Inspirational Stories

Reader’s Digest has the stories to lift your spirits and fill you with hope in your darkest moments. We’ve promised to be a source of joy, and these stories deliver. From everyday heros to reunited long-lost siblings, we’ve got the stories to inspire you.

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Readers Share Their Most Hilarious—and Inspiring—Sports Stories

Our readers share their sports stories, from the highlights that won trophies to the bloopers that won hearts

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How National Parks Reconnected This Duo with Nature—and Each Other

A grandmother and grandson find a way to mend their broken relationship, one national park at a time


Readers Share Stories of Strength and Success After Setbacks

Seeing a challenge as an opportunity can change your life


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His Super Bowl Parties Feed the Homeless, So Everybody Wins

One party launched a charity now helping thousands of people experiencing homelessness


Readers Share the Incredible True Stories of Their Hero Pets

We're pawsitive you'll love these stories of courageous animals

Man’s Best Friend, Indeed: This Pit Bull Fought Off a Shark to Save His Owner

There's no way the shark would take a chunk out of his owner—not on Darby's watch


Meet the Duo Who Spend Their Free Time Cleaning Up the Graves of Fallen Soldiers

A college student and a retiree pair up for a good deed—and develop a friendship along the way


How One Man’s Dream—and a Community’s Determination—Brought the Kingsport Carousel to Life

They may not have been carpenters or mechanics by trade, but residents of Kingsport, Tennessee, had just the thing to...


This Man Jumped Off a Bridge to Save a Child After a Car Accident

A car crashes on a bridge and a child is catapulted into the water below. Who will save her?


These Fathers Formed “Dads on Duty” to Prevent Violence at a Local High School

When gang violence spiked, concerned dads at this Louisiana high school said “Not on our watch."


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20 Stories About Moms That’ll Make You Want to Call Yours

These mom stories submitted by readers offer much-needed love and inspiration for Mother's Day and beyond


Welcoming Ukrainian Refugees: 13 Stories That Will Renew Your Faith in Humanity

Instead of waiting to figure out the "right" way to help, these people jumped into action to help Ukrainian refugees...


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30 Stories About the Touching Kindness of Strangers That’ll Make You Tear Up

We asked readers for firsthand accounts of compassion. Here are 30 stories on kindness that touched your lives—and our hearts.

Mitch Albom on What It Means to Be a Real Father to a Special Orphan

What is a real father? An orphan in Haiti teaches ­­bestselling author Mitch Albom a wonderful new definition.


After This Man Rescued a Cow from a Dairy Farm, the Two Developed the Most Unbelievable Friendship

Meet Ryan and his 1,000-pound bestie: Jenna the cow. She's brought joy to his life—and also brought him together...


15 Amazing Facts About the Women of NASA

The sky is not the limit for these incredible pioneers.


21 Extraordinary Stories of Generosity That Will Stay with You

These acts of kindness—big and small—speak to the generosity of the American spirit


16 Famous “Failures” of Wildly Successful People

From Oprah to Einstein, your favorite figures have seen their fair share of famous "failures," mistakes, mishaps and losses


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I Rescue 100 Cats a Year—Here’s What I Want You to Know

Each day a cat is rescued is an emotional rollercoaster of heartache and triumph, and Denise wouldn't have it any...



15 Stories That Prove It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Life

Discover these inspirational stories about change and people who refused to let life pass them by


12 Untold Stories of Native American Heroes

These Native American heroes achieved epic greatness as warriors, writers, artists and scientists

How a 17-Year Old Is Helping to Feed 12,000 Homeless People

"We have 1.5 times the amount of food needed to feed everyone on the planet, it's just a matter of...


A Car Accident Paralyzed Her from the Waist Down, but That Didn’t Stop Her from Fulfilling Her...

A pioneering dance troupe is 
proving that you can chase your 
dreams—even in a wheelchair.


22 Incredible Things People Have Done to Help Out Their Neighbors

These kindhearted people take being a "good neighbor" seriously.


20 Real-Life Heroes That Are Changing the World

Real-life heroes prove there is still a lot of good in this world


11 Real Life Kids with Actual Superpowers

These kids must have superpowers because there's literally no other way to explain it...


I’ll Have This Scar for Life—Here’s Why I Refuse to Cover It

For this writer, a scar is a badge of honor, not something to be ashamed of.