When strolling through an exhibit or museum, you’re unfortunately more likely to see people distracted by their phones instead of enjoying and appreciating the art and beauty right in front of them.

In order to get people more engaged in the artwork, and have a more genuine experience, the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam began urging visitors to leave cameras and phones at home. Instead, they encouraged everyone to sketch the artwork and sculptures littered throughout the museum.

Take a look at what happened when people finally put down their cameras and were handed sketch books and pencils instead:

“In today’s world of mobile phones and media a visit to a museum is often a passive and superficial experience,” the museum explained. “Visitors are easily distracted and do not truly experience beauty, magic and wonder. This is why the Rijksmuseum wants to help visitors discover and appreciate the beauty of art and history through drawing.”

“You don’t even have to be able to draw because this is not about the final result, but rather about looking at what you want to draw. When you do this, you begin to see things you never noticed before. You see proportions, details, lines… you get closer to the artist’s secret.”

Watch the video below to see what happens when this museum bans cameras for two days. 

Were you impressed by this museum’s plan to get visitors more engaged? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

[Featured image credit: www.rijksmuseum.nl/en]

Owl’s might not look as ferocious as a lion, however, their razor sharp beaks and talons make them skilled predators. Despite being an incredible hunter, this owl shows off his affectionate side by letting a little girl give him hugs and kisses.

In the video, the owl patiently stands on a table while a little girl pats his head, and even wraps her arms around him.

At first the owl seems a little unsure of his tiny human friend’s hugs, but is comforted by a few gentle pats on the head.

This owl harmlessly nibbles on the girls cheek and jaw, which is one way owls show affection.

Watch the entire video below to see this owl show his affectionate side.

Would you get this close to an owl? Share with us in the comments below.

Every year, it always feels like the holiday season starts earlier and earlier. As fun as the holiday season is, it can feel a little ridiculous when you start seeing Christmas decorations and advertisements before celebrating Thanksgiving. However, this town has a pretty good reason for starting their Christmas celebrations in October.

Doctors told 7-year-old Evan Leversage, and his mom Nicole, that his cancer had progressed, and that he didn’t have much time to live. Nicole asked if he’d make it to Christmas, but doctors couldn’t guarantee it. The thought of celebrating the holiday without her son was unbearable, so she came up with a plan to ensure Evan would have one more Christmas.

When Nicole heard her son might not make it to Christmas, she decided to celebrate the holiday early with close friends and family.

However, once the rest of the residents of St. George in Canada heard the news, the whole town came together to throw Evan a christmas parade and turn the town into a Christmas wonderland for Evan. They even got snow machines to make October feel more like December.

Watch the entire video below to see how this town came together to bring Christmas to Evan.

Can you believe how this town came together to bring joy to a family in need? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

[Featured image credit: KyleChristie]

On paper, losing weight seems pretty easy. All you have to do is exercise and eat healthy. However, for millions of people around the world, losing weight is one of the most difficult challenges because of the incredible amount of willpower and dedication required

At one point, Jesse Shand weighed 700 lbs. and had given up all hope of ever losing weight. He didn’t care about his diet, and spent all day on the computer bringing others down so that he wouldn’t feel so bad about himself.

It wasn’t until he stumbled upon a bodybuilder online forum, and members found out about his situation, that he started to believe that he could change himself.

While Jesse now regrets his online bullying, he acknowledges it was his way of coping with his ballooning weight.”It made me feel better about my situation because if I was focusing on someone else being upset, I didn’t have to really think about my own situation,” Jesse explained.

After being challenged by members of a weight-lifting forum, Jesse began working out, and documenting his journey. Jesse weighed about 700 lbs and was too fat to even fit in his shower.

Since then, he has lost over 400 lbs and has transformed his life.

Watch the whole video below to see this man’s incredible physical and emotional journey.

Can you believe how drastically different Jesse is since he started changing his lifestyle? Share with us in the comments below.

[Featured image credit:BarcroftTV]

For the past five years, Louise Edlen has sat in her dining room window waiving at all the passing school children on the bus. Despite having some memory loss, which makes her forget her own daughter’s name, she always remembers to send her greetings.

When the grandmother of 30 disappeared from the window, the kids were heartbroken. When they finally realized she had gotten sick, the kids decided to send her a gift, which ‘meant the world to her.’

Everyday, this school bus full of kids passes Louise’s home. For years, the 93-year-old has sat in her dining room window waving at the kids as they pass by on their way to and from school.

