|
NATIONAL CRISIS |
SOCIAL
JUSTICE |
SHARED
HUMANITY
CHURCH
AND STATE | PATRIOTIC
LESSONS | POPULAR
CULTURE
"People fail to get along with
each other because they fear each other. They fear each other because they don’t
know each other. They don’t know each other because they have not properly
communicated with each other."
-Martin Luther King Jr
Current
Events
What's Going On?
As a
conduit of civilization and education, popular culture
is the set of ideas, perspectives, and attitudes that
are mainstream and widely favored within a society. Many
important insights, unique opinions, and profound
thoughts arise from popular culture. To stay informed on
the issues and cognizant of the facts, we must observe,
listen, and engage. As we pay attention
to current trends and events and the contributions from
a wide array of influencers, we become aware of
interesting and inspiring content in music, literature,
the arts, science, business, fashion, entertainment, and the
media. If we pay attention, there is
much to be learned from the daily lives and poignant
experiences of the people in our community. By
maintaining an open mind and intentional self-awareness,
wisdom and
life lessons can be found in the most unlikely of
places.
Marvin Gaye: What's Going On
Dolly Parton Sings Let It Be
Astronaut Christina Koch: We Are a Crew
True Colors by Cyndi Lauper
Train Passengers Sing Somewhere Over the
Rainbow
Dear Evan Hanson: You Will Be
Found
Do You Hear the People Singing
Learning From Life
Why Open-Mindedness Matters
"The
function of education is to teach one to think
intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus
character is the goal of true education."
-Martin Luther King Jr
"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or
eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young."
-Henry Ford
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
-Benjamin Franklin
Maintaining an open mind is essential for personal
growth, lifelong learning, and building strong
relationships with other people. An open mind means you
are willing to listen to new ideas. You do not judge a
thought right away just because it sounds strange or
different from what you already know. Being open to new
experiences matters. Here's why...
--Helps
You Learn: The world changes fast. If you think you
already know everything, you stop learning. Listening to
new facts helps you grow smarter.
--Builds
Better Friendships: People feel safe when you listen to
them. An open mind lets you see through another person's
eyes. This creates trust and stops arguments before they
start.
--Solves
Hard Problems: Stuck on a difficult issue? Old tricks
might not work. Thinking in a fresh way helps you find
smart, creative answers.
--Makes
Change Easier: Life brings unexpected events. People
with rigid thoughts get angry or stressed when plans
change. Open people adapt and find a way forward.
To
practice maintaining an open mind on a daily basis, you
must begin by listening. When you are engaged in a
conversation, let the other person finish talking before
you plan your reply. Make active listening a habit.
Let the other person know you are interested in what
they're saying. Don't interrupt. Respond to
their comments. Ask questions. Instead of
saying "That is wrong," ask "Why do you think that?"
And accept mistakes. It is okay to find out you
were wrong. Changing your mind is a sign of strength,
not weakness.
Broadway Kids Against Bullying: I Have a
Voice
Modern Love by Matt Nathanson
I
Just Want to Be OK: Ingrid Michaelson
Drive-By Compliments: You Look Great!
Corporate Nightmare Song - SNL
Chicks: Not Ready to Make Nice
Randy Rainbow: Thoughts and
Prayers
"This is
the true joy in life, to be used for a purpose
recognized by yourself as a mighty one. I am of the
opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and
as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I
can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the
harder I work, the more I love. I rejoice in life for
its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a
sort of splendid torch, which I've got a hold of for the
moment. And I want to make it burn as brightly as
possible before handing it on to future generations."
-George Bernard Shaw
"If a
person does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps
it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step
to the music which he hears, however measured or far
away.
-Henry David Thoreau
Outlandish and Sublime
Incidents and Accidents
This is
the transcript of a radio conversation between a US
naval ship and Canadian authorities off the coast of
Newfoundland in October 1995. The ship is sailing
through dark, foggy waters at night. The lookout spots a
light ahead on a collision course...
Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the
north to avoid a collision.
Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees
to the south to avoid a collision.
Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say
again, divert YOUR course.
Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.
Americans: This is the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln, the
second largest ship in the United States Atlantic fleet.
