If you subscribe to the concept of love languages, you’re familiar with “words of affirmation” being a manner in which some people prefer to give and receive love. But in actuality, everyone needs words of affirmation within their relationships, whether they’re romantic, platonic, familial, or collegial.
When Trevor Martin was growing up in Kentucky, he couldn’t participate in the same sort of rough-and-tumble activities that other kids could. Martin was born with bleeding disorder hemophilia A, meaning a small cut could turn into a big problem. So instead of taking up football, which was prominent in his small town, he began […]
At first glance, Zachary’s Playground in Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, looks like a typical (albeit very inviting) playground. There are bright colors, big slides, swing sets, and little nooks fit for games of hide-and-seek. But something special sets this one apart: It’s fully inclusive for children of all abilities. “Play is a universal language and […]
A parent’s love is in a class of its own — strong, unconditional, and the subject of countless books, poems, and films. Unfortunately, many people within the LGBTQ+ community struggle to find acceptance from their parents or immediate family members, which is exactly where Free Mom Hugs comes in. “It’s not Free Mom Hugs’ intention […]
It’s part of the natural order of things that when a tire needs changing or a leaky faucet needs fixing, the first person many of us turn to for instructions is our dad. Bo Petterson is used to fielding those requests from his six children — and his millions of social media followers as well. The […]
The new school year has begun for many — and thanks to actor and singer Selena Gomez’s charity, the Rare Impact Fund, and Google’s philanthropic arm, more classrooms will be equipped to kick things off on a grounded, mindful note. This week, Google.org and Gomez announced a $10 million Teen Mental Health Initiative to directly […]
As thousands of U.S. churches have shuttered in recent years, some houses of worship are embracing a growing trend that reflects their faith-based values: repurposing or selling their land to be used for affordable housing. From coast to coast, churches with declining membership have partnered with developers to transform their unused spaces, urban planning expert […]
In the opening pages of Demi-Leigh Tebow’s new memoir, A Crown That Lasts, the 29-year-old shares an endearing and relatable anecdote. It was 2018 and she was in the airport with her now-husband, former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, when an overstuffed suitcase the two were traveling with burst open, spilling her belongings all over the […]
Certain people just seem to embody wisdom: grandparents and teachers, the changemakers we admire from afar, the intellectuals whose ideas have influenced our own. However, given that cultures vary widely throughout the globe, it would make sense that the criteria for being deemed “wise” would as well. To test that hypothesis, researchers from the University […]
The wellness industry is replete with experts who counsel by giving directives: Do this, eat that, and so on and so forth. Author Case Kenny takes a different approach to the idea of self-help. The mindfulness proponent and host of the podcast New Mindset, Who Dis? leads by example, leaning into the self aspect by […]
It’s Spina Bifida Awareness Month, the perfect time to spotlight two young athletes who haven’t let their diagnoses hold them back: Meet Liam, 12, and Mohammad, 14. Born in Syria, Mohammad immigrated to the United States with his family and began receiving treatment at Shriners Children’s Northern California. The Sacramento resident developed a passion for […]
Across the United States, people are struggling to find homes they can afford. Also throughout the country, an abundance of retail space is sitting empty. A rising real estate trend could make a dent in both problems: turning abandoned malls and shopping centers into affordable housing. Though plenty of malls still see action (anyone else […]