Louise suffered a stroke, which forced her to spend some time in a rehabilitation center. When the kids noticed that she was no longer waiting in the window to waive and found out what had happened, they send along a picture to help her get better.

Upon seeing the kids’ gift, Louise managed to say that she missed the kids, and that she was working hard to get better for them.

Watch the entire video below to see how touched Louise was when the kids on the bus sent her a present.

Can you believe how much these kids mean to Louise? Share with us in the comments below.

[Featured image credit: Us NEWS]

What would you do if you were out in public and witnessed someone being bullied? Would you sit by and do nothing? Would you step up, and put a stop to it?

That’s exactly what this social experiment by UP TV set out to see. In the video, the kindness of strangers is put to the test when two girls start bullying a classmate while sitting at a bus stop.

At first, strangers stood by and passively listened as the two girls bullied their classmate.

Finally, someone stepped up and chastised the girls for their behavior.

Some offered words of encouragement for the girl being bullied.

And others invited the girl to come sit and talk with them.

Watch the entire video below to see who steps up to help this little girl being bullied. 1:50 brought me to tears!

Would you have said something to those girls? Share with us in the comments below.

[Featured image credit: Bullying PSA]

As the days get shorter, and the temperatures get colder, it can feel nearly impossible to find the motivation to drag yourself out of the warmth of your bed to go workout.

Take a look at the top four ways to stay motivated to workout no matter what it looks – or feels- like outside.

4. Mix up your ‘workout’

Instead of fighting the cold, embrace the season, and all of its fun outdoor activities. These cold weather activities are really just workouts in disguise, so plan a few weekends each month to go skiing, hiking, ice skating, and even sledding. They might feel like fun, but they also get your heart and muscles working just like any other workout.

3. Get new gear

Seriously, just dressing the part can have a major impact on your workout. Scientists call it ‘enclothed cognition,’ which explains the influence clothes – and their symbolic meanings- have on the wearer’s psychological processes. Basically, if you’re dressed ready for a workout, you’re mind will be too.

Buying some new cold-weather tights, gloves, hats, and long sleeved layers will also help keep you warm, which makes getting outside in the freezing cold a little less painful.

2. Take it one day at a time

When the temperatures drop, it’s easier to feel discouraged and unmotivated to get out of your warm bed and workout. Instead of focusing on the rest of the week, and the even colder months ahead, just try to think of the day ahead since it’s easier to say yes to just one cold workout.

Taking it a day at a time also allows you to listen to your body when it really needs a day off without feeling like you’ve screwed up the entire week’s workout plan. As your body adjusts to the cold, it will get easier and easier to drag yourself out in the cold.

1. Plan ahead

Finding motivation to exercise in the winter can be tough when there’s no huge consequences of curling up with a book instead of hitting the gym since you’ll be covered in layers for months either way. Booking a spring or summer trip, or signing up for an athletic event like a marathon will help give you a goal, and a reason you need to stay in shape.

Since those kinds of physical commitments can’t be accomplished last minute, you’ll be inspired, and maybe slightly pressured, to keep up the hard work even on the most unmotivated days.

What motivates you to stay active during the winter months? Share with us in the comments below.

[Featured image credit: www.womenshealthmag.com]

For humans, rain is a slight inconvenience, but for newborn puppies, rain is truly confusing. This baby Bulldog was out happily playing in her backyard when it began to rain, and her world was practically turned upside down.

In the video, Shelby, the English Bulldog, discovers rain for the first time, and whips her tiny head around and around as she tries and fails to understand what is going on.

At first Shelby wasn’t sure what kept touching her, and suspected the droplets of water were coming from the ground.

She quickly realized that the rain drops were coming from the sky, but still looked surprised every time another raindrop fell on her tiny body.

Watch the entire video below to see this confused Bulldog puppy discover rain for the first time.

Can you believe how confusing rain was to this precious pup? Share with us in the comments.

[Featured image credit: The HippopotaBullies]

Most wedding photographers focus on the wedding itself, and hardly ever spend much time photographing the guests. This photographer, on the other hand, decided the best way to document the important day was to focus solely on the guests, and the results are incredible.

Peter Adams-Shawn from Memories Of Tomorrow Photography broke all the normal rules of wedding photography when he decided he’d use his camera to capture the event through the guests’ eyes. Not only are his images stunning, but they manage to provide a totally new, and personal feel to the wedding album.

As Peter Adams-Shawn explains on his site, his photography will help you see your big day differently. “Lend me your eyes and I’ll change what you see.”

