A newly discovered water source in Namibia could have a major impact on development in the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa.
Estimates suggest the aquifer could supply the north of the country for 400 years at current rates of consumption.
Vast Aquifer Found in Namibia Could Last for Centuries
Family Gets Furniture in Act of Kindness From a Stranger
Kennedy Kibe lost $1,000 when the RoomStore filed for bankruptcy, but a woman who learned of his story in the news wanted to make it right.
Sue Hill contacted friends at Rolesville Furniture and paid $1,000 toward furniture for the North Carolina man and his family.
“He was an honest, hard-working person, and I just thought if I can help, I should help,” she said.
(WATCH the video or READ the story from WRAL Raleigh-Durham)
Thanks to Jess Ica for sending the link!
Family Gets Furniture in Act of Kindness From a Stranger
Kennedy Kibe lost $1,000 when the RoomStore filed for bankruptcy, but a woman who learned of his story in the news wanted to make it right.
Sue Hill contacted friends at Rolesville Furniture and paid $1,000 toward furniture for the North Carolina man and his family.
“He was an honest, hard-working person, and I just thought if I can help, I should help,” she said.
Photographers Create Beautiful Portraits for 20,000 Children With Cancer
A national non-profit group, Flashes of Hope, photographs children who are facing serious health issues, in an effort to change how they view themselves. To date, more than 22,000 children have posed for portraits by skilled artists who know how to capture the spark within each child.
The portraits, taken by award-winning photographers who volunteer their time along with make-up and hair stylists, preserve forever the beauty, grace and dignity of the children and their families.
Allison Clark founded Flashes of Hope a decade ago, after her son, Quinn, was diagnosed with cancer.
(WATCH the videos below, or read a story w/ photos on CorporatePhotoJournalist.com)
Photographers Create Beautiful Portraits for 20,000 Children With Cancer
A national non-profit group, Flashes of Hope, photographs children who are facing serious health issues, in an effort to change how they view themselves. To date, more than 22,000 children have posed for portraits by skilled artists who know how to capture the spark within each child.
The portraits, taken by award-winning photographers who volunteer their time along with make-up and hair stylists, preserve forever the beauty, grace and dignity of the children and their families.
After 50 Years, Mom and Daughter Finally, Joyfully Meet
After years of fruitless searching, Facebook — along with a maiden name — delivered the keys to a long-awaited meeting Tuesday at a restaurant in Florida.
When Stephanie Phillips and her mother, Joan Wehrmeyer, first saw each other, the two hugged with tears in their eyes for a long time, not letting go.
Man With No Legs Climbs Mount Kilimanjaro for Charity
Thirty-one-year-old Spencer West recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. That’s an accomplishment for anyone, but when you see Spencer West, you wonder how it could have been possible. This climber has no legs.
“My family and I were told by the doctors that I would never sit up by myself, that I would never walk by myself, and that I probably wouldn’t be a functioning member of society,” he said.
But that didn’t break his spirit nor his stride.
A few years ago, Spencer joined a charity called Free the Children helping American kids to build schools in Africa. He climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with two friends to raise money for the charity and to inspire others who are having tough times.
(WATCH the video below, or READ it at CBS News)
Thanks to Al Nodarse for the story suggestion!
Man With No Legs Climbs Mount Kilimanjaro for Charity
Thirty-one-year-old Spencer West recently climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. That’s an accomplishment for anyone, but when you see Spencer West, you wonder how it could have been possible. This climber has no legs.
“My family and I were told by the doctors that I would never sit up by myself, that I would never walk by myself, and that I probably wouldn’t be a functioning member of society,” he said.
But that didn’t break his spirit nor his stride.
Good Deeds To Celebrate Mandela’s 94th Birthday
Children in South Africa began their school day Wednesday by singing Happy Birthday to the country’s most famous statesman while across the world people are doing good deeds to honor Nelson Mandela’s 94th year.
During the following five days, the housing charity Habitat for Humanity will work with volunteers to build 67 houses across South Africa, in honor of Mandela’s 67 years of political service.
