Stories that inspire   Jonathan Newton / The Washington Post Most people saw limits for this boy with Down syndrome. His parents saw potential. MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — The dogging question for any athlete is whether their competitive values mean anything in the real world. Here it was for Debbie and Frank Antonelli . What were all the sweat-so... By Sally Jenkins  •  Read more » A SEAL Team 6 member steps out of the shadows to receive the Medal of Honor Ed Byers is believed to be the first person to earn the Medal of Honor serving in SEAL Team 6. By Dan Lamothe  •  Read more »   Lizard chilling on remote island for a million years just discovered by humans Researchers don't know how the lizard's ancestor arrived in Mussau in northeastern Papua New Guinea. By Elahe Izadi  •  Read more »   Hundreds asked how to help 106-year-old who danced with the Obamas. Now they can. Virginia McLaurin captured hearts around the world. So they wanted to give her something back. By Colby Itkowitz  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Harvard researchers discovered the one thing everyone needs for happier, healthier lives And it has nothing to do with work or money. By Colby Itkowitz  •  Read more »   These are the athletes who hope to be on the first Olympic team for refugees Syrian swimmer Ysra Mardini is one of 43 athletes being considered for a special Olympic team set to compete in Rio de Janeiro this summer. By Sarah Kaplan  •  Read more »   ‘Touchdown!’ Scott Kelly returns to Earth with a fist-pump and a cult following. After 340 days, the astronaut's incredible, inspirational and occasionally moldy journey has come to an end. Kinda. By Michael E. Miller  •  Read more »   ‘He was about to die on us': Heart transplant saves infant’s life The organ donation that saved Lincoln Seay's life is "the most selfless and brave thing I can even imagine," his mother said. By Elahe Izadi  •  Read more »   Narcolepsy knocked this high school athlete down. Wrestling picked him back up. Parkdale junior Nate Forschner was overweight and depressed, but with medication and a new work ethic, he’s managing his narcolepsy and cataplexy while competing for titles. By Gabe Hiatt  •  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Monarch butterflies and manatees, oh my! These two animals are on a big rebound. But there's a big worry. How long will it last? By Darryl Fears  •  Read more »   Reentry groups invest in ex-inmates to break the cycle of crime Organizations in D.C. area supply employment, life skills and donations to offenders. By Jim Barnes  •  Read more »   The best film won: 5 ways ‘Spotlight’ beat the Oscars odds At one time it seemed like a shoo-in, but ‘Spotlight’s’ win turned out to be an upset — a well-deserved one. By Ann Hornaday  •  Read more »   These college students took on one of America’s top trademark bullies – and won Monster, the energy-drink conglomerate, fought a small business over the word “monster.” These college students fought back By Drew Harwell  •  Read more »   The incredible power of ignoring everything Go ahead, ignore those work emails By Ana Swanson  •  Read more »   Recommended for you   In Sight A curated view of your world in photos, in your inbox weekly. Sign Up »         Share The Optimist:       Twitter      Facebook Trouble reading? Click here to view in your browser. You received this email because you signed up for The Optimist or because it is included in your subscription. For additional free newsletters or to manage your newsletters, click here. We respect your privacy. If you believe that this email has been sent to you in error or you no longer wish to receive email from The Washington Post, click here. Contact us for help. ©2016 The Washington Post, 1301 K St NW, Washington DC 20071