Duct Tape and Dreams
Become a kid again! Imagine building a soapbox car; anything you could dream up and build. And then getting to ride it downhill being cheered all the way down. Produced in collaboration with Stink Studios, "Duct Tape and Dreams: Reviving the Soapbox Derby at McLaren Park" captures the creativity, collaboration, and exuberance of everyone who participated and, of course, all that exciting downhill... posted on Dec 1, 1163 reads

How to Bless Each Other
"Every once in the bluest moon, if you are lucky, you encounter someone with such powerful and generous light in their eyes that they rekindle the lost light within you and return it magnified; someone whose calm, kind, steady gaze penetrates the very center of your being and, refusing to look away from even the most shadowy parts of you, falls upon you like a benediction.
That we can do th... posted on Dec 11, 6142 reads

The Living Sculpture Made by 90 Generations
While walking outside your home, or on a familiar street in your neighborhood, have you ever wondered who -- what kinds of people and life journeys -- walked those very same steps before you? The land has a way of connecting us across time, and a 3,000-year-old natural sculpture in Oxfordshire, England is a living embodiment of such interconnection. The Uffington White Horse is a football-field si... posted on Dec 14, 1702 reads

Life as a Cup of Tea
"'The key to tasting tea,' she said, 'is to never judge it. Some teas open in the beginning and fade quickly, some teas take 6 cups to open and last longer,'" writes Mina Lee, as she steeps in her first experience with a tea ceremony and the words of Chan teacher, Mudeng. Lee observes, "The way the leaves are picked, the water used, the ceramic used, the tea pourer, how they hold the lid to steam ... posted on Dec 18, 1552 reads

How Two Enemy Soldiers Saved Each Other, Over 20 Years Apart
In the brutalities of the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, two soldiers on opposite sides formed an unlikely bond. In 1982, Iraqi forces captured the Iranian city of Khorramshahr. In response, Iran plotted to retake the city. Shortly after that battle began, Najah Aboud, from southern Iraq, was severely wounded in the head, chest, and back. Crawling to a bunker, he prepared for the death that seemed in... posted on Dec 29, 2097 reads

Niksen: The Dutch Art of Purposefully Doing Nothing
In an increasingly busy world, the Dutch have mastered the art of niksen - purposefully doing nothing. This powerful practice counteracts anxiety and bolsters creativity and productivity. Instead of always focusing on efficiency, practicing niksen by setting aside specific time for purposeless relaxation, such as sitting in a caf simply savoring your coffee and daydreaming, can b... posted on Dec 30, 3335 reads

Tsultrim Allione: Turning Towards What’s Difficult
After losing her infant daughter suddenly in 1980, the search for stories to help process grief led her to write what would go on to become a book that rippled into a burgeoning community of practice. Along the way, Lama Tsultrim found herself delving into research of the sacred feminine, deepening her own inner practices, and a whole lot more. In an intriguing podcast conversation, Tami Simon jou... posted on Feb 11, 2425 reads

Something Old Is Something New
"When Rue MaCall walked down the aisle at her wedding in September, everything she wore was second-hand, borrowed or stitched from someone else's discarded fabrics. Her earrings were made from tassels she found in a donation bin. A friend lent her pearls purchased 50 years ago. She made her dress by hand, finding all the second-hand silk, thread and lace she needed from a single source, the Ragfin... posted on Feb 23, 1820 reads

From Accessing Your Ignorance to Accessing Your Love
"Ed had an amazingly minimalist teaching style. He did not give lengthy lectures. He never used a superfluous word. Ed the teacher inverted the relationship between learner and educator. Normally that relationship is based on the professor knowing things that the students don't, a learning structure in which the professor conveys information and insights through lectures, discussions, and readings... posted on Mar 1, 2972 reads

Dishes in the Sink
When Bethany Renfree was 20 years-old, she lived with her three young daughters in a low-income apartment in California. Like most of the tenants, Renfree was a single mom. Life was full and overwhelming. One cold morning, as Renfree shuffled into the kitchen, she looked at the sink piled high with pots and pans and dishes. "These pots were caked in grease and burnt because I actually didn't reall... posted on Mar 10, 4861 reads

