👋 Welcome! While the headlines might scream uncertainty, Smileworthy is your steady dose of good. From teen heroes and people fighting back against hate to inspiring marathoners (at 92!), let's swap the market madness for real-world reasons to smile this week.

Let’s jump right in 👇

Not a subscriber yet? Sign up here!

Happy Headlines 📰

It’s not all doom and gloom out there. Here’s some positive news items from publications around the world.

💪 Teenager saves family stuck on roof during house fire

📚 Alabama halted a library’s funding. Supporters raised the cash in days

🩸 Blood test could predict alzheimer's 16 years before symptoms appear

🐶 An eight-pound miniature dachshund survived 16 months on a rugged Australian island

® A historic Black church took the Proud Boys to court. Now it controls their trademark

🫶 Sisters donate 100+ custom American Girl dolls to young girls impacted by Hurricane Helene

🥫 After Government cuts canceled 900,000 meals, Food Bank saw a flood of volunteers show up to fill the gap

💳 Society’s move to a cashless one has led to a drop in child surgery for swallowed objects

🦸‍♂ How a stranger’s quick action saves boy, 7, from drowning in frigid River

Quick Lifts ❤️

Feel good stories from Happilynews.com guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Dad Opens ‘Late Birthday Present’ to Discover News He’s Set to Be a Grandpa for First Time

He almost passed out from the news!

Groom Surprises Bride With Dog at Altar in Emotional Wedding Moment

Golden retriever Echo was lapping up the attention as the star of the show.

Teen Brought to Tears as Sister Surprises Him With First Car From Salon Earnings

Big sis saved up the money from her salon business to make the surprise a reality.

Smileworthy Snapshots 📸 

A unique, sometimes quirky, but always interesting photo feature each week.

How’s everyone doing with those New Year’s fitness resolutions? Yeah, same here at Smileworthy HQ. So, here's a little fitspiration: Meet the 92-year-old runner—yep, 92!—who just crushed his 30th consecutive marathon. If he can keep going, so can we!

Anthony Rao has been running for 80 years, so he’s gained a lot of practice and kept himself in shape.

Still, he just completed the 26.2 mile Rome Marathon by shaving 10 minutes off his time in last year’s event.

Here’s Anthony crossing the line in a time of 6 hours, 44 minutes, and 16 seconds:

“If I can do it at this age, anyone can,” Rao said. “I’d like to be an example of that.”

There’s no excuse for not lacing up the trainers this week! ᯓ🏃🏻‍♀️‍➡️

Support our mission to spread positive news worldwide while treating your loved ones (or yourself!) to some positive merch.

As a Smileworthy subscriber, unlock exclusive discounts with SMILE15 at checkout 👇

Live Life Happily 😃

Exclusive Happily+ content. Here we share lifestyle, health, home improvement, food & drink and finance tips from experts in their fields on how to live a happier, healthier life.

Wallet Worries? Breathe Easy

Hearing news about things like tariffs and potential price increases can certainly add a layer of stress to daily life. When external factors feel uncertain, it's easy to get caught up in worry about the future. But focusing on what we can control – our mindset and our present moment – is a powerful way to navigate stress. Cultivating presence doesn't erase challenges, but it can make them feel more manageable.

Experts often remind us that simple mindfulness practices can significantly reduce anxiety. Try the "5-4-3-2-1" grounding technique: pause and notice five things you see, four things you can touch, three things you hear, two things you smell, and one thing you can taste. This pulls your focus firmly into the now. The American Psychological Association notes that focusing on your breath, even for just a few minutes, can calm your nervous system.  

Another powerful tool? Gratitude. Actively acknowledging the good things, big or small, shifts your perspective. Maybe it's a warm cup of coffee, a call with a friend, or sunshine on your face. Research consistently shows gratitude can boost happiness and reduce stress.

Finally, focus on what is within your control. While you can't change global economics, you can manage your budget, plan enjoyable low-cost activities, or simply choose to engage in activities that bring you peace, like taking a walk or listening to music. By anchoring ourselves in the present and practicing simple stress-relief techniques, we build resilience to handle whatever comes our way.

Before You Go…A Serotonin Booster* 📺

This grandpa's 1st fit check is… everything 🤣

*Studies show that watching cute, heartwarming videos can boost your mood. So sit back and start your weekend positively!

P.S. Fancy spreading some extra sunshine? ☀️ Your support helps us keep the good vibes flowing and brings these heartwarming stories to life. If you're feeling the Happily spirit, why not buy our team a virtual coffee? ☕ It's like a warm hug for our hearts, and it fuels our mission to share the best of humanity with you. Just click here to show your support! buymeacoffee.com/happily