Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News

~ John W. Howell
Photo by Simone Uriartt

Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety. Also, for those concerned about Twiggy. The operation was a success, and she is home and resting comfortably. She had a torn meniscus as well as a ligament, so the surgery was a must-do. Twiggy will see you all next Thursday. Thanks for all your messages and well wishes.

Top 30 Most Delightful Things That Happen Unexpectedly–Like Finding Cash in Jeans or Compliments from Strangers

By

Good News Network

A new poll compiled the top 30 most unexpectedly delightful things to happen, including pulling cash from the pocket of an old pair of jeans, getting a surprise refund, and receiving a compliment from a stranger.

The survey of 2,000 adults found 36 percent love it when someone lets them jump the line in a supermarket and when they find a treasured item that had been lost.

Driving through a run of green lights, catching a whiff of a familiar smell from your childhood, and hearing your favorite song pop up on the radio, also feature in the top 30 list.

(Imagine feeling double the joy if you run into all green lights while your favorite track begins to play!)

Commissioned by Alpen Delight (UK snack brand manufacturer), a spokesperson for the snack brand said: “The nicest things are those which are totally unexpected, and they don’t have to be big things—sometimes little moments lead to big smiles.

Respondents guessed that unexpectedly delightful things happen to them an average of twice per week, and it automatically puts them in a good mood.

But it’s not just being on the receiving end of these unplanned surprises that brings the most joy. 77 percent of those polled find making others happy improves their mood, too—which is why 36 percent try to do this as often as they can.

Such acts include smiling as they walk past another person (52%), just being there to listen to a friend (50%), and telling someone they’re proud of them (38%).

Nearly four in ten have cheered up others by making the effort to cook someone a meal or by letting another driver into their lane while on the road.

And a generous 19% find joy in paying for the meal while out for dinner.

84 percent of those surveyed by market research firm OnePoll, said these moments in life restore a little hope in humanity. And half say they’re more inclined to pay such moments forward if they’ve been on the receiving end themselves.

“It’s good to see how people enjoy delivering, and not just receiving, lovely surprises,” said the Alpen Delight spokesman.

TOP 30 UNEXPECTED MOMENTS OF DELIGHT:

1. Finding money in a coat or jeans pocket
2. Getting a surprise refund
3. A compliment from a stranger
4. Someone letting you go ahead of them in line at a store
5. When the radio plays your favorite song
6. Receiving a bonus at work
7. Constant green lights on the road
8. Hearing your baby’s first word
9. Your partner randomly showing affection
10. When someone actually understands what you’re talking about
11. A familiar smell from your childhood
12. A loved one randomly telling you they’re proud of you
13. Finding a treasured lost item
14. Waking up before your alarm and getting to sleep for longer
15. Getting upgraded – on an airplane or at a hotel
16. Thinking it’s Thursday, but it’s actually Friday
17. When a child starts a conversation with you
18. Receiving a postcard
19. Hitting the exact number when getting gasoline
20. Getting home from work and finding someone else has cooked dinner
21. A work meeting getting canceled last minute because the boss isn’t in
22. Seeing a funny car license plate
23. Getting asked for ID when you’re way over 21
24. When you’re brought breakfast in bed
25. When you and your friend say the same thing at the same moment
26. When your teenager wants to spend quality time with you
27. Your neighbor bringing over a baked good
28. Bumping into an old schoolteacher – and they recognize you
29. Catching the eye of your favorite artist during their performance
30. Witnessing a proposal in public

The good news here is that if we recognize these things that delight others, we can easily do just that. Today’s JohnKu talks about doing unto others. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

Pay it Forward by John W. Howell © 2023

A list of thirty,

Things that delight other folks . . .

Pick one, go for it.

