At 33 years old, Kaedi Cecala faced a devastating diagnosis. Doctors told her she had myelodysplastic syndrome, commonly known as MDS. The disease affects bone marrow and can be life-threatening if it progresses into acute myeloid leukemia, Good Morning America reported. “Either the low counts from the MDS or the development of leukemia will prove life-threatening,” Dr. Jayesh Mehta, a hematologist at Northwestern Medicine’s Lurie Cancer Center in Chicago, explained to GMA. Kaedi Cecala wanted to live and did everything she could to survive. That meant aggressive chemotherapy while trying to find a compatible stem cell donor. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kaedi Cecala | Chicago Bridal & Event Hairstylist (@nichebeauty.bykaedi) Kaedi Cecala Found a Donor Far Away But there was a bit of a catch, Kaedi Cecala and the donor remained anonymous to each other for two years. “I remember looking, and it’s just like, who is this person, and my angel, honestly,” Kaedi told GMA. A 26-year-old Polish man named Karol Zwierzyńsk saved Kaedi’s life. Karol said she never thought twice about donating. Kaedi had no issues with the transplant and felt great. She and her now-husband, Mikey Cecala, began planning their wedding. Kaedi knew she wanted to find her donor and have them present at the wedding. Karol flew in from Poland to meet Kaedi and Mikey and surprise their guests. “Our guest of honor and his wife are here with us tonight,” Mikey shared during the reception. Karol took the microphone and shared a toast with Kaedi, Mikey Cecala, and their totally astonished guests. “I’m not a hero here,” Karol said. “So please raise your glasses for Kaedi.” As he spoke, Karol made a very sweet remark that touched the hearts of many and may even have piqued their interest in stem cell donation. “Somewhere out there, your Kaedi might be waiting for you,” he said. What a beautiful and selfless gift. This story’s featured image can be found here

Few individuals have had an impact on the childhoods of millions and the imaginations of people of all ages like Jim Henson. From Sesame Street to The Muppet Show to The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, Gen Xers grew up with Henson's magic being a familiar and comforting presence. And to this day, over three decades after his death, the characters he created are still household names.For those of us who were raised on Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Kermit, and Miss Piggy, Henson's creatures feel as real as any living, breathing performer from our childhoods. But it's not just because we were kids when we were introduced to them. Even adults who met the Muppets found themselves transported into Henson's imaginary world, and after seeing interviews of the puppeteer with his creatures, it's easy to see why. Watch: Henson didn't even pretend to not be controlling Kermit. He didn't bother with ventriloquism. And yet, Kermit feels truly alive and separate from the person animating him. It almost feels surreal. Or perhaps just...real. Henson's characters even convinced film crew membersBoth guests and crew members alike found themselves pulled into Henson's world, even while fully understanding that the puppets were being controlled by people. The crew would sometimes move the boom mic to a puppet instead of the puppeteer. Directors would sometimes give stage directions directly to the Muppet instead of the human animating it. Dick Cavett, who interviewed Henson with his Muppets, said, “No matter how much you know about this, it’s completely convincing.”Even when a Muppet would explain the fact that the person was speaking to a puppet, it still seemed like a sentient being. Case in point:(This may be the one time you see Henson swear, but in context, it's brilliantly wholesome.) @guygilchrist My old boss’s last public performance as Rowlf.

You’re standing in line at the grocery store and you see someone cute. You’d like to strike up a conversation without it being awkward...but that feels kinda nerve-wracking, right? Or maybe you’re standing around at a party and see someone you’d like to get to know, and want to approach them in a way that doesn’t feel uncomfortable. That probably feels a little scary, too.The good news is that with a few easy tricks, you can improve your communication skills and feel confident approaching anyone.According to years of psychological research, several principles can help make striking up conversations with strangers easier. The great thing is that they all work best when approached in a casual, effortless way.1. Comment on the environmentLet’s say you’re at a party in someone’s living room. You can comment on physical objects: “Gee, this guy sure has a lot of books.” Or maybe you’re at a party where everyone brought food: “The food smells great. What are you grabbing first?” You can also comment on people’s behavior: “Is it me, or is everyone really well dressed tonight?”This works because of the Joint Attention Effect, which says that when two people pay attention to the same thing at the same time, they create a common point of reference. This shared focus can immediately make people feel closer, even in social situations.2. Make a playful commentPeople will usually respond when you make a playful or unexpected comment, as long as it isn’t threatening. For example, if the person you want to talk to is holding a cocktail, you might joke, “That drink looks serious.” If you’re stuck in a long line: “Do you know why we’re here? I almost forgot why we’re in line—it’s been so long.” Or if you’re at a child’s birthday party and spot another parent you’d like to talk to: “Be honest, how tired of Little Caesars’ pizza are you?”This works because of the Benign Violations Theory, which suggests that when someone violates a social norm in a non-threatening way, it makes people laugh and activates bonding mechanisms. It signals to your new friend that you’re playful and friendly, and when they laugh at your joke, it shows that you share similar values.3. Ask their opinionAnother effortless way to engage someone you don’t know is to ask their opinion. For example, if you’re in the produce section at the supermarket, you might ask, “Do these peaches look good to you?” Or if you’re at a party and bring up a pop culture moment most people watched: “So, was Bad Bunny great at the Super Bowl, or is he overrated?”This works because of what’s known as Cognitive Ease: people are more likely to respond to questions that are easy to process. Asking someone for their subjective opinion is non-threatening, and it’s easy for them to come up with an answer that makes them feel comfortable. Plus, if social media has taught us anything, it’s that everyone loves to share their opinions.Next step: Pivot and ask questionsGiven that all of these strategies are psychologically designed to elicit a response, even from someone you’ve never met, you have a strong chance of sparking a conversation. The key is to widen the exchange once you get that response by asking two more questions. In fact, a Harvard University study found that one of the easiest ways to be likable is to start a conversation with a question and then follow up with two more.“We identify a robust and consistent relationship between question-asking and liking,” the study's authors wrote. “People who ask more questions, particularly follow-up questions, are better liked by their conversation partners.”These three psychological rules show that it doesn’t take a Herculean effort to coax a stranger into having a conversation. All you have to do is make an effortless invitation by tapping into the environment you share with them, make a playful joke, or ask their opinion. Then ask a few questions, listen, and there’s a good chance you’ve made a new friend.

