Wow, what a year this has been! From the futile searches for toilet paper to Murder Hornets to an election season like no other we’ve known in our lifetime and everything in between…we know it may be hard to believe, but a lot of good things happened in 2020! There were good deeds galore, kindness, compassion, many notable firsts and quite a few comebacks.
This is not by any means a complete list of good things that happened in 2020, just a few Happy Headlines to remind you that there is good news out there each and every day…you just have to notice it.
“I thought 2020 would be the year I got everything I wanted.
Now I know 2020 is the year I appreciate everything I have.”
—Unknown
Good Things Happened in 2020
A Flower Truck, One Man’s Kindness & Many Happy Seniors
As activities and outings are especially difficult for seniors during the pandemic, one man decided to bring some sunshine and joy directly to those who need it. Rene Blais, of RB Oilfield Hauling Inc, purchased an entire truck full of flowers from the Gypsy Blooms Flower Truck and asked for it to be parked outside of a seniors complex so that they could pick and make their own bouquets. Joline, owner of the vintage 1949 Chevy mobile flower truck in Grande Prairie, Alberta said, “My heart is so full from being a part of this amazing experience.”
Want to sponsor a flower truck delivery? Connect with Joline at Gypsy Blooms Flower Truck here or message them on Facebook here.
RELATED: Taking Care of a Parent or Any Family Member can be Challenging. Caregiving for Parents Requires Self-Care Too
Historical firsts
Vice President Elect, Kamala Harris
While Kamala Harris was not the first female Vice Presidential Candidate in history, she is the first to secure the position. After 232 years, we respectfully say, it’s about time.
(Geraldine Ferraro was the first Vice Presidential candidate and running mate for Presidential candidate Walter Mondale on the Democratic ticket in 1984)
Pope Francis Endorses Same-Sex Civil Unions
Pope Francis became the first pontiff to publicly state being in favor of same-sex civil unions saying, “Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God. You can’t kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this.” And he reminds parents, “God loves your children as they are.”
Good Things Happened in 2020
She’s a Good ‘Cemetarian’
Hanging out in the cemetery cleaning up old headstones, Alicia Williams of Bedford, VA has found peace and surprising fame on TikTok just doing what she loves doing. Alicia tells WDBJ7 News, “Seeing that something can be so covered up and ugly with so much dirt and debris, that somebody can come along and clean it up and make it shine again, it’s just symbolic, in a lot of different ways.”
Words we never dreamed we’d say…
Thank You Dolly Parton for the Covid-19 Vaccine!
“Dolly Parton: Legendary performer. Songwriter extraordinaire. Feminist idol. And, as of this year, coronavirus vaccine sponsor. The diminutive diva’s $1 million donation to Covid-19 research was partly used to fund Moderna’s promising Covid-19 vaccine.”
“I just felt so proud to have been part of that little seed money that will hopefully grow into something great and help to heal this world,” she said. “I’m a very proud girl today to know I had anything at all to do with something that’s going to help us through this crazy pandemic.”—Dolly Parton, CNN
Good Things Happened in 2020
Good Deeds for Groceries
A new kind of grocery store opened up inside Linda Tutt High School in Texas, you can’t pay with cash or credit, only good deeds. Developed to help address food insecurities and offer up a little extra support and job skills, students and staff can earn points by doing chores and cleaning around the building and then exchange those points for groceries.
“It’s a way for students to earn the ability to shop for their families.”—School Principal Anthony Love, Fox News
Media Firsts
Time Magazine’s First “Kid of the Year”
Fifteen year old scientist and inventor, Gitanjali Rao, was selected as Time Magazine’s first ever Kid of the Year from more than 5000 nominees. This kid is beyond amazing, smart and practical.
“I think more than anything right now, we just need to find that one thing we’re passionate about and solve it. Even if it’s something as small as, I want to find an easy way to pick up litter. Everything makes a difference. Don’t feel pressured to come up with something big.”—Gitanjali Rao, Time
First Non-English Language Film Wins Best Picture
“Parasite” becomes the first non-English language film to win best picture at the 92nd Academy Awards. What did director and co-writer Bong Joon Ho have to say about his best picture win at the Oscar’s? …
“It’s Really F—ing Crazy”—Variety
Good Things Happened in 2020
Teenage Girls Develop Award Winning Dementia App
The male dominated tech industry just got a little smaller. Three teenage Nigerian-Irish teens created an award winning app, called Memory Haven. It can be used by both patients and caregivers to target and help with the three prominent issues people with with dementia face: memory loss, difficulty with recognition and speech. The international competition, Technovation Girls, challenges young women to develop an app that can solve a problem in their community.—NPR
Well done Ladies!
You can view a demo of their Memory Haven app here.
Creative Firsts
Piano Made From Plants
The world’s first green piano is made from plants. This living instrument recognizes changes in frequency when touched, transforms the frequencies into voltage and converts them into sound. Wow! We bet these innovative performers and the Vegetable Orchestra would put on quite a show together!
Good Things Happened in 2020
Hawaii Wants To Be Your New Pandemic Scenery
Time to change your work from home pandemic scenery? “Hawaii is offering free round trip tickets to out-of-state remote workers who want to live and work there while contributing to the state’s economy.”—CNN
Movers and Shakas is a temporary residency program and has already accepted it’s first group of applicants…you could be next!
We’ll leave you with this scenic video of Hawaii so you can play it in the background while you work from home today…and dream about taking a relaxing lunch break walk for real.
“My 8yo in the car today: Do you want me to throw the confetti in my pocket?”
“Me: No, not in the car! – why do you have confetti in your pocket?”
“8 yo: It’s my emergency confetti, I carry it everywhere in case there is good news.”
—Unknown
You know that moment. We’ve all been there, waiting in line and you just want to scream! Five tips on how to stay grounded and be present with moments that are a bit prickly.
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