Hope
What is the American Dream, and has it become harder to achieve in recent years?
What is the American Dream, and has it become harder to achieve in recent years? The American Dream, coined by historian James Truslow Adams in the 1930s, has become a central concept to the nation’s identity and self-image. Most people interviewed defined the American Dream as consisting of three basic ideas: an economic bargain (financial […]
🏛️ Politics
What ‘hope’ has represented in Christian history – and what it might mean now
What ‘hope’ has represented in Christian history – and what it might mean now Pope Leo XIV closed the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica on January 6, 2026, marking the end of the Catholic Church’s “Pilgrims of Hope” Jubilee year, which aimed to promote hope and unity in a turbulent world. The concept of […]
📰 News
The dystopian Pottersville in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is starting to feel less like fiction
The dystopian Pottersville in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ is starting to feel less like fiction The author reflects on watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the umpteenth time, finding parallels between the film’s dystopian Pottersville and the current state of America. In Pottersville, George Bailey sees a dark reflection of his own life, where greed, […]
🏛️ Politics
Suicide rates among veterans have declined sharply since 2020
Suicide rates among veterans have declined sharply since 2020 Suicide rates among US military veterans have declined sharply since 2020, according to new research. The decline is particularly notable for post-9/11 veterans with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), who saw a significant drop in suicide rates from 100 deaths per 100,000 to 61 per 100,000. The […]
🏥 Health
‘Night of the Living Dead’ helped me process the Tree of Life massacre and other real-world horrors
‘Night of the Living Dead’ helped me process the Tree of Life massacre and other real-world horrors The author, a professor of English and film studies, reflects on how the Halloween season has taken on a different connotation for them since the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue attack in Pittsburgh. The author credits George A. […]
🎭 Entertainment
Forget the warm fuzzies of finding common ground – to beat polarization, try changing your expectations
Forget the warm fuzzies of finding common ground – to beat polarization, try changing your expectations Changing expectations and seeking common ground may not be enough to beat polarization, as Coloradans’ bipartisan rejection of home rule suggests that both sides recoiled at the expensive and rushed nature of the election. Polarization can be a feature, […]
🏛️ Politics
Hope may be more important to your well-being than happiness
Hope may be more important to your well-being than happiness Hope may be more essential to well-being than happiness or gratitude, according to a new study. A team of researchers led by Megan Edwards and Laura King found that hope consistently predicted a stronger sense of meaning across six studies involving over 2,300 participants. Experiencing […]
🏥 Health
What a sunny van Gogh painting of ‘The Sower’ tells us about Pope Leo’s message of hope
What a sunny van Gogh painting of ‘The Sower’ tells us about Pope Leo’s message of hope Pope Leo XIV referred to Vincent van Gogh’s painting “Sower at Sunset” as a symbol of hope during his first general audience in Rome, highlighting its connection to Christ’s Parable of the Sower. The painting, created in 1888, […]
🏛️ Politics
What Peru’s Virgen de la Puerta represents about unity and inclusion
What Peru’s Virgen de la Puerta represents about unity and inclusion La Virgen de la Puerta, an image of Mary venerated in Peru for over 300 years, represents unity and inclusion among people from different backgrounds, including Catholics, non-Catholics, LGBTQ+ individuals, and marginalized communities. The shrine church of La Virgen de la Puerta is located […]
🏛️ Politics
Pope Francis’ death right after Easter sounds miraculous – but patients and caregivers often work together to delay dying
Pope Francis’ death right after Easter sounds miraculous – but patients and caregivers often work together to delay dying Prioritizing patients’ goals and values can improve their quality of life and outcomes during terminal illness. Helping patients achieve their goals, whether it’s attending a special event or spending time with loved ones, can give them […]
🏥 Health