Buzz
Hate and fear are not only destructive because of their societal impact—they are also instinctual, ingrained within us. These natural reactions were once essential for survival, protecting us from dangers like venomous snakes or diseases brought by strangers. However, in today's world, these instincts often create more harm than good. Still, suspicion, hostility, and coercive control seem to be running rampant, spreading like an adjacent pandemic across the globe.
There are stories that, when remembered and shared, offer a fresh perspective—a kind of vaccine against hate, indifference, and despair. Here are 10 such tales: two initial doses and 8 boosters against the shadows.
Happy New Year, Listversians—let's hope 2022 brings even more uplifting stories like the ones featured here.
10. The Lichfield Legend
"No good deed goes unpunished." While this cynical saying may be true in some cases, there's a simple way to avoid this fate—just keep performing good deeds. This appears to be the approach taken by an exceptional young man from the Midlands of England.
Eighteen-year-old Sebbie Hall from Lichfield, Staffordshire, was deeply troubled by the thought of people being unable to stay connected during lockdown because they didn’t have access to technology. His first generous act was to give his iPad to a close friend so they could communicate online. This act of kindness created a ripple effect, and since then, Sebbie has helped raise around $53,000 for charitable causes and directly assisted approximately 2,000 people.
There’s been a positive side effect for Sebbie as well, beyond the satisfaction of helping others. Sebbie was born with a rare chromosomal condition that leads to both physical and learning disabilities—his consistent acts of kindness have not only boosted his self-esteem but also improved his verbal communication skills.
Some individuals are just inherently good—and we’re fortunate to have people like Sebbie among us.
9. Mind-Changer In Chief
People often begin to identify themselves with their opinions, intertwining their experiences, justifications, and second-hand beliefs into their sense of self. Extreme, socially awkward, transgressive, and hateful ideologies can be particularly difficult to break free from once someone becomes deeply embedded in that mindset. These ideologies, reinforced by social pressure and even legal consequences, create a closed-loop of logic that keeps individuals firmly on one side. It's a mechanism similar to the way cults operate. This is what makes Daryl Davis such a remarkable individual.
Over the past several decades, Davis has helped to reform more than 200 KKK members—not by force or confrontation, but by simply recognizing their shared humanity and showing them that he, too, possesses that same humanity. Oh, and he also plays an amazing piano.
8. Lazy Teens? Not Exactly
A group of high school students stop messing around and come together to help someone in need—sounds like the storyline of a mid-season episode from an early 90s teen sitcom. But thankfully, this kind of thing happens in real life…minus the laugh track and the over-30 actors playing the ‘nerdy girl’ in school.
Students in Bradford, Rhode Island, couldn’t bear the thought of 5-year-old Ryder Killam getting drenched every school day. You see, little Ryder had to stand outside for about 15 minutes each morning while waiting for the bus. His father had attached a patio umbrella at the bus stop, but it did little to protect Ryder from the elements like snow, hail, and rain. Local teens saw the boy sitting in his wheelchair each morning (Ryder has spina bifida) and decided to build him a shelter. Now, Ryder gets to school without soaked clothes or a cold, allowing him to focus fully on his studies and really dive into whatever his teacher is going on about. Well, every story has its downside, I guess.
7. Generating, Not Degenerating
Here’s a brief, feel-good story. The iconic red telephone boxes (and the far less memorable 1980s grey metallic ones) scattered across Britain are being repurposed rather than left to rust away. Some are being transformed into cozy little reading rooms, mini nightclubs, and even coffee shops. The most common repurposing, however, seems to be converting them into stations for defibrillators—a service that could potentially save as many lives as the phone booths did back in the pre-cell phone era.
Now, some teens are set on destroying these boxes before they can be given a second life (we’re not talking about the nice teens from Rhode Island who build bus shelters). So, who will come out on top? The good Samaritans who enrich our lives, or the pranksters who will fill the boxes with expanding foam or inflatable... well, you get the picture. Let the battle begin.
6. Prayers Answered...Very Quickly
One can understand (and certainly condemn) the ideologically-driven fools who burn down churches and cathedrals. One can even understand a group of rebellious goths defacing a parish church with some dark, sub-Hammer-Horror movie slogans and symbols painted in black.
For the lulz.
But who, in their right mind, would desecrate this charming little chapel in rural West Wales? That’s the thing—no one with a “right mind” could commit such a heinous act.
This senseless act of vandalism at the beautiful Capel y Grog in Mwnt, Ceredigion, in late 2021 stunned the local community. In response, they quickly launched a fundraising campaign with a £20k goal, hoping to restore their beloved place of worship.
They surpassed their target in just three days. Senseless hate will always lose to kindness and generosity.
5. An Incredible Tip
A frequently overlooked but wonderful part of daily life is experiencing excellent service from those who are paid to provide it. When you encounter someone at a shop or restaurant who treats you not just as a customer but more like a friend or family member, genuinely caring that you 'have a nice day,' it’s truly special.
