You’d be forgiven for wanting to cry yourself to sleep lately after reading about all the bad things that have been happening. Death, destruction, wars, and floods. It’s enough to make us weep for humanity. But we are here to assure you that among the negativity is glimmering hope that all is not lost in this world we live in. In fact, there’s still a lot of good.
If you’ve been struggling to find it, look no further than a Facebook page called “Beauty Of Planet Earth.” It’s a corner of the internet filled with wholesome and uplifting posts. Some showcase kindness; others are just plain cute. But all have a common thread of positivity.
We has selected the best for you to smile at instead of another dreary day of doomscrolling. Whether you just need a break from the news, or you want to cleanse your aura altogether, this list has been carefully compiled to leave you smiling by the time you’re done with it. So take a few deep breaths, get cozy, and start reading. Don’t forget to upvote the ones that left you with all the feels.
We also explain why you feel sad when you see other people suffering. And it’s not necessarily a bad thing. You’ll find that info between the pics.
#1 Wholesome Freddy
There are some truly terrible things happening in the world right now. Every day, a different disaster. And no matter how far-removed you are from them, many have the ability to affect us on a very deep level. We are humans after all. We should have some level of empathy.
That word was first coined in 1909 by a psychologist calledEdward B. Titchener. It’s a translation of the German termeinfühlung,aptly meaning “feeling into.”
When children are swept away in floods, others die as bombs fall, or people go to bed hungry, how can we not have some kind of “feeling into” what they’re going through?
#2 Perseverance Is Key
#3 This Made Smile And Then Go Pet My 15 Year Old Cat
VeryWellMind defines empathy as “the ability to emotionally understand what other people feel, see things from their point of view, and imagine yourself in their place.” Essentially, say the experts, it’s putting yourself in someone else’s position and feeling what they are feeling. Walking a mile in their shoes, so to speak.
It might hurt—but it’s actually a good trait to have. And here’s why…
#4 Good Fences Make Good Neighbours!
#5 The First Number On My Scale Has Been A ‘2’ For The Past 21 Years, But Not Today
#6 Jamie, Who Has Cerebral Palsy, Is The Janitor Greenwood High School Football Team
He always wanted to play sports growing up, but he couldn’t, so their state championship winning football program rewarded him with a championship ring.
Empathy shouldn’t be confused with sympathy and compassion. While all three are related, the latter two are more of a passive connection. “Empathy generally involves a much more active attempt to understand another person,” explains the VeryWellMind site.
While many people do feel a level of empathy for others, it’s not a universal response. Some human beings are able to meet another’s suffering with a stone cold reaction, or none at all. And on the other end of the spectrum are the empaths, who feel so much for others that they end up suffering themselves.
#7 Heartwarming
#8 Go Grandpa
“My dad, a racist hillbilly, told me he didn’t want anything to do with my biracial daughter when I was pregnant. Here he is painting her toenails on her 3rd birthday. Proof people can change.”
#9 Just Saw This On My Timeline, Rocky Is Headed Home
“Having a great deal of empathy makes you concerned for the well-being and happiness of others. It also means, however, that you can sometimes get overwhelmed,burned out, or even overstimulated from always thinking about other people’s emotions.” It’s a state experts describe as empathy fatigue.
Have you ever felt completely emotionally and physically exhausted, worn out, even depressed after reading/hearing about or seeing the struggles of others? That’s empathy fatigue kicking in. It can also leave you feeling numb or powerless, and quite literally fatigued. You may even want to isolate yourself, in order to regain your strength and reboot your energy.
#10 You Are Never Too Old To Learn
My uncle didn’t go to school so I am teaching him how to write and he wrote the names of his grandkids for the first time
#11 Man Makes Sure Elderly Neighbor Is Not Alone In Her Last Days!
#12 Winning Isn’t Everything
But as we said before, even though it hurts, empathy is a good thing.
For one, it can help strengthen your relationships. “Empathy allows you to build social connections with others,” explain VeryWellMind’s experts. “By understanding what people are thinking and feeling, you are able to respond appropriately in social situations.”
#13 A Redditor Who Saw My Post About Insurance Turning Me Down For A Prosthetic Finger Messaged Me A Few Weeks Ago Saying He Would Try To Make One
I got the prototype in the mail today. He asked nothing in return.
#14 4 Years Of Sobriety! My Coworkers Got Me “Clean” Stuff
#15 Dad Went Out In The Snow To Feed The Birds, And Made A New Friend! It’s Official, He’s A Disney Princess Now
Even though it might not always feel like it, empathy also helps you regulate your emotions. It allows you to manage what you are feeling, even in times of great stress, without becoming overwhelmed, the site notes.
When we can regulate our own emotions, we are better able to respond to the emotions of others.
#16 This Is Like Four Different Levels Of Adorable
#17 The Most Wholesome Thing
My neighbor’s black cat had kittens and they found a baby possum on their deck that must have fallen off of its mom. The mama cat took it in as one of her kittens, but she doesn’t understand why this little funny kitten hangs on her all the time
#18 That’s So Cute
It goes without saying that those who have empathy are more likely to want to help others. But it goes both ways. People are also more likely to help you during your dark moments when they experience empathy.
