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With Tax Deadline 8 Days Away, Nonprofit Can Do Yours Online for Free

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Tax Day Reminder
The deadline to file IRS tax returns is April 18 this year, so we wanted to let Americans know about the Free File Alliance, a nonprofit partnership between tax software companies and the Internal Revenue Service, which is offering free tax solutions on the internet–both for low income and higher income earners.

Taxpayers with a 2015 Adjusted Gross Income of $62,000 or less can access free, industry-leading tax software to prepare, complete and e-file their federal tax returns at no cost. Free state return options are also available to everyone earning less than $62,000.

If your income exceeded $62,000, you can e-file your federal tax returns or apply for an extension using Free File Fillable Forms—a service designed for taxpayers who are familiar with tax law and need no preparation assistance. Free File also helps taxpayers with the new health care requirements. Using Free File, most taxpayers will simply have to check a box to report health care coverage for the entire year. The service is also available in Spanish.

CHECK OUT: IRS Accepts New Mom’s ‘My Brain Turned to Jello’ Excuse, Forgives $2000 Fine

“Every American taxpayer can and should take advantage of the Free File program,” said Tim Hugo, executive director of the Free File Alliance. “Whether you need to e-file a tax return or an extension, Free File is the fast, safe and free way to tackle your taxes. Free File is also the only place where the industry’s best tax software is available at one place and at no cost. Simply visit IRS.gov/freefile and choose the software offering that fits your tax needs.”

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Since 2003, the Free File program has provided the equivalent of nearly $1.4 billion in free tax software completing over 46 million tax returns. The coalition of 13 industry-leading tax software member companies have continually worked with the IRS to strengthen the Free File program, and taxpayers have consistently reported that it is user-friendly and efficient.

CHECK OUT: US Set to Free Americans From Need to Rent Set-top Boxes For Pay TV

Responding to a 2009 IRS survey, 96 percent of users said they found Free File easy to use, while 98 percent said they would recommend the program to others. The Free File Alliance is committed to giving 70 percent of taxpayers free access to online tax preparation software.

(Photo by Sal Falko, CC)

Boy Gets Surprise After No One Came to His Birthday Party (WATCH)

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boy with patrol car-toxy family photo
A group of Arkansas State Troopers went above and beyond for a 10-year-old boy after no one showed up for his birthday party.

Toxy’s mother was heartbroken when not one of the 21 kids could come to their home in Hot Springs Village. She posted a plea on Facebook reminding parents of how important this can be to other families–a message that was seen by someone who had special connections with officers in blue.

CHECK OUT: Text About Mama Giving Birth Goes To Wrong Number–Man Visits Hospital Anyway

They came with birthday cake and many presents, played basketball with the youngster, and even showed him all the sirens and controls in their patrol car.

“I cried a little bit because I was so happy that they did that for me,” he told KTHV.

(WATCH the video below from KTHV)

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Learning Disabilities Don’t Mean You Can’t Perform Intense Shakespeare Speeches (WATCH)

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All of the actors in the Blue Apple Theatre company live with learning disabilities, but that hasn’t stopped them from tackling Shakespeare—and seriously challenging the world’s perception of what it means ‘to be, or not to be’ a person with autism or Down syndrome.

LOOK: Apple Store Employee Comforts Boy With Autism Right On the Floor

Through their live performances in Hampshire, England over the last ten years, the cast of Blue Apple Theatre has developed a deep sense of normalcy and accomplishment. More than thirty able- and learning-disabled adults on the theater’s staff have helped each other to build confidence, while also fine tuning skills through various workshops and team building activities.

A few actors shared their experiences with Channel 4 News, including actor James Enfield, who is proud of his ability to recite even long speeches.

“Unless you’re given a fair chance, then they will not know, what you–you, the individual–can do.”

RELATED: Actors Help Veterans to Vent Emotions Using Shakespeare

The unique theater in Winchester also has extensive film and dance programs available to its members– thus providing a full range of arts training for the students.

As a welcoming haven for the expression and release of struggles for folks with disability, Blue Apple was again welcomed to the renown Globe theatre in London to put on an annual performance of Shakespeare in its original setting.

