A Volcanic Eruption of Kindness
"I run a hotel in London. During the problems with the now infamous ash cloud, I spent the morning listening to people calling in to a radio show on London's LBC radio station to tell their stories of woe. The story that struck me the most was a call from a man named Peter who had just gotten married the previous weekend to Maz. They were due to leave for their honeymoon to the Dominican Republi... posted on Jun 19, 4630 reads

7 Tips to Transform Boredom
"One of the patron saints of my Happier at Home project, Samuel Johnson, wrote, "It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery and as much happiness as possible." One "little thing" that can be a source of unhappiness is boredom. Waiting in traffic. Waiting for the subway. Doing the dishes. Waiting in a doctor's office. Listening to your thirteen year old ... posted on Apr 17, 35057 reads

Julia Cameron on the Creative Life
"Time is like a river. We wash our bones like stones. Time is not the answer. Time is not the quest. Time is where we journey while we learn the rest. Washing in the river of the self." Over twenty years after publishing "The Artist's Way", a bestseller guide to bringing out one's creative self, author Julia Cameron has taken many risks. In this interview with Sounds True, she speaks courageously ... posted on May 7, 26709 reads

7 People Under 30 Changing Our World
"Members of the Millennial Generation are predisposed to start organizations and businesses, with 15% doing so right out of college, an increase of 300% from 20 years ago. Here are the stories of seven people under 30 who are making this kind of impact from Fast Future: How the Millennial Generation is Shaping Our World." This Fast Company article shares more.... posted on Apr 20, 9767 reads

9 Things Educators Should Know About the Brain
Learning is a dynamic function that each person experiences in a vastly different way. For instance, one individual may retain knowledge the best by studying a textbook while another may need to link an idea to a physical activity they perform. It is important to apply this concept both in our classrooms along with our own daily lives. This is especially critical in a child's early formative years... posted on Jun 2, 148738 reads

24 Acts of Kindness To Restore Faith In Humanity
Remember the time when someone let you cut in line at the grocery store because you only had one item to pay for? How about that day on the subway when you witnessed a seemingly self-absorbed teenager, glued to his iPod, giving up his seat for an elderly lady with a cane? These stories stay with us because they are reminders that, even in the face of adversity and darkness we have a shining capa... posted on Jun 8, 45999 reads

Trees: The Alternative Cathedral
When I feel off-balance, shaken by the blows of life or mired in the inertia of not caring, I seek contact with nature, which I call a primary source of re-centering. Contact with nature offers a gift of presence, helping us to open up to the world around us, rather than pursue distracting thoughts or emotions. Even for an urban dweller, walking in a park fills one with a sense of one's roots in t... posted on May 5, 23055 reads

Mind In The Forest: The Intelligence of Trees
Scott Russell Sanders spent many meditative days in the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, among the giant trees. He asked himself, How does their intelligence compare with our own? What might we learn from them? He concludes that "only cosmic arrogance tempts us to claim that all this reaching for sunlight, nutrients, and water means nothing except what we say i... posted on Jul 11, 12714 reads

David Foster Wallace's Speech for the Ages
O, the maddening tedium of the everyday responsibilities of adult life! It plagues us because the "default setting" of our mentality is to feel victimized by circumstance. We place ourselves in the center of the universal narrative, making the plot-line all about ourselves. In his 2005 commencement address, novelist David Foster Wallace speaks refreshingly about personal empowerment. The freedom c... posted on May 16, 6039 reads

Orchestra of the Wild
In this fascinating report which includes actual sounds of the wild, Bernie Krause, known as the father of soundscape ecology, describes how he came to record the voice of the natural world. There wasn't a single experienced or knowledgeable audio technician on whom he could rely. He went forward into a hitherto uncharted territory to discover more than he bargained for. Read on about some of his ... posted on Jul 26, 21649 reads

Superheroes Lend A Hand In Children's Cancer Ward
"Superheroes are lending a helping hand to a hospital in Brazil that takes care of kids fighting cancer. Batman, Superman, the Green Lantern and Wonder Woman are just some of the friendly faces taking on chemotherapy treatment alongside kids at the A.C. Camargo Cancer Center in Sao Paulo, Brazil."... posted on Mar 1, 12899 reads

The Mango Girls: Saved By Trees
"In India where traditionally boys have been preferred over girls, a village in Bihar state has been setting an example by planting trees to celebrate the birth of a girl child. And this practice is paying off." For the people of the Dharhara village, planting trees provides much more than agricultural benefits, it's their solution to some of the serious challenges that plague their population. ... posted on Aug 16, 7885 reads

