Sangha of Auspicious Companions

A Skill to Help Soothe Teens’ Back-to-School Anxiety

Teen anxiety is heightened during back-to-school season, and while mindfulness is often suggested, it may miss the mark for growing adolescents. Instead, a compassion-based approach that focuses on relationship building and empathy may offer more profound support. SEE Learning’s program at Emory University has shown significant benefits in fostering empathy and social connections in adolescents. Teens are eager for methods that go beyond individual stress coping, seeking to understand themselves and their place in the world. As the article states, “Teens are not just asking to feel calm, they’re asking to feel seen.” By intertwining mindfulness with compassion, we can provide teens with tools to nurture their social ties and find meaning.

Be The Change

Engage in a regular practice of active listening with a teen, asking about their concerns and showing genuine interest in their world.

When Grief Blossoms Into Green Oasis

After losing her mother-in-law during the pandemic, Surbhi Yadav transformed her pain into a flourishing 300-plant terrace garden using mostly upcycled materials in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India. This endeavor began in April 2023 with low-maintenance plants like syngonium and has now become a stunning green space featuring flowers and vegetables, and it’s a significant part of her life, offering both therapy and purpose. Integrating sustainable gardening practices, she not only repurposes items like bottles and lanterns but also embraces organic soil fertility techniques. Her story highlights the profound connection between emotional healing and environmental responsibility. Surbhi’s journey has inspired many, as her gardening tips continue to reach a growing online audience.

Be The Change

Start your own small garden using upcycled materials from home to honor cherished memories and create a peaceful, green sanctuary.

Passenger Spots Inquisitive Baby & Surprises Mom After the Flight

On a recent flight, Andrea Quinteros noticed a baby sitting in the row in front of her. It didn’t take many looks or smiles between the seats for the baby to steal Andrea’s heart. Andrea is a crochet expert, and decided to crochet some little booties for the sweet stranger. Through an interaction with the baby’s mother, Andrea learned his name was Paolo, and she received permission to film his reaction to the booties, and post it on social media. The link is in the article. “I bet they’ll always remember that flight & the sweet soul who stitched those booties,” someone points out in the comments, another person adding, “These little kind gestures surely make the world a better place to live.”

Be The Change

Make one small gesture of kindness to a stranger. It might be as simple as a smile.

Can We Meet AI with Our Deepest Humanity?

“No one on their death bed ever said, ‘Honey, remember that day when everything was so convenient?'” Laughter erupts in the audience. Weaving elements of our ordinary everyday with the extraordinary cosmic, Srinija Srinivasan invites us to explore how artificial intelligence can illuminate the depths of human consciousness rather than overshadow it. Growing up between different cultural landscapes, she embraced a belief that divinity exists in everything, challenging her to reconcile distinct worldviews. From art to AI, her journey reflects her enduring fascination with consciousness, urging us to see non-duality as a path to healing. “We better stay in charge, take responsibility, retain our agency, and bring the fullness of our humanity to all we make and do,” she reminds us. In this digital age, it’s vital to engage with AI through the rich tapestry of human knowing, ensuring technology elevates the heart’s wisdom alongside the brain’s intellect.

Be The Change

Dedicate time for meditation or nature walks to practice different ways of knowing beyond intellect, fostering deeper connections with oneself and the world.

Saving Somerset’s Last Eels

Once abundant, eels in England’s Somerset Levels have seen their numbers plummet by 95% in Vanessa Becker-Hughes’ lifetime. Distraught by their dire population, Becker-Hughes started the Somerset Eel Recovery Project (SERP), which aims to restore the eel population through a unique blend of art, history, and science, reconnecting people to eels in imaginative ways. Whether it’s artists creating evocative prints or schoolchildren pondering “what does it mean to be a human? What does it mean to be an eel?”, the project is getting everyone involved. It is not just about saving eels; it’s about rekindling a lost bond with nature. Reflecting on memories of abundant eels in her childhood, Becker-Hughes underscores the importance of reconnecting people with these creatures. With creative outreach — from eel artwork to ‘eel cafes’ — the community is weaving a new narrative of hope. And guess what? Their unique approach is changing hearts, minds, and, most importantly, the waterways that eels call home.

Be The Change

Organize a local nature walk and invite a diverse group to reconnect with local wildlife and learn about conservation efforts in your area.

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Founder to Hand Over UK’s Biggest Toy Shop Chain to Staff

The Entertainer shop, founded in 1981, grew to more than 160 stores and over 1,000 concessions. Founder Cary Grant is stepping away and transferring 100% ownership of the family-owned business to an employee trust. That means staff will get a share of the profits and have a voice in how the firm is run. The chief executive of the Employee Ownership Association said this shift could “futureproof beloved brands, root jobs in local communities and inject wealth into regional economies.” Grant recognized the employees in a statement: “We’d like to send our sincere thanks to all our employees, who have worked hard to make The Entertainer what it is today. When we started the business, we had a vision of keeping an unwavering focus on children and community through creating memories, inspiring wonder and delivering outstanding service. We couldn’t be more proud that this still remains at the heart of the business today.”

Be The Change

Recognize someone without whose support you would not have achieved success in your life.

This Week’s DailyGood Digest

This past week, stories of resilience and transformation traced a path through unexpected challenges, revealing the indomitable spirit within.

In the lush tapestry of the British countryside, Yeo Valley Organic embraces regenerative agriculture, a philosophy woven from companion planting and mob grazing, where nature’s wisdom guides a future of harmony between profit and environment. Breaking a century-old barrier, Jen Pawol stepped onto the Major League field as the first female umpire, her journey a testament to the relentless force of perseverance and hope. In Hudson, Minnesota, a group of teenagers took the reins of a restaurant, embodying resilience and grit as they kept the business alive during its darkest hours. Amidst a massive no-show order, Stackburger in Sault Ste. Marie turned disappointment into warmth by donating food to a women’s shelter, their kindness sparking a ripple of generosity within the community. Meanwhile, Chetan Pardeshi’s mobile libraries transformed weekends for rural children in Maharashtra, empowering them through language and stories that broaden their horizons. A touching TikTok video by Kate Schakols captured the brief bond with a blind senior dog, Rooster, exploring themes of empathy and dignified closure. And in Cape Town, Thembeka Matshanga’s accidental server shutdown ignited a passion for IT, illustrating how curiosity can transform chaos into purposeful reinvention.

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