We are accompanied by three destroyers, three cruisers,
and numerous support vessels. I demand that YOU change
your course 15 degrees north or countermeasures will be
undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.
Canadians: This is a lighthouse. Your call.
A truck
loaded with thousands of copies of Roget's Thesaurus
crashed yesterday losing its entire load. Witnesses were
stunned, startled, aghast, taken aback, stupefied,
confused, shocked, rattled, paralyzed, dazed,
bewildered, mixed up, surprised, awed, dumbfounded,
nonplussed, flabbergasted, astounded, amazed,
confounded, astonished, overwhelmed, horrified, numbed,
speechless, and perplexed.
My
flight was being served by a very flamboyant flight
attendant, who seemed to put everyone in a good mood as
he served us food and drinks. As the plane prepared to
descend, he came swishing down the aisle and told us
that "Captain Marvey has asked me to announce that he'll
be landing the big scary plane shortly, so lovely
people, if you could just put your trays up, that would
be super."
On his trip back up the aisle, he noticed this
well-dressed exotic-looking woman hadn't moved a muscle.
"Perhaps you didn't hear me over those big brute engines
but I asked you to raise your trazy-poo so the main man
can pitty-pat us on the ground." She calmly turned
her head and said, "In my country, I am called a
Princess and I take orders from no one." To which
the flight attendant replied, without missing a beat,
"Well, sweet-cheeks, in my country I'm called a Queen,
so I outrank you. Tray-up, Bitch."
A
disgruntled customer submitted a complaint to the
Campbell's Soup Company in regard to their latest ad
campaign. The message from the customer was as follows:
Your new commercial featuring two gay dads makes me
sick.
The
response from the Campbell's Soup Company went like
this: Hello! Thank you for your message. If you're
feeling sick, we suggest enjoying a delicious can of
Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup. Make sure to enjoy it
hot, so that it can warm up your cold, dead heart. Hope
that helps.
She asked
me to take off her blouse. So, I took off her blouse.
Then she said, "Take off my skirt." I took off her
skirt.
"Take off my shoes," she insisted. I took off her shoes.
She added, "Now take off my bra and panties." And so I
took them off.
Then she looked at me and said, "I don't want to catch
you wearing my things ever again."
It
Gets Better: Broadway Stars
Lady Gaga: Beautiful Day in the
Neighborhood
This is What Respect Looks Like
Randy Rainbow: Trump is a Lyin
King
Happy People Dancing
Around the World
Last Episode of Stephen Colbert Show
"Learning
is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with
ardor and attended to with diligence."
-Abigail Adams
"Education is not the learning of facts, but the
training of the mind to think."
-Albert Einstein
"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can
take it away from you."
-B.B.
King
Critical Thinking
--Skepticism: They approach claims with a questioning
mindset, seeking evidence and logic.
--Analytical Skills: They assess arguments and identify
inconsistencies or logical flaws.
--Open-mindedness: They consider different viewpoints
and are willing to revise beliefs when presented with
new evidence.
--Problem-solving: They apply logical and methodical
approaches to solving problems.
--Reflective Thinking: They contemplate their own
beliefs, values, and thought processes.
--Decision-making: They make reasoned decisions by
evaluating evidence and weighing consequences.
--Independence: They think for themselves rather than
relying on authority or popular opinion.
Critical thinkers....
--Do not comment on topics for which they are uninformed
--Do not make judgements or decisions based on
supposition, rumor, or superstition
--Respect science, education, and research
--Consider all sides of an issue
--Recognize bias in any claim and are aware of their own
biases
--Analyze ideas, actions, and claims in a rational,
empirical, and logical manner
--Value evidence and proof
--Are objective and fair-minded
--Detect and confront claims based on lies,
disinformation, and faulty logic
--Try to remain civil
Conservative,
Christian, Right Wing, Republican, Straight, White,
American Males
George Harrison and Paul
Simon on SNL
John Mayer: American Pie
Broadway for Orlando: Love Sweet Love
David and Patrick: Simply
the Best
"Art
should comfort the disturbed and disturb the
comfortable."
-Cesar A.
Cruz
“To be
yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make
you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
-Ralph
Waldo Emerson
"Just be yourself. Let people see the real, imperfect,
flawed, quirky, weird, beautiful, magical person that
you are."
