New Billboard Proclaims 'You Are So Freaking Awesome'

Another randomly positive billboard has popped up in Portland this week. The yellow sign towering above Sandy Blvd., at 35th street, declares, You are so freaking awesome.

By Jeanne Goddard

15 November 29 Views

Happiness Clubs Spread Positive Vibes on Campus

From passing out lollipops to distributing free iced tea and hugs outside the library at finals, Happiness clubs on college campuses around the country are aiming to uplift their peers throughout the academic year.

By Jeanne Goddard

21 April 34 Views

People Today Are Happier Than Ever, Study Says

From a cursory glance, with the recession sending thousands of unemployed millennials back to mom and dad's house, it would seem that anyone born within the last 20-odd years is in bad shape. But according to the results of a new study (and contrary to the opinion of anyone claiming that "the good old days" have come and gone), each new generation is happier than ones that came before it. What the heck do they have to be so smiley about?

By Jeanne Goddard

08 February 39 Views

Nonprofit Campaigns to Make Boston Happier

A suicide-prevention group is generating smiles to the faces of commuters and pedestrians in Boston with their Happier Boston Campaign, which involves social interventions such as singing in elevators and asking everyone in the baseball stadium to give high-fives to everyone nearby.

By Jeanne Goddard

18 January 38 Views

Portlanders Gather to Remember Iconic Street Performer Who Died

Portlanders are remembering a man who for five years played music, did magic tricks and smiled at cars from a sidewalk corner bordering the city's Hawthorne Bridge. Rain or shine, and always dressed in a white tuxedo and Mickey Mouse ears, Kirk Reeves could be seen entertaining passers by. The city came together for a memorial under the bridge Sunday and fans are raising money to place a marker on the spot where he performed daily.

By Jeanne Goddard

19 November 34 Views

Concerned Facebook Community Prevents Soldier's Suicide

On October 24th, Michael Cali Moore, a National Guardsman, sent Dan, the anonymous founder of the Facebook page Awesome Sh*t My Drill Sergeant Said a message concerning another Guardsman who was planning on killing himself that night.

By Jeanne Goddard

12 November 33 Views

Eric Lomax, War Hero Who Forgave Captors, Dies at 93, Film in the Works

It's an unusual man who can forgive his wartime torturer - or whose quest to do so can touch so many people around the world. Eric Lomax, a former British prisoner of war whose moving tale of wartime torture and forgiveness is being turned into a film, died Monday in England at 93.

By Jeanne Goddard

09 October 36 Views

Study Finds Looking at Cute Images Improves Concentration

Businesses might want to allow employees a five-minute tour of kitten videos on YouTube now that a new study released by Japanese scientists has reported added benefits of looking at cute images. Beyond just feeling warm and fuzzy, the mere sight of adorable puppies and kittens can improve our concentration, according to the research from Hiroshima University.

By Jeanne Goddard

01 October 33 Views

Iraq War Vet Writes Music To Heal Comrades - But Says He's No 'Hero'

We call them heroes, but there is a sense among many of today's vets, and those who deal with them, that the public often has not embraced war veterans in a manner they can bear. Now, one ex-soldier, after having attempted suicide, is reaching out through his original music and making a difference for warriors who've returned home. Iraq War vet Jason Moon rejects the hero label, but still considers himself a warrior. So he is using his songwriting and musical talents to look back to see who among his comrades remain in trouble.

By Jeanne Goddard

10 July 35 Views

Wounded GIs Build Fancy Cars and New Lives

The Automotivation program began eight years ago after the founder of San Antonio-based Operation Comfort talked with a soldier in Brooke Army Medical Center's burn ward. She said to the badly burned Aaron, What on earth can I do to make you use what hands you've got? He replied, If you put an engine block out there on that patio area I'd be working on it 24/7.

By Jeanne Goddard

18 June 53 Views

Twitter Users Prevent 'Real-time Suicide' Using Social Media

A Twitter user who threatened to commit a real-time suicide with live commentary was rescued by social media followers who became concerned by her online messages.

By Jeanne Goddard

14 May 39 Views

Library Connects Homeless Patrons With Mental Health Treatment -With Great Success

People can check out a lot more than books at the San Francisco Public Library - they can find housing and mental health care, too. The California library became the first in the U.S. to hire a social worker with a mental health care background-and since 2009 she's provided services for 800 homeless patrons. Best […]

By Jim Stout

14 April 41 Views

Giving Thanks Helps Reset Your Outlook on Life

Psychologists are discovering why gratitude is so good for you, learning in many experiments that it is one of humanity's most powerful emotions. It makes you happier and can change your attitude about life, like an emotional reset button. Especially in hard times, like these.

By Jeanne Goddard

24 November 38 Views

Prince William Shares Kind Words with Grieving Boy: "It's okay to miss her."

Since it was only 20 years ago when Princess Diana passed away in a car accident - Prince William knows all too well how it feels to lose a mother.

By Tiffani Spengler

30 August 54 Views

This is an Invitation For You to #LiveLove No Matter What

It's not hard to be a positive influence for everyone in your life if you simply choose to #LiveLove.

By Rhonda Taskey Smith

07 August 40 Views