The 5 Myths of Self-Compassion
Why are we so hesitant to offer kindness to self? When thinking of others, it feels good to share the deeper qualities of compassion -- qualities such as tenderness, understanding, and acceptance. And, yet? We experience so many hindrances in offering the same to self. In this must read article, author Kristin Neff tackles the misconceptions surrounding self-compassion. ... posted on Oct 19, 29681 reads

How To Pay Attention
If you are like most people, you probably find yourself easily distracted or preoccupied by needless thoughts. So in an effort for you to gain control of your ability to concentrate, Dr. Rick Hanson, a psychologist and the author of several books, details seven important steps you can take to keep your wandering mind focused and centered.... posted on Oct 16, 34593 reads

Neil Gaiman on How Stories Last
Why do myths and fairytales continue to enchant the popular imagination generation after generation? Neil Gaiman suggests that such stories give shape to our lives, that they are a life-form obeying the same rules of genesis, reproduction, and propagation that organic matter does. ... posted on Nov 18, 14627 reads

Desert Solitaire: A Love Letter to Solitude
In the late 1950s, Edward Abbey became a seasonal park ranger at Arches National Monument in Utah's Moab desert. Between April and September, between the canyons and the pages of his journal, he found a great many of the things we spend our lives looking for. His book maps the maze of the interior landscape as he wanders the expanse of the exterior.... posted on Nov 25, 11706 reads

Kid Warrior for the Earth
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is 14 years old, and committed to changing the world. This self-described "indigenous, environmental, eco hip hop artist and activist" is also the youth director of Earth Guardians, a nonprofit that empowers young people around the world to become involved in environmental activism. "The biggest challenge we face is shifting human consciousness, not saving the planet." Martine... posted on Oct 27, 2814 reads

Battling Bullying With Positive Post-Its
When Caitlin Prater-Haacke received a message on her Facebook page telling her to kill herself, she didn't retaliate -- she got positive. She took out a marker and some post-it notes and stuck positive messages on every locker in her high school. When that action didn't sit well with school officials of George McDougall High School, who reprimanded Caitlin for littering, the entire community show... posted on Nov 6, 3575 reads

Bus 7 and the Grandma in the Window
She was known to the children in Bus 7 simply as 'Grandma in the window'. Their connection was forged by the daily waves they exchanged as their bus crossed her home. A connection so deep that when the 93-yr-old missed her waving 'vigil' the children demanded the bus driver stop. It turned out that their dear friend had suffered a debilitating stroke. While she convalesced at a local care facilit... posted on Nov 30, 16551 reads

Kindness Includes Everything
"What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded ... sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly. Or, to look at it from the other end of the telescope: Who, in your life, do you remember most fondly, with the most undeniable feelings of warmth? Those who were kindest to you, I bet. Its a little facile, maybe, a... posted on Nov 13, 5260 reads

10 Ways to Become More Grateful
The consumerist culture of modern life often propogates a self-defeating brand of discontent. A die-hard preoccupation with what we lack, be it in the realm of material things, relationships or status, can often blind us to the profound gifts that we hold in each moment. We sometimes forget that the flip-side of happiness is a grateful heart. When we practice gratefulness, we tap into the richness... posted on Nov 17, 49255 reads

Does It Pay To Be Kind To Strangers?
Generous people are happier and healthier, yet acts of kindness are often met with suspicion and scorn. Why? David Robson talks to a psychologist who set out to find the answer.... posted on Dec 1, 7986 reads

Eight Steps Towards Forgiveness
No matter who you are, you have undoubtedly experienced hurt in your life. And oftentimes, that hurt is compounded by the fact that you do not have the tools necessary to offer forgiveness, and thus begin the healing process that is critical to moving on with your life. In this succinct essay, Robert Enright offers a path to help move us towards forgiveness.... posted on Dec 6, 0 reads

Changing Ourselves by Changing the Brain
Recent scientific breakthroughs show that the brain can be trained to react to life more openly, which could improve both our minds and our relationships. This article discusses neural retraining approaches, from Dr. Daniel Siegel's interpersonal neurobiology to several forms of neurotherapy to the Alexander Technique and the Feldenkrais Method. ... posted on Dec 10, 25869 reads

Sparking Curiosity by Embracing Uncertainty
Teachers often present subjects to children as settled and complete, as if no further questioning is needed because all the answers have been found. Students may think they've learned all the facts and lose their sense of curiosity. In "Nonsense: The Power of Not Knowing," Jamie Holmes invites them to spark their curiosity to better prepare them for the "real world," where answers are seldom clea... posted on Dec 27, 6155 reads

