Solar Panels Shine Bright with Recycled Glass

In a breakthrough for sustainable energy, researchers have confirmed that solar panels made with recycled glass perform just as well as those made with brand-new materials. That’s right—no drop in power, no compromise in quality. Just clean energy, made cleaner.

The study, led by Arizona State University and solar recycling firm SOLARCYCLE, tested prototype panels built from a 50/50 mix of recycled and virgin glass. The results? Identical performance across all key metrics. It’s a quiet revolution in how we think about renewable infrastructure—not just what it does, but how it’s made.

Dr. Zachary Holman, vice dean for research and innovation at ASU, put it simply: “You don’t have to sacrifice performance to build solar panels more sustainably.” That’s a powerful message for an industry often caught between ecological ideals and practical demands.

The glass was taken from old solar panels that were no longer working. The company used its special technology to clean and reuse the glass. By showing that this recycled glass can be used to make new, high-quality solar panels, the team proved that solar panels can be made in a way that creates less waste, makes it easier to get materials, and keeps useful stuff from being thrown away.

SOLARCYCLE isn’t just experimenting in the lab—they’re taking action. They’re building a new factory in Cedartown, Georgia, that will make solar panel glass using mostly recycled materials. It’s the first factory like this, and it’s part of a bigger push to make solar energy even more eco-friendly—not just renewable, but able to renew itself.

Other companies are jumping in too. In California, PV Circonomy has created machines that can recover 99.3% of the parts from old solar panels. And in Sweden, scientists have figured out how to recycle solar cells over and over again without losing their power.

At All Things Good, we believe sustainability isn’t just about what we save—it’s about what we reimagine. This isn’t just a win for solar. It’s a win for circular design, climate resilience, and the kind of future we want to build.

SOURCE 

Southern Right Whales Bring a Wave of Hope to South Australia

 This winter, South Australia’s coastline has welcomed nearly 200 endangered southern right whales—a breathtaking reminder that nature, even when battered, still finds ways to heal.

Marine scientists from Flinders University have called this year’s calving season a “sign of hope,” with record sightings at Head of Bight, Fowlers Bay, and Encounter Bay. Among them are mothers returning to familiar waters—some for the twelfth time—guided by an ancient memory that links generations through place.

It’s no small feat. These whales were hunted to near extinction in the 19th and 20th centuries, and though protected since 1935, their recovery has been slow and fragile. Today, they remain endangered, with population estimates hovering around 16–26% of pre-whaling levels. Recent data also shows a worrying decline in calf numbers since 2017.

And yet, this season’s abundance offers a counterpoint to despair. Amid the ongoing impact of a harmful algal bloom—one that’s claimed other marine life—these whales have returned. They’ve calved. They’ve nursed. They’ve reminded us that restoration is possible.

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Great Australian Bight Marine Park, a vital sanctuary for southern right whales. It’s a timely celebration of what long-term protection can achieve—and a call to keep going.

At All Things Good, we believe that environmental wins don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. This season’s whales are not just statistics. They’re stories of survival, memory, and maternal devotion. They’re a living testament to what happens when we choose to protect rather than exploit.

Let’s keep watching. Let’s keep caring. And let’s keep celebrating every ripple of recovery.

ARTICLE SOURCE

To See and Behold: Why Witnessing Wildlife Is a Radical Act of Hope

In a world often overwhelmed by loss—of habitat, of species, of ecological balance—there is something quietly revolutionary about seeing. Not just observing, but truly beholding the rare and the newly discovered. It’s a form of reverence. A way of saying: You exist. You matter. We will fight for you.

This month, two extraordinary sightings remind us why bearing witness to wildlife is more than a pastime—it’s a call to action.

The Regent Honeyeater, photographed by Jss367

The Regent Honeyeater Returns

In the Queens Lake Nature Reserve on the NSW Mid North Coast, a group of birdwatchers spotted not one, but two critically endangered regent honeyeaters—before they even left the car park. With fewer than 300 individuals left in the wild, these birds are considered ecological ghosts, flitting through fragmented habitats in search of flowering trees and safety.

