Sangha of Auspicious Companions

June 14, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

5 Classic Commencement Speeches

It’s graduation season, so commencement addresses by actors, politicians, writers, musicians and other luminaries are sweeping the world of higher education, sharing advice ranging from the humorous to the profound. Even for those of us that aren’t students, it becomes an opportunity to reflect on the most compelling, provocative and deeply inspirational speeches of years past. This article highlights five favorites — including offerings from J.K. Rowling, Steve Jobs, and Meryl Streep — that delve into the benefits of failure, what calligraphy has to do with Apple’s success, and the nature of gifts vs. choices. { read more }

Be The Change

Consider what your own “words to live by” would be, and take steps to be in increased alignment with them.

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June 13, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

A 15-Year-Old’s Bucket List Goes Viral

Alice Pyne, 15, has been battling a deadly form of cancer for the last four years that is now spreading throughout her body. Last week at her mother’s suggestion the teenager started a blog for friends and family, titled “Alice’s Bucket List” and included her life wishes (high on the list were swimming with sharks and having everybody sign up as bone marrow donors). No one anticipated the tidal wave of support that followed. Thanks to the internet, in less than a week hundreds of thousands all over the world, including Britain’s Prime Minister, had rallied to help Alice check off as many of her bucket list items as possible. { read more }

Be The Change

Write Alice a note of support and well-wishes. { more }

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June 12, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

How One Teenager Used Her Life Savings

After finishing high school in New Jersey, Maggie Doyne took a gap year during which she did service projects and cultural programs in South Asia. In India, she met a teenage refugee who had escaped Nepal seven years earlier. Maggie felt moved to accompany the girl back to Nepal in search of her family. In the process, she was deeply touched by the orphans she met in the villages. “It was really this rude awakening,” Maggie said. “I thought, it only takes $5 admission and $5 for a uniform to put her into school. Why can’t I do that?” So Maggie had her parents wire her all $5000 of her life savings, using it to build an orphanage and then a school for children in that remote area. She continues to run it at the ripe age of 24. { read more }

Be The Change

Follow your inner voice and take a small but courageous step today.

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June 11, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

Four Myths About Mentoring

When people think of mentoring, they often think of an older executive counseling a young upstart. The senior leader advises the junior employee on his career, how to navigate the world of work, and what she needs to do to get ahead. But mentoring has changed a lot in the last few decades. The traditional mentor-mentee relationship is not necessarily a thing of the past, but it’s no longer the standard. Now, there are many ways to get the information and guidance you need. This article from the Harvard Business Review expands on four myths of mentoring, including: “You have to find one perfect mentor,” “Mentoring is a formal long-term relationship,” and “Mentoring is for junior people.” { read more }

Be The Change

Have you benefited from an inspiring mentorship? Share your experiences with other readers here. { more }

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June 10, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

Female Auto Mechanic Breaks Stereotypes

Aside from a thin coat of powder, there’s nothing superficial about 32-year-old Sarah “Bogi” Lateiner. Big-hearted and brilliant, Bogi graduated Phi Beta Kappa and did it in three years with a double major in pre-law and women’s studies. Her plan was to go to law school and become a champion for women on a global scale. Although in the end, she decided to go with her plan B, instead. “I had in my mind that this was a different way to save the world,” she said. In other words, fix the world — by fixing cars. { read more }

Be The Change

Watch yourself for any tendency to “label” people, and if it does come up, practice stepping outside of it.

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June 9, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

A Teacher’s Act of Calm Bravery

Last Friday, Martha Rivera was teaching her kindergarten class in Mexico when a drug shoot-out began outside her school. She immediately asked her 15 kids to place their faces on the floor and repeatedly told them that everything was going to be fine. While gunshots rang out, Rivera led her students in a Spanish-language version of a song from the TV show “Barney and Friends.” They sang about chocolate raindrops, until the shootout finally ended. Rivera recorded part of the encounter with her cellphone and the story has now spread to millions around the globe. Her one minute video follows. { read more }

Submitted by: Varsha M.

Be The Change

Support peace. Learn more about Voices for Creative Nonviolence. { more }

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June 8, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

Cup of Compassion and Grandma’s Beautiful Hat

“Suddenly, we heard the sirens of a fire truck and an ambulance parking in front of our house. We are new in this neighborhood, moving in only 3 months ago; opening the door I noticed that some paramedics were running up the stairs of our front neighbor’s house. On the side walk, a woman in her thirties was in deep commotion crying on the phone. A scared, desperate 13 year old was half way up the stairs. She looked at me in the eye with a horrifying expression of disbelief. Although she was silent, her soul was screaming. “Everything is going to be alright,” I replied in silence. Something beyond the comprehension of our rational minds was occurring.” Read the full, real-life story of a beautiful, grounded response by everyday heroes to a dramatically tense situation. { read more }

Be The Change

The next time you are faced with someone’s suffering, see if you can serve them “a cup of compassion.”

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June 7, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

A Letter to Myself at Land’s End

Last year, a CharityFocus co-founder embarked alone on the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage of 900 kilometers traversed on foot. A little over a month later, she finished the journey at Finisterre (Land’s End) on the western coast of Spain, where she composed a powerful letter to herself, brimming with quiet, timeless insight. “There’s so much that I’ve learned from walking the thirty-seven days. I’ve learned that if you take the first step, and keep going no matter how slowly you go, limping or crawling, rain or shine, sick or healthy, happy or sad — you will get there. The distance might seem long and wide at first, but step-by-step, day-by-day, you slowly bridge the gap between the beginning and end.” The letter in its entirety: { read more }

Be The Change

What are your own reflections from a recent journey, whether a project, event, job, or relationship? Share them with readers here. { more }

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 106,545 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

Other CharityFocus projects include:

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