Globe_theater_Shakespeare_play-London-2006

Since its birth in 2005, Blue Apple has improved not only the artistic skills of the actors, but also changed the minds and hearts of people all over the globe with their enthusiasm. These highly motivated actors and their crew have ‘much ado about’ revolutionizing how disabilities are accepted in the performing world.

MORE: Autism-Friendly Clothing Dumps Zips, Buttons and Tags, Offers GPS

To keep in touch with their ever growing progress, visit their website, their website, here. 

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Walmart and Aspen Institute Announce $5.5 Mil Grant to Pave Career Pathways for Retail Workers

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cashier shopping customers-cc-Walmart Corporate

The Walmart Foundation and the Aspen Institute last week unveiled a $5.5 million grant to explore business models designed to enhance economic mobility for retail workers. The Aspen Institute, known for pioneering new approaches to complex problems, will combine key findings from a number of its programs with the goal of building a system where retail workers can gain skills and achieve upward mobility.

According to the National Retail Federation, the retail industry supports one in four American jobs, for a total of 42 million jobs, with future growth anticipated.

The new partnership will not only identify clear paths for worker advancement and transition to adjacent fields, but also improve the satisfaction and engagement of workers remaining in their positions.

CHECK OUT: How Big Chains From Walmart to H&M Are Cleaning Up Chemicals

With the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting retail salesperson as the most common job in America, the largest portion of the grant is dedicated to exploring alternative models to providing the career pathways. The Aspen Institute’s Economic Opportunities Program is working in partnership with “Corporation for a Skilled Workforce” to develop strategies and interventions at five sites to determine best practices which could be adapted for communities across the United States.

GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE: Hotel Not Only Returns Lost Toy, It Makes Photo Album of Bunny’s VIP Stay

The grant also supports the Institute’s 100,000 Opportunities Initiative to support a coalition of over 40 employers, primarily retailers and restaurants, working to retrain workers with the skills they need to advance in the workplace.

“Developing the next generation of workforce strategies requires a wide range of organizations coming together to play a positive role,” said Maureen Conway, vice president of policy programs and executive director of the Economic Opportunities Program, the Aspen Institute.

CHECK OUT: Obama Quietly Signs Ban on Products Made by Children and Slaves

“Through our collaboration, we’re working to encourage innovative practices among retailers that are succeeding today by investing in their workers and building their skills. The lessons learned from the retail sector have relevance beyond retail, and will meaningfully contribute to the broader national conversation about the business practices, local programs, and public policies needed to promote a strong economy and provide expanded opportunities for all workers.”

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are playing important roles to strengthen the workforce system beyond the company’s four walls. To date, they have donated more than $30 million in grants as part of the Opportunity initiative.

‘Tomorrow’ Documentary Offers Message of Hope for Better, Greener Future (TRAILER)

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film tomorrow website

When French actress and new mother Mélanie Laurent learned about the dire predictions from the journal Nature which announced the possible extinction of a part of mankind before the end of the 21st century, she wanted to do something that might help avert the disaster.

Turning to her own craft, she joined activist Cyril Dion and gathered a team of four filmmakers to search for solutions.

The resulting documentary investigates what people are doing in ten different countries to improve the outlook for life on planet Earth.

The film, spoken in French, English and Hindi, follows its makers as they travel around the world meeting people intent on making the world a better, greener, more sustainable place. The uplifting stories document improvements that are actually being implemented in the spheres of agriculture, the economy, energy, democracy, and education–side-by-side–to show what our world might look like tomorrow.

RELATED: Obama Quietly Signs Ban on Products Made by Children and Slaves

Laurent, who has appeared in more than 40 feature films, including Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Bastards, came out of the experience with a hopeful message about our future.

The documentary, entitled Demain (“Tomorrow”), is running throughout France in private and public screenings.

(WATCH the film’s trailer below)

“The Beast” and Child Make For Unlikely Adorable Friends (WATCH)

By
McKinley Corbley
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David Douglas - Facebook

David “The Beast” Douglas is a very strong guy in more ways than one, but he says his best friend, Lindsay Ratcliffe, is even stronger.