What makes this sighting even more miraculous? These honeyeaters were wild-born, unbanded, and feeding among other species. Their presence suggests that nature, when given even a sliver of sanctuary, still dares to persist. It’s a reminder that conservation isn’t just about numbers—it’s about dignity, habitat, and the right to exist without vanishing.

A New Manta Ray Emerges

Meanwhile, off the coast of Florida, marine scientists have officially identified a new species of manta ray—Mobula yarae, named after a mythical water spirit from Brazilian folklore. This gentle giant, stretching up to 20 feet wide, becomes only the third known manta ray species in the world. Its discovery is the result of over 15 years of meticulous research, underwater photography, and genetic analysis.

Why does this matter? Because you can’t protect what you haven’t named. Formal recognition of Mobula yarae allows conservationists to track its population, assess threats, and advocate for its protection. It’s a triumph of curiosity, patience, and the belief that the ocean still holds secrets worth saving.

Why Seeing Matters

To witness an endangered species is to stand at the edge of extinction and say, I see you. To discover a new species is to affirm that the world is still unfolding, still capable of surprise. Both acts are deeply human—and deeply hopeful.

They remind us that conservation isn’t just about preserving the past. It’s about co-creating a future where biodiversity is not a luxury, but a legacy.

So the next time you walk through a nature reserve or dive beneath the waves, remember: your gaze is powerful. Your presence matters. And every creature you see is a story still being written.

The Benefits of humming for a healthy life

The Benefits of Humming

Humming might seem like a simple, even absent-minded habit—but it turns out this gentle, soothing sound can offer a surprising range of health benefits for both body and mind. Whether you're humming your favorite tune or just a single tone, here's how this small act can make a big difference:

1. Activates the Vagus Nerve

Humming stimulates the vagus nerve, which is responsible for calming the nervous system. This can help reduce stress, lower heart rate, and promote a sense of well-being.

2. Improves Sinus Health

Humming increases airflow in the sinuses and helps open blocked nasal passages. This can support sinus drainage and may reduce the risk of infections or chronic sinusitis.

3. Promotes Deep Breathing

The act of humming naturally encourages slower, more conscious breathing. This supports better oxygenation, reduces anxiety, and can even help with conditions like high blood pressure.

4. Supports Vocal Cord and Throat Health

Humming gently exercises the vocal cords and can be a helpful warm-up for the voice. It's also soothing for the throat and may ease discomfort in people who talk a lot during the day.

5. Increases Nitric Oxide Production

Research shows that humming significantly increases the production of nitric oxide in the nasal passages—by up to 15 times. Nitric oxide has antiviral and antibacterial properties, supports immune function, and helps regulate blood flow.

6. Boosts Mood and Mental Clarity

Humming can release endorphins and create a meditative, mindful state. This helps lift mood, reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, and improve focus.

7. Enhances Meditation and Relaxation

When used in practices like yoga or mindfulness meditation, humming (such as chanting “Om”) can deepen the relaxation response and bring greater mental clarity and spiritual connection.

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In Summary:
Humming is a simple, accessible, and free tool to improve your health—physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. Next time you’re feeling tense, congested, or just need a mood boost, try humming for a few minutes. It’s a small act that hums with healing power.

Pin it

 Here are reputable sources supporting the benefits of humming:

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1. Activates the Vagus Nerve & Reduces Stress

• Source: Porges, S. W. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation.

  • This foundational work explains how vocalizations like humming stimulate the vagus nerve, enhancing relaxation and parasympathetic nervous system activity.

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2. Improves Sinus Health & Nitric Oxide Production

• Source: Lundberg, J. O., & Weitzberg, E. (1999). “Humming greatly increases nasal nitric oxide.” American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 160(2), 911–914.

  • DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm.160.3.9811072

  • Found nitric oxide levels in the nasal passages increase 15-20x during humming, supporting sinus health and antimicrobial defense.

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3. Promotes Deep Breathing & Calms the Mind

• Source: Lehrer, P. M., & Gevirtz, R. (2014). “Heart rate variability biofeedback: how and why does it work?” Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 756.

  • Explains how slow, regular breathing (as with humming) calms the autonomic nervous system and enhances mood.

