While many have great hopes for President Obama, www.usaservice.org makes it clear that President Obama expects great things from us. Launched on Martin Luther King Jr. Day - as a reminder that one individual can make a difference - Usaservice.org is a site that connects volunteers with volunteer projects across the nation. Read more...
We are living abundant lives. I hope we all let ourselves see that a little more.
Economists will tell you that the economy expands according to the FLOW of energy (money). In other words, energy (money) isn't "in" or "out" of the economy. The economy ebbs and flows proportionally to the flow of energy (money).
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We are, to be sure, still evolving, and that evolution is being shaped by what we have already learned and, assuming we manage to continue, will be shaped by what new things we discover and how we respond to them. Read more...
Forget about merely enduring hard times; Mark Stelzner decided to start an economic upturn, one job at a time, with JobAngles. Inspired by a twitter conversation among HR professionals interested in making a difference, Stelzner and some friends created a grassroots community of people invested in helping one individual get a job.
It could be a friend or family member. Or a complete stranger. The key point is that over 1,500 people - and counting - have pledged to help others find jobs. Read more...
The challenge of living an environmentally responsible life style - collectively or individually - is shifting ever more rapidly from "Is it necessary?" or "Can we do it?" to "How can we be both environmentally and economically successful?" We know we can live green; it's a matter of making a green lifestyle sustainable and economically irresistible. RecycleBank addresses that very issue.
RecycleBank provides customers with hi-tech recycling carts: each one is fitted with a radio frequency identification tag that measures how much is recycled and links that information to the customer's address and account number. The more a customer recycles, the more RecycleBank Points they accrue. These points can be redeemed for gift certificates to over a 1000 brands, including Sears, Bed Bath & Beyond and Target. Read more...
Here's a ray of sunshine: The New York Times released a poll today in which 77% of those polled were optimistic about the next four years with President Obama. With 5% holding no opinion, that leaves less than 2 in 10 people who are pessimistic about the next four years - despite widely publicized economic turmoil. Read more...
You can catch him praying to stones, painting small symbols on fabric and weaving together the future with the sweat on his palms. She calls him from a distant village, where electricity is not a necessity but a burden. Where running water through the tap would cause her to become overweight. You can find them together, spinning progress by praying to stones, carefully placing them in areas where shade can be found. You can find them quietly and diligently writing a new story. A story of those who kneel down, surrender and find a way to blend together religion and faith in a final attempt to circumvent spiritual war.
Here you will find cows doing kung fu, elephants doing yoga and some of the most poisonous snakes in the world simply wanting to be loved. The dogs in Mumbai simply wanted to be adored, but instead, would be found fleeing from little boys who would make it a game to pelt them with stones.
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We are not alone. I don't know about extra-terrestrials, but I have discovered other people willing to take a timeout from the daily grind and consider the problems of being a politically, ecologically and spiritually responsible human being. I think I've found a friend in the Elephant Journal. Read more...
Adrian Hyland, a father in rural Victoria, chronicles how a local community and school district recovered from a firestorm, "a 13-metre wall of flame that melted steel" and "swept through the valley in two minutes." Buildings exploded in flames, taking hundreds of houses as well as the community hall and a school that Hyland describes as "the shining light of the local community." What he describes in his article is about the most frightening event you can imagine.
However, the community did not just endure, it rebuilt. Read more...
I'll confess, it's relatively rare these days for me to take a deep breath and consider the consequences of my actions - not the consequences for the next five minutes, for today or for tomorrow, but for a lifetime. Or for many lifetimes. In an era of Ponzi schemes, pollution, confusion and apathy, Andrew Zuckerman's book Wisdom: 50 Unique and Original Portraits
When I was a child, my father would come into my room most mornings and ask me to choose which tie he should wear with the suit he had on that day. He usually brought two ties into my room from which I could choose. As I got older, sometimes I felt that neither choice was ideal, and I’d head over to his tie rack to suggest a better option. I adored my dad, and I took my job helping him with his ties quite seriously.
As a humane educator, my job now includes offering other people choices, although the choices revolve around more pressing issues than tie fashions. Read more...
In the spring of 2002, graphic artist Brian Nesline began manifesting a dream by approaching two homeless men and asking them to draw self-portraits. One by one, he and his now-wife, Mary, collected self-portraits from individuals all over the city of Buffalo, until he had enough faces to create a new art form. Each face became a mosaic to build the whole of something entirely different: a buffalo. Thus Faces of Buffalo was born. Read more...
The International Ecotourism Society’s newest initiative, ecoDestinations, offers conscious travelers and nature lovers the perfect opportunity to find exemplary ecotourism trips, with the peace of mind that they’re investing in a travel experience that positively impacts the destination and its people. During the month of February, ecoDestinations features Costa Rica, a naturally peaceful and beautiful country with unmatched biodiversity and warm-hearted hospitality.
Moved by the recent havoc wrought by Mother Nature in many communities in Costa Rica, TIES sought to benefit the Yorkin community in the Talamanca region. Devastating floods left this largely indigenous community in need of everything from food and medicine to clothing and emotional support, in order to help rebuild their homes and restore their land. Read more...
