Welcome to the ezine produced by SGI Buddhists that prompts the positive, kindles the constructive, highlights the hopeful and leaves you feeling - well, up!
Published on Thursday, 25 December 2008 19:00 | 
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Chris Burkes' parents were told their Downs Syndrome son was a lost cause. They were advised to put him in an
institution and forget about him. Instead they took him home to cherish and educate.
He grew up to be a successful actor and singer. 'Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal', he says. 'Always say to yourself, "Yes I can." Believe in yourself, work hard, never give up!'
by Vida Adamoli
Published on Wednesday, 17 December 2008 19:00 | | |
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As a recovering addict and depressive, I often over-complicate and over-analyse the root cause of my problems. I now believe the root of all my problems is this elusive thing called self-esteem, says Clea Myers
Certainly
I have more now than I ever did, although I question what 'it' is. My
literary agent actually felt my soon-to-be published Memoir, Tweaking the Dream: A Crystal Meth True Story was more about the battle for self-esteem, than a battle to quit drugs.
So for anyone who finds the Christmas holidays difficult and has first-hand experiences of a toxic family environment - presently or echoes from the past - there's always the potential for change and hope, even when you feel alone and isolated.
Published on Tuesday, 23 December 2008 19:00 | | |
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Bit by bit, around the world, the tide of peace is rising. It's bubbling up into popular culture everywhere. Here are three links for the holiday season. Enjoy - and Happy Winterval!
Published on Tuesday, 23 December 2008 19:00 | | |
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Here is part two. Please see part one for more information and useful links.
Published on Sunday, 21 December 2008 19:00 | |
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1. What is Santa's favourite pizza?
Answer: One that's deep pan, crisp and even.
2. On which side do chickens have the most feathers?
The outside.
3. What kind of paper likes music?
Wrapping paper.
4. What's white and goes up?
A confused snowflake.
5. What do you call a woman who stands between two goal posts?
Annette.
Published on Saturday, 20 December 2008 11:14 | | |
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Three cheers for the Archbishop of Canterbury! How refreshing to have a public figure who speaks from the heart and is mercifully unswayed by the need to be popular or win votes, writes Julia Stephenson.
In response to the government's risky plan to borrow hundreds of billions of pounds in order to fund a "fiscal stimulus" package of tax cuts including a reduction in VAT meant to encourage people to spend more, the Archbishop told Radio 4's Today programme he was concerned the right lessons had not been learned from the bursting of Britain's credit bubble.
He said: "I worry about that because it seems a little bit like the addict returning to the drug."
Published on Friday, 19 December 2008 19:00 | |
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Diane Southam finds Santa in Turkey.
It was the middle of August. Exhausted, we’d been driving for hours in sweltering heat along the Turquoise coast in Turkey, trying to find an inn for the night that hadn’t been requisitioned by package holiday companies.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, wherever we looked, from telegraph poles to billboards, there were posters of a grinning Father Christmas in traditional Santa garb. Seeing Santa in the summer in a Muslim country was confusing to say the least.