One of the most remarkable stories in the late Oliver Sacks’ posthumously published book is about Sacks’ unexpected meeting with an orangutan while visiting the zoo. It describes Sacks “”a brilliant singularity”: his ability for showing us the big fat gifts to be found in the everyday. Perfection in 274 words.
Read MoreListen to the Magic of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah Being Hummed Around the World
Among the many joys we experienced at the extraordinary Leonard Cohen exhibition at The Jewish Museum, is a room resonating with the sound of hundreds of people around the world humming Cohen’s anthem, Hallelujah. You can experience it online as well.
Read MoreBeatrice Wood’s Mistakes “Like Pebbles That Make a Good Road”, with Sculptor Richard Long
When we heard centenarian ceramic artist Beatrice Wood’s extraordinary view of the mistakes she made in life, we thought of the work of artist Richard Long…
Read MoreHow The Tiananmen Tank Man’s Stunning Act Went Way Beyond Courage
Reflecting on the video of an anonymous Chinese man standing up to government tanks that day after the Tiananmen Square Massacre, we finally see that way more than courage is on display.
Read MoreVivianne Westwood’s Activist Fashion for Personal Power and Global Change
Martin Parr’s wonderful portrait of the always-inspiring wise-elder activist fashion designer, Vivianne Westwood got us wondering what she was up to. Her ongoing mission is to have people “buy less; dress up”. How you might ask? She tells you here.
Read MoreMister Rogers: What is Essential is Invisible to the Eye
We are continually amazed by the late Fred Rogers ability to illuminate aspects of life using just a few words, in his calm, spacious way. Here are two transformative riffs to take into the week.
Read MoreOpened at Random: The Book of Joy “Setting an Intention for the Day”
Today we opened at random the Book of Joy, Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. We found this…
Read MoreTrisha Brown’s Effortless Flow
This beautiful leap (here, in slow motion video) and a series of lithographs made by legendary dancer and choreographer Trisha Brown embody her unique style she once wryly described as the line of least resistance.
Read MoreIn Memory of W.S Merwin: Life as Spontaneous Poetry
W.S. Merwin, one of the great American poets, passed away on Friday. We found some beauties of poems plus a practice of his that we’re going to try ourselves, in his honor.
Read MoreKarl Lagerfeld’s Inspired Ideas
The legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld had an immense talent and sensibility. Our friend Susan Dworski sent us this picture of him at his extraordinarily messy desk, which as with other these other views of his home, provides unexpected inspiration and…permission
Read MoreDavid Hockney and Joni Mitchell Instagram “Opens Up Our Vision to What is Possible”
The New York Times parsed 13 reasons why the instagram of art and music legends David Hockney and Joni Mitchell went viral. We found some other reasons why the image is so powerful…
Read MoreThomas Merton’s “Small Message of Hope”
Trappist monk and theologian Thomas Merton addressed the difficulties and rewards of being oneself in the modern world, with heartening words on navigating the way through.
Read MoreHow to Edit Your Life (Werner Herzog)
When guest-contributor David Saltman met filmmaker Werner Herzog, he found him full of amazingly on-point advice…
Read MoreMartin Luther King, Jr on Resisting Violence to the Spirit
Martin Luther King’s Six Principles of Nonviolence go far beyond political activism and protest. They are a way of life, applicable on even the most personal and private level, Principle Five in particular.
Read MoreMary Oliver’s Instructions for Living
In this often dark times, I am grateful for the potent little instructions for living Mary Oliver gave us.
Read MoreA Charleston Pastor Comforts a Pittsburgh Rabbi and Teaches Us About the Healing Power of Presence
Rev Manning described the Ministry of Presence that became the heart of his church’s mission and teaching after the violence it experienced in 2015. And he showed it in action.
Read MoreA Cool Teeny Video of the NYC Marathon: Every Step, Every Breath is a Gift
“Every mile is a gift!” proclaimed a handmade sign we saw at mile 22 of the legendary 26-mile NYC marathon. Looking through our camera, we saw the wild beauty of the day.
Read MoreHow to Navigate the Darkness of our Time (Fred Rogers)
The great Mister Rogers who lived in the neighborhood where the Saturday’s heartbreaking shooting took place, had much to say about how to navigating darkness.
Read MorePractical REAL-Life Wisdom from the Very Wise Ann Lamott
When she turned 61, Anne Lamott decided to “take the opportunity to write down every single thing I know, as of today.” It is a seriously good distillation of decades of living from the author of Bird by Bird.
Read MoreMister Rogers for Adults: 1 Minute Meditation to Turn Off the Noise
“Taking a Breath” is a perfect .58 seconds with wise, kind Mister Rogers to view any time you need a shift.
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