Slow travel, integrity and a whole new view on ‘progress’: Santo Stefano in Italy
The restoration project behind a once abandoned Italian village offers the world a unique approach to the meaning of progress. Santo Stefano di Sessanio is all about slow travel, history, integrity, authenticity and local people. And now, in a small but symbolic step, the local government has shown its support for the project’s vision. We speak to Daniele Kihlgren, the ‘maverick’ behind this daring project in the mountains near Rome. (And don’t forget to watch the beautiful documentary trailer about the project at the end).
The happy and proud new ‘couch potato’. Is our stigma about staying home and spare time changing?
From the US to Australia, and from finally reading that book to taking that relaxing walk. When it comes to our spare time, many of us are becoming a proud new ‘couch potato.’ But that was certainly not always the case. Is our stigma about staying in versus going out changing?
About life: The ”elderly” lady with the caravan and the magic shed
There are people who have their own unique vision of what it means to grow older. I was lucky enough to meet one of them. This is a story about a one-of-a-kind neighbour. A lady who is onto you. You, with all your stereotypes about life and the elderly! This is the story about Rosie.
Life from the perspective of a sensitive Rainforest Mind (RFM)
If humans are like ecosystems, some are like the rainforest, says psychotherapist and author Paula Prober. People with a Rainforest Mind (RFM) are highly complex, sensitive, and intuitive. They may be effervescent, intense, colourful, and they may be the most misunderstood. Here, Paula Prober paints us a picture: the world according to a rainforest mind.
Daniëlle’s magic moments: encountering light orbs in the woods (VIDEO)
When we enjoy a walk in the woods, we can see trees, shrubs, a bird, and maybe a butterfly. But is there more, even though we are not aware of it? In our video, Daniëlle Langendijk gives Perspective Living a spiritual perspective on the occurrence of light orbs. Says Daniëlle, they are all around us. Our tip for watching this video: Don’t expect anything. Prepare to be amazed!
Help, I am over 50! Could positive ageing help us?
When we reach ‘middle age,’ we not only fear decline in our minds and bodies, we expect it. We wait until our knees hurt and our memories fail us. While some of these things actually happen because of our age, can some happen because we expect them to? Can we age better if we expect better? In other words: can positive ageing help us?
Does the early bird still have the worm? A Danish initiative shows us a different perspective
If we want to have a successful day, we have to get up early, right? After all, the early bird catches the worm. But one initiative in Denmark shows us a different perspective. One that ensures we can tune into our natural rhythms and maximise productivity. And one that can be good for our productivity, health, companies and schools. We spoke with Camilla Kring: This is the story of the B-Society.
Synchronicity or coincidence: Should we believe in one or the other?
Sometimes something in our daily life catches our attention, because it seems eerily related to our own experiences. For some, this is synchronicity, a sign. For others, it’s just a coincidence. Can we go beyond being one or the other? Should the two approaches be opposed to each other? We talk to four different experts on the meaning of synchronicity in our lives.
A dog is our best friend. But are we theirs? A professional perspective
In the West we all care for our dogs in much the same way. We put them in a crate when we go to work and we give them treats. We remind them now and then who’s boss. But if we all basically do the same thing, does that make it okay? According to welfare professional Judith Versluis, there is room for improvement. Says Judith, this way we can also become our dog’s best friend. This is her story.
Mysterious light orbs phenomena in Texas and Australia: A supernatural perspective
People have sighted mysterious phenomena of light orbs around the world for generations. Take the famous erratic dancing Min Min lights in the Australian outback. Or the Marfa Lights in the middle of nowhere in Texas, USA. Some people try to explain them scientifically. Others like to keep things mysterious and give them a supernatural meaning. If there was such a thing as supernatural, what would these lights mean? A few perspectives.
Superstition in Italy: An old way of seeing life still very much alive today
Superstition is not something everyone believes in. But in Italy this perspective on life is as normal as the sun rising. It is one in which history, religion, death and mystery all happily merge into one. Here, new author Ingrid Everts-van Wouderberg from Rome lifts the veil on this age-old way of seeing life.
