As we all prepare to step into a new week and continue on the mindfulness journey we’re taking together, we at Nice News want to create space to ponder what it means to walk through life with gratitude — consistently giving thanks for the beauty and goodness around us. You may have heard that gratitude can have tangible and transformative effects; in fact, there isn’t room enough in this edition to list all the benefits. Studies suggest that gratitude can help you sleep, eat, and feel better, and that the simple act of writing down three things you’re thankful for each day can improve your health. But while it’s easy to acknowledge the advantages, we don’t always take the time to build the habit, especially when we’re experiencing negative emotions. To help you take that step, consider this your extra encouragement to begin regularly practicing gratitude. If you get stuck, here are 492 things to be grateful for, including the warm morning sunshine, the kindness of a stranger, and the breath in our lungs.
Many families have their own lore — oft-shared tales of ancestral kin who led incredible lives. For Julie Klam, those relatives were the four Morris sisters. All self-made millionaires, one sister is known to have advised President Franklin D. Roosevelt while another romanced J.P. Morgan. Or did they? This is the “fascinating and funny true story” about a family history that may be more fiction than fact.
What’s better than watching lion cubs, newborn seals, and toddling young elephants learn the way of the world? Listening to Helena Bonham Carter’s soothing voice narrate the action as you do. Wild Babies is a docuseries, so in addition to heartwarming moments, be prepared for an honest look at some of nature’s harsh realities. That said, the level of cuteness is truly off the charts.
In 1981, David Bowie and Queen combined creative forces to write and record what would become an anthem for the ages: “Under Pressure.” This year, the “biggest rock band on Earth,” Rockin’ 1000, performed an amazing cover of the hit song as part of a two-hour concert in Paris. All 1,000 musicians sang and played together, a moving display of harmony in every sense of the word.
As we mentioned in Wednesday’s edition of Nice News, an exciting lineup of celestial events is in store for stargazers throughout September, and this free digital planetarium can help you make the most of what you see. Enter your location or point your phone at the sky using the app to identify and learn about stars, comets, constellations, planets, and more, all in real time.
These gorgeous notebooks aren’t just easy on the eyes — they’re also eco-friendly, made with 100% post-consumer-waste recycled paper and printed with soy ink. Browse the vast selection of artistic and colorful designs to find your favorite (or favorites, more likely). We think it’s the perfect medium to begin a new gratitude journal.
If you’re a candle fanatic, you’ll love this fun find. Hand-poured and crafted in London, cent.ldn’s unique wax creations are designed for household decor. Choose from incredible representations of real objects, or if you’re feeling extra fanciful, go the bespoke route and bring your own design to life, including a custom scent. Order from the U.K. or check here for a retailer near you.
Have memories of begging for a taste of cookie dough before a batch went in the oven? Doughp, which was featured on Shark Tank, has created flavored cookie doughs that can be eaten raw or baked into warm, gooey treats. Even better, the company is “committed to reducing the stigmas around mental health & addiction,” and a portion of each sale supports a nonprofit recovery charity.
*Recommendations are independently selected by our team but may result in a commission to Nice News which helps keep our content free.
Video of the Week
A bustling street in downtown San Antonio, Texas, comes to life in this restored and colorized footage from the 1940s. With multiple camera angles, there’s so much history to soak in. From the cars and buses to the clothing and hairstyles, you’ll be transported back in time — and the added sound design makes for an even more immersive experience. Enjoy poring over the vintage signage and spotting different groups of friends and families going about their days. (Credit: NASS / YouTube)
I recently fractured several vertebrae in my spine and can only walk short distances. On a recent trip from Seattle home to Milwaukee, my wife and 8-year-old granddaughter were pushing my wheelchair and dragging our luggage. It was an unusually long distance to the gate, and they were struggling up a small incline. A woman asked if she could help, and with her help, we made it to the gate. She hurried off to her own gate before we could really thank her for this simple but meaningful act of kindness.
Les B.
Have you witnessed something inspiring? Click here to submit a story.
Challenge
Send a Thank You Note
In addition to taking stock of all you’re grateful for this week, put your appreciation into practice and send (or hand deliver) a thank you note. It could be for something simple, like your local barista making you the perfect pumpkin spice latte each morning, or something more impactful, like a good friend supporting you when you needed it most. For inspiration, check out author Gina Hamadey’s experience writing a daily thank you card in what she dubbed her “year of gratitude.”
Quote of the Day
“This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before.”
