This week in Awesome Stories we find courage, dedication, connection and mushrooms.

Winter Arrives Early!

We don’t get much snow in Northwest Arkansas, so the 6″-8″ dusting we received was a pleasant surprise. Yesterday I was out walking, playing and photographing. Here’s my humble abode covered in a blanket of snow. Happy Winter!

Cynthia

I’m amazed at the courage of people like Cynthia. Her story blew me away.

Serious Green

I admire how serious the citizens of Freiburg are about living green. The residents and mayor, Dr Dieter Salomon, have been called crazy for how dedicated they are to green living. Dating back to the 70’s, the citizens of Freiburg have stood up for sustainable living, by rejecting not only carbon, but nuclear in favor of other renewables like solar and wind energy. These days, they have green politics, car free neighborhoods, passive homes, innovative industry and ambitious plans to be 100% renewable.

Are You Wise?

Here are some great tips on how to act with wisdom. The biggest takeaway for me was having an integrated approach, balancing the needs of others with self and trying to understand others. Read this article for more ideas on how to think like a wise person. 

Stand Alone Solar

This is the first stand alone, mobile and sustainable solar charging station. Built by Envision Solar and installed at San Diego International Airport, it is autonomous,  renewable, mobile,  easy-to-install, stand alone solar charging station that requires no foundation, no trenching, no building permit and no electric grid connection. Nice!

Connecting Hearts

Photographer Richard seems to have a gift for showing us the potential heart connections we could have with almost anyone. I believe he’s creating heart entrainment, at least for the folks who surrender to his process. Interestingly, most participants express a good feeling and increased caring for the other person after simply posing in Richard’s photo shoot. Watch the magic.

Mushroom Magic

The Cradle to Cradle Innovation Challenge 2013 has highlighted some amazing new products and processes. These leading edge innovators are finding creative ways to use mushrooms, bacteria, natural materials and waste for safe, sustainable building products and packaging. BioMason is GROWING bricks made from sand and bacteria, while Ecovative is GROWING packaging, made from feedstock and mushrooms, that can be safely recycled in your compost pile! These innovations sound like game changers to me. I hope they get to market soon.

Comic Kids

I’ve never been a parent, so I’m one of the clueless ones. I had a blast watching Michael McIntyre performs a great comedy routine about the challenges and humor in parenting. Many of us really don’t know!

New Goals

Changing the world story from “more” as the basis for all the rules and processes to “better”. This helpful article explores why and how we can starting changing the story and creating better solutions that benefit people and the planet. Ideas like sharing, cooperatives, new rules, game and goals,  and transformational processes like the Cradle to Cradle innovations. Their GOAL is Good for all, Opens to truth, Accounts for all costs, and Lessens wealth gap. Let’s put our time, energy and creativity into creating better solutions for all.

Appreciating Autism

The story of Jodi DiPiazza strikes a cord in me and had me in tears. I wonder how many of us, not even with special needs, don’t get the resources we need to fully grow and blossom? Maybe one day, we will learn to look for the good in all people, watering them with love, feeding them with appreciation and growing them with proper tools. See if this video about Jodi and autism touches you.

What stirs your soul? Do more of it!