Acts of Kindness

As we board our rental van outside our Mae Sot hotel in Thailand, our group leader, Pauline, spots a stray dog wandering the street. While stray dogs are common here, this one looks particularly scruffy. “Oh, that poor dog!” Pauline exclaims. “When we return, I’ll see if I can get him some food.” This reaction encapsulates Pauline Tee perfectly: deeply compassionate and immediately considerate. Although a mutual friend had described […]

Coming out as transgender is a deeply personal and often challenging experience. For many trans individuals, the support of friends and loved ones can play a vital role in their journey toward living authentically. As a friend, you play a pivotal role in creating a supportive environment. Here are some practical ways to help your trans friends feel safe and supported when they come out. 1. Listen Without Judgment One

The number of drug overdose fatalities in the U.S. is alarmingly high. In 2017, there were 70,237 overdose deaths, with 47,600 of these attributed to opioids. According to the CDC, this figure has risen more than fivefold since 1999. Particularly concerning is the rise in opioid deaths linked to fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, since 2011. Each overdose death leaves behind grieving friends and family, who often struggle to process

I’m sitting in a bustling outdoor café in Jakarta, feeling the sun’s heat on my sundress as sweat beads down my back. Opposite me, a young Muslim woman in a black hijab and long sleeves sits seemingly unperturbed by the oppressive humidity. The stark difference in our attire feels symbolic, highlighting the divide between us. I am a middle-class American on a work trip, while she is an Afghan refugee

While incredibly enriching, reading often struggles to compete with the allure of screens for children’s attention. However, some communities are revitalizing the joy of reading by introducing interactive, endless literary treasure hunts. In Braidwood, a quaint town in New South Wales, Australia, children’s books like “Goosebumps” and “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” are placed in plastic bags and concealed in various locations around the town. These books might be found

Funerals can serve many purposes—moments of deep sorrow, celebrations of a life lived, or opportunities for family to pay their respects. However, one thing that should never occur is leaving a funeral unattended. Unfortunately, some individuals find themselves without loved ones. Some may be estranged from their families or have outlived their friends. Others might have fallen into difficult circumstances, such as addiction, leading to the loss of personal connections.

Several years ago, Megan Burnside witnessed a mother struggling with her son. The boy was yelling, which led Burnside to call the police, believing that the situation was escalating and required intervention. The mother appeared to be struggling to get her 10-year-old son back into the car, and it seemed like things were getting physical. Concerned for the child’s welfare, Burnside and her husband decided to leave and let the