Finding Joy: The Power of Uplifting Stories
Posted on January 12, 2026
by Amy H
When the days are short, the skies are gray and it seems like the world is just endlessly bleak, finding uplifting stories and realizing that good still exists in the world isn’t just a pleasant diversion — it’s necessary self-care. Here’s a collection of real-life good news and inspirational tales of people finding ways to connect.
beautiful news by David McCandless
King of infographics David McCandless uses spectacular visuals to give us all a bit of good news. We are living in the Information Age, in which we are constantly bombarded with data - on television, in print and online. How can we relate to this mind-numbing overload? Enter David McCandless and his amazing infographics: simple, elegant ways to understand information too complex or abstract to grasp any way but visually. In his unique signature style, he creates dazzling displays that blend facts with their connections, contexts and relationships, making information meaningful, entertaining - and beautiful. McCandless illustrates positive news from around the world, for an informative, engaging and uplifting collection of new infographic art.
upworthy
This is a much-needed trove of life-affirming stories told straight from the heart. Handpicked from Upworthy's community of millions, each piece speaks to the breadth, depth, and beauty of the human experience. With proof that decency surrounds each and every one of us, Upworthy's first book is a perspective-changing salve that will leave even the most unlikely reader feeling better about the world. Rippling with wit, compassion, and courage, each chapter offers a restorative opportunity to believe in people's fundamental goodness.
stories from a stranger by Hunter Prosper
Hunter Prosper brings together unforgettable, never-before-published interviews, from his social media channels that illuminate the depths of the human heart. He asks the questions that matter most: Who was your greatest love? What's the most painful thing you've been told? What do you see when you look in the mirror? The answers reveal raw, breathtaking glimpses into lives filled with love, resilience, and hope. As an ICU nurse, Hunter has stood at the crossroads of life and loss, bearing witness to whispered confessions, final goodbyes, and moments of unexpected grace. In the midst of turmoil, he turned to storytelling--first to make sense of his own emotions, then to give voice to those who could no longer speak. What started as a simple question evolved into a movement, resonating with millions longing for connection.
random acts of kindness by The Editors at Conari Press
What if all of a sudden everyone started performing daily good deeds? This inspiring collection presents true stories of people who've committed, received, and observed voluntary acts of kindness. Hearing their stories reveals how these simple, small acts of goodness can have a profoundly positive effect in the world. The true stories, thoughtful quotations, and suggestions for generosity in this book will inspire you to live more compassionately and be a kinder person.
everyday heroes by Katrina Fried
Photographer Paul Mobley and author Katrina Fried set out to find fifty Americans who had made it their business to improve the lives of others. The result is this groundbreaking book profiling some of America's leading social entrepreneurs whose energy and nonprofit organizations have changed the lives of millions around the world, very often one at a time. From activists who have rallied the support of hundreds of volunteers to bring such necessities as clean drinking water, economic support, and urgent medical care to developing nations, to educational leaders who are using their gifts to elevate the opportunities of the poor and disadvantaged, to crusaders of equal rights and women's advocacy, these are remarkable everyday citizens. Fried interviewed this eclectic and passionate group of people and has written their startling stories, sharing a unique view of their personalities, journeys, and causes.
young enough to change the world by Michael R. Connolly
Although young people are idealistic, they have a sincere desire to help those less fortunate than they are in the world. However, the disheartening message that society sends them is, "Not yet; you're too young to do anything important right now." These 15 stories of young people from around the world are proof that this message of "not yet" is wrong. Each of these kids and teenagers has made a positive difference in the lives of others. Moreover, most of the projects are still going strong.
how seniors are saving the world by Thelma Reese
Don't be fooled by their appearances. The heroes of this inspiring book may look like typical retirees, but their actions are changing the world. These men and women build a sense of community in their towns and teach prisoners how to express themselves in the arts. They march on Washington and start new programs to treat PTSD. They teach medical classes, write children's books, and mentor teens. Recurring themes include how often unexpected events and opportunities reshaped their lives and the importance of being open to new adventures. Reese and Kittredge emphasize positive movements and encourage readers to use their own talents and interests for a greater good. In doing so, readers may find the purpose and socialization they're seeking. At the end of each profile, a "How To Connect!" segment lists helpful websites, films, and organizations. Retirees looking for direction will be energized.
the moth presents occasional magic
Storytellers from around the world share times when, in the face of seemingly impossible situations, they found moments of beauty, wonder, and clarity that shed light on their lives and helped them find a path forward. From a fifteen-year-old saving a life in Chicago to a mother of triplets trekking to the North Pole to a ninety-year-old Russian man recalling his standoff with the KGB, these storytellers attest to the variety and richness of the human experience, and the shared threads that connect us all. With honesty and humor, they stare down their fear, embrace uncertainty, and encourage us all to be more authentic, vulnerable, and alive.
