We've all had moments when things seemed so bad that we just wanted to give up. Then, the right person or the right tools come along and a breakthrough moment turns the entire situation around.
These people prove that there is light in the darkness after all, and with the right people and the right tools, anything is possible. Not only will it give you hope, but it will leave you smiling.
No Longer Homeless Through Hard Work And Perseverance
"After 6 months being homeless & jobless, I now have a new apartment, car, and a job in a call center. And I did it on my own. So proud of myself."
This is the day he gets a second chance to start his life, and now anything is possible.
A Video Game Angel In Disguise
True love is knowing how to help someone and make them happy in the way that they need. If she were to straight-up give him the solutions, he might feel inadequate and not want to play anymore.
This way, he gets to feel accomplished and she gets to see him happy on the sidelines. Everyone needs a little push in the right direction sometimes.
He's His Own Superhero Now
This young man went through the tough battle of overcoming anorexia. You can tell that he's come a long way from the picture on the left, looking much happier and healthier. He is sporting an Avengers shirt to proudly recognize that he became his own superhero.
Two Best Friends Overcame All Odds
On their graduation day, this boy's mom recounted: "My son and his best friend, both told their survival rate would be around 2%, never walk, and live in a vegetative state if they made it past 7 years, both walked the stage and graduated tonight!"
The left picture is from the first day of school, and the right is from their graduation. This is why even at the worst of times, we should never lose hope.
Gone But Forever Cherished
It was a sad day for everyone when American actor Chadwick Boseman passed away at only 43 years old. His life may have been cut short, but he still made an impact that touched many, like this kid who held his very own avengers memorial to honor the Black Panther.
Stronger Together For A Healthier Forever
This couple's love was all the motivation they needed to push each other into the best and healthiest version of themselves. The picture on the left marks the day the wife dropped below 200 pounds and the husband was able to do a chin-up for the first time in his life. Those wins are worthy of being celebrated.
He Cleaned The Building In Exchange For Classes
Meet Gabriel Nobre, a 19-year-old who made a deal with a prep course to clean the building in exchange for free classes to help him prepare for Bazil's difficult university entry exam.
This is the moment where he found out he had passed, surrounded by his mom and his sister, proving that hard work does pay off.
It's Never Too Early To Prove Yourself
She may be young, but Katie Bouman is the young woman who led the development of the algorithm that made it possible to capture the first-ever image of a black hole.
This the moment she got to witness all her work and research pay off when the first black hole image was processed.
He Thought She Would Be Ashamed Of Him
This father told his daughter: "Don't tell anyone that your father is a janitor, they will laugh at you," so she posted this photo on social networks and wrote: "My dad is a janitor. He is my pride. I love you, Dad."
It shouldn't matter what anyone thinks when it comes to the people you care about.
The First Native American From Her Tribe To Graduate From Stanford
It's hard enough for the average person to go through college, but when the odds are working against you on various levels, it's even more of an accomplishment that should truly be celebrated.
Even A Stranger Can Make A Difference
A complete stranger took it upon himself to help a fellow citizen fix his car when it broke down on him while driving. The serpentine belt had broke.
Even when that person tried to thank them, the stranger refused to take any cash. It was a purely selfless act of kindness in case you need your faith restored in humanity.
Small Changes Are What Create Big Changes
This fridge might have not caught your eye because it's just a fridge. Yet, to this couple who lives on a single income and that was used to eating junk food all the time, it was a big deal.
They decided to eat healthier and save more. Within nine months, they had saved enough to buy this family fridge.
Love Conquers All
These two have an amazing YouTube channel called Squirmy and Grubs, and they finally celebrated their marriage, despite the pandemic and everything going on in the world.
The bride wore her mother's wedding dress and walked down the aisle to marry her best friend.
There Is No Timeline
It took this couple a whole seven years before they finally officially tied the knot. It can be easy to get caught up in the pressure of having to meet certain societal standards by a certain time when, in reality, slow and steady wins the race!
