Jeannie Kahwajy: Catching Everything As Help
"I want to catch what people are offering, catch everything as help; like Aikido. Aikido is a martial art where it doesn't matter what intention somebody is moving towards you with. I can always catch it as helpful energy -- I get to develop this redirecting skill." Jeannie Kahwajy is an executive coach and the CEO of Effective Interactions. She believes an attitude of love is the most effective w... posted on Apr 11, 15794 reads

The True Birthright of the Storyteller
As a newspaper reporter, Rajni Bakshi initially enjoyed the thrill of getting out there to write about any interesting story she could find. But that thrill faded as she began to feel that although it's important to record what is, it is also important to illuminate what can be. To Rajni, that means "making visible those people, ideas and actions that seem at first extraordinary but which actually... posted on May 10, 7327 reads

In Praise of Melancholia
The science of behavioral epigenetic explores how melancholy can be passed down through the generations at the level of our DNA. Long seen as a key element in artistic inspiration, melancholia often helps turn pain and sorrow into healing, ultimately leading to an acceptance of life's inescapable emotional sufferings and wounds. Indigenous and shamanic cultures such as that of Aboriginal Australia... posted on Jun 26, 12734 reads

Seeds of Change: Meet A Hero of the Urban Farm Movement
It began with a single tomato. Watching her own home-grown plant take form before her eyes, and tasting for herself the deliciousness, Karen Washington dove into gardening as more than just a hobby -- it became her calling. Deemed as 'the queen of urban farming', Washington is a change maker and urban revolutionist ---greening the streets of New York City's poorest areas one abandoned lot at a tim... posted on May 13, 8480 reads

How Do You Build a Sacred Space?
Can architecture actually become a prayer answered? Can a building capture and transmit a sacred response through the play of light and materials? Architect Siamak Hariri describes the transformative potential of architecture in this TED talk. Listen to his creative journey and watch the sacred geometry unfold as the first international Baha'i' temple in South America comes alive.... posted on Jul 8, 9780 reads

The Sacred Art of Pausing
When in the middle of things we can't control, our first impulse is often frantic activity; anxiously cluttering our days, our minds and our bodies. "We fill our days with continual movement: mental planning and worrying, habitual talking, fixing, scratching, adjusting, phoning, snacking, discarding, buying, looking in the mirror." In this passage, Tara Brach asks us to consider what might happen ... posted on Jul 16, 26211 reads

How Do I Love Trees? Let Me Count the Ways...
Trees are interwoven into our existence in so many ways. They give us air to breathe, shade from sun, beautiful colors in the autumn, timber to build our homes, food to eat, paper to write on, and so much more. In this ode to our wooded friends,the team at Gratefulness.org have compiled a series of quotes, stories, poems, and photographs that delve deeper into our connection to trees. Going beyond... posted on Aug 23, 28562 reads

Defining Hope: A Tribute to Nurses
In 2012, photographer Carolyn Jones was commissioned to create The American Nurse Project, interviewing, filming, and photographing over 100 nurses across the U.S., after her own fight with breast cancer. She was inspired by her chemo nurse, Joanne Staha, who not only made her feel more normal during treatment, but reminded her that eventually she would heal and her life would go back to normal. O... posted on Aug 28, 3000 reads

Want to Innovate? Become a Now-ist
In 2011, Joi Ito, Director of the MIT Media Lab, had a need to understand what was happening with an earthquake in Japan, so he created a way to find that information. He lived and acted in the present. With the world moving so rapidly, a new approach to innovation was needed. Joi calls the people changing the method now-ists for living and working from the ground up. His TED Talk features his jou... posted on Aug 31, 6257 reads

Elie Wiesel on How Our Questions Unite Us
What do leadership and loneliness have in common? What is the difference between solitude and isolation? How might we live through to the other side the intense feelings of being alone that can come upon us? Maria Popova explores these rich and subtle questions in this Brain Pickings article. She delves into a rare essay, "The Loneliness of Leadership" written by holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel.... posted on Aug 21, 7213 reads

