[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]So often, we are bombarded with enough bad news to start believing that the world is unkind. However, when we stop and look around us, we can see that kindness, empathy, and positivity is all around us. 

It only takes one person to make a difference in the lives of others. Whether in healthcare, through design, or simply by the kind and simple acts of a stranger, you never have to look far for people who are changing the world for the better. 

 

These stories of people, often children, taking action to change the world are currently inspiring us: 

 

Airman Helps Elderly Woman with Groceries

Senior Airman Jibril Jennings from Tinker Air Force Base was driving home one afternoon when he noticed an elderly woman struggling to carry her groceries home. He realized other vehicles were swerving to avoid her and decided to stop and help. Hoping to make a positive impact, Jennings loaded her groceries into his trunk and drove her home. 

A passerby recorded the exchange and posted it online where it went viral. Jennings hopes to inspire kindness through his actions. 

 

Hospital Builds Forest to Lower Blood Pressure

Hospitals are often a place where high blood pressure abounds — both in patients and employees. When Singapore design firm CPG Corporation was commissioned to design a new hospital, they set out to create an environment that would naturally lower blood pressure using plants. 

Using over 700 fragrant plants and trees, the green hospital design boasts large windows that allow for natural sunlight to lift a patient’s spirits. The benefits did not stop there: researchers found that the facility’s enlarged windows and spacious indoor layout improved air flow throughout the area up to 30%. This reduced the building’s dependency on mechanical ventilation by 60%, which also contributes to lower energy use. 

CPG Corporation hopes that the hospital design will implore both doctors and patients to remember that nature should be part of the treatment process. 

 

Concerned Student Advocates for Turtle Safety

8-year-old Jack Wietbrock from West Lafayette, Indiana was heartbroken after seeing several turtles that had been hit by cars in his area, so he set out to change that. When Jack and his mom rescued a baby turtle from the road, they knew something had to change and wrote a letter to the town’s mayor imploring him to slow traffic down with a Turtle Crossing sign. 

The mayor was moved by Jack’s passion for helping the turtles and had a custom turtle crossing sign made for the town’s major roadways. The signs were unveiled at a town meeting by Jack himself. Jack, his mother, and the mayor all hope that his actions will inspire more children to get involved in their communities. 

 

Woman Uses Father’s Suicide for Hope

After Nicole Leth’s father, Richard, died by suicide nine years ago, she decided to do something about it. Leth purchased space on a billboard in Kansas City, Missouri and wrote one simple message: “You are human. You are loveable. You are strong. You are enough.”

Leth’s billboard has gone viral for its positive message for anyone considering suicide. She plans to keep the billboard up for the foreseeable future. 

 

3-Year-Old Raises Money for Moms in Need

3-year-old Ava Lewis of Durham, North Carolina became a mini mogul in her city when she opened a lemonade stand. She and her mom, Maggie Lewis, began selling their lemonade at The Lather Lounge hair salon and soon became the talk of the town when patrons learned that Ava was using the lemonade money for good.

Using the proceeds of the lemonade stand, Ava and Maggie purchased several boxes of diapers and wipes to give to moms in need through Durham Rescue Mission. The Mission’s inn houses an average of 130 women and children each night and are always welcome to donations to help the women. 

The director of the inn said she was moved by the heartwarming experience of meeting someone so young who wanted to make a difference. 

 

When you see a need, envision your potential actions, not your excuses. Got an inspiring story? Send it to us on twitter @nasongroup![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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