One Hundred Thank Yous
For a year and a half, artist Lori Portka painted her gratitude through individual pieces of art for 100 people who have made a difference in her life. In her effort to truly live a life of gratitude, Lori learned that gratitude grows, and grows, and grows. "The more that I focused on gratitude, the more I was grateful for." This beautiful film captures Lori's motivation and some of the reactions ... posted on Jul 05 2015, 5,371 reads

Jacob Needleman on Money and the Meaning of Life
How do we bridge the inner realm of spirit with the outer world of material? Writer and philosopher Jerry Needleman has been pondering this question (and many others) for years. Here in a fascinating dialogue he shares his perspectives on "Money and the Meaning of Life."... posted on Jul 04 2015, 6,494 reads

Building a Reading Revolution
As more and more people obsessively stare into their smart phones and tablets, the world seemingly grows a little more disconnected. But the folks at The Reader Organization, an award-winning charity and social enterprise, have gone about reversing that trend by offering to get people together to simply read aloud to each other. The benefits of this straightforward exercise are quite evident: impr... posted on Jul 03 2015, 10,149 reads

The Power of Landspeak
Under pressure, Oxford University Press revealed a list of the entries it no longer felt relevant to a modern-day childhood, including acorn, bluebell, buttercup, dandelion, ivy, lark, and mistletoe. The outdoor and the natural are displaced by the indoor and the virtual -- a small but significant symptom of the simulated life we increasingly live. And what is lost is the power that certain terms ... posted on Jul 02 2015, 7,888 reads

The Cross Road of Should & Must
"When we choose Should, we're choosing to live our life for someone or something other than ourselves. The journey to Should can be smooth, the rewards can seem clear, and the options are often plentiful...Must is different. Must is who we are, what we believe, and what we do when we are alone with our truest, most authentic self. It's that which calls to us most deeply. It's our convictions, our ... posted on Jul 01 2015, 15,706 reads

Saturday In New York With Gitanjali
Gitanjali Babbar is a curious spirit who is gently shaking the world with her selfless service. As the founder of "Kat-Katha" in Delhi, she is bringing community and love to the otherwise bleak existence of sex-trafficked women, their families, and even brothel owners. The community is growing strong and volunteers are pouring in. But, during her recent visit to Manhattan, she told writer Tracy Co... posted on Jun 30 2015, 10,478 reads

How to Transform Stress Into Courage and Connection
"Stress doesn't always lead to fight-or-flight, says Kelly McGonigal. It can also activate brain systems that help us connect with other people." In this article, McGonigal summarizes the social science research that explains how a certain response to stress changes the brain's biochemistry in surprising ways.... posted on Jun 29 2015, 22,492 reads

Gorgeous Portraits of the World's Vanishing People
Many photos are able to capture what we see, but it's a rare photo that shows us who we are. Jimmy Nelson has traveled the globe seeking out opportunities to share a glimpse into some of the world's vanishing people. In this TED talk, he shares not just the photos he's taken, but the stories behind each astonishing portrait.... posted on Jun 28 2015, 24,117 reads

Nancy Mellon: Storytelling as a Healing Art
I opened the classroom door to hear a robust Irish voice shouting to the children: What are you doing in here? I never heard such a hullabaloo in me life! The children all sat down immediately and put their toes together under their desks. I heard the voice continuing, "I come from the country called Ireland, and I am visiting your country to find out whether American children learn anything at al... posted on Jun 27 2015, 17,764 reads

Moving Beyond the Blame Game
Why do we waste so much energy looking for someone to blame when something doesn't go our way? Dr. Brene Brown provides us with valuable insight into how the constant search for blame limits the meaningfulness of our relationships. Brene Brown is a highly respected researcher on the subject of vulnerability. She has mastered using the art of storytelling and self-disclosure to bring life and pract... posted on Jun 26 2015, 5,388 reads