115 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News”

  1. Pingback: Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News – SHOPPEX NIGERIA… Search And Shop >>

  4. Thank goodness Twiggy is doing well. And thank you for another great post of Good News. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, John. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  8. A great list. I agree with all of them. We witnessed a marriage proposal at a Spanish restaurant about 12 years ago. It was so special. Thank heaven Twiggy is OK. Snuggles from me.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. What a neat list — thank you for blogging about it. Many of these are certainly relatable, like a loved one saying they’re proud of you. But the one about hitting the exact number when pumping gas… that was an unexpected item in this list of unexpected happenings that bring delight, so that also brought delight 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Just last week I made it down the entire length of NASA Rd I without hitting a red light, and you can believe I was grinning the whole time. I hope the Twigster’s recovery goes as smoothly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Linda. She’s doing well today. Your story reminds me of the time I lived in Indiana and there was a road that had a series of lights which I never made. One night coming home from work I made all of them and then there was the last. I knew I had to speed up to make it which I did. I was so focused I didn’t notice the police car behind me. After I made it through the light he pulled me over. I explained what I was doing and he thought it logical and let me go. 😁 Obviously I was delighted. I never made those lights again.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. I recently found some files from an old computer on a rewritable CD. I thought some of them had been lost forever. I found writing, genealogy notes, and more. That was a treasure!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. #17. It always makes me smile–and laugh– when a child is sitting in a shopping cart and as I walk down the aisle, they wave and say, “Hi!”–like we know each other! So cute.
    Glad to hear all went well with Twiggy. Girl did it up big time, didn’t she?!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. I am so glad Twiggy’s surgery went well. We should be hanging out together. 🙂 What a fun list of 30 things to lift your mood. I’d have to say getting a long stretch of all green lights makes me giddy!! And especially if the radio is playing one of my favorites. Happy weekend, John. Give Twiggy lots of love.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. So happy to hear Twiggy is doing well today. Give her an extra treat for me 🙂 Love this list, I always try to do something nice when I can. I know when someone does for me. It sure brightens my day

    Liked by 1 person

  25. GREAT news about Twiggy. And this post is a wonderful reminder of how to brighten people’s day. I’ve tried to do this for a long time – it’s so nice when people say thank you!

    Liked by 1 person

  26. So happy Twiggy’s on the mend – now to keep her quiet while she heals!
    As for this list, so many are things that I enjoy receiving and giving. I’m still basking in the feel goods when I think of the time I gave a woman a compliment on her beautiful eyes – she was feeling invisible until then.
    Happy Friday to you and your household!

    Liked by 1 person

  27. I’m so glad the surgery went well and Twiggy is recovering nicely. Of course, she has the best caregivers in the world to help her along 🙂

    I love this good news list. While it perks me up when I have an unexpected pleasant surprise, I’m also one of those who gets more of a lift when I offer a small kindness to others. Sometimes it is something as simple and easy as letting someone with two items go ahead of my full shopping cart at the supermarket. Sometimes I have to get a bit more involved.

    I’ll tell you a story:
    One day I was leaving a parking lot and saw a weather-beaten old guy standing at the corner with a sign asking for help. I had seen him there lots of times but never interacted with him. Something came over me. I had a green light so I couldn’t stop. Instead, I went around the block, fingers crossed that there’d be a red light when I got to the corner and I could stop. There was a red light. So I rolled down my window and handed the guy a bottle of water with $5 stuck to it (my usual MO).

    We started chatting (it was a long red light). He told me that making someone smile made his day. I gave him my biggest smile, and we both laughed. Then the light turned green and I had to leave. But he had made my day.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. I really delight at finding money I “tucked away for a special reason,” then “forgot” where I’d put it! It’s like birthday and Christmas, all rolled into one! Glad to hear Twiggy’s recovering nicely — give her a hug from me and the Monk.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. I really enjoyed this list! It makes me smile and validates that even the smallest things are the most important. Thank you for the update on Twiggy!! I hope she gets extra treats and a new toy.

    Liked by 1 person

  34. I know I’m late, John, but it doesn’t diminish my pleasure in reading this post at all! Loved every word, and am reminded to do MY part in spreading happiness whenever and wherever I can. Thanks for a truly uplifting share!! You’ve made my morning! 😀 ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  36. YAY about Twiggy!
    I’m always late to the party, so the last to get a treat.
    This is the good news today, really.

    Nice list of things.
    I’m guilty of complimenting strangers.

    So, I am happy I made the list, from the other side.
    Fun JohnKu!
    ɉǩ OX

    Liked by 1 person

  37. 10, 16, 19, 23 are so funny. 26 is great. I do try to let cars in (except maybe if I’m in a hurry), and I love paying people compliments too. Just before leaving the brewery the other night, I told a woman she was beautiful. I hope it made her day.

    Liked by 1 person

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