Sangha of Auspicious Companions

Wikipedia and the Ecology of Free Knowledge

Less than twenty-five years ago, people primarily consulted encyclopedias when they wanted information. Launched in 2001, “Wikipedia, is now accessed every day by more than forty-six million mobile devices and more than twenty-three million users on desktop computers.” Remarkably, it thrives due to tens of thousands of volunteers, and a skeletal staff who create and edit it within a few stated guidelines. Kevin Kelly, Wired magazine, says Wikipedia shows “how the underlying force of Nature’s symbiotic, mutual benefit pattern can operate when human intelligence and computer intelligence maximize each other’s attributes…” The article concludes: “The very act of connecting people’s minds on a global scale, with virtually no physical, geographical limit and no central authority, and with an open-ended, self-organizing feedback loop, is an evolutionary game-changer.”

Be The Change

Take some time to consider your connections. Do you need to renew or strengthen ties with old friends, or, maybe, make some new purposeful connections? Reach out, connect, and create a new future.

What Your Unique Breath-Print Says About You

Similar to fingerprints, researchers suspect “that your patterns of breathing through your nose are so distinctive that it may be possible to identify you by breath alone, suggesting we have ‘breath prints.’” Since breathing is tied to many bodily functions, the study may lead to “understanding what’s behind the idiosyncratic breathing patterns.” Breathing exercises are traditionally recommended for anxiety and for relaxation. While it is still speculative, researchers will study “exactly what a healthier pattern of breath looks like, both as a way to identify illness and to explore whether people can be taught ways of breathing that might change their biology.”

Be The Change

Spend a few moments each day simply noticing your breath. Make it a practice.

Time to Rise

In a powerful blend of poetry and music, poet Lucy Grace and sitarist Paul Livingstone calls us to awaken our connection to the universe and embrace our unique gifts. With evocative imagery and soulful sitar accompaniment, the poem composition urges us to remember our place in the larger tapestry of life, emphasizing the potential for unity in diversity and celebrating individual uniqueness as part of a larger existential fabric. The piece reminds us we are “made to connect love to the ache,” highlighting the beauty in merging the spiritual with the earthly. This uplifting message encourages us to bravely answer our unique callings — whether as a nurturer, a storyteller, a vegetable grower, or beyond. It’s a stirring invitation to rise and bring love to the forefront of our actions.

Be The Change

Reach out to someone and remind them of their unique strengths and potential. For more inspiration, join an online Awakin Call conversation with sitarist Paul Livingstone this weekend — details and RSVP here:

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This Week’s DailyGood Digest

In a week where stories of courage and resilience shone brightly, we reflect on the remarkable tales that unfolded.

In the hallowed halls of the High Court of South Africa, Khanyi Kubheka’s youthful determination breaks barriers as she steps forth as a beacon of change at just 24. Meanwhile, in the heart of Puri, Ashwini Kumar Mishra’s ingenious brake system quietly transforms the safety of the Rath Yatra, embodying devotion through innovation. A profound connection is forged as Addison McArthur hears the heartbeat of Felicia Hill’s late daughter, a poignant testament to the impact of organ donation. Teacher Robyn Daniel embodies empathy and action, running a marathon to support a young leukemia fighter, sparking hope within a community. Across continents, Maurice Edelson pedals from the UK to Cape Town, confronting silence and finding healing in shared stories. In classrooms, middle schoolers teach us that empathy is not just innate but a skill honed through practice and care. Finally, a study reveals that hope, not fleeting happiness, holds the key to a meaningful life, urging us to cherish small victories and nurture enduring aspirations.

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If you enjoy good news stories and want to help change the media landscape, join our volunteer team to curate, edit, spread the good! Login and get started.

I Thought My Wages Would Be Docked but the Customer I’d Overpaid Returned

On Christmas Eve, 1977, as a teller at a bank, Penny Muir mistakenly gave a customer an extra $20. At the end of the day, she realized the shortage, and that it would come out of her pay. It was a lot of money for her at the time that she intended to spend on the holidays. Just as she was about to leave for the day, somebody knocked on the window. Cautiously, she opened the door. A stranger handed her $20 explaining she had given it to him in error. His action continues to impact her life in many ways even after fifty years. “It wasn’t just the money, it was the fact that he had gone to such effort to make sure that I wasn’t out of pocket, when it was entirely my fault anyway.”

Be The Change

Recall an act of honesty or integrity, or even a small gesture of kindness in your life. What were the ripple effects?

The Global Dress of Unity

Imagine a dress that transcends borders and tells the stories of hundreds around the globe. The Red Dress project is a stunning testament to creativity and connection, made of 84 pieces of silk embroidered by 380 artisans from 51 countries. Conceived by Kirstie Macleod in 2009, the dress is more than art; it’s a tapestry of identity, woven by women from all walks of life. Each stitch and pattern echoes personal tales, as well as windows into and wisdom from shared struggles and triumphs. As this vibrant creation tours worldwide, it serves as a reminder of the power of art in bridging divides and celebrating our shared humanity.

Be The Change

Host a multicultural art event in your community where people can share their crafts and personal stories to foster understanding and unity.

Strangers, Nurses, and a Perfectly Timed Miracle

Meryl Hoffman collapsed of cardiac arrest in front of a medical center. Nearby strangers and off-duty nurses quickly sprang into action. The nurses performed life-saving CPR, and rushed her to a hospital where she underwent surgery and rehabilitation. “According to the American Heart Association, for every minute that passes without CPR after cardiac arrest, the chance of survival decreases by about 7–10%.” Through a coincidence, Meryl was able to reunite with the two nurses who gave her the CPR. They helped fill her in on the details of the crisis of which she had no memory. The three of them have kept in touch. “Without them, I was told, there was no doubt I would have died or been brain dead,” Hoffman said. “They absolutely saved my life.”

Be The Change

Take some time to learn first aid and CPR. You might save a life.