Sangha of Auspicious Companions

Think Society Is in decline? Research Gives Us Some Reasons to Be Cheerful

Research suggests people in “over 60 countries believe that basic decency is declining.” Other studies show a belief that rudeness is increasing. The research is based on perceptions, and may not be accurate as another study across similar demographics showed “the values of loyalty, honesty and helpfulness ranked highest, while power and wealth ranked lowest.” Limitations of all the findings are that people tend to portray themselves in a positive light, news outlets focus on highly shared negative events, and those with extreme views are more likely to post on social media. Getting to know people and talking about values and beliefs can lead to a positive view of others along with volunteering, joining local groups, and attending neighborhood events. It also helps to focus on positive news stories and the kindness of others.

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Share a positive news story with someone through conversation. Find out what they love.

One More Marathon at 80

Jeff Galloway, once an Olympic runner, is now 80 and still an unstoppable force. Known for creating the run-walk-run method, he passionately believes everyone can run a marathon with the right mindset, saying, “If I had been anywhere else, I would not be here today.” After surviving a heart attack, his indomitable spirit shines brighter as he trains for another marathon. His story is a testament to resilience and the power of moderation in life. Taking strategic breaks, he encourages even the most reluctant runners to cross the marathon finish line with grace and grit.

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Inspire someone by trying a new hobby or activity, encouraging the idea that it’s never too late to start.

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The Art of Idling

Even though we long for rest, it seems people fear idle time, and prefer to do something as opposed to doing nothing. There are many reasons. Author Gabrielle Treanor says, “There is always something to occupy us; we are connected all the time.” Media bombards us with new ways to do anything and everything, places to go, and endless possibilities. There is also guilt, particularly around laziness because “…being busy carries a sense of status and moral superiority.” Psychologist Sandi Mann writes that some simply fear boredom though research reveals that “boredom, far from being a bad thing, can make us more creative.” “When we’re alert and fully rational, our critical, judging mind is ruling the show.” When we’re bored, our minds start wandering and daydreaming, “free to roam outside the box looking for things we wouldn’t necessarily come up with when we are more conscious.”

Be The Change

Follow one suggestion from the article such as, “find somewhere to lie down and simply stare up at the clouds or somewhere to sit and watch the world go by.”

This Week’s DailyGood Digest

From the whispers of desert winds to the hum of urban renewal, this past week brought forth stories that remind us where our true strengths lie.

In Vidarbha, Amol Langote’s devotion to building check dams revived the Purna River, turning scarcity into abundance for six villages. At the British Transplant Games, athletes redefine victory through gratitude, their bodies a testament to the life-giving power of organ donation. In Rajasthan, Sharvan Patel’s promise to parched wildlife manifests in 130 rainwater ponds, a lifeline sustained by the belief that presence follows provision. Meanwhile, a wedding in Bhopal transformed ceremony into a testament of love for the Earth, diverting plastic waste and inspiring guests to carry forward its eco-friendly ethos. In a small township, Adam’s ten-kilometer journey with his sick puppy on his shoulders redefined love’s boundaries, proving devotion surpasses any hardship. Dilip Prabhavalkar, at 81, embodied ancient art and powered an Oscar dream, showing that the vessel may age, but the light remains. Finally, Gurugram’s Sanath Road was reborn as a people-first street, preserving trees and dignity, and offering a vision of urban spaces that serve their communities.

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An Adoption 9 Years in the Making

When 19-year-old Monyay was adopted by Leah Paskalides, her former caseworker, the courtroom moment collapsed years of longing into a single word: “yes” — a word she had been told “no” so many times before. The adoption defied convention not just in timing but in its refusal to accept that love has an expiration date when a child ages out of the US foster care system. What began as professional duty transformed over nine years into recognition — Leah saw herself in this motivated girl who “did not deserve to go through life without a support system of a family,” and Monyay, initially resistant, learned to trust the one person who wouldn’t let bureaucracy define the limits of devotion. Their story quietly insists that family is less about legal milestones than the patient architecture of showing up, and that sometimes the most radical act is simply refusing to accept that it’s too late for someone to be chosen.

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Mentor or support a young adult.

What Are You Feeding the Field?

Rollin McCraty studied heart-brain coherence for thirty years. He learned the heart and Earth vibrate at the same “fundamental frequency as our heart-brain coherence—0.1 Hertz, a ten-second rhythm.” The rhythm conducts neural signals that synchronize the electrical activity in the brain creating coherence. “Coherence is what underlies all the different brain systems’ ability to perform optimally.” Spectrum analysis can actually measure frequencies we are radiating such as anxiety, fear, envy, and others, or a whole spectrum of love frequencies. With coherence training, just five minutes a day, we can shift what we radiate to create “a new baseline in our physiology, in our brain, in our nervous system.” “What I’ve finally gotten to in my own life—the straightest-line path to rapidly increasing my level of awareness and consciousness—is to radiate love.” “Because we’re always broadcasting something. We might as well make it beautiful.”

Be The Change

As Rollin said, “What we feel inside doesn’t stop at the skin. We’re broadcasting it. The question is: what song is your heart playing?”Practice breathing in what your heart wants to play. Then radiate that. For more inspiration, join a live Awakin Call conversation with Rollin tomorrow!

Magic Behind Mary Poppins Music

When Jeffrey Sherman came home from school in 1962, little did he know his story about receiving a sugar cube polio vaccine would inspire Disney magic. His father, Robert Sherman, transformed that simple tale into “A Spoonful of Sugar,” a song that captured the essence of Mary Poppins. “My dad looked at me and started shaking his head,” Jeffrey recalls. It’s a touching reminder of how the simplest conversation can ignite creativity, turning everyday moments into legendary tales embraced by millions. Beyond nostalgia, the spontaneous joy of creativity unfolding in the most unexpected way is what can spark magic.

Be The Change

Start a conversation with a child. Listen actively to their stories and insights, and see if it inspires you to create or do something new.