It may seem like an unlikely marriage, but successful eating and cooking tours can lead directly to less hungry people.
Here is the logic. Increased awareness in food leads to increased awareness of how modern life impacts ecosystems and how food chains work. Most optimists (and definitely Rachel Maddow) believe that increased awareness yields respect and compassionate understanding for whatever the subject. Read more...
If you want to raise money for your school, church, sports team or other organization and do something back for producers in developing countries, you should consider a fair trade products fundraiser.
Fair trade promotes the payment of a fair price to local producers, as well as adherence to social and environmental standards. Fair trade intent is to work with marginalized producers and workers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to one of security and sustainability. It aims at a greater equity and partnership in the international trading system. Fair trade products include coffee, tea, chocolate but also products as bags and candles. For certain products like coffee certification programs have been set up in order to guarantee the products have been produced and bought in developing countries while taking into account fair trade principles. Read more...
The Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) at Duke University launched a new award called the "Enterprising Social Innovation Award" as part of its ongoing efforts to promote the entrepreneurial pursuit of social impact. They hope to recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, and companies whose innovations blend methods from the worlds of business and philanthropy to create sustainable social value that has the potential for large-scale impact.
Philip LaRocco, CEO of E+Co was recently awarded the Enterprising Social Innovation award for his work in the clean energy sector in developing countries. Read more...
In honor of Valentine's Day, Grist.org featured 20 prominent couples who are "pairing up for the planet." Ode's very own founders, Jurriaan Kamp and Hélène de Puy made the list among others such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Bono and Ali Hewson as well as Michael Pollan and Judith Belzer.
Jurriaan and Helene met 27 years ago at a friends house. It was love at first sight, or at least so it was for Jurriaan. Only after a bold and unsolicited kiss did Helene first notice him! They soon found out they both had a passion for personal growth and social issues. Read more...
Stargazing is a boring hobby unless one supplements gazing with thinking. Visually, the night sky is among nature's plainest paintings - a black canvas speckled with dim white dots. Its most interesting dimension is its depth, a dimension wholly undetectable to mere sight. No wonder the ancients, having only eyes for instruments, conceived of a rotating dome embedded with fixed lights, a short distance above earth.
Only a mind to match the sky can make the stars worth looking at. If outer space inspires us, it is because we soar through the inner infinity of imagination. Read more...
Sometimes a film can make a difference. I just saw this one at Berlinale. Wow! Read more...
Are you in love with words? A die-hard linguistic traditionalist? Looking to enliven your language and sharpen your wit? Take a peek at the Oxford Dictionaries' Save The Words website. You might just save a word and add a little flavor to your conversation.
A hop, skip, and running leap beyond your average vocabulary, Save The Words features a large collage of terms that have fallen out of common usage, all in exotic fonts. And all—literally—calling out "Yes! Yes! Pick me!" Once a curious word like rogitate has caught your attention, you can click on it for a short definition and a chance to adopt it. In adopting a word, you promise to "use this word, in conversation and correspondence, as frequently as possible to the very best" of your ability. Should you run short on ideas for using your new word, Oxford Dictionaries humbly suggests that you use it to spice up your email subject lines. Or for a pet name. Or to wear on a signboard as you wander downtown. Or for skywriting. Read more...
Hello fellow optimists! I started my first blog last December at the advice of my former editor. Since the mainstream media focuses too intently on gloom-and-doom stories, I felt compelled to highlight all the good that still exists in this world (which I try to personalize when I can).
As you'll read, following my heart has led me on some interesting journeys (including a recent trip to the hurricane-ravaged parts of New Orleans). And there are others out there that are proving that the negative tide can definitely be turned. I hope the blog gives you hope during those gloomy days, while inspiring you to find the hero inside yourself. Enjoy! Read more...
I’m one of the founders of 44 Cows Communications, I guess you could call me an entrepreneur but really I am more than just that. I’m not just trying to build a business, I am taking my passion for what I believe in and channeling it into something I hope will help shift the world, and enlighten the people on it!
I have always felt that our news media helps keep people in the box and by staying in that box all we do is keep people from shifting. So I decided to create a change, a shift in the media as it were. A shift to open, fair, balanced and positive news, sharing all sides of the story, highlighting the good in our world not just the things that sell advertising slots on the 5 o’clock news. Read more...
Why did a relatively minor problem in the U.S. subprime mortgage market nearly collapse the entire global financial system? Read more...
When the latest snow storm hit the UK’s capital city last week, most people’s first thought wasn’t, “Wow, this is a great marketing and advertising opportunity!” While most Londoners trudged begrudgingly through the snow and the ice, the Curb media company based in central London set out to place over 3,500 imprints in the snow. According to a Springwise report, the company used laser-cut stencils to leave the sharp imprints for one of their clients.
The unplanned campaign is part of a broader trend in the advertising business called low impact branding. Many advertisers are using graffiti and other types of street art and even gardening to catch the attention of the consumer on the street. Curb has deemed this practice “cleanvertising”. Read more...