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4. Enhances Mood & Emotional Wellbeing

• Source: Kraus, T. et al. (2007). “Music in the treatment of depression.” Neuropsychobiology, 55(4), 193–200.

  • While this study focuses on music, it highlights how vocal sounds (including humming) stimulate endorphin release and improve emotional regulation.

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5. Vocal and Respiratory Benefits

• Source: Titze, I. R. (2000). Principles of Voice Production.

  • Discusses how vocalizations like humming warm up the voice and maintain vocal fold health.

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6. Meditation & Humming (e.g., “Om”)

• Source: Kumar, V., Nagendra, H., & Naveen, K. V. (2010). “Immediate effect of ‘OM’ chanting on cardiovascular parameters and heart rate variability.” Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 54(2), 132–136.

  • Shows that chanting “Om” reduces heart rate and increases mental calmness, similar to effects from humming.

Winning is important to me, but...

 

Phil Jackson has won 13 NBA championships: 2 as a player and 11 as a coach.

So he sure knows how to win, but more important than that is his approach and what he has to say about winning which is important to living a good life...

Phil Jackson is known for his "zen" approach to the game of basketball. He coaches about focusing on the We rather than the me. A lesson for a team sport as well as for life in general. 

He has written a thought-provoking memoir in which he shows how he encourages his players to work with a clear mind - not thinking, just doing. 

Sacred Hoops: SPIRITUAL LESSONS OF A HARDWOOD WARRIOR by Phil Jackson.

"An earnest and refreshing answer to the dollar driven soullessness of modern professional sports." -- People

Phil Jackson is an American original. A two-time All-American at the University of North Dakota, in 1967 he was drafted by the New York Knicks, where he played for 11 years and was a member of the 1970 and 1973 championship teams. 

Jackson guided the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in his nine years as head coach from 1989-1998, and guided the LA Lakers to three titles as their head coach from 1999-2004.

You can find out more about the book here. It can be purchased on kindle for only 2.99 or also as a paperback. 

Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson aka the Zen Master.

Philip Douglas "Phil" Jackson (born September 17, 1945) is an American professional basketball executive, former coach and former player, currently serving as president of the New York Knicks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). 

Jackson was the head coach of the Chicago Bulls from 1989 until 1998, during which Chicago won six NBA championships. His next team, the Los Angeles Lakers, won five championships from 2000 until 2010. 

Jackson in 2009

In total, Jackson has won 11 NBA titles as a coach, surpassing the previous record of nine set by Red Auerbach. 

Jackson is known for his use of Tex Winter's triangle offense as well as a holistic approach to coaching that is influenced by Eastern philosophy, earning him the nickname "Zen Master".

Jackson cites Robert Pirsig's book Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance as one of the major guiding forces in his life. He also applies Native American spiritual practices as documented in his book Sacred Hoops. He is the author of several candid books about his teams and his basketball strategies. 

In 2007, Jackson was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. In 1996, as part of celebrations for the National Basketball Association's 50th anniversary, Jackson was named one of the 10 greatest coaches in league history. He retired from coaching in 2011 before joining the Knicks as an executive in March 2014.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 

Photo by Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA (RO9A3387) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

“There’s a Zen saying I often cite that goes, “Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.” The point: Stay focused on the task at hand rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.”
― Phil Jackson, Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success.

List of positive uplifting songs

Music can emotionally enhance your wellbeing. It can uplift your mood instantly just as well as an antidepressant.  It has the power to be emotionally uplifting or soothing and make us feel joy, love, hope, peace and so many other emotions. Apparently is alters many parts of our brain including those that feel these emotions - the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex.
"It also flushes the body with dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel good. Music also paves the way for the release of norepinephrine, a hormone that brings about euphoria and elation." *

Elevator Music by Boy Wonder

Here is our list of inspiring songs from many different eras.
We would love to know a song that makes you feel uplifted (add it in the comments).

