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The map to freedom began with a book
As a kid, poet Reginald Dwayne Betts loved books and developed an early fascination of speed reading. He couldn’t afford formal lessons, so he checked out a book on the subject from his local library instead – the last book he borrowed before going to…
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Wearing knives on your feet or throwing yourself down a mountain
The Winter Olympics in Italy have delivered a captivating mix of fun, drama, intrigue, and humor – a much-needed escape from a world that feels on fire most days. As spectators, we’re taken in by the spectacle and skill of these extraordinary athletes, and we’re…
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Why these monks walked 2,300 miles from Texas to DC
When Buddhist monks leave their monasteries and temples, it’s with good reason. So when about 20 monks with roots around the globe started walking in late October last year from Ft. Worth heading in the direction of Washington, D.C., people took notice. And by the…
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Are we not good enough?
When the preteen girls of the South Morningside Primary School football team in Scotland (American soccer) won the highly regarded Edinburgh Schools cup last summer, they were elated. They soundly beat their opponent 5-2 in the finals, after narrowly getting through the semi-finals in a…
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It’s not (entirely) about the truck
Mo Riles’ green ride was hard to miss. People were quick to give him the side-eye as he drove the dilapidated vehicle around town. Even more threw out insults as they posted pictures on social media. “Being held together by a thread. And duct tape!”…
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How doing what she loves makes a real difference in Ukraine – one animal at a time
The headlines from Ukraine often capture the heartbreak of war – the pain, the loss, and the upheaval experienced by the country’s residents. Yet amid the devastation, American veterinary surgeon Dr. Colleen Lambo saw a different kind of suffering and felt compelled to act. As…
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A stranger’s bold move in a Paris cathedral
A friend told me a story recently that stuck with me. Would I make the same bold move a stranger did for my friend, for someone I had never met and would likely never see again? Would you? Hear the story and judge for yourself.…
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How simple social connections can energize your winter
We made it. The first full week of the new year. Begrudgingly or not, we crawled out of our blankets and PJs and got back out in the world. Count that as a win! Even if your holidays were joyful, the overstimulation and overindulgence –…
