More than 40 fifth graders showed up to surprise Alexander Kaine Johnson during his adoption ceremony at the Smith County Courthouse.

Vandria and Tyrone Johnson adopted 11-year-old Alexander after fostering him for two years. His classmates from Bell Elementary School came to the courthouse to support him and celebrate as he found his forever family.

Alexander cried tears of joy upon seeing the outpouring of support from his friends and family on his special day!

“I really appreciate all they do for me. All my friends were with me and just very emotional with me…I thank them for being my friends," said Alexander.

Two-year-old Cruz was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer a year ago. He and his parents had been traveling back and forth from San Diego to New York for his treatments.

His recent flight from California to New York was a special one since it was his last, as he is now cancer-free - and a flight attendant made an in-flight announcement to congratulate Cruz.

Passengers cheered for him and passed along inspiring messages of hope and congratulations on paper napkins. The heartwarming surprise made him beam with joy!

“Congrats, you are so strong,” read one note. “Way to fight, Cruz! I am very proud of you. Keep up the good work, there are better days ahead,” read another.

Four years ago, Berny Clarke from the Village of Friendship in Wisconsin retired from work, leaving her searching for a renewed sense of purpose.

Her doctor prescribed walks in nature to help manage her anxiety. These walks not only eased her anxiety but also helped her lose weight. Along the way, she began giving back to her community as well.

As she walks through the village with a claw and bags in hand, she picks up any trash she finds. Now, this one-woman cleanup crew is encouraging others to litter less.

“I figured, if everybody saw me picking up trash, it would get into their consciousness, and maybe they would, you know, think more about not throwing down trash,” said Berny.

Susan Patterson is the founder of Take Me Home Transport, a nonprofit organization that moves dogs from overcrowded animal shelters to shelters in other states where adoptable dogs are in shorter supply.

For over 13 years, Susan has been helping dogs at risk of euthanasia in overcrowded shelters, giving them a chance to find loving homes.

One of the dogs she recently helped transport was a stray named Bob, who had a leg injury.

After recovering from an amputation surgery, Bob was adopted by Kelly Marinel, who works at the New Hampshire SPCA and had lost her previous dog a year earlier.

"I feel like he came into my life at almost the exact right time, like he was being sent to me by my previous dog," said Kelly.

The way you talk about yourself largely affects how you show up in life. Acknowledge your positive qualities. Maybe it’s the way you handle difficulties, your ability to empathize with others, or the way you bring smiles wherever you go. Perhaps it’s your ability to hold space for profound joy and love, even in the most daunting situations.

Also, don’t forget to congratulate yourself on your small wins. This practice helps you build a healthier internal dialogue, where you recognize what you’re doing well rather than focusing only on your mistakes or what needs improvement.

Remember, your value is not dependent on external validation. Come back home to yourself and let go of the need to be perfect. Acknowledging your efforts, wins, and qualities fosters your growth and helps you find personal fulfillment.

Start the morning in solitude, taking a moment to appreciate something about yourself.