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Woman and her daughter pulling a suitcase and a woman sitting next to a plane window.
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Plus-size Plane Passenger Refuses to Give Up Extra Seat to Toddler - Strangers "Weigh In"

Flying may be the quickest way to travel but it isn't always the most comfortable. The seats are small, legroom is almost non-existent, and there's always that one annoying passenger in front of you who seems to find extreme enjoyment in testing the limits of just how far back that reclining seat can go. Airlines are notorious for cramming in as many people as possible in the smallest spaces possible, which can be especially difficult for plus-sized passengers.

Student Is Told to Put Pants On After Wearing Her Cheerleading Uniform to School - Outraged Mom Fights Back
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Student Is Told to Put Pants On After Wearing Her Cheerleading Uniform to School - Outraged Mom Fights Back

When it comes to school rules, nothing seems to be more contentious than those surrounding the dress code. For years, school dress codes have come under fire for being sexist and riddled with double standards, and yet, still not much has changed. Now one mom is speaking out in defense of her daughter after she was told to "put pants on" when she wore her cheer uniform to school on game day.What’s Good Enough for the School Basketball Court Isn’t Good Enough for the ClassroomMarianah is used to her fellow classmates seeing her in her cheerleading uniform. After all, as part of the varsity cheer squad at Pinconning High School in Michigan, she is on full display at all her school's sporting events. Obviously, there's no issue with it on the football field and the basketball court. But when she showed up wearing it to school in advance of a basketball game later that day — as per her coach's instruction — administrators cried foul and told her to cover up.Her mom wasn't having it. When Amanda Alburg's daughter told her what happened she was furious. "If they can wear their uniforms that are issued by the school to games and it's appropriate, then it should be appropriate for school also."Amanda AlburgShe immediately called the school office. According to Alburg, a staff member in the office defended the school's position reiterating that cheerleaders are to wear pants under their uniforms at all times. "It is a distraction to the boys," the person allegedly told the irate mom.This time it was Alburg's turn to call "Foul!""I don't feel that should be a distraction to the boys. Girls have been wearing cheer uniforms issued by the school on game days to school since I was in high school. Never had to wear pants under it," Alburg responded. The Superintendent Responds & Parents Weigh InIn a written statement to TV5, superintendent Andy Kowalczyk wrote:"Athletic uniforms may not meet school dress code requirements. This is the case for the length of the cheerleading skirts. PHS would not allow students from any sports team to wear uniforms to school that do not meet those requirements."He also told the news station that at no time was Alburg's daughter directly told that wearing her uniform was a distraction to the male students.The dress code became a hot topic of discussion at a school board meeting just days later. Many of the parents in attendance vehemently agreed with Alburg, saying the dress code wasn't up to code.“My daughter can’t wear a sports bra to practice because it’s inappropriate, but the gentlemen…I can be out at that soccer field or on the basketball court and football field and they have their shirts off. And that is a double standard and it’s a violation of our girls’ civil rights,” one Pinconning mother said.She's not wrong. What's bad for the goose is perfectly fine for the gander. School dress codes would be fine if they applied the same standards equally to males and females. But they don’t.And the parents aren't the only ones who think the dress code needs a revamp. Some of the board members do too, including the president. But as with all things bureaucratic, it's a PROCESS. And you can bet any changes to the policy will happen at a glacially slow pace.“It’s this whole process. Sometimes we have to work with lawyers and that’s a process of its own. We got to work with the ISD. It’s not that we can just snap our fingers and go through it, but the board needs to do its due diligence,” school board trustee, Mark Coutcher said.The Importance of Standing UpIt's very possible that nothing will come out of this and the dress code will remain squarely in the middle ages. But at the very least, Alburg knows that when she saw an injustice she didn't just ignore it, she spoke up. And she taught her daughter a powerful lesson in advocating for herself and others.And that? Is definitely worth cheering about. More from Goalcast:Lowe’s Employee Is Fired After She Tries to Stop 3 Shoplifters – Outraged Strangers Have the Best ResponseBrave Employee Is Fired After He Stands Up to the Thieves Who Stole From His Store – Outraged Strangers Have the Best ResponseBlack Employee Is Fired After He Stands Up to His Racist Boss – Outraged Co-workers Have the Best Response

English Teacher Turns Classroom Into a Dictatorship - But the Students Refused to Be Silenced
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English Teacher Turns Classroom Into a Dictatorship - But the Students Refused to Be Silenced

