How Boredom Leads to Brilliance: Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self

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Dec 11, 2017

Title: How Boredom Leads to Brilliance

The Lesson: If it’s one thing that everyone has in common, it is that people hate boredom – but that tedious feeling might actually be the key to your next big idea.

Many of us are pressured to work harder, and use all of our time productively, instead of taking time off to disconnect, decompress, and digest everything that is going on in our lives. Whether this is because we automatically check our smart phones whenever we have a spare moment in the day, or that we’re just too busy with our career and relationships; our lack of time spent daydreaming can keep us from unlocking our best self.

Notable Excerpt: “Our gadgets can’t give us more minutes in the day. We still have to have the patience to get to the great ideas, because otherwise we’re just having a lot of mediocre ones that we like posting, and Tweeting, and Instagramming about.” (From the full video below)

The Guest: Manoush Zomorodi, an expert on how to encourage our creativity and preserve our humanity in a digital age, is the author of “Bored and Brilliant” and the host of the critically-acclaimed Note to Self podcast, which is available for free on iTunes and Spotify.

The Host: After spending years of his young life and athletic career struggling with his own emotional wellbeing, a crippling injury left Lewis Howes without an identity and without any work. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, however, Howes recreated himself as a multi-million dollar media producer, motivational speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host. The ex-football player now spends his days chatting with the most inspirational icons of this generation on his School of Greatness podcast.

Podcast: The School of Greatness podcast is available for download on Soundcloud and iTunes. You can also watch footage of the interviews on Howes’s YouTube channel.

Books: Howes is the author of the New York Times bestselling book “The School of Greatness”: an in-depth collection of lessons and wisdom that he has gathered from interviewing hundreds of the world’s greatest role models and thinkers. Howes’s latest book, “The Mask of Masculinity”, is based on his experience with the dangerous stereotypes and expectations that are placed on men in modern society.

(LISTEN to the inspiring talk below)

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Turn All Your Skills Into Superpowers and Discard ‘Impossibility’ From Your Vocabulary

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Good News Network

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Dec 10, 2017

Title: Super Learning and Pushing the Limits

The Lesson: This guy knows a thing or two about achieving the impossible – and he wants you to be able to do the same thing. In this fascinating interview, Tim Ferriss asks several questions that he believes will give you the tools to overcome anything; such as “what if you did the opposite for 48 hours?” and “if you could only work for 2 hours per week, what would you work on?”

Notable Excerpt: “Ask yourself: ‘What can I learn from the people I hate the most?’ Now, this does two things – it forces you to separate your morality from your search for effectiveness; and it also helps you to develop some degree of empathy – and those two things are very powerful.”

The Guest: Over the course of his career, Ferriss has become a one-time national Chinese kickboxing champion, a lecturer at Princeton University, a professional breakdancer on MTV, a horseback archer, and a multimillionaire author, motivational speaker, and investor. If that isn’t impressive enough, his critically-acclaimed podcast, the Tim Ferris Show, was also voted #1 in its category on iTunes.

The Host: Tom Bilyeu is the American entrepreneur responsible for co-founding Quest Nutrition: a health food brand that has been called the second fastest growing company in North America. Additionally, he is the co-founder and host of Impact Theory: a podcast dedicated towards educating the masses about business and success.

Pocast: Impact Theory is available for free listening and download on iTunes and YouTube.

(LISTEN to Ferriss’s inspiring talk below) – Editor’s note: podcast contains mild cursing

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For More Motivation to Pursue Your Dreams: The Woman Who Went From Homelessness to Graduating Harvard

The ‘Airbnb of Parking Spots’ Wants to Pay Your Parking Tickets This Month

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McKinley Corbley

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Dec 10, 2017

Are you annoyed by recent parking tickets or facing fines because you forgot to move your car until it was too late? Well, if you live in Los Angeles, this company wants to pay your parking tickets for you.

Pavemint is a California-based app that lets users reserve and sell their own parking spots. Described as the “Airbnb of parking”, the innovative business doesn’t just allow city residents to make money off of their unused parking spots – it also saves drivers the stress of having to search for a free spot on confusing city streets.

Pavemint also proves to be an environmentally-friendly alternative to drivers having to search block after block for open parking.

MORE: 12-Year-old Creates First App to Help Alzheimer’s Patients Keep Track of Things

After spending years of dealing with annoying parking trouble within the city, Randall Jamail first got the idea for the organization back in 2015 while he was attending a college football game.