Hug Therapy Revolution in Argentina
Welcome to the world of hug therapy, where Irma Castro and her volunteer squad are making strides in neonatal care in Córdoba, Argentina. Part of a public maternity hospital initiative, these 'huggers' offer their warmth and touch to premature and underweight babies, whose mothers may be absent due to countless circumstances. From aiding neurodevelopment to stimulating weight gain, the powe... posted on Mar 24, 1574 reads

Feeling Anxious? A Good Deed Could Snap You Out Of It
Ever been incredibly overwhelmed by stress? Clinical psychologist, Jenny Taitz, shares a simple yet effective technique called a 'stress reset'. A stress reset involves three types - mind, body and behavior resets and offers quick ways to soothe our thoughts, body and actions allowing us space to solve problems rather than exacerbating them. Mind resets include naming your emotions, singing your t... posted on Apr 9, 1997 reads

But We Had Music
Australian musician and writer Nick Cave and Brazilian artist and filmmaker Daniel Bruson combine stunning visuals and animations to present Maria Popova’s beautiful poem, “But We Had Music.” In less than two minutes, this co-creation portrays the ongoing dance between cosmic happenings and the normalcy of daily life, between impermanence and eternity. They remind us to pay atten... posted on Apr 13, 5572 reads

How to Avoid Reaching a Boiling Point
Robert Glazer describes a failure to communicate clear and precise ground rules and boundaries up front around a shared backyard. Fear of confrontation as time went on prevented him from seizing opportunities to clarify intentions and social norms. Consequently, a seemingly simple situation turned into an awkward eruption and ended the possibility of friendship. He cautions that “addressing ... posted on Apr 19, 3051 reads

The Scientists Learning to Speak Whale
Two research initiatives -- Cetacean Translation Initiative (CETI) and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) -- are exploring not only what it means to collect data on how  whales communicate, but to listen and understand  what they are saying. Listening to whales ends up reflecting much more about humans, than anticipated: it highlights our relationship not only to another... posted on Apr 29, 1158 reads

Mary Ann Brussat: Everyday Sacred Renaissance
"You really can feel tremendous empathy for the people, but at the same time, compassion is something that's a little different. Compassion is where you move towards someone to see if there is a way that you can be of help. So not only do you recognize your feelings for someone, but you try to figure out, is there something here that I can do?" In this Awakin Call, Mary Ann Brussat touches upon he... posted on May 5, 3153 reads

Sanctuaries of Silence
What might happen if we listened deeply? If we really listened? In the tranquil chorus of nature, Gordon Hempton, an acoustic ecologist, experiences silence as 'the poetics of space' and 'the presence of time undisturbed.' He provides insight into how we perceive our locations based on their unique sounds and the value of true silence in our modern noisy world. Hempton defines silence not as the a... posted on May 6, 2144 reads

Small Sounds of the Past
"In Praise of Listening" by Christian McEwen celebrates the profound impact of sound on our memories and experiences. Through evocative stories like Alice Cozzolino's pasta-making rituals with her mother and Eleanor Adams' childhood memories of island life, McEwen reminds us of the power of sound to transport us back in time. In a world filled with noise, these memories serve as reminders to liste... posted on May 20, 1695 reads

Extraordinary Lives of Coast Redwoods
Daniel Lewis, museum curator, explores the majestic Redwoods from their history and survivability to their distinct earthy fragrances. He details the living ecosystem of birds, insects, lichens, plant life, and even salamanders that make their homes within the dense canopy. Standing in awe of the Redwoods led writer Anne Lamott to comment: “The trees are so huge that they shut you up.”... posted on May 26, 2077 reads

