Happy Sunday, dear friends. Yesterday, I enjoyed my day with my family, as it was my birthday! Wee! Feeling so blessed by my life. There is so much to be thankful for. I adore being in service to the Divine Mother’s Plan. I adore being a mom. I adore my relationships with those I love and especially my own inner child.
I was asked what I wanted for my birthday, and I could not think of a single “thing” that would make me happier than I am now. True, life isn’t perfect, and we all have struggles to attend to, but they are blessed gifts as well, to make us strong and help us evolve.
All of the things I want, truly, are for the world. I would love everyone to love themselves. I would adore everyone to love each other and nurture and support the divine free will paths of all beings. I would be overjoyed if everyone truly fell in love with nature and did everything they could to support her.
What I am realizing is that I am pretty lucky. Much of that has to do with perspective, because I certainly could present you all with a litany of woes over the past 8 years that would curl your toes. The point is, I truly, and I mean this from the bottom of my heart, embrace it all and take responsibility for my personal role in it all.
That means the tough stuff, but also the good stuff. We sometimes fail to recognize how much our energy contributes to the good in this world and in our own lives and circles.
So, as I blew out the candles on my ice cream cake, I wished for joy in my heart, in the hearts of my family and friends and in the hearts of the entire planet. That of course, includes all of your blessed hearts as well dear friends.
How America lost track of happiness, and how they will regain it.
This article focuses on American culture, but many of the issues are being faced in all modern countries. The tenets discussed are also spreading into developing nations as the basis of their cultures are being stripped away in favor of corporate-sponsored beliefs.
I am a retired advertising executive. When I came out of college with a degree in Biology, I couldn’t get a job. There were no research jobs that paid a living wage, and many researchers were willing to work for almost nothing at universities in exchange for continuing education. Since I was married and wanted to start a family, there was plenty of money in the advertising world to attract me.
When I finally retired, it was because I could not take one more day of writing words that would entice people to purchase things they did not need. I had realized that consumerism and material gain did not bring happiness, and I was not going to lie to the public one second longer.
This article, is based significantly on the story of the job I used to perform. While it might not seem like a feel good news story in its origins, the final portion of this article predicts triumph, as designers and forward thinkers start to build “happiness” into sustainability models for the future.
We recently shared another article on happiness as a factor in community sustainability, and I truly believe that this factor of innate happiness, which is led by a feeling of connection and deep meaning in life, are keys to attracting the population away from the ever increasing drain of consumerism, and back to a far simpler and happier way of being.
For many who have lived the dream of “success” in any culture, and watched it crumble beneath their feet, it might be interesting to note that there is a certain sense of relief in this falling away.
Things have never brought true happiness, and research even shows that the first major purchase anyone makes in their life, with their own money and through their own labor, is the best they will ever feel about purchasing anything ever.
As people wake up from “living the dream” and start to take stock in what really makes them happy, they will certainly be drawn to communities, situations and lifestyles that are based on sustainable happiness. I believe this is inevitable in the increasing energies and points to a world filled with happy and content beings.
Robert Downey, Jr. reprises his role as IronMan to give a young boy a bionic arm.
Seven year old Alex was born with a partially formed arm. Like many families, Alex’s parents were struggling and did not have the money for a high quality prosthetic.
A young engineering student, turned philanthropist, Albert Manero, wanted to do something about the excessive cost of prosthesis, and so he began to research the use of 3D printers in their production.
He created an economical prosthetic based on open-source designs, and he decided to make the bionic limbs customized to display the personality of the person using them.
With backing from Microsoft’s Collective Project, and the kindness of actor Robert Downey, Jr. who plays a high tech scientist in the Iron Man movies, Albert was able to create an Iron Man arm for Alex.
This video shows the reveal, as Robert Downey, Jr. presents the amazing bionic arm to Alex. The young boy is extremely poised during this very exciting time, and it warms my heart to see young entrepreneurs creating such miracles to make the lives of people better.
It is also heartening to see another actor using his celebrity to spread kindness to others.
What Robert Downey, Jr. Did for this kid melts our hearts on UpWorthy
Microsoft’s OneNote partners with amazing young inventors to create miracles. The OneNote app supports a program called the Collective Project, where brilliant young students are given the support and financing they need to apply their skill to changing the world. For a glimpse at a few of these future world changers, please visit the Collective Project website.
The Collective Project by Microsoft OneNote
Tom Hanks is a good guy and a good Girl Scout!
As a retired Girl Scout leader of two different troops, selling Girl Scout cookies was an important part of our yearly fund raising. In fact, we saved up the money, in one of our troops, to seed fund a trip to three European countries! Selling cookies and contributing financially to the running of the troop really empowers the girls, and helps them to understand that their contributions make a difference.
I was overjoyed to hear recently that Tom Hanks stopped by a Girl Scout cookie sale to make a purchase. He also offered to take pictures with patrons if they bought cookies. When he left, he also gave an additional donation to the troop.
I always thought he was a kind man, and this just seals the deal for me. Celebrities are sometimes viewed as something other than real people, and I am always happy when they step out of the lime light and show their true colors.
Many celebrities do amazing things for the world, like Matt Damon, who co-founded Water.org and Sean Penn’s work with the reconstruction in Haiti. It is always heartwarming to see those who have stardom giving back in meaningful and kind ways.
And finally…
What happens when kids are taught about random acts of kindness in school?
The Jefferson Elementary School staff decided to add random acts of kindness to the curriculum. Kids were taught that they could do kind things for other people and that every little bit of kindness helps.
I truly believe that children who are taught how important it is to help others and be kind to everyone are stronger, more balanced individuals. This video shows how proud the kids are of their contributions to their local community.
Feeling the joy of giving, at such a young age, will seal the desire to continue in service and kindness for the rest of their lives! This is a priceless lesson that is so easy to teach, and I hope more schools will take up this lesson plan in goodness.
What happens when kids are taught about kindness in school on YouTube
That’s the good news for today. Have a lovely day. Please join Gavin Harrill for the Golden Gaia News Roundup on Monday.
Be Well. Be Joy. Be Love!
Alex