Weekly Uplifting Stories - January 22nd 2024

Welcome to a new edition of uplifting stories!

Take a moment to set a positive intention for the week ahead. You have an opportunity for a fresh start any time you decide you need one.

"At the end, it's not about what you have or even what you've accomplished. It's about who you've lifted up, who you've made better. It's about what you've given back." — Denzel Washington

Start off your week right with these wholesome stories.

• A woman is giving away clothes to help those in need
• This platform is committed to advancing community and environmental impact using travel dollars
• People are surprising grandparents with sleepovers
• Nurse creates videos about life in a psych ward to educate people

January 22nd 2024 Uplifting Stories

'Closet of Kindness' is making a positive impact in the Sterling community

Alison Gallagher has set up a Closet of Kindness in her front yard to help those who are struggling financially.

All items in Closet of Kindness are free for the taking. Alison is giving away clothing, shoes, accessories, and bags to anyone in need.

“I figured, why not try to help out the community when I can with what I can?" she said. “It actually makes me feel pretty good especially knowing that I have the full support of the people in this town. They’ve been kind of encouraging me to keep doing what I’m doing." - Alison Gallagher

Alison's project has received massive support from her Sterling, Connecticut community. Community members are donating more items to keep the Closet of Kindness stocked.

“I’ve had a little bit of anxieties and struggles of my own, so it has kind of helped me see the light of encouragement through this," said Alison.

'Kind Traveler' helps create travel experiences that bring joy and purpose

Jessica Blotter and Sean Krejci's Kind Traveler is a hotel booking platform that promotes responsible and sustainable tourism.

The couple came up with the idea of Kind Traveler after witnessing heartbreaking scenes of poverty on the streets of Belize.

Kind Traveler facilitates the collaboration of hotels with tourism boards and nonprofits to improve the well-being of the local community and the environment.

“Being a kind traveler means making travel and lifestyle choices that reflect kindness and empathy not only to oneself but also to other individuals and communities, the environment and animals. Travel that advances positive impact and reduces negative impact is a core element of being a kind traveler and traveling kindly.” says Blotter.

Through their community impact programs, they aim to empower travelers to make a lasting, meaningful impact in the local community, whether it's fighting food poverty, protecting natural resources and species, or promoting enrichment programs at schools.

This heartwarming trend is encouraging adult grandchildren to surprise their grandparents with a slumber party

In a new viral trend, adult grandchildren are reliving their childhood traditions.

People from all over America are heading on over to Grandma and Grandpa’s house to strengthen bonds and continue the childhood tradition of sharing snacks, swapping stories, and whipping up treats.

Ohio couple Karen and Waine Campbell's seven adult grandchildren turned up from all across the country to surprise them with a sleepover.

They planned it all themselves by creating a special "sleepover list".

Delighted by the surprise, Karen cried tears of joy.

"I was so confused and so blessed that these seven kids thought so much of us that they wanted to spend another sleepover with us after so many years of doing the same thing with them," said Karen.

This special time of bonding and celebration of respect, love, and togetherness led to beautiful memories that the family will cherish forever.

Nurse shares uplifting videos in an effort to combat negative stigma around mental health

Matthew Leo, a registered nurse on a psych ward in New York posts uplifting videos to help people better understand those with mental illness.

There's a lot of misinformation and stigma around mental health, and it keeps people from receiving the help they need to live fulfilling lives.

"To show people who are clueless that the patients are people too, and to show people who are struggling that they shouldn't be afraid to seek help. If the world only knew or got the chance to see what these people are actually like, then maybe more would be understanding, and not judge a book by its cover," says Matthew. 

Matthew's TikTok page is all about encouraging people to talk openly about mental health and show compassion for those with mental illness.

Have a Great Week Everyone! 

Do you feel refreshed? Inspired? Hopeful? Good! Our goal is to set you up for a great week ahead. (There's a reason we send these out on Mondays, you know!)

As always, if you have an uplifting story of your own to share, please comment below the article, or message us on our Instagram account. 

Take care, and see you next week!

Photo by Mikhail Nilov