The Science Of Attention
Neuroscientist Adele Diamond is challenging basic assumptions about education. Her focus on the brain's capacity for executive function -- also called "the science of attention" -- has also shown promise for children with ADHD and autism, and for narrowing the achievement gap between children of differing socioeconomic backgrounds.... posted on Dec 06 2014, 26,831 reads

Making The Leap
There are any number of reasons one can think of to not do something. In this beguiling illustrated strip Grant Snider playfully reminds us that, for all our potential excuses, there's nothing quite the like the feeling of leaping.... posted on Dec 05 2014, 137,722 reads

The Smart Way To Stick To Habits
When trying to form new, meaningful habits, there are always the usual suspects getting in your way -- forgetfulness, apathy, time constraints and self-doubt. Writer Leo Babauta offers up key guidelines for overcoming each of these common obstacles and articulates a smart habit system to help ensure success.... posted on Dec 04 2014, 24,437 reads

FoodShift: Reducing Waste, Fighting Hunger
"Dana Frasz is a food entrepreneur. She wants to recycle food, taking the food that's not consumed and putting it into the hands of those who cannot afford it. She wants companies to stop wasting so much food -- at the grocery story and in restaurants. She wants us all to be aware of how much we're throwing in the dustbin. Too idealistic? Frasz would argue otherwise. Hear her talk about her passio... posted on Dec 03 2014, 19,104 reads

Why a Culture of Compassion Matters
"What is companionate love?" To Sigal Barsade, a Wharton School management professor, it is when workers "who are together day in and day out, ask and care about each other's work and even non-work issues...They are careful of each other's feelings. They show compassion when things don't go well." Not surprisingly, Barsade and a colleague found that this important aspect of one's workplace ultimat... posted on Dec 02 2014, 22,436 reads

The Giving Keys
When singer-songwriter and actress Caitlin Crosby got on stage with her hotel key conveniently draped on a makeshift chain around her neck, she had no idea that this would eventually open a door and lead to "The Giving Keys". This organization unlocks human potential through a circle of passed-on keys inscribed with inspiring words like "courage", "trust", and "love". Both givers and recipients o... posted on Nov 30 2014, 19,523 reads

Kindness: The First Gift
"Kindness has gracious eyes; it is not small-minded or competitive; it wants nothing back for itself... Kindness casts a different light, an evening light that has the depth of color and patience to illuminate what is complex and rich in difference." John O'Donohue takes us on an eloquent exploration of kindness and its role in the unfolding universe.... posted on Nov 28 2014, 48,439 reads

Finding Those Three Magical Words
How easy is it to "love your neighbor" when your intoxicated neighbor wakes you up in the middle of the night and insults you? For people dedicated to the path of nonviolence, like Arun Dada and his wife Mira Ba, it's not only the right thing to do, it's the only thing you can do. Instead of getting angry, they chose to try and transform the relationship through compassion. And in doing so they i... posted on Nov 27 2014, 36,662 reads

College For All: Sebastian Thrun, Udacity
Most employers agree that new graduates lack the skills necessary to succeed. And yet, the cost of college tuition is rising far faster than the average family can afford. The frustration is clear; change is desperately needed. Now, thanks to innovators like Udacity and Coursera, and the advent of "massive open online courses" (MOOCs), both students and employers are being assured a much more pred... posted on Nov 26 2014, 13,377 reads

Sources of Light
When Kobun Otogawa was asked in the wake of 9/11, "How can I deal with the enormous fear and anger that I feel about what happened?" He replied simply, "Do one kind thing for someone every day." And though the advice might seem overly simplistic, it does cause us to realize - that it is through our own light that this world can be made a little brighter. ... posted on Nov 25 2014, 18,123 reads