, if it’s really a reflective change—something that you put your heart behind—that can be good for people.”

And he has another tip: what proves most satisfying, and may also be what’s most needed as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, are goals that involve giving to others.

“Think of how you can help,” says Ryan. “There’s a lot of distress out there: If we can set goals that aim to help others, those kinds of goals will, in turn, also add to our own well-being.”

His advice is grounded in decades of research. Together with Edward Deci (also a University of Rochester professor emeritus of psychology) Ryan is the cofounder of self-determination theory (SDT), a broad framework for the study of human motivation and personality. Developed by the duo over nearly 40 years, the theory has become one of the most widely accepted frameworks of human motivation in contemporary behavioral science. Its starting point is the idea that all humans have the natural—or intrinsic—tendency to behave in effective and healthful ways.

CHECK OUT: Still Feeling Like a New Year’s Resolution? Study Suggests Living ‘Fast,’ Living Longer—With Intermittent Fasting

According to Ryan, who is also a professor at the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education at Australian Catholic University, acts of willingly helping others satisfy all three of the basic psychological needs identified in SDT research: the needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

Autonomy in this context means that you can engage in activities in which you feel true volition and find personal value. Competence means feeling effective and having a sense of accomplishment. Finally, relatedness means working with and feeling connected to others.

“If you want to make a New Year’s resolution that really makes you happy, think about the ways in which you can contribute to the world,” says Ryan. “All three of these basic needs are fulfilled. The research shows it’s not just good for the world but also really good for you.”

Source: University of Rochester

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‘Grandfather’ of Homeless Animals Graduates From Veterinary Program to Care for Stray Dogs

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abbabbitt

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Dec 31, 2020

The “grandfather” of homeless animals has been awarded for his volunteering efforts looking after stray dogs—graduating from a veterinary medicine program in his seventies, he now travels hundreds of miles a week to care for them.

Retiring from his career as a biology teacher after serving his community of 42 years, Turkey’s Fevzi Uyar has been dedicating his time to animals in need for the past five years.

He has cared for many stray dogs—including building over 80 plywood animal shelters to house them during the winter months. To each one, he adds carpets, rugs, and blankets for insulation and comfort.

Uyar also travels more than 90 miles every two days to provide homeless dogs with food and water. With the help of other animal lovers, he supplies eight to ten tons of dog food and meal to strays each month. Up to 1,000 dogs now recognize his van and follow it along the path of food stops he has established.

Often encountering animals in need of medical attention, Uyar incurred several thousands of dollars in debts to the local veterinarian. To continue providing care, he enrolled in a veterinary medicine program despite being past retirement age. Recently graduating, the 71-year-old now vaccinates, treats, and dresses any wounds.

For his efforts to provide stray animals with a better life, Uyar has been awarded the first Gladiator Award from The Babbitt Family Foundation. They say, “We hope Mr. Uyar’s story will inspire you to discover how ‘a single individual can contribute to changing the world and benefitting all humanity’.”

MORE: This Dog Was Lost in the Woods for 10 Days With a Winter Storm on the Way – But a Drone Saved the Day

If there’s someone you’d like to nominate for a Gladiator Award, you can head here.

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Boy Thought His Pandemic Birthday Would Be No Fun–Then a Magician Got Involved (Watch his Eyes)

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Dec 31, 2020

The illusionist Rick Lax was just five years old when he began practicing and performing tricks. His parents bought him a Toys-R-Us magic set, and he loved it.

Through his childhood, he never stopped practicing, and his illusions grew ever more sophisticated and successful.

When it became time to apply to colleges, though, there was no real Hogwart’s or wizarding school to apply to, so Rick studied law. Torts and contracts was never his real passion. But by the age 27, he was back at his first love. Magic.

Lax has since gone on to become an illusion consultant for David Copperfield. He’s helped create and produce magic tv shows.

Now? He’s helping others feel up when the pandemic is getting them down.

On recently hearing about an upset boy who couldn’t celebrate his birthday with friends, Lax knew just how to cheer him up.

The boy’s reaction to his ‘magic’ day in the video is amazing. Just watch his face in the video when the last item comes out the bag.

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“Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” – Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Quote of the Day

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Dec 31, 2020

Quote of the Day: “Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” – Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Photo by: Jess Bailey

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Artist Creates Breathtaking ‘Drawings’ in Snow By Walking for Hours at a Time (LOOK)

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Good News Network

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Dec 30, 2020

A British artist has created a series of breathtaking snow “drawings” by walking in circles for more than 50 miles.

61-year-old Simon Beck had to battle the elements in Silverthorne, Colorado while he created the incredible patterns over a two-week period in January.

Beck, who creates the elaborate designs for fun and commission, produced 8 Colorado snow drawings in total, bringing his lifetime tally up to a staggering 300.

The intricate designs—best appreciated from above—are inspired by snowflakes, crop circles, and mathematical fractals.

He uses sketches and a compass to measure the number of snowshoed steps that will be needed before he sets out for 2 to 6 hours at a time for each individual creation.

“There were two drawings that took a day and a half to make and the first was blown away,” said Beck, who is from Taunton, Somerset. “And all the drawings were damaged to an extent by the wind. A quarter of my time was spent reinstating work I had done earlier.”

His designs have titles such as “Flower of Life”, “10-Pointed Star”, “Circular Array” and “Koch Snowflake”.

Volunteers helped out at various points by alerting Beck if he was about to put a foot down wrong.

