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April 30, 2017

Small Acts of Kindness

Featured Kindness Stories

	Her harp playing softened even this “tough nut” in the hospice unit.
	The ‘sacks of hope’ from these sweet students, piqued the interest of the local press.
	Her home-cooked meals feed a lot more than their physical bodies.

Idea of the Week

April 30, 2017

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Why We Need a Secular Sabbath

According to writer and mindfulness teacher Pico Iyer, interruptions come every eleven minutes, leaving us with the feeling that we are never caught up on our lives. The constant interruptions from technology make us feel fractured and frustrated with life. When we are overly focused on technology, what is most important to us escapes us both in work and at home. Iyer suggests dedicating one day a week to a “Secular Sabbath” to rest techno-weary souls. During interviews with Google executives, Iyer found that stepping back from the use and demands of technology made employees happier, healthier and more productive. She says, “the point of sitting still is that it helps you see through the very idea of pushing forward; indeed, it strips you of yourself, as of a coat of armor, by leading you into a place where you’re defined by something larger.” { read more }

Be The Change

If possible, take one day a week, or a few hours a day each week, to put your devices aside and let yourself rest from technology. Notice how much more you feel at peace and in touch with the essence of being human.

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April 29, 2017

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The Power of the Mindful Minute at Work: One Company’s Brave Exp

Investing and finance aren’t exactly fields synonymous with mindfulness and kindness, but some companies are starting to change that. During his annual review at an investment firm, Birju Pandya’s boss looked at him and said, “You’ve done well. What do you want?” Pandya, now a senior advisor at RSF, calls it “the ‘Godfather offer'” of the investment bank world. His mind teetered on the verge of a typical answer and then he took a totally different tack, “I’d like to start every team meeting we have with a minute of silence,” he said. There was a long pause, then came the definitive answer, “No,” his boss said. But the next morning, perhaps after reflecting on all that his employee could have asked for instead, he softened and agreed to the unconventional request. An intriguing first step, but even he couldn’t have anticipated what would unfold from there over the next few years. In this brief video, Pandya shares the compelling domino effect of the collective mindful minute at work. { read more }

Be The Change

How can you or your employer implement mindfulness into a standard workday? Bring your suggestions to the table for your next team meeting or review. For inspiration check out 6 Mindfulness Practices for Leaders. { more }

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April 28, 2017

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A Nobel Laureate on the Power of Not Knowing

“Surrender to not-knowing” was the catchphrase of poet Wislawa Szymborska who offered this as a guide to participate in the wonder of creation as an artist. Whether a scientist, poet, or everyday worker we are all artists as we become co-creators in life. As we step into each moment with the willingness to allow for the unexpected to unfold, we make art with the stuff of our lives. The alternative for some is to control and define with closed minds what life should be instead of what it could be. Instead of contracting back into certainty Szymborska challenges us to live bravely in the “I don’t know” that defines the inexplicable nature of our existence here on Earth. By opening themselves to the unknown, artists of all kinds have been led to discoveries and inventions that have changed life on Earth for the better. Read more about Szymborska and her perspectives on uncertainty. { read more }

Be The Change

As we encounter what appears to be a road block or a solution, surrender to uncertainty and ask, “How else..? What if..? and Why…?” to solve a problem.

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The 2 Euro T-Shirt – A Social Experiment

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April 27, 2017

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Honorable Harvest: Indigenous Lessons in Giving Thanks

In a consumer-driven society, it’s easy to take for granted the abundance of Earth’s natural resources by which we’re surrounded: fresh air to breathe, plants, water, and food. What if we looked at each of these life-giving sources as gifts, fellow persons even, rather than mere objects for our taking? YES! Magazine writer Robin Wall Kimmerer challenges readers to consider how we treat and interact with the organic materials on which our lives depend, and look more closely at how we can replenish as much as we absorb. The Honorable Harvest, an indigenous practice, applies to every exchange between people and Earth, and is governed by reciprocity, gratitude, and taking only what you need. Kimmerer writes, “When we speak of the living world as kin, we also are called to act in new ways, so that when we take those lives, we must do it in such a way that brings honor to the life that is taken and honor to the ones receiving it.” { read more }

Be The Change

What are some ways you can reduce consumption and give back to the Earth? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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April 26, 2017

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Will Rosenzweig: Business Lessons from a Quiet Gardener

When William Rosenzweig learned he had been awarded the prestigious Oslo Business for Peace Award via a Google news alert — he immediately assumed it was spam. But it was in fact real. A 2010 recipient of this award, selected by a committee of Nobel Laureates for the highest distinction given to a businessperson for outstanding accomplishments in the area of ethical business, Will has spent more than twenty-five years integrating the practices and perspectives of an entrepreneur, venture investor, and pioneering educator in order to help transform global corporate business practice. Much of his inspiration in the corporate world comes from a seemingly unlikely place — the garden. Here is an excerpt from his acceptance speech. { read more }

Be The Change

Take a moment to observe or engage in the natural world today. What lessons can be extended to your areas of work? For more inspiration join an Awakin Call with Rosenzweig this Saturday. RSVP info and more details here. { more }

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April 25, 2017

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Crazywise: A Filmmaker Explores the Heart of Mental Illness

Phil Borges is a dentist-turned-photographer, author, filmmaker and social change storyteller. For more than 25 years, he has been documenting indigenous and tribal cultures in some of the world’s most remote, inaccessible areas. His recent film Crazywise reveals a paradigm shift that’s challenging the way Western culture defines and treats “mental illness” and highlights a survivor-led movement demanding more choices from a mental health care system in crisis. The film explores cultural differences with respect to consciousness, mental health and the relevance of Shamanic traditional practices and beliefs to those of us living in the modern world. More on Phil’s journey in this in-depth interview. { read more }

Be The Change

Find out what local organizations are doing in your community to decrease stigma toward the mentally ill, and explore how you can contribute to their work in your own way. Learn more about Phil Borges’ work here.
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DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 243,607 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

Other ServiceSpace projects include:

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April 24, 2017

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Designing for the Circular Economy

What do you do with a toaster when you no longer want it? Until recently, no one thought about that question until the toaster was ready for the scrap heap. Today, designers at the London-based Agency of Design are turning that practice on its head. As advocates of a circular economy, they believe that the best time to address end-of-life issues is when a product is first being designed and that items like your toaster should be thought of not as a disposable appliances but as products with value worth preserving. Read on to learn how these designers helping to keep products out of landfills even before they fly off the shelves. { read more }

Be The Change

Before you throw something away, can you think about how it can be reused, repaired, repurposed, or recycled instead?

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 243,588 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

Other ServiceSpace projects include:

KindSpring // KarmaTube // Conversations // Awakin // More