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Left image: a couple sit side by side, on a couch. Right Image: They sit in the same position 68 years later.
Uplifting News

Why a Husband Laughed In Wife's Face After Her Post-Chemo Makeover

Just when we think we've got it all under control, life has a way of ripping the rug right out from under us. It may be as simple as our car breaking down at the worst possible time (it's always when we have somewhere we really need to be). It could be a little more frustrating like getting slapped with surprise bills that'll make us dip into our savings. But there's one kind of disaster that's the hardest to come back from.

Widow Learns About Her Late Husbands Huge Debt - Then She Gets a Message From a Stranger
Everyday Heroes

Widow Learns About Her Late Husbands Huge Debt - Then She Gets a Message From a Stranger

In April 2020, Meng Rui's husband, a fisherman, tragically drowned at sea. He left behind two children, aged 8 and 7 months...and a huge boatload of debt.Meng wasn't just devasted by his death, she was terrified. A stay-at-home mom with no income, the sudden loss of her husband left her not only grieving but also struggling to make ends meet for her family.To make matters worse, the compensation she received from his employer (the equivalent of $150,000) was completely used up, paying down the debt he had accrued years before to treat his father's serious illness. The family was left destitute...until a stranger contacted Meng on WeChat.Money From Mysterious Stranger Starts Arriving Every MonthTo put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads, Meng, 29, found a job in a supermarket earning a paltry $280 a month. While something, it wasn't enough to cover all of their expenses.Meng was drowning under the weight of financial insecurity.But then, one day out of the blue, Meng received a message from a stranger on WeChat. The person, who refused to reveal their true identity, had heard about her family's plight from a social worker and wanted to help.Shortly afterward, Meng received a money transfer of $200. Then again the next month and the next...And every month for the past four years. Extra cash arrives for important festivals and holidays, like the Lunar New Year. The money, which nearly doubles her monthly income, has been life-changing. Anonymous Benefactor RevealedFor four years, Meng's mysterious benefactor remained anonymous. However, with the help of the Chinese media, the single mom of two finally uncovered her fairy godmother — or in this case, godfather.He lived 20 hours away, in Zhoushan, China.Last month, Meng, along with her mother-in-law and her four-year-old daughter, hopped aboard a coach and a train to make the long trek to thank Yu Xiaolong in person."To thank this benefactor face-to-face has been a wish in my heart for a few years," Meng said.Her wish finally came true. Meng and her entourage met Yu in person at his company, a marine technology enterprise business."Thank you so much. Without your help, we could not live. Your monthly donation gives us hope." Meng Rui to Yu XiaolongIn addition to their heartfelt gratitude, the family also came bearing gifts, a silk appreciation banner and a bag of peanuts. "We do not have precious things to give you. These peanuts were planted by us. We hope you like them," Meng told Yu.Despite his significant impact on the Meng family, Yu remains humble telling them that his generosity is "not a big deal." It also isn't stopping any time soon. He plans to continue funding the family until the kids are 18 years old. Paying It ForwardYu's monthly donations don't just positively impact the family financially, they also have a profound side effect, one that can't be measured in dollars and cents.They instill a sense of hope and security for their future. And that? Is priceless.Meng hopes to pay his kindness forward someday and is teaching her kids to follow in their benefactor's footsteps."I will regard Mr. Yu as a family member. I will educate my kids to remember his kindness and make their own contribution to society in the future," she said.Yu heard about a stranger in need and decided to do something about it. And his recurring act of kindness is the difference between making it and not for one young family. Not all of us can afford to keep another family afloat financially, but we can all commit to spreading a different kind of wealth — kindness.More from Goalcast:Widowed Veteran Comes Up With an Incredible Idea to Combat His Depression – And He’s Doing It for FreeFirefighter Tragically Kills Pastor’s Pregnant Wife – Instead of Getting Revenge, the Widower Befriends HimRich Widower Shocks Relatives by Leaving $276,000 to Hotel Bellboy After His Death – Has a Heartwarming Reason Why

After His Wife Is Left in a Vegetative State, Husband Devotes His Life to Taking Care of Her
Love Stories

After His Wife Is Left in a Vegetative State, Husband Devotes His Life to Taking Care of Her