-Mandy
Hale
Radical Art
Creative Expression
Flash Mob:
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
Physics,
Billiards, and Music
Elsewhere
by Kelly Boesch
Taj Mahal:
Talking About the Roots of Music
Something
Wrong in the Village
If
by Rudyard Kipling - Read by Michael Caine
Jungle: Back on 74 Live Lounge
Won't You
Be My Neighbor: Rock Anthem
Stromae - Mauvaise Journée
Famous Paintings Come to Life
St. James Infirmary - Hugh Laurie
Anne Hathaway’s Final Scene in Modern Love
Roxy Music - More Than This (Lost in
Translation)
Barack Obama and Larry David
When Harry Met Sally: Diner Scene
Walk Like an Egyptian
Anxiety
Dance
Buskers:
Dixie Land Jazz
Sweetest Gift: Dolly, Linda, and Emmylou
Lynda Cathcart Images: Female Founders
Steve
Martin: Art at the Frick in NYC
Dance: Are You Having Any Fun?
Stevie Sings "Maybe This Time" on Schitt’s
Creek
Flash Mob: Bohemian Rhapsody
Hamilton: The Room Where It Happens
Unfolding Shapes - Matter of Time
St. James Infirmary - Hugh Laurie
Anne Hathaway’s Final Scene in Modern Love
Beautiful Things by Kelly Boesch
Heart: Stairway to Heaven (Live at Kennedy Center)
Floating High by Kelly Boesch
Avenue Q: If You Were Gay
Vincent Van Gogh Comes to Life
Ziggy Marley: Talking About Music Pioneers
Monty Python: Camelot
Supertramp: Bloody Well Right
All That Jazz - The Opening
World's Funniest Flight Attendant
RFK Jr: The Musical
Dance: Somebody That I Used To Know by Gotye
Sara Bareilles - She Used To Be Mine
Dave Brubeck - Take Five
SNL: NYC Mayor, Paul Simon, Lorne Michaels After Sept 11
If
I Could Tell You by W.H. Auden
Connor Sobieri: Talking About Saxophone Music
Andrew
Scott: Hamlet
Kelly Eldridge Boesch: Surreal Faces
Stroll Through Paris
Postmodern Jukebox: 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
Spontaneous Opera
Tom's Diner by Suzanne Vega
Kelly Eldridge Boesch: A Little Like Picasso
Baroque Guitar
Adam Scott: Talking About Popular Music
Underwater Ballet
Notting Hill Dinner Scene: The Last Brownie
The Boxer as Irish Folk Song
Tuba Skinny - Jubilee Stomp - Royal
Street
Freedom by Jon Batiste
Claude Monet Comes to Life
Not Made For The Cage by Kelly Boesch
Salut Salon Wettstreit Zu Viert - Competitive Foursome
Les Miserables Rehearsal
Mr. Sandman: Retro Jazzy Living Room
Cover
Louis
Armstrong: St Louis Blues
Ian McKellen Reciting Shakespeare
Jungle: Back On 74 Dance
David Bowie: America by Simon & Garfunkel
Andrew Scott: To Be Or Not To Be (Hamlet)
Fourplay Jazz
Jazz Jam Session by the Pool
Les Yeux Noirs by Django Reinhardt - Pomplamoose and The
Vignes
Youn Sun Nah: Jazz Scat
Jeff Goldblum: George Bernard Shaw
Dance: Somebody That I Used To Know by
Gotye
Kelly Eldridge Boesch: Psycho Killer
This is What Democracy Looks Like
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Celine Dion: River Deep Mountain High
Andrea Gibson: Reading Her Poetry
Randy Rainbow: Donald Trump Superstar
Strangers Are Friends You
Haven't Met Yet
Amanda Seyfried Plays Joni Mitchell
Somewhere over the Rainbow - Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
Fairies and Elves
Funeral Blues - Four Weddings and a Funeral
Female Art Portraits Morphing
Ian McKellan Reading
Harvey Milk's Hope Speech
I Am a Work of Art
Sources
of Wisdom
Lifelong Learning and Continuous Education...
