Why These Kids Love School
Tucked away in a rural village about 40 minutes drive from the city centre of Medan, Indonesia, is a small school bursting with love. Abdi Kasih, which means "dedication with love" was born out of one woman's transformation from pity to love for children with intellectual challenges. Watch as one of the volunteers describes the changes that she has experienced in her own approach to life after spe... posted on Oct 22 2015, 3,168 reads

Anam Cara and the Essence of True Friendship
Nowhere do the beauty, mystery, and soul-sustenance of friendship come more vibrantly alive than in Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom by the late, great Irish poet and philosopher John O'Donohue. Anam Cara is Gaelic for "soul-friend". This piece shares more...... posted on Oct 21 2015, 20,734 reads

Rudy Corpuz: It Takes a Hood to Save the Hood
Rudy Corpuz, an anti-violence activist was born and raised in San Francisco in the 1970s and 80s in a neighborhood where drugs and gangs were the norm. He had a rough start, never graduated from high school, didn't start reading until he was in the eighth grade, dealt and did drugs, and was a gang leader. He then had a magical turning point, a "a dramatic change of heart" that catapulted him into ... posted on Oct 20 2015, 7,577 reads

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 2015, 29,052 reads

Why Free Money Day Makes You Richer
"In a world where hoarding wealth is considered the norm, giving money to complete strangers -- with no strings attached -- seems like a radical idea. Yet, for the hundreds who have taken part in Free Money Day since its humble beginnings in 2011, there is a knowing that greater sharing is needed in this world -- now more than ever."... posted on Oct 18 2015, 5,763 reads

Wendell Berry on How to Be a Poet
"Although poetry itself exerts a singular power over the human spirit... it is hardly a power that comes easily to the poet." In his poem, titled "How to Be a Poet (to remind myself)," the wise and wonderful poet Wendell Berry reminds us of the "vitalizing power of silence and stillness and self-refinement" which are so essential to being a poet, an artist of any kind, and really, a complete human... posted on Oct 17 2015, 14,458 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 2015, 33,975 reads

Leisure: The Basis of Culture
"Today, in our culture of productivity-fetishism, we have succumbed to the tyrannical notion of 'work/life balance' and have come to see the very notion of 'leisure' not as essential to the human spirit but as self-indulgent luxury reserved for the privileged or deplorable idleness reserved for the lazy." Maria Popova draws from the wisdom of classic and contemporary philosophers, scientists, and ... posted on Oct 15 2015, 10,846 reads

The Nursing Home That Is Also a Dorm
What happens when a nursing home gets merged with a college dormitory? That's what they are finding out in an inter-generational model that is playing out in a long-term living facility in the Netherlands. The bold initiative is backed by research that shows that regular social interaction has been found to not only improve overall health in older adults, but it also represents a wonderful way for... posted on Oct 14 2015, 9,425 reads

How I Survived the Loss of My Hands and Feet
Meet Corinne Hutton. Two years ago, she lost her hands and feet after catching a virus that turned her limbs septic. She knew she had a choice then and chose to live with zest and passion. Today, she is a busy mom who has climbed mountains, flown planes, started a charity, and enjoys getting dolled up for nights out with her friends. Read on to learn more about this woman who transforms adversity ... posted on Oct 13 2015, 6,628 reads