“Empathy helps us notice other people’s needs, understand their distress, and inspire us to alleviate their suffering,” reads the site.
#19 After You Do So Much Good The Past Can Be Fixed
Stephen Knight lost everything to m**h: Job, family, home, almost his life. HIV positive and living out of his car, he felt hopeless.
Now clean, he’s helped foster 1,200 dogs for recovering d**g addicts-he’s the most recent recipient of the HERO award.
#20 Blessed Husky Birth
#21 Wholesome Co-Workers
One of the best ways for us to build our empathy is to stop talking and start listening. You won’t know what someone is feeling unless you truly hear them out. It’s not always easy to be silent when the sound of their suffering is palpable.
That’s because your ownemotionscan pose a significant barrier when noticing what others are feeling, explains VeryWellMind.
“When you are having a conversation and are looking only at your feelings and how you can communicate them, you might not be leaving enough attention available to take in what’s going on at the other end,” adds the site. “Making an effort to actively listen can help strengthen your emotional understanding and empathy.”
#22 The Love Of Grandma
#23 Nurse Discovers Her New Coworker Was The Premature Baby She Cared For Years Back
#24 A Coworker Noticed My Boots Needed Replacing, I’m Casual And New Boots Are At My Cost. These Were Waiting For Me At My Workstation
He covertly acquired my size and everything. $179 I just could not afford atm.
Don’t beat yourself up if you want to cry yourself to sleep after another day of terrible news. The empathy you feel is a good thing. But we understand that it can be too much at times. And when that happens, remember you can come back to this list—to reboot, and remind yourself that all is not lost in the world.
#25 I Asked My Coworkers To Not Do Huge Decorations On My Desk
My work place is the kind to bubble wrap your whole desk and fill the cubicle with balloons for your birthday. I asked them to keep it low key. The picture is a shelf of my desk.
#26 Happy Retirement To My Coworker That Always Brought Us Candy. Thanks For Always Being Awesome, Mark!
#27 My Grandparents Recreated Their Wedding Photos 70 Years Later
#28 Blessed Buddies
#29 Blessed Owl
#30 Wholesome Neighbor
You howl all you want Charleston, honey
#31 A Mom Was Wondering Where Her Son Had Gone – She Found Out That He Had Seen An Elderly Neighbor Walking In The Rainstorm Without An Umbrella. He Walked The Neighbor All The Way Home
#32 Such A Sweetheart
#33 A Co-Worker Of Mine With Down Syndrome Makes Me A Card Every Christmas
#34 I Live Abroad. My Grandparents Called Me To Urgently Check The Security Web Cams Of My House Back Home. Turns Out They Called So I Could See Them Standing With A Heart And Waving At Me
#35 Happy Pride Month, Everyone!
#36 Ryan Reynolds Replies To A Burn Victim
#37 What’s Up With Capybaras Chilling With Other Animals
#38 Someone Stole A Kid’s Razor Scooter In Our Neighborhood. An Anonymous Neighbor Decided To Restore Some Joy Back For The Kid
#39 When Your 80-Year Old Neighbor Clears Three Feet Of Snow, So Your Husband Can Go To His Chemo Appointment
#40 Some Things Never Change
#41 A 76 Yr Old Retired Air Force Colonel Is No Match For His 4 Year Old Granddaughter
#42 A Mother Goat Gave Birth On The Icy Mountain, And To Save Them, A Village Girl (Shepherd) Carried The Mother In Her Back , Her Dog Helped By Carrying The Newborn Goat
#43 Man Builds Stand To Help Feed His Neighbors
#44 Nice Grandpa
#45 My Coworkers All Came Together And Gave Me The Money To Finally Change My Name Legally For My Birthday
I am transgender and currently work full time for Starbucks. I have savings but it’s never been enough to justify paying to get my name legally changed, but for my birthday this year my coworkers all came together and pooled money to give to me to get it changed! This is literally the nicest thing anyone has done for me and it certainly made me smile.
#46 Grandma With The Drip
#47 My Neighbors Leave Their Trash On The Road
#48 My Grandpa Just Turned 64 Today. He Grew Up Poor And Had Never Had A Birthday Party. Today He Had His First One And You Can See The Happiness In His Smile
#49 Gaming Grandpa
#50 I Found Out That My 85 Year Old Grandma Puts These Little People In Seashells And Then Hides Them On The Beach For Kids To Find
#51 Father And Son Costumes
#52 I Would Have Given Her All The Fireworks
#53 Found This Under My Office Door, Along With $6. I Work At A Sports Venue
#54 Blessed Billboard
#55 That’s So Wholesome
#56 My Grandpa’s 88th Birthday Was A Few Weeks Ago
My sister got him a coloring book and crayons. He says he’s never colored before, but he seems to enjoy it. He shows all his visitors the pages he’s finished. He’s colorblind, so some of the puppies are pink, but he’s so happy. He melts my heart.