*This story originally appeared on Diana Leygerman's Medium.Diana Leygerman is a high school school teacher with teaching methods that her students are sure to never forget — she's just going about it in the most unconventional way.This Pennsylvania teacher turned her classroom into a "dictatorship."She wanted to teach her students a lesson, but to her surprise, the students became the teacher instead.They Were Reading 1984, Then They Were Living ItIn her detailed blog post on Medium, Leygerman chronicles one insane school-wide "simulation" that had a surprising outcome.Every year, Leygerman takes teaching English Lit to a whole new level.Some of us may be familiar with George Orwell's classic novel 1984. It's been taught in the American school system for over 55 years — and in these times of TikTok surveillance and political unrest, it may be more relevant than ever!vfutscher/Flickr In short, 1984 is a book about a society where the government watches and controls everything. Winston, the main character, challenges this control but faces harsh consequences. It explores themes of surveillance and the dangers of too much government power. But instead of just lecturing her students about oppression, Leygerman did something so much better.She decided to show them."If You See Something Say Something"Diana Leygerman / Medium"Every year, before I teach 1984 to my seniors, I run a simulation. Under the guise of “the common good,” I turn my classroom into a totalitarian regime; I become a dictator."Diana Leygerman, MediumLeygerman went on to explain exactly how she implements this new regime.How This Teacher Got Students to Turn On Each OtherWhen it came to designing the experiment, Leygerman is not leaving any stone unturned."I hang posters with motivational quotes and falsified statistics, and provide a false narrative for the problem that is “Senioritis.” I tell the students that in order to help them succeed, I must implement strict classroom rules. They must raise their hand before doing anything at all, even when asking another student for a pencil. They lose points each time they don’t behave as expected. They gain points by reporting other students. If someone breaks the rule and I don’t see it, it is the responsibility of the other students to let me know. Those students earn bonus points. I tell students that in order for this plan to work they must “trust the process and not question their teachers.” This becomes a school-wide effort. The other teachers and admin join."In the new world order, snitches don't get "stitches;" they get gold stars and big promotions.Raising your hand to borrow a pencil?!She really goes the extra mile to make students feel like they are living in a dictatorship — and her approach could not be more clever!But that doesn't mean it was effective.The Students Started an Uprising!For the first time ever, Leygerman was thrilled to report this was first Senior Class who were not prepared to "take it lying down."Yes, there were the usual suspects who were quick to fall in line — following the rules religiously and reporting other students for breaking them!But even under "Big Brother's" watchful eye, a few students began forming a resistance...and then more students joined them."By day two of the simulation, the students were contacting members of administration, writing letters, and creating protest posters. They were organizing against me and against the admin. They were stomping the hallways, refusing to do as they were told."Diana Leygerman, MediumIt's safe to say if Leygerman was trying to get her message across? Mission accomplished. But taking a closer look...it may seem like Ms. Diana Leygerman had a secret mission all along, that we didn't see coming.“Senioritis” Didn’t Stand a ChanceIf you're not familiar with the term "senioritis", the definition is pretty simple (and hilarious).Joe C/Urban DictionaryBasically, the term pokes fun at the declining motivation students suffer in their Senior Year of high school.But with her creative and immersive approach to teaching, Diana Leygerman did the unthinkable.She wasn't just able to get 1984's message across, but she was also able to pull these students out of their senioritis funk!When We Have Purpose, We Can Do AnythingDiana Leygerman's story is an much-needed reminder that we all need purpose in our lives. No matter what direction our efforts are pointed in — when we are goal setting and working with others? These things have the power to re-energize us more than we know.When we are engaged with the immediate world around us, it becomes a habit that's hard to break.Yes, it starts with us. But the more we move outside of ourselves, the more motivated we are to better the lives of not just those around us — but those we may never even meet!Leygerman's Hopeful Message:"Teenagers are ignited, spirited, and take no prisoners. Do not squander their fight; they really are our future. Do not call them entitled; that entitlement is their drive and their passion. Do not get in their way: they will crush you. Foster their rebellion. They are our best allies."More from Goalcast:

Mom Has Perfect Response to Teacher Who Called Her Sons Lunches Disgusting - Then She Receives a Shocking Email
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Mom Has Perfect Response to Teacher Who Called Her Sons Lunches Disgusting - Then She Receives a Shocking Email

