Sangha of Auspicious Companions

Childhood Leukemia: How a Deadly Cancer Became Treatable

The tale of childhood leukemia is one of triumph born from the crucible of despair. Once a near-certain death sentence, it now stands as a testament to a miracle wrought through unyielding research and collaboration. From fewer than 10% survival rates in the 1960s to nearly 85% today in affluent nations, this transformation wasn’t born from a singular epiphany but a symphony of cellular understanding, harnessed by human ingenuity. Yet, amid the joy of life’s renewal lurk the shadows of inequity-where progress flourishes in some corners of the world, it barely whispers in others. As treatments evolve and lives are saved, the moral imperative remains: to extend this beacon of hope to every child, regardless of geography. The story is a bittersweet reflection on humanity’s potential to conquer adversity through unity and compassion, yet it also underscores the persistent chasm of global disparity.

Be The Change

Volunteer at a local hospital or health organization. Or, be a supportive presence to a person or family dealing with a health challenge. Offer to watch the kids for an evening, drop off a meal, or drive someone to an appointment. Simple gestures of care can provide immeasurable support during life’s ups and downs.

The Older Adults Conquering Loneliness Through Storytelling

In the sanctuary of shared stories, Life Story Club fosters connection among older adults fighting the epidemic of loneliness. Here, voices like Wanda’s, who found solace in a porcelain doll during chemotherapy, reveal the healing power of communal storytelling. The club, rooted in empathy and nostalgia, becomes both refuge and remedy as participants reflect on their lives, bridging the isolation that so often shadows old age. Bernd, once skeptical, now treasures the bonds formed in these circles. He reflects, “Hearing your stories — feeling connected — is so important to me.” This effort, a social prescription against loneliness, champions the wisdom of past generations and advocates for a society where dignity and connection defy time’s passage.

Be The Change

Host a story-sharing circle in your local community. Gather a crew of friends, neighbors, colleagues, or relatives to peek into the time capsules of wisdom that have washed up on the shores of each other’s lives. Step-it-up by hosting a circle at a senior center or an intentionally intergenerational circle. Brainstorm a list of story-inducing prompts, like, “What’s an accident that changed the trajectory of your life?”

88-Year-Old Woman Finally Earns College Degree After 65-Year Wait

Joan Alexander’s story echoes with the weight of time and persistence, a testament to dreams delayed but not abandoned. In the 1950s, societal norms and rigid policies stole from her the chance to complete her degree at the University of Maine when pregnancy barred her from fulfilling a mandatory teaching requirement. Though she poured her life into her family and community, the absence of a degree lingered as an unfinished chapter in Alexander’s life. Through her daughter Tracy’s inquiry and the recognition of her past teaching contributions, the university awarded Joan her long-awaited degree. “I didn’t realize that it would mean so much to me,” Alexander remarked. “But I now feel that a hole in my heart has been healed.” Her journey underscores the timeless lesson that, with perseverance and heart, a decades-long gap is no deal breaker in the pursuit of a yet-to-be realized dream.

Be The Change

Rekindle a passion or dream you once set aside.

How to Feel More Positive (Without Faking It)

Experts recommend “emotional neutrality” as a way to maintain a positive mindset. One of the practices is to “cut the absolutes.” For instance, instead of saying, “I can’t do anything right,” say, “I bombed that presentation.” A second suggestion is to “prepare for the worst – but with a plan.” A worst-case plan reminds you that you have options, and helps you feel more in control. Another practice is called a “resilience resume.” It is helpful to remember what you have already overcome in your life. And finally, “celebrate the little wins” each day. Even a small thing like “your coffee was extra good” has a positive effect, and helps you notice “what’s quietly working in your favor.” “When we train our brains to notice what’s going right, even in chaos, it builds a more realistic foundation for a positive mindset.”

Be The Change

Try out one of the emotional neutrality practices today. Notice how you feel.