Lindsay suffers from a rare genetic disorder known as progeria: it’s a disease that causes children to age 8-10 times faster than normal and leaves them with an average lifespan of 13 years.

WATCH: Shelter Dog Can’t Contain Emotions, Realizing He’s Rescued

However, according to Douglas, one would never think that Lindsay – already 12-years-old – is struggling because of the way she’s always smiling.

Douglas, a motivational speaker, weightlifter, and former marine, has found inspiration in the little trooper he calls his “little sis”.

RELATED: Lonely Elderly Pianist Places Ad, Drums Up 80 Musicians to Jam

The unlikely pair met at Relentless, a weightlifting fundraiser for children with rare diseases and the two have been best friends ever since.

(WATCH the video below from Inside Edition)

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Boy Gives All His Bar Mitzvah Toys To Burn Victims (WATCH)

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McKinley Corbley
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Michael Elinoff is showing a lot more maturity than a coming of age party would demand.

Because “mitzvah” means ‘good deed’ in Hebrew, the 13-year-old dedicated his Jewish celebration of bar mitzvah to collecting gifts for others, instead of himself.

He asked all of his guests to bring toys for a young girl who had recently suffered major burns across her legs and torso– and received more than 150, with extras being given to the Pediatric Burn Unit at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.

CHECK OUT: More Inspiring Youth Stories on Our Great Kids Page

He even gave Meira a portion of the money he was gifted on the occasion.

Inspired by the generosity, Meira wanted to give back too, and donated some of hers to the young burn victims recovering at the hospital.

(WATCH the video above from Inside Edition)

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Brothers Become Dads At The Same Time On The Same Day

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McKinley Corbley
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On March 20th, the Thayer brothers each welcomed into the world adorable little bundles of joy – coincidentally, at the same moment.

Cassidy Thayer, born in Durham, North Carolina, and Brooke Thayer, born 80 miles away in Pinehurst were birthed by the brothers’ wives at exactly the same minute.

RELATED: Text About Mama Giving Birth Goes To Wrong Number, Man Visits Hospital Anyway

Nurses at both hospitals say they’ve never heard of such a strange coincidence occurring in childbirth before.

It seems like these newly-born cousins were destined to enjoy a very special bond.

(WATCH the video above from Inside Edition…)

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Watch Firefighters Revive Cat With Oxygen After Saving it From Fire

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McKinley Corbley
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This lucky feline still has eight lives left after a team of firefighters saved it from smoke inhalation.

An apartment blaze in Russia left the cat lying motionless on the floor when the firefighters showed up.

WATCH: Shelter Dog Can’t Contain Emotions, Realizing He’s Rescued

The civil servants carefully held an oxygen mask up to the animal’s face. The cat’s owner cried with joy upon seeing her pet start breathing again.

(WATCH the Inside Edition video above…)

Don’t Let Your Friends Miss This Rescue Story… Click To Share

Meet Crusoe the Celebrity Dachshund Hockey Champ (WATCH)

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McKinley Corbley
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Is this the world’s first celebrity dachshund? Not sure, but Crusoe is definitely winning hearts with adorable outfits and a cool canine attitude.

The wiener dog has collected over 150,000 followers on Instagram by doing things as unique as donning a Canadian hockey jersey and slapping around a puck (watch the video above). He also surprised children on Easter by turning into a bunny rabbit canine hybrid, below.

 

"The #Easter bunny wiener has been spotted!" ~ Crusoe #cute #easter #bunny #easterbunny #dachshund #wabbit

A video posted by Crusoe the Celebrity Dachshund (@crusoe_dachshund) on

 

Crusoe sometimes shares the spotlight with a few of his dachshund friends… or dachshund girlfriends.

 

 

He even did an extremely convincing Heinz commercial of his own featuring his hot dog costume.

 

 

If you’d like to watch the rest of Crusoe’s cute superstar videos, check out the pup’s Instagram and Facebook.

This Is Too Cute to Keep… Click To Share

Boeing Airline Partnership Grows Desert Superplants for Green Jet Fuel

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Good News Network
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Arab biofuel plants planting-Masdar Institute of Science and Technology

As the world seeks to reduce carbon emissions, the aviation field is making major advancements.

