Hello and welcome once again to a weekly dose of happiness. @Tohru couldn't make it this week, so I'm here instead. We decided to do this because things seem kinda gloomy for everyone, so we’re here to cheer everyone up with some good news.

Here I go.

So the first story this week is the story of a dog- a man's best friend, truly proving that it deserves the title. This dog's bark saved a family in Alabama from what seemed like certain death. Thankfully, Ralph the dog lived.

https://www.wspa.com/news/top-stories/dogs-bark-saved-alabama-family-as-fire-swept-through-home/

And this homeless woman who thought there was no hope for her was hired by Kroger. this just goes to show that no matter what happens, you should never lose hope in the world.

https://www.wsoctv.com/news/trending/homeless-woman-who-slept-grocery-parking-lot-year-hired-by-kroger/OUKQ4PONUBCTDLU3EITJLXPHJY/

and in the aquatic world, the hero orca that had lost its calf in 2018 has become a mother again. she gave birth to a healthy baby calf.

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/orca-tahlequah-is-a-mother-again/?amp=1

and in Asia, the elephant dubbed the ‘world’s loneliest’ by his supporters has finally been released from the zoo into freedom.

https://apnews.com/f09d3de7b5aad108678ec2e5f0d6bc55?utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow

this researcher has won an award for a procedure that could potentially cure blindness. although it's still in progress, things are looking bright.

https://www.dw.com/en/hungarys-researcher-roska-wins-award-for-procedure-that-could-cure-blindness/a-54846376

and in south Australia, a ban has been issued on plastic cutlery in an effort to protect the environment.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/11/south-australias-ban-on-single-use-plastic-cutlery-and-straws-hailed-as-historic

I'd like to apologize since i feel like i made the descriptions way too short. and with that, ill end this week's episode.

Thank you all for reading this and I will see you all next Thursday! Till then, stay happy, stay healthy, and stay safe!

Hello, everyone! This is going to be a weekly post I’ll be making alongside @Tohru. We decided to do this because things seem kinda gloomy for everyone, so we’re here to cheer everyone up with some good news.

First off, the Infant mortality has reached an all-time low in the United States according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.That figure is the lowest reported in U.S. history, agency researchers said.

https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2020/07/16/US-infant-mortality-rate-hits-all-time-low-CDC-reports/8081594905861/

And another potential Coronavirus vaccine from Oxford and AstraZeneca is showing positive responses in its early trial. We can only hope for now. But things are looking bright.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/20/oxford-universitys-coronavirus-vaccine-shows-positive-immune-response-in-an-early-trial.html

Some teens in New Jersey try to spread happiness by creating a landscaping business to raise money for charity. "You turn on the news and you see all these negative things, so we just wanted to do something positive" said one of them.

https://abc7ny.com/charity-donation-kids-landscaping/6322065/

And in Georgia, a Nonprofit group gives out 5,000 masks in Macon. With health officials urging people to wear masks to slow the spread of COVID-19, the nonprofit group wanted to make sure people in the community have masks.People could drive through the parking lot to get as many masks as they needed.

https://www.13wmaz.com/mobile/article/news/local/nonprofit-group-gives-out-5k-masks-in-macon/93-e18dfbef-37ba-4ff1-af26-ec4300752a59

And Portugal becomes one of the first countries in the EU to end coal burning so more renewable resources could be used

https://www.climatechangenews.com/2020/07/15/portugal-ends-coal-burning-two-years-ahead-schedule/

That’s all for today! Tune in next week on Thursday for more happiness! Till then, stay happy, and healthy!

If you keep a mask on for too long, you'll forget what's behind it. Similarly, if you put up a facade for too long, you'll forget your genuine self. I walk this path. I smile for the sake of others. Not out of my own will. Why shouldn't I? If I were to stop smiling, I'd concern the people around me. And for me, there's nothing worse than that. It's my favourite phrase. "If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours." I've always been following that

There are many ways in which people are reminded of their childhood memories. Mine was finding the box of objects I accumulated as a child.

The dusty box had a faint, musty scent about it. I blow off the dust, which made me wheeze. I was surprised at how much dust had accumulated there. "Just how long has this box been here" I wondered.

Just looking at them made all of my memories play back in my head in the time span of seconds. I began to giggle in exhilaration. Although I still hold on to them for bringing me happiness as a child, I no longer feel as much affection as I did as a child.

The rectangular box in my hands was completely packed with all of my precious gatherings. As I felt the corrugated box, I thought " this must have been waiting for stimulation for such a long time."

My entire childhood was gushing back into my memory like a fish tank which hadn't been filled for

A long time.

The teddy bear I had as a child was my most beloved object. It still had it's magical warmth that allowed me to sleep peacefully as a child.

The old game system I had as a child boosted my determination by it's hard games which I persisted against until I succeeded.

The plastic building blocks had heightened my creativity every time I decided to build with them.

These simple objects are what made me into what I am today. All the good experiences I have been through as a child wouldn't have been complete without the help of these objects.

I began to feel guilty for abandoning these objects when I realized that they had already fulfilled their role in my growing up. They had assisted my helpless self when I needed assistance, but now, I no longer need that assistance. The feeling of guilt then suddenly became gratitude.

As I reminisced further, I decided that I shouldn't focus on these objects of the past and focus on the future. My trip down memory lane was over.

What exactly is the reason for caring about image? Why do people go incredible lengths for the sake of how others view them? I do not know. For I do not care about what others think. I never have.

People refrain from doing things that may 'embarrass' them, no matter what benefits may come if that thing is done. Sometimes, they wish to not to seem out of the ordinary. Sometimes they are simply being irrational. But all of that is irrelevant, because no one cares. The idea that everyone around them is constantly watching and waiting for them to make a mistake is illogical. This idea causes people to use a facade when talking to others. That is why I believe that nothing is genuine. That is why I refuse to talk to others. I believe that a 'normal' person will not use a facade. I believe that a 'normal' person will be genuine. However, there aren't any of those people left out there.

What do I pursue?

Something that fulfills my soul. By that I mean something that can act as an outlet for my abilities and at the same time, be comfortable. Something that can give a gentle helping hand to my insecurities and anxieties. Something that allows me to view the world from such a perspective that lets me decide for myself what is the 'truth' about everything.

To put it simply, I just want a fun job that pays well.

I can’t stand them. Awkward silences. When my soul shreiks:“Say Something! Anything!” my mind goes blank. The inner screams will continue to haunt me for as long as I live. The frustration from not being able to change anything about this cruel occurrence holds a knife towards my mind, my heart, my soul. The rage is overflowing. Unable to be released, it continues to hope for some form of being harnessed.