Mindfulness in Politics
"Mindfulness meditation" is a growing movement, but can it unstick the modern political gridlock? Congressman Tim Ryan thinks so, and is calling for a "quiet revolution" in America. "Practicing mindfulness may not get everyone on the same page in detailed policy terms, he believes, but it could help to find more common ground between different views." This interview with Ryan shares more of his wo... posted on Sep 6, 28600 reads

Estonia's Bank of Happiness
Estonia's capital, Tallinn, is considered to be one of the world's leading technological cities - a city in which the majority of transactions occur online. But nestled deep within the constructs and limitations of this digital world, there resides one group -- whose sole purpose it is to harness the true power of the Internet for good. This "Bank of Happiness" doesn't transact in currency or cred... posted on Nov 10, 10719 reads

How 365 Thank You Notes Changed My Life
At just 52 years old, and after having lost nearly everything, John Kralik found himself in a desperate search --a search for just one thing for which he might feel thankful. His search led him to a walk along a mountain road, where his mind sifted through the details of all of his most recent troubles. It was then that John realized, that he should find gratitude for all that he had, instead of f... posted on Aug 18, 100337 reads

Joanna Macy: A Wild Love for the World
Joanna Macy is best known today as a Buddhist scholar and activist. She also translated the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke. Her adventurous life included working for the CIA in Cold War Germany, then, as a young mother, she moved with her husband to post-colonial India, where she cared for Tibetan refugees, joining the young, newly exiled Dalai Lama. Later, she became an environmental activist. Lear... posted on Nov 3, 35256 reads

5 Ways to Ease Envy
Ah, the green glow of envy that clings desperately to our heels, and manifests often in the most unexpected of ways. Envy knows no rest, as we find ourselves surrounded each day by those we feel to be better equipped, better looking...or just simply better! So, how do we find relief from its crushing grasp? Author Juliana Breines offers her approach to disarming the little green-eyed monster befor... posted on Oct 13, 28764 reads

How To Think Like A Wise Person
"If I asked you to judge how smart someone is, you'd know where to start. But if you were going to assess how wise that person is, what qualities would you consider?" In this compelling article, Dr. Adam Grant discusses the latest research on determinants of wisdom and some of the outcomes of living a wise life.... posted on Nov 20, 58034 reads

Inside the Mind of the Octopus
Recent research indicates that the octopus, while "only" an invertebrate, is remarkably intelligent. This author ventures to visit with and study one. He quotes Philosopher Godfrey-Smith, "It's remarkable how little we know (about octopuses) ... but we may have to change how we think about the nature of the mind itself to take into account minds with less of a centralized self." Learn more about t... posted on Sep 19, 8770 reads

Haircuts for Hugs
"Each Wednesday, barber Anthony Cymerys sets up his chair in the shade of an oak tree in Hartford's Bushnell Park. His clients line up on park benches, some of them also turning out for free meals provided on Wednesdays by a local church. One by one they take a seat in a folding lawn chair above a car battery Cymerys uses to power his clippers. For longtime clients, the homeless, or those just do... posted on Jan 5, 9974 reads

Chai With Love
Meet R. Sekar, a reserved man who sells tea for a living in his little tea shop in India. With his meagre earnings, this man with a golden heart shows us that you do not have riches to help others. "I am happy with what I have and can do with even less. I do not need more. What will I do [with more]?" he asks. Read about how this big-hearted man touches the lives of those who visit his tea shop.... posted on Feb 15, 27985 reads

The Cancer Camp that Kids Want to Go To
"What if, instead of worrying whether your mom had sewed name tags into your underwear for summer camp, you had to wonder whether she would still be alive when you got home? Or what if you were 6 years old and got packed off to "Cancer Camp" by your grieving father not long after your mother died of the disease? That's what happened to Kieran Ward, of Menlo Park, now 13, who had to get on a wait... posted on Oct 27, 4142 reads

A Letter From Fred
It didn't exactly conform to the rules of the online video contest for up-and-coming singer/songwriters, but when producer Jacob Colgan received 96-year-old Fred Stobaugh's handwritten lyrics in a mania envelope, it was an entry he couldn't ignore. Fred penned the song "Oh Sweet Lorraine" in memory of his recently departed wife of 72 years; but, as his letter to the studio said, "I don't sing. It ... posted on Dec 2, 6124 reads

Maya Angelou On Resilience and Children
"If children are given the chance to believe they're worth something-- if they truly believe that-- they will insist upon it. That is in Rome, Italy, or Rome, Arkansas; in Paris, France, or Paris, Texas. Children don't have to be born with a silver spoon in their mouths, but if they can be convinced they're the best, they become resilient. They themselves will resist any attempts to belittle them.... posted on Nov 19, 17461 reads