the friendship bench by Dixon Chibanda
When Dr. Dixon Chibanda lost a patient to suicide, he began a soul-searching journey that eventually led to a mental healthcare revolution. As one of only six psychiatrists in all of Zimbabwe, a country traumatized by decades of conflict, Chibanda quickly realized that millions there were suffering from mental illness with no hope of receiving care. He saw that the only way to narrow this care gap was to leverage existing resources in the community, and one such resource was the compassion and understanding of grandmothers. With fourteen of these wise elders as partners, Chibanda pioneered the Friendship Bench program, a community-driven initiative addressing loneliness, depression, substance abuse, and suicide by fostering intergenerational connectedness. Since then, more than 500,000 people worldwide have sat on a park bench to share their personal stories with an empathetic grandmother. A primer on how human connection forms the bedrock of our resilience, this book gives readers the tools to facilitate transformative healing by reaching out to those who are struggling and isolated from the world around them. This is a celebration of the collective wisdom and knowledge of those rooted in their communities and their profound ability to foster belonging, purpose, and healing.
peacebunny island by Caleb Smith
When Caleb Smith was 8, he decided to follow his dream to train endangered and rescued rabbits to become therapy animals. Today, 16-year-old Caleb is an entrepreneur who owns and operates a private 22-acre Mississippi River sanctuary called Peacebunny Island. The deal is simple: he saves the rabbits, and they help save us. Driven by an unbreakable desire to spread kindness and compassion, Caleb founded a program of therapy rabbits who visit with veterans, senior citizens, families with special needs, and more. He developed the site along the Mississippi River that would become Peacebunny Island, overcoming challenges and obstacles along the way and never giving up. He has become an advocate for animal rescue, comfort animal training, and endangered species preservation and inspiring hope and possibility in the next generation of young people.
the kindness diaries by Leon Logothetis
Follow the inspirational journey of a former stockbroker who leaves his unfulfilling desk job in search of a meaningful life. He sets out from Los Angeles on a vintage motorbike, determined to circumnavigate the globe surviving only on the kindness of strangers. Incredibly, he makes his way across the U.S., through Europe, India, Cambodia, and Vietnam, and finally to Canada and back to the Hollywood sign, by asking strangers for shelter, food, and gas. Again and again, he's won over by the generosity of humanity, from the homeless man who shares his blanket to the poor farmer who helps him with his broken down bike, and the HIV-positive mother who takes him in and feeds him. At each stop, he finds a way to give back to these unsuspecting Good Samaritans in life-changing ways, by rebuilding their homes, paying for their schooling, and leaving behind gifts big and small. The Kindness Diaries will introduce you to a world of adventure, renew your faith in the bonds that connect people, and inspire you to accept and generate kindness in your own life.
the kindness of strangers
When we miss our train or bus, lose our wallets, fall ill or get lost, a kind stranger can save not only the day, but the entire journey. This collection explores the unexpected acts of kindness that can occur on the road, those unforgettable connections that transfigure and transform our travels.
chicken soup for the soul by Amy Newman
Here are stories of kindness, from the everyday to the extraordinary. If you need some good news, you'll find hope in these pages. And if you can give help, you'll feel energized and inspired to find your own opportunities to perform random acts of kindness. Make miracles happen for yourself and others. It's easy. Just think outside the box and look around. There are so many ways that you can help--and it turns out the biggest beneficiary may be you! Scientific studies have shown that "doing good" is not only good for the recipient of the good deed, but also for the person doing it, making that person happier and healthier.
a year of living kindfully by Anna Black
Mindfulness expert Anna Black believes we can create new ways of thinking and behaving to cultivate a kinder attitude to ourselves and others. Her week-by-week activities help us to uncover what kindness actually means to us physically, mentally, and emotionally and show us how to practice a kinder way of being. This includes letting go of self-criticism, blame, and judgment and being warmer, more compassionate, and more generous. As we discover self-compassion and self-love and cultivate kindness, there is a wonderful ripple effect throughout our life, especially in our relationship with others and our day-to-day experiences. With each weekly activity, there are pages to reflect on what we have learnt.
channel kindness
The quiet power of kindness can change the way we view one another, our communities, and even ourselves. Individually and collectively, these stories prove that kindness not only saves lives but builds community. Kindness is inclusion, it is pride, it is empathy, it is compassion, it is self-respect and it is the guiding light to love. Kindness is always transformational, and its never-ending ripples result in even more kind acts that can change our lives, our communities, and our world. Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation was founded in 2012 to support the wellness of young people and empower them to create a kinder and braver world. To achieve these goals, the foundation leverages evidence-based research and authentic partnerships in order to provide young people with kinder communities, improved connections to mental health resources, and more positive environments--online and offline.
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