Hillary R. Clinton, the new U.S. Secretary of State, met with fourteen distinguished Afghan women judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. They are here to participate in a training program arranged by the Department’s Public-Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan.

Clinton had this to say:

“Your American friends greatly admire your bravery and courage. It is your work in the tough environment of Afghanistan for women lawyers that will bring real reform and the rule of law to the Afghan people. As President Obama made clear yesterday in his first foreign policy announcement, we are committed to supporting your efforts to bring security and stability to your country.”

Watching the tides turn is a beautiful thing. Let’s all celebrate these brave, smart women.

The Premises Studios in East London, opened over 21 years ago, is one of the most popular music studios with state-of-the-art equipment that offer musicians and up-and-coming bands affordable space to rehearse and record. Many big names have passed through these old doors, including Nina Simone and Lily Allen.

But more than just a place to jam, the studios offer charity in the form of a various educational programs, running various courses and workshops for musicians of varying abilities. The idea here? To make music and musical training affordable and easy for would-be musicians in need.
The programs also offer specific training in the use of sound equipment.

Fully solar powered studio at Premises (above)

As if that weren’t enough, they’re a “green” studio, professionally solar-powered, producing energy from photovolataic panels on the roof. In addition, they refurbished the building using reclaimed and recycled materials.

One building - long-standing, creatively productive, community-based and green. If all of our buildings could sing the same song!

Contact: The Premises Studios,
201-209 Hackney Road, London, E2 8JL
Tel: +44 (0)20 7729 7593
Website: www.premisesstudios.com

An often overlooked aspect of homelessness is the wear and tear it does on one’s feet. Not only do homeless people walk more than others, they often have shoes that are ill-equipped to support their feet properly and protect them.

In Nashville, every Thursday morning from 8 to 11 a.m. homeless people enter the Campus for Human Development to have their feet tended to.

“For those who are homeless to be touched in a non-violent way and to be treated with dignity and respect and to be able to sit down and relax for a moment I think is huge,” said Rachel Hester, executive director of the Campus.

“We are not just another social service agency. We are a religious not-for-profit and everything that we do, no matter what we do, begins with our spirituality.”

The homeless visitors have their feet washed and massaged, their toe nails are cut, and pumice stones used to get off any dead skin. They are also examined for any medical foot problems. They are given medication for athlete’s foot if present and are given two pairs of clean white socks.

What a gentle and caring act for people in need, giving them a sense of respect and dignity. What can you do today that honors in another in a small but profound way? How can you be of humble service?

It’s the dead of winter - often a tough time for people susceptible to Seasonal Affective Disorder. While many of us may not suffer from a serious case of SAD, we often have our own version of feeling down or heavy or contemplative during this time. So how can you bring some positive news into your life quickly and easily? 

How about today we take some time with a few quotations. Bottom line: we’ve all been through similar experiences since the beginning of humankind but a few of us have encapsulated complicated feelings into just a few well-put words.

Here’s a few to get you through your day:

The way to gain a good reputation, is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear.  

- Socrates

Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.

- Doug Firebaugh

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.    

 - Eleanor Roosevelt

 Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.

- Aldous Huxley

There is more to life than increasing its speed.

- Mahatma Ghandi

The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed.

- Carl Gustav Jung

I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.? Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see.? Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!

-Dr. Seuss  

Juan Mann has a very touching story to tell…literally. The man offers free hugs to the world at large by holding up a sign that says (quite appropriately) “Free Hugs.” Based in Sydney, Australia, this one-man lovefest is literally sweeping the world after a touching YouTube video quickly reached millions.

Interestingly, Sydney officials attempted to stop his hugging habit but to no avail. A petition was signed by over 10,000 people and Juan Mann (”One Man”) was up and hugging again in no time flat.

No one can stop the power of human touch.

Who can you touch today?

How can you break down your predictable physical barriers?

Take a look at this very moving video to see just how powerful touch can be:

Free Hugs Sweeping the Universe

- by Beth Mann

So it’s January 23, 2009 today. 23 days into the New Year.

A new president has taken office in the United States and for that, we are very excited. The world is very excited because the U.S. can be a really big showoff sometimes and it’s nice to feel that there’s a chance for it to play nice in the world scheme of things.