16 Habits of Exuberant Human Beings
Martin Seligman, the father of positive psychology, theorizes that while 60 percent of happiness is determined by our genetics and environment, the remaining 40 percent is up to us. Through his research, Seligman discovered that happy people have consistent habits which may be introduced into our day to day life.Take a moment to read this delightful article, in which Seligman introduce the 16 habi... posted on Dec 27, 356472 reads

A 5-Year-Old's Reflection On Life & Death
Steve Lewis has seven kids and 16 grandchildren crowding into a life lived at the loud edge of chaos, so any quietly intimate moments with his five-year-old granddaughter are rare. He is touched as she wishes him a long life in her own way. This beautiful piece shares more.... posted on Nov 9, 50797 reads

All Because Of George
Gone are the days when a firm handshake and a smile 'sealed the deal.' Lately, it seems that even the most beautiful of deeds are often viewed with a hint of suspicion. Have we become so distant, that we are incapable of reaching through these barriers to service? Read this most beautiful article about how one man's selfless actions restored another family's faith in humanity. Because of George, w... posted on Feb 12, 33194 reads

Advocacy For Altrusim
For years, many have argued that our need to help others isn't an act of selflessness -- rather, a trait which is embedded deeply in our DNA. "Basically,they used to say that behind all altruistic gestures, there is a selfish motive. In other words, a clever and acute mind will always find a selfish motive behind a good deed," says french Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard. Thus, is the paradox of altr... posted on Jan 27, 7920 reads

How To Turn Your Brain From Anger To Compassion
Why do we need compassion? Are we so genetically compelled to alleviate the suffering of others, that our minds are momentarily able to shift from 'self' to 'selflessly?' Or, is it possible that acting with compassion helps to relieve our own pain, as well? The Buddhist tradition offers, "Just like me, you want to be happy; just like me, you want to be free of suffering" -- thus, reinforcing the b... posted on Jan 26, 25300 reads

This Will Make You Smarter
Suppose you had the chance to ask the world's top scientists, psychologists and innovators what they believed were the most important concepts to add to your "cognitive toolkit." What might their answers be? To find out, you may want to read John Brockman's book "This Will Make You Smarter." a compilation of 151 answers from some of the brightest minds on earth to this very question. Read on for a... posted on Jan 14, 35271 reads

Remembering Madiba: Timeless Wisdom from Nelson Mandela
"We have lost Nelson Mandela, unequaled patron saint of equality, peace, and human rights. But while the body might be gone, the spirit remains forever with us -- a spirit that not only changed political history, but also tirelessly elevated humanity into a higher version of itself." Maria Popova shares timeless wisdom from Mandela's remarkable life.... posted on Dec 6, 41068 reads

Tell Me A Story
Richard Hamilton asks why we love stories and why we love hearing them spoken aloud, in person. He concludes that whatever the evolutionary explanation, narrative seems to occupy a very central position in our thought patterns, that perhaps storytelling is a sort of flight simulator that allows us to practice something without getting hurt. ... posted on Jan 22, 3193 reads

Martin Luther King's I Have A Dream Speech
Marked by one of the most famous speeches given by Martin Luther King, Jr., titled 'I Have a Dream,' the 'March on Washington' on August 28, 1963, was the largest civil rights demonstration in history. Watch this historic footage of the speech, given on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial more than 50 years ago. It inspires a rededication to Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of liberty, justice, equali... posted on Jan 20, 4549 reads

Guy Kawasaki On Ways To Connect More Deeply
"Make Crows Feet. Use the Right Words. Perfect Your Handshake. Dress for a Tie. Get Close. Don't Impose Your Values. Accept Others. Pursue and Project Your Passions. Find Shared Passions. Default to Yes." In this compelling infographic, former chief evangelist of Apple, Guy Kawasaki, further details his advice for increasing likability. Or put another way, simply connecting more deeply. ... posted on Feb 1, 90360 reads

The Spellbinding Effect of Stories
Richard Hamilton asks why we love stories and why we love hearing them spoken aloud, in person. He concludes that whatever the evolutionary explanation, narrative seems to occupy a very central position in our thought patterns, that perhaps storytelling is a sort of flight simulator that allows us to practice something without getting hurt. ... posted on Jan 31, 9626 reads

A Place For Generosity Based Publishing
The Concord Free Press operates under a tradition-smashing publishing model: It thrives on generosity rather than a profit margin. The authors that approach the Concord Free Press give them the rights to publish an initial run of 3,000 books, which the CFP then distributes for free to readers, along with a request to make a donation of their choice. Since 2008, when the CFP began this ground-break... posted on Mar 17, 14856 reads

