All about timing
Vol. 3, Issue 45
THE GOOD NEWS
Fond farewells
How long should you linger in the car drop-off zone at the airport? The answer generally depends on how well you know the person who's leaving and how long you'll be apart. But the Dunedin International Airport in Momona, N.Z., wanted to keep traffic moving so it posted a sign that made headlines around the world:
Dunedin Airport CEO Dan De Bono told Radio New Zealand that while he is “a hugger,” a 20-second embrace is all you need to release oxytocin (a.k.a. the "love hormone"). Also, no one is timing each public display of affection in the drop-off zone; the airport simply wanted a fun sign to remind people to keep it movin'.
"We're not gonna call the 'hug police,'" De Bono said. "Yeah, that would be bonkers."
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Catch of the year
The Kansas City Chiefs had just defeated the Carolina Panthers at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Nov. 24, when the best play of the game occurred.
Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton and his colleagues were leaving the field when a young fan in the stands tried to catch their attention. The boy leaned over the railing, flipped and fell head-first.
Luckily, the two-time Super Bowl champion caught the child before he hit the ground:
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My favorite Christmas story
It’s a tale I enjoy every year on Christmas Eve as my husband and I drive around town, looking at the holiday light displays. If you need a good laugh, give it a listen:
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THIS WEEK’S POLL
LAST WEEK’S POLL
THIS WEEK IN (POSITIVE) HISTORY
On December 4, 2018, the French couture house Chanel stopped using fur and exotic skins in its clothing.
On December 5, 2006, New York became the first city in the U.S. to ban trans fats at restaurants.
On December 6, 1884, the Washington Monument was completed.
On December 7, 1842, the New York Philharmonic performed its first concert.
On December 8, 1966, the U.S. and the former U.S.S.R. signed a treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons in outer space.
On December 9, 1907, Christmas seals went on sale for the first time. The proceeds were used to fight tuberculosis.
On December 10, 1901, the first Nobel Prizes were awarded.
On December 11, 1946, UNICEF — the United Nations program devoted to improving the health, nutrition, education and general welfare of children — was established.
THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS
December 4: actor Tony Todd, rapper Jay-Z and actress Marisa Tomei
December 5: author Joan Didion, comedian Margaret Cho and journalist Tim Hetherington
December 6: poet Joyce Kilmer, British occultist/author Dion Fortune and boxer James J. Braddock
December 7: Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini, author Willa Cather and actor Nicholas Hoult
December 8: comedian/actor Sam Kinison, Irish singer/songwriter Sinead O'Connor and actor Ian Somerhalder
December 9: actress Margaret Hamilton, singer Imogen Heap and basketball player Kelly Oubre Jr.
December 10: mathematician Ada Lovelace, poet Emily Dickinson and actor Michael Clarke Duncan
December 11: New York City Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia, astronomer Annie Jump Cannon and Nobel Prize-winning German physicist Max Born
THIS WEEK’S FUN HOLIDAYS
December 4 is Global Fat Bike Day, International Cheetah Day, World Wildlife Conservation Day, National Cookie Day, National Dice Day, National Sock Day, Cabernet Franc Day, Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day, Santa's List Day, Tree Dressing Day and Wear Brown Shoes Day
December 5 is International Volunteer Day, World Soil Day, National Blue Jeans Day, Bathtub Party Day, Celebrate Shelter Pets Day, Krampusnacht, Light up a Life Day, Sacher-Torte Day and Walt Disney Day
December 6 is World Trick Shot Day, National Gazpacho Day, National Microwave Oven Day, National Miner's Day, Mitten Tree Day and Put on Your Own Shoes Day
December 7 is International Civil Aviation Day, National Cotton Candy Day, National Letter Writing Day and National Slime Day
December 8 is National Blue Collar Day, National Brownie Day, National Crossword Solvers Day, National Lard Day, National Salesperson Day, Christmas Jumper (Sweater) Day and Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day
December 9 is International Day of Veterinary Medicine, National Llama Day, National Opal Apples Day, National Pastry Day, Christmas Card Day, Lost and Found Day, Lutefisk Day, Techno Day and Weary Willie Day
December 10 is International Animal Rights Day, Worldwide Candle Lighting Day, National Lager Day, Dewey Decimal System Day and Human Rights Day
December 11 is International Mountain Day, National App Day, National Noodle Ring Day and National Stretching Day
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SIMPLE PLEASURES
* Listening to Christmas carols
* Visiting a Christmas market
* Watching your favorite holiday movies
HOW TO SPREAD JOY/KINDNESS
* Participate in a toy donation drive for the holidays
* Create meal kits for the holidays
* Send a friend a pack of cards and a sheet of stamps
RECOMMENDED SUBSTACK
MY LITTLE ONES - PAST & PRESENT
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.” --Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Carol"
MOMENT OF GRATITUDE
Thanks to Nathan Dumlao, Unsplash, Dunedin Airport, Facebook, The Daily Aus, Instagram, Radio New Zealand, CBS News, Jen King, NFL on ESPN, YouTube, The Kansas City Star, Stuart McLean, Zunior, The Moonlight Reader Society, History.com, This Day in History, Britannica, Time and Date, On This Day, the Library of Congress, IMDb, Famous Birthdays, This Day in Music, National Today, National Day Calendar, Holidays Calendar, Domestically Blissful, Ernesto's Sanctuary for Cats, The Written Word, The Edgy Optimist, Canva and Deposit Photos for art and story suggestions.
KEEP IN TOUCH
Read a positive/uplifting news story lately? Have an inspiring quote you want to share? Or do you just want to let me know about some of your favorite simple pleasures?
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