The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters
"Something interesting has been happening in recent years. Meaning has regained a foothold in our universities, and especially in an unexpected place the sciences. Many of the "meaning" researchers are working in a field called positive psychology -- a discipline that grounds its findings in empirical studies, but also draws on the rich tradition of the humanities. Positive psychology was founded ... posted on Jan 25, 36530 reads

Day Jobs for Panhandlers
With just under 400,000 residents, Tulsa, Oklahoma, has a significant homeless population. In 2016, between 6,000 and 7,000 residents lived on the streets. That number, while small in comparison to homeless populations in cities such as New York and Los Angeles, is noticeable in medium-sized Tulsa. So what did Tulsa decide to do to address this problem? Do what Albuquerque, New Mexico did -- move... posted on Jun 10, 8752 reads

Finding Joy: The Science of Happiness
We long to find more joy in our daily pursuits even though life has taught us it's not so easy. New discoveries in neuroscience offer insight into how we can develop a brighter state of heart and mind. Our choices are more than a temporary glitch in the brain, it turns out. Learn why it's better to sometimes allow love for the fractured and suffering humanity around and inside us to enter our busy... posted on Aug 29, 20395 reads

Sharing Stories in a Broken Culture
In this deeply divided culture, how can we honor people in such as way as to weave with them our common narrative and show each other respect? How do we find common ground? Simon Hodges believes that respectful relationships are a prior condition for persuasion and argues that we have the power to shape a narrative, giving voice to the voiceless and respect to all, that can bring about positive s... posted on Sep 1, 8891 reads

Confronting Death with Pets, Music and Good Hair
What can you do for someone who has less than three months to live? Those who volunteer with Dover Park Hospice (DPH) come face to face with this question on a regular basis. Sounds grim, but it's not. The volunteers provide music, massage services, food and playdates with pets for the patients to enjoy, spreading happiness with a smile, a song, a touch. It doesn't take much, and yet it means a lo... posted on Dec 31, 2859 reads

Finding Right Livelihood
In this thoughtful piece, author E.F. Schumacher argues for a set of economic principles that aligns economic progress and growth with the Buddhist ideals of nonviolence and peace. He proposes intriguing perspectives on labor, leisure, consumption, and the use of natural resources that flips modern economics on its head. Read on for fascinating food for thought.... posted on Mar 3, 18012 reads

Ready to Start Living? First Consider Death
What would you do if today was your last day alive? There's nothing more compelling than the thought of living, breathing and experiencing the playground of life when we consider that all of what we know and are may one day come to an end. Connecting with this powerful reminder will connect you to life in a way where you move from auto-pilot living to a curious, excited energy for what life can br... posted on Sep 9, 15925 reads

The Montana Moms Who Welcomed Refugees Into Their City
"Our goal is not to convince people what we're doing is right and what they're doing is wrong," she says. "Our goal is just to create a more welcoming environment for refugees to call home." This is the goal of Soft landing, a non-profit organization in Missoula Montana. When seeing the now famous photo of Aylan Kurdi, the three year old boy who drowned during his family's attempt to flee Syria, r... posted on Dec 30, 8376 reads

The Whisper of the Order of Things
A philosopher's questioning and a scientist's eye shape Enrique Martnez Celaya's original approach to art and to life. A world-renowned painter who trained as a physicist, he's fascinated by the deeper order that "whispers" beneath the surface of things. Works of art that endure, he says, possess their own form of consciousness. And a quiet life of purpose is a particular form of prophecy. Learn m... posted on Nov 12, 9507 reads

Medicine Baba: When a Man Becomes a Movement
In the aftermath of a building collapse in East Delhi, India, that left some dead and more suffering, Omkar Nath Sharma felt helpless. Before his very eyes, people in pain, some dying, needed medicine but had no money. And the local hospital could not help. Then it struck him: maybe people had medicine in their homes that they no longer needed. Though he was 80 years old, he could walk, he could t... posted on Aug 26, 2341 reads