Jamail told Good News Network: “I noticed a number of residents standing outside their homes, selling off their spare parking spaces for cash. As I drove by them, suddenly the gears clicked fully into place; what if these residents didn’t have to stand outside their homes selling parking on gameday? What if they could simply download an app and list their private spaces on a peer-to-peer marketplace, connecting them with drivers searching for parking, either in advance or on demand?”

“As I did more research, I realized that not only would an app like the one I envisioned help residents make extra income without extra work, and help people get wherever they needed to go more quickly, it would also reduce CO2 and traffic, thus improving the environment,” he added.

Though the app has over 4,000 parking spots listed within Los Angeles, the service currently only operates within the city – but Jamail says that they plan on expanding to more cities in the future.

In the meantime, however, Pavemint is celebrating the holidays by kicking off their Month of Giving initiative.

From now until December 29th, Pavemint will be paying the LA parking tickets of five followers every week for up to $250 in value. All you have to do is post your story on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and tag the company for a chance to be nominated.

To kick off the initiative, two of the company’s workers took to the streets in search of unfortunate drivers who had received parking violations so they could surprise them with a “golden ticket”.

(WATCH the sweet video below)

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Watch People’s Reactions Suddenly Seeing Their Messages of Love Broadcast on Huge Screen

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Good News Network

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Dec 10, 2017

These New Yorkers thought they were just writing letters of affection to their companion – until their love notes were turned into something much grander.

In this video created by the comedy collective Improv Everywhere in partnership with Hallmark, a team of camera crews set up a stage in Manhattan’s Big Screen Plaza with a desk that read “Light Up Someone’s Holiday”.

WATCH: When Teacher Can’t Afford Holiday Gifts for Sick Son, Students Leave Surprise on His Desk

On the desk was a series of cards and pens that passersby would use to write a heartfelt message to their companion.

After one in the group wrote down their adoring sentiments, however, their companions were shocked to see them recreated on a massive screen above their heads.

The troupe planned ahead by finding locals who wanted to surprise a loved one.

“Since the plaza doesn’t get a ton of foot traffic at night and we were shooting on a cold evening, we did a little bit of advance casting,” says the organization’s website. “We put out a notice looking for people who wanted to surprise someone. The people we cast were just told they’d be writing a card that would eventually be seen publicly. This prevented people from writing anything they wanted kept private.”

“Other than that, the people we cast didn’t know anything else about what was going to happen. The people they were surprising were completely in the dark.”

Several couples throughout the night just stumbled upon the table and were also blown away by the sentimental ‘sky’ writing stunt.

(WATCH the heartwarming video below)

Click To Share The Sweet Story With Your Friends – Photo by Improv Everywhere

Janitor Works At Bank For 30 Years So Coworkers Surprise Him With Puppy After His Dog Dies

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Good News Network

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Dec 10, 2017

For over three decades now, Floyd Green has been a custodial worker for a bank in Howard County, Texas – and he has become a staple of the workplace and a friend to his coworkers.

Because Floyd’s Yorkshire terrier had recently died of old age, the staff decided to pitch in and get him a new Yorky puppy for the janitor’s birthday.

As he inspects the box, the birthday man clearly has no idea what’s in store for him. He opens the gift and quickly closes it again in complete and utter shock.

Confused, Floyd asks who the puppy is for. The group of staff workers can be heard assuring Floyd the new dog is for him.

“It’s a she,” his colleague says. “She is yours.”

Floyd’s excitement is visible as he takes his new puppy – complete with a gift – out of the box and gently holds her in his hands.

“Really? Thank you!” he exclaims.

“Mr. Floyd Green has been working with our bank for over three decades,” said the employee who filmed the surprise. “Our prosperity crew found out that his Yorkie died of old age, so our staff decided to all pitch in and get him a new one for his birthday. He is a sweet man and is the reason we look forward to Tuesdays and Fridays (the days he works with us).”

CLICK to Watch the sweet surprise as it happens – and don’t forget to SHARE with your friends…

Here is a Piece of Sleep Advice That Every New Parent Needs to Hear

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Good News Network

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Dec 10, 2017

Coming Soon to GNN – GOOD TALKS: A daily selection of inspiring podcasts and videos to motivate you in your life, health, and business. Look for its premiere in December. (Meanwhile, here is one of our debut Good Talks…)

Title: Sleep Advice Every New Parent Needs to Hear

The Lesson: Sleep is incredibly important for everyday health, and missing out on a good night’s rest can be detrimental to your wellbeing. If your baby or toddler is preventing you from sleeping, then you need to teach them how to let you rest. While it may be difficult at first, you can train your kids to learn their limitations by setting up a simple structure.