If you’ve been thinking about planning a trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, here’s another reason to book those flights: the city’s Geranium restaurant has topped the newly released list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Geranium, which became the first Danish restaurant to earn three Michelin stars in 2016, is currently focusing on local seafood and vegetables after the pandemic prompted head chef Rasmus Kofoed to overhaul the menu. “It’s all that we could dream of,” Kofoed said of the best restaurant honor. See which other spots made the 2022 list.
Today’s News
Mike Marsland / WireImage via Getty Images
Culture
Buzz Aldrin Auctions Off Space Memorabilia, Including His Moon Landing Jacket
Almost exactly 53 years after Buzz Aldrin became the second person to ever set foot on the moon, some of the memorabilia from his famed trip is up for the taking. The 92-year-old is auctioning off the jacket he wore during the moon landing as well as a series of other personal items and artifacts from his long career as an astronaut. Sotheby’s, which will host the auction on July 26, called Aldrin’s items “the most important Space Exploration collection to come to market.”
The jacket is estimated to sell for up to $2 million, as is a circuit breaker switch that broke during the moon mission. The switch is being sold alongside the pen that Aldrin used in its place to ignite the engine and get him and fellow explorer Neil Armstrong home safe. “After deep consideration, the time felt right to share these items with the world, which for many are symbols of a historical moment, but for me have always remained personal mementos of a life dedicated to science and exploration,” Aldrin said in a statement, per CNN. “I hope that this collection offers some insight into what it has been like to be Buzz Aldrin.”
How Sea Turtles Are Helping Researchers Predict Tropical Cyclones
Dozens of cyclones form each year over the world’s tropical oceans, and according to NASA, such storms pose “one of the biggest threats to life and property.” Unfortunately, they are also hard to predict, especially in the cyclone-prone Indian Ocean, which is why researcher Olivier Bousquet has put sea turtles to work. Bousquet started STORM (Sea Turtles for Ocean Research and Monitoring) with 15 turtles in 2019, and the program has taken off, leading to a wealth of data that will help predict future cyclones.
In the past, scientists have tagged other marine creatures, like seals, to collect data in hard-to-reach ocean ecosystems. After testing out a series of animals, Bousquet landed on sea turtles for several reasons. The turtles are heavy enough to carry the satellite sensors, and they tend to dwell in the area of the ocean — about 25 to 200 meters deep — where the energy for cyclones comes from. This year, STORM released 80 tagged turtles, and Bousquet plans to keep going. He told Hakai Magazine that with “a little bit of luck,” they will be able to time the turtles’ release to retrieve data from the heart of a cyclone. And fear not: the sturdy animals are well-equipped to survive the storms.
World’s Largest Vertical Farm Will Serve Up Fresh Greens on Emirates Flights
If you have an upcoming flight with Emirates anytime soon, the salad served with your meal may be coming from the world’s largest vertical farm. The Dubai-based facility, called Bustanica, will produce more than 2 million pounds of leafy greens each year, and use 95% less water than traditional farming. According to a press release, the reduced water usage is thanks to a closed-loop system that will circulate water through the plants, maximizing efficiency. As the water evaporates, it is recovered and then recycled back into the system.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the airline’s chairman and chief executive, said the vertical farm is especially useful in the United Arab Emirates, given the country’s dry climate. “Bustanica ushers in a new era of innovation and investments, which are important steps for sustainable growth and align with our country’s well-defined food and water security strategies,” he added in a statement. In addition to contributing to Emirates in-flight catering starting this month, the greens will soon be available in local Dubai grocery stores — and there are plans to expand to fruits and vegetables in the future.
Watch four wild bison roam the U.K. forest for the first time in thousands of years.
Jake Wightman won the 1500 meter final at the World Athletics Championships while his dad — a former runner himself — cheered him on as the in-stadium commentator.
A good night’s sleep has been added to the American Heart Association’s list of factors that are important to heart health.
An Italian 98-year-old has graduated with a masters degree two years after completing his undergraduate career, upholding his title as the country’s oldest student.
Colonel Sanders’ house is up for sale. Check out the interior of this piece of Kentucky Fried Chicken history here.
Meet Emmanuel: the emu who has gone viral for his tendency to put himself front and center whenever his caretaker, Taylor Blake, tries to record videos at Knuckle Bump Farms in South Florida. Blake’s hilarious videos of the animal knocking over her phone (despite her constant cries of, “Emmanuel, don’t do it!”) have earned the farm more than 1 million followers on TikTok. “You changed my life, bud,” Blake recently wrote alongside a sweet photo of her and Emmanuel. (Photo Credit: Knuckle Bump Farms / Instagram)