Attention is the Secret to Virtue
How many times do you find yourself doing the same thing over and over, barely changing your behavior despite realizing that an alternative way of doing something would be more beneficial to your life? Don't worry, you are not alone. And fortunately for everyone, recent studies have shown that if you just "focus" more "attention" to what you are doing, that change is well within your reach. ... posted on Dec 19, 11330 reads

How to Move Beyond Pain
We will all feel pain in one form or another many times throughout our lifetimes, whether it be the heartbreak of lost love, or perhaps some sort of perceived humiliation at the workplace. And while the pain may be real and lasting, there are fundamental actions we can each take to help bring about healing. The following article offers three crucial steps that can help facilitate someone to "move ... posted on Dec 26, 18036 reads

The Man Who Quit Money
Money plays such an integral role in our lives that the idea of living without currency is almost alien. However, Daniel Suelo will beg to differ. Determined to reject the system of capitalism and even bartering, Suelo has removed the concept of currency from his life for fifteen years now. In this short documentary, Suelo examines the aspects of a life without money, sharing his thoughts on livin... posted on Dec 9, 6910 reads

Being There for Single Parents with Cancer
Nearly 12 million parents in the United States currently are raising kids on their own. When single parents face a devastating illness such as cancer, everyday needs like cleaning and cooking can become a struggle. Jody Farley-Berens saw the need firsthand, when her childhood friend faced that situation. "Making ends meet is insurmountable," said Farley-Berens. "There are so many doctors' appointm... posted on Dec 13, 3521 reads

The Beggar Who Raised 1,042 Orphans
Sindhutai Sapkal's life story encompasses both heart-wrenching tragedy and radiant transformation. She started life as an unwanted child, was married to an abusive husband, and then abandoned when she was nine-months pregnant. She refused to let any of this close down her heart or stifle her spirit. Read on to learn how this extraordinary woman went from being a beggar on the streets to the adopte... posted on Mar 13, 29488 reads

The 'Magic Strings' of Mitch Albom
"Ever since I wrote Tuesdays with Morrie, I've had people who have said to me, 'That book changed my life.' You actually said it to me not too long ago. I have to say, the first hundred times that that happened, I probably internally rolled my eyes and said, 'Well, that's nice, but a book doesn't change your life. It's a book.' Having heard it so many times at this point, I started to think, well,... posted on Dec 21, 15483 reads

The Evolution of Medicine
Dr. Mark Hyman, pioneer in the new discipline of functional medicine, believes one of the biggest scientific discoveries of the last 30 years is that food isn't just energy, but also provides instructions in a literally minute-to-minute, bite-by-bite basis to everything that's going on in your body. He joins James Gordon, who uses mind-body medicine to heal depression, anxiety, and psychological t... posted on Jan 23, 9133 reads

Why Your Brain Hates Slowpokes
Slow things drive us crazy because the fast pace of society has warped our sense of timing, creating expectations that can't be rewarded fast enough-- or at all. How can we stave off the slowness rage and revive patience? Meditation and mindfulness may help, but Northeastern University psychologist David DeSteno suggests that practicing gratitude is the best shortcut of all.... posted on Jan 20, 11054 reads

Everything You Need to Know About New Year's Resolutions
"Statistically speaking, new year's resolutions are a losing game. A whopping 92 percent of people who set resolutions don't succeed, according to University of Scranton research. Still, that doesn't mean that the start of a new year isn't a good time to commit to working towards any goals or self-improvement projects that you've put on the back burner. Succeeding with your resolutions may simply ... posted on Jan 14, 15341 reads

The Writer in the Tough Teen
Matt de la Pena just won this year's Newbery Award for a picture book, but he also writes young adult novels featuring working-class multicultural characters. Because of this, he is often invited to speak at urban schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods. At one school visit, Matt talked with the principal as the students filed in. The principal pointed out a particular student, seated in the back.... posted on Jan 15, 9089 reads

The Momentia Movement: Defying Dementia Through Friendship
"Alice Padillas laugh cut through the air at Seattles Woodland Park Zoo. Fresh off an hour-long exhibit tour, she and 16 other friends sat in the zoo cafeteria, snacking on sugar cookies and mocking current bestsellers. The group could appear to be just another cluster of friends visiting the zoo. But they were there for another purpose, too: to provide joy as much as support. Part of a program ca... posted on Jan 17, 11503 reads

Seven Ways to Help High Schoolers Find Purpose
"One thing nearly all teens agree on is that most of what high school teaches them is irrelevant to their lives outside of school or their future careers. One study found that the most common feelings among high school students are fatigue and boredom. Another study concluded that 65 percent of the jobs that today's high school graduates will have in their lifetime do not even exist yet. But we ar... posted on Feb 1, 11814 reads