Notable Excerpt: “You got two choices: you can either accept that this is what you want, this is how you want to parent, and you love it too, even though you’re exhausted all day long … or, you gotta get serious about teaching your son or daughter how to sleep through the night.”

The Speaker: Mel Robbins is an American author, life coach, inspirational speaker, and CNN commentator who has specialized in motivating the masses with her 5-second rule. In addition to making appearances on Good Morning America, Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Oprah, The Today Show and Fox News, she has also delivered the wildly popular TEDX Talk “How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over”.

Books: Robbins is the author of “The 5-Second Rule”, a book on how to take control of your life, business, and career by simply counting to 5, and “Stop Saying You’re Fine”, a no-BS guide to overcoming your personal challenges and getting what you want.

(LISTEN to Mel’s advice in the video below)

Don’t Let Your Friends Sleep On This Story: Click To Share – Photo by Winnie T, CC

Still Having Trouble Falling Asleep? The ‘Dullest Movie Ever Made’ was Filmed to be a Perfect Cure For Insomnia

Overlooked and Undervalued? How Brokenness is the Prerequisite to Greatness

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Good News Network

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Dec 10, 2017

Title: Overlooked and Undervalued, But Not Forgotten

The Lesson: Everyone has their own specific pain that they have to deal with in their lives – and while we may feel like it’s our job to get over that pain and be more perfect, that may not be the case. In this episode of the School of Greatness podcast, Pastor John Gray talks about what loving yourself has to do with loving others, living with yourself and your flaws, and reconciling with your pain.

Notable Excerpt: “Even though he’s not here, and he hasn’t been here for 17 years, I still yearn for the approval of a father – and so, it drives me. I want to do well. I want to do right … and now this is the big challenge of my life: living a life feeling like an orphan, and now, the very thing that I need is the thing I am.”

The Guest: Gray, who is the author of “I Am Number 8”, had to spend years coming to terms with the pain he felt over his father leaving his family. As he got older, however, he finally understood how his pain led him down his own path of greatness, humility, compassion, and empathy. Now, he is a pastor, a record producer, musician, and inspirational speaker.

The Host: After spending years of his young life and athletic career struggling with his own emotional wellbeing, a crippling injury left Lewis Howes without an identity and without any work. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, however, Howes recreated himself as a multi-million dollar media producer, motivational speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host. The ex-football player now spends his days chatting with the most inspirational icons of this generation on his School of Greatness podcast.

Podcast: The School of Greatness podcast is available for download on Soundcloud and iTunes. You can also watch footage of the interviews on Howes’s YouTube channel.

Books: Howes is the author of the New York Times bestselling book “The School of Greatness”: an in-depth collection of lessons and wisdom that he has gathered from interviewing hundreds of the world’s greatest role models and thinkers. Howes’s latest book, “The Mask of Masculinity”, is based on his experience with the dangerous stereotypes and expectations that are placed on men in modern society.

(LISTEN to the inspiring talk below) – Photo by MiiiSH, CC

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Aldi to Give Away All its Unsold Fresh Food to ‘Less Fortunate Individuals’ on Christmas Eve

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Good News Network

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Dec 9, 2017

In celebration of the holiday season, grocery store chain Aldi is being lauded for announcing a plan to donate all unsold fresh food to various nonprofits and charitable organizations on the afternoon before Christmas.

The company first published news of their philanthropic endeavor on social media and called for their fellow corporations to follow suit.

“Aldi is offering local organizations the opportunity to receive surplus food from their stores on the afternoon of Christmas Eve,” said the company in a statement.

“As Aldi stores will shut at 4pm on Christmas Eve until December 27, they will have a variety of good quality surplus food products that they will wish to redistribute in support of less fortunate individuals and to prevent food going to waste.”

Aldi, a global discount supermarket chain with over 10,000 stores in 18 countries, is unable to deliver so organizations would have to collect the bounty themselves.

They will expect the level of food available to vary. However, estimates of around 20 to 30 crates will be expected from each store.

Make Sure Your Volunteering Friends Know About This: Click To Share… OR, – Photo by Stephen McKay, CC

9 Apps That Supercharge Your Spiritual Practice and Positive Thinking

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Good News Network

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Dec 9, 2017

Whenever I look for an article that lists things such as tools and resources, I usually skip the pre-amble and get right to the list. I’m going to assume you’re the same way – so let’s get to it.

