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Aug 12, 2020 Read in Browser

Karuna News

In recent months of pandemic, a collective sense of certainty in the future has waned. Yet, one area that has grown in strength is the value of relationships. Whether in the benevelent friendship of a llama at protests, the joy of family reunited from afar, decades-long research on the correlation between relationships and health, or a community of limited financial means donating disaster aid to their neighbors -- perhaps the strength of our relations can hold a deeper kind of certainty.

Speaking of degrees of certainty, our Laddership Circle friends have been experimenting in virtual learning journeys this summer -- here's some highlights from the first 4-week "Laddership Pod": Alchemy of Uncertainty!

EVERYDAY HEROES

Therapy Llama Boosts Morale In Portland Protests

Therapy Llama Boosts Morale In Portland Protests

@caffeineandpix1 on Twitter

Police and protestors in Portland, Ore., agree on one thing: "Caesar the 'no drama' therapy llama" is indeed therapeutic. Caesar's caretaker, Larry McCool, has run a llama farm for more than 20 years. McCool says that, when he met Caesar, he knew there was something different about him. He's a magical creature, McCool told the Washington Post. Protester Nakaycha Dent said, Everyone was immediately all smiles as soon as they saw him galloping past. Everyone was shocked there was a llama, but you could definitely feel the positive vibe he brought to the crowd. Read Full Story.

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ELDERS

With Flights Banned, Son Sails Solo Across Atlantic To Reach 90-Year-Old Father

With Flights Banned, Son Sails Solo Across Atlantic To Reach 90-Year-Old Father

With international flights into Argentina cancelled, Juan Manuel Ballestro, an Argentine living in Portugal, decided to sail solo across the Atlantic to ride out the pandemic with his family. Seafaring runs in the family. Juan Manuel is a life-long sailor, and his father, who turned 90 while awaiting his son's safe arrival, was a ship's captain. Juan Manuel's vessel, a 29-foot sailboat named Skua, made the trip in 85 days. There were challenges - loneliness, fear of other ships overtaking him and not being allowed to restock as planned in Cape Verde, among others. Juan Manuel was cheered on by wildlife sightings, such as being accompanied by a pod of dolphins on and off for 2,000 miles. The most important thing was for me to be with my family, Ballestro said. Read Full Story.

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INSPIRATION

Discover 36 Questions To Help You Live A Happier Life

Discover 36 Questions To Help You Live A Happier Life

Ben Rosett | Unsplash

Since 1938 researchers at Harvard University have been following 724 men as part of a study to determine what key factors lead to heathy, happy lives. It is the longest-running study of its kind in history. Based on their findings and results from other sources of related research, the researchers formulated 36 questions to help people consider and discuss ways to deepen their current relationships, cultivate meaningful new ones and possibly discover ways to live a happier life. The study reports: "Close relationships ... are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ or even genes." Robert Waldinger, the study's director, told Forbes magazine: "Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period." Read Full Story.

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YOUTH

Teen Creates Comics With Superheroes With Disabilities To Inspire Her Friend

Teen Creates Comics With Superheroes With Disabilities To Inspire Her Friend

Courtesy Trinity Jagdeo

When Trinity Jagdeo's best friend Alexus was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, a rare and serious degenerative disease, Trinity wished her friend had a hero she could relate to, someone to inspire her. Trinity reached out to Disney, asking them to create films with characters with special needs or disabilities. She wrote letters and made YouTube videos, but Disney was unresponsive. So Trinity took matters into her own hands, creating her own nonprofit and writing and illustrating her own books that featured special needs kids. Alexus was thrilled when she saw Trinity's comic books featuring heroes with disabilities and says it was one of the best gifts a child could receive. Read Full Story.

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COMMUNITY

Australian Community Ravaged By Bushfire Shocked By Large Donation From Country Where Most Earn Less Than $1 A Day

Australian Community Ravaged By Bushfire Shocked By Large Donation From Country Where Most Earn Less Than $1 A Day

Helen Taylor. The Australian ex-pat admits she shed a tear when she saw the Youth of Lae fundraising for Australia's bushfire victims.

In Papua New Guinea, at least 37% of the population lives below the poverty line, making less than $1 (U.S.) a day. Despite that, the city of Lae -- with around 70,000 inhabitants -- managed to raise more than $60,000 to help in the aftermath of the Australian bushfires. It all started when Sheila Harou saw the images from the fires in Australia and decided to mobilize her community in Lae to help their neighbors across the sea. The money raised was donated to the Rotary Club at Merimbula, which gave part of the funds to the Bega Valley Council. Sharon Tapscott, mayor of Bega Valley, was astounded by this big act of kindness: "To read that these people were donating what little they had, I cannot tell you how much this money means to me, not so much in dollar terms but the value in humanitarian terms. It's amazing." In a virtual meeting this week, Tapscott thanked Ms. Harou on behalf of her community and promised to visit the city of Lae once lockdown is over. She also explained how the money will be used. Harou was happy to hear how the money will help the community. "From the beginning, we said we must give from the heart and it must reach another heart, so it feels good that our money is put to good use supporting our neighbor friend and family out there," she said. Read Full Story.

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