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Autistic Teen Stuns Crowd as He Breaks His Silence and Gives Awe-Inspiring Commencement Speech

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The crowd was surprised when Sef Scott stepped up to the podium during his high school graduation ceremony last week. Because the teen has autism and social communication disorder, he rarely speaks.

So when he then proceeded to give a powerful speech about “doing the unexpected,” the students and spectators were in awe.

Sef says that he was inspired to give the speech by his brother, who is a brain tumor survivor and public speaker for charities. For weeks, Sef worked with family members to perfect every sentence of the commencement address so he could surprise his peers.

RELATED: Plane Passengers Are Left “In Awe” of Woman’s Kindness Towards Agitated Boy With Autism

It all paid off, too.

In the speech, Sef encourages his fellow grads of Plano Senior High School to follow his example and do the unexpected – whether it’s by doing little things, like giving a gift to a stranger, or by doing bigger things, like changing the entire course of your life.

By the end of the speech, the Frisco, Texas football stadium spectators – several of whom were in tears – jumped to their feet so they could give a standing ovation.

(WATCH the video below)

Be Sure And Share The Inspiring Video With Your Friends

New Mr. Rogers Documentary is Out and It’s Incredibly Sweet How It’s Making Adults Feel

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There are few things in this world that everyone can agree on – some folks might have different opinions about the new Marvel movies, while others might voice their hatred on classic movie remakes. But there is one thing that almost everyone can agree on: everybody loves Mr. Rogers.

 

So as people flood to see the new Mr. Roger’s documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor, it’s incredibly refreshing to look at people’s reviews and see nothing but inspiration and love.

 

Since the movie came out on June 8th, the #WontYouBeMyNeighbor hashtag on Twitter has been filled with posts from adults who wanted to express their adoration for the biopic.

 

The common theme amongst all of them? Everybody cried.

 

While the movie is only being released in select theaters over the course of the summer, people are still urging everyone to go as soon as they get the chance – and to bring a box of tissues.

 

Julie Williams, a 42-year-old mother who grew up in an abusive household as a child, described her own feelings towards Mr. Rogers to the Tampa Bay Times.

“I promised myself if I ever had children of my own, I would parent them in a way where they would feel the same way Mister Rogers made me feel, safe and worthy and joyful. I did that,” she said. “I have two beautiful children who are funny and awesome. I broke the cycle of generational abuse in no small part due to Mister Rogers. I genuinely feel if he were alive today he would be really proud of me for that.”

 

 

Continue On To The Next Page To See More Emotional Tweets About Fred Rogers…

“Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.” – Margaret B. Runbeck

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Quote of the Day: “Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.” – Margaret B. Runbeck

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

Be the Last to Speak and 10 Other Rules to Achieve Greatness

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The Lesson: There are two types of people – those who see what they want, and those who see what stands in the way of what they want. Which type of person are you? This is just one of the questions that leadership expert Simon Sinek challenges you to get real about. Because when it comes to making real change in your life – you have to start with yourself. Why do you get up in the morning? How do you embody the vision you have for your life? And what value are you bringing to the table?

Notable Excerpt: “A journalist once asked [Nelson Mandela] how it is he came to be such a great leader – and he said that when he was a kid, he remembered going to tribal meetings with his father. And he remembers two things: one, they would always sit in a circle, and two, his father would always be the last to speak. And I think that that is a better way of framing the phrase ‘be a better listener’; it’s practicing being the last person to speak. So often, well-intentioned leaders walk into a meeting and say “okay guys, here’s the problem, here’s what I think we should do, but I’m going to listen to what you have to say.” It’s too late, right? There’s a skill set that comes from when everybody else is speaking, you don’t agree or disagree or give away what you’re thinking – but rather, you take input and you ask questions to better understand where their perspective comes from. And at the end of it, not only do you make everyone else feel heard, but you also get the benefit of all of their thinking.”

The Speaker: Simon Sinek is the marketing consultant, bestselling author, motivational speaker, and critically-acclaimed mastermind behind Start With Why: an organization made up of other business moguls dedicated to helping others find their passion and leadership stride. His TED talk, How Great Leaders Inspire Others, has been ranked as their third most popular talk of all time. Sinek is the author of several groundbreaking bestsellers, such as “Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action” and “Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team”.