1. The Secret to Money: An app to shift your mindset regarding money

There are 5 elements to the app:

Desires – where you list your top 5 desires
Purchases – Every day you get a cheque from the universe to spend on whatever you want
Manifested Money – Here you track manifested money. It doesn’t have to be money. It includes coupons, gifts, health benefits or anything else where you make or save money
Daily Inspirations – taken directly from The Secret books, these are intended to shift your mindset about money
Affirmations – new affirmations around money and abundance are loaded daily (and a lot are recycled)

Cost: $6.99 one-time for Apple and $6.49 one-time for Android
Pros: it’s fun spending money on whatever you want, which is the point. Actively searching for manifested money in your life is a neat way to shift your money from lack to abundance. It’s easy to use, and the inspirations and affirmations are inspiring
Cons: After a while, you stop getting money every day, and instead you get it once a week, unless you reset it to the beginning. There are also some technical glitches here and there.

2. Law of Attraction Toolbox: LOA techniques to help you manifest

The features include:

Feel as if game – Your given a positive scenario (you just landed your dream job etc.) and then asked to feel the feeling of having that manifestation
Appreciation Game – The app identifies things (such as water) to be appreciative about)
Receive and Spend Game – similar to The Secret Game, but not as comprehensive
Thank You Journal Game – You write a journal entry highlighting your feelings after manifesting something
List of Positive Aspects – You identify positive aspects of something in your life (education etc.)
The Magic-Daily Gratitude – identify what you’re thankful for daily
Focus Wheel – If you don’t know what that is, watch this video to find out

Cost: Free to use each technique once a day, or $6.99 for unlimited use for Apple only
Pros: It is comprehensive, really well thought out, and easy to use
Cons: Not yet available on Android

3. Insight Timer – Meditation App

An insane spiritual app with over 4800 guided meditations filtered by length, topic and your experience with meditation. There is plenty of spiritual “music”, including chantings and mantras, nature sounds, binaural beats, drumming, and more that is also filtered by length of time and genre. There is also a 365 playlist where a new meditation is featured everyday; over 500 talks on all sorts of spiritual subjects; a list of over 1,500 spiritual teachers; and a timer for meditations.

Cost: Free to use for both Apple and Android, but there are chargeable service options that will soon be available
Pros: There are a ton of meditations for any subject, it is easy to use, and it has the ability to connect with others.
Cons: With the amount of content on this app, it can get overwhelming.

4. Day One Journal – Journaling App

Okay, so this is not directly spiritual but if you’re looking for a way to journal, then this is your app. Features include reminders, a calendar, and the ability to add photos, sync across all devices (premium version only), and add details such as location, time and date, temperature and weather, step count and music playing. Additionally, your past journals are stored.

Cost: Free to download for both Apple and Android. Premium version costs $48 per year.
Pros: It is a journaling experience you can’t even replicate in real life and it is easy to use
Cons: Premium version is expensive

5. Quotes – Daily Quote of the Day by Ultabit LLC

A simple app that shows one inspiring quote a day. You also have the ability to share quotes and create a favorite list of quotes. Plus, you can click on the person who said the quote and the app will take you to a Wikipedia about that person

Cost: Free for both Apple and Android, but there are ads. You can pay $1.99 per year to remove the ads
Pros: It is simple, easy to use, and the ads aren’t in your face like other quote apps
Cons: There are other apps by the same name. Not really a con of the app, but be wary. You want to get the app by Ultabit

6. Brain Focus Productivity Timer

Based on the Pomodoro Technique by Francesco Cirillo, this simple app helps you focus and maximize your productivity. Basically you pick a task and decide to split it into 4 work sessions with mini-brakes in between. Then, after the 4 work sessions, you have 1 long break.

The app allows you to choose the length of the work session and the length of the short breaks and long breaks, and it includes other handy features, such as statistics that track your productivity and the ability to export stats to CSV, to group stats into categories (unlimited for pro version), and backup data (pro version only).

Cost: Free to download for both Apple and Android. Donate from $1.99 up for pro version
Pros: It is easy to use and it is a great way to stay focused
Cons: None

7. SimpleMind: A Brain Storming Tool

The law of attraction can help you think things through. The more you think about a particular subject, the more like thoughts are attracted to you. That’s why this brainstorming and mind mapping app is so helpful. It allows you to map and brainstorm your ideas and do it long enough and LOA will kick in, making it easier for you to come up with awesome ideas. Features include the ability to create and color code unlimited mind maps, the ability to use auto layouts, add media and documents, sync with other devices, and share your content.