#57 He’s So Happy
#58 What Wonderful News. Such A Grand Gesture Should Be Made All Over The World
#59 My 97-Year-Old Grandma Doesn’t Use Computers, But I Found A Meme Years Ago That I Thought She’d Like So I Sent It In The Mail. Turns Out She’s Kept It At Her Bedside Ever Since
#60 My Husband
#61 My Neighbor Is Still At It With His Signs At Our Subdivision Entrance
#62 The Pizza Baker Made His Day
#63 My Neighbor’s Pig Escapes Every Day To Play Ball With My Dog
#64 Kid Wants To Know If His Mum Is Telling The Truth And Reddit Doesn’t Let Her Down
#65 Blessed Seal
#66 Blessed Purchase
#67 Blessed Forgetful Cat
#68 Dog Brothers Finally Reunited
#69 I Love My Grandpa So Much
#70 They Dated In Their Teens, Married Different People, And Got Back Together 65 Years Later. My Grandma And Her Boyfriend
#71 He Is Such A Goodfella
#72 Blessed Comforting
#73 Wholesome Grandpa Sharing Memes
Showed my grandpa memes and he loved them so much he printed them off for his friends
#74 My Wife Showed Me This Photo She Took Of Our Daughters. “That’s Cute, They’re Copying Each Other” I Said. Then She Zoomed In To Me (Purple Hoodie). Made Me Smile
#75 Aww
#76 My Grandparents Got A New Car And Was Excited To Tell Me, I Travel A Lot With Them So They Were Showing Me The Back Seat
#77 Wholesome
#78 This Makes Me Cry
#79 It Seems Like His Dad Will Definitely Keep That Cute Kitty!
#80 My Coworker Is Having A Hysterectomy. So The Department Had A Food Day
#81 Helping A Coworker With His Ties
#82 60 Years Later My Great Grandmother Tried On Her Wedding Dress And It Still Fits Perfectly
#83 Ready As He’ll Ever Be!
#84 Sent An Image Of A Lobster To My Korean Grandmother Who Can Barely Speak English
#85 My Great-Grandma Wears A Necklace With My Baby Picture When I’m Traveling Because She Worries. 95 And Going Strong!
#86 Cute Smile
#87 The Day After My Birthday Last Year My I Went To My Grandmas House And She Surprised Me With A Birthday Bundt Cake And “Party Animals” Surrounding It
#88 My Adorable Grandma Recently Lost Her Husband, Who Always Took The Pictures Of Her. Behold! Her First Ever Selfie
#89 I Have The Best Co-Workers In The World. Down With Lymphoma For A Bit And They Just Made Day!
#90 Blessed Lecture
#91 This One Made Me Smile – Rivera Was Diagnosed With Squamous Cell Carcinoma Located In A Lymph Node Of His Neck
Thankfully the diagnosis was discovered early. Rivera went through five treatments a week of chemo and proton therapy for seven weeks. He did not miss a single game during this time.
#92 Best Neighbor
#93 A Photo Of My Mother, Locking The Door To A Place Of Her Own, For The First Time In 40 Years
My mother hasn’t had a place of her own in over 40 years. She had my big brother out of wedlock when she was 20 years old, and moved back in with my grandparents after he was born. She briefly lived with my dad after I came along, but we all moved back in with grandma and grandpa very shortly after they had divorced. This happened again with my little sister’s father and when my grandpa passed away, my mother took care of my grandma in exchange for a place to continuously stay without having to pay rent. After my grandma passed, she was not able to get back on her feet for another decade, staying with an old friend who needed care as well; but he eventually began to mistreat her. Just recently, I was able to help her move from Florida to Tennessee, closer to my husband and I, where she could transfer with the job she had successfully kept for two years and also received a promotion prior to the move. She has always had either children or a man who mistreated her around, and this is the first time in 40 years she had been able to pay rent on her own funds as well as free and able to kick back and relax with no one to take care of but herself, her bird Coco, and her kitty Toby. She was ecstatic and overwhelmed with joy as we moved her belongings in and she arranged them, as she could choose their placement through her own judgment. I’m extremely proud of my mom for making it this far and overcoming so much. She absolutely deserves this and is entering a brand new era of life. No matter how old you may think you are and how it may seem like it’s too late, things can get better, friends!
#94 Neighbor Knocked On Our Door And Gave Us This Beautiful Plate
#95 Being A Good Neighbor
#96 My Grandma Died And Left Me This Puzzle. It Is Missing Pieces, So I Improvised With A Note She Left My Wife And Myself
#97 Grandpa’s Artwork
#98 My Kids Love The Neighbor’s Dog. I Noticed Toys Have Been Provided For Everyone’s Enjoyment
#99 I’m A Nice Colleague
#100 Our Neighbor Just Gifted Us $200
It was our next door neighbor since my wife saw one of them knocking on our front door while we were cleaning. We obviously went over and thanked them, introducing ourselves since we hadn’t talked to them before. Apparently they’re relatively new to the neighborhood and wanted to give us a holiday gift.