The Host: Tony Robbins is a best-selling author, motivational speaker, life coach, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. The California-based strategist has become such an influential lecturer, over 4 million people have attended his live seminars. Tony has personally interviewed 50 of the world’s most brilliant financial minds to write the book “MONEY Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom”. All of the book’s proceeds are donated to charities that feed the hunger, and it is available for free, excluding the cost of shipping.

Podcast: The Tony Robbins podcast is available for free on Spotify and iTunes. You can also find more of his longer motivational programs on his website. Additionally, Simon Senek’s “Start With Why” podcast, which is hosted by the organization’s own David Mead and Stephen Shedletzky, is available on iTunes and Stitcher.

Books: Robbins is the author of “Awaken the Giant Within,” “Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook”, “Money: Master the Game”, and “Unlimited Power: The New Science of Personal Achievement”.

(LISTEN to the inspiring talk below) – Feature photo by Astro_Matt, CC

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Watch Baseball Fan Win Stadium’s Approval By Catching Ball in Her Beer–and Then Chugging It

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McKinley Corbley
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A young baseball fan won the approval of the stadium when she scored big with a foul ball that landed in her beer.

23-year-old Gabrielle DiMarco was watching the San Diego Padres play against the Atlanta Braves last Tuesday at the PetCo Park in San Diego, California when a ball was smacked into the stands.

At first, she thought that the ball had landed in the row behind her – but then she realized that the pitch had bounced off of one of the chairs and plopped directly into her cup of beer.

“I felt like I won the lottery,” DiMarco told The San Diego Union-Tribune. “I was like, ‘What are the chances?’ I wasn’t even trying to catch this ball and it landed in my cup.”

WATCH: After Scoring This Astonishing Trick Shot, Teen With Down Syndrome is Contacted By the Globetrotters

As the stadium cheered for her lucky catch, some of the spectators started chanting for her to drink. Not to disappoint her new fans, DiMarco then proceeded to down the lucky baseball beer in one go – and the crowd went wild.

“So many people were cheering, ‘Chug!’ I was like, ‘absolutely I will chug this beer, are you kidding me?’ ” DiMarco said.

The Padres later bragged about their fan’s epic display of sportsmanship on their Twitter page, which quickly spurred a number of cheeky marriage proposals from social media users who were impressed by DiMarco’s skills.

Because even though the ball was originally hit by Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte, it’s easy to tell that DiMarco had the best play in the game.

(WATCH the video below)

Score Big With Your Friends And Share The Clip To Social Media – Photo by Padres

Silver Lining to the Suicides: Celebrity Deaths Have Helped Save Other Lives

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McKinley Corbley
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People have been reeling from the deaths of two cultural icons who committed suicide this month: fashion designer Kate Spade and food television star Anthony Bourdain.

Though their passings are tragic, their actions do have a silver-lining – thousands more people are calling emergency hotlines compared to the same period of time before the deaths.

As news outlets were reporting on Bourdain and Spade, social media users and writers were sure to include the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255). The number connects callers to 150 help centers across the US where trained counselors are waiting on-hand to help people who may be experiencing a mental health emergency.

According to statements from the organization’s director of communications, the centers have experienced 65% more caller traffic since Spade’s and Bourdain’s deaths earlier this month. Additionally, a spokesperson for the Crisis Text Line says that caller traffic has increased by 115%.

MORE: Restaurant Owners Who Say Anthony Bourdain Changed Their Lives Donate Profits to Suicide Hotline

“In our line of work, in our world, this kind of moment happens on a smaller scale all the time,” Christine Moutier, a psychiatrist who serves as the chief medical officer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, told CNN.

“When a community is hit with suicides, there’s a readiness to take action in game-changing new ways,” she added.

People may be calling the number because experiencing the suicide of someone who they are close to – or even someone they admire, like a celebrity – can leave them feeling even more vulnerable and emotionally distressed than usual. However, other experts are calling the surge in traffic a cause for celebration because suicidal Americans are realizing that they are not alone in their struggles and there are resources available to help them.

MORE: Suicide Rates at Japanese Train Stations Have Plummeted by 84% Thanks to Simple Solution

Crisis services manager Barry Rose of the CrisisLine at the University of Utah’s Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI) told The Salt Lake Tribune: “All of these people are getting help. It’s really great.”

“There is help out there for people,” he added. “So many people don’t know that and they are trying to handle these things alone, but there are options.”