Unsubscribe from this email

Rare Firefly Species Resurfaces After 100 Years

In a remarkable scientific rediscovery, Monash University student Tan Wei Jack identified the Pteroptyx gombakia firefly, a species that had not been documented for 90 years. This discovery, made in Malaysia’s Bukit Kiara forest, marks the first live sighting of the species and highlights the ongoing importance of ecological research. Under the guidance of Dr. Wan Faridah Akmal Jusoh, Tan’s work emphasizes the ecological role of fireflies as indicator species, whose presence reflects ecosystem health. As firefly populations dwindle due to climate change and habitat loss, Tan and Jusoh advocate for conservation measures such as reducing light pollution and planting native vegetation. Their efforts are part of a broader initiative through the nonprofit organization Friends of Bukit Kiara, which aims to preserve biodiversity and inspire future conservationists.

Be The Change

Start a small rewilding project in your backyard or community space by planting native trees and grasses. This can help restore local ecosystems and provide essential habitats for various wildlife species, including fireflies. As Tan Wei Jack’s discovery shows, “even when things seem lost, they can still find their way back,” and your efforts can be a part of that conservation journey.

How Fathers Today Are Reshaping Parenthood

Today, millennial fathers spend triple the time with their children compared to dads in the 1960s. Paul Bent, 40, is redefining what it means to be a dad — a 180-degree turnaround from his own childhood where Bent’s father was on the periphery of his life. “So many times, I sat at the window waiting for my dad to turn up because he told me he would, and then he wouldn’t,” Bent recalls. “That heartbreaking disappointment, I just don’t want [my son] to go through that.” With his own child, Bent is not just present, but passionately engaged. From football practice to nighttime chats, Bent’s rituals with his son, Hunter, focus on trust, kindness, and respect. Hunter’s small acts, like collecting cones or reminding his aunt to wipe her feet, highlight the powerful impact of Bent’s parenting approach. “Just before Hunter goes to sleep, we have this little two or three-minute conversation, about his day and how he’s feeling,” Bent shares. It’s a deepening era of fatherhood—rooted in presence, love, and the values that shape the next generation.

Be The Change

Spend quality time with a child in your life, focusing on listening and engaging in their favorite activities.

People Over 100 Share Their Simple Secrets to Living the Best Life

Enjoy this delightful video of five centenarians who share “their thoughts and wisdom on love, health, technology and, most importantly, how to live a happy life.” Here is a sampling of their wisdom. On Love: “It’s so important to feel love. I won’t say it makes the world go round, but it’s very helpful.” On Mortality: “Life goes on. So, get on and do the things that you love to do.” On Technology: “I think technology, if used properly, has definitely made a huge difference. The ability to reach out to one another. Getting emails, sending emails.” On Health: “Walk, walk, walk.” On Being Happy: “You can’t get anywhere in life until you start doing things for other people.” “You want to be attached to things that are positive and good in life.” “Giving is a real joy.” And to sum it up, “Positive thinking overall is the key.”

Be The Change

Regardless of your age, what would be your response if asked, “What’s the secret to a long, happy life?” Think about it. Share your answer with someone.

Man Climbs Everest to Install Defibrillator—Three Weeks Later It Saves a Young Life

David Sullivan lost four friends under the age of 45 due to cardiac arrest. The first moments are critical: “the use of a defibrillator within the first 3 minutes of a heart attack can improve survival rates from 8% to over 50%.” He learned and performed CPR for a young lad only three months after learning while thirty people watched because they didn’t know how. “When the lad’s mum called me the next day to say he was alive, it changed my life forever.” Sullivan founded an organization that trains defibrillator use and CPR skills at home and around the world. Around the world includes classes and training in Nepal, and a16,500 feet climb to install a defibrillator in a village near Mount Everest base camp. Three weeks after the installation, he learned that it saved a young climber’s life. “It was the proudest moment of my life when I learned what had happened,” Sullivan said. His current effort is to see 1.2 million children across London trained in CPR.

Be The Change

If you do not already know how, learn to use a defibrillator and/or CPR, or support a community effort to train others.