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Boys Make $250,000 From Genius Christmas Invention—And Donate Thousands to Animal Shelters

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Judy Cole

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Dec 30, 2020

boys christmas ornament invention-supplied amanda naqvi — Amanda Naqvi

According to tradition, January 6th (a.k.a. The Twelfth Day of Christmas) is when you’re supposed to take down your Christmas tree. Sadly, many folks, as they wrap up precious ornaments until next holiday season may find themselves a few keepsakes short.

Ornaments are fragile things. All it takes is curious cat, a running toddler, or even the misguided sweep of a vacuum cleaner sucking up stray needles to destroy a cherished family memento.

And that’s just what inspired a pair of 12-year-old entrepreneurs to take action.

Brothers Ayaan and Mickey Naqvi, who live in Shelton, Connecticut, were decorating their family Christmas tree last year when one of their favorite ornaments succumbed to the forces of gravity. (The beloved family dog, Zara, whose tail Ayaan describes as an “ornament missile,” may have played a part as well.)

While the tree decoration in question was beyond repair, from its broken shards sprung a bright idea: What if there was a better way to hang ornaments so they’d be truly secure?

From that epiphany, the Ornament Anchor was born.

Using a loop and toggle system, Ayaan created the prototype and presented it for a school project. The reception was overwhelmingly favorable—so favorable in fact, the boys quickly decided to turn their invention into a potential money-making proposition.

“My brother and I worked together to design the product, patent it, create an awesome website, calculate profit margins and did our own market analysis,” Ayaan told CNN. “We did everything to the point where every month was Christmas.”

This wasn’t the boys’ first commercial invention rodeo: A previous gadget landed the pair and their family on an episode of Shark Tank. While they didn’t cut a deal, it was a true learning experience.

From $1,000 in sales in six hours at a local Christmas trade show, the Ornament anchor went on to be showcased on Good Morning America and featured on QVC. In one year, the brothers’ brainchild has raked in more than $250,000.

Flush with success, Ayaan and Mickey are determined to pay their good fortune forward by donating 10% of their profits to local animal shelters. “Ever since I was super young, I’ve had a fascination with all of life’s creatures,” Ayaan explained. “My goal is to help as many animals in need as I can.”

The boys admit that starting a new business in 2020 has had its challenges. While they’re enjoying their well-earned windfall, adjusting to distance learning and other constraints of the coronavirus lockdown wasn’t easy.

MORE: Tennessee Teen Raises Thousands of Dollars For Food Banks By Making and Selling His Own Vanilla – WATCH

Through the turbulent times, they say they’ve just tried to take things one step at a time and keep a positive attitude because that—along with the love and support of their family—are what keeps them anchored.

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Small Business Offering a Million Donations of Hand Sanitizer to Essential Groups Who Can’t Keep Up

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hunnicutt75

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Dec 30, 2020

woman-sanitizer-public-domain-kelly-sikkema-unsplash — Credit: Kelly Sikkema

Hand sanitizer is a much-needed safety item as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, but many organizations are reeling from overstretched budgets and don’t have the money to keep up with the demand they have for basic protective supplies. Florida’s Kira Labs wants to help—by giving away one million tubes of its Medyskin Hand Sanitizer to groups in need.

The company is ready to ship to hospitals, schools and nonprofits in need: Interested groups can submit a form at this link to request a minimum of 2,500 and up to a maximum of 20,000 2.5-ounce tubes of 70% alcohol hand sanitizer while supplies last.

Several South Florida organizations have already benefited from the generosity of Kira Labs and its partner Simple Life Medical. Orange County was the recipient of 100,000 tubes, a local chapter of the Salvation Army received 20,000, and 10,000 hand sanitizer tubes were delivered to the Orlando Airport. Thousands more have gone to community partners such as Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County, Little Smiles, and the Delray Housing Authority.

CHECK OUT: Customer Buys Beer and Toasts the Staff With $3000 Tip–As Restaurant Voluntarily Shuts Doors During COVID

Early on in the pandemic, Kira Labs and a partner was providing a a truckload per day of its antimicrobial hand wash to the healthcare workers at the emergency hospital for coronavirus patients at New York City’s Javits Center.

The company—which specializes in creating cosmetics such as body washes and face serums—hired over 20 additional employees to meet demand, doubling its production per person to get hand sanitizer to the places that need it.

“There’s no better feeling than helping others,” says CEO David Rosen. “This pandemic experience has impacted our organization in many positive ways, increasing our sense of teamwork and a commitment to keeping ourselves and others safe. We hope these donations will benefit many wonderful people and causes.”

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Watch This UPS Driver Being Moved to Tears by Neighborhood ‘Thank You’

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Good News Network

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Dec 30, 2020

ups-driver-anthony-gaskin screenshot abc youtube — ABC News/YouTube

One UPS worker in Virginia didn’t just receive a cash gift or Christmas card this December as thanks for their hard work through the pandemic.

Hundreds of local residents stood outside their homes and clapped for their favorite delivery driver Anthony Gaskin as he drove slowly by the parade.

Over 100 Midlothian locals honked the horns on their cars; they rang their bicycle bells, they held up homemade signs—they applauded in every way they could. Anthony’s supervisors were even there to give a gift to him.

One resident explained why it was important to her to thank the UPS driver in a big way: “Through COVID, Anthony has continued working, delivering packages at our doors, record numbers of them, over 180 times to date,” Patty Friedman, who organized the event, said to WTVR in an email.

“I wanted to thank him personally for how much he helped me feel welcome when I moved in during a pandemic. It was terribly lonely and he was always the highlight of my day. Mentioning this to a few people and the response I got was all I needed to know I was not alone.”

(WATCH Anthony receive his hero’s welcome in the video below.)

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