LOOK: 13 Truckers Use Their Vehicles to Prevent Suicide Attempt From Ending a Life

Not only are more people seeking help for their suicidal tendencies, but friends and family members are also reaching out to the hotlines for resources on how they can help, comfort, and look out for people who may be suicidal.

This is all part of Moutier’s hope that society will start treating suicide as a preventative illness that works similarly to heart disease; a sickness that can be treated with incremental measures over time, rather than at the very last minute.

How to get help: In the US, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. International readers can find resources and connections to crisis centers all over the world via the International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide.

Share the Uplifting News With Your Friends – Photo by Daniel Lobo, CC

Watch Police Officer Handle a Crisis With Toddler Wandering On the Side of Highway

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It was a normal day for Sergeant Anthony Mannino as he was driving down a Chicago highway – until he saw a startling situation developing on the side of the road.

Initially, Mannino thought that the moving thing in the right lane was a stray dog – but then he discovered that it was actually 1-year-old boy who was running down the road without any awareness for the speeding vehicles that were dangerously close to his path.

Terrified by the scene, Mannino hurriedly stopped his vehicle in traffic, got out of his cruiser, and chased after the boy. Once the 24-year-old police veteran managed to catch up to the toddler, he befriended the youngster, scooped him up into his arms, and led him back to the cruiser.

WATCH: Migrant Pull Off Incredible ‘Spider-Man’ Rescue That Earned Him Citizenship and a Job

According to the Naperville Police Department, the mother lived just two blocks away from where Mannino picked up the child. The woman had been stepping out of her house with the boy when he suddenly took off running. Shortly after Mannino found the boy, the distraught mother arrived on the scene.

The Naperville Police Department posted the dash cam video on Facebook saying, “Last month, this youngster escaped his mother’s watchful eye, left his house and was found by Sgt. Anthony Mannino running on Route 59!

WATCH: ‘Coolest Bus Driver Ever’ Halts Pedestrian Accident in London

“Luckily, no one was hurt, and we attribute that to Sgt. Mannino’s observation while on patrol and quick reaction, placing his squad car and himself between the child and traffic,” they added.

The police department also says that they gave Mannino the Life Saving Award in recognition for his heroic actions.

But Mannino, who is a father to twin boys, says that he is simply glad that the incident didn’t end in disaster.

(WATCH the video below)

Share The Harrowing Footage With Your Friends – Photo by Naperville Police Department

Moby is Selling His Records to All His Fans So He Can Donate Proceeds to Charity

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McKinley Corbley
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Moby, the acclaimed techno and house music DJ, is selling his entire personal record collection so he can donate all of the proceeds to an animal rights health group.

The Official Moby Reverb LP Shop is set to launch tomorrow on the Reverb website at 11AM EST. The store will feature over 1,000 records from the DJ’s collection, many of which include LPs that were essential building blocks for his career during the early New York City club scene.

Additionally, Moby is selling autographed and special edition pressings of his own albums.

“These are all the records that I bought and loved and played and carried all around the world,” Moby told Reverb. “I would rather you have them than me, because if you have them, you’ll play them, you’ll love them, and the money will go to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. So everybody wins. Well, except me, because now I don’t have any records.”

WATCH: Foo Fighters See ‘Kiss Guy’ With a Sign in Audience, and Pull Him On Stage—And He Nails it

The proceeds are being donated to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a nonprofit health group that encourages vegan diets as a means of treatment. Back in April, Moby sold over 100 pieces musical gear, synths, and equipment on Reverb to benefit the same cause.

This is not the first time that Moby has advocated for animals rights, either – in November 2015, the DJ opened up the Little Pine vegan bistro in Los Angeles, which donates every nickel of their proceeds to animal rights charities.

“Opening Little Pine was never meant to be a conventional entrepreneurial endeavor,” Moby explains in a press release. “I want it to represent veganism in a really positive light, and also help to support the animal welfare organizations who do such remarkable work.”

(WATCH the promo video below)

This Story Will Have Your Friends Spinning: Share The News – Photo by Reverb

Locked Out of House, Watch Woman’s Gleeful Reaction to Clever Pup Opening the Door

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McKinley Corbley
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Everybody has seen dogs do basic tricks like sit, stay, and rollover – but what about unlocking the house door?

That is exactly what Sam the dog did for his owner Kaylyn Marie.