Mr. Blue Sky ~ Electric Light Orchestra
Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
Good Day Sunshine - The Beatles
What a Wonderful Life - Elvis Presley
What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong 
Always Look on the Bright Side of Life – Monty Python
Don’t Worry be Happy – Bobby McFerrin
Stand By Me - Ben E. King
Que Sera Sera - Doris Day
Perfect Day – Lou Reed
Circle of Life - The Lion King
Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
Lust For Life – Iggy Pop
Where is the Love? – The Black Eyed Peas
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
One More Time – Daft Punk
Magic Carpet Ride – Steppenwolf

* How Music Changes Your Mood - Examined Existence

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The elementary school teacher who helped the new U.S. poet laureate

Lelya Sampson in her Mount Hope home.

This San Diego teacher helped Juan Felipe Herrera find his voice.

Juan Felipe Herrera, who is the new U.S. poet laureate, often talks about a defining moment 57 years ago, when he was a third-grader at Lowell Elementary School in Barrio Logan.   

Howard Lipin/Twitter: @hlipin

The Teacher Who Sparked a Poet: A Barrio Logan Story

Sometimes, all it takes is one voice to unlock another.

Juan Felipe Herrera, the first Latino U.S. Poet Laureate, often speaks of a defining moment that shaped his life—not on a grand stage, but in a humble third-grade classroom at Lowell Elementary School in San Diego’s Barrio Logan. It was 57 years ago, and Herrera was just a quiet boy with a head full of thoughts and a heart full of rhythm. Then a teacher saw something in him—and helped him find his voice.

A Seed Planted in Barrio Logan

Barrio Logan is a neighborhood rich in Chicano culture, murals, and music. But in the 1950s, it was also a place where many children of migrant workers struggled to find their footing in a system that didn’t always see them. Herrera’s parents were farm laborers, and his early life was marked by movement, uncertainty, and silence.

That changed when a teacher at Lowell Elementary encouraged him to speak up, write, and share. She didn’t just teach—she listened. And that act of listening gave Herrera permission to imagine, to express, and eventually, to soar.

“She said, ‘Juan, you have a voice. Use it.’ That was the beginning.” —Juan Felipe Herrera

From Classroom to Congress

Herrera went on to become a celebrated poet, performer, and educator. His work blends English, Spanish, and Indigenous rhythms, capturing the spirit of borderlands and the beauty of bicultural life. In 2015, he was appointed U.S. Poet Laureate, becoming the first Latino to hold the title.

His poems speak of migration, identity, and joy. But they also carry the echo of that teacher’s encouragement—a reminder that greatness often begins with a whisper.

Why This Matters

In a world that often overlooks quiet children, Herrera’s story is a call to action. Teachers, mentors, and community members have the power to shape futures—not with grand gestures, but with simple affirmations.

“Who helped you find your voice? And who might be waiting for you to help them find theirs?”

At All Things Good, we celebrate stories like these—moments of kindness, courage, and connection. Juan Felipe Herrera’s journey reminds us that goodness isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s a gentle nudge in a classroom that echoes for a lifetime.

Here’s a quote from Juan Felipe Herrera’s poem Let Me Tell You What a Poem Brings that beautifully captures his spirit:

“A poem is a way to tell the world who you are, what you dream, and how you survive.”

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Germany Breaks a Renewable Energy Record

This is seriously impressive. Just this week, Germany was powered by a record 78% clean energy. It's proof is that solar and wind can keep the lights on in a highly industrialized nation.

ACF is Australian Conservation Foundation

 

Germany’s experience shows that solar and wind can keep the lights on in a highly industrialized nation, said Osha Gray Davidson, author of Clean Break, a book about Germany’s transition to carbon-free energy.

UPDATE:This was posted on the blog from takepart in 2015. Let's find out how Germany's journey with renewables panned out in 2025. 

Germany’s Renewable Energy Journey: Lessons in Progress, Not Perfection

Germany’s commitment to clean energy continues to inspire, even when the numbers don’t always climb. In the first half of 2025, renewable sources provided 54% of the country’s electricity — a slight dip from 57% in 2024, largely due to weaker wind conditions and lower hydropower output. While some headlines mistakenly claimed a record-breaking 78%, the real story is more nuanced — and still worth celebrating.

As Osha Gray Davidson, author of Clean Break, reminds us:

“Germany’s experience shows that solar and wind can keep the lights on in a highly industrialized nation.”

