Miscellaneous
Ode to Swings Tampa Bay
When was the last time you swung on a swing? It was probably much too long ago, and that is exactly what Swings Tampa Bay (STB) is trying to change. Known as a “spontaneous community-building organization,” STB organizes volunteers who hang handcrafted, hand-painted swings throughout the Tampa Read More...
A gunman shames us all
Mother Theresa famously said: "I'm not against war, I'm for peace." Profound wisdom. Please take a moment with me to direct your love to not just the young victims of the overwhelmingly painful massacre at the school in Connecticut and their families, but to all people who live Read More...
Step into infinity
When Alberto Villoldo was in the Amazon earlier this year, he found the shamans who live there in a deep state of preparation. They believe that beyond the end date of the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012, lies the chance for a reinvention of humanity. Therefore, they are fasting and Read More...
December 21, 2012: the start of a new era
Imagine the Maya's who developed their calendar many centuries ago and concluded that December 21st, 2012 was going to be this exciting date at the beginning of a new era. How eager would they have been to be part of this great transition. Well, you are part of it! When Alberto Villoldo was Read More...
Take a music lesson with a master on Skype
Pakistan’s leading rock star writes songs about love and reconciliation. His embrace of social causes has invited comparisons with Bono. And now, an intelligent optimist like you can take a music lesson with him. Yes, that’s right. Salman Ahmad has kindly offered his time for the annual Read More...
10 Tips to Keep Energized (and Calm!) During the Holidays
When the rush and worry get to you, these ten tips will energize and relax your holiday season. With a balance of energy and calm, you'll get things done and enjoy your cherished memories. 1. Drink more water. It cleans out your body, fills you up, and provides extra oxygen for your busy brain Read More...
Soul Messenger: Michael Franti
I met Michael Franti in Amsterdam seven years ago. The Netherlands was still in shock after the brutal murder of director Theo van Gogh, who was shot and stabbed by a Muslim fundamentalist. Franti was performing at a literary music festival in The Hague, and I was amazed at the ease with which he Read More...
Children full of life
What is it that we want our children to learn in school? It was the question that came to mind after watching the documentary Children Full of Life (link to part 1 of 5). The documentary follows the Japanese teacher Toshiro Kanamori and his class of fourth-grade children in a primary school in Read More...
Microfinance Must Return to its Roots in Charity
Dewi Gigengack | November/December 2012 Issue What’s wrong with microcredit? “The original idea to help poor people by providing a small start-up loan is a good one. But the goal has increasingly shifted away from charity, and the problem now is that the sector has become totally profit driven. Read More...
Spontaneous Evolution Event with Bruce Lipton
I went to the seminar with two hopeful expectations: to get some inspiration and to feel some enlightenment. Both expectations were not only met, but exceeded. When I saw on my Twitter feed Dr. Bruce Lipton was speaking at a conference in San Francisco, I knew I had to go. After having read and Read More...