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LATEST NEWS
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Over time, she also learned that the soil is only 5% of the total habitat of water, air, and mineral particles needed in the Wheel of Life. Yet, without it, nothing will grow, and so tending to the 5% is critical. During this ten-year period, Hang Mai also engaged with ServiceSpace. She relates how she gradually came to realize that small acts of kindness are like the 5% biomass. She says about tending to the biomass, “…it is a simple thing, small thing, but you have to do it daily, constantly, because all of that will continuously regenerate, dissolve, and become the soil.” In the same way, small acts of kindness daily are like tending to the biomass of love in the regenerative field of the soul in which joy, peace, and happiness can exponentially grow. [Read more ...] |
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For the one who stands in kindness Enjoy this sweet, poignant song shared by a member of the KindSpring community. |
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A Secret Note Hidden In Dachau-built 'Violin Of Hope' Tells A Tale Of Survival And Craftsmanship In 1941, while imprisoned in the Nazi concentration camp at Dachau, Franciszek “Franz” Kempa, crafted a violin. More than 80 years later it was discovered by Tamás Tálosi and Szandra Katona, Hungarian art dealers. The skilled craftsmanship of the violin belied its poor wood quality, prompting disassembly -- and the discovery of its origins. “We named it the ‘violin of hope’ because if someone ends up in a difficult situation, having a task or a challenge helps them get through a lot of things,” Tamás said. Read the full, inspiring story here.
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'StoryRx' Initiative Prescribes Storytelling For Older Adults In 2023, an urgent advisory about the loneliness epidemic, released by the U.S. Surgeon General, directed the American Medical Association to collaborate with organizations on educational programs and resources to increase social support for patients. One of these collaborations resulted in Life Story Club, a New York-based nonprofit that brings people together virtually every week to share their life stories as prompted by questions like "What was the greatest historical event you lived through". Participants can join voluntarily or be connected through referrals from healthcare teams serving older adults experiencing social isolation. This innovative nonprofit has grown to include 120 clubs reaching more than 1,200 people over the age of 60 - with 92% saying they feel a sense of community. Read the full story here.
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Enjoy a few recent stories from the community!
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One carver, Maryanne McGinn (72 years young), has been carving for about a decade. “I started when I was unhappy, angry and resentful, and searching for a new direction,” she said. “When you carve, you have to concentrate so hard that everything else disappears: there is no room for you to ruminate on the things that would normally pester you. You get into a flow state. It’s a wonderful sensation.” Read the full story here.
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Some of his learning: given that life and health are not static, hope needs to be dynamic; it is a process requiring conscious cultivation; human connections through relationships and community are vital; and hope can be contagious. “Decades of research suggest being hopeful leads to not only a higher quality of life, but also to more resilience, creativity, and problem solving.” Dr. Hass says sometimes just holding a hand and “facing this together” provides solace. “To heal our world, we similarly need to start small: in our homes and with our friends.” [Read more ...] |
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Once the fish said to the turtle: “I have heard about a huge thing that is called ‘the ocean.’ Does it really exist? I am looking around in search of it, but I can only see sand, shells and other fishes. Where is the ocean?” The Turtle answered: “The ocean is everywhere, inside and outside you, but if you look for a particular thing, you’ll miss it.” [...] All that you can perceive, know or understand is always limited to a particular form; it is not the Whole. It is only the map, not the territory. A map is made of several concepts and words that are linked together by the net of our thought, in order to give us a schematic as well as abstract view of the world we live in. It is just a useful tool, though unfit to capture the true essence of reality ... [Read more] Seed questions for reflection: How do you relate to the notion that reality is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be experienced? Can you share a personal story of a time you were able to go beyond maps of reality and surrender to it instead? What helps you become aware that your belief in concepts has spontaneously collapsed? |
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Growing And Sharing Seeds Can Boost Mental Health New findings indicate that growing and sharing seeds has well-being benefits for the environment -- and humans! Catherine Howell, a veteran of community food projects, set up a pilot project to explore the impacts on growers. It was a small project, but scores rose an average of 6%. Howell summarized participants' experience, noting "It was the feeling of the creation of an abundance." Read the full story here.
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