Cost: free for the basic version for both iOS and Android. Pro version $6.99 if you upgrade within the free app.
Pros: The app has ton of cool features and it is very flexible and multi-functional
Cons: Can take a little while to figure out

8. The Kindness App

A cute app with about 100 kindness challenges that you can do every day. What’s great about this app is that the developer is doing this out of the kindness of his heart. He makes no money off of this whatsoever. The features include a list of kindnesses you can perform every day, audio exercises to help you build compassion, and the ability to document and revisit your progress; to start a compassion challenge; and suggest your own kindnesses for others.

Cost: Free to use for both Apple and Android.
Pros: It is intuitive, made with love, and very easy to use.
Cons: None

9. Good News Network: Positive News Every Day

And finally, if you didn’t already know, the website that you are on right now has produced an app to share all the good news from around the world every day. This simple app, free for both Android or iOS, keeps in perspective that there is so much good in this world and will surely helps with your mood and mindset.

Features include:
Split into categories including news, culture, uplift, this day in history, photo of the day and animals
Ability to comment
Ability to save as favorite
Ability to share
Free to use for both Apple and Android.
Pros:
Lots of good news stories
Easy to use
Beautiful layout
Cons:
None

Blogger Dave Aschaiek is the man behind Tryary, a free online spiritual learning community. Join today and receive our free eBook: “9 Truths That Will Turn Your World Upside Down.”

Supercharge Your Friends — Click To Share… Or, (Featured photo by unsplash, CC)

The Power of Broke: ‘You are going to fail more than you succeed’

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Good News Network

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Dec 9, 2017

Title: The Power of Broke in Building Your Business

The Lesson: Trying to run a business without any money can be very frustrating, but the experience and wisdom that comes from maneuvering the entrepreneurial world without financing can give you a very special advantage. In this episode of the School of Greatness podcast, Daymond John talks about the valuable perspective that comes from being broke – or in other words, how hustle is the best way to the top.

Notable Excerpt: “I’m not glamorizing not having resources in your life, because we all want to be able to take care of our family … but if you’re going to be [in that situation], tap into that hunger instead of complaining or feeling sorry for yourself.”

The Guest: John is an entrepreneurial advisor on the hit television show Shark Tank and the author of “The Power of Broke” – a book on “how empty pockets, a tight budget, and a hunger for success can become your greatest competitive advantage”.

The Host: After spending years of his young life and athletic career struggling with his own emotional wellbeing, a crippling injury left Lewis Howes without an identity and without any work. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, however, Howes recreated himself as a multi-million dollar media producer, motivational speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host. The ex-football player now spends his days chatting with the most inspirational icons of our generation on his School of Greatness podcast.

Podcast: The School of Greatness podcast is available for download on Soundcloud and iTunes. You can also watch footage of the interviews on Howes’s YouTube channel.

Books: Howes is the author of the New York Times bestselling book “The School of Greatness”: an in-depth collection of lessons and wisdom that he has gathered from interviewing hundreds of the world’s greatest role models and thinkers. Howes’s latest book, “The Mask of Masculinity”, is based on his experience with the dangerous stereotypes and expectations that are placed on men in modern society.

(LISTEN to the inspiring talk below)

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Library Hangs Helpful Poster For Subjects People Might Be Embarrassed to Ask About

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McKinley Corbley

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Dec 8, 2017

While the internet has made it exponentially easier to learn more about uncomfortable subjects from the comfort of your own home, the web is littered with false information and misleading articles.

On the other hand, most people probably don’t want to ask a librarian about where the books are on abusive relationships and drug habits.

That’s why this library in Syracuse, New York is making it a little easier for their guests to get reliable information without feeling embarrassed.

LOOK: Poem’s Twist Ending Gives Bar Patrons Whole New Perspective on the Words

The Fayetteville Free Library is being lauded for hanging a directory that lists the locations of “tough topics” according to their Dewey Decimal number.

The sign names every delicate subject from “STDs” and “pregnancy” to “abuse” and “suicide”. It also has a reminder at the bottom about how the librarians are ready to help any of their visitors in case they have any questions – no matter what.

A photo of the poster went viral after someone posted it to Reddit. It has since received an outpouring of praise and support over its ingenuity.