Through the guests’ eyes, you can see touching scenes like the bride putting on her wedding dress, and the ceremony itself.

Watch the entire video below to see this photographer’s unique way of capturing this bride and groom’s special day.

Would you want your special day documented like this? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

[Featured image credit: Memories Of Tomorrow Photography]

For most children, the thought of meeting Santa is so thrilling that they can barely sit still. However, nothing- not even meeting Santa- could keep this exhausted baby from falling asleep.

When Donnie Walters, a disabled Army veteran and stay-at-home dad, brought his 6-month-old Ezekiel to meet Santa for the first time, he and his wife thought the opportunity was ruined, as their sleepy baby couldn’t keep his eyes open.

“We thought about leaving the line and coming back later when he’s awake,” Donnie explained.

But just before they were going to leave, another customer in line told them not to go and explained that “this Santa is notorious for taking pictures of sleeping babies.”

Despite Ezekiel being asleep, this inventive Kris Kringle had a genius plan for getting an adorable picture with the sleepy baby.

The very next day Walter brought Ezekiel back to the mall for another shot at meeting Santa. However, Ezekiel was fast asleep

Watch the adorable video below to see what happens when a sleepy child finally gets to meet Santa Claus.

Were you impressed by Santa’s quick thinking? Share with us in the comments below.

[Featured image credit: Donnie Walters]

For many grandparents, the holidays are the highlight of the year, as they finally get the opportunity to spend quality time with their children and grandchildren. Yet for those who are left alone and forgotten, it can be the saddest time.

A German supermarket chain, Edeka, has touched the hearts of millions with their Christmas commercial, which focuses on a lonely grandpa who goes to extreme measures to see his family over the holidays.

In the video, this grandpa is shown year after year as he sits all alone on Christmas at his dining room table with the meal he prepared for his absent family. Each year he hopes his children and grandchildren will visit him for the holidays, but he finds out this year will be just like the last. The old man’s daughter calls and leaves a message breaking the news that they wouldn’t make it home for Christmas.”I just wanted to call and let you know that we can’t make it for Christmas this year. We’ll try again next year. It’ll work out, I promise. Merry Christmas Daddy,” she says.

The old man decides to fake his death, and his children are visibly shocked and full of regret upon hearing the news.

The family finally returns home, but when they enter their father’s house, they’re stunned to see everything lit up and decorated for the holidays. The old man slowly walks out from the kitchen and says, “How else could I have brought you all together?”

Watch the entire video below to see the dramatic way this grandpa managed to get his family to come together for the holidays.

What would you do if you found out a loved one faked their own death just to bring everyone together? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

[Featured image credit: EDEKA]

Baby Louie is like any adorable baby, except he’s constantly surrounded by chubby Pug puppies. His four-legged companions are the source of endless giggles, however, after a while, Louie struggles to keep up with all the affection.

In the video below, Louie sits in a comfy seat as Pug puppies Oreo and Bruce descend on him, and drown him in dog kisses. However, baby Louie can only handle so much love, and the two puppies wrestle each other as they compete for his attention.

Watch the entire video below to see the precious baby struggle to cope with all the Pug love.

Can you believe how excited those puppies were to give a baby kisses? Share with us in the comments below.

[Featured image credit: RCCR1987]

Green and red are the standard when it comes to Christmas decorations, but this family decided to switch it up with more patriotic decor.

The holidays are about giving thanks for family and loved ones, but a family from Tallahassee, FL decided to take that a step further with a patriotic Christmas display. In the video, the house is rigged with an intricate light show that plays along to American themed songs to thank the American troops and veterans.

Instead of typical Christmas decorations, this house honors the ‘1.3 million American troops have made the ultimate sacrifice’ since 1775.

If the lights and the music weren’t clear enough, the family also put a giant American flag on the top of their roof.

Watch the entire video below to see this dazzling light show that honors our veterans. 

Were you impressed by this intricate light show? Please SHARE on Facebook, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

If you’ve ever gone to take a picture with Santa at the mall, you know that even the most easy going child will get agitated waiting on the endless lines surrounded by other restless children.

In order to give a young boy named Brayden with autism a great experience, this determined mall Santa got down on the floor to make it happen.

When Brayden arrived at the event with his mother Erin Deely, he shyly hung off to the side by some of the Christmas props. Once Santa put a snow globe on the floor, Brayden was fascinated and eventually made his way over to play along. After about 20 minutes, Deely explained her six-year-old finally smiled and gave Santa a high-five.

