These days, our faith in humanity seems to be at an all-time low. So, we completely understand if you think the title of this list is a big promise. That said, these 10 tweets are so wholesome and pure, you can’t help but be reminded of the good in people and our innate desire to be kind, despite all the crappy stuff out there.
It’s a well-known fact that our smartphones were designed to be addictive, and phone companies’ success at achieving that has many people calling smartphone addiction a growing threat to public health. Even if you don’t want to admit it, you probably know this from your own usage. Perhaps you have even tried to limit how often you use your phone, but it’s always tougher than it sounds.
If so, you’re not alone. As a result, you, like so many others, likely experience the unpleasant side effects of too much phone time: distraction, depression, anxiety, and neck pain – just to name a few.
As someone who spends a lot of time in front of her laptop, I can attest to these side effects, which is why I’ve engaged an app that shuts down all my social media sites for allotted amounts of time when I need to focus on writing.
It was eye-opening to discover how hard it was for me at first. I often clicked out of my work and tried to scroll Facebook, only to find it blocked.
According to WIRED, a similar app is coming to your Apple or Android device, and it may be just what you need to get over the hump to a phone-free dinner. It’s called Flipd, and its aim is to reduce the amount of time you spend looking at your phone, which, hopefully, could help break the habit for good.
For those of you who can’t fully commit, you can use the app’s “Light Lock” feature, which is displayed on your main screen and runs on a timer. It doesn’t shut off access to any of your apps — it just serves as a subtle reminder that you’re not supposed to be opening them.
If you want/need to turn the timer off, you can, but Flipd makes you click a button that shames you with a “Yup, I’m weak” admission.
If that’s not enough motivation to keep you on task (honestly, it wouldn’t be for me), then you can engage a “Full Lock” mode, which does prevent you from clicking on any downloaded apps for the duration of the set time. However, you can still text and make phone calls, if you’re worried about safety.
In addition to helping you “turn off,” the app tracks how much time you spend staying away from your phone, so you can pat yourself on the back for every minute you manage to do it. According to the Flipd creators, you should be aiming for at least 3 hours a day of free time (and sorry, sleeping doesn’t count).
While the app is free, you can upgrade to a paid version that has extras like custom timers and schedules.
You know a riddle is good when it stands the test of time. People have been scratching their heads over these for years and years. Think you can solve them?
No matter what, just have fun with them, and wipe your brow when you come out the other side.
#5. Gollum’s Riddle.
“Voiceless it cries, Wingless flutters, Toothless bites, Mouthless mutters.”
Locals in Cornwall created an imaginary beach to deal with overcrowded beaches. Fake signposts were put up all over the county leading to the ‘Best Beach In Cornwall,” however the signs actually diverted tourists in the opposite direction from any of the coasts. 00
Andy George spent $1,500 and 6 months making a single sandwich completely from scratch. In order to understand where our food comes and how much a single sandwich really costs, he did absolutely everything from making his own cheese to harvesting his own wheat. He made his own salt and made his own oil. He […]
Hawaiian pizza was invented in Canada by a Greek immigrant, who was inspired by Chinese food to put a South American ingredient on an Italian dish, that went on to be most popular in Australia. 00
Most parents are probably guilty of doing this, even though we know that car seat manufacturers and pediatricians warn against it. But when you’re sleep deprived and your little one is snoozing away, it’s hard to justify waking them up.
Well, as easy as it might be to let them keep snoozing, one mom’s story – and a reminder of the official party line on the subject – means we all need to suck it up and get your kid out of the car seat as soon as they’re in the house.
The anecdotal (and heartbreaking) evidence comes from mother Lisa Smith, who lost her 1-year-old daughter, Mia, from positional asphyxia after napping in her car seat at daycare.
“I got a call while I was at work,” Smith told ScaryMommy. “Worst call I’ve ever had in my life. ‘Drop everything. Mia didn’t wake up from her nap.’”
Smith and her husband were aware of the dangers of allowing their daughter to sleep in the car seat, the childcare provider claimed she was not. That lack of awareness cost the Smiths their daughter, and Lisa has made it her mission to educate others.
A 2015 study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that 47 children (2 and under) had died over a four-year span, all of them in car seats outside of a car, and experts remind us repeatedly of safe sleep recommendations and that car seats don’t meet any of them.
“There’s nothing about the car seat that’s designed to sleep,” Sharon Evans, a trauma injury prevention coordinator at Cook’s Children Hospital, told WFAA News. “Of course, it the straps aren’t tight, the child can kind of slump down.”
In a safe sleep brochure created by the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), they explain that “because babies don’t lie flat in car seats, they can suffocate when their heads (which are very heavy compared to the rest of their bodies) tip forward, blocking their airway. These products are not made for babies to sleep in and are dangerous because babies are not sleeping flat on their backs.”