That message remains powerful. Germany’s long-term energy transition — known as the Energiewende — proves that clean energy can scale, adapt, and endure even in the face of setbacks.

Germany’s Renewable Energy Timeline

• 1990: Renewables made up just 3.5% of Germany’s electricity mix, mostly from hydro.

• 2000: The Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) launched, sparking investment in wind and solar.

• 2010: Share reached 17%, with wind and biomass gaining traction.

• 2015: Renewables hit 30%, boosted by solar subsidies and offshore wind.

• 2020: Surpassed 45%, as coal use declined.

• 2023: Climbed to 56%, despite grid challenges.

• 2025: Reached 54%, with solar output rising but wind generation falling due to weather.

Why This Still Matters

Germany’s achievement isn’t just about numbers — it’s about resilience. Even with fluctuating conditions, the country continues to lead in clean energy innovation. The aluminium sector, one of the most energy-intensive industries, is increasingly powered by renewables. That’s a signal to the world: clean energy isn’t just for sunny days — it’s for serious economies.

As many countries consider their own energy future, Germany’s experience offers a blueprint for what’s possible when policy, public support, and innovation align.

Here’s a visual chart showing Germany’s renewable energy share from 1990 to 2025.
It illustrates the steady growth over time, with a slight dip in 2025
due to reduced wind and hydropower output — a realistic yet inspiring snapshot of long-term progress.

This chart shows the percentage of Germany’s total electricity use that was supplied by renewable sources like wind, solar, hydro, and biomass. For example, in 2025, 54% of all electricity consumed in Germany came from clean energy. This metric reflects how deeply renewables are integrated into everyday life — not just how much was produced, but how much was actually used.

Spotlight on Clean Break by Osha Gray Davidson

Davidson’s book chronicles Germany’s bold shift away from fossil fuels toward a renewable-powered future. Key themes include:

• Grassroots momentum: Citizens, farmers, and communities driving change.

• Policy innovation: EEG incentives that made clean energy viable.

• Cultural mindset: A “just-do-it” attitude that embraced bold action.

His message is clear: if Germany can do it, so can others.

You can find Clean Break at Amazon — currently just $2.72 for the Kindle version. 

Free Book Vending Machines Bring Reading To Kids In Need

JetBlue Airways is taking off for a special mission this summer.
As part of a program to promote summer reading in underserved communities, the airline has installed free book vending machines in a Washington, D.C., neighborhood, that has limited access to reading resources, according to a press release.
The initiative, which is a joint effort with Random House Children's Books, launched on Wednesday, with vending machines installed in a church, a grocery store and a branch of the Salvation Army in Southeast D.C., the Kojo Nnamdi Show blog reported.

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III reads to children

at the ‘Soar with Reading’ kick-off in Southeast, D.C.

ABOUT JETBLUE:  JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline™, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 32 million customers a year to 90 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 875 daily flights. For more information please visit JetBlue.com.

ABOUT RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN'S BOOKS:  Random House Children's Books is the world's largest English-language children's trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, ebooks, and apps, the imprints of Random House Children's Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company's website, Kids @ Random (www.randomhousekids.com), offers an array of activities, games, and resources for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children's Books is a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company.

Read full article: Huff Post Community Kindness


       

Gimme Good News

We are looking for your good news

Good news makes better people. That's the conclusion of 4 separate studies by researchers at the University of British Columbia.
Here at All Things Good, the blog of Good News Network, we think good news makes people happy. We also believe that making friends, thinking optimistically and being interested in others contribute to making us happy. So we were hoping you could join in and share some good news here with others who would appreciate it.

12 creative little libraries from around the world.

Our cities are full of large libraries that are amazing and free, but here we have chosen to share the little tiny libraries that are springing up everywhere. These libraries can be created by anyone, anywhere and each one has a story to tell about the love of books, the love of sharing, and a sense of community.

Hundreds of little libraries have been created but not all of them have been photographed and shared. That’s why we set out to find as many little libraries as we could. We love how they add uniqueness to the areas of the cities and suburbs where they are found. We really enjoy the creativity that has gone into making these libraries and have included what we feel are the most creative from around the world.