MORE: Human Library Lets You Check Out People, Aims to Foster Diversity

One librarian chimed in on the conversation by saying: “The majority of librarians are wonderful, helpful, nonjudgmental people. If you encounter a librarian who is not these things, please don’t think we are all like this. I have worked in academic and public and special collections libraries in both the north and the south for over a decade and have never worked with any librarian who was judging someone.”

Margaret Kingsport, Director of Innovative Family Services for the Syracuse library, told Inverse: “We are here to make sure that our community members are connected with the information that they’re searching for. They want to know something and we want them to know it.”

Click To Share The Innovative News With Your Friends (Photo by Whenitrainsitpours via Reddit)

When Dog Chews Girl’s Beloved Elf on the Shelf, Hospital Works Magic With a Little Help From Santa

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McKinley Corbley

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Dec 8, 2017

Earlier this week, Jenn Thelen woke up to the sound of her 7-year-old daughter Aubrie screaming over a horrific tragedy: the family’s German shepherd had mauled the little girl’s beloved Elf on the Shelf doll named Sam.

Because Santa does not allow anyone to touch the sneaky elves, Aubrie had no idea how Sam could be saved. It was going to take a Christmas miracle to fix the doll’s injuries.

Luckily, Jenn is the nurse manager for the emergency department at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida.

WATCH: Sleepy 2-Year-old Asks Santa for the Simplest Gift Imaginable

The hospital staff insisted that Santa had given them “magic gloves” that specifically allowed them to touch Sam. Plus, the treatment would be covered by his “elfcare” plan.

Aubrie agreed to the operation, and the nurses wheeled the little doll into the trauma bay for surgery.

True to their word, a surgeon pulled on some magic Yuletide gloves and restored Santa’s little spy to his former self.

“One of our ER team members, Ashley, carefully put Sam back together again and bandaged his injuries all up,” the hospital wrote on their Facebook page. “She even sprinkled some Christmas magic (glitter) on Sam when she was done.”

“Sam was able to go home to Aubrie later that evening. Jenn showed her all the videos and pictures of Sam’s day at the Arnold Palmer Hospital ER. The magic of Christmas and Sam the Elf continues for Aubrie.”

(WATCH the sweet video below)

You Better Not Pout: Click To Share This Adorable Story With Your Friends

Airline is Offering Early Boarding to Anyone Wearing Ugly Christmas Sweater

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Good News Network

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Dec 8, 2017

As a means of lifting the spirits of anxious travelers this holiday season, Alaska Airlines is having a bit of Yuletide fun with a classic winter tradition: ugly sweaters.

If you’re traveling on Alaska Airlines, Virgin America, or Horizon Air on December 15th, you can get early boarding for your flight by wearing an ugly holiday sweater.

The airline said in a statement that they were hosting the promotion in honor of National Ugly Sweater Day.

“Travel during the holidays can be stressful for guests, especially those who do not travel often,” said Natalie Bowman, the company’s managing director of marketing. “This fun promotion not only allows guests to board early on that day, but gives people another opportunity to dust off that ugly holiday sweater hanging in the back of their closet.”

Airline workers will be posting pictures of the most festive get-ups on their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages under the hashtag #MostWestCoast.

Wanna Get On Your Friends’ Nice List? Click To Share This Story on Social Media (Photo by The Ugly Sweater Shop, CC)

Buying a Coffee and a Muffin at Restaurant Drive-thru Saves a Stranger’s Life

By

McKinley Corbley

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Dec 8, 2017

Tim Hortons coffee sign by Iguanasan-CC-Flickr

Every day that Glen Oliver orders his morning coffee at the Tim Horton’s drive-thru window, he insists on paying for the order of the person behind him. He also asks the restaurant workers to tell the customer to have a great day “in case they’re not already having one”.

Oliver has never made a big deal out of his own generous actions; he has always just considered it to be the least that he could do for humanity.

But after a letter was published by a news website in November, he found out that he had not just bought someone their breakfast – he had saved their life.

According to an opinion column published by the Durham Region news outlet, someone had written a letter stating that on July 18th, they were planning on committing suicide.

The anonymous writer said that while they were at the Tim Horton’s drive-thru in Pickering, Ontario, they were planning on going home, writing out a note, and ending their life; but when they went to pay for their coffee and muffin, the cashier told them that the man in the SUV in front of them had picked up the tab and told them to have a great day.

“I wondered why someone would buy coffee for a stranger for no reason,” said the writer. “Why me? Why today? If I was a religious sort I would take this as a sign. This random act of kindness was directed at me on this day for a purpose.”

