Sangha of Auspicious Companions

August 6, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

The ‘Before I Die’ Project

Artist Candy Chang had an idea to turn an abandoned property in New Orleans into a sort of collective performance art piece in which all are invited to participate, simply by declaring what is important to them. Participants are invited to complete the sentence “Before I die I want to …” Chang has provided chalk, a large-scale blackboard, and the necessary permits. A thought-provoking piece of public art. { read more }

Be The Change

One thing worth taking seriously is the question: Before I die I want to … ? Reflect with others here. { more }

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 107,482 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

Other CharityFocus projects include:

HelpOthers // CF Sites // KarmaTube // Conversations // More

Becoming Someone

DailyGood // Conversations // iJourney // HelpOthers

MovedByLove // CF Sites // Karma Kitchen // More

Thank you for helping us spread the good. This newsletter now reaches 36,244 subscribers.

August 5, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

Alone But Not Lonely

An emerging body of research is suggesting that spending time alone can be good for us. Just as regular exercise and healthy eating make our minds and bodies work better, solitude, experts say, so can being alone. Sherry Turkle, director of the MIT Initiative on Technology and Self, makes the case for people to mindfully set aside time everyday when they are not engaged in so-called “social snacking” activities like texting, g-chatting, and talking on the phone. “People make this error, thinking that being alone means being lonely, and not being alone means being with other people,” John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago said. “You need to be able to recharge on your own sometimes. Part of being able to connect is being available to other people, and no one can do that without a break.” { read more }

Be The Change

Try spending some time alone today — without any “social snacking” 🙂

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 107,428 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

Other CharityFocus projects include:

HelpOthers // CF Sites // KarmaTube // Conversations // More

August 4, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

Kind Kids

Every parent wants to raise a kind, helpful child. But how? A recent study in Germany suggests that it might be easier than we think. According to the study’s authors, humans have a strong predisposition toward altruism, evident from the time they’re toddlers. The researchers found that it was surprisingly simple to motivate young kids to act on their altruistic instincts. When toddlers were subtly exposed to a simple background image of dolls facing each other, they became three times more likely to help someone in need. This article from Greater Good magazine explains further, offering grounds for optimism to anyone encouraging kids to be kind. { read more }

Submitted by: Greater Good

Be The Change

Model kindness and connection around kids — and see how subtle cues can make a big impact.

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 107,273 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

Other CharityFocus projects include:

HelpOthers // CF Sites // KarmaTube // Conversations // More

August 3, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

Ways to Connect More Deeply

“Make Crows Feet. Use the Right Words. Perfect Your Handshake. Dress for a Tie. Get Close. Don’t Impose Your Values. Accept Others. Pursue and Project Your Passions. Find Shared Passions. Default to Yes.” In this compelling infographic, former chief evangelist of Apple, Guy Kawasaki, further details his advice for increasing likability. Or put another way, simply connecting more deeply. { read more }

Be The Change

Share your own tips for connecting more deeply with other readers here. { more }

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 107,184 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

Other CharityFocus projects include:

HelpOthers // CF Sites // KarmaTube // Conversations // More

August 2, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

7 Practices to Cultivate Compassion

Scientific studies suggest that there are physical benefits to practicing compassion — people who practice it produce 100 percent more DHEA, which is a hormone that counteracts the aging process, and 23 percent less cortisol — the “stress hormone.” According to this guide, the key to developing compassion is to make it a daily practice, and it offers 7 different ways to incorporate it into everyday life. It also supports the practice of compassion not only to ease the suffering of those we love and meet, but even those who mistreat us. { read more }

Be The Change

Try out one of the seven compassion practices today.

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 107,132 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

Other CharityFocus projects include:

HelpOthers // CF Sites // KarmaTube // Conversations // More