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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11 Heartwarming True Stories to Restore Your Faith in Humanity

Fed up with the constant barrage of headlines? These heartwarming true stories remind us of the goodness still in the...


7 Miracle Stories of Healing That Will Give You Hope

The answered prayers and unbelievable recoveries in these miracle stories of healing show just how far faith can go


This Heartbreaking Story Will Remind You Just How Much Kindness Really Matters

Her moving story will stay with you long after you finish reading.


10 Inspiring Stories of Extreme Forgiveness That Will Lift Your Spirits

After suffering devastating tragedies, these remarkable people were able to put aside anger and blame to find mercy in their...


The Powerful Story Behind This Photo Will Move You to Tears

The landscape could humble anyone, but it holds particular meaning to one dad.


The Famous Times Square Ferris Wheel Closed in 2015—And You HAVE to See the Makeover It Got

The once 60-foot-tall Ferris wheel was a Times Square staple for years, but it now serves a very different purpose


This Single Mother Feeds Thousands Every Month—and It Costs Her Next to Nothing

The secret ingredient is quite simple, really—anyone can do it.


Behold, the Old Barn that Was Transformed into a Basketball Court

When they saw how their friends made an old barn the perfect space for a pickup game, this family decided...


18 Things I Learned From My Sister

Family is great, but there's something especially special about having a sister. Whether it's learning about love, sharing, giving, or...


Meet 7 Extraordinary Kid Heroes Who Will Give You Hope

These incredible kids and teens came to the rescue when it mattered most.


How a City Bus-Turned-Shower Station is Helping the Homeless Regain Their Dignity

Doniece Sandoval convinced the city of San Francisco to donate four old buses and she raised money to turn them...


3 Touching True Stories That Illustrate the Power of Acceptance

These tales from the Moth, America's premier storytelling group, touch on the empowerment and humor that comes with accepting others—and...


14 Dad Stories That Display the Kindest, Bravest, Wisest Fathers in the World

In 100 words or less, readers share their poignant dad stories and show the unbreakable bond between father and child


So I Let My Daughter Play With a Stranger at the Beach. And Then Learned This.

My misguided fear about my child interacting with strangers led to a heartwarming discovery.


6 Stories of Divine Signs

When our loved ones leave this world, does our connection with them end?


5 Amazing Stories of Things Lost, Then Found

Thanks to the kindness of strangers, these precious lost objects were returned to their rightful (and thankful) owners.

Jesse Owens: My Greatest Olympic Prize

In this RD Classic from our archives, American athlete Jesse Owens tells his stunning Olympic story about putting differences aside...