“Santa creeped down to the floor. Neither of them spoke. Santa began playing with the stuffed animal Brayden brought. All of a sudden, they had bonded without either saying a word.”

As part of the Caring Santa event, which was hosted by Autism Speaks and the Simon Property Group, children with autism and other special needs had the opportunity to meet Santa in a welcoming environment. Autism Speaks explained that the event provides “a more controlled and welcoming environment. Families can sign up for their own appointments, so that their child can have a calm, stress-free Santa experience.”

Had the Caring Santa event not have happened, Deely and her family would have normally skipped the Christmas tradition altogether. “The anxiety, the waiting on the long lines . . . it would be too much for Brayden and for us,” she said.

“Brayden doesn’t like posing for photos and being told to smile for the camera. This Santa was perfect.”

Can you believe how incredible this Santa was during The Caring Santa event? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and please SHARE with your friends on Facebook.

[Image source: Autism Speaks]

Dogs are known for being trusty companions that will never leave your side, which is exactly why this man’s reason for getting rid of his dog is so shocking.

When a middle-aged man brought his white and black Blue Heeler and Irish Setter mix to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter he had a laundry list of reasons why he wanted to abandon his dog. However, one in particular stood out to the shelter’s staff as being completely absurd.

Everyone was shocked by the man’s claim that he didn’t want Jubilee anymore because ‘she always wants to be by my side.’

A woman named Samantha heard about the affectionate dog, and the very next day she became Jubilee’s new mom. “It touched me. She loved so much,” Samantha said. “I knew I was supposed to have her.”

Jubilee’s story is proof that everything happens for a reason. Despite having a rough start, she is now part of a loving family that will do whatever it takes to make sure she is happy and healthy.

Watch the video below to find out more about Jubilee’s story.

Can you believe the reason why this man gave up Jubilee? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and please SHARE this incredible story on Facebook.

[Image credit: Facebook / Jubilee]

Every year, Santa Claus gets sent letters from kids around the world to thank him for presents last year, let him know what they want this year, and sometimes apologize for being naughty.

Beyond that, those letters to Santa also give a very candid look at the hysterical, and sometimes bizarre minds of children. Take a look at these hysterical kids who get very honest in their letters to Santa.

11. Only if you can afford it, Santa.

10. “Well, business is business, so let’s get to it…”

9. This kid really just wants to be a dragon.

8. Don’t worry Santa, he doesn’t care about the hookers.

7. She’s just looking out for the reindeer.

6. Enough chit-chat.

5. This kid took this Christmas list a little too literally.

4. “I only want the puppy.”

3. The gretyist girl on the planet.

2. If you’re akting bad, you get kool.

1. This kid is brutally honest.

What’s the funniest thing your children have ever asked for in a letter to Santa? Let us know in the comments below, and please SHARE with your friends on Facebook.

[Image source: patch.com]

Time and time again, dogs prove themselves to be one of the most dedicated, and loyal animals you could ever have as a companion, and this U.S. military combat dog named Layka is another perfect example.

While serving in Afghanistan, Layka was shot four times at point-blank range, yet still managed to protect her human soldiers by subduing the shooter. Her act of courage saved every member of that team.

In order to survive, Layka had to endured a seven hour surgery to remove the bullets, and amputate her front right leg. Her handler, Staff Sgt. Julian McDonald knew he owed Layka for saving his life, and had to adopt her as part of his family.

“I owed this dog every moment that I have from here on out… I felt really bad because I was the one that put her in the building. Then happy at the same time because I was still alive and my buddies to my left and my right were also still alive,” Julian explained. “If the dog has put in the time for the country, then the country owes it to them to put the time into them.”

Despite warnings that Layka was too aggressive to be a family dog, Julian still fought to make it work. Julian believed that even though Layka had done scary things, she wasn’t a viscous animal, and she still deserved a good home. And when Julian first brought Layka home, she proved him right.

“She went right up to Liam and submitted, and laid right on her back. My one-year-old son walked right over there and got on top of her chest, grabbed her ears, put his thumb in her nose, and his hand in her mouth and she wasn’t doing anything. She was just laying there and taking every bit,” Julian said.

Watch the entire video below to see this dog’s incredible transformation from a military combat dog to a family pet. 

Were you impressed by this soldier’s loyalty? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and please SHARE this on Facebook.