It's 2024 and it's look like some people still haven't gotten the memo we need to be inclusive of every culture.What's even more disappointing is when these "misunderstanding" people are the ones who are responsible for educating the future leaders of tomorrow!The internet was furious when one loving Korean mother, was schooled by her son's teacher (so to speak). Yes, one preschool teacher claimed this mom packed "inappropriate" lunches for her son. The only problem? They weren't really inappropriate at all. These lunches were totally standard for Korean culture. Here's how one Korean mom — who went be the alias flowergardens0 — decided to handle the situation.And here's why Reddit users are backing her up.One Mother Turned To Reddit — They Were InfuriatedWhen it came to standing up for herself, the 34-year-old mom aka flowergardens0 wanted to make sure she didn't cross the line. She knew parent-teacher relationships have an unspoken, delicate balance. So, she decided to "ask the judges." This fierce mama turned to the popular Reddit thread "AITA?" to ask for a little bit of guidance.The acronym AITA humorously stands for "Am I The A**hole?" The Reddit thread is a safe online space for users to anonymously get honest feedback to see if they handled a difficult situation correctly. She wanted to make sure she didn't overreact — because if she did, she wanted to make it right.Here’s What She Wanted to Know:"I (34F) have a (5M) son who attends preschool. A few hours after I picked him up from school today, I got a phone call from his teacher. She made absolutely no effort to sound kind when she, in an extremely rude and annoyed tone, told me to stop packing my son such “disgusting and inappropriate” lunches.I felt absolutely appalled when she said this, as me and the teacher have, up until now, always maintained a very friendly relationship. She added that the lunches I’m packing my son are “very distracting for the other students and have an unpleasant odor.” I told her that I understand her concerns, as the lunches I pack are definitely not the healthiest, but the lunches are according to my son’s preferences."Even though she was taken aback by the teacher's surprising overstep, she took a deep breath and did her best to try and reason with her.How One Mother Responded to a Teacher’s ComplaintsShe responded by saying she "very much appreciated her worries, but that at the end of the day, I am not going to drastically change my sons’ lunches all of a sudden."Flowergardens0 correctly asserted that it’s not her fault if other students are “distracted” by his meal. "It is very important to me what my son enjoys, and I want him to like my lunches."Reddit/ flowergardens0After the call ended, this mother felt confident in her choice of words.Then she received a follow up email that made her question whether or not she did the right thing.The Teacher Wouldn’t Let It Go — She Called Her Response “Unacceptable”The teacher wasn't happy with the boundaries flowergardens0 set down. So she sent an email telling flowergardens0 her response was “unacceptable.”She went on to write her son's lunches are “just too inappropriate to be sent to school any longer.” Unsure what to do next, flowergardens0 bravely put herself out there on Reddit and got a bigger response than she could have ever imagined and all the comments were unanimous."I want to maintain a healthy relationship with my son’s teachers. I am confused as to what to do. AITA?"Reddit/ flowergardens0“She’s Too Inappropriate to Be Teaching at the School Any Longer.”Even though she wasn't sure if she did the right thing, the votes were in. It was quickly revealed she was "NTA" or in other words "not the a**hole." This teacher definitely crossed the line."The other kids are bullying your kid""This teacher isn't teaching these kids to accept differences"Protecting Her Son’s “Preferences”One of the more interesting takeaways of this story is even though the other kids in his class were complaining about his lunches, her 5-year-old son was not. He didn't ask his mom to switch it up and pack him ham sandwiches instead of kimchi and sriracha dishes.Even though he was so young, this little boy still knew who he was. He knew what he liked, and "trying to fit in" wasn't going to change that.This mom obviously did a good job raising her son. So it's no surprise she reflected the same confidence. When this teacher tried to shame her, she stood her ground and stood by her son's preferences.It may been picked up from a drive-thru window, but that didn't make his meal any less happy!A Lesson in Clapping Back, RespectfullyAs much as we want them to be, our kids aren't always on the right side of history.In every parent's life there will be many times their children will be wrong. Yes, it's important to recognize their missteps and help them make amends.That being said, there will also be times when our children need us to stand up for them. Just because an authority figure isn't happy with their choices — or ours for that matter — doesn't mean it's right.Sure, this teacher may not have been fully attune to her actions. But from the outside looking in? It seems like she was using her power position to intimidate a student's parent and get her way.Thankfully, this mama stood her ground and hopefully helped this teacher realize that instead of trying to make one student change their habits to make others more "comfortable," there is an awesome opportunity to teach all her students a powerful lesson about including everyone.More from Goalcast:

Stranger Gives Woman Advice About Her Toxic Relationship - Receives an Unexpected Email From Her 6 Years Later
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Stranger Gives Woman Advice About Her Toxic Relationship - Receives an Unexpected Email From Her 6 Years Later