When David César swore to love his wife "in sickness and in health, 'til death do us part" on their wedding day, he never imagined how severely those vows would be tested.Not long after they were married, his wife suffered a catastrophic medical crisis, leaving her trapped in a vegetative state. David never left her side.Now, six years later, David is still by her side and giving us all a masterclass in the meaning of TRUE LOVE.An Ordinary Day Takes a Devastating TurnIn 2018, David and his wife, Bruna de Sousa, who live in Brazil, were watching television when she complained she wasn't feeling well. Seconds later she began convulsing and her heart stopped. She was in cardiac arrest. “In a matter of 3 minutes, she lost all vital signs. We ran to the hospital, after 25 minutes they managed to revive her, but she was without oxygen for a long time,” David shared.It had devastating effects. Doctors diagnosed Bruna with "coma vigil." She suffered severe brain damage. While her nervous system still functioned, she was no longer aware of her surroundings.In mere moments, Bruna had gone from being lively and vivacious to being trapped in her own body with no cognitive function. She was only 24 years old.Bruna spent the next year and a half in the hospital, bedridden, tracheotomized, and feeding through a tube. Unable to talk, walk, or interact with her loved ones, she was completely dependent on others for all of her basic needs.David refused to walk away. "I made a promise in front of God and in sickness and in health I vowed to be with her."David CésarIn June 2019, nearly two years after that devastating night, David brought Bruna home.Husband Becomes His Wife's Full-Time CaregiverDavid didn't just stick around, he DEVOTED HIS LIFE to Bruna.He dedicated himself to looking after her 24/7, becoming her full-time caregiver. Unable to care for his wife and work simultaneously, he lost his job.When his mother or mother-in-law were able to spend the night with Bruna, he picked up shifts as a driver.With her complex medical needs and his income falling drastically short, David struggled to make ends meet. He turned to the kindness of strangers for help, launching a successful fundraiser. The crowdfunding was used to pay for medicines, special food, diapers, personal hygiene materials, and medical equipment. It also went towards renovating and adapting Bruna's room.Additionally, two lawyers volunteered to help secure financial assistance.Even though Bruna's prognosis is bleak and the chance for recovery is devastatingly slim, David refuses to give up hope. He's scoured the world over to find a miracle. After consulting with neuroscientists in Canada he's currently pursuing a potential treatment. True Love PrevailsBruna's catastrophic brain injury robbed her of the life she knew. But it didn't just rob her, it robbed David too. Once dreaming of their future together and starting a family, he was now living a nightmare.This isn't the life he thought they'd share and he continues to grieve the woman he lost but he leans on his faith to help him navigate this new normal."There is a greater divine purpose that makes me endure," he shared on an Instagram post.The reality is, love is easy when things are good. But when the shadows descend and you're lost in the darkness, that's where true love is found. In the face of truly unimaginable circumstances, David has held fast to the vows he swore to honor. And he still does, six years later. His devotion really is a testament to the enduring power of love. "In practice, love makes us see beyond the storm and act during [it]." David CésarMore from Goalcast:They’ve Been Divorced for 27 Years, but When His Ex-wife Got Sick, He Was the First to Step UpMan Takes Care of the Bills for 4 Decades – After He Passes Away, His Wife Makes an Incredible Discovery“Tough Guy” Dad Loses It After Dropping His Son off at School — His Wife Immediately Started Recording

Woman Explains Why Catch-Up Friendships Can Destroy Real Connection And How to Avoid the Trap
Uplifting News

Woman Explains Why Catch-Up Friendships Can Destroy Real Connection And How to Avoid the Trap