Marie had gone outside of her house on Saturday only to find that she had accidentally locked herself out. The wooden rod that she uses to keep the sliding door from opening had fallen back into place, and she knew that since none of her housemates would be home for several hours, there was no one around to rescue her – except for Sam.

With a little bit of coaxing, she managed to get the 8-year-old Labrador to paw at the wooden rod until it freed the sliding door – and her exuberance over his clever rescue is infectious.

LOOK: Cat Has the Most Hilariously Priceless (and Relatable) Reaction to Finding Out She’s Pregnant

When she made it back inside, Marie gleefully promised her pup “10,000 treats” for his good behavior. Not only that, she allowed him to take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool as well.

Since she uploaded footage of the hilarious rescue effort to Facebook on Saturday, the video has been viewed roughly 8 million times – so for anyone who wants to keep up with the dog’s newfound fame, Marie created an Instagram account for him that is aptly named “Sam The Good Boi”.

(WATCH the amusing video below)

Share This Pawesome Rescue Story With Your Friends 

“Many things in life will catch your eye. Only a few will catch your heart… Pursue those things and never let them go.” – Michael Nolan

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Quote of the Day: “Many things in life will catch your eye. Only a few will catch your heart… Pursue those things and never let them go.” – Michael Nolan

Photo: by Karsun Designs Photography, CC license

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

Trump Becomes First President to Meet With North Korean Leader, Gets Pledge for Disarmament

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In a historic gesture of international diplomacy, US President Donald Trump met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to begin a “new friendship” between the two countries.

The summit, which was held in Singapore, ended with the two leaders signing a written agreement that affirmed [Kim’s] “firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula” and Trump’s vow to suspend military exercises between South Korea and the US.

CNN Editor-at-large Chris Cillizza described the atmosphere of the 45-minute meeting as “warm” and “optimistic” – and though the deadlines and details of the document were described as “vague” by The Guardian, the meeting held symbolic significance for the first US president to ever meet with a North Korean head of state.

RELATED: North and South Korea Commit to Denuclearization, End of War, and Unity

“The past does not have to define the future,” said Trump at a press conference following the talks. “Yesterday’s conflict does not have to be tomorrow’s war. And as history has proven over and over again, adversaries can indeed become friends.”

News outlets have also pointed out the historic significance of the meeting by comparing it to President Ronald Reagan’s speech from exactly 31 years ago in which he called for Soviet leader Gorbachev to “tear down this wall,” and reunify East and West Berlin.

(WATCH the video below)

Share The Groundbreaking News With Your Friends – Photo by TIME

Watch Teen Set World Record for Fastest Time Solving 3 Rubik’s Cubes While Juggling

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McKinley Corbley
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This kid may only be 13 years old, but he is already breaking some astonishing world records.

Que Jianyu from Fujian, China just beat the Guinness World Record for the fastest time solving three Rubik’s cubes at once… while juggling.

Before Que started the attempt, he was given fifteen seconds to observe the patterns of the cubes. Then, once he started juggling, his hands moved almost too quickly to see the cube rotations.

The youngster beat the previous world record in just 5 minutes and 6.61 seconds. Though Que has been training for the last two years to beat the record on Zhejiang’s TV show iDream, he has been playing with Rubik’s cubes since he was 6 years old.

RELATED: Girl Who Wanted to ‘Be Closer to Her Dad’ Becomes Youngest Female to Hike Mount Kilimanjaro

This is not the first time that Que has made headlines for his talents with the toy, either – he and his mentor Ye Jiaxi, who is also the president of the Xiamen Magic Association, also beat the world record for fastest time solving a Rubik’s cube between two people. The dynamic duo clocked in at 25.63 seconds, which was three seconds faster than the previous record.

“Que Jianyu has a great gift and talent on Rubik’s cube, which requires a lot of practice. This is very difficult for a child. Friends in the circle all call him a ‘little child prodigy’,” Ye Jiaxi told Guinness World Records.

(WATCH the astonishing video below)

Remember To Share The Impressive Clip With Your Friends

More Peace Than Ever in Iraq: Incredible 80% Drop in Violence, Even During Ramadan

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McKinley Corbley
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Iraqi Boys – Credit: Christian Briggs (CC license)

In an exciting new series of reports from the United Nations, violence in Iraq is declining at a rapid rate – even during the holy month of Ramadan.

The data, which was released by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the Iraq Body Count database earlier this week, says that civilian deaths have fallen by a staggering 80% since the same 5-month period from last year.

