Lifestyle
Alongside taking care of other people and the planet, make sure you take good care of yourself. The Lifestyle section at the Optimist Daily has solutions for everyday wellbeing on topics like food, beauty, fashion, and the latest trends. Curious about caring for houseplants, eating plant-based, or parenting tips? It’s all in there.
Mindful meditation makes us better thinkers
One of the classic definitions of mindfulness is that it helps us avoid clinging to what is pleasant and condemning what is unpleasant. In this video, psychiatrist Mark Epstein relays information about the practice of mindful meditation and its many mental health Read More...
Can tourism bring peace? Colombian officials say yes!
While Colombia’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism was giving tourism large credit for helping her country escape its violent past, putting it on a road to peace and prosperity, a number of travel industry officials said it’s not that simple. Speaking to attendees at an opening Read More...
Here’s what Germans are doing (and what you can do) to help the refugees fleeing into Europe
Germany has been the moral leader of the refugee crisis. With open arms and compassion, citizens have held welcome rallies, prepared food and opened up their homes to asylum seekers and migrants. One group of German volunteers set up an “Airbnb for refugees” to give them a chance to move out of Read More...
Compassion for refugees isn't enough
Bravo to Pope Francis, Angela Merkel and so many ordinary Germans and Austrians who have welcomed refugees into their lands. Kudos to those American politicians acknowledging that we should accept more Syrian refugees - the U.S. has admitted only 1,500 since the war started four years ago, which is Read More...
Western bombs won’t defeat Isis. Only a wider peace deal can draw its poison
There is no disaster in the Arab and Muslim world, it seems, for which the west’s answer is not to drop bombs on it. As the refugee crisis in Europe has driven home the horror of Syria’s civil war, that has been exactly the response of the leaders of Britain and France. David Cameron Read More...
Radical ideas to tackle income inequality
Income inequality is one of the most urgent issues of our time. Pope Francis has called it "the root of all social evil." President Obama called it the "defining challenge of our time." As the top 1% continues to get richer and wages for lower classes remain stagnant, it's time to ask, What can be Read More...
Germany's intrepid refugee helpers
It all began when she was on a trip to northern France and stopped at "The Jungle" refugee camp in Calais and started up a conversation with a man who had fled from Eritrea. "I realised I am here by car and I have the possibility to take someone along - and he doesn't have any other options," the Read More...
University for refugees launches crowdfunding campaign
Kiron University looking to raise money to offer free education to refugees An online university for refugees has launched a crowdfunding campaign to provide free higher education for individuals who have suffered persecution in their home countries. Kiron University, a social enterprise company Read More...
These Belgian streets became car-free zones this summer, and people loved it
The city of Ghent in Belgium became one big urban laboratory this summer when 16 streets closed down for car traffic. The city residents from these streets were free to decide what they wanted to do with the newly freed up space. Their streets turned into parks, with plenty of playground for Read More...
10,000 refugees reach Munich and are greeted with food and water
Sophie Hardach reports from Germany's 'turnstile city' on the tumultuous welcome Some recounted their horrors. Others silently clutched their children, deaf to the cheers and applause from German bystanders. The youngest of the refugees to arrive in Munich was a baby girl – part of her Read More...