The World Isn't Always Accommodating
A young woman was out with her blind sister at a restaurant. Much to their surprise, the blind sister was also offered a menu, written in brail. It was the first time in all her 18 years to be offered a menu at a restaurant.
Animals Deserve Protection
A concerned old lady left a note on this car to warn the owners that a baby deer was sleeping right under their tire. It was a simple act, but the fact that she took the time to do it may have saved that deer's life.
From A Truck Bed To A Home
After a full year of living in a truck, this person was finally able to move into a proper apartment with a bed and windows. It may not look fancy, but living minimally is a great way to learn to appreciate the basics, like shelter.
Love Is In The Small Ways They Make You Smile
Big gestures have a time and a place, and they feel nice every once a while, but true love is in the small ways you show someone you're thinking about them and make them smile.
Sometimes Time Is The Greatest Gift
A woman came to see her grandmother only to find another kid sitting on the porch with her. She found out that he comes to spend time with the grandma every day, just to make sure that she's waking up from all her naps.
It's A Lot More Than Just Candy
A kid told their step-dad that they prefer the orange jelly beans (even though most people consider it their least favorite).
They came in the next morning to find that he sorted all the orange jelly beans in a special jar for them, and if that's not love, I don't know what is.
A Final Goodbye
This is the last note that this person's grandfather left for his grandmother before he died. He attached it to his will because he knew that way she'd find it.
It says: "This I will remember when the rest of life is through: the finest thing I've ever done is simply loving you." Is anyone else crying?
The Moment A Single Dad Learned How to Braid Hair
This single dad has had a shaved head his whole life, which means he never really had to deal with hair. Yet, for the sake of his daughter, he's been learning various hairstyles from YouTube. He couldn't help his excitement when he finally perfected the braid.
It's Hard To Find The Will To Do Chores
Chores are hard enough, but when you're also battling depression, it can almost seem impossible to get out of bed. After an almost two-year battle with depression, this persona finally found the motivation to clean their whole room.
It took them nine hours and two trash bags full of plastic bottles, pizza boxes, and other trash. They were rightfully proud. It all has to start somewhere.
They Made Each Other Smile
A paramedic's job is hard, but you know you're having a good day when you save an older woman and she looks at you and says, "I haven't been carried like this since the day I was married."
Happy Stomach, Happy Life
A young man's boss let him study at the Italian family-owned restaurant where he worked. Not only that, but during his 12-hour shift, he started to bring him food, telling him to snack while he studied. He ended up making him three meals and gave him a sandwich to take home.
Sometimes All You Need Is A Little Inspiration
Kobe's last game inspired this young man to train in his footsteps and he lost 170 pounds. It's not even just the weight-loss that's the big deal, but the look of pride, happiness, and hope that he has in the picture of the right. All it took was a little inspiration and dedication.
A Little Goes A Long Way
This sweet old lady knitted a whole blanket for a baby elephant called Khanyisa in South Africa. She flew it in all the way from the U.K. and was ecstatic when it finally arrived four months later. It really goes to show that there is no distance or age boundary on helping others.
He Held On To That Lucky Clover Forever
This grandpa gave sentimental value a whole new meaning when his grandson found a clover he had given him when he was just 8 years old. He had held on to it till the day he died. For 20 years, he had carried it in his wallet.
Company Might Be The Best Medicine
The family's cow wasn't feeling well, so the son went to spend some time with her. They fell asleep and he woke up to find she had lovingly wrapped herself around him while he slept on her.
There are truly so many different kinds of love we can experience.
A Union Of Two Cultures
These two people are married and they decided to proudly bring a piece of their history and culture to their daughter's wedding by showing off their traditional clothing at the wedding. This is how acceptance is created.
Make Your Own Path
This man's criminal history was getting in the way of finding a job, so he took matters into his own hands and hired himself. He bought this hot dog stand off Craigslist and now he makes $300 a day.