Not only that, the amount of wounded civilians has fallen by 68.4% and the amount of civilian deaths related to political or religious violence has decreased by 76.4%.

RELATED: Homicides Plummet Thanks to Ex-cons Patrolling Baltimore Streets

While national violence has steadily been declining since it hit a peak in 2014, this is the lowest amount of civilian deaths that the country has witnessed since 2003, according to Statista.

AFP goes on to say that in May, the country even managed to hold parliamentary elections without any major reported security threats. Additionally, the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, which started in mid-May, has not witnessed any major violent incidents – a first for the country in recent years.

The sudden drop in violence is credited to Iraq’s declared victory over IS forces in December.

Share The Positive News With Your Friends – Photo by Christian Briggs, CC

Pizza Chain is Fixing Streets and Filling Potholes Across America

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Domino’s Pizza is working to smooth American roads for their delivery drivers so that their pies don’t get roughed up on the ride to customer homes.

The company has been filling in cracks and potholes across the US for their “Paving For Pizza” initiative. Based on a series of nominations that were submitted to their website, they have already started paving roads in Burbank, California; Bartonville, Texas; Milford, Delaware; and Athens, Georgia.

Even though reenforcing crumbling infrastructure does not seem like the kind of work a pizza restaurant should be doing, their reasoning seems pretty sound.

“Potholes, cracks, and bumps in the road can cause irreversible damage to your pizza during the drive home from Domino’s,” says the website. “We can’t stand by and let your cheese slide to one side, your toppings get un-topped, or your boxes get flipped. So we’re helping to pave in towns across the country to save your good pizza from these bad roads.”

RELATED: If a Child Has Been Issued a Fine for Selling Lemonade, This Legal-Ade Team is Here to Help

According to city officials, the assistance has already been gratefully received, too.

“This unique innovative partnership allowed the town of Bartonville to accomplish more pothole repairs,” said city Mayor Bill Scherer.

Following a winter that was harsh on their roads, the Milford city manager added: “We appreciated the extra paving for pizza funds to stretch our street repair budget as we addressed more potholes than usual.”

If you would like the Paving For Pizza initiative to come to your own town, you can nominate it on the Domino’s website. If you town is selected, you will be notified and the city will receive funds to help repair the roads.

Pie It Forward To Your Friends And Share The News To Social Media – Photo by Domino’s

While Pit Bull Rescues Family From House Fire, She Pulls Baby to Safety By Her Diaper

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McKinley Corbley
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An 8-month-old pit bull named Sasha is being hailed as a hero after her actions helped to save her family from a house fire last week.

Sasha’s owner, Nana Chaichanhda, was fast asleep in her Stockton, California housing complex when the pup started to cause a ruckus at the back door.

Bewildered by the dog’s sudden outburst at 11PM, Chaichanhda went to let the dog inside.

“I open it and she runs in and starts barking at me like crazy and I was like, ‘OK, this is weird. This is not like her,’” Chaichanhda told FOX 40.

LOOK: Students Worried About Parked Police Car at School Until They Saw What He was Doing

Sasha immediately ran inside and went straight to the room of Chaichanhda’s 7-month-old baby daughter, Masailah. More importantly, however, the dog’s barking alerted Chaichanhda to the fact that the neighboring house was on fire.

Since she lives in a fourplex, the blaze was quickly spreading to her own home. The 30-year-old mother ran back inside to get her child only to find that Sasha was way ahead of her; the pit bull was trying to pull the baby to safety by her diaper.

MORE: Instead of Elephants, This Family Circus Features Happy Rescue Dogs as the Stars

Thanks to the dog’s quick actions, the family was able to escape the house, wake up the neighbors, call 911, and get everyone to safety. Though her home has been declared uninhabitable, Chaichanhda’s sister is now raising funds for the family on GoFundMe while she stays at her aunt’s house.

“I owe Sasha my life and my children’s,” Chaichanhda wrote on the campaign page. “She saved us all. She is our hero. Without her, we probably would’ve never made it out.”

(WATCH the video below)

Share This Pawesome Rescue Story With Your Friends – Photo by Christine White

“Art is the means we have of undoing the damage of haste.” – Theodore Roethke

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Quote of the Day: “Art is the means we have of undoing the damage of haste.” – Theodore Roethke, poet

Photo: Harlem bus stop, GNN

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

Tokyo to Build Eco-Friendly ‘Solar Roads’ Ahead of 2020 Olympics

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Good News Network
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In preparation for the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, Tokyo is installing a series of ‘solar roads’ to boost their reputation as a progressively eco-friendly city.

