Japan has been much on my mind this week. I feel helpless (even though I’ve done what I can), and so very sad. But we all need some balance. And with that in mind, I offer you heartwarming, hopeful, inspiring, beautiful, and just plain funny items that crossed my path this week on Twitter. It helps.

@latimes Japan earthquake survivor dons scuba suit to search for wife and mother — and finds them.
[SEO: And both were alive. A good ending amongst so many tragedies. A lesson in “never give up”.]

@LillyAnn ☘ Happy St. Patrick’s Day ☘ to all of my Irish friends!

@pourmecoffee Your NCAA photo of the day
[SEO: FYI, this refers to March Madness, the NCAA Men’s College Basketball tournament happening right now. Sorry, Louisville fans!]

@FamousWomen “Wise men are not always silent, but they know when to be.”

@alyssa_milano Grab tissues! Woman squeezes lifetime of love into one week for a dog. (via @805Therapy)
[SEO: The story of Annie, a dog who had been abused, abandoned, and terminally ill, in a shelter, rescued from immediate euthanasia by Ashley Owen Hill. Her point was: if Annie only had a week to live, she would end that week knowing she had been loved, had a home, and that she belonged to someone who cared deeply about her. Having had to make the unbearable decision to have my cats euthanized when terminally ill, this story got to me. It’s why we take in strays. No matter what happened in their past, they will know love in our house.]

@lizstrauss “Can’t believe I’ve actually used an iron tonight. I need to find my meds soon!!”

@MentlHealthHope 30 Majestic Rainbow Photographs to Inspire You with Hope.

@Quotes4Writers “Hell, there are no rules here — we’re trying to accomplish something.” ~ Thomas Edison

@DrCesa Mind-Boggling Water Drop Reflections (13 photos)
[SEO: Photographer describes his techniques and swears these are not photoshopped. Really beautiful.]