*Featured image contains photo by Andrea Piacquadio and Elina FairytaleWe've all heard the saying that the older we are, the smaller our circle gets...but this may not be for the reason we think. Social pattern expert Bianca Stelian, believes it's not just a matter of growing apart — but the way that we "catch up" when we're together.Have you found yourself stuck in the friendship rut? With no way to get out? If you woke up one day only to realize most of your meaningful relationships have stumbled into "no man's land," don't worry, you're not alone and this is for you.What Is a “Catch Up Friendship”Often growing up means getting closer to our dreams, but it doesn't come without sacrifice. Time is the precious thing we never have enough of. So, when it comes to seeing our old friends for our bi-annual "dinner and drinks," why don't we spend it wisely?“Every time you talk, you must start the conversation with many life updates. You have to hit every category: family, work, dating, social life, health, you get it. And before you know it, you’ve essentially spent 45 minutes interviewing each other like you’re on a reality show without really breaking past the surface.”Bianca Stelian, TikTokIn essence, a "catch up friendship" is a series of sporadic surface level connections that make old friends feel they're slowly drifting further instead of drawing closer. Two people ramble on about all the "big picture" moments in their life: They got engaged? Must have missed that on Facebook. They are working a completely different job? Thought they hated corporate culture. Their dear mother's fallen ill? Make sure to send flowers.And while yes, all these big moments are so important, they are not the sum total of the person we know and love. Somehow, after a rapid fire tennis match of "life updates" over 3 rounds (of cocktails), we end up going home, disheartened — feeling like we never even scratched the surface with how they are really doing. And sadly, they never quite got to to the heart of us either. We mistakenly chalk it up to being "different people."If this sounds familiar, check out the viral video below to hear the vicious cycle in her own words.Watch Bianca Stelian's Video: Does Growing Up Mean Your Friendships Are Fake?Of course not. The older you get, the more you have to plan in advance. Gone are the easy college days, where all your friends lived in a five block radius of each other. When you would waste the hours away grabbing coffee, watching a movie, or just studying near each other in silence.One day you wake up, and you're not a kid anymore. But that doesn't mean life isn't really good. Maybe you have the job you always wanted, or the partner you always dreamed of, or even just the best couch in the whole world to watch your favorite TV shows on. But in the famous words of Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast." And more often than not, all the extra time we used to spend with our friends is redirected to work or our family — sometimes we forget to stop and take a look around for the people who've been there since Day 1.One Simple Way to Break This “Nasty” CycleThe reality is, if we try and solve our "catch up friendship problems" by trying to schedule more frequent catch ups, we will be disappointed. Because it's not sustainable. You can't live a full adult life and still have the free time of a kid!According to Bianca Stelian, the best solution is to use social media to your benefit."Start posting your everyday little thoughts and life updates. It’s a wildly efficient way to reach a lot of people with a little bit of effort.” Bianca Stelian, TikTokIf knowing all the little things about a person is what a relationship is made up of — then share yours with your friends! "The posts don't have to be anything life changing," Stelian shares, "the smaller the better."Is “Growing Apart” a Myth About Growing Up?It's hard to say. When life gets so hectic, our instinct is to act from self preservation. You can't quit your job, you can't quit your kids, and you already got a divorce. So...looks like the friend who let you cheat off them for 4 years has gotta go! You didn't like her anyway...I mean come on, she let you cheat — that's a bad moral compass! It's easy to cut off lots of connections growing up, under the excuse that "we're in different places" or "we're different people." Suddenly, your high school bestie who nursed you through 8 back-to-back heartbreaks while you did a love spell on a poster of Aaron Carter, is just not the kind of person who want to be associated with!Now, sometimes it really is true. We grow up and we clash too much with people we used to laugh until we cried with. Take Derf McDerf for example! The author of My Friend Dahmer. Understandably, he wouldn't be too keen to schedule a friendship catchup via the Columbia Correctional Institution hotline.But it's not always the case. Ultimately, only you can decide what friendships to let go and which ones to nurture — neither are easy, but both are rewarding.More from Goalcast:Her Daughter Excluded Her Best Friend for Being “Too Fat” – Shocked Mom Takes Matters Into Her Own HandsWoman Who Lost Her Entire Family Waits for a Friend – But Someone She Wasn’t Expecting at All Shows Up InsteadMan Meets Up With Struggling Family at a Park – They’re Shocked to See His “Friend” Standing Behind Them

Boy Abandoned by His Parents Is Accused of Being a Child Witch - One Woman Completely Changes His Life
Uplifting News

Boy Abandoned by His Parents Is Accused of Being a Child Witch - One Woman Completely Changes His Life