A new research facility the size of four football fields is using resources abundant in the desert –salt and sand– to grow “super plants” for the production of renewable jet fuel.

The facility, near the Abu Dhabi airport, is the result of a Gulf region partnership between Boeing, Etihad Airways, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and UAE jet fuel company Takreer.

“Seawater and sand, which most people consider a weakness when investigating bio-energy, turn out to be our strengths,” said Dr. Alejandro Rios, the Director of the Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium who is leading the research at Masdar Institute.

The secret to the experimental Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS) is the salicornia plant. Salicornia is a salt-tolerant halophyte, with a unique internal mechanism that allows it to grow in seawater. Its seeds contain plant oils that can be turned into jet fuel.

The plants can also produce biofuel more efficiently than other well-known feedstocks.

seeds of biofuel salicornia-released

The expansive research site includes a food-production component to nourish the plants through the use of aquaculture. The shrimp and fish waste provides fertilizer at the same time as the creatures are cleaning the seawater and air as they grow. The goal is to replicate this type of facility in similar regions with arid climates and saltwater resources.

salt water bioplant facility-Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium

“Hearing very credible experts in this area saying this is potentially gold standard when it comes to sustainability – it’s really so exciting,” said Linden Coppell, head of sustainability at Etihad, the UAE’s national airline, which operates a large fleet of Boeing airplanes.

“This facility in the UAE “shows real promise to transform coastal deserts into productive farmland supporting food security and cleaner skies,” added Marc Allen, president of Boeing International.

One research student at the Masdar Institute, which focuses on developing solutions to environment and sustainability challenges, said it best: “I like to call it a ‘super plant’,” said Mohamed Al Ghailani, “There is so much potential and there is so much that we can do with it.”

(WATCH a video news report below) – Photos from Seawater Energy and Agriculture System

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Watch These Two Assisted Living Ladies Do the Whip and Nae-Nae

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senior elderly ladies dancing-FB-Somerby of Peachtree City

These elderly ladies from an assisted living center may need assistance with some things, but dancing isn’t one of them.

Folks at the Somerby of Peachtree City in Georgia caught these two seniors doing the “whip” and “nae nae” –a dance craze that was all the rage with younger folks – and decided to share their stylin’ with the world.

The video posted on Facebook drew 16 million views and 52,000 enthusiastic comments, mostly from people hoping they will be “doin’ the stanky leg” if they live to be this old.

(WATCH these ladies whip and nae-nae below–Facebook video takes a few seconds to load)

Two of our beloved Assisted Living Residents showing us how to Watch Me (Whip/"Nae Nae")

Posted by Somerby of Peachtree City on Monday, April 4, 2016
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High School Implements Later Start Times, Sees Dramatic Improvements

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McKinley Corbley
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Sleeping Girl - CC d_t_vos

Schools all over Massachusetts are boosting student health and performance with a policy that gives youth an extra hour of sleep.

Most Boston schools have a start time of 7:35 a.m., and with the hour of travel time students often need to set aside in the mornings, teens only get an average of 6 hours of sleep. Although many studies have already been published about the health and academic benefits of well-rested youth, few schools have morning bells after 8:00 a.m.

CHECK OUT: Teen Takes Paralyzed Dad To College, Cares For Him While He Studies

“Some kids are exposed to the same degree of sleep loss for four or five years,” Judith Owens, director of the Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Boston Children’s Hospital told the Boston Globe. “It’s not a good thing. . . . If you are asking teenagers to get up at 5:30 or 6, that is their lowest point of alertness in their 24-hour cycle. It’s at that point where their brain is most loudly saying ‘stay asleep.’”

RELATED: New Best-selling Book Designed to Put Children to Sleep in Minutes

The Globe investigated several high schools experimenting with pushing their morning start time back to 8:30 a.m., letting their students sleep an extra hour every night.

The switch produced positive results almost immediately: test scores went up, the number of Ds and Fs dropped by half, rates of tardiness and absence went down, and teen related car crashes decreased dramatically.

MORE: The 15 Most Healthy And Happy Cities in The US Are…

Students said they did not mind being kept in school until 3:00 p.m. because the later start time made them feel better rested and less likely to fall asleep while in class.