"Think
before you speak. Read before you think. This will give
you something to think about that you didn't make up
yourself. This is a wise move at any age, but especially
when you are young, when you are in the greatest danger
of coming to annoying conclusions."
-Fran
Lebowitz
Beyond
your basic formal education (elementary schools, high
schools, colleges, universities), the best sources of
wisdom, learning, and development are classic
literature, courses and seminars, research, history,
hands-on experience, trusted mentors, and deep
reflection on daily experiences.
The
variety of sources are as broad as the diversity of
topics and fields. Sometimes we can increase our
knowledge by interacting with experts outside of our own
field. There is a rich assortment of wisdom that can be
gained by talking to such practitioners as teachers,
leaders, artists, musicians, scientists, business
people, and laborers.
Literature and Philosophy
--Great
thinkers: Read ancient literary and philosophical texts
like Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, The Republic by
Plato, or the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tse. These books
survive because human nature stays the same.
--Educational foundation books: Read books about
history, anthropology, archeology, science, sociology,
psychology, politics, and the arts.
--Modern
Literature: Read a good book by a good author, whether
fiction or non-fiction.
--Biographies:
Study the lives of popular and historical figures to see
how they handled failure and success.
--Poetry,
songs, verse, and essays: Explore short writings that
force you to think about life from a new angle.
--Magazines and periodicals: Timely and relevant
information specific to a particular topic, technical
field, hobby, leisure activity, or lifestyle.
Experiential Learning
--Book
group: Join a book club for the opportunity to read
books and discuss them.
--Plays
and film: Theatrical and dramatic performances increase
our empathy and teach us important lessons.
--Musical
concerts: Attend event venues to experience live musical
performances, including bands, orchestras, operas, and
ballet.
--Museums:
Visit art museums, history museums, science and
technology museums, natural history museums,
archeological sites, historical sites, and various
outdoor and natural sites.
--Crafts
fairs: Attend an artisan and crafts festival or a makers
market
--Folk
festivals: Attend an organized cultural event (fair,
festival, carnival, fiesta) that celebrates a particular
heritage or tradition (Cinco de Mayo, Oktoberfest, Greek
Festival, Mardi Gras)
--Travel:
Take a trip or vacation to another state or country.
Education: Why it Matters
Importance of Education: Shaping the Future
Benefits of Being a Lifelong Learner
Why Education is Important
Argumentation and Research
"Live as
if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to
live forever."
-Mahatma Gandhi
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use
to change the world."
-Nelson Mandela
"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be
kindled."
-Plutarch
Mentors and Guides
--Experienced elders: Talk to people who have lived
through the challenges you now face.
--Teachers
and counselors: Find a professional who can give you
honest feedback on your blind spots.
--Peer
groups: Surround yourself with curious people who
challenge your ideas and engage in intellectual
discussion.
Life
Experience and Reflection
--Intentional solitude: Spend time in quiet places
without your phone or distractions.
--Journaling: Write down your daily thoughts to find
patterns in your choices.
--Criticism: Be open to insight and instruction from
people giving you negative feedback.
--Embracing
mistakes: Treat your failures as lessons rather than
final defeats.
Continuous Education
--News:
Gather information about current events from trusted,
accurate, and reliable news sources.
--Courses:
Take an in-person or on-line course or attend a workshop
or seminar.
--Research: Using library and on-line sources, conduct
research on a subject you would like to learn more
about.
--Lecture
series: Attend public lectures to hear guest speakers.
--Listening and observing: Treat every person you meet
as a teacher who knows something you do not; show
interest, be engaging, ask questions.
Education: Why it Matters
Importance of Education: Shaping the Future
Benefits of Being a Lifelong Learner
Why Education is Important
Argumentation and Research
Learning
From History
Importance of Learning From Our Past
History
can be a very valuable source of learning. For a lot of
reasons, history offers us an education we can't get
from any other source. We are reminded that studying
history helps society avoid past errors. it teaches us
that future answers are rooted in past patterns. It
highlights how understanding where we came from
illuminates our future path. It illustrates how history
gives individuals a vital sense of belonging and
context. It stresses that collective memory defines our
humanity. And it warns us that losing touch with
historical lessons jeopardizes progress.
"Those who
cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
-George
Santayana
"The
farther backward you can look, the farther forward you
are likely to see."
