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 Wednesday, 05 January 2011 15:40 | | 
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If you ask me, you’re better off keeping it there, writes Julia Stephenson.
We recently came to the end of National Novel Writing Month. This event started in 1999 and has since grown into a worldwide movement. Wannabe writers were encouraged to write a 50,000-word novel by midnight, December 30. The website explains: 'They start the month as auto mechanics and English teachers. They walk away novelists.'
I hate to rain on this parade, but the last thing the world needs is more novelists.
Published on Wednesday, 22 December 2010 00:00 | | |
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Plus some ideas for easy (and green) last-minute presents
By Julia Stephenson
I live on the King’s Road in a flat high in the rooftops next to Peter Jones. My study overlooks the haberdashery department so every Christmas I have a bird’s eye view of the festive furore and tinsel tussling within.
Peering down into the congested streets below I wince at the scurrying female beasts of burden laden down beneath tons of Christmas shopping as they dodge livid 4 x 4 drivers, furious OAP’s driving tiny hatchbacks and angry white van men making Christmas deliveries.
I can’t help but notice that while most of the women in festive meltdown (and it is only women) look and sound just like me — even down to the precise shade of Harbour Club blonde — I am not of them at all.
Published on Sunday, 14 March 2010 06:00 | | |
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Many people think that to live a green life you must live in the country but these days the Good Life is coming to the city, writes Julia Stephenson
Published on Saturday, 17 October 2009 19:00 | | |
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I’ve been a practicing Buddhist for 18 years yet I’m always keen to visit a cathedral – as far as I’m concerned you can’t have too many bells, smells, soaring ceilings and heart-thumpingly good hymns.
And so to Southwark Cathedral with 1000 others, including my pal, eco-coach Donnachadh McCarthy (bravely overcoming his aversion to organised religion, although as I pointed out to him I’m not sure if a disorganised religion would be any better) to listen to the Archbishop of Canterbury discuss Operation Noah, the Church of England’s environmental campaign, writes Julia Stephenson.
Published on Saturday, 10 October 2009 19:00 | | |
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I usually buy olive oil from Greece or Italy but recently was intrigued when olive oil from Palestine appeared in my local deli, writes Julia Stephenson.
And it was delicious. But while I loved the taste I soon moved it to the back of my cupboard as using it carried depressing connotations of conflict and war, which is often all we hear of from that beautiful but beleaguered part of the world.
But I was wrong to do that. Buying produce from Palestinian farmers gives them income and hope. Local farmer Taysir Sadia Yaseen explains: 'It makes us happy to know British consumers are appreciating our oil.
'It allows us to present an alternative picture to the propaganda that portrays us as fanatics or hopeless victims who must rely on aid. It shows that we are a peaceful, productive people.'
Published on Saturday, 03 October 2009 19:00 | | |
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In November 2007, a landmark decision by the US Department of Health ruled that Hannah Poling from Georgia, now aged ten, had developed autism triggered by vaccinations. Hannah, a healthy baby, developed normally until 19 July 2000 when, aged 19 months, she was given nine vaccines in five injections.
Published on Saturday, 26 September 2009 19:00 | | |
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The humanitarian, actor and Unicef Ambassador Roger Moore is so horrified at the 'revolting' cruelty of foie gras production he is calling for it to be banned
To create this luxury foodstuff, ducks and geese are crammed into tiny cages where they cannot move at all and are force-fed every three hours with 4lb of corn mixture which swells inside them — a process which sometimes causes their beaks to break and ruptures their innards.
In some farms they 'live pluck' their feathers at the same time.
Israel has led the way and already banned foie gras, insisting that 'it caused unacceptable suffering and is therefore in violation of the law'.
Now it is time for the rest of the world to follow their lead.