DailyGood
See this site: http://www.dailygood.org/
Make-A-Crane
Category: Happiness
***
Cease-fire in Syria
If only every day were a holiday! The Syrian Army has announced a truce for the most important Muslim holiday of the year. This reminds me of WWI’s “Christmas truce,” though the happenings in Syria are less heartwarming. Here are some details about the Christmas Truce:
It began in most places with nighttime singing from the trenches, was followed by shouted overtures and then forays between the lines by a few brave men. There followed, in daylight, a burying of the dead that had lain for weeks on the denuded ground called no man’s land. After that, large numbers of soldiers poured over the front lip of the trench.
Throughout the day they exchanged food, tobacco and, in a few places, alcohol. Some chatted, usually in English, a language enough German enlistees spoke to make small talk possible. In several places, they kicked around a soccer ball, or a stuffed bag functioning as one, although contrary to legend there appears to have been no official, scored matches.
Mostly, the soldiers survived, which is what they wanted from the day. They did not shoot each other.
***
Generosity
One might be generous with:
time
smiles
encouragement
positivity
love
letters
emails
text messages
compliments
kind words
touch
art
advice
songs
wisdom
recipes
friendship
reading material
handpicked bouquets
(Money isn’t even in that long sentence!)
Let me know if I forgot anything.
Oh and comments and likes 😉
***
Realizing Peace
“When you produce peace and happiness in yourself, you begin to realize peace for the whole world.” –Thich Nhat Hanh
I really like this quote because it bridges what appear to be two different conceptions of peace, the internal nature of our own individual worlds, and the external nature of the entire world. Like the quote, this blog is all about showing how the two are inseparable. To change the consciousness of a world, one must start with those who inhabit it.
***
Henry David Thoreau
Here is a wonderful 3-part series on Thoreau, a great thinker who lived peacefully, with integrity, and in harmony with nature. He stressed the importance of individual reflection and thought.
***
One Lovely Blog Award Nomination
Thanks to Stacie for the One Lovely Blog Award nominations! I have finally gotten it together to write a post of celebration.
The requirements of the Lovely Blog Award are to mention who nominated me and link back to his/her blog, display the award image, reveal 7 things that you may not know about me, nominate 15 blogs for the award and tell them of the nomination (linking their blogs in this post) including a link back to this post.
7 things:
1-I will not kill bugs and other creatures if I can help it.
2-I’m into writing, photography, and journalism (sorry that counts as 3 things).
3-I admire the Buddhist approach to life.
4-I interned at an online news platform this summer, GoLocalProv.com.
5-I make a crane in about 1 minute.
6-Reading sources include Ode, The Sun, Google News (individualized of course), GoLocal, Fast Company, Good Reads, Mother Jones, NYT, BBC, Tweets, WordPress, etc. (Er, books too.)
7-I’m interested in social entrepreneurship.
15 nominations:
1-Hardly a blog it’s so beautiful: http://stevemccurry.wordpress.com/
2-Gorgeous all around, with words and images: http://carolwelsh.wordpress.com/
3-An inspired idea: http://5thingstodotoday.com/
4-A collection of “all things beautiful” from two architects: http://hovercraftdoggy.com/
5-This blog has been nominated for everything, it seems!: http://thewondrousdharma.com/
6-Some good nature photography: http://toddnaturepics.wordpress.com/
7-Some solid quotes can be found here: http://flashfirephotosblog.wordpress.com/
8-H2O: http://h2obyjoanna.wordpress.com/
9-You can never have too many quotes!: http://christinappolo.wordpress.com/
10-The writing is as clear, crisp and engaging as the site’s format: http://patrickobrien.wordpress.com/
11-Hoping to see more…http://laurensorigamiproject.wordpress.com/
12-Sincerity at its best: http://projectexpansion.wordpress.com/
13-Who can resist joyology?: http://joymoves-cincy.com/
14-Inspiring quotes!: http://inspirationrevelation.wordpress.com/
15-The title is self-explanatory!: http://exploresmilelaughlovelive.wordpress.com/
***
“Welcome to the world’s nicest prison”
See the full CNN article for details and definitely watch the movie clip! This is a wonderful approach to rehabilitation.
“Who would you rather have as your neighbor? Someone who’s set free after years behind bars–or a prisoner who for such a long time has had the chance to be part of a community?”
“This is what we call ‘human ecology’…It has to do with human relationships and the awareness that you’re part of a greater whole.”
–Arne Kvernik Nilsen, governor of Bastoy prison
***
An Optimist’s Guide to Life
“Happiness is like a spark…Fate Lights it, but it’s your decision whether it will burn out or ignite.” –Anthony Devergillo, who began a blog, “An Optimist’s Guide to Life.” Anthony has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which makes him constantly smile.
***
Creativity Awakens
“People living in disenfranchised and traumatized communities often became totally silenced and invisible to the world.”
“Awakening creativity in people in general, especially in traumatized situations, empowers and heals. It gives them space to express themselves and share their grief, despair and dreams for the future.”
“Art is a powerful took in building community and social change. Artists can be at the center of that change.”
–Lily Yeh, who began Barefoot Artists, a non-profit that works with the poor communities to creates social change
***
Happiness and Life
“When I was five years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” –John Lennon
***
Coca Cola Captures Happy Moments
Life is more than theft and violence! Ads have an opportunity to be enjoyable experiences!
***
WWOOF
Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms…living, learning, sharing organic lifestyles
WWOOF is a world wide network of organisations. We link volunteers with organic farmers, and help people share more sustainable ways of living.
WWOOF is an exchange – In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.
WWOOF organisations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings with people who are looking for volunteer help.
***
“Tunnel of Love”
There are lots of great photography blogs. Here is a beautiful picture taken in Ukraine called “Tunnel of Love.” Here are flower pictures. Such beauty about this world! (What if the world were covered in flowers? We’d sneeze a lot.) Steve McCurry. Canadian Hiking Photography.
***
Ecotopia
Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach. Definitely going to read this.
***
Poetry
Maybe poetry is the closest thing to experiencing life again and again. And photography and creating and writing and synthesizing. So maybe experiencing life is a life experienced over and over again. So maybe, then, as all the Buddhist philosophers remind us, living in the moment is the only true way to experience life.
Make-A-Crane 