Awesome Stories 225

/ June 6, 2015

This week Awesome Stories brings you food sharing, mindful technology, graceful aging, innovation, and thriving at work.

Food Revolutionfood waste, food revolution

Adam Smith wants to change the world by changing how we use our food. As a chef, he saw the enormous amount of food that is wasted and thrown away. Adam had the inspiration to use the waste food to provide fresh meals at a cafe. Most food that is thrown away is perfectly edible, just not sellable due to expiration date laws. His idea has become a food revolution called The Real Junk Food Project (TRJFP.) His first TRJFP cafe has grown into a network of 40 cafes that have served over 20,000 meals. The best part is the customers pay whatever they can afford. They can pay with time, money, or trade. Everyone contributes something, valuing both people and the process of giving.

Unplugging from Technology

This article has some great tips for helping kids to unplug from technology. The key is being mindful of how and when we use technology, without letting it consume our lives. Another article explores some of the risks to exposing kids to electronic devices. Overall, I’d say it’s good to use technology carefully and consciously for both kids and adults. The truth is we all need to unplug, slow down, reflect on, and savor our lives. I’m taking a break to go outside.  🙂

Graceful Aging

This is a fun short video about Evelyn who lost her drivers license (at age 97!) and then got it back. Her reasons for doing so are touching. I hope I’m still getting around and helping others at 98! I believe her focus on helping others is part of what keeps her healthy and active. Way to go Evelyn.

Thriving at Work

This is a inspiring article about what it takes to create a great place to work. The ideas are based on Ron Friedman’s book called “The Best Place to Work.” The three pillars of creating a workspace where people can thrive are autonomy, competence, and connection. One surprising suggestion is to encourage failure! By encouraging failure, employees (and regular folks) learn that it is OK to fail, and part of a bigger process that leads to success. I would love to work at a company that values its people in these ways. How about you? Are you fortunate to work for a company that helps its employees thrive?

Innovation 

This is a great story about Marlon Parker. His organization, RLabs, helps transform troubled youths into changemakers and innovators to address the needs of their communities. I love how Marlon encourages, teaches, and motivates youth to be their best. What started as a single location to help his community has grown into an inspired movement in 21 countries. RLabs offers free training with a pay it forward model where graduates give back by teaching at the centers. The labs also generate revenues through products and programs developed by the students. Marlon has been acknowledged for his innovation as an Ashoka Fellow, Young African Leader, and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader.

What creative ideas do you have?

Besides bringing you joy, your ideas may help the world. 🙂  Please find and share your passions!

 

 

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24 thoughts on “Awesome Stories 225”

  1. Being the best I can be and heck, I am not even 98 yet… ROCK these stories Brad. Thank you for taking the time to remind us how beautiful life is.

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  4. A wonderful reminder that, no matter how small we believe our reach to be, every gesture has a significant impact in someone’s life. Admire and respect Marlon’s passionate ideas/brilliant programs, and Evelyn just makes me break into an enormous grin! Still a witty, spunky go-getter at 98?? What a tremendous inspiration!! Thank you for another invigorating week, Brad!

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  8. Innovation is a tricky thing. In some ways, it is an internal battle between your left brain and right brain. The right brain encourages the left that a great idea is waiting to be hatched. The left brain insists that it’s unrealistic, foolish, and a waste of time. It’s stories like these that give power back to the right brain to forge ahead in pursuit of the new and innovative – for ourselves and for the lives of those we touch. Well done, Brad, as always!

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  9. Great stories, as always! I appreciate the section on technology and danger of overuse. I’ve seen it with my own eyes working in a high school for the last year: kids are on their phones constantly, and not able to focus, not realizing that what seems to give them happiness and satisfaction from connecting to their friends and playing games is actually getting in the way of their long term success and joy. Thank you for sharing!

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    • Agree, technology and phones in particular is an interesting challenge. I was just talking with a teacher about this. They are now integrating the use of phones in the classroom learning process. It will be interesting to see how it works. Thanks again for contributing.

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  10. Brad, thanks again for a lovely compilation. I loved the video of Evelyn, but also know there are some seniors who cling to their licenses when it’s no longer appropriate… This can create some challenges for communities. I think the beauty in Evelyn is her self-awareness. She took the test. She is clear and present. She is aware of her capabilities and not clinging to what she no longer possesses. Would that we could all age so gracefully and fearlessly… I suspect caring for others has a big part to play in all this.

    Blessings
    Michael

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  11. Great insights into Evelyn and aging. I would agree that her caring for others plays into her health and well-being. May I be so alert and alive at 98! 🙂 Thanks for being part of our caring community.

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