Mastering the Art of Forgiveness
Forgiveness has much more to deliver to us than the person being forgiven. This may sound cliche and at times dismissive when it comes to our pains, injuries, scars, and losses; Dr. Robert Leichtman, however, is anything but dismissive as he outlines the nuanced, life-giving opportunity available to us in the act of forgiveness. Forgiveness is much more than a “way to demonstrate good manner... posted on May 28, 2210 reads

Why Age Diversity Is a Strength at Work
Research suggests many benefits from age diversity in the workplace. Among them are better performance results, reduction in age and other biases, and two-way mentoring that can expand learning all around. Tips include purposefully forming diverse groups and teams of people of all ages, life stages, and generations in order to reap the benefits. And there is this: Be a perennial! Perennial is a ne... posted on Jun 18, 2329 reads

People Dread This Type Of Social Interaction But It Has Benefits
Researchers find that people who have richness and diversity in relationships experience greater life satisfaction and overall well-being. An important part of that diversity comes from talking to strangers, and they found there was “deep delight and joy that ensued from these unexpected encounters.” Whether in a supermarket, coffee shop, or on a walk, a smile, a nod, a simple hello, o... posted on Jun 22, 1422 reads

Sister Marilyn: To Come and See
At age 18 and new to the convent, Sister Marilyn Lacey turned down an invitation -- an opportunity to connect -- explaining she didn’t think human relations was her field. Later on, she got an invitation she couldn’t refuse to “come and see” the suffering in South Sudan. She accepted, and that experience and invitation led to many more invitations to invite people into her ... posted on Jun 24, 3025 reads

The Solutionary Way
Zoe Weil had forty-five youngsters identify the world’s biggest problems, and was surprised when only five of them thought we could solve them. If children can’t imagine solving problems, “what will motivate them to try to make a difference?” Then, with their eyes closed, she helped them imagine a day in the future where all the problems had been solved, and questioned, &ld... posted on Jun 27, 2349 reads

Cultivation and Practice: Q&A with Rev. Heng Sure
Like many who grew up in the middle of America in the 1950s, his childhood was characterized by sports, church, and pop culture influences like the Mickey Mouse Club. Upon seeing Chinese characters at the age of fourteen, an unshakeable feeling of familiarity overtook him. When he opened the door to move into his dorm room as a freshman in college, he found his roommate meditating in full lotus on... posted on Jul 5, 2259 reads

Saying Goodbye to the Tree that Changed my Life
Stumpy was one of many cherry trees being cut down to make way for a new seawall at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. Some referred to the aging Stumpy as “he;” others as “she.” Nobody referred to Stumpy as “it.” After many failed attempts to save Stumpy, people began to say goodbye. Photojournalist Carol Cuzy tenderly captured his final days as people and anim... posted on Jul 19, 2182 reads

Former Businessman Greets People on Street Every School Morning
Dick Kazan, a man from California, has demonstrated the profound impact of simple acts of kindness. For years, Kazan has greeted passersby each morning with a smile and a wave, creating a ripple effect of positivity in his community. Since then, some have shared personal stories of how Kazan's kindness has touched their lives in meaningful ways. Children, in particular, have been delighted by his ... posted on Jul 21, 1739 reads

Do Friends Lengthen Life?
Numerous and well documented studies confirm that "connection and loneliness influence our susceptibility to many diverse diseases.” They maintain that connectivity strengthens the immune system, and lowers the risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, dementia, and even a cold. People with a greater number of strong connections do better, but even casual acquaintances such as at churches o... posted on Jul 30, 1568 reads

The Art of Healing: How Creativity is Changing NHS Mental Health
Artist Tim Shaw and his partner, Niamh White, a curator, visited a close friend in a mental health unit in South West London. They described it as a “really inhumane, cold, clinical space.” They set about to bring creativity, color, joy, and fantastic landscapes that bring the outdoors inside to the unit. In the ten years since, they have created a mental health charity “collabor... posted on Aug 21, 1374 reads