New legislation for a delayed morning bell is currently being discussed by the school boards with possible implementation as early as 2017.

(READ the full report in the Globe) –Photo by d_t_vos, CC

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105-Year-old Fan Tosses First Pitch, Says Daily Dr. Pepper Keeps Her Feisty (WATCH)

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Love of baseball was an easy transition for this mathematics teacher because baseball is all about the numbers–and with #105 on her jersey for the total years this spit-fire has been laughing with gusto.

Major League Baseball threw her a Texas party on Wednesday, allowing Elizabeth Sullivan to throw out the first pitch at the Rangers game.

She practiced in her yard throwing over-handed, saying that when she was in school they only allowed girls to pitch under-handed.

LOOK: They Wanted Her to Undergo Cancer Treatment, But 90-Year-old Hits The Road Instead

She attributes her long life to drinking three Dr. Pepper sodas every day since she was a girl. She knows they contain a lot of sugar but sees no ill effects.

“Everybody said it would kill me, but they die and I don’t.” she told NBC in Dallas. “I still don’t take any medication and they still can’t find anything wrong with me.”

She says she‘s watched every Texas Ranger game for the last fifteen years. When she was informed she would be throwing out the first pitch, she hooted and hollered–but she wasn’t nervous.

WATCH: 91-Year-old Man Fulfills Fantasy of Crashing Car Through a Garage Door

“After you pass a hundred, you don’t get nervous,” she joked, with a contagious chuckle.

(Watch the moment she learned of her big day, above— and SEE her make the pitch below)

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WWII Refugees Write Comforting Letters To Syrian Refugee Youth (WATCH)

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McKinley Corbley
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No matter the race, gender, or generation, a child will always be a child.

That’s why elders who fled WWII as refugee children in 1945 are writing letters to the refugee children of today.

CHECK OUT: Christians Protect Mosques on Fri., Muslims Guard Churches on Sunday

The Special Delivery CARE project honored the 5-year mark of the Syrian refugee crisis by sending care packages containing toys, candy, and letters to displaced children in Jordan.

The results were deeply moving.

“She made me feel like I exist,” said 16-year-old Sajeda when she opened the letter from 87-year-old Helga. “Even though I have not met her in person, she now plays an important role in my life.”

LOOK: Coffee Shop Employees Console Widow Through Window of Drive-Through

CARE has been sending humanitarian relief to asylum-seekers ever since they first reached out to WWII refugees in 1945. Over 2 million Syrians have already received aid; from food baskets and grocery debit cards, to hygiene kits and emergency shelters.

If you’d like to send some loving letters written in your own hand to children who need of comfort, check out the My Care website.

(WATCH the CARE video above…) Photo by CARE SHARE the Beautiful Video…

Adorable Pika Critter Photographed For The First Time in 20 Years

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McKinley Corbley
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Pika - Li Weidong

It’s like a cross between a rabbit and a teddy bear – except cuter.

Found in the Tianshan mountain range of northwestern China, these adorable 8-inch long mammals haven’t been photographed since 1990.

RELATED: Monarch Butterfly Population More Than Triples Over Last Year

Li Weidong discovered the pika in 1983 and named it after his hometown: Ili. Since then, Li has dedicated decades of his life – and over $35,00 of his own money – to studying and protecting the elusive animal.

Climate change and habitat loss has rendered the Ili pika as an endangered species that has needed to continuously retreat into higher elevations of mountainous habitat in search of snow.

MORE: Manatee Population Has Rebounded 500 Percent, No Longer Endangered

Li has called for the establishment of a nature preserve to keep the Ili population from further declining. Check out more photos of Li and his pika friends at CNN.

Who Wouldn’t Love to Save This Little Guy? Click To Share and Inspire…  (Photo by Li Weidong)

How Fulfilling Are The Relationships In Your Life?

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SeaGroveSunset-couple-bench-cc-Mojo-800px

Maintaining happy, healthy relationships in your life, whether they’re family, romantic or friendly, has a significant impact on your overall happiness and ability to thrive. Solid, meaningful relationships are important in your adult life. All good relationships require mutual respect and understanding but sometimes we have to hit the pause button to evaluate the people closest to us and determine if these people are nurturing and positive or if they’re only bringing us down. If you’re questioning the relationships in your life and wondering if you’re attracting the right kind of people, we’ve got a few tips to steer you in the right direction.