The Remarkable Story of An Artist Who Never Spoke a Word
Judith Scott was born deaf and with Down Syndrome. She never spoke a word. Beginning at 7 years old, she spent much of her life in state institutions, up until 1986 when her sister Joyce was awarded legal guardianship. While living with Joyce, Judith discovered Creative Growth, and her love of creating art. She spent the rest of her life, up until her death in 2005, creating remarkable art that of... posted on Sep 21, 12119 reads

Kristin Pedemonti: Blower of Bubbles, Teller of Stories
Kristin Pedemonti's simplicity of spirit and open heart illuminates all whom she meets. In talking about her "leap of faith" decision to pursue storytelling full-time, she says: "When you are on a path that is the right one for you whatever that path is this clarity will appear." Kristin speaks from experience. Whether she's blowing bubbles on a subway of tired souls, giving free hugs at a busy in... posted on Sep 17, 9300 reads

Free Art -- A Conversation with Dickson Schneider
Seven years had gone by and suddenly I knew it was time to give Dickson a call. It was time to find out what had happened with his free art project. It was a radical step and when I first heard about it, I thought, "If he's still doing it in five years, its going to be seriously interesting." And now more than five years had passed. I gave him a call. "It's the best thing Ive ever done," he said. ... posted on Jul 25, 2387 reads

This Incredible Fact of Being Alive:
"I remember writing somewhere that art took me over before life did. I think of myself, and other artists, as the growing edge of a 30,000-year old body of people who made the drawings in the caves, the Pompeii murals, Sumi-e paintings, Rembrandt, Picasso, Grandma Moses. The artists before us were helping to keep the world alive, as working artists are today. We just happen to be occupying the uni... posted on Sep 19, 3197 reads

What We Measure. What We Value. And Why the Difference Matters.
This thought-provoking piece highlights the problems that can occur when we let what we measure tell us what to value. "Whether you are in business, government, non-profit or academics, the metrics that surround you drive your action. The purpose of all these metrics is to drive productive action, and if you instead interpret these metrics as a measure of value, a very different set of counter-pro... posted on Oct 17, 14967 reads

Restoration: A Conversation with Daniel McCormick & Mary O'Brien
"There's still a bit of misunderstanding about what we do," says Mary O'Brien, "When we meet with site stewards, conservation managers and scientists they're often like, "We're going to meet with an artist? Whats that all about?" The work of environmental restoration artists Daniel McCormick and Mary O'Brien is nearly always an uphill struggle, but they're passionate. They've acquired knowledge ac... posted on May 19, 1907 reads

A World Where All the Gazi's Go to School
Gazi Jalaluddin has a clear vision: a world where no "Gazi" has to stop going to school. Poverty forced him to quit school as a child. He ultimately became a taxi driver in Kolcalata. By asking passengers to donate books, old clothes or medicine, he has helped many children return to their studies. By 2012, Gazi had also created two schools for 425 students and built an orphanage. Gazi's belief in... posted on Apr 19, 11102 reads

Reimagining the Cosmos
In a conversation ranging from free will to the multiverse to the meaning of the Higgs boson particle, physicist Brian Greene, professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University and author of The Elegant Universe, invites us to a thrilling, mind-bending view of the cosmos and of the human adventure of modern science.
... posted on Dec 3, 6022 reads

How Trauma Lodges in the Body
Human memory is a sensory experience, says psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk. Through his longtime research and innovation in trauma treatment, he shares what he's learning about how bodywork like yoga or eye movement therapy can restore a sense of goodness and safety. What he's learning speaks to a resilience we can all cultivate in the face of overwhelming events -- which, after all, make up the ... posted on Oct 20, 67422 reads

The Imagination of Stonefox
In this joyful video, journey into the Imaginarium of Stonefox (artist Chuck Galvin) and his sidekick T-Ball. Stonefox reminds us that imagination is one of the most useful allies in life and that the heart is connected to everything in the body, especially the mouth. You can't help but smile as you gaze upon some of Stonefox's creations and absorb his wisdom.... posted on Nov 6, 3721 reads

