Nonfiction4Life

Wish You Happy Forever chronicles Half the Sky founder Jenny Bowen's personal and professional journey to transform Chinese orphanages—and the lives of the neglected girls who live in them—from a state of quiet despair to one of vibrant promise.

After reading an article about the thousands of baby girls languishing in Chinese orphanages, Bowen and her husband adopted a little girl from China and brought her home to Los Angeles, not out of a need to build a family but rather a commitment to save one child. A year later, as she watched her new daughter play in the grass with her friends, thriving in an environment where she knew she was loved, Bowen was overcome with a desire to help the children that she could not bring home. That very day she created Half the Sky Foundation, an organization conceived to bring love into the life of every orphan in China and one that has actually managed to fulfill its promise.

In Wish You Happy Forever, Bowen relates her struggle to bring the concept of "child nurture and responsive care" to bemused Chinese bureaucrats and how she's actually succeeding. Five years after Half the Sky's first orphanage program opened, government officials began to mention child welfare and nurturing care in public speeches. And, in 2011, at China's Great Hall of the People, Half the Sky and its government partners celebrated the launch of The Rainbow Program, a groundbreaking initiative to change the face of orphan care by training every child welfare worker in the country. Thanks to Bowen's relentless perseverance through heartbreak and a dose of humor, Half the Sky's goal to bring love the lives of forgotten children comes ever closer.

BUY Wish You Happy Forever: What China's Orphans Taught Me About Moving Mountains

One Sky
https://onesky.org/

20th Anniversary

https://onesky.org/this-mothers-love-turned-an-adopted-childs-life-around-then-inspired-a-miracle/

China Care Home & Orphanage Model

https://onesky.org/anjing-sunshine-girl-1/

Village Model

https://onesky.org/yutong-1/

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Journalist Katja Pantzar, author of The Finnish Way: Finding Courage, Wellness, and Happiness Through the Power, introduces the powerful Finnish concept of “sisu.” This unique form of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity helps Finns stay happy and healthy all year round.

After spending her 20s working in the media industry, Pantzar decided to leave the stressful environment of the Americas that was fueling her anxiety and depression. She moved to Helsinki, Finland, returning to her Finnish roots. In this Nordic country, she discovered rituals and a way of life that ultimately transformed her body, mind, and spirit.

In The Finnish Way, Pantzar shows us how to embrace the simple, sensible daily practices that place Finland at the top of the annual World Happiness Report, year after year. Sisu is a national virtue in Finland, but its meaning varies. To some, it refers to mental toughness and the ability to endure stress. To others, it’s the habit of actively transforming challenges into opportunities. But you don’t have to live in Finland to reap the benefits of sisu. No matter who you are or where you live, you can incorporate elements of sisu into your everyday life.

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Journalist Katja Pantzar, author of The Finnish Way: Finding Courage, Wellness, and Happiness Through the Power, introduces the powerful Finnish concept of “sisu.” This unique form of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity helps Finns stay happy and healthy all year round.

After spending her 20s working in the media industry, Pantzar decided to leave the stressful environment of the Americas that was fueling her anxiety and depression. She moved to Helsinki, Finland, returning to her Finnish roots. In this Nordic country, she discovered rituals and a way of life that ultimately transformed her body, mind, and spirit.

In The Finnish Way, Pantzar shows us how to embrace the simple, sensible daily practices that place Finland at the top of the annual World Happiness Report, year after year. Sisu is a national virtue in Finland, but its meaning varies. To some, it refers to mental toughness and the ability to endure stress. To others, it’s the habit of actively transforming challenges into opportunities. But you don’t have to live in Finland to reap the benefits of sisu. No matter who you are or where you live, you can incorporate elements of sisu into your everyday life.

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Parker J. Palmer looks back on eight decades to explore his life in On the Brink of Everything. He shares lessons learned about "Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old" as he travels the arc toward the sunset of his life. Some of his discoveries for a happy life include:

• Cultivating a rich inner and out life
• Finding meaning in both suffering and joy
• Forming friendships across the generations

With earned wisdom counterbalanced with honest, unanswered questions, Palmer expresses himself in prose and poetry. Also, collaborating with songwriter/singer Carrie Newcomer, Palmer shares three free, downloadable songs that amplify themes in his book. 

Go to The Growing Edge to find services offered by Carrie Newcomer and Parker Palmer and to access Newcomer’s three free, downloadable songs.