We hope you enjoy this list of the most creative little libraries from around the world.

We would love to add more. Did we miss any from your neighborhood? Feel free to submit pictures at our Facebook or Twitter feeds to be added here or let us know in the comments below.

Tree stump library



Robot library Monica Thompson

Tardis in Kenmore Washington, USA. Jennifer Brozek

Wizard of Oz Tornado library Pomeroy Street MASSACHUSETTS, USA

Space age library

 

Winchester, Texas USA. 'We decided to build a library that reflected our small community.
A chicken coop theme fit us perfectly!' - Margaret Atkins.



Created by Stereotank, a public installation project providing New Yorkers
with a spontaneous opportunity to read a book.

Tree trunk library in Jackson Street Seattle, USA

Library in a phone booth

Public Bookshelf created in a bus stop in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil

Book house in Maleny, Queensland, Australia.

 

Houston, Texas USA. A boat-shaped Library at the church for Clear Lake Community.
Diane Jones.

 

If after seeing these cute and worthwhile structures you may feel inspired to build your own out of an old cupboard or some other creative design in your head. There are people who can help you with the considerations that you may yet have not thought apart like "how do I keep my little library protected from the rain? " or "how wide should the shelves be to house most books?"

Little Free Libraries & Tiny Sheds: 12 Miniature Structures You Can Build is highly recommended, as the book you need, by The Little Free Library organization. Yes, there is an organization! They are a nonprofit organization based in Hudson, Wisconsin, USA. Little Free Library (LFL) is an award-winning nonprofit organization at the center of a global literacy movement. Find out more about it here.

This book is produced in cooperation with Little Free Library, and is a builder's complete source of inspiration and how-to knowledge. Illustrated throughout with colorful step-by-step photography and a gallery of tiny structures for further inspiration, Little Free Libraries and Tiny Sheds covers every step: planning and design, tools and building techniques, best materials, and 12 complete plans for structures of varying size and aesthetics. In addition, author and professional carpenter Phil Schmidt includes information on proper installation of small structures and common repairs and maintenance for down the road. You can check it out or purchase it here. 

Little Free Libraries and Tiny Sheds book cover

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Photographic Artwork titled Casa obscura Andrew Deegan
ART EXPRESS 2014

ARTEXPRESS

is an annual exhibition displaying a selection of outstanding student artworks created for the HSC examination in Visual Arts in NSW, Australia. It includes many expressive forms, including ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photo media, printmaking, sculpture, and textiles and fibre.
Art Express is not only showcasing young artists it gives students, who will soon be doing their own HSC examination, insights into what is being created and currently accepted by the  Board of Studies NSW and so informs the work they are in the process of designing.
ARTEXPRESS works are displayed at over 20 regional galleries around Australia and at the NSW Art Gallery from 12 February – 19 April 2015.

Reviving vital traditional knowledge

Slava Cheltuev

Slava Cheltuev, is a Telengit community leader and shaman from the Russian Altai Mountain's high altitude Kosh Agach district. 

Whilst traversing Altai's sacred lands, he reflects on our 21st century world and stresses the importance of reviving vital traditional knowledge - age-old wisdom that instruct the respectful and harmonious relationship between local environment and human behaviour.

Cheltuev emphasizes that nature is not a resource—it’s a relative. In Altai cosmology, every mountain, spring, and animal has a spirit, or eezi, deserving of reverence. His call to revive traditional practices isn’t nostalgic—it’s urgent. 

Find out more from the man himself in the video below.

 

Kosh-Agachsky District is one of the most fascinating and remote regions in Russia’s Altai Republic. Here’s a closer look at what makes it so unique:

Geographic & Cultural Overview

• Location: Southeastern Altai Republic, bordering Mongolia, China, and Kazakhstan.

• Elevation: Around 1,750 meters (5,741 feet) above sea level—making it one of the highest inhabited areas in Siberia.

• Landscape: A dramatic mix of alpine meadows, glacial valleys, and vast steppe. It’s part of the Chuya Steppe, a cold desert-like plateau surrounded by snow-capped peaks.

