It's interesting how "good news" can be relative, isn't it?
This week, President Biden announced a student loan relief program that has millions of Americans jumping for joy and millions of other Americans irked. What's considered good news to some is considered bad news to others, and that's often the way it goes with anything remotely political.
That's OK. We all have different opinions based on our different understandings and experiences. Unfortunately, social media can often be a place for people to bicker over such things, which is why these weekly roundups of joy are such a refreshing respite.
Here we come together to take a break from the political fray and celebrate things that are universally smile-worthy. So let's drop the debates for just a few minutes and relish in a little collective serotonin boost.
Here are 10 things that made us smile this week:
1. This smooth 86-year-old roller skater is #aginggoals for us all.
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The Griffin Brothers on Instagram: "I don’t want to hear any more excuses from anyone. This beautiful woman is 86 years old and still rolling showing how amazing she is😍🥰👑 #TheGriffinBrothers #shuffleskating #shuffleskate #tollerskating #rollerskate #explorepage #jamskate #jamskating"I would like to put in a request to be this agile and active at 86, please.
2. Couple who took their engagement photos at Olive Garden got surprised with a honeymoon to the real Italy.
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tennessee but with Italy Vibes✨ #engagementphotos #engagementphotoshoot #engagementpictures #bride #weddingtiktokAfter this video of a couple posing in front of Olive Garden to get "Italy vibes" in their engagement photos went viral, people said the restaurant should cater their wedding. Instead, the couple was invited to Good Morning America where they were gifted an actual Italian honeymoon, courtesy of Olive Garden. Check out the full story here.
3. This doggo is desperate for some pets from its sleeping hooman.
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“When your person is sleep but you want attention 🤣😂🤣”This is called perseverance, kids. He was gonna make those pets happen come hell or high water.
4. Dancer merges traditional Indian dance with "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and it's gorgeous.
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Replying to @Raahi @Naomi Namboodiripad here is an extended version! #dance #avatar #atla #elements #air #water #earth #fire #bharatanatyam #mohiniyattam #kuchipudi #trending #indian #southasian #desi #acting #culture #performance #costume #makeup #jewelryIf you're a fan of the original "Avatar: The Last Airbender" series, these dances will send you right back to your childhood. So beautiful, from the outfits to the dances themselves. Read the full story here.
5. It took 343 embroiderers from 46 countries 13 years to make this absolutely stunning dress.
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Kirstie Macleod on Instagram: "A few of the key moments for the Red Dress over the last 13 years. (From top left to bottom right): - The Red Dress currently on display at the Fashion and Textile Musuem, London 2022 @fashiontextilemuseum - Hilara Lopez Patishtán, one of the Mexican artisans supported by Kitzen in Mexico, wearing the Red Dress (2 years after she embroidered her vibrant panel) outside her family house in the beautiful and very insular Tzotzil town of San Juan Chamula, Chiapas, Mexico. 2020 @kitzin_ - The Red Dress and I having finally met Kosavar artisans Feride and Fatime Hallili, supported by Sister Stitch (an initiative from Manchester Aid for Kosovo). We displayed the garment in both the National Library of Kosovo in Pristina, and then the artisan’s local Municipality in Podujëve. 2021 @manchesteraidtokosovo - An image taken last year when I finally received the exquisite panel from Tamay in Vietnam, 5 years after the fabric was sent! Tamay had been inundated with work and also had the challenge of needing to modify her traditional embroidery technique (of counting warp and weft to create the designs) to work on the fine silk dupion. 2021 @tamayandme - During a trip to exhibit the Red Dress in Kosovo, the garment and I were invited to Parliament to meet with Deputy Head of Parliament MP Saranda Bogujevci. A survivor of a massacre that killed 8 members of her family, Saranda is a beacon of light and strength and an important role model to the people of Kosovo, intrinsic in the country’s post war recovery. 2021 @saranda_bogujevci - Artisan Farhana Gabaly supported by FanSina, a social enteprise supporting nearly 500 women living in poverty around St Catherine’s in Sinai. I had the pleasure of meeting Farhana and other members of FanSina when I brought parts of the dress out to Sinai to organise the commission. Their main panel is the largest on the dress originally measuring 4m x 2m, and was worked on by 50 women for 1 month. 2015 #reddressproject #reddress #globalcollaborativeembroideryproject #womensupportingwomen #sarandabogujevci #kitzen #manchesteraidtokosovo #fashionandtextilemuseum #tamayandme #emblemofpeace #womensvoices #red #kirstiemacleod"Speaking of beautiful outfits, this incredible red dress was embroidered by women all over the world who incorporated pieces of their cultures and personal stories into their stitching. The story of how it came about and how it has traveled the world being worn by women from all walks of life is so heartwarming. Read the full story here.
6. A kid dropped their shoe into an elephant enclosure and the elephant politely handed it back.
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“This elephant was up to the... tusk 🐘 The animal returned a child’s shoe after it fell into its zoo enclosure in eastern China”Elephants are so smart. Read the full story here.
7. The pitter-patter of little penguin feet is the ASMR we didn't know we needed.
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Comin in hot for dindin🐟🐟Definitely want the sound way up for this one. So satisfying.
8. Puppy just wants kisses, only kisses and nothing but kisses.
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#monamourdechien #jackrussel #funnydogs #funnydogvideos #potdecolleExcuse me but I gotta go get me a Jack Russell terrier puppy real quick. Be right back.
9. Dog gives the "bless your heart" treatment to owner chewing on a bone.
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““What?” 😂”Another expressive dog. That look. That "Aw, you're so cute" little lick followed by the "That's enough, now, I'll take that thanks." Priceless.
10. Let's bounce into the weekend like this wee one comes at a snack!
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“Happy Snack!”That's the energy! Bring it on, weekend!
Hope that brought a smile or several to your face! Come back next Friday for more delightful finds.