When Nature Co-Authors a Song
A song emerged around a campfire in the high forest of Equador where melodies of “echo-locating bats, howler monkeys, rustling leaves and even a subterranean recording of the soil” were crucial to the composition. In what would be a first, the co-authors have filed to make the Los Cedros cloud forest a moral author of the song. One of the co-authors, Robert Macfarlane, said: “It ... posted on Oct 29 2024, 1,368 reads

Four Stories of Mercy
Enjoy this tender and moving video as Sister Marilyn Lacey shares four tiny moments of mercy - four tiny yet life-changing moments about ordinary people, some of them children, who saw an opportunity to help, and reached out: a woman who was in recovery from cancer wanted to help people in poverty recover; a nurse who simply provided open arms in which a little girl could cry in mourning of her mo... posted on Oct 27 2024, 2,321 reads

I See You
In this short video, Daniel Emuna shares his thoughts on how he is able to really see and connect with others. Among them is his desire for people to feel as he wants to feel which is to be “cared for, understood, and seen.” He sees people for who they are beyond their outward appearance. Daniel says some people believe if you give to someone, you lose something such as respect, power,... posted on Oct 24 2024, 3,511 reads

Why This Grocery Store Embraces a Slower Checkout
Waiting in line is an act that many often prefer to skip. In contrast to speedy lanes, some grocery chains are better serving their aging and single household populations by offering a lane where people can leisurely chat while slowly checking out their groceries. The trend started as “part of the Dutch government’s campaign to fight loneliness,” and is now embraced by supermarke... posted on Oct 21 2024, 1,268 reads

Forget the four seasons: 72 ‘micro-seasons'
In Japan, the ancient agricultural calendar divides the year into 72 micro-seasons, each lasting five days and marked by subtle changes in nature like blooming flowers or the return of swallows. This detailed approach, known as kisetsukan, or "awareness of the seasons," invites a deep connection with nature and the present moment. Natalie Leon explains how these seasonal shifts, from the unfurling... posted on Oct 20 2024, 1,356 reads

Building Connections Beat by Beat
An Arts & Healing Initiative uses creative practices like a drum circle to help children express themselves, and build social connections. The intention is to “proliferate kindness, compassion and connection,” in a nonverbal way to help children express themselves. According to Director Ping Ho, “The arts actually have [many] social-emotional benefits that many people who par... posted on Oct 12 2024, 803 reads

How to Stop Overthinking Your Happiness
People universally desire to be happy, yet “even when people’s lives are good, many feel less than happy, and may be beset by anxiety and depression.” In fact, philosopher Eric Hoffer said, “The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.” Some of the reasons include setting very high expectations, comparison to others, and concern about and track... posted on Oct 08 2024, 2,195 reads

The Hidden Playgrounds of Elephants and Gorillas
Drones and artificial intelligence are helping scientists discover a network of what Indigenous Ba’aka people call bais. They are clearings in the midst of forests where forest elephants, gorillas, buffalo, antelopes, and more gather to “soak up vital nutrition and maintain their intricate social networks.” Scientists thought there were only a few of them, but found over 2,000 in... posted on Oct 07 2024, 1,289 reads

Can Social Media Keep Indigenous Languages Alive?
In some cases, only a few elderly speakers of the language remain among seventy Indigenous languages in Canada. Instead of written word, people are using social media to help keep the languages alive by helping people learn the way all babies learn, by speaking one word at a time. “We breathe life into languages by speaking them.” A single Indigenous word can carry “thousands of ... posted on Oct 02 2024, 926 reads

From Vacant Lots To Edible Green Spaces -- and Community
Food forests are thriving around Boston, and so are the people involved with them. They help heal neglected environments by transforming vacant lots into green spaces that foster climate resiliency, and host a huge variety of species and plants that also feed pollinators and birds. Anyone can participate in the gardening by planting, harvesting, and eating the fresh fruits, herbs, berries, and veg... posted on Sep 27 2024, 1,125 reads