Building Community
Our Theme in November 2019
Thankful Thursdays: Commemorating community food
Locally grown food is more sustainable, fresher, and grown by small farmers. Locally grown food cuts down on food waste and reduces transportation emissions. Plus, is there anything more delicious than a freshly picked piece of fruit? During the pandemic, these farms and organizations have kept Read More...
Thankful Thursdays: Forging gratitude for first responders
First responders, like doctors, nurses, and firefighters, work tirelessly to take care of those in need. For months and months, their workload has been exacerbated by the pandemic, so let's all take the time to appreciate their fortitude both physically and mentally. Thankful Thursdays prompt Read More...
Communities are filling little free libraries with critical supplies during COVID-19
Little free libraries gained popularity around 2010 as local sources for book sharing. Now, these mini-libraries that are tucked into many neighborhoods are getting new life as sources for supplies during COVID-19. The official Little Free Libraries program started in 2009, and now, in Read More...
Five ways to support your community during COVID-19
Social distancing is one of the best tools we have for slowing the spread of COVID-19, but isolating at home can leave you feeling helpless in a time of community need. So how can you help your community during the outbreak? Here are five ways to help your community while practicing social Read More...
Why community gardens are perfect for cultivating health in your neighborhood
A community garden does much more than just grow local fruits and vegetables. It also activates a public space where members of the community can gather and form meaningful relationships that contribute to a better life. Whether you want to create a community garden or join, here are a few benefits Read More...
Giving: Safe ways you can continue to give back this holiday season
The holiday season is the time we reflect on how lucky we are to have a roof over our head and food on our table, but it is also a time to think about those who have less than us. As we head deeper into the holiday season, we’re sharing ways you can still safely give back to your community at a Read More...
Grasping Gratitude: How to benefit from gratitude year-round
Thanksgiving is the time we share what we are grateful for with those around us and spend a bit more time reflecting on it privately. As you read this, perhaps with a belly full of pie, we at The Optimist Daily are reflecting on gratitude as well and how to carry this practice beyond Thanksgiving Read More...
Thankful Thursdays: A note to those who nourish us
As we enjoy our Thanksgiving meals today and nourish our bodies, our Thankful Thursdays prompt focuses on who nourishes our soul and spirit. Who in your life makes you feel fulfilled and cherished? Thankful Thursdays prompt #4: Write a letter of gratitude to the person who nourishes your Read More...
Why you should focus on gratitude all year, not just at Thanksgiving
Most of us have been asked at the Thanksgiving table what we are grateful for, but research has shown we should take gratitude beyond the holidays as it can be instrumental in improving social relationships as well as physical and mental health. Gratefulness has the power to enhance overall well Read More...
Agrihood: This community combines suburban living with farming
Tsawassen, Vancouver has been a farming community for generations, but when suburban housing developments started cropping up, the Century Group development company was torn on how to best use the 500 acres of land it owned in the area. They came to the conclusion to use the land for an innovative Read More...