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Our surroundings mirror our attitudes towards ourselves, our communities, and our nation at large. It is important that we care for our streets, highways, fields, forests, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Organize a clean-up day; Earth Day on April 22 is one good time. Or you may want to join the efforts of the Keep America Beautiful. This nonprofit works with local officials and community members to beautify our towns and cities. As a bonus, you will meet your neighbors and discover what is worth saving and protecting in your environment.

By the numbers, a new research project on free will engages eight neuroscientists and nine philosophers spanning 17 universities in probing two basic questions: What is required for people to have free will? and Whatever that thing is that is required for free will, do humans possess it? As project leader Dr.

Engaging online with images and stories about important democratic matters can kindle strong emotions. Sometimes the emotions are joyful; other times fear and anxiety are triggered. The adrenaline rushes of these responses can be overwhelming.

The Fetzer Institute has made to following updates to its staff. Jonathan Lever, chief operating officer and executive vice president noted, "We are blessed to have a diverse and talented staff, and I am proud to announce the promotion of a number of individuals into new roles that will help advance the Institute's mission."

Everything relies on everything else in the cosmos in order to manifest—whether a star, a cloud, a flower, a tree, or you and me. —Thich Nhat Hanh

A key principle of democracy is that individuals seek to advance the common good. Why this is important becomes clearer when we remind ourselves of the web of connections that thread through every aspect of our lives. As Thich Nhat Hanh writes,

We are excited to welcome Jonathan Lever, our first-ever executive vice president and chief operating officer, to the Fetzer Institute. Jonathan will work closely with our board and president to drive program strategy and expansion; lead the management of the Institute; and represent the organization externally. He begins his work with us on February 4. 

This spiritual practice comes from Jack Kornfield in The Wise Heart.

Democracy cannot flourish without civility, a.k.a. good manners. Such simple behaviors as saying “please” and “thank you” signal our respect for other people. Manners are important for any gathering when people are sharing views and trying to make decisions, including social media, where it’s far too easy to forget our manners or civility as our emotions and righteousness take over. In fact, since fall 2017 in “democracy conversations” that we and our partners have held, we’ve heard over and over how social media contributes to the growing divisions and incivility in our society.

The decay spreads over the State, and the sweet smell is a great sorrow on the land. Men who can graft the trees and make the seed fertile and big can find no way to let the hungry people eat their produce. Men who have created new fruits in the world cannot create a system whereby their fruits may be eaten. And the failure hangs over the state like a great sorrow. —John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath

Takie a plunge into engaging narratives, humor, cultural criticism, and spiritual wisdom, through the year-long We the People Book Club. Its 12+ selections reveal our democracy’s failings and successes and implicitly urge us as readers to keep alive what American author John Steinbeck called that “stumbling-forward ache.”