Good afternoon. We’ve got the Rock being his usual wholesome self. More on Sebastian’s heartwarming reunion story. Some, erm, Swift charity fundraising at the Eras tour finale. And wait, there's more! We've also got the scoop from disagreement guru Professor Julia Minson. Keep scrolling to see how she's spilling the secrets on how to navigate those heated debates without setting everything ablaze.

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Happy Headlines of the Week 📰

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

🍞 Man discovers owner of local bakery he frequents is in fact his mother.

🙌 Woman sets record for donating more than 2,000 liters of breastmilk to help nourish premature babies.

👓 World-first stem-cell treatment restores vision in people.

♟️Indian toddler becomes the youngest rated chess player in history aged three!

🤖 AI isn’t all bad. This woman says artificial intelligence spotted her breast cancer.

The Weekend Long Read ☕

Discover Part 2 of Sebastian’s incredible - and moving - adoption story. If you haven’t read it already, don’t forget to check out Part 1 of the Barkey Family’s adoption journey here.

Orphan Reunites With Adopted Family To Officially Become A Part Of Their Family

Sebastian, 11, spent the summer with JoBen and Amanda Barkey and their children Asher, Judah, Mishayla and Jameis from California, USA, as part of a hosting program organized by Kidsave.org.

Secretly, the couple hoped to adopt Sebastian, but under Colombian hosting/adopting rules, they weren’t allowed to tell him – rules they followed explicitly.

After an emotional ‘goodbye’ at the airport, when Sebastian had to return to Colombia, a few weeks later they surprised him on video chat to ask if he wanted to be part of the family.

As their story was being spread on the internet, the family worked hard continuing to raise funds needed for the adoption as well as finishing the U.S. part of the process, including submitting all the different immigration forms that had to be approved prior to traveling to finalize the adoption in Colombia.

Joben added: “When we found out we had a date to travel to Colombia it was emotional for all for us.

“As soon as we found out, we asked for permission to talk to him to tell him that we were coming.” Click below to continue reading and watch the emotional moment.

Quick Lifts 😃

Heartwarming human interest stories from Happilynews.com guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

The Rock's Heart of Gold ✨

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson surprises a woman battling cancer with a heartwarming encounter and words of encouragement during a shopping trip.

A Father's Legacy, Woven in Threads 👕❤️

A first-generation immigrant is overcome with emotion when he discovers his designer son has featured him on a Walmart t-shirt collection.

Toronto's Swift Act of Kindness 💖🎶

Toronto rolls out the red carpet for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour with a generous $113,000 charity initiative and a street temporarily renamed "Taylor Swift Way."

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Live Life Happily 😃

Tips from experts in their fields on how to live a happier, healthier life.

Turning Down the Tension 🗣️💖

In today's world, it feels like conversations can quickly escalate into heated arguments, especially after a divisive election. But what if there were a way to disagree respectfully and even find common ground? This week, we're exploring the fascinating research of Professor Julia Minson, who has dedicated her career to understanding the psychology of disagreement. Her findings offer real-life strategies for turning down the tension and fostering more productive conversations.

Why This Matters

Imagine a world where people truly listened to each other, even when they held opposing views. I know, hard to imagine sometimes. But a world where disagreements led to understanding rather than division can only be a good thing for us all. By adopting Minson's strategies, we can create a more harmonious society where healthy debate thrives and relationships remain strong despite differing opinions.

Key Takeaways from Minson's Research

• Show Conversational Receptiveness: Use language that demonstrates you're genuinely trying to understand the other person's perspective. Phrases like "I understand why you might feel that way" or "Tell me more about your perspective" can significantly reduce tension.

• Acknowledge Their Viewpoint: Use phrases like "I see your point," or "That's an interesting perspective."

• Ask Clarifying Questions: Instead of jumping to conclusions or immediately disagreeing, try asking clarifying questions to gain a deeper understanding of the other person's perspective. This will demonstrate a genuine interest in their viewpoint and can help diffuse tension. But we may also gain some extra insights into a different viewpoint, too.

• Find Common Ground: Even in the midst of disagreements, there's almost always some common ground to be found. It might be a shared value, a common goal, or simply an understanding of where the other person is coming from. So look for these areas of agreement, even if it's small.

• Use "I" Statements: Instead of pointing fingers and placing blame ("You always..." or "You never..."), try using "I" statements to express your own feelings and needs. This simple shift in language can make a huge difference in how your message is received.

• Be Mindful of Your Body Language: Communication is more than just words. Our body language speaks volumes, often conveying more than we realize. So, paying attention to your nonverbal cues is essential. For example, maintain an open and approachable posture, make eye contact, and avoid interrupting.

And remember, all of these are contagious: When one person uses receptive language, mindful body language, and is more open to understanding another perspective, it often encourages the other person to do the same, creating a ripple effect of positive communication!

Go deeper and read the full interview here.

Before You Go…A Serotonin Booster* 📺

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