Sangha of Auspicious Companions

December 31, 2013

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A Story of Grace & Grit

“I don’t look at myself as a healer, but I do know healing when I’m in the presence of it. And it’s mysterious, magical … It’s not dependent upon the action of any one person, but it arises from the conglomerative energies. It’s a team effort, always. It comes about with great love, and it gives great love.” Dr. Grace Dammann was a frontline AIDS physician who survived a devastating accident five years ago. Wheelchair-bound and faced with a drastically altered reality, she continues to live and give in stunning ways. As we say farewell to 2013, here is an extraordinary story of courage, compassion and great love, reminding us of what the human spirit is capable of. { read more }

Be The Change

Make a commitment for the New Year to deepen your capacity to give and receive love. If you’d like, send Grace a note of gratitude here. { more }

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December 30, 2013

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8 Ways to Find More Meaning at Work

Approximately two-thirds of our waking life is spent at work, and yet only one-third of employees report that they are engaged with their work. Yet, the opportunities for finding or amplifying meaning at work are abundant. These range from finding a sense of purpose, receiving prestige, actualizing one’s self through learning and accomplishment, and being part of the social fabric of a work community. In this article, the Greater Good Science Centre presents eight possibilities for being attuned to or creating value at work. { read more }

Be The Change

Reflect on your own or engage with your colleagues and supervisors about honing one or more of the eight avenues of finding meaning at work.

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• KarmaTube Video: Share My Dabba
• DailyGood: 16 Habits of Exuberant Human Beings
• Awakin Reading: Honoring the Gill Inside You

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December 29, 2013

Small Acts of Kindness

Featured Kindness Stories

	This guy teaches us that it’s never too late change and be the person we dream of being.
	A curious tale about a ceramic pot teaches us the lesson of loving our deepest flaws.
	What would you do if you were broke and found $200? Leigh decided to give it away.

Idea of the Week

December 29, 2013

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Rumi, Grace & Human Friendship

“Tami Simon speaks with Coleman Barks, a leading scholar and translator of the 13th century Persian mystic, Jelaluddin Rumi. Coleman’s work was the subject of an hour-long segment in Bill Moyers’ Language of Life series with PBS. In this episode, Simon speaks with Coleman about the extraordinary friendship between Rumi and his teacher Shams Tabriz. { read more }

Be The Change

Practice “deep listening” today.

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 137,913 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

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December 28, 2013

a project of ServiceSpace

The Million Dollar Scholar From Southside Chicago

When Derrius Quarles was four years old, his father was murdered. The following year, he was taken away from his mother’s custody. Growing up in the Illinois foster care system for nine years and in the south side of Chicago, higher education seemed far out of reach for Derrius, and the challenges of inner-city life almost led him down a path of crime and fast money. Everything changed one morning in high school when a caring biology teacher spoke to Derrius about his potential — and the fact that he was wasting it. Her words sounded like a wake-up call that catalyzed Derrius to be awarded with over $1,000,000 in academic scholarships. Having completed university, Derrius now serves other young people to pursue higher education and attain their full, flourishing potential. This article shares Derrius’ incredible journey and the work of his organization, “Million Dollar Scholar.” { read more }

Be The Change

Derrius’ describes his purpose in life as, “To create change in my community and the world by being a gentleman when difficult, a servant when needed, and a rebel when necessary.” How would you sum up your purpose in life?

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 137,751 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

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On behalf of Pema and The Pema Chödrön Foundation, we want to take a moment to wish each of you a peaceful and prosperous New Year.

This has been another fruitful year for Pema and the Foundation. Pema’s new book, How to Meditate, was published in the spring, our Book Initiative has provided thousands of Pema’s books to people in need, and our annual Virtual Birthday Retreat was enjoyed by more than 10,000 people from 110 countries.

In addition to our support of Gampo Abbey and the nuns of Tsoknyi Gechak Ling in Nepal, we’ve just begun to support a group of nuns in their three-year retreat in the remote region of Menang, Nepal, nestled in the heart of the Annapurna mountains near the border with Tibet.

Pema is getting ready to travel to Gampo Abbey to lead the annual seven-week winter yarne retreat. She’s asked us to send along her love and best wishes for the New Year, and her most sincere thanks for your support and interest in her work.

It’s only because of the help of friends like you that Pema’s activities are flourishing and that her message can be heard during these challenging times.

To learn more about Pema’s activities, visit our website – here.

Please consider supporting Pema’s work by making a donation – here.

Much love to each of you from Pema and all of us at The Pema Chödrön Foundation.