*Featured image contains photo by Alex Green and Ivan SamkovThere's nothing worse than being stuck in a bad relationship. If you're one of the lucky ones who hasn't experienced a toxic relationship, then you've probably been a backseat driver for a loved one going through it. "It's gonna be a U-Turn at the next red light to avoid heartbreak!"For an outsider looking in, leaving an abusive relationship may seem like the obvious choice. Someone treats you bad? You leave them. 1+1 =2. But for someone stuck in an abusive relationship? Everyday is a battle that wears them down. Even if you can't see their battle scars, they have them. Tough love doesn't always work. For people suffering this daily struggle, it's not that they're ignoring your well intentioned advice. It's that they are so accustomed to the abuse it starts to feel like home (ie: Stockholm syndrome).Thankfully, a Reddit user who is being hailed as a "hero" knew exactly how to advise one woman when it came to leaving her abusive relationship — and it's not the approach you'd think. All the identities have been concealed to protect the identities of the parties involved. The Reddit Comment That Saved Her LifeIn a heartwarming Reddit thread, one user shared the amazing story of how they helped a neighbor in need...without even knowing it. When u/OptimisticOctopus8 stumbled on a Reddit thread asking for advice, the headline didn't just grab her attention, it pulled at her heartstrings.The anonymous user (who we will call "Jane") shared she was in the middle of an abusive relationship and didn't know how to get out. Jane came to Reddit seeking guidance — but the responses she got were a mixed bag.Scrolling through the comments u/OptimisticOctopus knew she had to jump in and say her piece, even if it got lost like a needle in the haystack. "I didn't do the whole, 'Dump them, get a lawyer, delete Facebook, hit the gym!' thing.u/OptomisticOctopus8Instead of telling her all the things that were wrong with her relationship, she decided to tell her what it looks like when a relationship is right. And the results couldn't have been more perfect.“Today I Learned I Changed the Entire Trajectory of Someone’s Life for the Better”jezzieg.comThey kicked things off by painting a picture for the person stuck in the abusive relationship – a glimpse of what a healthier, opposite kind of relationship could look like. "It was more like just contrasting their relationship with the healthy relationship they could have in the future and explaining the kind of things that needed to happen in order to create that future." With their words, they gently steered them toward envisioning a future filled with positivity. They urged them to release the toxicity of the present, making room for the potential goodness that awaited ahead."I also reassured them about some things that worried them," u/OptimisticOctopus added. Still, she had no idea her words would have lasting impact on one stranger's life. "If nobody told me, I wouldn't even have realized I'd written that comment - I don't remember having written it."An Unexpected Email Arrived 6 Years LaterThe impact of her forgotten words lay dormant until six years later an email notification brought the past rushing back. "Jane", the recipient of u/OptimisticOctopus8's advice, reached out to express her gratitude for the incredible words of wisdom she received all those years ago. She shared the transformation her life had undergone — and it's downright inspiring."It made me cry happy tears. It's so touching, and it's amazing to think I changed somebody's life through a Reddit comment," u/OptimisticOctopus8 reflected.Jane shared that u/OptimisticOctopus8's comment ignited her decision to break free from the abusive relationship. It set in motion a journey where she embraced singleness, delved into long-term therapy, and grasped the intricacies of fostering healthy relationships.Today, she finds herself in a mutually respectful and satisfying relationship — a reality that once seemed unimaginable.In the vast digital landscape, u/OptimisticOctopus8 may not have set out to be a hero. Still, her empathetic and insightful words resonated with Jane. Her story illustrates the profound impact a virtual stranger can have on a life in need of guidance and hope.Other Survivors Chimed in Sharing Their StoriesThe impact didn't stop with Jane's story. Other survivors chimed in, sharing their own experiences and expressing gratitude for the positive influence of online communities. "I love this! I've been on the receiving end," one user shared. "Some comments made me think hard, and now, six months out of that relationship, I'm grateful to all the Reddit communities." RedditAnother user, u/wakeboarderCWB, added, "I don’t care how tough you are; this is enough to make you tear up. Good for you. We need more people like you in this world and less like that person’s ex."Sure, sometimes the internet comment section can be a mean place — but this story is a reminder that with great power comes great responsibility. The same thing that can tear you down has the power to build you up!Empathy and Patience Goes a Long WayThere is a delicate balance between giving helpful advice and hurtful advice — that's why therapy can be healthier alternative than consulting your best friend. Our loved ones can be so biased even if its for the right reasons (like wanting to protect us). Therapists are trained professionals who specialize in looking at all sides of a situation.But even thought she may not have been a licensed professional, u/OptimisticOctopus was able to bring this same, non-judgmental energy to the conflict, and it made all the difference. More from Goalcast:Mom and Her 4 Kids Were Stuck in an Abusive Situation – So She Built Her Own House Using YouTube to EscapeUndercover Boss Notices Abusive Manager Is Making an Employee Sob – Steps in With a Response That Leaves Everyone Shocked16-Year-Old Puts Her Abusive Father in Jail – Today, the Police Officers Who Arrested Him Walked Her Down the Aisle

