The Optimist Living
The monk who ran 1,000 marathons has nothing on us—except he knows it
“All humans are asking the question: Why are we alive?” says the monk of Mount Hiei in Japan who endured 1,000 days of long-distance running as a rigorous quest for enlightenment. “The constant movement for 1,000 days gives you lots of time to think about this, to reflect on your life. It is Read More...
Garden with a purpose and help the earth
Unsure about how you can play your part in mitigating climate change? Redesign your garden with these guiding principles in mind: support life, sequester carbon, feed pollinators and manage water. Resulting aesthetics rely heavily on native species and wildlife-friendly plants. Watch your Read More...
3 exercises to nurture and help grow the innate spirituality of your child
Every child is born a spiritual child, write Lisa Miller, Ph.D., director of clinical psychology and founder of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Columbia University, Teachers College. A short guided meditation, a drawing, a gentle awareness-building conversation: here are three exercises she Read More...
Affordable, sustainable, beautiful homes made from the earth (literally)
Some timeless, time-tested, time-proof innovations can never be talked about too much. The Geiger Research Institute of Sustainable Building has a recent plug on earthbag building. Building one’s home with dirt is ancient practice. Using dirt-filled bags to shape walls and vaulted ceilings is Read More...
Happiness is the reward of old age
Those of us who may feel threatened by the unstoppable march of time—tracking any new winkle and gray hair in the bathroom mirror—will take heart in learning that people over 60 typically report feeling happier than their younger counterparts. According to the happiness experts at the Read More...
Touch among colleagues can lead to greater trust and productivity
Neuroscience is teaching us that physical contact, when done appropriately, benefits individuals and teams. "Friendly touching serves as social glue that binds people in the workplace and in the community. It engenders feelings of trust and cooperation. It makes coworkers have more team spirit Read More...
Poison as medicine: The astounding healing powers of bees
Here's the arresting tale of a very unlikely turn of events, as told by a long-time sufferer of Lyme's disease. The bee venom that she knew to be allergic to ended up curing her and saving her life. The potent healing power of bee and wasp venoms has been known for centuries. It has been used as a Read More...
Generosity, gratitude and a good sense of humor can bring you happiness at work
People with higher emotional intelligence (EQ) tend to be happier, according to happiness expert Travis Bradberry. And studies have shown that happy people are more energized and productive. Being good with others and laughing at oneself, it turns out, pays off for both organizations and people. Read More...
Video games are recruiting the best employees for tech companies
Send a cover letter? Show up for an interview? How outdated! Tech companies are now turning to video games to see if they can find the perfect candidate for the new job. Starfighter creates video games that allow players to show the skills needed for a new job. One game may invite you “to break Read More...
13 tips to keeping it simple
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated,” Confucius said. So let’s find ways to avoid the energy-draining complexity of daily life. Clear your workspace. Write shorter emails. Show up early for appointments. Breathe. There’re 9 more Read More...