Finally Cancer-Free
That is the smile of a woman who has beaten cancer! These pictures were taken 6 years apart and you can tell that she never lost her spirit, not even when she was sick.
What Friends Are For?
This man wears silly costumes to the gym to attract as much attention as possible so that his friend feels more comfortable going to the gym. That's the friend of the year right there.
A Surprise Ruined In The Best Way Possible
A girl and her mom went to their local grocery store and found that her dad was actually also there trying to buy flowers to surprise his wife. He got caught right in the act and it couldn't have been sweeter.
Just A Matter Of Time
This cat is named Larry, and he had a hard time fitting in with his new brothers when first adopted. He was never allowed to explore his backyard in the past, so his "hunting" skills were rusty. Finally, he brought the family his first "catch." It was a leaf and it made the whole family proud!
Everybody Starts Somewhere
This is an inspiring story and proves you should never give up. This woman went from working at KFC to becoming a registered nurse at the same place where she used to be the housekeeper.
Distance Is Just A Concept
During the pandemic, many hospitals restricted visitors from being able to visit their loved ones. This dad didn't let get that in the way, and he still showed his daughter that she wasn't in there alone.
"Follow Your Gut And Do The Thing!"
"At 16, my guidance counselor told me I wasn't good enough at math to go into the space field. Just received my undergrad diploma in applied mathematics and in 2 weeks I start working on my master's in space sciences and engineering."
From Scars To Art
This woman turned her scar tissue into something beautiful. Although the tattoos must have really hurt over the tissue, especially on areas like her neck, she looks much happier.
Making The Best Out Of Difficult Times
The pandemic was a difficult time for basically everyone, but the key was to make the best of it. These parents made a Renaissance fair for their kids in the backyard because it was canceled.
They made turkey legs, funnel cakes, bobbed for apples, played music, etc. I wish I got an invite.
All He Needed Was Human Comfort
This woman held and comforted a homeless man experiencing medical and emotional distress on the subway platform until EMS arrived.
One can only wonder when the last time that the man was held with such compassion was.
One Hug Can Make All The Difference
This dad went out to the Pittsburgh Pride Parade and gave out hundreds of hugs. He was trying to show acceptance and love to all those who had been rejected by their own families for coming out.
It Doesn't Take A Lot To Lend A Hand
Sometimes all it takes is for a stranger to come up to you and ask you if you need help hailing a cab.
"No idea who she is, but there was a blind Cubs fan trying to hail a cab for several minutes until the lady came up and asked him if he needed help. She stood there with him until one pulled up."
There Is Power In Solidarity
On a quiet train ride, some passengers started to notice anti-Semitic graffiti on the windows and posters.
One guy got up and said, "Hand sanitizer gets rid of Sharpie. We need alcohol." People all around joined in and reached in their bags and pockets for tissues and Purel until all the hate-filled graffiti was gone.
Making Their Ancestor's Wildest Dreams Come True
"Standing in front of the slave quarters of our ancestors, at The Whitney Plantation, with my medical school classmates. We are truly our ancestors' wildest dreams."
This is proof that change is possible if fought for.
The Fight For A Better Future Finally Paid Off
This graduate's mother gave birth to her while she was escaping from a civil war. She spent her first seven years living in a refugee camp.
Her parents finally managed to move to the USA with zero dollars. Thanks to them, she became the first person in her family to graduate college.
An Important Second Part-Time Job
This overnight security guard knits boots and mittens for premature babies at the infirmary during the hours in which his job isn't super busy. What a rewarding way to make use of that time.
Waiting For The Toys To Come Back To Life
Ever since this little girl watched Toy Story, she shouts "I'm leaving!" to her toys then exists the bedroom and peeks at her room like this. She's waiting for the day they all start playing together without her.
No One Should Spend Valentine's Day Alone
This gentleman invites all the widows from the nursing and retirement home out every Valentine's Day, and treats them to lunch, gifts, and a rose each. He's done it for five years in a row at the same restaurant.