The roads will generate energy through a series of solar panels that are installed underneath the surface of the streets. A special resin will cover the surface of the roads so that heavier vehicles can drive on the roads without damaging the technology.

The world’s first solar paneled road was constructed in Normandy, France back in December 2016. While the project was criticized for its high costs of construction, The Independent says that the Tokyo government hopes to offset the costs of the initiative by building the roads “on government-owned facilities such as car parks, where the amount of electricity generated by installing the system would justify the cost.”

RELATED: Scientists May Have Just Overcome the Biggest Obstacle to Mass-Producing Hydrogen Fuel

The news outlet goes on to say that the city hopes that by installing the solar panels before the Olympic games, they will help to popularize the technology, which will then encourage solar road development around the world and bring down the cost of solar roads.

Japan’s first solar road was already installed outside of a 7-11 store in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture back in May. The road annually generates 16,145 kilowatt-hours of electricity, which supplies roughly 9% of the store’s energy consumption.

Drive This Good News To Your Friends And Share To Social Media – Photo by Wochit News

Watch Police Officer Give Piggyback Ride to Elderly Man Struggling to Cross Busy Road

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A compassionate police officer is being hailed for lending a hand – or more accurately, his legs – to an elderly gentleman who was struggling to cross a busy street.

In a video that has already been viewed thousands of times on Chinese social media sites, the senior can be seen slowly making his way down a crosswalk in Mianyang, Sichuan province as a crowd of bustling pedestrians takes advantage of the green light.

After the walking light turns red, however, the older man has only made it across one lane of traffic.

RELATED: Police Officer Stands in the Pouring Rain With a Smile as She Protects Critter From Traffic

Despite all of the cars waiting patiently for the senior to maneuver the walkway, he still has roughly seven lanes of traffic to cross.

That’s when crossing guard Qin Weijie walks up to the man and asks if he could carry the senior across the street.

When the man accepts, Weijie crouches down in front of the senior, scoops him up onto his back, and gives him a piggyback ride to the other side of the street.

(WATCH the heartwarming video below)

Share The Sweet Story of Kindness With Your Friends – Photo by Global News

Why We Should Practice Forest Bathing and How to Get the Benefits of ‘Forest Medicine’

By
McKinley Corbley
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There is something very therapeutic about walking through a quiet forest during the day. In fact, there’s a whole medical practice that boasts about the positive mental and physical benefits of spending time in nature.

Dr. Qing Li has been called the world’s foremost expert on “forest bathing” – or “shinrin-yoku” in Japanese – and he firmly believes that people in modern societies are suffering from “nature deficit disorder.”

The average American is already estimated to spend 93% of their time indoors – and as a result of this earthly deprivation, people experience an increased risk of mental and physical ailments.

Forest bathing, says Li, is the cure.

“Researchers in Japan have tried to find preventive effects against lifestyle-related diseases from this proposed concept called ‘forest bathing,’” Li told Good News Network. “Forest bathing/shinrin-yoku means bathing in the forest atmosphere, or taking in the forest through our senses.

RELATED: Suicide Rates at Japanese Train Stations Have Plummeted by 84% Thanks to Simple Solution

“This is not exercise, or hiking, or jogging. It is simply being in nature, connecting with it through our sense of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. It’s like a bridge,” he added. “By opening our senses, it bridges the gap between us and the natural world.”

Li, who is a doctor at Tokyo’s Nippon Medical School and a visiting fellow at the Stanford University School of Medicine, has found dozens of health-related benefits from forest bathing.

For starters, Li’s studies have shown that spending time in nature can increase the body’s production of immune cells and cancer-fighting proteins. Forest bathing has also been shown to decrease stress hormones, which comes with reduced symptoms of anger, depression, anxiety, and fatigue, as well as a reduced risk of hypertension.

MORE: Magnetic Brain Treatment Erases Suicidal Thoughts in Dramatic Portion of Depressed Patients, Study

Additionally, forest bathing has been shown to increase production of a protein hormone called serum adiponectin. Patients who have low levels of the hormone have also had an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.

