Sangha of Auspicious Companions

Indefatigable Spirit of 3 Elderly Nuns Who Fled a Care Home

The unbreakable spirit of three octogenarian Augustinian nuns in the Austrian Alps have garnered social media fame after they escaped a senior care home to return to their shuttered convent, which has an adjoining school where all three nuns taught. Two years ago, church authorities closed the convent that Sister Rita (82), Sister Regina (86), and Sister Bernadette (88) called home and moved them to a nursing home against their will. Former student Christina Wirtenberger, 65, who has known the sisters since she was 10 years-old, notes that while the sisters are as headstrong and sharp as ever, they’re also vulnerable due to their older age. That’s where the community came in. “The parishioners who hired a U-Haul and helped the sisters stage their getaway are now joined by a host of locals eager to help the sisters grow old on their own terms,” reports Esme Nicholson on NPR. Another former student Karin Seidl points out that these nuns have devoted their lives to the community and there is a collective intention to help them live with agency and dignity in their old age.

Be The Change

Check in on a vulnerable friend, neighbor, family or community member, and offer a small gesture of caring that sparks joy.

How to Fix Breakdowns in Communication

Ever felt like you’re speaking a different language with someone, even when you’re not? Maria Popova dives into psychologist Carl R. Rogers’ insightful exploration on bridging communication gaps, whether in love or global conflicts. Rogers revealed that our inclination to judge rather than to understand is the greatest barrier to genuine connection. He proposed a radical experiment: before sharing your own perspective in a heated argument, restate your opponent’s view to their satisfaction first. This “little laboratory experiment” could transform your next heated discussion into a moment of genuine understanding. It takes courage and vulnerability, Rogers suggests, noting that the “risk of being changed is one of the most frightening prospects most of us can face.” Yet in the seeming abyss of divergent worldviews, this practice might just open up an opportunity to live into our interconnections.

Be The Change

The next time a disagreement arises, pause and restate the other person’s perspective until they confirm you understand them before sharing your viewpoint.

How a Stranger Helped Me Land the Job That Changed My Life

One day an Iraqi engineering student at Columbia University met a young woman in a canteen who had stopped off in New York City with friends on her way to Europe. While casually chatting, she shared that she had just graduated with a science degree, and had done research using an electron microscope. The Iraqi student said there was such a microscope unit at Columbia University, and she could apply for a job. She laughed, telling him she was leaving for Europe, and didn’t have a US visa. The next day, she returned to the canteen where she learned the student had arranged an interview for her. Skeptical, she went to the interview. The university helped her get a visa; she worked there for three years, received free tuition, and completed a master’s program. As for the Iraqi student, “I never saw that student again and I don’t even know his name, but his incredible act of kindness changed my life in so many ways.”

Be The Change

Listen for what may seem like a simple need, and respond with a small act of kindness. You may not see the invisible wings, but know they will take flight.

Between Two Hearts

Bernhard Lentsch shared about his work in a homeless shelter in Vienna at a retreat in the distant town of Mauterndorf, Austria. Afterwards, a man came up to him and contributed a sleeping bag in hopes of helping someone stay warm on a cold night. Back in Vienna, a woman seeking a bed was offered the sleeping bag the man had contributed because the shelter was full. She would sleep in the forest that night. Days later, Bernhard had a conversation with the woman who raved about how the sleeping bag had comforted her. He told her about the man who had contributed it in hopes that it would help someone. Through the story and conversation, she was able to feel a connection with the stranger who had hoped to keep her warm. The man did not know the woman or her story, and yet his heart spoke: “You are important!” And the woman “smiled with the sparkling eyes of a little girl.”

Be The Change

Give a gift of love to someone you may never meet. Create a heart connection.

Staying Connected in a World of AI

In a world rapidly evolving towards AI dominance, the essence of human connection is more vital than ever. In a world overloaded with content, can deepcasting be a transformative alternative to broadcasting? How do we unlock the invisible value of heart-to-heart connections rather than just mind-to-mind exchanges? In this digital age, we often prioritize performance or overlook genuine presence for the sake of productivity and a bottom line. But what if “the path actually is the purpose”? As AI threatens to mimic relationships, Nipun Mehta reminds us of the profound impact of the intelligence of the heart, such as in a farmer offering the gift of a single tomato—a gesture remembered decades later. In our quest for connection, it’s the small, heartfelt actions that truly resonate, creating “a murmuration of the heart.”

Be The Change

Today, look for value in places you don’t typically expect to find it. Engage in a meaningful conversation with a loved one or stranger, focusing on genuine presence and deep listening.

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Priceless Compassion Over Jade Loss

In an expensive accident in Suzhou, China, a young store clerk accidentally dropped a box of jade bracelets while hastily moving a table. The act shattered thirty of the store’s fifty jade bangles, all of which were uninsured and resulted in the store owner losing over $140,000. Yet, instead of firing the clerk or even seeking compensation, the store owner, Cheng, chose compassion and forgiveness. “It was my request, along with a customer’s, to relocate the table. The clerk acted carelessly, as inexperienced and a bit rash young people sometimes do,” Cheng remarked, noting that young people deserve more opportunities and the experience would serve as a valuable learning experience for all. This act of empathy offers a refreshing narrative of prioritizing human growth over material loss.

Be The Change

Practice forgiveness and understanding when someone makes a mistake.

This Week’s DailyGood Digest

This week’s stories offer a gentle reminder of the transformative power of resilience and community.

In the heart of Alappuzha, Dr. Rani Maria Thomas transformed personal sorrow into a sanctuary for exotic birds, her journey becoming a testament to resilience and an unwavering commitment to the voiceless. Across the UK, an arts project embraced the wisdom of regenerative farmers and fishers, weaving a tapestry of hope and sustainability from soil to sea. Meanwhile, Lithuania’s compassionate shift in mental health care halved its suicide rate, underscoring the power of community support and understanding. On a remote Norwegian island, the spirit of Myken was resurrected through a whisky distillery, transforming maritime tragedy into a beacon of hope. In Gladstone, Missouri, a car dealership owner defied industry norms by replacing a failed vehicle for free, renewing faith in human decency. Heretic Coffee in Portland turned local goodwill into global generosity, raising over $280K to support those losing SNAP benefits. Lastly, The Character Company in South Africa redefined masculinity, nurturing a new generation of emotionally resilient men. Each story this week reflects a profound truth: that even in the smallest acts of kindness, lies the power to transform and inspire.

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Can Commitment Set Us Free?

Have you ever found yourself endlessly debating and hesitating on a decision? Abby Falik shares her journey from “teetering on the edge” to liberation through the act of commitment. She paints a vivid picture of how “the irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating,” and shares anecdotes of personal commitments that redefine her freedom. From small pacts like taking the stairs, to life-changing ones like marriage and motherhood, commitment freed her from her internal critic. Inspired by birds, Abby invites us to fly fearlessly and trust our instincts. Her story makes you wonder: what if committing could help you soar, too?

Be The Change

Reflect on an area in your life where fear holds you back. Make a small but meaningful commitment today, like reaching out to a friend or starting a new hobby, and observe how it changes your perspective.