What do you think of when you see a dew drop? “The early dew-falls that did a pristine coating, over the woods with its finest transparency, glazed as like its wet white-glassy earrings that hung on the ears of wild flowers—unlatched my fancy.” The poet Nithin Purple wrote about the beauty of the morning dew […]
Kindness is not timid or weak. Instead, kindness is a revolutionary act of generosity and compassion. It takes a lot of practice to learn how to be kind to others and kind to yourself. The first World Kindness Day was introduced as an international holiday in 1998. A coalition of kindness NGOs got together to […]
Surfing is a bit like alchemy. A skilled surfer can take the raw, dangerous power of the ocean and transform it into a graceful dance. All they need is a surfboard and a strong belief in themselves. Every surfer needs a bit of skill to survive the waves, but a few surfers have something extra […]
How did the human brain triple in size in just two million years? There’s a fascinating evolutionary hypothesis behind it, but they definitely won’t teach you this one in school! It’s time to learn about our stoned ape ancestors—a story that will change the way you look at mushrooms and history forever. Divining into developing […]
December 10 is Human Rights Day when activists around the world take a moment to note the ongoing fight for human rights. There have been many important changes in the last fifty years when it comes to human rights around the world. The United Nations has published a declaration of human rights as well as […]
These days, children are more exposed to screens than ever before. Beyond entertainment purposes, they rely on virtual education and must sit at the computer for a similar length of time to when they would be in their classrooms. Excessive screen exposure, reduced social interaction, and lack of structure as they are learning at home […]
Gratitude allows you to look at your daily life with a positive outlook. It boosts your mental health and grounds you as you humbly appreciate your blessings, whether big or small. You can start your day with gratitude or end it as you reflect on what you encountered that makes you grateful. Whether waking up […]
Did you know that Sunday is National Pet Day? Do you know why everyone wanted a pandemic puppy? Because having a pet makes us feel better, especially during stressful times. Not only is it fun to have an animal around, but studies have found that interacting with animals is good for your health. In […]
Happy World Health Day! What an amazing day to celebrate the healing powers of nature than a global day celebrating health, especially as COVID-19 is still hanging around. Did you know that nature has the ingredients to help you boost your immune system, your mood and cure many ailments? Whether you are eating local […]
Rewilding is a recent urban forestation method where plants are free again to grow and flourish in city environments, such as green cities. You’ll notice cities that have encompassed rewilding when the buildings have vines or trees surrounding them. Rather than clearing natural plantlife for unobstructed views, it can reach high heights and thrive for […]
Birds are compelling creatures. You can’t help but be intrigued by them as they have interesting behavior patterns and limited ways of expressing themselves other than through chirping. They are small and cute, or large and majestic. Most have the gift of flight, which you can only dream of, while some are like us and […]
Spiritual healing practices come in varying forms, depending on faith or belief systems. Some of these exercises require tools to help you connect with your surroundings, for others you just have to look within. While spiritual healing is intended to strengthen the inner spirit, it turns out that it may also have health-boosting effects. Relying on […]
Something As Simple As Ice Cream Unites People At the core of Leo Schartzman’s America’s Heart & Soul is the message that the American Dream is possible to achieve. No matter what adversity you may be facing, if you work hard, have kindness and compassion, you can find self-fulfillment, that will benefit the people around […]
“I have always loved the desert. One sits down on a desert sand dune, sees nothing, hears nothing. Yet through the silence something throbs, and gleams…” This quote comes from the author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in his seminal children’s book The Little Prince. He understood the power and majesty contained within the silent desert landscape. […]
The migration of the salmon upstream is a feat worth spending some time to consider. Not only do these perseverant fish swim against the current of ferocious rivers for miles on end, they are also capable of jumping up to overcome natural obstacles in the water, all in order to continue their laborious salmon journey. […]
The International Day for Tolerance is an annual observance day declared by UNESCO in 1995 to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance. Intolerance is not only represented by blatant acts of exclusion or violence. Casual acts of intolerance can be even more harmful in the long-term. These are known as micro-aggressions and are […]
The Italian chemist Primo Levi wrote: “the sea’s only gifts are harsh blows and, occasionally, the chance to feel strong. Now, I don’t know much about the sea, but I do know that that’s the way it is here. And I also know how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong but […]
“There are no facts, only interpretations.” So said the preeminent philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. From below the bank of clouds, it is a gray and dreary day. The threat of rain looms over everything beneath. From a higher elevation, the day is sunny and clear. Beams of sunlight illuminate the trees growing on the mountainside. But […]
Practicing gratitude meditation and empathy can help build a more positive and peaceful outlook on the world and starting this education young can help families and children with emotional well-being. Educator Hugh van Cuylenburg began studying this phenomenon while teaching children in the north of India. The desert community had no running water, no electricity […]
Some people are skeptical about purpose meditation and think it is reserved for New Age hippies that live in the woods and Buddhist monks in Tibet. Once a critical skeptic himself, journalist Dan Harris came to meditation after having a panic attack on live television. Mindfulness meditation helped him deal with his anxiety and find […]