5 Schools Moving the Needle on Sustainability
When it comes to formal education in schools and colleges, sustainability is too often boiled down to the technical study of environmental science in a classroom setting. But how do we teach our students to actually practice sustainable living? In the wake of the loosening environmental regulations in the United States, read about the efforts of these five colleges and universities which are commi... posted on Nov 18, 10939 reads

As Worthy as You Are
"When I look at babies, I see how worthy we all are. I see that each individual is an artist, ready to paint something soul-fulfilling on the palette of existence. I see how we start out completely innocent and deserving of love.Then we begin to grow, finding our way in a sometimes challenging world. Navigating lifes difficulties sometimes alters our perception of self-worth." In this short, eloqu... posted on Sep 14, 15997 reads

The Why Behind Asking Why: The Science of Curiosity
Curiosity is a fundamental human trait. Everyone is curious, but the object and degree of that curiosity is different depending on the person and the situation. Astrophysicist and author Mario Livio was so curious about curiosity that he wrote a book about it titled, 'Why? What Makes Us Curious.' He shares more about what he learned in the process here. ... posted on Sep 25, 12432 reads

The Man Who Created a Broker-Free Market for Farmers
Prateek Sharma was born to a family of farmers in a village close to Bhopal, India. He started farming as a child along with his family but eventually left his village and accomplished a successful career in the city as a chief manager of a prominent Indian bank. What prompted him then to quit his lucrative job to return to tending to the earth as a community farmer? Sharma's inspiring journey as... posted on Dec 27, 12557 reads

What Fear Can Teach Us
We all have fears, some of which can be quite vivid for those with active imaginations. As children, we’re encouraged to think of fear as a weakness, something we must conquer, fight, or overcome. In this TED Talk, Karen Thompson Walker invites listeners to conceptualize their fears in a different way: as stories. Fear is an unintentional form of storytelling, she argues, with characters, p... posted on Sep 23, 16546 reads

Richard Rohr: From Being Driven to Being Drawn
Knowing that there will be sadness, there will be challenges, that things aren't always smooth sailing, do you find yourself saying 'yes' to life? When we accept the uncomfortable experiences, we realize that joy and sadness can coexist, and by choosing our focus, we change the direction of our lives. The foundation of 'yes' to all that occurs does not mean we relinquish our strength and boundarie... posted on Nov 7, 21226 reads

The Greatest Danger
"Thich Nhat Hanh was asked, "what do we most need to do to save our world?" His answer was this: "What we most need to do is to hear within us the sounds of the Earth crying."...What disintegrates in periods of rapid transformation is not the self, but its defenses and assumptions. Self-protection restricts vision and movement like a suit of armor, making it harder to adapt. Going to pieces, howev... posted on Dec 9, 60595 reads

Having it Out With Melancholy
With great care and attention, make a hot cup of tea. Take it to a room with a window. Sit down, take off your glasses and exhale slowly. Listen to this hauntingly beautiful recording of Jane Kenyon's poem read aloud by Amanda Palmer. Listen again. Let the understanding, pain and relief wash over you. Then, after a moment, explore the rich context of Maria Popova's introduction to this Brain Picki... posted on Nov 29, 13102 reads

How I Became an Entrepreneur at 66
After being fired at age 64, Paul Tasner spent the next two years consulting in the same business he had worked continuously for the past 40 years. Although dissatisfied with the work, he was unable to retire. So, when he had an idea that matched his concern for the environment, he decided to become an entrepreneur. In the five years since he started his own business, his revenues have doubled eve... posted on Feb 6, 0 reads

The Powerful Stories that Shaped Africa
Speaking of Africa, Gus Casely-Hayford, in his 2017 TED talk, maintains that "no other continent has nurtured, has fought for, has celebrated its history more concertedly. The struggles endured and the sacrifices made to hold onto narrative in the face of enslavement, colonialism, racism, wars and so much else has been the underpinning narrative of our history." He tells us about the Mali Empire, ... posted on Jan 28, 10250 reads

