There have been some truly harrowing stories in the news lately; enough to make a person feel like evil and sadness are taking over.

We get that, we really do. We cover some excruciatingly sad stories each day. And does feel like there are more than ever. Of course it’s important to know what’s happening in the world, of course it’s great to follow the news.

But sometimes you need a reprieve from all of that. You need to zone in on the loveliness.

Yesterday on ABC 702, Richard Glover did the most delightful segment on his radio show, where he asked people to help him feel like the world is a good place again. We’re so enchanted by that idea, we’ve decided to continue that here.

To start, everyone in the office this afternoon contributed the last photo that made them smile. Please, add yours in the comments or pop them on Instagram and tag @mamamiaaus with the hashtag #MMsmile. 

Lucy: Two of my favourite things in one photo- tea and fires!

Dimity: This pose

Fran: Acting like a "silly bum bum" his words...not mine- with my gorgeous little boy

Kylie: A regram of a hot guy chopping wood half naked.

Meg: This dog

Sarah: Jumping in front of a sunset on a beach, in Costa Rica

Melissa: Meeting this 6-month-old baby elephant, named Pim, in an elephant rehabilitation centre while I was in Thailand. Interacting with elephants drove home how intelligent and emotional these creatures are.

Avi: My dogs

Lucy: Flowers

Cecilia: My friend randomly posted it on my facebook wall this morning, its of some of my closest mates from design college mucking around and it was taken about 7(!!!) years ago. It makes me happy because we all still have such a wonderful friendship.

Andy: The sunshine when the rain had cleared momentarily yesterday!

Megan: Meeting happy kids on the streets of Indonesia. This was the first time they had ever been photographed and they thought it was so funny

Kate: This very specific moment from Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion. My sister sent me this because we used to do it all the time as kids.

Louise: The last photo of me and my 15-year-old dog Diva before she passed away

Dimity: My friend and I went backpacking around Europe two years ago, and I recently rediscovered this photo of her being "french" with a nutella moustache and beard

Lucy: Sunrises and sunsets

Kate: Messina gelato, always and forever.

Melissa: Sometimes you just need to look at a picture of an adorable puppy in a ridiculous costume to feel good about life

Elissa: Getting dressed up with my Gradma to watch my cousin play his test debut for the Wallabies. Every time I look at it makes me smile

Louise: My dad rugged up for the cold weather and enjoying retired life.

Kate: My nephew Charlie befriending my dog, Lady Fluffington. Double whammy of cuteness.

And here, a series of moments that prove that humans can be kind.

Please, add yours in the comments or share them on twitter with @mamamia and the hashtag #MMsmile.

DIMITY: A man swiped his bus pass twice for me the other day because I only had coins and they only accepted tickets. He refused to take my coins and said “do it for someone else one day.”

3pm snacks made us happy.

LUCY: A few weeks ago I changed coffee shops. Yesterday the man who takes mymoney recognised that I’d never had a coffee card. So he took one off the pile and hole punched 8 spots and handed it to me with my change.

TEGAN: 

The extraordinary generosity of people who helped me pull off my then 12 week old son’s Christening after I’d had to have surgery 9 days prior. I’ve been eating left over slice for two weeks, and every bite reminds me of the kind and much needed help. 

SARAH: When I was younger I saw a man drop $2 in the grocery store. I picked it up and chased him so I could give it back to him. 10 minutes later I felt a tap on my shoulder and it was the man with a giant freddo frog. My eyes lit up – he said “thank you for being so honest,” and gave me the big freddo frog. It made my day.

MEG: My happiest memory is meeting two small children on the streets in rural Indonesia who had never seen a camera before. They were so excited and they begged me to take their picture, which I did. They thought it was the funniest thing and couldn’t stop laughing. It makes me grateful to think about the simple things we often take for granted.

Grace trying on this fake fringe made us happy.

LOU: After expressing my frustration at not being able to find an all-day car park in Paddington before I started work, I was wonderfully surprised to find a construction worker in the area had expressly