Anja Lovén was 30 years old when she saw a British documentary about a child witch. She sat there in shock — and then in rage — as the television program detailed how these "witch children" are tortured, abandoned, even buried alive. Many countries in Africa, and around the world, have a long history of the practice of witchcraft.Historically, the elderly, the disabled, and anyone considered “different” were the main targets of accusations. But in the last 40 years, despite the practice being illegal, more and more children have been accused of being witches. Especially vulnerable, children are often unable to defend themselves and suffer the most horrific abuse.The Life of a “Child Witch”Under the guise of “exorcism,” an accused child witch in Africa can be made to ingest dangerous substances, blinded, beaten, or even set on fire. Witch doctors, shamans and religious leaders will try to coerce parents into paying large amounts of money for these exorcisms.Some parents can’t or won’t pay. Those unfortunate children carry the label of 'witch' with them for the rest of their lives — which is often quite short because they are most often abandoned.Without family, friends, shelter or food, these children are doomed to wander around the outskirts of communities. They scavenge for food in dumps. The sad truth is that they almost always die of dehydration, starvation, disease and neglect. The Boy Who Changed Her LifeThe images of these deplorable practices were burned into Anja’s brain that day when she watched the documentary. She couldn’t stop thinking about the injustice and about the leaders who were turning a blind eye to it. A few years later, she decided that she couldn’t just continue her life, knowing what she did now. She quit her job, sold everything she had, and headed to Nigeria. It was there that Anja came upon a tiny, naked, emaciated boy — a "child witch" — who stole her heart. As she knelt down next to him to gather him in her arms, someone took a picture. It went viral.But that day, Anja’s mind was on one thing only: get help for this boy. She gave him water and drove him to the nearest hospital. Later, she would admit that she didn’t have much hope that he would survive. He was literally on the brink of death, wandering around a small village, starving and alone. Anja was told that he had been abandoned by his parents eight full months ago. It was clear that he didn’t have much time left.He Has a NameJust before Anja handed the boy over to doctors, she decided to give him a name: Hope. “I was so sure he would not survive,” she remembers. “Every breath he took was a struggle, and I did not want him to die without a name, without dignity, so I named him Hope.”At the hospital, the frail child was treated for parasites and given blood transfusions. The situation looked bleak. Anja took to the internet to voice her outrage — and support poured in from all over the world.In no time at all, over a million dollars had been raised. It was enough to not only cover the boy’s medical expenses but also to start a nonprofit organization to rescue so-called child witches. Land of HopeToday, Anja is on a mission. Her nonprofit organization, called Land of Hope, raises awareness for the plight of the "child witches" and provides the accused with care, stability and love at the orphanage Anja opened with her Nigerian husband, humanitarian lawyer and worker David Umem.Two months after Anja rescued him from his life-threatening ordeal, Hope made a full recovery. He now runs around with a while pack of children at the orphanage. He has also since met his biological mother and father. Hope’s mother was only 15 years old when she gave birth to the boy, given in marriage to a village leader more than four times older than her. When her son was accused of being a child witch, she left him behind. Hope and his parents are taking steps to mend their relationship, but Hope still calls Anja his mom.Anja and David treat all the children at Land of Hope like their own, but they also have a biological son, David Jr., who grew up at the heart of his parents’ mission.“I want him to know the most important thing you can do in life is to help other people in need and be a good person,” says Anja of her son. “To listen, be empathic, and not judge other people. I hope he will remember his mother as someone who helped other people.”Indeed, on Land of Hope’s website, “hope” is an acronym: Help One Person Everyday. It’s a simple mantra with the potential for big impact that everyone in the world can implement right now.More from Goalcast:Overwhelmed Workers Sob After Manager Abandons Them – The “Host” Gives Two Customers an IdeaRed-Skinned Newborn Baby Is Abandoned by Her Parents – But a Couple Who Can’t Have Their Own Kids Take Her In17-Year-Old Mom Abandons Her Newborn Baby at Hospital – When a Priest Finds Out, He Takes Him in as His Own

Great Grandmas Car Was Stolen - So, She Chased Down the Thief and Busted a Car Theft Ring
Everyday Heroes

Great Grandmas Car Was Stolen - So, She Chased Down the Thief and Busted a Car Theft Ring

