SplitShire_IMG_7374We have words and actions this week, with posts and videos waiting for you.

Word up:

Who would like to visit the Empathy Museum?  Its founder suggests that we should move into the age of empathy, by living more according to the idea “You are, therefore I am”, and explores the power of empathetic thoughts.

Would you self-diagnose with the disease of being busy?  Is “Busy” part of your answer to “How are you?” What if, instead of “How are you?” you were asked “How is your heart doing at this very moment, at this breath?” Would that change your reply?

When you think of “flour sack dresses” from American history, what do you imagine the patterns on them to be? Check out these photos from 1939 to see a range of patterns and flour industry workers.

Why education is never wasted, no matter what job you find yourself doing.

When compassion is more than denying – or giving – someone your leftover food.

How the Rosa Parks story is different to how it is normally shown.

What you’ve got on your shelves (in particular printed material) has wider influence than you think – so what does that mean with more e-storage and devices “hiding” what we’ve got?

Why teaching yourself another language is like going on an adventure.

When you learn time doesn’t actually heal all wounds, this list of suggestions could help in becoming less broken.

Press play:

A lonely Christmas dinner unexpectedly changes one year.

“Infant Holy, Infant Lowly” sung by the MoTab with the music video set in a men’s prison

Cyber-seniors and their teen teachers (and a youtube competition between them) – scroll down for the clip.

At the other end of the technology spectrum, some teens try to work out how to use a Walkman.

People’s incredible reactions to being told they’re beautiful.

The Nativity story told and re-enacted by kids in their own words (the New Zealand accent just makes it cuter!)

First Draft Poetry this week is by Kel, in response to the “Our (Bare) Shelves” article.

I don’t care what car he drives
or which way he reads the newspaper
if he voted for the party I don’t like
not even if he likes fish exactly how much I hate it.
The list of qualities I look for is no index
no table of contents
not readable from my past reviews
or knowable from my TBR pile
but a work in progress with key points and
character strengths sometimes flaws.
I want to see his bookshelves
Have a date in a bookshop
Borrow his favourite novel
And argue discuss laugh linger
Over our smudged and scruffy pages.
I think, of all my ideal men
– Imagined and as yet unmet –
If he brought me a bookcase
Said “let’s fill it together”
Then that might would be
Love
Ever after.


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