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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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This Tattoo Artist Helps People with Scars Love Their Body Again

The first fingernail tattoos started off as a joke—but soon he was getting the attention of people from all...


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.


12 LGBTQ Activists Who Have Changed American History

It's hard to imagine where gay pride would be without the work and efforts of these LGBTQ leaders and countless...


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...



14 Nurses Share Stories of Positive Moments Behind-the-Scenes of COVID-19

These frontline workers spend lots of time bedside—bringing joy to patients and fellow nurses. Here's a glimpse at how they've...


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21 Moving Photos of Kindness in the Time of Coronavirus

Tough times can truly bring out the best in people.


This Man Only Adopts “Unadoptable” Animals—And He Now Has 21 Pets

After the death of his beloved dog Wolfgang, Steve Greig started rescuing older dogs and giving them forever homes in...


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

Get inspired by these determined doers who refused to sit back and let life pass them by.


12 Untold Stories of Native American Heroes

These 12 Native American heroes achieved epic greatness as warriors, writers, artists, and scientists. Here are little-known stories of vast...


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

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...

How a TV Doctor Saved the Life of a Man with Special Needs

A man with cerebral palsy was determined to 
meet the star of his 
favorite medical drama—and no one could've expected...


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.


17 Reasons My Favorite Teacher Changed My Life

It only takes one person to make a difference in the life of another—and teachers are often that person. Check...


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A Blind and Deaf Passenger Couldn’t Communicate with the Flight Attendants—Then a 15-Year-Old ...

When she heard, “Does anyone on board know American Sign Language?” over the loudspeaker, she knew she needed to help.


This Man Protected Wild Bears Every Day for 13 Years—Until He Made the Ultimate Sacrifice

The bear was 20 feet away, head low, moving slowly but instead of retreating, it stared straight at them and...


13 Times Fortune Cookies Literally Changed People’s Lives

That fortune can be surprisingly accurate—or incredibly beneficial: Check out these amazing stories of fortune-cookie inspired luck.

27 Amazing Miracles in Real Life

From simple everyday joys to amazing new leases on life, readers share their most poignant moments of joy.


A Judge Sentenced a Fellow Vet to Jail—Then Joined Him in His Cell for the Night

“We are one big team—we are all ­veterans—and when one of us screws up, the rest of the team says,...


7 Miraculous Stories About the Power of Healing Prayers

Religions throughout history have sought to heal through prayer. Read on for stories of sick individuals who offered up their...


The 17 Most Inspirational Kids of 2023

They've created life-saving innovations, founded nonprofit organizations, and raised money for important causes all before reaching legal age. The future's...


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

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


Lessons About Living from People Who Spend Time with the Dying

Encountering death so closely every day leads to serious life inspiration that we all need to hear.