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I’ve watched this video of Lin-Manuel Miranda and the original cast of Hamilton surprise a little girl from Jacksonville, and each time I’ve been overwhelmed by just one thought. OK, two thoughts. One: damn, I’d forgotten how great that musical is (and I miss Broadway so much!). Two: people really are inherently good.
(Is that three things?)
John Krasinski didn’t have to start a You Tube channel from his living room, telling Just Good News.
Lin didn’t have to gather the entire cast of Hamilton (hello Daveed Diggs, hello Leslie Odom Jr, hello Phillipa Soo) to sing the opening number from their homes, because little Aubrey’s birthday trip to the theater had been cancelled due to COVID-19.
These people didn’t have to source medical masks in Mexico and get them to New Yorkers in need (you can donate if you feel moved).
These neighbors didn’t have to donate toiletry bags (you can help too)..
There are examples of good news all around us, friends; people doing amazing, selfless things, lifting each other up, connecting in new ways; helping and loving and caring and giving.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
I don’t even think that times of crisis make us better people; perhaps the goodness just becomes more visible, more meaningful, when we stop to notice.
If you’re still struggling to see past the darkness (and I get it, I really do), a big thanks goes to Sue Fitzgerald for bringing The Book of Awesome to our attention.
“A dear friend surprised me with The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha,” she says. “She heard me when I said was battling some depression and sent it to cheer me up. The best part is that you can just open to any page and find something to smile about. You don’t have to read it in order. Some examples: ‘The moment at a concert after the lights go out and before the band comes on stage.’ ‘Nailing a parallel parking attempt on the first try.’ And one that’s particularly timely: ‘When you hear someone’s smile over the phone.’ It’s already cheered me up in the last few days so I wanted to pass along.”
Wishing you all moments of awesome this weekend.
NOW WE’RE DAILY!
Since the COVID-19 crisis hit, we’ve moved from a monthly print publication to a daily newsletter, as a way of connecting our newly isolated community and bringing, we hope, a ray of hope in the midst of uncertainty and fear. Many of you have already signed up, and we thank you. If you’re still not on our daily list, subscribe here, and join the conversation. We see you, New York.
NEW YORK STORIES Nicki Lindheimer and Luisa Cerutti left their jobs in catering and fashion after 9/11, when they realized they wanted to spend their time doing something more worthwhile – and something together. They’ve travelled the world searching for unique products to sell in their store, Domus. Now hunkered down waiting for yet another storm to pass, they say: “We feel the earth is telling us something and we need to listen.”
Read their story (and others like it) at w42st.com.
DON’T CLIMB THE WALLS – DO THIS INSTEAD
Try meditation
Headspace has a selection of free, guided meditations for New Yorkers, to help us stress less, sleep more, or get the kids to relax. And breathe.
Manage your time
Mark Fisher is leading a time management webinar this afternoon, covering how to use the principles of time management to feel satisfied and accomplished during these strange days while society is on pause. And it’s free. Um … where do I sign up? Here.
Get the perfect plié
Principal dancer at New York City Ballet, Tiler Peck, helps dancers work on their moves via Instagram. Start dancing here.
Fundraise with Fleabag
The Pheobe Waller-Bridge play that kickstarted the TV series is being streamed on Amazon Prime for the next two weeks. The 48-hour rental will cost $5, and proceeds will be go to charities helping to fight Coronavirus. Start watching here.
Fall in love with Jane Austin
Laura Osnes co-hosts a live stream of a new musical about the timeless love story between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy. Swoon here.
See a Tony-winning musical
Bandstand will be streamed from today, at a cost of $6.99, a portion of which will go to The Actors Fund. Get your Broadway fix here.
Go back to the 90s
Ailey Extension dancer Matthew Johnson Harris hosts an ‘I Love The 90s’ dance party on You Tube. Slam your body down and zigazig ah.
Get your fitness on
Tomorrow morning, join a quick Q&A about working out during COVID-19, followed by a 30-minute boot camp. It all kicks off at 10am. Sports bra on …
NAME GAME
We’re talking random acts of goodness today. So what’s your name, and tell me something good someone has done for you recently.
I’ll go first. Hi everyone, my name’s Ruth, and this week someone offered to loan me the money to pay my next two months’ rent. You go next …
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