Server Overhears Customers Making a Rude Comment About a Child With Down Syndrome - Risks His Job to Does This
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Server Overhears Customers Making a Rude Comment About a Child With Down Syndrome - Risks His Job to Does This

Heroes come in all forms. They can be first responders, firefighters, fictional characters, or, as was the case at one restaurant in Houston, servers just standing up for what is right.A hero is what many people are calling server Michael Garcia this year after he put his job on the line to defend a little boy with autism from some particularly rude customers.A Family Dinner OutEarlier in 2023, Kim Castillo was dining at Laurenzo’s Prime Rib in Houston with her five-year-old son, Milo. Milo has Down syndrome, and his speech is a little delayed, but at the time, he was showing off some new words and talking about his birthday, which had just passed, reported HLN.That’s when a family, who was sitting nearby, asked if they could move tables to be farther away from Castillo and her son. The servers were confused, but they obliged until they heard a man in the group make a disparaging remark.“He said, ‘Special needs children need to be special somewhere else,’” Garcia recounted to the outlet. “That's like saying, 'You can't come in because you're a different skin color.'”Garcia told the family he would not be serving them. The man responded that he would leave the restaurant, but Garcia didn’t care. “I probably shouldn't have said it, but I was like, 'Okay, good,'” he added.The Makings of a HeroThe Castillo family didn’t know about the comment at first, but they later learned what had transpired and were grateful that Garcia had stuck up for them. It meant a lot to them, as regular customers, particularly when they learned that the booted family members were also restaurant regulars.“I wouldn't have expected anyone to do that and risk their job," Castillo told the outlet.“I was impressed that somebody would step out of their own comfort level and put their job on the line as well as to stand up for somebody else,” she added to NBC News, as per Today. “I know Michael did it from his heart and from reacting to the situation. I don’t think he stopped and thought about what he was doing.”Castillo also speculated in a since-deleted post that she didn’t even realize Milo was being disruptive. She had been taking him out to eat since he was little, and felt that he was well behaved.“Was he loud?” she wrote, as per Today. “Maybe a little in the moment, but honestly, the adults at our table were three times louder than he was.... If he had been obnoxious, which like any other five-year-old he can be, I wouldn’t have thought twice about the family asking to move.”Customers Respond in KindAfter Castillo wrote about her experience online, it was picked up by several news outlets and local social media pages. Soon, people began frequenting the restaurant and seeking out Garcia in hopes of being served by the local hero.“The business has been huge,” Candace Roberts, a fellow server, told the NBC affiliate. “People are coming in to shake his hand and eat at our restaurant and loving it.”Castillo, meanwhile, hopes that this story inspires others to lead with tolerance and kindness and to stop judging others by what they see on the outside.“It’s just impressive to see the outpouring of love and support,” she added. “Maybe next time they’ll think twice before they utter those words or say something derogatory about somebody else.”Standing Up When It MattersThere are all kinds of great, positive messages to receive from this story, but perhaps the most powerful of all is the importance of speaking up for others, particularly for those who can’t always speak up for themselves.Garcia could have easily ignored that rude man and pretended as though his prejudice didn’t exist. But he addressed it head-on and showed that he wouldn’t stand for it, potentially making that man think twice the next time he feels the need to speak out against someone with special needs.Not all of us are born with the same advantages in life, but that doesn’t make one person better than another. It takes genuine bravery to speak up on someone else’s behalf, and sometimes it can be a risk. But as Garcia knows, it’s a risk worth taking.More from Goalcast:A Waitress Is Humiliated by a Rude Customer – But a Mysterious Letter Changes EverythingStranger Is Rude to a Man Stuck in Traffic for No Reason – So He Follows Him to Have an Unusual Confrontation at a StarbucksPlus Size Man and His Size 8 Wife Receive Rude Comments From Haters – Come Up With the Perfect Idea to Silence Them

Disabled Woman Receives a Rude Note From a Neighbor About Her Yard - So One Woman Secretly Goes Over to Her House
Uplifting News

Disabled Woman Receives a Rude Note From a Neighbor About Her Yard - So One Woman Secretly Goes Over to Her House