How to Attract the Right Kind of People to Your Life:

Before you set out to find a new romance or friendship, know what you’re looking for in a person. Think about the kind of person you want to bring into your life. Take stock of your own principles and values and evaluate others based on this list and make sure there is significant overlap.

Be true to yourself. Do you let people know the real and authentic you? If you’re projecting someone you’re not, you may be attracting the wrong people.

LOOK: Woman Tracks Down Sperm Donor, Falls In Love With Him, And Marries Him

Know where to look for the kind of people you want to have in your life. Good people are out there and you can play a part in finding them. Studies show that spending time with people that are like-minded and have the same goals as you puts you in the right environment to meet the right people. Think about your hobbies and your interests and join groups and clubs that match up.

Be open to new people and situations but trust your instincts. You never know where a new relationship might be found whether it’s a new business connection, a potential romance or a new friendship. When you open yourself up to new opportunities you give the right people the chance to meet you, but trust your instincts and verify that new people entering your life actually share your values.

RELATED: 10 Easy Ways To Positively Improve Your Love Relationship Today

Get in touch with good people you already know. Have you lost touch with people you really like—a cousin,  old classmate, friend from college or previous co-worker? Now is the time to make a list of those people who you’d like to reconnect with and reach out to them. Not sure how to find them? Use a source like BeenVerified to help locate them.

CHECK OUT: People Are Hard-Wired To Be Kind And Generous, Says Study

It may sound cliché, but be the person you’d like to have in your life. Be friendly, generous and kind. You’ll be surprised what comes back to you.

Tips for Eliminating People From Your Life:

Recognize the signs of a bad relationship. Look at how this person fits into your life. Do they drain your energy, criticize you, play a victim, have a negative mindset, exhibit dishonestly or lack of compassion? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be time to reassess your relationship. Is there true value?

COOL: They Wanted Her to Undergo Cancer Treatment, But 90-Year-old Hits The Road Instead

Set your own boundaries and don’t be apologetic. For your own health and sanity, it’s okay to say no or tell someone they’ve pushed you too far or asked for too much.

If you know it is time to cut the cord—be bold, direct and firm. Unless you want them to hang around and play the victim, don’t fall into the trap.

RELATED: She Got Lesson in Patience From Young Target Employee Named Ishmael

If you’ve decided you can no longer sustain the relationship or you find out information that makes you need to discontinue the relationship, it’s fine to say “I can’t see you anymore.” As humans we need relationships but we do not need every relationship. Be strong and remember you’re doing this for your own good.
________________________________

Justin Lavelle is the Communications Director for Been Verified, an affordable website that helps people locate relatives and friends they’ve lost touch with, or check the backgrounds of those they are dating and others interacting with their family, through the use of public data. –Photo by Mojo, CC

This Firefighter has Taught Thousands of Poor Pakistanis How to Read (MUST-SEE)

By
Terry Turner
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Firefighter Teaches Pakistanis to Read Screenshot Al Jazeera

Not content with only saving people from burning buildings, this Pakistani firefighter has also spent decades saving children from illiteracy–and entrenched poverty–by teaching thousands to read, write, and do math.

Every workday for 30 years, Mohammed Ayub has left his job at an Islamabad fire department and set up a makeshift classroom in a city park.

And every day, hundreds of kids wait for “Master Ayub” to arrive on his bicycle so they can learn.

CHECK OUT:  Teen Takes Paralyzed Dad To College, Cares For Him While He Studies

It started when he first moved to the area and was looking for a hobby. He noticed a little boy washing cars and asked him why he wasn’t in school. When the boy explained his parents couldn’t afford to send him, and he needed to help earn money for the family, Ayub found his calling.

He began teaching the boy, who brought along a friend the next day. By the end of that first week, Ayub was teaching 50 kids in the park.

Over the years, former students have become teachers at the informal, outdoor school.