At the Tip of Time's Arrow
Close your eyes and imagine this moment, right now, as the tip of an arrow called eternity. What do you see? What do you imagine? What do you sense but have no words for? Dive into this meditation on time by Nicos Hadjicostis and look through his eyes into the infinity of time and what implications is has for how you live this very day.... posted on Dec 6, 8049 reads

Social Bite: Cafes Helping People Out of Homelessness
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to forget about our homeless population. In the United States alone, in just one night there are over half a million homeless people, a quarter of whom are children. Worldwide, an estimated 100 million people are homeless, with a total of 1.6 billion are lacking adequate housing. Scottish entrepreneur Josh Littlejohn wanted to make a difference in ... posted on Dec 10, 12703 reads

Living from a Place of Surrender
Michael Singer is a spiritual teacher, entrepreneur, and the bestselling author of the spiritual classic The Untethered Soul. In this conversation, Michael speaks about the core idea of his teachings: that it is only through complete surrender to the essence of the moment that we experience life's full potential. The discussion is rich, detailed, and pragmatic, including what this sense of surrend... posted on Dec 22, 48241 reads

Seeing is Not Thinking
Artist and thinker Jeanne de Salzmann writes: "The question is not what to do but how to see. Seeing is the most important thingthe act of seeing ... it is truly an act, an action that brings something entirely new, a new possibility of vision, certainty and knowledge. This possibility appears during the act itself and disappears as soon as the seeing stops." ... posted on Dec 20, 8048 reads

What It Means to Hold Space & 8 Tips to Do it Well
"To truly support people in their own growth, transformation, grief, etc., we can't do it by taking their power away (ie. trying to fix their problems), shaming them (ie. implying that they should know more than they do), or overwhelming them (ie. giving them more information than they're ready for). We have to be prepared to step to the side so that they can make their own choices, offer them unc... posted on Aug 9, 47888 reads

The Songs of Trees
We look at trees every day. What if we paused long enough to "listen"? Could you hear a song if you put your ear to the bark? If one tree can sing a solo; what kind of symphony would come forth from a forest of trees? Dive into these questions on a long cold day with a warm cup and Maria Popova's review of the book "The Songs of Trees" by David George Haskell. Give yourself the gift of lingering s... posted on Jan 4, 16288 reads

Mark Nepo: Where To Now?
How often, in a moment of stark clarity, have you asked yourself "How did I get to this place?" and then "Now what?". This short beautiful poem by Mark Nepo unfolds just such a moment with compassion for the journey and peace in the answer. Stop whatever you believe you must hurry to do next, and give yourself the gift of sitting with this poem for a moment or a lifetime.... posted on Apr 8, 27246 reads

A Fifty-Year Friendship Catalyzed By Kindness
"My parents came to the U.S. in the 1960s, along with the first wave of immigrants from India. My father came to Kansas, which is where he was getting his Ph.D. Six months later, my mother came with the three of us kids -- my sister, my brother, and me. We were just two, four and five years old. It was the very first winter we were in Kansas. It was cold. We didn't yet have heavy coats. We didn't ... posted on Mar 24, 16387 reads

A Doctor For Life: Ann Petru
Dr. Petru was just starting out as a young doctor when the AIDs epidemic began. She recalls, "As I started seeing a few kids with HIV, my boss and mentor in Infectious Disease at Children's Oakland said, 'I take care of the Department. I run the show. You figure out what to do for these kids.'" Petru couldn't imagine not taking care of these kids, she told me. 35 years later, Co-Director of Pediat... posted on Jan 21, 2695 reads

Seneca on the Antidote to Anxiety
With elegant rhetoric the great first-century Roman philosopher Seneca examines worry, both real and imaginary, and the mental discipline of overcoming fear. In Letters from a Stoic, he points out to a young friend that, "Some things torment us more than they ought; some torment us before they ought; and some torment us when they ought not to torment us at all. We are in the habit of exaggerating,... posted on Mar 18, 19807 reads