Weekly Uplifting Stories - November 20th, 2023

Hello everyone and welcome to this week's edition of Uplifting Stories! 

"Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people." - Roy T. Bennett

Do you sometimes feel like everything is bleak and you only hear stories about the nasty, dark things people do to each other...but then you witness a simple act of kindness from a stranger that changes your mind?

From someone helping you with your groceries, to holding the door for you, to picking up something you dropped - there is so much goodness in the world. And even if it seems like it won't make a difference at all - every time you perform an act of kindness, you are contributing to a better world. Don't forget it!

This week, we have collected stories about: 

• First graders get hands-on lessons about kindness
• Couple celebrates their long-awaited wedding day after 14 years
• Second grade students collect donations for animal shelter to show kindness
• Cat café owner's dad said he wasn't a cat person - but smiles with delight for every new foster kitty

Let's get into it!

First graders get hands-on lessons about kindness

After winning the Animal Planet reality TV show, "The Greatest American Dog" in 2008, pet expert Travis Brorsen has been visiting schools doing presentations about kindness.

Recently, he performed a show with his dog Chip at the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center in Oklahoma where he taught first-grade students the importance of love, kindness, and respect.

Chip was the star of the show, and managed to capture the attention of 1,400 enthusiastic first graders.

With the growing use of technology, people are losing touch with the real world.

Through his live-action shows and a unique approach to learning, Travis aims to teach young kids valuable life skills, whether it's patience, being good to others, or earning someone's trust.

“Life skills like treating each other with kindness and compassion, to me, is just as important as academics,” said Brorsen.

Couple celebrates their long-awaited wedding day after 14 years

14 years ago, Wen tied the knot with his wife without a wedding ceremony since he couldn't afford it at the time.

He made a promise to his wife that they would have a proper wedding when he could afford it.

Now, more than a decade after they were formally married, Wen has fulfilled his promise of a big wedding celebration. 

“In the past, we had nothing. My wife has not abandoned me over all these years and she’s always been with me through various difficulties together. Whatever happened, she would always support me,” said Wen.

Wen threw a grand wedding reception to thank and honor the woman who stood by him through the ups and downs of life. 

“Every time I think of what my wife did for me, I tell myself that I should repay her with a proper wedding. I often said to my wife that when I am rich enough, I will give you a perfect wedding and invite all our relatives and friends to witness our happiness,” he said.

Second grade students collect donations for animal shelter to show kindness

In second grade teacher, Caryn Fuiten's class, the students write letters to her dogs - and the dogs write back. Her rescue pups, Pee Wee and Trixie have photos at the front of the class for everyone to see, and the kids are inspired by them as they learn letter writing skills.

The motto at Warrensburg-Latham Elementary School is "Work Hard and Be Kind," and Caryn Fuiten's class goes the extra mile every World Kindness Day, by collecting donations of treats, toys and blankets for the homeless animals at Macon County Animal Control and Care Center.

“When you rescue, I feel like you're giving an animal a new chance. I just like that you can give them a new start.” - second grade teacher Carla Miller, who has many rescues herself - multiple cats and a dog named Maggie

The children will help deliver the donations to the shelter in person as well. They are quite fond of rescue dogs, thanks to their teachers, Pee Wee and Trixie, and many of them have brought shelter dogs home as well. 

Cat café owner's dad said he wasn't a cat person - but smiles with delight for every new foster kitty

Christina Ha owns a cat café in New York, fostering cats and kittens and organizing adoptions. After she decided to shut down the store during Covid, she started making cat beds and toys, but couldn't keep up on her own.

She moved back in with her parents, who owned a clothing store for 40 years. They jumped in to help as soon as they were asked. They've also helped her foster 75 cats and kittens! 

Christina was surprised and happy to find that the cats really loved her dad, and started following him around the house. It didn't take long for her dad to start cuddling, holding and snuggling with the tiny kitties. And she could tell how much he was loving the experience.

"His face every single time is exactly the same. He was just so excited to see them." - Christina Ha, from The Dodo

You can follow the Ha family's delightful journey on this Instagram account 

Final Thoughts

Thanks everyone for reading and have a great week ahead!

If you find any heartwarming Uplifting Stories that you'd love to share, please comment with a link in the box below, or message us on our Instagram with a link. We'll mention you in a future article. Take care! 

Photo by Yuliya kota