Sangha of Auspicious Companions

May 3, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

Intelligence That Transcends the GRE

Was Albert Einstein a wise man because of his intelligence? Did Mother Teresa’s spirituality make her wise? These are the type of questions that UC San Diego researchers are trying to answer in a new study that attempts to define the abstraction we call wisdom. According to their findings, wisdom is not limited to a high IQ quotient or moral righteousness, but is a form of advanced cognitive and emotional development based on experience that can be learned and increased with age. They found that wisdom is a uniquely human characteristic defined by six prominent qualities: general knowledge of life, emotional regulation, insight, helpfulness to others, decisiveness and tolerance of different values. { read more }

Be The Change

Cultivate your wisdom, by practicing one of the six traits listed above.

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May 2, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

30 Years of Work Bears Fruit

Thanks to decades-long effort, the variety of fruit-bearing shrubs and trees in Wattles’ common areas is staggering: bananas, mangos, papayas, nectarines, apples, guavas, key lime, dwarf tangerines, olive, figs, Oro Blanco grapefruit, Washington navel oranges, blood oranges, persimmons, pomegranates, Chinese pear, cherimoya, peach, apricot. The list of multicultural delights goes on and on. As head of the tree committee, Thomas and a team of eight are responsible for feeding and pruning the trees and harvesting and distributing the fruit. { read more }

Be The Change

Find innovative ways of sharing the ‘fruits’ of your hard work with others.

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Other CharityFocus projects include:

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May 1, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

When a Homeless Man Used Twitter

A few folks in New York City wondered what it’s like to be homeless. So they gave four men cell phones and Twitter accounts to help them share their stories with the world. For Daniel Morales, these gifts would change his life. Three weeks into the project, Morales used the social neworking tool to find his 27-year-old daughter, whom he hadn’t seen in over a decade. After posting his cell phone number and a photo of her when she was 16, a stranger saw the message and the next day, Morales got the call he’d been waiting for. “Just to find my dad after 11 years…I don’t even know how to feel right now, I’m just very, very happy.” { read more }

Be The Change

Reach out to someone you haven’t seen or spoken with in a long time. Let this person know how much she or he means to you.

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April 30, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

Portraits of Hope

In the world’s largest garbage dump, Artist Vik Muniz finds beauty in resilience, art in compassion. Returning to his native Brazil, he finds himself along the outskirts of Rio de Jeneiro, amidst the garbage pickers of the Jardim Gramacho landfill. Determined to help, Muniz creates wildly creative, intimate portraits of the garbage pickers to sell back in New York. All the money earned goes to his subjects. “Think about what you are going to do when you get out of Jardim Gramacho,” he tells one woman from behind the camera lens. Her hard stare cracks into a smile. { read more }

Be The Change

Make an extra effort to recycle and reduce waste. Here are ten easy ways: { more }

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 106,147 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

Other CharityFocus projects include:

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April 29, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

Retailing With Heart

Venture into a Panera Cares cafe and you’ll see the same menu and racks of freshly baked breads that are staples at the 1,400 Panera Bread restaurants across the United States. The only thing missing is the cash register. Instead, there’s a donation box where customers pay on the honor system. Since opening its first “restaurant of shared responsibility” last May, Panera Bread is poised to take its new model nationwide. “We tell you the suggested price but the choice is yours,” explains Panera co-founder Ron Shaich. “If you’ve got a few extra bucks, the right thing is to leave it. If you’re feeling pressure, you can take a discount. If you’ve got nothing, you’re free to enjoy your meal with dignity.” { read more }

Be The Change

Explore the psychology of pay-what-you-can and pay-it-forward experiences. { more }

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 106,131 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

Other CharityFocus projects include:

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April 28, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

Why Can’t We Be Good?

Philosopher and professor Jacob Needleman maintains that humans have the capacity for great good. In his book “Why Can’t We Be Good”, he explores what causes us to go astray, and what can help us to stay focused on what he believes is our purpose: to serve. In his book and the interview, offers one practical way of keeping on track–deep listening. Based on experience with many groups of students, he maintains that listening, without evaluation, judgement, or response, is the beginning of letting go of the ego and finding connection with other human beings. { read more }

Be The Change

Deeply listen to one person today: not to agree or disagree, but simply to let their thought into your mind. { more }

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 106,108 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

Other CharityFocus projects include:

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April 27, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

75-Year-Old Retiree Brings Smiles to Street Corners

Hundreds of people sleep on San Diego’s streets each night, on corners, beneath the interstate and across from the public library. They hang out in small groups or sit alone, watching the time pass. But when a wiry man with dark glasses approaches, everyone seems to perk up. The man is David Ross, better known as Waterman Dave. For years, he’s handed out hundreds of bottles of water each day to the homeless. He’s a 75-year-old retiree who’s made it his mission to help the homeless– even if it’s just with a hug or a kind word. { read more }

Be The Change

Offer kindness in a greeting. Take a moment to stop and say hello. { more }

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 106,073 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

Other CharityFocus projects include:

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April 26, 2011

a project of CharityFocus

Nursery Rhymes Bring Down the House

Over the weekend, Edward Reid became an instant celebrity when he brought down the house on “Britain’s Got Talent” — with nursery rhymes! The crowd laughed and jeered when 35-year-old school teacher opened with “Old MacDonald.” But his undulating voice won them over as he moved into “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” By the time he concluded with “If You’re Happy and You Know It, Clap Your Hands,” every pair of hands in the room was, indeed, applauding wildly. Watch the full video: { read more }

Be The Change

Explore you hidden talents. Do something unexpected today, that you’ve always wanted to do.

DailyGood is a volunteer-run initiative that delivers “good news” to 106,013 subscribers. There are many ways to help. To unsubscribe, click here.

Other CharityFocus projects include:

HelpOthers // CF Sites // KarmaTube // Conversations // More