• Climate: Harsh and dry, with extreme temperature swings. Summers are short and cool; winters are long and bitterly cold.

Nature & Wilderness

• Biodiversity: Home to rare species like snow leopards, argali sheep, and golden eagles.

• Sacred Sites: The Altai Mountains are considered sacred by indigenous Telengit people. Many peaks, rivers, and valleys are believed to have spirits (eezi).

• Tavan Bogd Range: Near the district, this range includes Belukha Mountain—the highest peak in Siberia—and stunning glaciers like Potanin.

People & Traditions

• Population: Roughly 18,000 people, mostly rural. Ethnic composition includes:

  • Kazakhs – 53%

  • Altaians (including Telengits) – 40%

  • Russians – 3%

• Telengit Culture: Deeply spiritual, with shamanic traditions and a worldview rooted in harmony with nature. Slava Cheltuev is one of the most prominent voices from this community.

• Nomadic Heritage: Many families still practice seasonal herding of yaks, sheep, and horses.

Challenges

• Environmental Threats: Climate change is altering traditional grazing patterns and water availability.

• Development Pressure: Mining and tourism pose risks to sacred lands and fragile ecosystems.

• Cultural Preservation: Younger generations are increasingly disconnected from traditional knowledge, prompting leaders like Cheltuev to advocate for revival.

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Pay it forward

International Pay it Forward Day is 

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Pay it Forward Day UK

Pay It Forward Foundation

Pay it forward is an expression used when someone who is done a good deed repays it to others not the original benefactor. The concept is old, but the term is quite recent:

• First use of the term may have been by Lily Hardy Hammond in her 1916 book In the Garden of Delight: "You don't pay love back; you pay it forward."
• The Pay it forward concept was the key plot element in an ancient Greek play from 317 BC called Dyskolos by Menander.
• The concept was described by Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to Benjamin Webb dated April 25, 1784:

I do not pretend to give such a deed; I only lend it to you. When you [...] meet with another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall meet with another opportunity. I hope it may thus go thro' many hands, before it meets with a Knave that will stop its Progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money.

• The term "pay it forward" was used by Robert A. Heinlein in his book Between Planets, published in 1951
• In 2000, Catherine Ryan Hyde's novel Pay It Forward was adapted into a film of the same name, starring Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment. It describes creating a social movement of doing good deeds to make the world a better place.

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Beautiful bicarb

Beautiful bicarb - Otherwise known as Bi-carb Soda or Baking Soda is cheap, easy to use and enviro friendly.  It has a myriad of uses.

Bicarb can:

• Deodorise your carpet - sprinkle on and leave 10 minutes, then vacuum .
• Absorb food odours - put a small container full in the fridge.
• Remove insecticides and pesticides from fruit and veg - wash produce in warm water which has bicarb in it.
• Restore stained tea cups - apply with a damp cloth and rub and rinse
• Clean juice, wine, and coffee stains from material - rub the spot with bicarb made to a paste with water before washing.
• Kills fleas - apply to pet's fur, wash off to prevent skin irritation.
• Clean iron plate - Mix to paste, rub on surface of iron, wipe off.
• Unclog and freshen drain - 1 cup baking soda and boiling water. 
• Mildly exfoliate your face - add  a few drops of water to bicarb to make a paste - rub on and rinse off.
• Prolong the life of cut flowers - Add a teaspoon of baking soda to a vase of freshly cut flowers.
• Whiten teeth - put bicarb and a drop of water on your toothbrush and scrub teeth about once a week.
• Clean kitchen benchtops - sprinkle with bicarb and add white vinegar - scrub and wipe off.
• Clean and shine Chrome - with Bicarb applied on a damp cloth.
• Remove sweat odours from fabrics - add bicarb to your laundry dispenser.

Do you have a use of beautiful bicarb that you can add?

Pictures of cute animals actually improve our concentration

Looking at pictures of cute animals captures our attention and improves concentration as a result and mental dexterity. "For future applications, cute objects may be used as an emotion elicitor to induce careful behavioral tendencies in specific situations, such as driving and office work," wrote Hiroshi Nittono of Hiroshima University who with his colleagues researched cute animals.