uplfiting

Joy

10 things that made us smile this week

Upworthy's weekly roundup of joy

Canva

We've got 10 smile-worthy finds for World Smile Day!

You're not gonna believe this, but October 6, 2023, is World Smile Day!

A commercial artist named Harvey Ball created what we think of as the classic smiley face—yellow circle, black dot eyes and upturned smile— in 1963. Over the years, he grew concerned the smiley face was becoming over-commercialized, and he thought we should all devote one day each year to smiles and acts of kindness throughout the world. As the World Smile Day website states , "The smiley face knows no politics, no geography and no religion. Harvey’s idea was that for at least one day each year, neither should we."

Since 1999, World Smile Day has been celebrated on the first Friday of October. The instructions for celebrating it are simple: "Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile!"

Keep Reading Show less

uplfiting

Heroes

Michael Sheen explains why he decided to become a 'not-for-profit' Hollywood actor

commons.wikimedia.org

Welsh actor Michael Sheen.

It’s one thing to make it to the top. It’s another to help others up as well.

Michael Sheen has already gifted the world something really special. His long list of acting credits include some bona fide iconic characters. Even if you don’t recognize the name, you’ll know the face. Seriously, this guy has been in everything .

If Sheen’s incredible talent isn’t enough to make you love him, his compassion and generosity will certainly win you over. He recently revealed that he will no longer be earning profits from his acting work, and will use that money to support others .

“I’ve essentially turned myself into a social enterprise, a not-for-profit actor,” he explained in a recent interview with The Big Issue .

“I’ve realized in the last few years that I want to be one of those people who help other people the way so many people helped me…I’m at the stage of my life and career where I have a window of opportunity that will probably never be this good again. I’m able to get people in a room, I can open doors. I don’t want to look back and think, I could have done something with that platform. I could have done something with that money.”

Keep Reading Show less

uplfiting

uplfiting

Upworthy's weekly roundup of joy

1. Watch heavy metal singer Dan Vasc slay 'Amazing Grace' in the best way

2. 104-year-old Dorothy Hoffner broke the world record for tandem skydiving

3. People share words they've egregiously mispronounced and it just gets funnier and funnier

4. Is there anything sweeter than this Valentine's Day card from a sweet grandpa?

5. 11-year-old kid got the giggles over his National Spelling Bee word and cracked everyone up

6. Stories of the culinary kindness of immigrant neighbors are so heartwarming

7. 10,000 people spontaneously burst into song with Freddie Mercury impersonator

8. Entire neighborhood goes all out to create a Halloween Barbieland

9. This is the best pet protector story ever. Charlie was a real one.

10. Speaking of doggos, let's leap through the weekend like these water-loving pups

Upworthy's weekly roundup of joy.

May we all be as jaunty and jovial in our later years as this awesome auntie.

The future of medicine is bright, indeed.

Little boy sees his mom coming down the aisle and adorableness ensues.

A boy in Kansas sent off a note attached to balloons. A man in Quebec found them.

This boys' school marimba band is nothing but sheer joy.

Blue Jays fan caught a homer and immediately gave it to a young Yankees fan.

No idea who this guy is but he's amazing.

Kitten discovers a sun beam.

Gamer's girlfriend surprises him with a visit from an online friend he's had for 10 years.

This chipmunk's reaction to tasting an almond for the first time.

1. This mom sent a photocopy of her phone in the mail, which prompted a flood of endearing tech fail stories.

2. A mom turning 50 next month shows off the skateboarding skills she's worked on for the past nine years.

3. You think it's just a baby goat noshing on some berries, but then you see its companion.

4. This fussy baby lights up at hearing Rick James, and who can blame her really?

5. Kids and music are always a winning combo. These second graders dancing just proves it.

6. Old folks dancing is pretty delightful, too.

7. A new insulin that doesn't need refrigeration is a game-changer for people with diabetes.

8. Supermarkets in the Netherlands are adding "chat checkouts" for lonely people.

9. Rainbows are actually full circles and my mind is blown in the best way.

10. If you're still searching for some zen, these dolphins ought to do it.

1. A photographer captured the innocent joy of an Afghan girl skipping across the tarmac after landing safely in Belgium

2. This martial arts instructor took forgiveness to a whole new level after kids broke his studio window.

3. Elementary teacher perfectly illustrates fairness in a simple lesson using Band-aids.

4. Speaking of great teachers, Mr. Monroe and his therapy dog, Nala, are lighting up TikTok with empathy demonstrations.

5. Isaac Kearney might just be the best lip synch artist you've ever seen.

6. This bird actually can sing and pianist Kevon Carter adding some accompaniment to it is just sheer delight.

7. 11-year-old drummer Nandi Bushell finally got to perform live with Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters.

8. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson surprised a tour group in his neighborhood and I'm not sure who got more joy out of it.

9. Speaking of wholesome fun, this great aunt giving Australian football a go is definitely smile-worthy.

10. Want to see sheer, unadulterated joy? Watch Walter the Golden Lab book it down to the ocean in Sicily.

BONUS: You want the SOUND UP on this one, I promise.