Forest medicine has become such a critically acclaimed form of therapy in Japan, there are now dozens of forest bathing centers that work in proximity to the country’s national parks so they can introduce the healing effects of the forest to those who need them most.

“The practice of shinrin-yoku originated in Japan in the 1980s as a national health program to help stressed and anxious city workers,” Li told GNN. “There are now designated healing forests across the country, featuring forest bathing centers that offer blood-pressure checks, aromatherapy classes and guided walks with healthcare experts, which are used by up to 5 million people every year.”

CHECK OUT: Yale is Letting Anyone Take Its Most Popular Class Ever for Free

So if you’re interested in reaping the rewards of forest bathing, Dr. Li has some tips on how to find the best ways to get your nature fix.

“If you want to boost your immunity, a three-day/two-night forest bathing is recommended,” says Li. “If you just want to relax and relieve stress, a day trip of forest bathing to a forested park near your home would be recommended.

“If you have an entire day, stay in the forest for about 4 hours and walk about 5 kilometers (3 miles). If you have just a half day, stay in the forest for about 2 hours and walk about 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles). Take a rest whenever you are tired; drink water/tea whenever you are thirsty; and if you find a place you like, then sit for a while and read – or enjoy the scenery.”

RELATED: Watching Birds Near Your Home is Good For Your Mental Health

And most importantly, Li says that you should engage all five of your senses with the scenery around you. Look at the different colors of your surroundings; touch the trees; breath in the smells of the forest; and listen to the sounds of nature. Remember to move slowly and breath deeply – or if you would rather keep busy while you are in the woods, try engaging in tai chi or yoga.

Li is quick to remind readers that while forest medicine is a healthy way to fend off disease and psychological stress, it should only be used as preventative medicine and anyone suffering from serious illnesses should see a doctor.

If you want to learn more about the therapeutic effects of forest bathing, you can check out the website for the Society of Forest Therapy – or you can check out Dr. Li’s book, “Forest Bathing: How Trees Can Help You Find Health and Happiness.”

Plant Some Positivity And Share The News With Your Friends – Photo by Lars Tiede, CC

Restaurant Owners Who Say Anthony Bourdain Changed Their Lives Donate Profits to Suicide Hotline

By
McKinley Corbley
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A small immigrant-owned business has grown to become an acclaimed New York City hotspot for Chinese food – and it is all thanks to a visit from the late food critic and chef Anthony Bourdain.

While there have been dozens of tributes to the beloved Food Network star, one Facebook post from Xi’an Famous Foods is particularly noteworthy. The post, which was written by the restaurant’s CEO Jason Wang, explains how the business’s success is largely due to a visit from Bourdain in 2007.

Wang’s family had been living in a one-bedroom apartment in Flushing, New York while they ran a basement food stall at the Golden Shopping Mall. Their business had been struggling – until Bourdain visited the food stall for his show “No Reservations” on the Travel Channel.

Wang says that in preparation for Bourdain’s visit, his father had prepared a bunch of off-the-menu dishes to impress the culinary star – and it worked. After the episode aired, their business was booming.

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Xi’an Famous Foods now has 12 branches across New York City, and Wang says that it is all thanks to Bourdain. Eight years after the episode, Wang  finally got the chance to thank Bourdain for the visit that changed his family’s lives forever.

“I remember years later in 2015 after interviewing together for an article,” Wang writes, “I approached Tony and told him, while he may have no idea what he has done for our family and business by simply saying he enjoyed the food, I wanted him to know it helped bring our family out from living in one room in Flushing to living the American dream.”

“We were able to grow our business and provide great food for our guests, and opportunities for our employees. I looked at him in the eyes and said, this is something we will always be thankful for, Tony. And he simply replied, ‘I’m just calling out good food like it is, that’s all.’”

LOOK: 13 Truckers Use Their Vehicles to Prevent Suicide Attempt From Ending a Life

So as a means of repaying the culinary star for his kindness, Wang announced that all of the net profits made at Xi’an Famous Foods on June 8th would be donated to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline ‘1-800-273-TALK (8255)’.

He told Buzzfeed News that he estimates the donation could be as much as $60,000.

“I’ve lost a dear friend today, and we mourn with the rest of the world,” says Wang. “Please cherish all of our lives and help those who may be struggling. Rest in peace, Tony, and the most sincere condolences to Tony’s beloved family.”

Share The Moving Story With Your Friends On Social Media – Photo by Jason Wang

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