WATCH: In Twist of Fate, NFL Star’s Organs Go to the Ailing Sports Hero Who Inspired Him

When they arrived home, they started to sob and think about the simple good deed that had affected them so deeply.

“I decided at that moment to change my plans for the day and do something nice for someone. I ended up helping a neighbor take groceries out of her car and into the house.”

The writer says that in the months following that fateful event, they now try and do at least one kind thing for someone else every day, which as a result has “enriched my life in more ways than I could’ve imagined.”

MORE: 14 Yrs After Receiving Shoebox Gift, Filipino Girl Marries Boy Who Sent it

“To the nice man in the SUV … thank you from the bottom of my heart, and know your kind gesture has truly saved a life,” they said. “On July 18, 2017, I not only had a great day, I had the greatest day!”

When Oliver read about the person’s reaction in the newspaper, he could not contain his emotions.

“It’s the least I can do for some people you know? It’s like holding the door,” Oliver told Global News. “It’s exponential now, you know? Like such a small, insignificant thing to most people just turned out to be … the planets align for somebody.”

(WATCH Oliver’s reaction below)

Click To Share The Inspiring Story With Your Friends (Photo by Iguanasan, CC)

The Psychology of Healing Addiction, Abuse, and Trauma

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Good News Network

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Dec 8, 2017

Title: The Psychology of Healing Addiction, Abuse, and Trauma

The Lesson: Healing from intense emotional experiences does not happen overnight – it can literally take years of rewiring someone’s brain in order to get past certain traumas. But if you – or any of your loved ones – have experienced these kinds of circumstances, here is some invaluable advice from an expert on trauma, addiction, emotional and sexual abuse, and anger management.

Notable Excerpt: “The thing that I’m thinking about all the time that might be interesting to other people is how bodily-based a lot of our experiences are – that the idea of looking in the brain for all the answers is a mistake. The brain is a processing unit, there is a lot going on there, but we have all these other systems in our body that are just as complex.”

The Guest: Over the course of his 30-year career in psychology, health, and counseling, Dr. Drew Pinsky has become a goldmine of information on dealing with trauma. Dr. Drew is the author of several bestselling self-help books, including “Cracked: Life on the Edge in a Rehab Clinic” and “The Mirror Effect”. In addition to hosting multiple hit podcasts, such as The Dr. Drew and Adam Show and the Dr. Drew Show, he is famous for hosting several reality TV shows and self-help radio segments.

The Host: After spending years of his young life and athletic career struggling with his own emotional wellbeing, a crippling injury left Lewis Howes without an identity and without any work. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, however, Howes recreated himself as a multi-million dollar media producer, motivational speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host. The ex-football player now spends his days chatting with the most inspirational icons of this generation on his School of Greatness podcast.

Podcast: The School of Greatness podcast is available for download on Soundcloud and iTunes. You can also watch footage of the interviews on Howes’s YouTube channel.

Books: Howes is the author of the New York Times bestselling book “The School of Greatness”: an in-depth collection of lessons and wisdom that he has gathered from interviewing hundreds of the world’s greatest role models and thinkers. Howes’s latest book, “The Mask of Masculinity”, is based on his experience with the dangerous stereotypes and expectations that are placed on men in modern society.

(WATCH the video below)

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Watch Man Pull Over to Rescue Rabbit Trapped by California Wildfires

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Dec 7, 2017

An unidentified man was caught on camera pulling over on the side of the road amidst the wildfires in Ventura County, California all so he could rescue a frightened rabbit.

While the hero can initially be seen panicking over the critter’s erratic movements, he eventually catches on to its patterns and chases it down.

He then gently scoops the rabbit up into his arms and carries it away – all with flames blazing in the background.

(WATCH the video below)

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More Than 200 Nations Promise to Stop Ocean Plastic Waste

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Dec 7, 2017

Over 200 countries signed a resolution this week that promised to collectively eliminate plastic waste in the oceans.

The agreement, which was posed by the United Nations, declared that each nation would start to monitor their country’s packaging methods in favor of more environmentally friendly alternatives.

“There is very strong language in this resolution,” Norway’s environment minister, Vidar Helgesen, told Reuters. “We now have an agreement to explore a legally binding instrument and other measures and that will be done at the international level over the next 18 months.”

The resolution was initiated by Norway at an environmental summit in Nairobi, Kenya. Though the agreement is not legally binding, 39 governments were spurred to pass legislation that aligned with the goals the very same day.