*Featured image contains photo by Kindel MediaA thief in Portland, Oregon tried to steal a 1999 white Cadillac... Unfortunately for him, he picked the wrong car.When 79-year-old great-grandmother, Noble Jean Napoleon caught the thief in the act, she wasn't having it. Undaunted, not only did she thwart her own vehicle's theft but her actions helped authorities bust a car theft ring. And if there's any lesson to be learned from this, it's "Don't mess with Grandma."Great-Grandma Stops a Car ThiefWhen Napoleon picked up her great-grandkids from school the last thing she expected to see was her Cadillac drive-by on the back of a tow truck.Having left the car parked outside her apartment earlier that afternoon while she borrowed her son's SUV, she was just pulling out of a gas station when the tow truck rumbled past.Knowing something was drastically wrong, she immediately sprang into action. Telling her great-grandkids to "fasten their seatbelts tight," Granny took off in hot pursuit."I was trailing him," she told the Oregonian. "I was right on his butt."The tow truck driver and alleged car thief, Joseph Allen Beard, 52, had no idea what was coming. (Hell hath no fury like a great-grandma whose Caddy is being stolen).Napoleon pulled up beside the truck, rolled down her window, and yelled, "You take my damn car back where you got it from!"Instead of stopping, Beard sped off. Undaunted, Napoleon charged."Let's GO!"Noble Jean NapoleonAt one point in her chase, she enlisted the help of a few men parked on the side of the road, asking them to follow her.Eventually, she caught up to the thief and her self-appointed deputies helped box him in. When the men got out of their cars and approached the truck driver, she yelled at them not to "beat him up.""I need him to take my car back home," she told them.Operation MistleTOWWhen Napoleon confronted Beard, he tried to convince her that the Cadillac was his friend's car. When that didn't work, he offered to unhitch the vehicle and leave it. But Napoleon wasn't done with him yet."You're taking it back where it came from," she told him. She then proceeded to follow him all the way home."I trailed him all the way back," she said. "I wasn't playin'." Napoleon contacted the police shortly afterward, giving them Beard's license plate number. It was exactly what they needed to finally bust "Operation MistleTow" wide open.Apparently, this wasn't an isolated event. For the past few months, the District Attorney’s Office’s Auto Theft Task Force had been waiting for the break they needed to stop an illegal tow truck operation stealing cars and selling them for scrap metal.That's where our unlikely vigilante comes in. According to the DA's Office, a representative of Maters Auto Recycling sold about 80 vehicles to Rivergate Scrap Metal, at least 22 of which were stolen. The representative is alleged to be Beard.Thanks to Napoleon, Beard was arrested and the operation shut down.Now, he's facing multiple charges, including Trafficking in Stolen Vehicles, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Theft, Criminal Mischief, Forgery, and Identity Theft. He's pleaded "Not Guilty."Don't Mess With GrandmaWhile the police cautioned Napoleon not to take matters into her own hands in the future and to "be careful," the sassy septuagenarian says Beard is the one who should have been careful."If I had my slugger in here, he'd have been careful 'cause I would have slugged him all over everything, yes," she said.Despite her age (or maybe because of it), Napoleon is clearly a force to be reckoned with. And she proves that when it comes to courage and fighting injustice, we all have the power to stand up. No matter our age or circumstances.More from Goalcast:Thief Steals Truck and Unbelievably Returns It a Few Days Later – Leaves Behind a Gift and a NoteSingle Mom of 5 Texts the Thief Who Stole Her Car to Return It – And She Actually Succeeded!Man Finds Out a Thief Has Broken Into and Stolen From His Restaurant – His Unexpected Reaction Goes Viral

Womans Childhood Classmate Used to Pack Her Lunch - Years Later, Does Something Incredible to Honor Her
Uplifting News

Womans Childhood Classmate Used to Pack Her Lunch - Years Later, Does Something Incredible to Honor Her

*Featured image contains photo by olia danilevich and Oleksandr PAnyone who has ever experienced food insecurity knows that it never really leaves you. Those hunger pangs, even when they're long gone, linger, a phantom reminder of darker days.When Haley was in third grade, she knew those pangs well. Her family was struggling and there was never enough to eat. One of her classmates noticed and would pack an extra lunch for her. Her name was Gracie May.Although the two classmates lost touch after fourth grade, Haley never forgot her. Years later, Haley had a daughter...she named her "Gracelyn Marie" in honor of that little girl.How a Young Girl Made a Lasting ImpressionIn a TikTok video that is shattering hearts everywhere, Haley (@bby_hxxii) shares an emotional 7-second clip she simply captions "Angels are real."Set to the haunting lyrics, "I think of you all the time," from Alex Olsen's song, Someday I'll Get It, the video zooms in on Haley as she blows a kiss.“To that sweet girl in 3rd grade that would bring in an extra lunch box with food just for me, thank you so much. I named my daughter after you," Haley writes in the text overlay.Welp. It may be simple but boy, does it pack a punch. One commenter summed it up in 8 words:"'I named my daughter after you' I'm sobbing."The video has struck a nerve. In just a few days it's gone viral with over 2.8 million views, 630,000 likes, and more than 4800 comments.Its message has resonated with people all over the globe, a poignant reminder of the profound impact of kindness.Reaction to the Viral TikTokThousands of people took to the comment section, touched by Gracie's actions and the way Haley chose to honor her."Love how you honored her," wrote one commenter."Her mama was looking out for you," said another. "I hope she sees this. kindness always comes back," said a third.But in addition to all of the love, it also started a tsunami of goodness. People began sharing their own stories, hundreds of them. And if these doesn't restore your faith in humanity, nothing will.Here are just a few:"I had the same bday as one of my classmates and every year her mom did a big party in the classroom for her and my name would always be on the cake too." — Britney"When I was in 7th grade, a popular girl (never talked to her) heard that my mom couldn't afford Christmas for me that year. Her & her mom went Christmas shopping for me and brought me gifts to school. I will never forget that. I think of it often and hope she's well." — Ambria"My son noticed a quiet kid in his class w holes in his shoes/clothes. He came to school the next day w clothes he didn’t want. - the boy wears his new outfits daily & my son says he tells jokes now." — Alli"I remember a teacher that would call me to class before going home to give me 4 cans of raviolis for me and my 3 siblings. I never told her but she knew." — neener-neen"The boy that danced with me at the primary school dance when no else would ~ who passed away a few years later from cancer. Always in my heart." — Clarel892"My mom named me after the first friend she made when she moved to America." — L"I used to hate my smile until one girl told me she loved my side dimples. every time I smile I think of her to this day because she made me appreciate it instead of hating it." — Ana NjeriOne Small Act of Kindness Can Change Someone’s WorldAfter grade four, Haley moved from Texas to Arizona. It's been 13 years since she's seen Gracie but not a day goes by that she doesn't think about her. THAT is the power of kindness.To Gracie, it was probably just lunch. To Haley, it was the world. And she never forgot it. And now, neither will her daughter."To live rent free in someone's head for an act of kindness is something we should all strive for."More from Goalcast:Child Realizes Hungry Classmates Don’t Have Lunch – So He Makes an Unexpected Request to His Mom“Homeless” Man Insists on Paying for an Expensive Lunch at Restaurant – So the Server Tells Him a LieMom Has Perfect Response to Teacher Who Called Her Son’s Lunches ‘Disgusting’ – Then She Receives a Shocking Email