But what is your step toward positivity this new year? It doesn’t have to be a New Year’s resolution (which seems destined to fail!) But what is your step? What can you this very day to add some light to your life.

Life is suffering. That’s what the Buddhists say. But if you don’t move toward the light in some small way, you can get pulled down.

Ways to move toward the light?

Literally…move toward the light.

Look up at the sky today. Just that act alone will broaden your horizon. No heavy commitment to quit smoking or eat less fatty foods. Look up at the sky and feel your consciousness expand.

That’s it.

That’s your step toward positivity today.

Our time on this planet is limited. Who knows what this day will bring? Who knows how much time we have left?

And that’s not being fatalistic. This is a positive news blog after all!

It’s about deeply appreciating all that is given to you in a given day, no matter how small. It’s about believing that you are meant to be here, every day, regardless of the tribulations.

Did you know there are ways to ensure you spend a little more time on this planet? That’s right. In a book called The Blue Zones, author Dan Buettner details the factors that go into making your life a little longer. It’s not just genetics.

Location, just like real estate, is everything. The book is titled based on areas of the world explored by Buettner where people live longer, more healthful lives. These places include: the Barbarigia region of Sardinia, off the coast of Italy; a Seventh-Day Adventist group in Southern California; Okinawa, Japan; and Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula.

In addition to location, Buettner explains the other important aspects that will increase your likelihood of becoming very, very gray such as close ties to family, healthy eating habits and a sense of purpose in life.

The great part is that you don’t need to move to one of these isolated regions to increase your own longevity (though some of these regions are fantastic!) All you’ve got to do is pick a few items from the list and fit them into your lifestyle.

What gets you through the day, when all is going wrong? What’s on your list? Perhaps its a spiritual belief or a good laugh? Maybe its as simple as getting lost in a good book (never underestimate the redemptive qualities of a good book!) Whatever it is, see your life as an arc, as part of a greater whole, instead of a singular day.

“We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where the son of an African immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.”

Rick Warren, Inaugural Prayer

“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.”

President Barack Obama

“For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus–and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.”

President Barack Obama

“What if the mightiest word is love, love beyond marital, filial, national. Love that casts a widening pool of light. Love with no need to preempt grievance. In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun. On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp–praise song for walking forward in that light.”

Elizabeth Alexander, Inaugural Poem

At 79, Randall Wilt has seen his share of living. He grew up in rural Maryland, fixing tractors by the early age of 10. He walked a mile to school every day. As he grew older, he learned to build a boat, repair just about any car and even get his pilot’s license, although being blind in one eye. He’s seen a lot of living but he never got his highschool diploma…until recently.

Wilt received his General Educational Development (GED) last month after 10 attempts and almost five years of meeting with tutors weekly. During that time, he also experienced his second heart attack (his first in 1999.) Regardless, he persevered and this semester, he’ll sit in a college classroom for the first time, with students a quarter of his age.

When he heard the news, “His face got all red, and he started to cry,” said Wilt’s wife, Roberta.

That’s right. Your bone marrow is a life saver and it doesn’t take much to sign up and save a life.

“It was one of the most emotional moments of my life,” says Steve Karas. “Short of fathering my own three sons, clearly this is the greatest thing I’ve ever been able to do.”

Karas, 51, was a perfect match for Matthew Welling who was suffering from a rare bone disease. Karas had signed up for the National Marrow Donor Program registry 17 years prior and was shocked when he received the call

“My heart went a hundred miles an hour, and I couldn’t even conceive of what this meant,” Karas recalled. “It was a little 1-year-old boy with this horrible disease called osteopetrosis, and the only cure was a bone marrow transplant, and would I be willing?

11 million Americans have volunteered to be marrow donors. Every day in the United States, an estimated 6,000 people need a transplant. Joining the registry involves completing a donation kit (available at marrow.org). Cotton swabs are swiped on the inside of the cheeks to determine the tissue type.

Karas reports that the actual marrow harvest process is relatively simple, with little pain. He ended up donating through a nonsurgical outpatient procedure

“I felt like I had the flu, and those symptoms lasted three or four days,” he said.

Source: CNN