Since the beginning of time, people have felt the deep need to gather to celebrate spring, life and light. Faced with the daily headlines that constantly remind us of the woes of the world, the Celebrant Foundation & Institute (www.celebrantusa.org) decided it was more important than ever for people to come together and celebrate our humanity.
On March 8th the Celebrant Foundation and Institute is throwing a Holi Festival of Colors celebration event to do just that. Holi is a joyful festival originating in India centuries ago, and is now celebrated globally with dancing, music and culinary delights. This popular Indian holiday ushers in the coming of spring and promotes unity for all people. Distinguished speakers include US Senator Robert Menendez of New Jersey, Consul General of India Prabhu Dayal and Montclair, New Jersey Mayor Jerry Fried. They will talk about the importance of unity, cultural exchange and understanding among diverse peoples. Read more...
Did your non-profit organization make a great video in 2008? We want to see it!
Video submissions are now being accepted for the 3rd Annual DoGooderTV Nonprofit Video Awards, co-sponsored by NTEN: The Nonprofit Technology Network and See3 Communications. Nonprofit organizations and foundations are encouraged to submit their videos at www.dogooder.tv/contest2009. Read more...
Remember Woodstock? All those outstanding rock bands, thousands of screaming fans, and muddy camping? If you're interested in relationships you'll want to know about the first ever Conscious Relationship Summit Virtual Conference featuring 35 of the top personal growth and relationship experts in the world, accessible live by telephone and internet from anywhere in the world.
The Conscious Relationship Summit is the first and only international tele-conference to focus on creating the awareness and inspiring the action needed to create conscious relationships in all areas of life. Read more...
Have you ever heard someone say, "I wish I was dead" when facing difficulties they think they cannot overcome? I have died millions of deaths. It need not be a goal. The "big one" is actually guaranteed. No need to strive towards it, it is always on its way. No need to hurry.
And still, there are the tiny deaths. Moment by moment by moment, the person that was, dies. In each moment, someone else, slightly different is born again. This happens over and over, 86,400 times in each day. Read more...
What’s the best way to fight childhood obesity? The Welsh have decided that it’s to get their kids back out onto the streets...but obviously not in a negative sense. They want to see more children playing outside and being active. Organizations like Sustrans and Play Wales plan to work with the UK planning authority to improve and create new housing that will allow children to play outside. They believe this will boost the quality of life for everyone involved.
Play Wales Assistant Director Marianne Mannello said, “Play Wales recognizes the rising concern over children’s health. Time, space and freedom to play outside may have diminished but the contribution these factors can make to children’s self-reliance, emotional and physical resilience, and their sense of inclusion and participation in their own community remains unchanged.” Read more...
The UN Global Compact was launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 1999 and put forth the powerful idea that corporate engagement on global issues benefits both business and society over the long run. "We must break the tyranny of short-term thinking in favor of long-term solutions. This will demand a renewed commitment to core principles," says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on international cooperation. Read more...
Climb the Green Ladder (www.climbthegreenladder.com) is a book that shares practical advise on how employees, at all levels and in all industries, are moving sustainability forward in their workplaces. From your local coffee shop to your university, company, government office, supermarket and more, many of us are embracing social and environmental responsibility. Learn practical advice to help move your workplace and career forward.
We'd love to hear from you! Please take our short survey (under 9 minutes) and receive an exclusive report on employees and sustainability. Your input will feed directly into a book that Amy Fetzer (UK) and Shari Aaron (US) are co-authoring for Wiley, to be published Fall 2009. Read more...
In the West African nation of Ghana, two American women are employing a creative approach to help their native counterparts build successful, sustainable businesses. Since 2003, Renae Adam and Kristin Johnson have assisted hundreds of women across the country to dramatically increase their income, pay off debts and find a global market for their products.
The effort grew out of their experiences as Peace Corps volunteers in the 1990s and their shared belief that helping women gain economic independence is the most effective way to create prosperous communities. Read more...
"Loesje wants to conquer the world with creativity and posters," her website boasts. Every month, her organization publishes a series of posters that reflect on current events and world issues. The text is usually positive and avoids moralistic, dogmatic sayings.
With her posters, Loesje hopes to inspire people to take a stand in areas like human rights and democracy, international peace, environmental issues, and personal development and daily life. Loesje shared these thoughts with President Obama in a letter dated January 12. Read more...
Savor the journey and the destination. Leave the car behind, explore stunning wilderness, and end each day with a comfortable bed, a glass of wine, a good meal, and maybe even a soak in a hot tub. Walkabout California: Hiking from Inn to Inn is an engaging series of essays that guides the reader through multi-day hikes walking from inn to inn through the wilds of California. Walkabouts guides include the Marin and Mendocino Coasts, Lassen Volcanic Park and hiking over the Sierras on the Emigrant Trail. Each chapter, a trip of its own, describes the natural and cultural history of the land as well as the details needed to plan a trip.
Walkabouts range from challenging hikes with occasional 15 to 20 mile days to leisurely strolls of 5 to 7 miles. Each Walkabout is available for electronic download at www.WalkaboutCalifornia.com where readers will also find a lively discussion generated by Walkabout enthusiasts
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