We never truly know what someone else is going through, which is why it’s important to lead with kindness. That’s especially relevant when you’re upset about a situation and holding someone to your own personal standard. Rather than judge or make someone feel bad, sometimes it’s better to ask questions and find ways to help.An Angry NeighborAn anonymous neighbor in Billerica, Massachusetts was less than thrilled with the way Kristene Whitehouse was upkeeping her yard last fall. Even though the woman was trying her best to keep the leaves on her half-acre property in check, it was hard.You see, Whitehouse has numerous disabilities, including several missing fingers. She’s also on a fixed income, which makes hiring someone impossible. Still, she did her best and had spent hours one particular Saturday filling three sacks with leaves.It didn’t make much of a dent, and apparently, one neighbor was upset about that because Whitehouse received a note in her mailbox shortly afterward.“Clean up your yard leaves!! They blow all around,” the note read.Standing Up for HerselfWhitehouse was devastated, but she decided to turn the moment into an educational one. So she went on social media and shared a post explaining her situation.“I debated whether I should post this or not,” she wrote on a Billerica Facebook group page. “This is not the first such letter I’ve received over the years nor will it be the last.”The woman explained her disability and fixed income and reasoned the note was uncalled for. After all, she was doing her best.“I cannot physically do all the yard work, and I cannot afford to hire anyone,” she continued. “I will not apologize. I deserve to live here as much as the next person. You make it so I don’t feel like trying to care about the yard anymore. Merry Christmas.”A Community RespondsA woman named Cheryl Wesinger, who lives down the street from Whitehouse, decided she wanted to do something about the situation. The Facebook post had upset her, and she didn’t want her neighbor to feel alone.“I didn’t even tell Kris,” she recalled to NBC News. “I just went over, and I did her whole side of her yard with my lawnmower and bagged up all the leaves as much as I could before it got dark.”Wesinger planned to return the next day, but when a family situation kept her at home, she called upon her friend Mary Leach, who heads up the local Beautify Billerica group. Leach asked the community for volunteers.“People in the neighborhood know her,” neighbor Jillian Freitas also told NBC News.“They know that she has disabilities, and to go and do that is really low, especially at this time of the year.”By the following weekend, about a dozen volunteers had come together to collect nearly 80 bags of yard waste from Whitehouse’s property. They also trimmed her hedges and, most importantly, showed the woman that she was respected and valued.“I'm so grateful and so humbled ... just in awe,” she said.Creating CommunityWhile this story certainly reminds us of the importance of compassion and kindness, it also reminds us just how powerful a community can be when it comes together to support and uplift.Helping others and lending a hand to a greater cause is something all of us can do within our own communities, whether it’s helping a neighbor during a difficult period or watching out for one another’s children.Knowing that no one is perfect and everyone needs help once in a while is a great motivator to pitch in when we can. And even more importantly, this story reminds us that when we do see someone struggling, helping rather than judging can go a really long way.More from Goalcast:Careless Driver Doesn’t Care About Blocking Handicapped Woman’s Parking Spot – This Conflict Drives Her to ActionTeen With Disability Works at Pizza Joint – Is Speechless After Customer Gives Him $5 Tip Then Changes His MindWoman Tried to Hide Her Hearing Aids – Until Her Son Inspired Her to Embrace Her Disability

Man Messages His High School Bully on Facebook After 20 Years and Confronts Him - But He Receives an Unexpected Response
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Man Messages His High School Bully on Facebook After 20 Years and Confronts Him - But He Receives an Unexpected Response

