What Makes Us Feel Good About Our Work
What motivates us to work? Contrary to conventional wisdom, it isn't just money. But it's not exactly joy either. It seems that most of us thrive by making constant progress, meeting challenges, and feeling a sense of purpose. In this TED talk, behavioral economist Dan Ariely presents several eye-opening experiments that reveal our unexpected and nuanced attitudes toward meaning in our work.... posted on Nov 22 2013, 7,074 reads

Not More, But Better: The Story of Solutions
The final film in the 'Story of Stuff' series asks, "What if the goal of our economy wasn't more, but better -- better health, better jobs, and a better chance to survive on the planet?" According to Annie Leonard, we get better and better at playing the wrong game. See what game she suggests:... posted on Nov 21 2013, 27,164 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 2013, 57,497 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 2013, 17,429 reads

21 Blessings in Disguise
"It's easy to give thanks for the blessings that we do have. Love, family, friends, bounty. These are the hugs and warmth and praises analogous to a soothing back rub or an aromatic cup of tea. For these, we are thankful daily. They make us feel good and we expect and receive them with little to no toll." But then there are the things that do take a toll -- like our insecurities, flaws, sadness, a... posted on Nov 18 2013, 61,639 reads

Top 30 Innovations of the Last 30 Years
"Imagine this is 1979: If you were reading this article back then, chances are you would have read it on paper -- with a printed newspaper or magazine in your hands. Today, you are probably reading it on a desktop computer, a laptop (or as a printout from either of these), or perhaps even on your Blackberry or iPhone. The pace of innovation has been so hectic in recent years that it is hard to ima... posted on Nov 17 2013, 35,701 reads

Best Foot Forward
"At a young age, Nicholas Lowinger learned not to take things for granted. When he was 5 years old and visiting a homeless shelter with his mother, he was excited for the opportunity to show off his new light-up sneakers to the rest of the kids. But his mom cautioned him against doing so, explaining that these children might not have such luxuries. Sure enough, when Nicholas met kids at the shel... posted on Nov 16 2013, 6,430 reads

Ten Ways to Help Girls Transform the World
Imagine legions of girls confident in their creativity and wisdom; comfortable in their bodies and safe in their classrooms; and ready to take on the world. But we still have a ways to go to get there. In this article World Pulse asks women around the globe for their stories and compiles a list of the best ways to help young girls transform their lives and our world.... posted on Nov 15 2013, 22,711 reads

Today I Lived And You Did Too
"I'm going Hands Free. I want to make memories, not to-do-lists. I want to feel the squeeze of my daughter's arms, not the pressure of over-commitment. I want to get lost in conversation with my spouse, not consumed by a sea of unimportant emails. I want to be overwhelmed by sunsets that give me hope, not by extracurricular commitments that steal my joy. I want the noise of my life to be a mixture... posted on Nov 14 2013, 97,779 reads

Teenage Football Players Conspiracy of Kindness
Without telling their coaches, the football players of Olivet Middle School conspired to execute an extraordinary play at their next home game. Actually, it was two plays. The first was to get as close to the goal line as possible without scoring. And the second? Well, you'll just have to watch the video to find out. The most remarkable effect of the play? Says one team member, "I went from being... posted on Nov 13 2013, 8,140 reads