LOOK: 58 Celebrities Give $14 Million to Teachers in Classrooms

Thousands of Christian and Muslim kids from the surrounding slums – who had bleak futures before Ayub’s school – have gone on to higher education, vocational training, or landed decent jobs because of it.

“If we want Pakistan to prosper,” Ayub told Al Jazeera, “teach one word to a child every day. Your sisters, your brothers, wherever the illiterate are, help them.

Ayub is nearing retirement from the fire department and planning to make the school his full time job. He wants to build a real school building stocked with computers and books.

RELATED: Obama Quietly Signs Ban on Products Made by Children and Slaves

And just like the little boy who rounded up 50 more kids in that first week, the students today are rounding up bricks and stones — piling them beside the park each day before class, to use for Master Ayub’s new school.

It could really be big.

(WATCH the video below from Al Jazeera English) — Photo: Al Jazeera

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Chicago Comes Together To Save Jingles The Dog

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dog-save shelter sign-Spay Illinois-submitted-graphic

Just days after being rescued from an abandoned neighborhood garage, a 6-year-old black lab was brought in for a check-up. His new owner wanted to help Jingles have the life he deserved.

While everyone hoped for the best, Jingles unfortunately tested positive for heartworm disease, which requires a very lengthy and expensive treatment.

LOOK: Guy Gives Shelter Dogs Free Haircuts to Help Them Get Adopted

That was back in August of 2015 and fortunately the dog was examined at the Pet Well Clinic hosted by Spay Illinois, which was not about to give up on this animal.

They rallied everyone to work together to help raise the thousands of dollars it would cost to treat Jingles’ disease, and demonstrate that his life mattered.

“Together, we did it!” said Spay Illinois in a note to its supporters.

WATCH: Give a Prisoner an Abused Dog and See What Happens – Karmic Connection

“Today Jingles is back to receive a neuter surgery. His blood test officially came back negative for heartworm disease and he can now live the happy and healthy life he deserved from the start.”

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In Historic U.S. Ruling, Sikh Army Officer Can Keep Beard, Turban

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Good News Network
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Sikh soldier-released

The U.S. military has granted a Sikh-American officer a religious exemption allowing him to continue serving his country while maintaining his articles of faith. The landmark decision makes Captain Simratpal Singh, a decorated combat veteran, the first active duty Sikh soldier to receive approval to wear a beard and turban while actively serving in the U.S. Army.

“Captain Singh again proves to our military that the religiously mandated turban and beard do not hinder the ability to successfully serve,” said Sikh Coalition Legal Director, Harsimran Kaur. “This decision gives hope that our nation’s largest employer is making progress towards ending a policy of religious discrimination.”

MORE: Christians Protect Mosques on Fri., Muslims Guard Churches on Sunday

Captain Singh graduated from West Point with honors in 2010, but was then forced to make the untenable choice between his religion and his career. Following failed attempts to obtain an accommodation, he cut his hair and shaved his beard. After successfully completing Army Ranger School, a Bronze Star tour in Afghanistan, and receiving numerous other military accolades in various military positions, Captain Singh filed a religious accommodation request on October 21, 2015.

Last Thursday’s legal victory means Captain Singh has finally realized his dream of becoming spiritually whole.

“My military service continues to fulfill a lifelong dream,” said Captain Singh. “My faith, like many of the soldiers I work with, is an integral part of who I am. I am thankful that I no longer have to make the choice between faith and service to our nation.”

Captain Singh will continue in his battalion operations staff position at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia.

“With this historic accommodation, we hope that the U.S. military will finally move past protracted, case-by-case religious accommodations and recognize that the time for permanent policy change is now,” said a spokesperson for McDermott Will & Emery, which, along with the Sikh Coalition, and Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, filed the lawsuit.

CHECK OUT: Nigerian Army Rescues More Than 800 Boko Haram Hostages

In November 2015, 27 retired U.S. Generals called on the U.S. Department of Defense to eliminate the ban. This letter joins the 105 Members of Congress, 15 U.S. Senators, and 21 national Interfaith and civil rights organizations, who have previously signed letters in support of American Sikhs’ right to serve while maintaining their tenets.

Inspired by Freedom of Religion? Share This…

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