Woman Is Rejected as a Flight Attendant for Being Too Short - So She Started Her Own Aviation Company
Success Stories

Woman Is Rejected as a Flight Attendant for Being Too Short - So She Started Her Own Aviation Company

When Sibongile Sambo was a little girl she would stop and watch the airplanes fly overhead as she played in the streets of her hometown, Bushbuckridge, South Africa.She dreamt that someday, she would fly too. She decided to pursue a career in aviation. However, after being rejected by multiple airlines for not measuring up, literally — she was too short to be a flight attendant — it seemed like it wasn't meant to be.But rather than give up, she dug in. And her dream? Took flight.Today she is the founder and CEO of SRS (Sibongile Rejoice Sambo) Aviation and made history doing it. Sibongile Sambo Flies Into the History BooksSambo is used to hearing the word "No." She doesn't let it stop her. After failing her first year of University in Accounting, her advisors begged her to switch to nursing or teaching. Sambo refused."I said I'd rather stay at home if that was the case. Then I decided to register in a B.Admin in industrial psychology and political science," she told eNCA.She aced her classes, graduated, and worked in Human Resources for seven years. But she wasn't happy and still, in the back of her mind was that desire to pursue her passion.In 2004, she finally decided to go for it. She quit her job and bid on a contract supplying cargo transport for the South African government. There was just one not-so-minor catch. She needed an airplane. Despite having zero experience in aviation and no collateral, she refused to be grounded. Rejected by financiers, she sold her house and car and used her mother's and aunt's pensions to buy a Russian plane. "I never thought about losing," she said of risking it all. "For me, this was the beginning of a winning game...I was just fired up with passion seeing this dream becoming a reality.""That voice inside me, that spiritual voice that says 'You will make it,' that is what I listened to."Sibongile SamboThe voice was right. Against overwhelming odds, Sambo bought the plane for $800,000, managed to obtain an Air Operating Certificate from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), AND won the government contract. The Sky's the LimitBreaking into the male-dominated industry has been a turbulent ride. But not only did Sambo break into the industry, she broke the glass ceiling. SRS Aviation is "the first, and only, fully empowered, Black women-owned and operated airborne services business in South Africa," according to its website.The company offers professional and personalized flight options including VIP charter, air cargo charter, tourist transfers, medical evacuations, aerial photography, and general air security services.Additionally, it is also the African distributor of new and overhauled aircraft spare parts for the commercial, commuter, corporate, Military, and Cargo Aerospace Industries. And in 2020, it inherited a technical training school. In recognition of her impressive achievements, Sambo has scored multiple awards over the years, including the Black Woman in Business Awards, Impumelelo Top Female Entrepreneur of the Year, and she was also named a "Leader of Tomorrow" by Fortune Magazine.And Sambo is nowhere done yet. The entrepreneur, international speaker, and Fortune 500 mentor continues to chart new heights and recently graduated with her MBA from the University of Pretoria.See Your Own Dreams Take FlightBeyond her professional accomplishments, Sambo remains deeply committed to empowering women in aviation. As a staunch advocate for gender equality, she has championed initiatives aimed at increasing female representation in the industry and she has helped numerous women get their pilot licenses.For any other little girl looking to the skies, or to anyone dreaming big, Sambo has this advice:"I would say to that little girl, 'My young girl, the sky is not even the limit, you can do it. If you have a dream don't let it die. Keep the spirit going. Keep that dream alive. Do something about it, don't procrastinate, don't sit back.'" "Don't listen to those negative voices that will tell you that you can't make it. If somebody tells you you can't do it, tell them that I can. You can reach the skies, you can reach your goals and go for it."Sibongile Sambo More from Goalcast:Woman Sits Next to Pregnant Stranger on Flight – Ends Up Adopting Her Newborn BabyConfused 94-Year-Old Passenger Holds up Flight – Then One Man Stepped In and Gave up His First-Class SeatMom of 3 Is Overwhelmed Taking Care of Her 3 Kids Alone on Flight – Until a Guardian Angel Comes to the Rescue

