Keeping the Faith

Why Humanity Is Awesome.

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Technically, I'm done with this project, but this post was too good

Despite the tragedy of the Boston Marathon bombings and the fear that happened last week, there were some real good things going on as well. 

Have faith in humanity everyone!

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These Bostonians will restore your faith in humanity.

In the wake of the tragedies in Boston, it's easy to take this kind of insensible act of violence down and use it against one another to point fingers and blame. But, however much evil is out there, we should remember that there is an equal measure of good in the world that will always respond. 

Here are a few examples of the good in humanity. 

"The reason I don't worry about society is, it took 19 people to knock down two buildings and kill thousands of people. Hundreds ran in to save them." - Jon Stewart

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This is for all us soccer-lovers out there! 

Now, I'm a pretty big Barcelona fan, but this story about Abel Rodriguez realizing his dream to watch el Clásico (a Barcelona vs. Real Madrid) is pretty inspiring.

And Madrid coach Jose Morinho helping Rodriguez reach that dream is pretty life-affirming and restored my faith in humanity this week (even though I will always be a Barca fan). 

Four seven straight years, Rodriguez would take his 2-week break from work to help support Madrid's team on their preseason training in LA. 

After following the team to their clásico match in Madrid, Rodriguez was refused entry to the stadium and just happened to be found hours later by Morinho, who placed in a fancy hotel with the players and got him a seat. 

The following four days, Morinho had Rodriguez on the team's travel list and he flied with them to their game against Manchester in England. 

Pretty inspiring stuff! 

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Beastie Boy band member Mike D is currently helping out the still struggling communities and people of Hurricane Sandy by providing warm meals from a food truck. 

After seeing the damage that the hurricane caused in the Northeast, Mike D helped launch Rockaway Plate Lunch with friend Robert McKinley.

Top Chef extraordinaire Sam Talbot is also helping out with cooking and menus. 

In an interview with GOOD Magazine, Mike D says, 

There's still a need for warm food out there, but our real goal for this summer is to help revitalize the local economy. 

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A man in South Africa hoped to raise $1 million for the construction of a children's hospital by imitating the popular Disney character from its movie Up. 

He floated from the island where former president Nelson Mandela was held prisoner to the country's mainland. 

Fundraising organizers for the children's hospital have not released an estimate of what was raised. 

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Jody Parrish, 32, was planning to commit suicide before he accidentally stepped on his TV remote and ended up watching the UK version of The Office for 5 hours. 

True story. 

In an interview with The Sun, Parrish said,

"I'd not seen it in years, but I realized I had lots to live for."

This was Ricky Gervais' response on Twitter:

This is great thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/n…Thanks to everyone who sent me it. Have a lovely day.

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) April 8, 2013

Parrish has begun taking medication to deal with his depression. 

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This story is amazing. It deserves more than a short summary so check out the article by clicking the link above. 

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17 year-old Brayan of Washington turned his life around when his gang was dissolved by police. Following three years of drug and alcohol abuse, he became an excellent student, earning a 4.0 GPA at his high school. 

Read his amazing story by clicking the headline link above. 

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This was pretty lifting, especially after waking up to really loud construction noises this morning. 

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In 1984, Annalisa Masters, a young Prince fan, received a handwritten reply to her fan letter from her idol. Prince's letter was on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in Minneapolis until recently. Here's the letter: 

And since no one has had to read cursive quite as fancy as Prince's since maybe the 4th grade, here's the printed version: 

Dearest Annalisa,

It is so nice of 2 write me. I don't always have time 2 reply but your letters surely brighten my day.

You're so sweet. I'm glad you're my friend. If u dig the video, wait until u see the movie. I'm very proud of it. I hope u are 2.

Congratulations on making thru jr. high. I'm sure u did better than I. I wasn't much on school. I was 2 busy listening 2 the grass grow.

Thank u again 4 writing me.

Until I hear from u,

Prince

Very classy move, Prince, you've restored my faith in music artists everywhere! 

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This kid is just too awesome: Wendell Overton witnessed a group of boys riding their bicycles over a cat and squirting energy drinks into its eyes until Wendell Overton saved it like a boss. The cat, Jackson, is recovering with the local SPCA and is expected to be fine. Seriously, Wendell, you da man. 

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Celebrities aren't all that bad - check out this list I found on Wonderwall (no, not one of the best songs ever, the website). 

To all you ladies out there, Ryan Gosling is on the list although that shouldn't surprise you because he's perfect. Duh. 

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This is awesome! Check out how these guys found an amazing way to feed the homeless and make their day! 

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Britney Spears made headlines recently when she gave a homeless man $100 to help him out. Click the link and check out the full article! 

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Spring Break is over and that means getting back to school work and most importantly this blog. I found this on Buzzfeed today (where would I be without Buzzfeed?? Probably in a dark hole somewhere, fo real). Click on the title link to read: It's sure to make you smile. 

P.S. My favorite has to be #2, although good deeds like the one below were also pretty awesome. 

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This is too cool and sweet. Check it. 

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This lady is pretty awesome. Check out her groove thaang.