Good Stories on 26 April 2026

Good Stories on 26 April 2026

News and media often tell us of sadness, wars, crimes, and violence. But there is another side to the story. There is good news, too—and good things should be shared. Nothing makes my day like a warmhearted story.

As I sit here this morning in Tianjin, it is still dark outside, but I can already sense the coming of the warm sunshine. The spring here has brought a sea of beautiful blooming flowers. Before I arrived, some warned me to be careful with the air quality, but my experience has been quite the opposite—the air is fresh and clean, a perfect companion for a quiet morning of reflection and a hot cup of coffee.

A quiet morning of reflection in Tianjin, where beauty exists beyond names.

Inspired by this peaceful start, I penned these simple lines:

As I am sipping coffee, good news popping up

I sense my warm of heart and a warm of my coffee cup

Looking out of the windows, I could see blue sky

Good news too not just Sad movies make you cry.

Nourishing the Mind: Ahāra-paccayo

In the Buddha’s Maha Paṭṭhāna, there is a focus on Ahāra-paccayo—the condition of nutriment or sustenance. While we often think of food for the body, this teaching reminds us that we also consume "mental food." Just as we need healthy food to stay physically strong, we need wholesome stories to stay functional as compassionate and kind human beings. If we only consume sadness and violence, our hearts grow heavy. By choosing to "nourish" ourselves with stories of kindness, we sustain our ability to remain empathetic.

With that in mind, here is some wholesome "mental food" for today:

🏠 A Win for Home: Thailand’s "Hermit Crab" Success

Thailand recently earned international recognition at the Green Destinations Story Awards. The "Returning Homes to the Hermit Crabs" project at Mu Ko Lanta National Park in Krabi won top honors. It is a beautiful example of how we can nourish our environment by protecting even the smallest creatures.

🎓 The Power of Perseverance

A school custodian in the US named Jessica Caldwell has just earned her fourth degree. Working the night shift while raising four children, she proved that learning has no finish line. Her story is a testament to the human spirit's hunger for growth and progress.

📚 Small Hands, Big Impact

Literacy has a new champion in Tlotlo Tsheka, a Grade 2 student who has already published three books. She is on a mission to inspire other children to find joy in reading. It is heartening to see such a young leader dedicated to feeding the minds of her peers.

🐾 Nature’s Recovery

• The Seabird Savior: On Rathlin Island, a Labrador named Woody has helped save a seabird colony by protecting their nesting grounds.

• The Forest Gardeners: In Brazil, reintroduced toucans are helping to regrow native forests by dispersing seeds, proving nature knows how to sustain itself.

⚽ Community and Connection

In the U.K., a soccer team called "Forget-Me-Knot" FC—started by a father for grieving dads—has grown into a massive support network. It shows that even in our darkest moments, we can find the "sustenance" of companionship to help us survive and heal.

Final Thoughts

Identifying the flowers is one thing I am not particularly good at. I often wish I were a more skilled illustrator or artist so that I could paint what I see. Like many people, I don't always know their botanical names. In fact, philosophically speaking, they have no names; we are the ones who give them labels and classifications. But names are not the most important thing—beauty exists far beyond names or Nama.

While we cannot ignore the world's problems, we must intentionally seek out the good. Whether it is the blooming flowers in Tianjin, the hermit crabs in Krabi, or a student’s success, these moments are the nutrients that keep the heart warm. I wish for the suffering and atrocities experienced by many lives to be reduced, so that all lives can find the way to seek their fullest potential.

Let’s keep sharing the good.

What wholesome "food for the mind" have you found today?