How ‘Pollinator Pathmaker’ Can Help Us See Like a Bee
British artist Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg was asked to design a sculpture to raise awareness about declining populations of pollinators. After intensive research, she decided: “Instead of making a sculpture about pollinators, I thought it would be better to make a sculpture for pollinators.” She designs gardens to please birds, bats, moths, wasps, and beetles. Ultravi... posted on Aug 26, 2201 reads

Crafting Gives Greater Life Satisfaction, Survey Finds
Arts and crafts have long been recommended for improving mental health. New research suggests that everyone could benefit from creative projects such as painting, pottery, and photography. The studies “revealed that people who engaged with creating arts and crafting had greater ratings for happiness, life satisfaction and feeling that life was worthwhile than those who did not…”... posted on Aug 28, 1308 reads

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In 1981, Dr. William P. Magee, a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen, a nurse and clinical social worker, traveled to the Philippines and found hundreds of children ravaged by deformities. In 1982, they started Operation Smile to provide free reconstructive surgeries and have now operated on tens and thousands of kids.... posted on Nov 24, 957 reads

Bringing Schools to the Children
One Sunday morning with two cloth bags "full of fun and magic for children" and an innovative idea, Inderjit Khurana stepped onto the railway platform and began teaching. The idea was extremely simple and remarkably effective: rather than working to get children into the schools, why not just bring the school to them? Within a few months, the 'platform school,' as it became known, had over 100 stu... posted on Jun 12, 923 reads

Pictures of Beauty in Guatemalan Dumps
Young lives transformed, guided by a camera lens. In Gautemala, Evelyn Mansilla joins her mother and dozens of neighbors to scavenge through the municipal dumps for valuables. But now, the 21 year old Evelyn is part of a program, "Out of the Dump," that brings photography skills and confidence to slum children. As they unblinkingly document impoverished slums that have surreal names like Hope o... posted on May 22, 1391 reads

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Brazilian photographer Sebastio Salgado believes that an image can inform and transform; and he's travlled to five continents to show how. Fast action photography is easy these days but Salgado captures the slower, more decisive motions that produce millions of refugees in Africa, Asia and the Balkans or the millions that move to packed cities of Asia and Latin America due to lack of work ... a p... posted on Dec 28, 1198 reads

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When Liz Murray didn't have a bed, she and a friend would sometimes go to a diner in the Bronx, pool their change to buy french fries with gravy and cheese, and take naps with their heads resting on the table. Since then, the 22-year-old has been to Harvard University and back again in a real-life story of willpower and determination that has inspired a television movie. Liz Murray -- from homel... posted on Apr 8, 1638 reads

Universe Surrenders
For nearly nine days after an earthquake demolished her city in Iran, 97-year-old Sharbanou Mazandarani lay trapped under furniture and crumbled masonry, passing fear-filled days and cold nights with death all around. But on Saturday, elated rescuers pulled her out of the rubble alive -- and unhurt! While the doctors said a low metabolism helped her pull through, the petite, wrinkled woman said ... posted on Jan 6, 1015 reads

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Sam Hamill, a reclusive former Marine turned Zen Buddhist poet was invited to read his poems at the White House. When Laura Bush caught on that he was going to read poems critical of the war on Iraq, she cancelled the event. In response, Sam has set up a website and asked poets to submit poems against the war and affirming collective humanity. Over 12,000 young and old and everything in between... posted on Mar 12, 1684 reads

An Ecological Housing Complex
Way past Ikea lies a Swedish housing complex that is ecologically sound and wired for all sorts of remote-control fiddling with heat, power and security. This unit decontaminates its own soil, recycles its water into a rebuilt marsh ecology, generates power from renewable sources, uses roof space to put oxygen back into the environment and, through sensors and broadband Web access, allows owners ... posted on May 14, 1337 reads

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As teenagers from a rough part of New Jersey, Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt, and George Jenkins had nothing special going for them except loving mothers (one of whom was a drug user) and above-average intelligence. Their first stroke of luck was testing into University High, one of Newark's three magnet high schools, and their second was finding each other. A decade and a half ago, these three teena... posted on Jun 25, 721 reads