Man Pressured to Leave Overweight Girlfriend So He Did What He Should Have Done a Long Time Ago
Uplifting News

Man Pressured to Leave Overweight Girlfriend So He Did What He Should Have Done a Long Time Ago

After sharing a sweet anniversary post with the world, teenagers Emily Phillips and her high school sweetheart, Aidan Harrison, were harassed online for the worst reason. Over the course of two years, Phillips had put on a "significant" amount of weight. The comments called her "too fat." Thousands of strangers urged her boyfriend to "leave her."They Said Her Weight Gain Was “Disrespecting” Her Man@emphillipx/TikTokWhen Phillips posted a sweet "time jump" anniversary carousel for her friends and family, she had no idea the post would go viral — and the horrific backlash they would receive. Phillips innocently shared a photo from their first date titled "Day 1." Next to it, she posted a recent photo titled, "Day 884." "I'm so happy to experience a love like ours, and know what love is," she captioned the post. In both photos it's clear the couple are very in love. They are holding each other and smiling big — but that's not what the rest of the world saw.Instead, they saw a confident woman, comfortable in her skin at any size — and they wanted to tear her down. The comments were sexist, cruel, and endless. Many of the comments were written by men (probably without girlfriends) writing about how unworthy of love this beautiful, young, woman was, simply because of her weight. One Twitter user — who we can only assume is a men's rights activist — went on to write, "This is why you need to be on top of everything as a man to ensure that things such as this do not happen." Some Twitter users speculated that perhaps Phillips was pregnant. Implying that this alone would justify her weight gain — that a woman is only exempt from having the "perfect" body, if she is with child. It's impossible as a woman, to look through the hateful comments Phillips received, and not have your blood boil.How This Boyfriend Graciously Put an End to the “Lies” Her TikTok had a snowball effect. Overnight, her post gained over 30k comments (and we'd advise against looking through them). While some of the comments encouraged the couple to "ignore the hate," most of the comments were devastating, calling the 18-year-old Phillips all kinds of awful names that we have chosen not to share with our readers.While we can only imagine how many tears Phillips must have shed behind closed doors, her devoted boyfriend Harrison, put the haters in their place in the simplest way. Harrison knew if he responded to each mean comment individually, it would only add fuel to the fire. After all, these mean spirited comments are written with the express purpose of hurting the feelings of those reading it.So instead, he posted this — and it was perfect."We're happy and that's all that matters. I love you sweetheart," he wrote.Young Woman Embodied True Confidence and It’s Inspiring Unfortunately, cyberbullying is a very real consequence of living in the digital age. Without even intending to, we have never been more accessible to thousands and thousands of people we've never even met. The good news is, we have seen the wide reach of the internet be used for good.The bad news is, we have also seen it used to spread hate. Emily Phillips's story is the perfect example of how damaging cyber bulling can be. But thankfully, her story doesn't end there. She chose to have an ever bigger impact, by not doing this one thing.Instead of removing her post, or turning off the comments, Phillips would not allow her haters to get the best of her. She left her post up — hateful comments and all. What happened next was even more incredible. Eventually women and men from all over chose to support this couple. They reminded her she was beautiful. They reminded her love wins. Emily Phillips refused to hide her body in shame — and hopefully her strength inspired others to do the same.It's easy to be a back seat driver. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," friends will dismissively advise. But when you're the target of hate, it takes a whole different kind of strength to withstand it.She took a heartbreaking situation and used it to uplift others. Shockingly, Emily Phillips is paving the way for women who struggle with self-esteem issues, one hateful comment at a time.More from Goalcast:Her Daughter Excluded Her Best Friend for Being “Too Fat” – Shocked Mom Takes Matters Into Her Own HandsWoman Goes to the Gym to Work Out – Breaks Down When She Hears These Startling Words From a ‘Hardcore’ Gym BroPlus Size Man and His Size 8 Wife Receive Rude Comments From Haters – Come Up With the Perfect Idea to Silence Them