Free Online Courses From Stanford, Princeton, Duke, Transform Learning Worldwide
A new online education platform founded by Stanford Computer Science Professors is on a mission to change the world by educating millions of people with free classes from top universities and professors.
Coursera offers non-credit classes in categories across the Math, Science, Business and Humanities fields featuring videos, quizzes and electronic assignments created by 16 top universities from the US, Europe, and Canada. Already, a million students from 190 countries have enrolled in the Internet courses that launched last September from four universities — Stanford, Michigan, Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania.
Free Online Courses From Stanford, Princeton, Duke, Improve Learning Worldwide
A new online education platform founded by Stanford Computer Science Professors is on a mission to change the world by educating millions of people with free classes from top universities and professors.
Coursera offers non-credit classes in categories across the Math, Science, Business and Humanities fields featuring videos, quizzes and electronic assignments created by 16 top universities from the US, Europe, and Canada. Already, a million students from 190 countries have enrolled in the Internet courses that launched last September from four universities — Stanford, Michigan, Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania.
UK Unemployment Unexpectedly Drops to 8.1 Percent
Unemployment in the United Kingdom fell to 8.1 per cent in the March-May quarter, down from 8.3 per cent in the previous three months.
The number of people with jobs increased by 181,000, the biggest quarterly gain in two years.
‘7 Habits’ Author Stephen Covey was a Global Inspiration in Life and Business (1932-2012)
Recognized as one of Time magazine’s 25 most influential Americans, Stephen R. Covey dedicated his life to simple leadership principles that can help any person truly control their destiny and effectiveness. Since its publication in 1989, his landmark book, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Covey, 79, died Monday from complications resulting from a cycling accident. He is being remembered as a business professor, management consultant, speaker and motivator, but also as an all around “lovely guy” and great family man, a grandfather to more than 50. Stephen truly believed that the greatest work we do is within the four walls of our own homes and was a model of a loving and committed husband and father to the end.
His teachings will live on even in those who never met him, the Covey principles having been installed like software in our brains, easily opening up their wisdom to us whenever we are wondering how to better improve our performance — in business or in our personal relationships. (Just the other day his words came back to me while I was looking at email in the morning, rather than working on what was most important: His admonition to “Put first things first”, chided me.)
Dr. Covey made a decision early in his life that his greatest contribution and life’s work would be as a teacher. Beginning with his role as a university professor at Brigham Young University, he has impacted the lives of countless millions worldwide. In 1984, Dr. Covey made the decision to leave full-time teaching as a university professor to establish a business organization, Covey Leadership Center, that could take principle-centered leadership throughout the world, with Covey himself focused on writing and speaking. From grade school and university students, to Fortune 100 CEOs and numerous heads of state, he made teaching principle-centered leadership his life’s work.
Covey’s series of 7 Habits
The First Three Habits surround moving from dependence to independence (i.e., self mastery):
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Take initiative in life by realizing that your decisions (and how they align with life’s principles) are the primary determining factor for effectiveness in your life. Take responsibility for your choices and the consequences that follow.
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Self-discover and clarify your deeply important character values and life goals. Envision the ideal characteristics for each of your various roles and relationships in life. Create a mission statement.
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Prioritize, plan, and execute your week’s tasks based on importance rather than urgency. Evaluate whether your efforts exemplify your desired character values, propel you toward goals, and enrich the roles and relationships that were elaborated in Habit 2.
Interdependence
The next three have to do with Interdependence (i.e., working with others):
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Genuinely strive for mutually beneficial solutions or agreements in your relationships. Value and respect people by understanding a “win” for all is ultimately a better long-term resolution than if only one person in the situation had gotten his way.
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Use empathic listening to be genuinely influenced by a person, which compels them to reciprocate the listening and take an open mind to being influenced by you. This creates an atmosphere of caring, respect, and positive problem solving.
Habit 6: Synergize
Combine the strengths of people through positive teamwork, so as to achieve goals no one person could have done alone. Get the best performance out of a group of people through encouraging meaningful contribution, and modeling inspirational and supportive leadership.