The Washed Ashore Project
What do 3 tons of garbage look like? If you are Angela Haseltine Pozzi, you turn this trash into sculptures that draw attention to the problem of plastic pollution. Unlike other artists that work with plastic beach debris, she doesn't cut everything up into tiny, beautiful pieces so you don't know where this plastic came from -- you can see each piece of plastic for what it is -- and you know tha... posted on Jun 14, 3058 reads

A Father's Love & Heroism
They say a father's love knows no bounds. Yu Xukang, a single father from the Sichuan Province in China is a living example of this. He is a man who wants nothing more than for his child to have the precious gift of education. A rare disorder has twisted his son's limbs making it impossible for him to walk the 9 miles to the only school able to accommodate his disabilities. But, that's no matter ... posted on Apr 10, 45196 reads

How Wolves Change Rivers
When wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in the United States after being absent for nearly 70 years, the most remarkable "trophic cascade" occurred. What is a trophic cascade and how exactly do wolves change rivers? British environmental journalist George Monbiot explains in this video remix by Sustainable Man. ... posted on Mar 27, 12876 reads

Creating A Classroom for the World
Sal Khan has an inspiring dream: To provide a free world-class education for anyone...anywhere in the world. In this interview with Origin Magazine, the founder of the Khan Academy, gives us a snapshot of his revolutionary organization, his thoughts on the stimulating future of learning, and provides a few mind-blowing stories from his own remarkable journey.... posted on May 15, 16127 reads

What Does Happiness Conceal?
What does happiness conceal? asks John Quiggin. Chiefly this: that there is a reason everyone reads Dante's 'Inferno' and no one reads his 'Paradiso'. 'All happy families are alike,' Tolstoy wrote. Maybe there just isn't anything interesting to say about happiness. Or is there? Read on...... posted on May 20, 8547 reads

The Love of Stuff
Nick Thorpe asks, "If Western consumer culture sometimes resembles a bulimic binge in which we taste and then spew back things that never quite nourish us, the ascetic, anorexic alternative of rejecting materialism altogether will leave us equally starved. Who, then, can teach me how to celebrate my possessions with the mindful, celebratory spirit of a gourmet?"... posted on May 10, 7364 reads

10 Extraordinary People & Their Lessons For Success
From presidents to hip-hop producers to poets, the last page of every issue of Harvard Business Review is always an interview with someone who has succeeded outside the traditional corporate world. Enjoy these gems of wisdom taken from interviews with people like Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on her life work, musician Russell Simmons on his meditation practice, poet Maya Angelou on courage, and man... posted on Apr 23, 25671 reads

7 Years Around the World...On Foot
Join Paul Salopek as he goes on one of the most ambitious journey's ever undertaken by any man: circumnavigating the world...on foot. Along the way, the award-winning journalist hopes to chronicle not only the major themes of our time -- such as climate change, mass migration and cultural survival -- but also the stories of those everyday people from some of the most remote places on earth. As he ... posted on May 24, 2947 reads

The Process of Creating New Habits
Have you ever wanted to change a bad habit or perhaps just form a new, good habit, but then found that you lack the discipline to stick to your intention? if so changing that pattern might not be as difficult as you think. This article share about the research behind forming new habits and also some guidelines for getting started.... posted on Jul 16, 65756 reads

What To Remember When Waking
"There is a small opening into the new day which closes the moment you begin your plans. What you can plan is too small for you to live." These beautiful words from poet, David Whyte capture the very essence of wholehearted living - to cultivate gratitude and joy, in the absence of all self-imposed limitations. Read the complete poem here.... posted on May 23, 4222 reads

A Blessing For One Who Is Exhausted
"You have traveled too fast over false ground; Now your soul has come to take you back." In this poem, John O'Donohue, Irish poet, author, and philosopher, beautifully expresses the process of slowly returning to oneself that can heal the heart after times of suffering.... posted on Jun 2, 166474 reads

Taking Back The Time
"As a species, we humans possess some unique capacities. We can stand apart from what's going on, think about it, question it, imagine things being different. We are also curious. We want to know "why?" We figure out "how." We think about what's past' we dream forward to the future. We create what we want rather than just accept what is. So far, we're the only species we know that does this. But a... posted on Jun 20, 21366 reads

Don't Be So Sure
Margaret Wheatley explains why now, more than ever, we need curiosity and a willingness to embrace uncertainty in order to deal with the challenges of our time. "I'm not suggesting we let go of our beliefs altogether, only that we become curious about what someone else believes...When we listen with less judgment, we always develop better relationships with [those we thought we couldn't understand... posted on May 19, 28206 reads

Power of Place: Photos From Around the World
Steve Mccury captures the beauty and uniqueness of different places that the human family calls home from around the planet. His photos bring to light that our environments play a role in shaping our perceptions about what it means to be human--from our relationship to the weather to our relationship to the soul. ... posted on Jul 30, 21186 reads