Thai Flavors
They call him "Pak". In Iowa City, he runs an unusual Thai restaurant that has got the pollsters of DC, editors at NY Times, and the community in Iowa, all knocking on his doors. Many people will go to 'Thai Flavors' for its great food, many will go there to answer his polls -- ranging from controversial political and religious questions to "Do you believe in love at first?" and "Do you like to ... posted on Nov 16, 1272 reads

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When MIT announced to the world in April 2001 that it would be posting the content of some 2,000 classes on the Web - dubbed OpenCourseWare - the academic world was shocked by MIT's audacity ... and skeptical of the experiment. No institution of higher learning had ever proposed anything as revolutionary, or as daunting. MIT would make everything, from video lectures and class notes to tests and ... posted on Sep 6, 1326 reads

Thailand Monastary
When Luang Pi Daeng lost his mother and found himself alone in the world, he sought shelter at a local Buddhist temple, where the monks and nuns gave him food, shelter and education. Receiving such kindess, he himself became a monk and vowed to give back to the community. When AIDS began ravaging large swathes of Thailand, he led by example. Today, the abbott of Wat Hua Rin temple, Luang Pi Dae... posted on Dec 9, 1011 reads

Note and a Duffel Bag
More than 28,000 foster children have received the note, a duffel bag and the cuddly friend. "I want you to always know that you are loved, especially by me," the letter says. "And always remember to be positive, polite and never give up. Love, Your Friend, Makenzie." Makenzie Snyder is 13 and it has been her mission since the age of 7 to comfort neglected children; she doesn't meet the children... posted on Dec 19, 1063 reads

The Living Poem
Michael DeGroote is not a man who uses fancy words. He belongs to none of the right clubs, and isn't all that interested in hanging around with the right people. He made a fortune in trucking and garbage; rough-and-tumble businesses that tend to attract rough-and-tumble characters. And he's just given away $105-million -- the single biggest gift in Canadian history.... posted on Jan 2, 1106 reads

Roots and Wings
It was suppossed to be a routine flat-tire change but the jack slipped and an Oklahoma man was pinned under a large van with no way to escape. A ton of glass and metal were crushing his body, he was quickly turning blue. His three young boys knew they had to do something. So the 13, 11 and 10 year old sons lifted the entire van to rescue their Dad and pull him to safety!... posted on Feb 6, 1601 reads

'American Willing to Listen'
Fran Peavey sat nervously on a bench in Osaka, Japan, next to a cloth sign that read, "American Willing to Listen." She tried to smile as people approached, checked her out, and then walked away. Thirty minutes passed before the first person, a man who worked in a shoe factory, spoke to her. What, exactly, was she trying to do? he asked politely. She was seeking "a global heart." Fran had sold ... posted on Mar 13, 1736 reads

It's Name Is Its Message
Its name is its message. In Hebrew, it is Neve Shalom. In Arabic, it is Wahat al-Salam. In English, it is The Oasis of Peace. Situated equidistant from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv-Jaffa, this cooperative village was founded in 1972 on 100 acres of leased land and today holds more than 45 families. Here Jewish and Palestinian families live side by side, sharing their gardens and their homes. Since ... posted on Mar 25, 824 reads

Family To Family
All thanks to a mom reading her morning New York Times, a wealthy community in Hastings is now adopting a poverty stricken town in Illinois, one family at a time. "I said 'What do you need?' And he said, 'I was hoping for a miracle.' And I said, 'Well, I'm not a miracle but what do you need?,' " Koner recalled. "And he said, 'Well our people here the last week of the month, the food pantry runs o... posted on Apr 6, 976 reads

Operation Shoe Fly
Operation shoe fly. 1st Sgt. James Thomson and his CF-47D Chinook crew are on a mission in Afghanistan -- deliver shoes to needy children. In addition to soldiers and supplies, Thomson and his "crew dogs" want to drop off shoes, after being moved by the poverty in remote regions of the country. He said, "In addition to protecting the feet of these young innocent children, we might even win some... posted on Jul 16, 1316 reads