Messy Works: Self-Organized Learning in the Classroom
Sugata Mitra's "Hole in the Wall" experiment in self-organized learning has garnered a lot of attention since it first begun in 1999 and won a TED prize in 2013. It demonstrated that a group of students working together, motivated by a deep question and with access to a computer, could produce amazing results. But few self-organized learning environments exist in traditional education. Maybe it's ... posted on Mar 2, 8102 reads

An Unforgettable Meeting with a Reclusive Genius
Becoming increasingly intrigued by painter Agnes Martin, Hadi Tabatabai took a chance and sent the famously reclusive artist a small painting of his own. To his surprise, she responded warmly and extended an open invitation for a visit. A year later, he traveled to Taos, New Mexico to meet her. Here's the account of that meeting.... posted on Apr 16, 14592 reads

Dignity Village: Homes For Portland's Homeless
"On a frigid January morning in Portland, Ore., a tour through Dignity Village follows the same path its residents are required to travel. All were, or are, homeless. Newcomers to this homeless refuge huddle in the warming station, a small portable with photos of smiling former residents and where they are required to stay during a 60-day probationary period. They hope to graduate to a small makes... posted on Feb 18, 8776 reads

Lawrence Bloom: Captain Planet
"Meet Lawrence Bloom. His team invented today's ubiquitous hotel cards that promote towel reuse. But the businessman turned earth guru doesn't plan to stop there; he's on a lifetime mission to save us from ourselves." Alicia Buller reports on Bloom's insights from a transformation which began one introspective day, many years ago, as Bloom sat in his luxury Mercedes, parked outside his seven-bedro... posted on Mar 19, 12179 reads

Acting from the Heart: An Exploration of Generosity
"For me generosity comes when you're in a state of equanimity. So it has nothing to do with the state or the context that you're in. It's about a radical acceptance of life -- as it is. And when you do that, then you realize that, "Oh, I don't want anything from it so what can I do for it?" It's almost like this natural state of service happens... If you're able to accept life as it is, no matter ... posted on Feb 22, 12488 reads

College Happiness Clubs
"College students often get stereotyped as stressed out and sleep-deprived. But at universities across the country, students are aiming to change that as they join clubs dedicated to a common, joyful purpose: spreading happiness. Northwestern University is home to one of the country's oldest college happiness clubs, which began unofficially in 2008 when a group of students handed out hot chocolate... posted on Feb 24, 12367 reads

Estella's Brilliant Bus
Even after 50 years as an educator, Estella Pyfrom was not ready to slow down after retirement. When Estella realized that fewer students had access to computers after school, she and her husband spent their life savings on a mobile learning lab called Estella's Brilliant Bus. Now, Estella provides whatever services a community might need, from after-school tutoring to free food distribution. Her ... posted on Feb 26, 3424 reads

Three Surprising Ways to Feel Less Busy
"Although people tell me all the time they like feeling busy--perhaps because it makes them feel important and significant-- I'm not buying it. Would you ever choose busyness over a more relaxed form of productivity? When life starts to feel hectic, here are a few ways to dial back the overwhelm." This article shares three tips for achieving relaxed productivity (and also shares information on why... posted on Mar 11, 38543 reads

Six Cities Designed for Health
What would it look like if cities were designed for health and happiness of its residents? The YES! magazine profiled 6 such cities which are taking steps -- from creating new distributed green spaces that will improve water quality, to developing opportunities for greater community interaction, to forging partnerships to support holistic medical options -- to helping residents live more healthful... posted on Mar 31, 14945 reads

Gulabi Gang: We Are Fire
Bundelkhand region, in the hinterlands of Uttar Pradesh, is one of the poorest districts in India. In this deeply patriarchal society, domestic and sexual violence against women is endemic. The Gulabi (pink) Gang was founded by Sampat Pal to start a movement for change. Named for the pink saris worn by the women members, the organization helps raise women's consciousness and empowers them to becom... posted on Mar 15, 2873 reads

Understanding of the Heart: A Conversation with Irene Sullivan
Irene Sullivan is an artist. She's lived in remote regions of Alaska as a nurse practitioner; her experiences with indigenous people led her to an interest in female shamanism among arctic peoples and to independent research as a Fulbright Scholar. Later she became an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church in the sub-arctic region of northern Manitoba where she served three villages of the Cree p... posted on Mar 17, 13671 reads

A Prosecutor's Vision For A Better Justice System
"[H]ow many of you, by the age of 25, had either acted up in school, went somewhere you were specifically told to stay out of, or drank alcohol before your legal age? How many of you shoplifted, tried an illegal drug or got into a physical fight -- yes, even with a sibling? Now, how many of you ever spent one day in jail for any of those decisions? How many of you sitting here today think that you... posted on Apr 3, 15689 reads

The Capacity for Successful Solitude
When asked to share her thoughts on the value of solitude, and her view that if people don't learn to be alone, then they are guaranteed to be lonely, author and psychologist Sherry Turkle had this to say...... posted on Apr 25, 24773 reads

