The opportunities for youth to make their mark on the world have never been greater. Yet while youth pursue a brighter future, many face limited access to the opportunities they need to be successful.
Currently there are 75 million youth unemployed around the world, a symptom of the mismatch between education and in-demand skills in the job market. Globally, one in four of the working poor are youth. To help young people escape the cycle of poverty, we need to provide education, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities that will give them the skills to move ahead and positively contribute to their communities. Their future wellbeing—as well as the future of the global economy--depends upon how well we can ensure their success.
Inspired by the young people who are driving change in their lives and communities, Microsoft is committed to empowering today’s youth to realize their full potential. The Microsoft YouthSpark program works to create opportunities for young people around the world and has already touched 100 million youth in its first year. YouthSpark has supported programs that provide youth access to the latest technology, enable educators with tools to bring technology to classrooms, provide employment and entrepreneurship training and more.
Learn more about how Microsoft YouthSpark is helping create new opportunities for 300 million young people to build their futures.
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Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.