-Winston
Churchill
"Study the
past if you would define the future."
-Confucius
"If you
don't know history, then you don't know anything. You
are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree."
-Michael
Crichton
"History
is a people's memory, and without a memory, man is
demoted to the lower animals."
-Malcolm X
"A
generation which ignores history has no past—and no
future."
-Robert
Heinlein
Open
University
Free Courses, Articles, Videos
History and the Arts
Sustainability and Conservation Topics
Science and Technology
Learn
About Society, Politics, and Law
Education, Learning, Leadership
Explore Nature and the Environment
Learn About Money and Business
Race and Ethnicity
Learning From Nature
Let
nature be your teacher...
Let the
trees teach you that growth requires patience.
Let the wind teach you that you can change direction and
speed as you desire.
Let the ocean teach you that you can be both calm and
chaos, gentle and strong.
Let the flowers teach you that beautiful things don't
bloom all year long.
And let the clouds teach you that when things get too
heavy it's time to release.
Nature
teaches us that growth takes time, change is necessary,
and everything in life is connected. We learn patience
and rhythm, resilience and adaptation, connection and
balance...
--No
rushing: Trees and plants do not hurry, yet every goal
is accomplished in due time.
--Seasons
of life: Winter frosts and autumn shedding prove that
rest and letting go are required before new blooms can
arrive.
--Deep
roots: Severe storms and harsh winds force trees to grow
stronger and sink their roots deeper into the earth.
--Finding
a way: Rivers do not fight the rocks in their path; they
simply flow around them and adapt to the terrain.
--Interdependence: Underground fungal networks share
nutrients between trees, showing that survival relies on
community and mutual support.
--Cycles
of renewal: Endings feed new beginnings, reminding us
that personal setbacks often clear the soil for future
growth.
"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It
will never fail you."
-Frank Lloyd Wright
"Nature is the source of all true knowledge."
–Leonardo da Vinci
"Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the
mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters."
–John Lubbock
"Let nature be your teacher."
–William Wordsworth
"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
-Lao Tzu
I Want to See You Be Brave
Everybody Wants to Be Loved by Ingrid Michaelson
Rachel Platten: This is My Fight Song
Honoring Difference: You Are a Masterpiece
Randy Rainbow: Lyin and Spinnin
and Cheatin and Hidin
Christopher Macken: What Would You Do?
Cosmic
Insights
Wisdom and Perspective
Cup of Zen
Abstract
Thinking
Jay Shetty: Be Careful Whose Heart You Break
Resilience: Biology of Courage
What Socialism Really is
Ken Robinson: How to Find Your Passion
Kids Talk About Differences
John
Cleese on Talent vs Creativity
George Carlin: Who Owns
America?
Denzel Washington: Fall Forward, Dream Big, Take
Chances, Change Your Life
Trying to
Understand Light Years
Testing Your Beliefs
Ken Robinson: Kids and Creativity
Tim Minchin: Live to Learn
Josh Johnson: Afraid of AI?
Daniel Cartier: White, Straight, and Christian?
Carl Sagan: Our Evolutionary Baggage
Letter From One President to Another
Important Things to Teach Kids
Jay Leno: Caregiver for His Wife Mavis
Celastrina Calea: Love is a Choice
Alan Shore on Homosexuality
America is not the Greatest Country in
the World
What Makes A Good Leader?
Kids' Questions: In the Future
Ken
Robinson: Small Act of Encouragement
Sara
Bareilles: Authenticity
Simon Sinek: Life Advice That Will Change
Your Future
Frederick
Douglass
Rep Jahana Hayes: What Teachers Do
Jay Shetty:
Love is Not Enough
Martin Luther King Jr: Audacity to
Believe
West Wing:
President Bartlett Kicks Bible Thumper's Butt
Multiple
Intelligences
Ken Robinson: Best Education System
Wise
Advice
Philosophy
of Leadership
Principles
from Marcus Aureilius
Marcus
Aurelius's leadership philosophy, as gleaned from his
"Meditations," emphasizes self-control, understanding
human nature, and acting with justice and compassion.
Here are his key principles:
--Understand that people exist to help one another.