The official recommendation from the American Association of Pediatrics is that infants sleep on a tight, fitted sheet on their back, in an environment free of other items like blankets, pillows, or toys. They also recommend that infants room in with their parents for six months to a year.
As tempting as it can be to break the rules for our own comfort, parents like Lisa Smith hope we’ll remember their tragedy and think twice.
“She was our first born, our only child, and she didn’t deserve what happened to her. But other families don’t deserve this to happen to them, either.”
Sometimes it seems like no one reads anymore. With television at peak popularity and social media keeping us glued to our phones, it’s becomming rarer and rarer to see someone with their nose buried in a good book. If you’re interested but don’t know what to pick up next, why not try one of these 15 “must reads”, according to these avid readers?
#15. The Hungry Caterpillar
“The Hungry Caterpillar – it’s a timeless classic and a truly superb view into the hardships faced by those who suffer from eating disorders.”
#14. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
“The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. Charming story about a live human boy raised in a graveyard by ghosts and a vampire.”
#13. The Gift of Fear, and…
“The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker – can literally save your life
The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman – game changer when it comes to understanding your relationships (of all kinds) and you.”
#12. Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
“For everybody- Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
You’ve read Interview with the Vampire? Well, this is Interview with the Gorilla. The gorilla has a lot more to say.
Not for everybody, but those who like it will really like it-
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
Two people meant to die untimely deaths live on and ponder mortality and the lack thereof. The Greek god Pan comes into it. And Jazz music. And Beets.”
#11. Hyperion Saga by Dan Simmons
“Hyperion saga by Dan Simmons.
Made a lasting impression on me.”
#10. The Long Walk by Stephen King
“The Long Walk by Stephen King
Dark story but a VERY interesting read. Basically, a bunch of people gather and have to walk at a steady pace without stopping or slowing down. Stopping/slowing down results in warnings, and eventually you’re terminated from the race>! and living!<“
#9. The Little Prince
“The Little Prince is a 100 page illustrated children’s book that conveys deeper philosophy. It also teaches you how to recognize the difference between a picture of a hat and a picture of a boa constrictor digesting an elephant. Seriously it’s fabulous, so pick up a copy and spend an evening reading this book.”
#8. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
“I’ve read and enjoyed a decent number of the books recommended here so far, but the best book I’ve ever read is:
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. – Historical Fiction set in 12th Century England. The story unfolds over the course of a generation, during the period of English Civil War known as The Anarchy, following the death of Henry I. The story focuses on characters from all walks of life, the nobility, the clergy, and the peasants. It has good guys, it has bad guys, it has intrigue and infighting, it has politics on both the large scale and the small, it has love, and hate, and fear, and anger, and backstabbing, and betrayal, and vengeance, and justice, and redemption, and the building of the greatest Cathedral that England has ever seen.
For audio-book fans, the narration by John Lee is fantastic.”
#7. Animal Farm
“Animal Farm.
Only 100 pages long, so not something you have to really commit too. Excellent book that shows what happens when you give power to people (or animals in this case) and so much more.”
#6. Margaret Atwood
“the oryx and crake series by Margaret Atwood.”
#5. East of Eden
“East of Eden. Such an inspiring book, so
well-written and with a smooth pace, yet filled
with engaging reflexion on great themes of humankind.”
#4. The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie
“The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie. Really good, dark, gritty fantasy, without as much of the crazy complex politics you get from GRRM. A bunch of great characters who are all terrible people.
The Book Thief. Because come on. Just read it. A book about Germany in WWII, told from the perspective of death. Unique storytelling and hella good.”
#3. The Mistborn Series
“The Mistborn series. Actually anything by Brandon Sanderson.”
#2. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keys
“Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. It’s such a fun, but sad book.”
#1. Worm by Wildbow
“Worm by Wildbow
It’s a freaking awesome web serial about superpowers and stuff. The main character is a teenage girl named Taylor. Her power is to control bugs.”
Owning a pet is a huge responsibilty. It starts with things like housebreaking, training, and bonding, and for a lot of people, being there to make sure they’re comfortable at the end is included in the list of things that must be done, no matter how hard.
My first dog died almost a year ago, and as he declined in age and health, one of my biggest fears was not being with him when he went. We were best friends for fifteen years; he didn’t trust or love or need anyone the way that he needed me. After everything, how could I leave him to face those final moments alone?
Luckily (in that aspect, anyway) I was the one to recognize when he was ready to go and to take him to that final appointment. It was one of the hardest days of my life, but I am comforted to know that I didn’t let him down in the end.
So, it’s hard for me to believe that there are people who love their pets but opt to leave them alone to die with their vet and staff instead of being in the room. My personal feelings are backed up by not one, but two different vets who have had posts go viral on the very topic – this one on Facebook…
I don’t want to believe that 90% of people leave their pet to face their final moments alone, but if it’s true, maybe these vets – and the sweet owners who posted in response – will change some hearts and minds.