Trigger Warning: This article mentions suicide.*Featured image contains photo by Anna ShvetsHigh school can be a rough time for kids, with a capital R. The hallowed halls are a breeding ground for drama, self-loathing, broken hearts, and a burning desire to just fit in. For Michael Stright, high school was a battlefield. A place where he endured relentless bullying at the hands of two of his fellow classmates. It got so bad, in fact, that he attempted suicide multiple times and eventually dropped out.Years later, at the age of 42, he discovered one of his tormentors on Facebook and decided to confront his past. It didn't go as he expected.Facing the Ghost of His PastIn a recent TikTok video that has gone viral, Michael shares that in 2013 he found his childhood bully, Jeff, on Facebook through a mutual friend. Seeing his name "brought back a lot of bad memories" for Michael. He had two choices; he could continue to give Jeff power over his life or he could face his demon. He chose the latter.In an incredible act of courage, Michael wrote Jeff a message. And Jeff? Well, he responded. And finally, after years and years of harboring trauma, Michael was able to find closure, peace, and healing for that inner child who suffered so much pain.He shared screenshots of their conversation which have been viewed by over 2.9 million people in just a few days.Prepare yourself.Michael did not tread lightly. He had a lot to say and he wasn't about to sugarcoat any of it. "Certain memories stay with you for life and the horrible memories of having you teasing me day after day. Did you know that I tried to commit suicide 3 times in school cause of the sh*t you and others put me through?"Michael StrightMichael went on to explain that he wasn't looking for pity. He just wanted the chance to finally move on.A Bully Responds To Michael's surprise, the response he received was not defensive or dismissive. Instead, his former bully expressed deep remorse for the pain he had caused and thanked him for calling him out.Despite not meaning to be malicious, Jeff acknowledged that his intentions back then didn't matter — "because it hurt you and nobody deserves to feel like that." He even opened up to Michael about his own kids being bullied, wondering if it is "retribution" for the way he treated him. (After all, what goes around, comes around.) He went on to admit to contemplating suicide himself due to depression and anxiety. "I am VERY happy that you did not commit suicide because of the actions of an insensitive classmate. I was an idiot and thought I was being "cool"...I was just an asshole, and I truly hope confronting me about this does make you feel better because you deserve that," Jeff wrote. He added, "I'll never be able to apologize enough to undo the damage I did, but please know that I'll be forever grateful for you having the courage to show me what I truly was ... and I'm disgusted and ashamed of myself."Jeff's emotional apology had a profound effect on Michael, bringing him to tears. But he wasn't the only one crying...several thousands of commenters were crying right along with him.Response to the TikTok Was StaggeringTo say the video has resonated with a lot of people is an understatement. The number of people with similar experiences is heartbreaking. Commenter after commenter shared their own stories, many of them with a much darker ending."That feeling of being bullied relentlessly has never left me, I'm 42 now. I cannot or will never forgive them. They took my formative years away. 😔""I'm 43 and because of being bullied my brain will never let me believe that anyone really likes me, anyone my sister, fiance friends family it's hard.""It sticks with you for life, changes who you are, stops you achieving things because of lack of confidence. It never leaves you. Some scars can't heal.""My brother was horrifically bullied during his school years, affected his life and how he was as an adult. Sadly he took his own life at 27." The Power of Redemption and ForgivenessJeff passed away in 2017, four years after his text exchange with Michael. As for Michael? He's glad he reached out when he did.Not only did it take a lot of courage for Michael to confront his high school bully, but it took a lot of maturity, emotional integrity, and personal growth for Jeff to respond the way he did. He took ownership of his actions and did his best to make amends. And isn't that what this life is all about? That we continuously evolve and grow so that we can become the best versions of ourselves?Despite their past history of anguish and torment, the two men were able to come together in a beautiful display of the power of forgiveness and redemption. And while it may have been two decades in the making, it's also proof that it's never too late to make up for past mistakes. More from Goalcast:Racist Man Refuses to Apologize for His Daughter’s Bullying – Until the Victim’s Father Gets the Last LaughTeen Finds Out His Classmates Are Bullying His Best Friend for His Old Shoes – So He Saves Up $135 and Does ThisMom Learns Her Son Has Been Bullying His Classmate – What She Does Next Shocks the Internet

Chef Bans Rich Diners for Disrespecting Server in a Scathing Email - And Gives Her the Entire $1200 Bill
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Chef Bans Rich Diners for Disrespecting Server in a Scathing Email - And Gives Her the Entire $1200 Bill