Self Renewal
The Last habit relates to self-rejuvenation:
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Balance and renew your resources, energy, and health to create a sustainable, long-term, effective lifestyle. It primarily emphasizes on exercise for physical renewal, prayer (meditation, yoga, etc.) and good reading for mental renewal. It also mentions service to the society for spiritual renewal.
Covey’s 2004 book “The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness
Photo credit: Stephen Covey 2010 – Hekerui-CC
World War II Veteran Marks 90th Birthday with Skydiving Jump
A World War II hero from Maine gave himself a 90th birthday present — his first skydiving jump from an airplane.
Lester Slate, of Exeter, said he wasn’t nervous strapping on the parachute, although he’d never jumped with one even during his more than 40 years flying for the Navy and the Coast Guard.
As he gracefully floated to the ground strapped in tandem with an instructor, another skydiver trailed a big American flag in the air behind them as family and friends watched on the ground.
(READ the story w/ photos in the Bangor Daily News)
Thanks to Chris Cloud for sending the link!
Bus Driver Saves 7-Year-old as she Plummets from 3rd Story Window (Video)
A Brooklyn girl with autism is safe thanks to a fast-acting neighbor who came to her rescue.
The 7-year-old crawled out of her window and was dancing and singing on top of an air conditioner before she tripped and fell from the ledge.
MTA bus driver Steve St Bernard, 52, was waiting below with his arms outstretched and managed to catch the girl, preventing disaster.
“I just prayed that I’d catch her,’ said St Bernard to the New York Daily News. I was right underneath her.”
(READ the story w/ photos in the Daily Mail)
Help Cancer Patients Laugh: Good News Network Author Enters Hospice
I’m reprising the 2011 article below because its author, Lori Hope is in hospice today. She wrote a book, 20 Things People with Cancer Want You to Know. One of the key reminders is: They want to laugh. Let’s send an avalanche of laughter to ease her pain and thank her for the articles and support on the Good News Network. Please send your funniest jokes and cartoons — post them today on her Facebook page, or at her blog, Lorihope.com. We love you Ms. Hope.
____________________________
It’s not just an “old adage” that tells us laughter is the best medicine these days. Scientists, doctors, mental health professionals, and patients themselves call humor a remedy for any ailment — at least temporarily.
Several studies show that humor builds hope, and hope is particularly crucial to people with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Author and journalist, Lori Hope, drew from a very personal challenge — her own cancer diagnosis — to create a practical guide for people who want to comfort and support a friend with cancer, but don’t know what to say.
Best Prank Ever: Aussie Gent Wears Wig of Own Hair
Two and a half million people around the world have been laughing at an Australia man’s prank to trick his friends and family using a wig of his own hair.
The idea:
Step 1: Cut off my long hair of three years
Step 2: Hot glue it into a wig
Step 3: Wear that wig, my friends thinking it’s my hair
Step 4: Pull it off suddenly and presto, friends freakout!
Watch the hair-larity ensue, reposted on YouTube after Jozaeh got permission to use the music.
Teresa Project Update: 375 Birthday Cards Deliver Well-wishes to Homebound Sister
We received an update on the “Teresa Project” birthday card campaign. As of today, Teresa, whose brother sought to flood her mailbox with birthday cards this year, has received 375 cards and letters, along with gifts from all across Florida and Tennessee and two dozen other states, as well as Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, Germany and The Netherlands.
Aaron’s Dying Wish: Family Leaves $500 Tip for a Pizza
A dying man’s last wish was to impact a stranger, to make their day with a lasting gift.
While alive, 30-year-old Aaron Collins, a computer technician, didn’t have the means to make it happen. After his death on July 7, Aaron’s family set about to fulfill his wish, ordering a pizza and leaving the waitress a $500 tip.
Charlie Sheen Gives $1 Million to the U.S.O. to Support Military Families
Actor Charlie Sheen will donate at least $1 million of profits from his show, “Anger Management”, to help the nation’s injured troops.
The “Platoon” star announced Monday that he’ll donate 1 percent of the profits from the show, with no cap on the final amount, to the United Service Organizations. Popularly known as the USO, the group called the gift one of the largest donations ever from a private individual.