Marcus believed in the interconnectedness of humanity
and the importance of acting for the common good.
--Be mindful of others' humanity. Recognize that
everyone is striving and making mistakes, and approach
interactions with empathy and understanding.
--Realize that many mistakes are the result of
ignorance. Avoid quick judgments and try to understand
the motivations behind others' actions.
--Do not overly exalt yourself. Maintain humility and
avoid arrogance, as true leadership lies in service, not
dominance.
--Avoid quick judgments of others' actions. Instead,
seek to understand the situation and the person's
perspective before drawing conclusions.
--Recognize that others can hurt you only if you let
them. Focus on your own actions and reactions, and don't
allow external negativity to define you.
--Know that pessimism can easily overtake you. Be
mindful of negative thoughts and emotions and work to
maintain a positive outlook, even in the face of
adversity.
--Practice kindness. Sincere kindness is a powerful tool
for building relationships and resolving conflict.
--Do not expect bad people to exempt you from their
destructive ways. Be prepared for challenges and don't
allow the actions of others to derail your path.
--Lead by example. Aurelius emphasized the importance of
demonstrating the qualities of a good leader through
actions rather than just words.
I Want to See You Be Brave
Everybody Wants to Be Loved by Ingrid Michaelson
Rachel Platten: This is My Fight Song
Honoring Difference: You Are a Masterpiece
Christopher Macken: What Would You Do?
The
Importance of Resilience in Leadership
Thrive in Times of Change
In the ever-evolving landscape of today's world, the
need for resilient leadership has become not just
important but integral to the success and
sustainability. Leaders who can navigate challenges,
adapt to change, and lead their teams with resilience
are essential assets in today's dynamic and
unpredictable environment.
What is resilient leadership? Resilient leadership
involves the ability to navigate the pressures of modern
working life effectively. According to research,
resilient leaders possess key characteristics that set
them apart...
Adaptability
In a world where change is constant, resilient leaders
demonstrate an unparalleled ability to adapt. They view
change as an opportunity for growth rather than a
threat, steering their teams through uncertainties with
a forward-looking perspective.
Emotional Intelligence
Resilient leaders possess a high degree of emotional
intelligence, enabling them to understand and manage
both their own emotions and those of others. This
heightened emotional awareness fosters effective
communication, enhances collaboration, and builds strong
relationships.
Decision-Making Under Pressure
The hallmark of resilient leaders lies in their
capability to make sound decisions even in high-pressure
situations. By staying calm, focused, and decisive, they
contribute to group stability and inspire confidence
among team members.
It
Gets Better: Broadway Stars
Lady Gaga: Beautiful Day in the
Neighborhood
This is What Respect Looks Like
Happy People Dancing
Around the World
Last Episode of Stephen Colbert Show
Tips for Living More Mindfully
Intentionality in Our Daily Lives
--Perspective: Choosing how you see your life...
For mindfulness to be effective, it doesn’t really
matter how you view your life. But it can be useful to
acknowledge the general theme, because that way you can
be more alert to the tendency to slip into negative
patterns of thought. And it’s this increased awareness
that provides the potential for sustainable change.
--Communication: Relating to others... If
you want to find a greater sense of happiness through
the practice of mindfulness, you’ll need to notice that
taking out your frustrations on others is unlikely to
encourage a calm and clear mind. Communicating
skillfully and sensitively with other people is
therefore essential on the road to getting some
headspace. This could mean applying a greater sense of
restraint, empathy, or perspective to your
relationships—or maybe all three!
--Appreciation: Smelling the roses... Have
you ever noticed how much emphasis some people place on
even the smallest amount of difficulty in their lives,
and how little time they spend reflecting on moments of
happiness? Part of the reason for this is the idea that
happiness is somehow rightfully ours, and that
everything else is therefore wrong or out of place.
Broadway Kids Against Bullying: I Have a
Voice
Modern Love by Matt Nathanson
I
Just Want to Be OK: Ingrid Michaelson
Drive-By Compliments: You Look Great!
Chicks: Not Ready to Make Nice
--Kindness: Toward both yourself and others...
When you are kind to someone else, it feels good. It’s
not rocket science. It feels good to you and it feels
good to them. It makes for a very happy, peaceful mind.