South Africa and Cameroon in particular joined the ranks of nations banning single-use plastic bags.

Clean Up Negativity: Click To Share With Your Friends (Photo by Snemann, CC)

Sleepy 2-Year-old Asks Santa for the Simplest Gift Imaginable

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Dec 7, 2017

When Santa asked what this 2-year-old girl wanted for Christmas, she had a very relatable request.

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Santa was taking holiday requests from kids at Bering’s hardware store in Houston, Texas.

Once Linden Bartell climbed onto Saint Nick’s lap, he asked her what she wanted for Christmas.

Unfazed by the ordeal, Linden casually rubbed some sleep out of her eyes and said: “I want to take a nap.”

With a smile, Kris Kringle replied: “Santa does too.”

Linden then snuggled into his fluffy white beard while onlookers melted at the endearing exchange.

Because Santa had to keep taking orders from other children on his nice list, Linden did not necessarily get the long winter’s nap that she was hoping for – but her dad Allen says that she was able to get an early night once the family got home from their holiday shopping.

(WATCH the video below)

Click To Share The Sweet Story With Your Friends On The Nice List – Photo by Allen Bartell

How to Break an Addiction in 30 Days

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Dec 7, 2017

Title: How to Break an Addiction in 30 Days

The Lesson: Addiction can be a slippery slope down to rock bottom – but if given the right tools, anyone can pull themselves out again. Luckily, this particular podcast (as seen in the video below) doesn’t just cover the tools to breaking bad habits – it also discusses the fear, mindsets, struggles, and rewards of kicking alcoholism and addition.

Notable Excerpt: “Most of the things that we do that are addictive are to numb out our anxiety, to numb out our pain, to numb out our feelings of trauma, to numb out our discomfort about meeting people in a social situation, the fear that we won’t have fun, the fear that we won’t be interesting … and that’s the big myth: ‘I won’t have a fun life’. But what we’re finding is that people are actually having more fun because they start doing different things instead.”

The Guest: Jack Canfield, who is the author of the best-selling “Chicken Soup For The Soul” book series, recently published “The 30-Day Sobriety Solution: How to Cut Back or Quit Drinking in the Privacy of Your Own Home”. The book is a carefully-organized manual that is designed to instruct, guide, and ease the reader back into a healthy state of mind without the tethers of alcoholism or drug habits.

The Host: After spending years of his young life and athletic career struggling with his own emotional wellbeing, a crippling injury left Lewis Howes without an identity and without any work. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, however, Howes recreated himself as a multi-million dollar media producer, motivational speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host. The ex-football player now spends his days chatting with the most inspirational icons of this generation on his School of Greatness podcast.

Podcast: The School of Greatness podcast is available for download on Soundcloud and iTunes. You can also watch footage of the interviews on Howes’s YouTube channel.

Books: Howes is the author of the New York Times bestselling book “The School of Greatness”: an in-depth collection of lessons and wisdom that he has gathered from interviewing hundreds of the world’s greatest role models and thinkers. Howes’s latest book, “The Mask of Masculinity”, is based on his experience with the dangerous stereotypes and expectations that are placed on men in modern society.

(WATCH his inspiring talk below) – Feature Photo by Jill111, CC

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How to Find Yourself When You’re Feeling Lost or Detached

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Good News Network

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Dec 7, 2017

Pakistani Peach Trees-CC Junaid Ali — File photo by Junaid Ali, CC

Title: How to Find Yourself When You’re Feeling Detached

The Lesson: When you get caught up in the stresses of everyday life, it’s easy to become disconnected with who you are and what you have going on in your life. Whether it’s work, relationships, or finances that are causing you anxiety, many people tend to lose sight of how blessed they are based on these distractions.

While you may feel emotionally trapped and at the mercy of your own negative feelings, there is a formula for reconnecting with yourself – and it’s pretty easy to understand.

Notable Excerpt: “You have two choices in life: if life doesn’t match your blueprint, you either have to change your life … or – in order for you to be happy – if you can’t change your life, then you have to change your blueprint.”

The Speaker: 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. In addition to founding several different companies (and his own foundation), Robbins has also done with work with such charities as Feeding America, Spring Health, and Operation Underground Railroad.

Podcast: The Tony Robbins podcast is available for free on Spotify and iTunes. You can also find more of his motivational talks and interviews on his YouTube channel.

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) – Photo credit: Junaid Ali, CC

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