This week Awesome Stories brings you special connections with nature, compassion, teaching relationships, simple solar and love in action.

Special Relationships

This story about Steve Karlin and a bear named Susie really captivated my attention. In fact, I would love to go visit this unique sanctuary for animals, called Wildlife Associates, that Steve created over 30 years ago in the San Francisco area. To me, his approach with the animals is profound. They offer programs to over 300,000 children each year, often helping at-risk kids find a new way to connect with nature. I hope this amazing story of Steve’s relationship with Susie Bear touches you as much as it did me. Do you think we can learn from animals and nature in general?

Image of Susie Bear from Wildlife Associates.

Haiti Heals with New Hospital

Haiti now has one of the largest solar powered hospitals in the world. Their new Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais has exceeded all expectations for energy production, modern facilities and equipment. Since opening in March of 2013, it has produced enough energy from it’s solar panels to cover all the hospital’s energy needs and even have excess to sell back to the grid! The hospital is both a medical teaching hospital and model to other countries who might want to provide decentralized services off the grid. The $2.2 million solar system will pay for itself in about 6 years. Fantastic!

Cultivating Compassion

Boy, do I need this lesson! I’m wanting to make better decisions for 2014. First I need to develop more compassion for myself and all the mistakes that I’ve made. Then I’m intending to develop better decision making skills that are based in love, peace and clear vision. I have a tendency to make rash impulsive decisions or long drawn out decisions. This article explains the science and mindful practices that help cultivate compassion. Who’s going to join me in cultivating compassion for 2014?

Teaching Relationships

This is a very inspiring TED talk about the power of relationship to touch and help kids learn. Watch and learn!

Simple Solar

This is the simplest and clever uses of solar energy that I’ve ever seen. Aaron Brown, a professor at  Metropolitan State University of Denver has created a very simple way to use solar energy to heat homes. He is helping local residents in Denver add solar furnaces to their homes that cost about $30. They are made of aluminum cans, glued together, put in a frame and covered with plastic. Amazingly they can save their $30 cost each month for a season of heating. Better ones can be built for about $100 that last 3 to 4 years. Aaron and Revision International are planning to train residents to make their own. Wonderful!

Transformative Organizing

There is a growing movement to transform the way domestic workers are treated; helping them earn the wages, respect and dignity that they deserve. This is a nice article about Elizabeth Flores and her labor of love. By joining together, they have helped transform the culture for how domestic workers are treated. They work to shift the structures of society, directly address exploitation and abuse, all without demonizing those who are responsible. This approach creates a more positive atmosphere for change.  The great news is that Jerry Brown, governor of California, recently signed a new bill called California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. 

Love in Action

This is an awesome story about a group of kids who rallied around Danny to stop the teasing he was receiving. A wonderful testament to the power of kindness and love. Watch and weep!

What’s inspiring you lately? What kind of stories do you most enjoy? I’d love to hear your feedback. Thanks!