[Featured image credit: National Geographic]

When a homeless woman wandered into Raising Cane’s, a fast-food chain known for their chicken fingers and began quietly asking customers if she could eat any of their leftovers, everyone ignored her as if she didn’t exist. Thankfully, a kindhearted customer named Carmen Mendez took notice and planned to do something about it.

Carmen decided that if she saw the woman again before she and her boyfriend left the restaurant, she’d give her her leftover food. “As I was gonna throw away my one leftover chicken strip and like five fries, I heard a very quiet voice ask me if I had anything left. I turned around and it was her,” Carmen wrote in a Facebook post.Yet, even after giving the stranger her leftovers, something still didn’t feel right.

“A couple of days ago, we went to eat late at night at Raising Cane’s, and as we waited for our order, I saw this homeless lady walk in asking people that were throwing away their leftovers if she could have them. Not one person said yes, they all ignored her and threw it away, it broke my heart. I have been volunteering with the homeless now for many years… they don’t repulse me or make me sick to my stomach. I hold them all with so much love.”

“I gave her my food and watched her sit and eat it… but something didn’t feel right. I felt like a horrible human being feeding her my leftover chicken strip… she deserved so much more… so I bought her a whole meal… she deserved to eat a hot meal.”

“When I ordered the meal, I asked the employee for a huge favor to please do not kick her out as we waited. I could already see the disgust on people’s faces as she sat at the table eating the leftovers I had given her… news flash, people, not all homeless people smell like roses.”

“She was getting ready to get up and leave when I surprised her with this meal… the look on her face said it all. I have never felt something like this… pure, real gratitude.

“That hug she gave me was like a hug I had never felt… those tears she shed were felt deep in my heart. I held her tight and let her let it out. I wasn’t repulsed by it. I just held her. And that is a moment I will never ever forget. So next time you judge a homeless person, think twice… not all of them are homeless because of a drug addiction or because they are lazy.”

Would you have helped out the homeless woman like Carmen did? Let us know in the comments below, and please SHARE this amazing story with your friends on Facebook.

[Featured image credit: Facebook/Carmen Mendez]

People might think that business men don’t have hearts, but an LA business man proved his deep pockets could be used for good when he saw a group of 400 U.S. soldiers sitting on the ground of an airport.

Schlomo Rechnitz was on layover at Ireland’s international airport when he saw a group of soldier eating standard army food, as all the other civilians in the terminal ate delicious food in trendy restaurants. Rechnitz felt uncomfortable with this site, and decided to do something about it.

After asking the soldiers’ commander if he could give something extra, he offered the group his appreciation and about $50 per meal for every single soldier.

Rechnitz sat in the airport and saw about 400 U.S. soldiers sitting on the ground eating out of paper bags, while civilians ate at fancy restaurants.

“I figured, I want to make the picture look a little better, and offered them $50 apiece to go to those restaurants and have a warm meal on me,” Rechnitz said.

Watch the entire video below to see what happened when the soldiers heard they’d be getting treated to dinner. 

Were you impressed by this business man’s generosity? Let us know in the comments, and please SHARE this amazing story on Facebook.

[Featured image credit: Reggie H]

Cats aren’t typically known for being the most affectionate pets. In fact, they can often be very distant and sometimes temperamental. When Larry the cat met this little boy, however, he proved that cats can be just as loving as any dog.

Larry the ginger cat was given up after his owner found him breaking into the food cabinet one too many times, but soon after he was adopted by a woman named Michelle. Once her son Abel came along, Larry fell in love with the tiny human instantly, and became the perfect big brother and four-legged guardian.

Originally, Larry belonged to a vet, but was given away after he was repeatedly caught sneaking into the food cupboard.

That’s when Abel’s mom Michelle decided to step in. “I had always wanted an orange cat so when a friend’s vet needed to get rid of 2 year old Larry for breaking into their food supply cabinet, I didn’t hesitate to adopt him,” she said.

“When I became pregnant a few years later Larry laid on my belly constantly. From the minute Abel came home Larry was in love,” Michelle said.

Abel grew up with Larry being his constant companion, and his first word was even ‘Yarry.’

“When Abel cries Larry runs over to comfort him. Abel makes sure Larry is with him when he moves from one room to another.”

“Larry tolerates more than I’d ever imagined a cat could or would tolerate.”

Can you believe the incredible bond this cat has formed with his tiny human? Let us know in the comments below, and please SHARE this amazing story on Facebook.

[Image source: Michelle/ kittyarmy.com]