But while you’re at it, how about showing yourself some
of that kindness, especially in the challenging process
of learning to be more mindful? We live in a world with
such high expectations that we can often be critical of
our own progress in learning something new.
--Compassion: In the shoes of others...
Compassion is not something that we can “do” or
“create”; it already exists in each and every one of us.
If you think of awareness as a clear blue sky, the same
image can be applied to compassion. In fact, you could
say that the blue sky represents both awareness and
compassion in equal measure. Compassion is a lot like
empathy—putting ourselves in the shoes of another and
experiencing a shared sense of understanding.
--Balance: A sense of equanimity... The ebb
and flow of life is not unlike the sea. Sure, sometimes
it’s calm and serene, but at other times the waves can
be so big that they threaten to overwhelm us. These
fluctuations are an inevitable part of life. But when
you forget this simple fact, it’s easy to get swept away
by strong waves of difficult emotions.
Dolly Parton Sings Let It Be
Astronaut Christina Koch: We Are a Crew
True Colors by Cyndi Lauper
Train Passengers Sing Somewhere Over the
Rainbow
Dear Evan Hanson: You Will Be
Found
Do You Hear the People Singing
--Acceptance: Resistance is futile... No
matter how fortunate your circumstances are, life can at
times be stressful and challenging. We often try to
ignore this fact and therefore feel frustrated and
disappointed when we don’t get our own way. Just as we
did when approaching compassion, it can be useful to
think back to the blue sky analogy when you reflect on
acceptance.
--Composure: Letting go of impatience... For
many people, life nowadays has become so busy, so
hectic, that an accompanying sense of impatience is
perhaps inevitable. In such moments, you may notice your
jaw tightening, your foot tapping, or your breath
getting increasingly shallow. But by noticing the
impatience with a genuine sense of curiosity, the very
nature of the impatience begins to change. Somehow the
momentum slows down and its grip is released.
--Dedication: Sticking with it...
Mindfulness is about a fundamental shift in the way you
relate to your thoughts and feelings. While that may
sound exciting, or perhaps a little overwhelming, it’s
actually brought about by repeating the exercise briefly
and often. So this means practicing meditation on a
regular basis, no matter how you feel. Just as when you
acquire any other skill, you’ll become more confident
and familiar with the feeling of mindfulness the more
often you apply it.
--Presence: Living life skillfully... Living
skillfully can mean having the presence of mind to
restrain yourself when you sense you are about to say or
do something you’ll later regret. It can also mean
having the strength and stability of awareness to
respond sensitively to difficult situations rather than
reacting impulsively. So living skillfully requires a
certain amount of discriminating wisdom.
[Source:
Andy Puddicombe, Get Some Headspace, 2012]
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Message
From a Kindergarten Teacher
I
cared enough to try...
After forty years in the classroom, my career ended with
one small sentence from a six-year-old:
“My dad says people like you don’t matter anymore.”
No sneer. No malice. Just quiet honesty — the kind that
cuts deeper because it’s innocent. He blinked, then
added, “You don’t even have a TikTok.”
My name is Mrs. Clara Holt, and for four decades, I
taught kindergarten in a small Denver suburb. Today, I
stacked the last box on my desk and locked the door
behind me.
When I started teaching in the early 1980s, it felt like
a promise — a shared belief that what we did mattered.
We weren’t rich, but we were valued. Parents brought
warm cookies to parent nights. Kids gave you handmade
cards with hearts that didn’t quite line up. Watching a
child sound out their first sentence felt like magic.
But that world slowly slipped away. The job I once knew
has been replaced by exhaustion, red tape, and a kind of
loneliness I can’t quite describe.
It
Gets Better: Broadway Stars
Lady Gaga: Beautiful Day in the
Neighborhood
This is What Respect Looks Like
Randy Rainbow: Trump is a Lyin
King
Happy People Dancing
Around the World
Last Episode of Stephen Colbert Show
My evenings used to be filled with construction paper,
glitter, and glue sticks. Now they’re spent filling out
digital reports to protect myself from angry emails or
lawsuits. I’ve been yelled at by parents in front of
twenty-five children — one filming me with his phone
while I tried to calm another child mid-meltdown.
