At Forum Alpbach at the end of August, Nipun shared stories of a sparrow -- and offered heart pins to the crowd.

One among them was Jojo. When he was asked by his club to share his experience at Alpbach, he invited students from around the world to come together in this beautiful way!

 

Rachelle Jeanty: Finding Spirit in Pain

In her TED Talk, Rachelle Jeanty gifts us with a few verses of her crystal voice in song, and talks about how she led a luxurious life as a backup singer for a global superstar. Her dream, however, was to be a singer-songwriter, so she left to follow her own path. She tried everything over ten years that included being betrayed and scammed by an agent that her intuition had told her not to trust. She was devastated, and blamed herself for not listening to her heart. She wasn’t sure she could ever sing again until her mother helped get an invite to sing with a choir. Two women in the choir encouraged her to meditate. This time, she opened her heart and listened, was able to trust her inner voice, and her spiritual path revealed itself. 

Rachelle recently joined us for an Awakin Call where she led us through a meditation, shared some of her music, and so much more. You can watch the call here  - and catch a special performance she shared during a recent Interfaith Compassion Pod call.

'Love Is The Highest Form Of Acceptance' by Stephen Levine

Love is the highest form of acceptance. Judgment is the mechanics of non-acceptance. Some may say that without “good judgment” there would be no “discriminating wisdom” but discriminating wisdom is the process of weeding out the causes of suffering and choosing love, “the greatest good”. The mind ... [Read more]

Seed questions for reflection: How do you relate to the notion that it is the momentary absence of desire that gives rise to the state of satisfaction? Can you share a personal story of a time you met desire with compassion and a satisfaction in momentary beauty? What helps you weed out the causes of suffering and choose love instead?

Sister Marilyn Lacey: Stirring Stories of Mercy

Sister Marilyn Lacey, founder of Mercy Beyond Borders, has spent decades working with refugees in Haiti and Sudan. As part of this work, she has created opportunities for at-risk women and girls to access education and leadership training. Learn more about these heartful efforts here.

During a recent Interfaith Compassion call, Sister Marilyn shared four first-hand stories of deep compassion. Watch the video here.

Betye Saar: Taking Care of Business

As a mother with young children, Betye Saar couldn't walk in protests. Instead, she began creating art as a weapon against issues such as racism and sexism. Check out this brief inspiring video about her process - including her integration of found objects.

15 Year-old's Letter to the Yard Across the Street

When her dad sent her a picture of pending home construction in what had been a vacant “yard” across the street from her home, a 15-year-old felt a sudden emptiness.

She started remembering the coyotes, rabbits, deer, birds, a great pine tree, and amazing sunset orange poppies. She remembered playing with friends on a trampoline, and neighbors who lived next to the lot who brought grandkids and the best baked goods she had ever had. Turns out the lot wasn’t so empty after all. She said, “The only problem is, I didn’t realize just how much I enjoyed it until it was slowly being taken away. I think that’s the same with everything in life.

Sometimes, you might not realize just how much you appreciate something until it’s no longer present.” [Read more ...]

Underutilized Churches Across The US Are Transforming Portions Of Their Property Into Affordable Housing

Feeling called to support affordable housing efforts, churches across the United States are partnering with nonprofit developers to create rental units and homes along with other necessary community facilities.

Last fall, one church shared it's plans to provide “18,000 new affordable rental and homeownership opportunities and 72 community facilities — such as adult day care, child care, health clinics, and more — on vacant or underutilized church-owned land across the country.”

Read the full story here.

Belonging

Kathleen Yap was born in Singapore but moved to Taiwan and then England by the time she was 5 years old. She felt like an outsider, judged and friendless, as a child. Nature became a solace anywhere she went. "I want to show people that it's okay to be vulnerable in my love for nature. To inspire others to do the same" said Kathleen.

Check out the moving video below, a tribute to the possibilities and connection possible through nature.

 

Entrepreneur Promotes E-bikes In Ghana

British-born businesswoman, Valerie Labi, began converting secondhand pushbikes into e-bikes during the pandemic. Four years later, there are 300 delivery riders using e-bikes in Ghana's capital, Accra, with a vision to expand the effort into additional African countries.

Read the full story here.

A Famed Cellist Played For Bison In Montana

The legendary Yo-Yo Ma took his cellist to a buffalo pasture in Blackfeet lands. He was playing for the free roaming buffalo herd reestablished by the Blackfeet Tribe toward a multi-Tribal effort to restore 30 to 60 million bison in the western United States.

Read the full story here.

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