It’s been a rough year — at this point we can probably all agree on that.
But as the end of this difficult year draws near, Bill Gates wants us to take a moment to remember that it hasn’t all been bad.
1/ There’s no denying that 2017 was a really tough year... but it also delivered some amazing moments of hope and progress. Here are some inspiring tweets that you may have missed…
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 19, 2017
Despite violent conflicts, natural disasters, and political clashes, 2017 has had its bright moments and on Tuesday morning Gates spotlighted some of this year’s most inspiring and uplifting tweets and events.
In a string of tweets, Gates shared everything from hard-earned educational achievements
2/ On May 18, 2017, Edwardo Sanchez tweeted that he was the first person in his family to graduate from college. Congratulations, Edwardo! https://t.co/V5uzWQAc75
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 19, 2017
To global health milestones
4/ In June, the WHO certified that Bhutan and Maldives had eliminated measles. https://t.co/WdhAHIhs7A
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 19, 2017
And even a tender moment the Microsoft founder shared with a sea lion.
8/ Here’s my own extreme submission to the challenge. #extremereadingpic.twitter.com/z6Uk1cM5Cq
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 19, 2017
Gates seems determined to end his 2017 on a positive note and kick off next year with hope and optimism, and he invited the Twitterverse to do the same, asking his followers to share the tweets that inspired them this year.
9/ These tweets made me feel better about 2017 and more optimistic about the new year. I hope they make you feel more hopeful, too. What tweets inspired you this year?
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) December 19, 2017
And like Gates, Global Citizen paused to look back on this year’s wins and achievements. Read more about the countries and moments giving us hope for 2018.
The Twittersphere was quick to respond to Gates’ thread, highlighting their own best moments of the year and thanking Gates for putting a positive light on the year’s events.
Disclosure: Bill Gates is the co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, a funding partner of Global Citizen.
Editor's note: This piece has been updated to include a disclosure that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a funding partner of Global Citizen. We regret the oversight.