And the kids… they’ve changed too. Not by choice.
They
arrive tired, anxious, overstimulated. Their tiny
fingers know how to swipe a screen before they can hold
a crayon. Some can’t make eye contact or wait in line.
We’re expected to fix all of it — to patch the gaps,
heal the trauma, teach the curriculum, and document
every move — in six hours a day, with resources that
barely fill a drawer.
The little reading corner I once built, full of soft
beanbags and paper stars, was replaced by data charts
and “learning metrics.” A young principal once told me,
“Clara, maybe you’re too nurturing. The district wants
measurable results.”
As if kindness were a weakness.
Encourage Others
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Global Dance Lessons
Peace Train: Playing for Change
Pete Buttigieg: Reassurance
Still, I stayed. Because of the small, holy moments that
no spreadsheet could measure —
a whisper of, “You remind me of my grandma.”
a shaky note that read, “I feel safe here.”
a quiet boy finally meeting my eyes and saying, “I read
the whole page.”
Those tiny sparks were my reason to keep showing up.
But this last year broke something in me.
The aggression grew sharper. The laughter in the staff
room turned to silence. The light went out of so many
eyes. I watched brilliant teachers — my friends — vanish
under the weight of burnout, their joy replaced by
survival.
I felt myself fading too, like chalk on a board that’s
been wiped one too many times.
So today, I began my goodbye. I pulled faded art off the
walls and tucked thirty years of handmade cards into a
single box. In the back of a drawer, I found a letter
from a student from 1998:
“Thank you for loving me when I was hard to love.”
I sat on the floor and cried.
No party. No applause. Just a handshake from a young
principal who called me “Ma’am” while checking his
notifications.
I left my rocking chair behind, and my sticker box too.
What I carried with me were the memories — the faces of
hundreds of children who once trusted me enough to reach
out their hands and learn. That can’t be uploaded. It
can’t be measured. It can’t be replaced.
I miss when teachers were partners, not targets. When
parents and educators worked side by side, not in
opposition. When schools cared more about wonder than
numbers.
So if you know a teacher — any teacher — thank them. Not
with a mug or a gift card, but with your words. With
your respect. With your understanding that behind every
test score is a heart that cared enough to try.
Because in a world that often overlooks them, teachers
are the ones who never forget our children.
Your Life Does Not Suck
Holding Hands
On the Right Side of
History
Love Sweet Love
I Have a
Voice
When
God Created Woman
The
Perfect Being
When God
created woman he was working late on the 6th day.
An angel came by and asked, “Why spend so much time on
her?"
The Lord answered, “Have you seen all the specifications
I have to meet to shape her?
She must function in all kinds of situations.
She must be able to embrace several kids at the same
time.
Have a hug that can heal anything from a bruised knee to
a broken heart.
She must do all this with only two hands.
She cures herself when sick and can work 18 hours a
day.”
The angel was impressed, "Just two hands...impossible!
And this is the standard model?"
The angel came closer and touched the woman.
“But you have made her so soft, Lord."
"She is soft", said the Lord,
"But I have made her strong. You can't imagine what she
can endure and overcome."
"Can she think?" The angel asked.
The Lord answered, "Not only can she think, she can
reason and negotiate."
The angel touched her cheeks.
"Lord, it seems this creation is leaking! You have put
too many burdens on her."
"She is not leaking...it is a tear" the Lord corrected
the angel.
"What's it for?" Asked the angel.
The Lord said, “Tears are her way of expressing her
grief, her doubts, her love, her loneliness, her
suffering, and her pride."
This made a big impression on the angel,
"Lord, you are a genius. You thought of everything. A
woman is indeed marvelous!"
Lord said, “Indeed she is.
She has strength that amazes a man.
She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens.
She holds happiness, love, and opinions.
She smiles when she feels like screaming.
She sings when she feels like crying.
Cries when happy and laughs when afraid.
She fights for what she believes in.
Her love is unconditional.
Her heart is broken when a next-of-kin or a friend dies
but she finds strength to get on with life."
The angel asked: "So she is a perfect being?"
The Lord replied, "No. She has just one drawback...she
often forgets what she is worth.”
[Source: Donna Ashworth]
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