Anyone who has ever worked in the service industry knows how challenging it can be. Because, people.And while most people give service workers the respect they undoubtedly deserve, there are always the entitled few who think that money trumps basic human decency.Tired of toxic customers mistreating his staff, one chef decided to take a stand. And all we can say is, "BRAVO."Chef Roasts Rude Customers in Epic TweetAfter witnessing a group of six entitled businessmen repeatedly disrespect his employee Lily, Lee Skeet, who works as a chef at Cora, in Cardiff, U.K., knew he couldn't just stand idly by.Despite the fact that the group had just racked up the largest bill in the restaurant's history, Skeet was so appalled by their behavior that he wrote the head of the party a scathing email, banning them for life. And then he tweeted about it (or more accurately, X'd about it).Captioning a screenshot of his salty smackdown, Skeet, who famously trained under Gordon Ramsey, wrote, "I’m not clout chasing or looking for likes. I just think we should start calling out rich people who think they can treat people like crap."In the letter attached, Skeet first thanks the unnamed diner for choosing his restaurant. Then he goes in for the kill."Dear xxxxxxx, I wanted to firstly thank you for choosing my restaurant for your meal tonight, and I understand you had the biggest bill we've ever had on one table here. Unfortunately throughout the evening, I was made aware that your party's behavior was inappropriate towards Lily, who runs front-of-house," the email read."She has told me that as a 22-year-old-girl she was talked down to, disrespected, and touched unwantedly by members of your group."In an interview with Wales Online, Lily shared that she was reduced to tears after being humiliated and degraded for three hours while serving the party a seven-course meal.Skeet goes on to explain that as the dad of a daughter, he was absolutely heartbroken for Lily and the emotional toll it took on her. "I have spent the last hour having conversations with her that break my heart, make me feel like a s**t employer and a terrible dad having my own daughter," Skeet wrote.What the Chef Decided to Do NextOriginally, Skeet planned to just refund the group their hefty $1200 bill, minus a $100 tip for Lily — a tip they initially failed to give her. Because demeaning her wasn't enough apparently, they then added salt to the wound and didn't even bother to leave her a tip. He concluded the email, "I would thank you to never come back to my restaurant. Lily means a lot more to me than money. I also think you should assess the people you surround yourself with."However, hours later, Skeet had a change of heart. He decided to hit the patron where it hurts — right in his wallet.He tweeted again, saying:"On reflection I reacted too quickly and emotionally last night. Sorry I was a little bit angry and protective. I’m not going to refund the customer’s money. I’ve instead kept it and transferred to lily x."And if you're currently questioning if your own work environment is toxic, this just set a whole new bar on what a healthy workplace looks like. Having Money Doesn’t Excuse You From Being a Decent Human BeingNot surprisingly, the X-verse applauded Skeet for having Lily's back and creating a workplace that values and protects its employees. His posts received over 150,000 likes and more than 2,000 people chimed in. One commenter wrote, "Your response to the trouble makers is excellent. Putting morals above money is a brave and admirable thing to do. I hope Lily is ok. Much respect to you."Another wrote, "So happy to see an employer stand up so fiercely and unwaveringly for a member of their team. I do hope they had the good grace and respect to do as you asked. I hope Lily is okay after that dreadful experience and if I’m ever in Cardiff I will most definitely come to Cora."A third commenter said, "Absolutely spot on. Workers are not the plaything of the idle rich, to abuse and insult as they want. Money doesn’t buy manners and humility…it’s how you’re brought up and the values installed in you. Top man."Skeet's bold stance against the mistreatment of his staff is admirable. Calling out toxic behavior and standing up for others when we see injustice or mistreatment is crucial to ensuring a positive work environment. Everyone, no matter what position you hold, is entitled to respect, fair treatment, and dignity. These are, after all, basic human rights. More from Goalcast:Boss Is Hesitant When Deaf Employee Asks to Become the Chef – Little Did He Know How Customers Would View HimAnxious Deaf Couple Tries a Popular Restaurant – Realizes the Chef Has Learnt Sign Language Just for ThemTeen Refuses to Go to His Graduation Because His Parents Can’t Make It – But His Manager Has a Different Idea

Bullies Throw Boys Shoes in the Toilet at School - Little Did He Know, a Student Would Then Show Up at His House
Uplifting News

Bullies Throw Boys Shoes in the Toilet at School - Little Did He Know, a Student Would Then Show Up at His House

Bullying is a sad reality faced daily by many children in school. Usually they feel ashamed of their circumstances and do not know how to reach out and ask for help. Luckily, there are some in school who do the right thing and stand up for victims, like in the case of Skyler Carter, who went above and beyond to help his classmate. Shoes in the ToiletTanner Hendrix was being bullied at school. One day, it got so bad that the bullies took Tanner’s shoes and threw them into the toilet. Tanner’s parents took the issue to the school, and they disciplined the children responsible for the incident. However, Tanner was still hurt. The week after the attack, a senior from his school, Skyler Carter, showed up to the Hendrix house with a kind surprise.Brand New PairSkyler had heard about what happened to Tanner, and he decided to use his own money to buy a pair of replacement shoes for his classmate. Tanner’s mother, Meghan, was blown away by the act of kindness. Last week at school Tanner had someone take his shoes and put them in the toilet. This absolutely broke my mama heart…Meghan Hendrix“I am forever grateful to this boy for being there for Tanner and for reminding us all what it means to just be a good person. #imnotcryingyourecrying #okimcrying #blessedandgrateful #spreadpositivevibes,” she wrote on Facebook.A Wonderful ExampleThe story of Skyler’s kindness towards Tanner went viral on social media, and for good reason. In a sea of depressing news stories, it gives us hope to hear about such kind and selfless actions. Acts of kindness, no matter how small, can have a big impact on us all. So, thank you Skyler!More from Goalcast:Bullied Teen Feels “Worthless” Before Prom – Little Did She Know 300 Bikers Were About to Give Her a Night She’d Never ForgetBullied Student Finds a Crowd Gathered at the School Gym – The Reason Why Goes ViralBullied Boy Loses Hope After a Priceless Gift From His Grandmother Is Stolen – But His Best Friends Feel Otherwise