Awesome Stories 248

/ November 14, 2015

This week Awesome Stories brings you fantastic fiddling, kangaroo kindness, ambulance drones, nature time and Housing First.

Fantastic Journey

I just discovered the fantastic music of Lindsey Stirling. Each video is a fantastical journey of sight and sound. She is so popular that the record companies are knocking on her doors, but I don’t think she’s interested. This talented and clever young artist has made over $6 Million by self-promoting her music. I find her music videos captivating. Enjoy!

Kangaroo Kingdomkangaroos, Awesome Stories

This article is about Roger, a powerful red kangaroo who lives at the Kangaroo Sanctuary at Alice Springs in Australia’s Northern Territory. But I find the story about Chris “Brolga” Barnes, the sanctuary manager, much more interesting. I was so captivated, I spent an hour watching the video from a BBC special on Chris and the sanctuary. He has dedicated his life to the kangaroos for the last 7 years, living in the Australian outback with nothing but kangaroos and nature for company. He plays surrogate mother to orphaned kangaroos, nurturing and feeding them until they are well enough to live independently and be released into the wild. Some remain at the sanctuary for the rest of their lives.

 

TU Delft Ambulance Drone

This is a very interesting idea from students at TU Delft. They want to use lightweight drones for emergency medical response in cities. They claim much faster response times and success rates.

Get Outside and Play!

Boy, do I need this reminder to get outside more. I agree with Dr. Sampson that we need to trade more screen time for nature time. Shockingly, he cites studies that show many children are only outside 7″ per day versus 7 hours on screens of various kinds! Dr. Sampson’s work is teaching parents and teachers how to foster more connections with nature for children. I feel so much better physically and emotionally when I routinely get outside in nature to walk, play, bike or simply relax. May we wake up to the beauty, wonder and connections in the natural world.

Housing First

I love that this movement is growing. Maybe it will become the norm across the country and world. The Housing First has turned the approach to homelessness on its head. Instead of requiring jobs, trainings and forms, they simply give homeless people a home. They consider housing a right, not a tool of creating change. I love author’s perspective that homelessness is more a crisis of empathy than economics. Currently, as a nation we spend (begrudgingly) many more millions on shelters, agencies and other support than it costs to simply give people homes. Utah is making headlines with how dramatically they have reduced homelessness while saving millions of dollars! Dignity and homes to all!

The spread of Housing First could usher in a new kind of compassionate governance in a new era of urban growth. ~ Susie Cagle

May your week be full of music, kindness, nature and shelter. Blessings, Brad

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19 thoughts on “Awesome Stories 248”

  1. 3 cheers! You are the 2nd person I have heard speak of and share they enthusiasm for Lindsey Stirling, I agree, her music is remarkable as is how she chooses to promote herself. LOVE the story set in Alice Springs, the one place in the world I find some intense fascination with. Of course, who doesn’t want to have a Roo as a friend… The ambulance drones are clever and practical, as is the housing first solution.And get outside and play.. what more can one say, that is a so logical and normal that it’s nearly a pity we have to consider that this is a NEW way of thinking, eh? Out of the ball park my friend, out of the park! home run

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  4. The violin really makes such sweet music and she is very talented with it. Loved the video and her speech at the end. She’s so cute and full of vitality and apparently so very talented. The other stories were great as well. You’ve hit another homerun my friend. Hugs, N 🙂 ❤

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  6. Wow Brad, thank you for bringing me Lindsey Stirling what a gem of an artist is she.. Beautiful music and video.. And yes the BBC series I watched about the Kangaroo.. great devotion to help bring up orphaned Kangaroos…
    Many thanks for you Awesomeness Brad.. I do not know how you managed it will all that is going on at the moment within your own world..
    Wishing you every success with your move.. and sending continued love and support your way xxx ❤ Sue

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