Tag Happiness & Hope

Need a pick-me-up? These feel-good tales of people changing the world for the better will restore your confidence in humanity and put a spring in your step.

89 min listen

After Adopting 123 Kids, Former Buddhist Monk Transforms Education with Gen-la Lobsang Phuntsok (Episode #104)

There is nothing quite as enlightening as listening to the insights of someone who has been to the edge and back. Today’s guest - Lobsang Phuntsok - had been to many edges of human existence. He was abandoned at birth, left under dry leaves by his 13 year old mother, but rescued to grow up as a Buddhist Monk. After an amazing journey of insight, he is now “Dad” to 123 children in an amazing family that is also a school and community that could fundamentally change the goals of education worldwide.

Image: A man riding a bicycle on a road that is nestled among some beautiful green hills

Riding 8,000 Kilometers for a Great Cause

Two Canadian cyclists are riding 8,000-kilometers across Canada with an important mission. These awesome riders have Parkinson’s disease and during their Spinning Wheels Tour, they are empowering others with Parkinson’s to get on their bikes and rediscover freedom and joy.

Image: A wheelchair accessible swing in a park in Malta.

Engineering Students Build a Wheelchair Swing in a Neighborhood Park

Born with spinal muscular atrophy type 2, 20 year old Tristan Lee was never able to ride on a swing as a child due to his wheelchair. But in his community of Waco, Texas, Baylor students collaborated with the locals to raise the funds, design the swings, and install it in a local park. Now everyone can soar, no matter their ability.

Three friends sitting on a stone wall, looking at each other and laughing. An example of how laughter is good for you.

Laugh More to Live Longer: The Health Benefits of Laughing!

Did you know there’s a secret universal language out there that every human on earth (and many animals too) speak fluently? I’ll give you a few hints… It’s silly. It’s contagious. And, it may hold the key to staying young at heart, regardless of what life throws your way. We're talking about laughter!

Image: A woman standing in a desert with a paper bag on her head, a frowning face drawn on the front. Symbolic of the emotions felt when we constantly say "I'll be happy when..."

The Problem with “I’ll be Happy When…”

We often believe achievements or purchases are what make us happy in life, but this is rarely the case. Rather than saying “Happy When,” focus on being happy now, each day. Here's how you can practice being grateful for what you have and find ways to improve your happiness in place.

Image: A blonde woman wearing glasses, standing outside with her hands behind her head, with a look of ease and joy on her face

Five Keys to Bringing More Ease and Joy into Your Work

We all have our ups and downs. We all have our tough days and tough times. But our days are not supposed to just be painful means to a future end. Even on our toughest days, we can allow ourselves brief moments of joy, ease, and gratitude. Here are 5 ways to make it happen.

5 min read

What if We Celebrated What’s Right with the World?

As a National Geographic photographer, Dewitt Jones learned a lot about reframing the way he looks at the world. Here are the remarkable insights he has on what we can do to find what's right with the world and start to see beauty more often.

Image: A gratitude jar filled with lights, and a person reaching for it.

Want to Practice Gratitude? There’s a Jar for That

Write it down. Speak it out loud. Express it through song. Convey it through gifts. Say a little prayer. There’s every which way to cultivate the attitude of gratitude. And for those on the artsy side, there’s a jar for that.

Image: Seven candles and assorted greenery on a table, with a person lighting the candle in the middle.

Today is Enough and You are Enough. Use Your Special Things!

Do you have anything in your home that you're waiting for the perfect moment to use? A bottle of wine, dress, or candle, perhaps? Gillian Dunn has a special trick for how we can stop letting our candles melt in the closet, and instead decide that any moment can be special.