
There seems to be a fairly broad consensus that the world is a bit of a dumpster fire at the moment, but that perspective doesn't account for the countless examples of beauty, goodness, and hope we see all around us when we look for them.
If you're looking for reasons to smile, here are ten from this week that'll give you a dose of joy and boost your faith in humanity.
1. A phlebotomist taking a moment to create breathtaking beauty on his work break.
Healthcare workers have had it rough over the past year and a half as the world battles the COVID-19 pandemic. And yet, through it all, we've seen extraordinary resilience and fortitude to carry on through the challenges. Teva Martinson, a phlebotomist at University of Utah Hospital, creates a moment of artistic beauty during a work break with the help of the lobby pianist, and it's everything.
Read the full story here.
A moment of pure joy at University of Utah Hospital❤️ #uofuhealth #universityofutahhealth https://t.co/kiuBPs6cbA— University of Utah Health (@University of Utah Health) 1630434741.0
2. Singer Shawn Louisiana nailing a Sam Cooke song at the barbershop.
Sometimes a voice shoots like an arrow straight into your soul, and Shawn Louisiana singing "A Change is Gonna Come" for the clientele at a barbershop is one of those times. So gorgeous. Smooth like butter. Definitely worth a listen.
Read the full story here.
The older guy didn't think I could pull off a Sam Cooke song #achangegonnacomeyoutu.be
3. A grandpa giving a young woman notes of their time together when she was little.
Aw dang, this is too sweet. This grandpa gave a woman three notebooks filled with stories of each time he hung out with her from ages two to five for her birthday. What a precious, forward-thinking gift.
4. Can we please have all meteorologists get a doggo sidekick?
The pandemic has turned live broadcasts into a family affair and if we keep anything from this era, pet interruptions should be it. A weather report without a dog looking for treats just isn't a weather report anymore. (The dog's name is Storm because of course it is.)
5. This baby loves her mama. And her mama's cheeks, and lips, and eyes, and cheeks, and forehead, and chin, and cheeks....
Hold onto your ovaries if you have them, folks, because this baby gushing with love for her mama and all her mama's body parts is just too precious. "I wuv all of 'em, Mommy."
6. These before and after photos of kids on their first day of school are hilariously real.
These photos say it all, don't they? We totally feel you, kiddos. Sometimes we look like this at the end of a long day, too. Read the full story and see more photos here.
7. Watch this guy surprise drive-up window food workers with big tips.
Food service workers have had a rough go of it during the pandemic, too, so seeing them get a larger-than-expected tip is super sweet. They're all so grateful and humble about it, too. People can be so good.
8. This woman collects food that stores were going to throw away and gives it to people who need it.
It seems like such a simple concept, but someone has to actually make it happen. Fourteen years ago, Claudia Wheeler started to rescue food that was going to go to waste and now runs a foundation that helps that rescued food to get to people experiencing food insecurity. Wonderful, dedicated, inspiring woman.
9. This adorable dalmatian and kitten video because these kinds of videos never, ever get old.
Seriously, even when everything seems like it sucks, a sweet dog-and-cat video can always bring a smile to your face. It's the law or something. How could anyone not smile at this?
Stop it! 😅 https://t.co/ibRgAVzXHE— Buitengebieden (@Buitengebieden) 1630448790.0
10. When all else fails, watch a dog do somersaults with his best friend on a trampoline.
Pretty sure this is the definition of pure joy.
The world is hot trash at the moment so watch this and enjoy your day. https://t.co/FnVtLvLF3j— Fenrir (@Fenrir) 1630584017.0
Hope that list lightened your load, friends. Keep on joy-scrolling!
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.