There’s space for everything: The meaning of happiness in Japan
Different religious perspectives, life, death, and the afterlife: There’s room for everything in the Japanese perspective on happiness. Above all, says Japan expert Carmen Rucci from Italy, there is room for joy. And so, this is Carmen’s story.
Is a natural apple healthier than a ‘conventional’ one? Marco van Es about the bigger picture
Is a naturally grown apple really that much healthier than an apple grown under conventional conditions? We talk to Marco van Es of Bac2nature. His research foundation links crop soil, the microbiome, the quality of our immune system, and our health. Turns out, for more and more experts like van Es: It’s all about diversity, and it’s all about the bigger picture.
Is willpower really helping us? Perspectives are changing.
If only we had more willpower and self control to see things through. We would eat the right foods, exercise regularly, say no to alcohol, smoking and – god forbid – to drugs. Procrastination would never happen, and we would save money rather than spending it. We would be achieving all sorts of virtuous goals in life. We would be admirable. Right? Time to review an old perspective?
Novel therapeutic model takes movie watching to new level: It’s good for us!
Are you watching a movie or your favourite (TV) programme tonight? A British therapeutic model called ‘MOVIE’ has taken this way of relaxing to a whole new level. Says the creator of it: Watching a movie is not only relaxing, it has a deeper therapeutic effect. Who said therapy had to be difficult!
Surrendering: Dr. Kim D’Eramo on mind body healing, instead of fighting ill health
When it comes to poor health, we have to ‘fight it’. Sometimes this can help. But a growing number of health experts are taking a different approach. Here talks Dr. Kim D’Eramo with us about our own innate mind body healing. That there is power in surrender. And that by doing this, we can help our body’s own healing ability instead of hindering it.
The new world of vegetable cuisine: An interview with Vegetable Chef Frank Fol
Not so long ago, most of us would not have found a plant-based meal all that exciting. As if something was missing. Or that it was unhealthy. Can we change our views about food? The world-renowned vegetable chef Frank Fol says we can and we do. Here he tells us about a completely new cuisine of taste, colour and magic. This new world of vegetable cuisine is happening in our best restaurants and in our kitchens at home. A new world, he says, that is here to stay.
“One family dog please.” Do different dog breeds really have different characters?
As people with dogs in our lives we all say we can choose a dog breed with a certain character. That a dog behaves according to its breed. So we can choose, for instance a “family dog.” But a study is now challenging such stereotypes. It says that our dog’s character has more to do with the quality of life we give it. Are we projecting our ideas about dog breeds onto our dogs?
“Us v them:” has the angry group’s approach had its day?
When it comes to expressing our opinions, has the ‘us v them’ approach had its day? Suppose we disagree on a certain topic and want to make our opinion heard. Then we must join forces and form an anti-group. Right? Or has the time come to approach this differently?
Something is growing: Two British integrative health pioneers about the best of two worlds
Should health be either about conventional or alternative ways of care? According to two British integrative health pioneers, we can have the best of both worlds. Healthcare appears to be changing, and new ideas are growing. This is their story.
We should fear being single, and aim for a relationship: A very persistent story!
Being single means loneliness and less satisfaction in life. Being in a relationship is what makes us happy, healthy and complete. Such beliefs are reflected in the movies we watch, the music we hear, and the conversations we have. Has the time come for another happy-ever-after besides this age-old perspective? For many it already has. We just don’t often hear about it.
Chatbot shows: Want to be there for a friend? Let them help you instead!
When a friend is feeling a little down, we want to do something to help them. It’s an immediate reaction. But the creators of a chatbot called Vincent show us a new perspective. By turning things around and having a friend help us with something instead. That way we can make them feel better about themselves.
The meaning of work: Can we change old beliefs? It seems we can.
What is the meaning of work? We used to think it was just about a salary. That work was there to give a life direction or personal identity. We called it a 9 to 5 rat race and were proud of it. But today, the meaning of work is more about corporate social responsibility and doing meaningful work. A shift not many people would have considered possible a few years ago. Are our perspectives less ”fixed” than we think, and is work showing us this?