Sangha of Auspicious Companions

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When Second Chances Feed Communities

In a touching StoryCorps interview, Scott Thompson and Cyndi Kirkhart share how their paths intertwined at Facing Hunger Food Bank. Scott, fresh out of prison, found his calling through Cyndi’s belief in him. “Someone’s kindness made a difference,” shares Cyndi, a sentiment that resonates through Scott’s story as he expresses gratitude for the chance that altered his life’s course. Cyndi’s fierce presence and Scott’s renewed purpose created a powerful duo whose work contibutes to feeding over 150,000 people in their region. From Scott’s childhood memories of his grandfather delivering food boxes, to his present role, this story is a testament to how acts of kindness ripple through generations.

Be The Change

Volunteer at a local food bank, community shelter, or simply prepare a homecooked meal and offer it to strangers.

This Week’s DailyGood Digest

As the week unfolded, stories of resilience and creativity offered a gentle reminder of the boundless potential within us.

In the chaotic veins of Delhi, Karan Kumar’s Finobadi initiative breathes life into discarded waste, transforming it into jobs and trees, a testament to youthful ingenuity and environmental stewardship. Meanwhile, in the quiet village of Curtorim, Mansão Curtorim whispers tales of a bygone era, preserving Goan heritage through its careful restoration and inviting visitors to savor the luxury of time. Across the globe, Bryan Reisberg in New York offers hope to shelter dogs, turning them into overnight stars through urban adventures, proving the transformative power of visibility. In McKinney, Texas, a volunteer team of grandmothers dispenses wisdom and warmth, bridging the digital divide with the simple power of listening. In Diepsloot, Bishop Dube’s sight is miraculously restored, reigniting his community spirit and highlighting the profound impact of collective goodwill. In Kashmir, Ulfata Bano’s unwavering dedication over three decades of delivering mail through snow reflects the resilience and warmth that bind communities. Finally, in Lasalgaon, Kalyani Shinde’s Godaam Sense saves a quarter of India’s onions from spoilage, blending innovation with empathy to combat waste and inspire hope.

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What It Means to Be an Artist

Maria Popova ever so artfully provides a glimpse into Patti Smith’s memoire, Bread of Angels. A host of health, cultural, family, friends, and spiritual conditions and losses are overwhelming. Still, Patti had the “the heart to pierce other dimensions, the eyes to observe without judgment.” This may have been because she was able to say “no” – no to so many things like “no to every Faustian bargain of so-called success offering prestige at the price of authenticity, no to the gender norms of dress and demeanor, no to the photographers insisting on airbrushing her peculiarities…” She remained “ever ‘enthralled by small things’ — the wild roses climbing up the ramshackle house, the ‘impossible blue’ of the morning glories…giving form to those ‘unpremeditated gestures of kindness’ that are the bread of angels.”

Be The Change

Listen and be open to the wonder – to the potential poem in everything in your daily life.

Tired of Small Talk? Five Ways to Spark Deeper Connection

Tired of discussions about weather? Tom Pattinson offers five insightful ways to spark more meaningful exchanges: pick the place, ask ‘why’ then wait, be more vulnerable yourself, explore values, and stay present. By fostering authenticity, compassionately listening, and truly engaging, these strategies can help us move from surface to substance and make every conversation count. After all, “the most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention,” shares Thích Nhat Hanh.

Be The Change

Invite someone for tea or coffee, and make a conscious effort to connect by asking them meaningful questions about their recent experiences or aspirations.

New AI Model to Predict 5-Year Breast Cancer Risk

Imagine a world where breast cancer risk is predicted five years in advance, granting women the precious gift of time. A new AI marvel scans mammograms with heightened accuracy, sorting women into risk categories without the need for any personal history data. “With this newly-developed AI model, we can predict with much greater precision,” says Christiane Kuhl, highlighting a shift from the outdated “one-size-fits-all” screening paradigm. The AI isn’t just smart; it’s a potential lifesaver, especially for younger women with dense breast tissue often missed by traditional methods. It’s set to change the game, because catching cancer early can mean the difference between life and death. Tech meets medicine in an inspiring way, showing us tomorrow’s tools in today’s efforts against breast cancer.

Be The Change

Educate your community about the importance of personalized breast cancer screening and early detection methods.

Why Doing Good Also Makes Us Feel Good, During the Holidays and Beyond

It’s that time of year when giving and volunteering surge in food banks and other charities. Amrisha Vaish, a developmental psychologist said, “Nearly all cultures have events or public festivals that allow people to express gratitude” Gratitude and generosity seem to go hand in hand, especially at holiday times. Gratefulness motivates us to do good things for others. Vaish said, “In human evolutionary history over hundreds of thousands of years, we’ve had to become cooperative in order to work together and survive as a species.” On an individual level, “giving, volunteering and generosity have the ability to increase our sense of meaning and purpose in life,” said Jenae Nelson, another developmental psychologist. “There’s a quick dopamine hit sometimes called the ‘helpers high.’ But there’s also that deeper reward of helping us to establish purpose and meaning.”

Be The Change

Commit to one small act of helping someone in your community in a meaningful way.

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Handwritten Notes Connect Strangers in British Columbia

Carrie Parsons left invitations around to buy a stranger a cup of coffee in exchange for conversation when she had a realization: “I was learning so much about myself; I really wanted to take this personal project and make it public and let other people learn as much about themselves and others as I’m doing.” She launched Meet a Stranger in July 2024 that attracts about fifty people to each gathering. Cafes and coffee shops use three different methods: monthly events, buttons, and table signs that signal a person is open to a chat. “Ninety to 95 per cent of the people who came were introverts,” she said. “They were all saying the exact same thing: I want to connect with strangers. I just feel like I need permission or an invitation to connect.” “People are lonely. Once you see the problem and the simple, organic solution, you can’t not do it.”

Be The Change

Think of one way to create an “invitation” to chat with a neighbor or someone else you may not know well, or join a local meetup.