Exhausted Man Falls Asleep While Getting a Haircut - Barbers Reaction Goes Viral
Uplifting News

Exhausted Man Falls Asleep While Getting a Haircut - Barbers Reaction Goes Viral

Life is hectic and it isn't often that we get a chance to just put up our feet, sit back, and relax.So, it's not uncommon for people to doze off for a moment or two in the barber chair. What is uncommon is for that doze to last THREE HOURS.After his client fell asleep in his chair, a sympathetic hairstylist waited patiently for him to wake up. Three hours and 38 missed calls later, he finally did. Exhausted Worker Falls Asleep in Barber’s ChairIt was around 3 o'clock in the afternoon when Billy walked into Barber Industries, a barbershop in a shopping mall in Newcastle, Australia. Fresh off his shift at work, he was still wearing his hi-vis shirt and work boots.A regular at the shop, Billy often pops in for a haircut and a beard trim. He wasn't long in the chair before he started to nod off. "He sat down then mid-conversation he just started to fall asleep," barber Jordan Magasiva told Yahoo News. While an exhausted Billy took the chance to catch up on some much-needed ZZZZZs, Jordan took the opportunity to catch him in "action."TikTok of Sleeping Client Goes ViralIn a hilarious video posted to TikTok, Jordan captures Billy, his head thrown back and his mouth wide open, as time stamps flash across the scene. As time marches on, various customers come and go. Everyone that is, except Billy.Jordan captions the clip: "My boy Billy slept during his haircut but we know he’s no joker when it comes to hard yakka (work) hence why we let him sleep because we know how hectic work/life gets." And by "sleep" he means borderline comatose. The guy literally does not move for almost three hours.At the 3:45 mark, the stylists seem to have resigned themselves to the fact that Billy is in it for the long haul. Someone covers his eyes with a towel. At 4:32, Jordan jokingly checks to see if Billy's still breathing (he is). Finally, three hours after succumbing to his fatigue, and with the mall already closed, Billy wakes up from his beauty rest smiling and no doubt feeling pretty good. (That is until he checks his phone and discovers he has 38 missed calls. Oops.) At 5:45 pm he waves a sheepish goodbye and presumably heads home.Reaction to the Viral VideoApparently, Jordan isn't the only one amused by Billy's power nap. The video has garnered a staggering 14 million views since he posted it a week ago. And while the footage is hilarious, Jordan wants people to know that he has the utmost respect for his client and he posted the video as a tribute to all the hardworking men and women hustling to make ends meet. "Shoutout to all the hardworking men & women doing what they have to do to make ends meet, we must support each other on this journey, dont forget to rest and reset as we only get to enjoy this ride once, cheers guys," Jordan wrote in the caption. His simple act of kindness hasn't gone unnoticed. Over 9700 people took to the comments to praise Jordan and his staff for letting a sleeping Billy lie. "Better he falls asleep in the chair then behind the wheel at a light. Cool to allow him to get some much needed rest before leaving," wrote one."This poor guy, reminds of my dad. Hard worker, falls asleep when gets to relax. Thank you for letting him rest," commented another."I know that feeling trying to get a cut after leaving the job site. Damn near impossible to keep your eyes open," said a third."Probably a shift worker! These day naps are much needed, legend for letting him get it in,” another wrote. The Importance of RestWhat makes this video so relatable is that we've all been there. For most of us, life is crazy and busy and sometimes, bone-numbingly exhausting. Between work, family, household responsibilities, and paying bills, there's little time for rest.So when you can take a moment to just sit and breathe, it's a welcome respite from running the never-ending rat race.The fact that Jordan and his staff could honor that time for Billy and put compassion and understanding above productivity, is admirable.It's also a good reminder that the next time you see someone sneaking in a bit of shut-eye, let them rest. Chances are, they need it.More from Goalcast:Kindhearted Barber Gifts Free Haircuts to Disabled Children on His Days OffWoman Breaks Down After Making a Difficult Decision to Shave Her Head – Her Barber’s Powerful Response Goes ViralBoy With Autism Was Too Overwhelmed to Get a Haircut – So the Barber Came Up With a Genius Solution