That’s what Dunkin’ Donuts server Ebony Johnson did every single day. In a job that, if viewed only as a way to make a living, could be tedious and unfulfilling, Ebony turned her time into an opportunity to spread kindness, engage with the people she served, and show that she cared. One customer, in return, decided to show her gratitude in a major way.
Suzanne Burke ordered from Ebony every morning at the drive-thru, and over three years, they became friendly through their daily chats. When Ebony found herself in a tough spot, facing eviction from her home in Mount Healthy, Ohio, Suzanne seized the chance to repay Ebony for the kindness and joy she had received. She gave her a tip that would make anyone’s year—organizing for Ebony and her three kids to move into a new, fully furnished home just in time for Christmas.
4. Sharing the Luck
Playing the lottery is a poor decision. Unless, of course, you hit the jackpot. But even then, sudden wealth can often be a dangerous burden. Most people don’t stop to strategize or plan their finances while waiting in line at the grocery store to buy a ticket. As a result, many winners end up falling into cycles of excess and waste, damaging both their mental and physical health.
You’ve probably heard the familiar story—a young man from a rough background wins the lottery, blows it all on drugs, parties, and gambling, and *insert tragic end to the tale*. You might also think it’s unreasonable to expect that an average person would suddenly become a financial expert simply because they find themselves in the top 1% (or even the top 0.01%).
But hey, there’s always charity.
In 2018, Barbara Wragg from Sheffield, England, passed away. Nearly 20 years earlier, she had won £7.6 million in the National Lottery. During her sudden wealth, she and her husband gave away roughly 70% of it. She maintained a humble lifestyle (with just a larger house and nicer car), using her wealth as a cushion rather than a way to indulge in luxurious or flashy items. The rest of the money went to various charities.
Among the many causes Barbara supported were Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Whirlow Hall Farm Trust, the Meningitis Trust, and Help the Aged. She also funded 250 children from Sheffield’s poorer neighborhoods to attend the local Christmas pantomime every year. And when a group of WWII veterans could not afford to visit Monte Cassino in 2004 for the 60th anniversary of the battle, Barbara stepped in to help.
Good things happening to good people encourage more good in the world: “Winning the lottery changed our lives but not our persons.” May she rest in peace; God knows she earned it.
3. Healing Deep Wounds
In 2020, a man who had spent a year in prison for a crime he didn’t commit became a hero. After being acquitted of a false charge of pointing a gun at an officer during a traffic stop in Pennsylvania, Daylan McLee understandably felt resentment toward law enforcement. But his past grievances didn’t stop him from saving the life of a police officer by pulling him from a burning squad car.
He could have stood by, filmed the incident, or just called for help and gone on with his life. But Daylan chose to act, putting aside his personal bitterness to perform an act of selfless bravery. Daylan McLee’s actions remind us that when we embrace the shared humanity in others, hatred has no place.
“I want people to start looking at people as Americans, and not, you know, ‘he’s white, he’s black, he’s Asian’—we’re people, and when we start realizing that, things should get better”—Daylan McLee, 2020.
2. Olympic Silver, Kindness Gold
When Olympic athlete Maria Anrejczyk learned of a family struggling to raise funds for their baby’s life-saving heart surgery, she knew she had to help. The Polish javelin thrower was heartbroken to hear that baby Milosz Malysa’s family was having trouble raising the 1.5 million zlotych needed to get him the operation in Barcelona, Spain.
In a remarkable act of selflessness, Maria auctioned off her Olympic silver medal to contribute to the cause. By then, half of the needed amount had already been raised, but time was running out for Milosz. Just as the deadline loomed, Polish supermarket chain Zabka stepped in to cover the remaining amount. Milosz successfully underwent surgery, and in a twist of fate, Maria got to keep her medal after all!
Maria expressed her gratitude, saying: “I will be eternally grateful. I have no words to express how happy I am.”
1. The Life Ranger
“I’m the ‘chotto matte’ man,” retired police officer Yukio Shige explained to Japan Today in 2014. The phrase ‘chotto matte’ translates roughly to ‘please wait a moment.’ When you consider that this elderly man patrols a notorious suicide hotspot along Japan’s coastline, this simple, polite phrase takes on far more significance.
‘Please, wait a moment’—a request that saves lives. Yukio Shige saves lives.
However, it’s more than just words; he further explains his approach in the interview. ‘There’s only one way to deal with this,’ Shige tells Shukan Shincho. ‘You must help them get back on their feet, work with them to solve their problems. If they’re in debt, I take them to legal aid. If they’re unemployed, I take them to Hello Work. If they’re homeless, I take them home with me.’ If the issue is workplace-related, he visits the person’s job to try to resolve it.
It’s not just about waiting for a moment—Shige himself takes the time to actively assist those in need. Yukio Shige practices what he preaches—‘Chotto Matte.’ He’s willing to put in the effort. He leads a team of volunteers who patrol the Tojinbo Cliffs and runs a small hostel nearby. By 2017, his efforts were credited with saving around 500 lives, and many more have likely been saved by now.
This is a man who believes that life is precious, despite the suffering that inevitably accompanies it.
Thank you, Shige-san, for everything