4 Reasons to Cultivate Patience
As virtues go, patience is a quiet one. It's often exhibited behind closed doors, not on a public stage: A father telling a third bedtime story to his son, a dancer waiting for her injury to heal. In public, it's the impatient ones who grab all our attention: drivers honking in traffic, grumbling customers in slow-moving lines. We have epic movies exalting the virtues of courage and compassion, bu... posted on Apr 7, 0 reads

Unlocking Multiple Forms of Wealth
Much of today's society is designed through the lens of financial wealth, but is our world richer for it? Nipun Mehta uses that question as a springboard to make a compelling case for alternative forms of wealth that are often overlooked -- like time, community and attention. Drawing on his personal journey with ServiceSpace, as well as fascinating research and real-world examples, this inspiring ... posted on Apr 19, 52963 reads

Yoo-Mi Lee: Giving the Gift of Time
Yoo-Mi Lee's family moved from Korea to Uganda. Six years later they immigrated to the Bronx. She was 12. Graduating from Cornell, she ended up by happenstance on Wall Street. Executing trades, glued to three video screens, working three phones and keeping up with the ticker tape, she was headed for a seat at George Soros' currency desk. Then she walked away from the world of Big Money. "I decided... posted on May 6, 4409 reads

The Dream We Haven't Dared to Dream
What are your dreams? Better yet, what are your broken dreams? Dan Pallotta dreams of a time when we are as excited, curious and scientific about the development of our humanity as we are about the development of our technology. Pallotta asks us to "Imagine living in a world where we simply recognize that deep, existential fear in one another -- and love one another boldly because we know that to ... posted on Sep 7, 15898 reads

Grafitti Grandma
Most people have a negative image of graffiti and "tagging." However, there are a group of grandmas and a few grandpas in Lisbon, Portugal, who are encouraged to create street art through workshops given by an organization called Lata 65. This video is a tribute to one of the "crew." Meet Lusa Corteso, a graffiti grandma who never let age impede her imaginative spirit. ... posted on May 9, 4379 reads

Billions in Change: The Man Who Gifts 99% of His Wealth
How do you change the world? Is foreign aid the most effective tool, or should charities funded by millions of small donors lead the way? A new organization called Billions in Change is trying a new strategy: creating inventions to solve the most fundamental problems that people face around the world. Founded and funded by multi-billionaire Manoj Bhargava, the organization has a unique opportunity... posted on May 16, 21374 reads

A Life-Saving Coat for the Homeless
"Six years ago, Veronika Scott accepted a challenge from her college professor: Design something to "fill a need" in Detroit. Scott, an art student, found her inspiration on the streets."In Detroit, there's this large homeless population, and they kind of just disappear into the landscape," Scott said. "I wanted to design for this whole population of people that we just don't see." In 2010, Scott ... posted on May 19, 7089 reads

Translating Meaning Into Life: A Taoist Parable
"During a time of great drought, a Taoist master was asked by members of a village if he could help bring rain to their dry fields. They confessed trying many other approaches before reaching out to him, but with no success. The master agreed to come and asked for a small hut with a garden that he could tend. For three days, he tended the garden, performing no special rituals or asking anything fu... posted on Dec 29, 44735 reads

The Sandwich Man
Allan Law first came across hunger and homelessness as a middle school teacher in the inner city schools of Minneapolis, Minnesota. In his retirement, Law has spent every day of the last 12 years on the streets of Minneapolis, leaving his small condominium filled with freezers at 8pm and returning around noon the next day. He distributes 6 - 700 sandwiches a day, along with other essentials, sleep... posted on May 30, 2443 reads

New Trail of Hope
"Walking into the park to get a better look, I was shocked to see how many pieces of art I saw. It was hard to believe. This was a city park, after all. Sure, one might see a piece of public art here and there in a park, but nothing like this. And this work was alive. Across the language barrier I made out something like this: "Whatever this creative ability is that has been given to me, it's not ... posted on Jun 7, 5176 reads

Art & Healing: Katherine Sherwood
UC Berkeley art professor, Katherine Sherwood suffered a serious cerebral hemorrhage paralyzing her right side. Impatient with the slowness of rehabilitation therapy, she decided to go back into the studio and try painting using her left hand. It turned out to be the most effective therapy she could have imagined. And her painting, many agreed, had become better than ever. As she says, "I strongly... posted on Jul 2, 4296 reads

The Science of the Story
Stories are told in the body. It doesn't seem that way. We tend to think of stories as emerging from consciousness -- from dreams or fantasies -- and traveling through words or images to other minds. We see them outside of us, on paper or on screen, never under the skin. But we do feel stories. We know in our gut when we're hearing a good one -- and science is starting to explain why.... posted on Jun 9, 19836 reads