Welcome back to Faith & Joy, a weekly newsletter that makes you smile no matter how hard you try not to!

Hey everyone,

Did you know that you can “rewire” your brain to be happy? It’s true! This is exceptionally good news since it’s also true that most of our brains are naturally hard-wired to see things in a negative way.

This mostly stems from our survival-focused nature. Where we once benefited from perceiving everything as the threat to our survival that it often was, that same tendency now frequently works against us in the form of spiked cortisol levels and everything that comes with them.

Thankfully, by learning more about our brains and what tickles their fancy (or grinds their gears😤), we can actually take control of the situation and train our brains to be more positive. It’s free, easy to do, and you already have all the tools you need right inside your mind. Learn 4 ways to retrain your brain in this incredible article by Dr. Jena Field. But before you do, scroll on for your Tuesday dose of Faith & Joy! ❤️

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Today's Enjoyment:

• Quote: "“Joy does not simply happen…”

• Video Reel: Food has a way of bringing everyone together…

• Trending Loveable Stories:

  • Diver Crams Hand in Shark as Others Come

  • Firefighter Adopts "Baby Box" Newborn

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Quote of the Day 💭

Reel of the Day 📽️

Trending Stories 📰

SMILES

Firefighter Adopts “Baby-Box” Newborn

A firefighter's life took an unexpected turn at 2 a.m. one January night.

Responding to an alarm at the station, he discovered a precious gift left in the Safe Haven Baby Box. A newborn baby girl wrapped in a soft pink blanket. From that moment, his world changed forever.

Little did he know, this baby would become his cherished daughter, Zoey.

Longing for a child for over a decade, the firefighter's heart swelled as he held the baby in his arms. It was a profound connection that transcended words.

In his mind, a plan began to form. He’d go to the hospital and leave a heartfelt note with the baby, expressing his desire to adopt her. When he told his wife, tears streamed down her face.

The fear of losing Zoey lingered, but their faith prevailed.

Indeed, fate smiled upon them. Within days, Zoey was home. Their family was officially complete when they adopted her a few months later.

The firefighter believes that a higher power had a hand in this miracle. He’s grateful for the chance to share their story. Not only to bring comfort to Zoey's biological mother but also to let her know that her child is cherished and loved beyond measure.

The Safe Haven Baby Box has provided safety for numerous abandoned infants.

Across the United States, 148 of these temperature-controlled boxes exist, saving precious lives and offering hope for a brighter future. The organization behind it, led by Monica Kelsey, extends gratitude to the parents who make the difficult decision to surrender their child, assuring them that their baby will be cared for and loved.

In a world that sometimes feels cold and uncertain, this heartwarming tale reminds us of the power of compassion, love, and the miracles that can unfold when we open our hearts up to each other.

(Click here to watch the full story)

ANIMALS

Diver Crams Hand in Shark as Others Come

How far would you go to rescue an animal? Would you do it even if it meant putting your safety at risk?

The truth is most of us have no idea how far we’d go, but Cristina Zenato does.

A true shark enthusiast, she’s not content with merely observing them from a distance. Rather, she fearlessly dives into the midst of their territory to get to know them.

During her close encounters, Cristina noticed many of them had fishing hooks stuck in their mouths. Knowing the pain they must cause, she embarked on a mission: to remove the hooks with her own hands (since sharks don’t have any).

There was just one problem: it meant putting her own fingers inside sharks' mouths.

Sharks possess up to 15 rows and sometimes over 3,000 teeth. Their sharpest teeth point outwards and they can bite with both upper and lower jaws. Fun, right?

Dangers aside, Cristina knew she had to help.

She put complete trust in the sharks, hoping they’d understand her intentions. Miraculously, they allowed her to do so.

One shark even let Cristina reach deep into its mouth to remove a hook. That shark now visits her on every dive, gently nudging her in friendly greeting.

For Cristina, the risk she takes is well worth it.

"When I remove the hooks, I feel a sense of joy, satisfaction, and relief. What's incredible is that as I rescue hooks from my familiar sharks, other sharks start showing up with hooks," Cristina warmly explained to The Dodo.

Perhaps news has spread through the underwater grapevine about Cristina's mission. She firmly believes sharks have been unjustly misunderstood.

"They are remarkably accepting," she says.

Cristina's sharks demonstrate remarkable tolerance towards her, allowing her to caress them and swimming around her. Maybe they sense her genuine love for them.

(Click here to watch the full story)

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