Malala Yousafzai most certainly has a lot of light. At the young age of 11, she began advocating for education for girls after the Taliban took over her district of Swat in Pakistan. About three years later, she—alongside two other girls—was shot in the head on a bus for her passionate, outspoken views.She survived and went on to address the United Nations about the importance of education. According to her nonprofit's website: "The U.N. recognized July 12 as Malala Day, in honour of her courageous advocacy and to highlight the global struggle for education. With her father, her ally and inspiration, she established Malala Fund, an organisation dedicated to giving every girl the opportunity to learn and choose her own future." See on Instagram Just one year later, she became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. She has received numerous awards, been honored by Time Magazine, and continues to inspire people around the world.Recently, one of her younger brothers, Khushal Yousafzai, was speaking at the Oxford Scholars Program when he was asked whether he ever felt "overshadowed" by his sister's accomplishments. His answer was vulnerable, heartfelt, and lovely:"My sister nearly died. Forget her winning the Nobel Prize. Forget her getting the limelight. I would give up my life for you to have a life. Death puts things into perspective like nothing else does." See on Instagram He pauses, then says, "Why would her success take anything away from me? I'm not in my sister's shadow. I'm in my sister's light. And Rumi has this beautiful quote: 'A candle doesn't lose its light when it lights up another candle.' Actually makes the world a brighter place. It lights up the whole room."He continues with a message about supporting the people you love:"So guys, uplift each other. If you see your friend, uplift them. Because guess what? We all are gonna die someday. And your friends, I'm sure they mean a lot to you. And at times, there is that feeling of jealousy. You don't want to be going to their funeral and telling their parents how amazing they were. Because guess what? It's too late. So tell them while they're still alive. You don't want to live with that, so uplift people while they're still here."Khushal speaks frequently to students about his journey. He is also a fierce advocate for education and finding the fuel to live life to its fullest. According to a biography he shared with Upworthy: "Through his educational platform, Yousafzai Academy, he mentors students about personal and academic growth, learning from setbacks, and leadership."Many commenters on Instagram expressed heartfelt support and said they were deeply touched by his words."So beautiful to see his immense love for his sister shared so honestly, vulnerably, and without any hint of shame or resentment," one commenter said. "And the Rumi quote is just so perfect. ❤" See on Instagram Another notes that his wisdom isn't surprising, considering his whole family is involved in activism: "This family has got all the right things going on! What a gift to the world."This person was moved by his words, especially by the idea of uplifting people while there's still time: "Wisdom. Beautiful. Fabulous. What a family! Uplift your friends. Uplift people while they are still here. Yes!"And this commenter deduces that the trauma his family has been through has created a thoughtful empath: "You have a high level of empathy

Every life is fragile, and no one understands that more than Mesfin Yana Dollar. He was born in a remote village in Ethiopia with very few luxuries, but plenty of love. Mesfin contracted rheumatic fever, which caused serious heart issues. At age 14, he went to live at Mother Theresa Mission, where his “angel” Dr. Rick Hodes was serving a mission, Mesfin explained in an essay. Mesfin Yana Dollar traveled to Atlanta for life-saving surgery. The move changed his life in the best way possible. Complications led to the need for a second surgery and Mesfin’s inability to move back to Ethiopia. Little did he know that would be the best decision of his life. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Good News (@globalpositivenews) Mesfin Yana Dollar Moved in with a Surgeon and His Family Mesfin Yana moved his with his cardiologist, Allen Dollar, and became his adopted son. Inspired by the doctor’s mission, Mesfin dedicated himself to his studies. He eventually became a cardiac perfusionist. He now works for the Mayo Clinic, operating the heart-lung machine during heart surgeries. Mesfin is married and has children, but has never forgotten where he came from. He travels back to Ethiopia frequently to serve those in need. “I was blessed with a second life to live, to grow, to go to school, to be happy with my American family and great Samaritan people. I love my family and friends as well as the country. Again and again, I say, ‘God Bless America!’” Mesfin wrote. “Beautiful story!!! I hope he will one day write a book about it,” someone suggested on Instagram. “Genetics plus heart conditions can age u but he looks great and saves lives who cares!” Another person shared. What an incredible story of hope. It shows that if you work hard, you truly can overcome just about anything. This story’s featured image can be found here.