BUY On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old

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Parker J. Palmer looks back on eight decades to explore his life in On the Brink of Everything. He shares lessons learned about "Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old" as he travels the arc toward the sunset of his life. Some of his discoveries for a happy life include:

• Cultivating a rich inner and out life
• Finding meaning in both suffering and joy
• Forming friendships across the generations

With earned wisdom counterbalanced with honest, unanswered questions, Palmer expresses himself in prose and poetry. Also, collaborating with songwriter/singer Carrie Newcomer, Palmer shares three free, downloadable songs that amplify themes in his book. 

Go to The Growing Edge to find services offered by Carrie Newcomer and Parker Palmer and to access Newcomer’s three free, downloadable songs.

BUY On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old

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In our latest “Editor’s Picks” podcast, we focus on Biographies & Memoirs. To celebrate America’s Independence Day, we’re showing our patriotism by highlighting famous Americans.

First, we recommend the biography Benjamin Franklin, An American Life by Walter Isaacson (2003). Franklin is known for a myriad of things, but here are just three:

1. He always acutely aware of his weaknesses but never too hard on himself. Nevertheless, using his now-famous 13 
2. He was a Renaissance man of great proportions but weak in math. 
3. He was the wise senior statesman of the Constitutional Convention. 

BUY Benjamin Franklin: An American Life 

Our next recommendation is Abigail Adams, Witness to a Revolution by Natalie S. Bober (1995).

We see Abigail is worth revering for many reasons. Here are just three:

1. She was a brave, independent thinker. 
2. Abigail was a fierce, informed champion of women’s rights. 
3. She was equally dedicated to both her familial and civic roles.

BUY Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution

Finally, we recommend Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation by Cokie Roberts (2017).

In Roberts’ own words, these are “a few of the women who helped keep the brand-new United States together, working to make it a nation where everyone could pursue the happiness promised when America declared independence and proclaimed its freedom from tyranny.” Here are just three:

1. Judith Sargent Murray, activist and writer who fought publicly for women’s rights. 
2. Isabella Graham, creator of the Society for the Relief of Poor Widows with Small Children. 
3. Sacagawea, explorer and helper on the Lewis & Clark Expedition.

BUY Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution 

In our latest “Editor’s Picks” podcast, we focus on Biographies & Memoirs. To celebrate America’s Independence Day, we’re showing our patriotism by highlighting famous Americans.

First, we recommend the biography Benjamin Franklin, An American Life by Walter Isaacson (2003). Franklin is known for a myriad of things, but here are just three:

1. He always acutely aware of his weaknesses but never too hard on himself. Nevertheless, using his now-famous 13 
2. He was a Renaissance man of great proportions but weak in math. 
3. He was the wise senior statesman of the Constitutional Convention. 

BUY Benjamin Franklin: An American Life 

Our next recommendation is Abigail Adams, Witness to a Revolution by Natalie S. Bober (1995).

We see Abigail is worth revering for many reasons. Here are just three:

1. She was a brave, independent thinker. 
2. Abigail was a fierce, informed champion of women’s rights. 
3. She was equally dedicated to both her familial and civic roles.

BUY Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution

Finally, we recommend Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation by Cokie Roberts (2017).

In Roberts’ own words, these are “a few of the women who helped keep the brand-new United States together, working to make it a nation where everyone could pursue the happiness promised when America declared independence and proclaimed its freedom from tyranny.” Here are just three:

1. Judith Sargent Murray, activist and writer who fought publicly for women’s rights. 
2. Isabella Graham, creator of the Society for the Relief of Poor Widows with Small Children. 
3. Sacagawea, explorer and helper on the Lewis & Clark Expedition.

BUY Abigail Adams: Witness to a Revolution 

After their own share of ups and downs, Marc and Angel Chernoff capture tricks, strategies, and skills for "Getting Back to Happy." The Chernoffs are the creators of Marc & Angel Hack Life, recognized by Forbes as "one of the most popular personal development blogs." Through their writing, coaching, and annual live events, they've spent the past decade sharing proven strategies for getting unstuck in order to find lasting happiness and success.

After their own share of ups and downs, Marc and Angel Chernoff capture tricks, strategies, and skills for "Getting Back to Happy." The Chernoffs are the creators of Marc & Angel Hack Life, recognized by Forbes as "one of the most popular personal development blogs." Through their writing, coaching, and annual live events, they've spent the past decade sharing proven strategies for getting unstuck in order to find lasting happiness and success.

Dr. Robert Zembroski, functional medicine specialist and clinical nutritionist, discusses his book Rebuild. After his own bout with cancer and surgery, Dr. Z. developed Five Proven Steps to Move from Diagnosis to Recovery and Be Healthier Than Before. Navigating his own health journey, coupled with the struggles, frustration, and confusion his patients have experienced in the typical healthcare system, inspired him to create unique personalized protocols focused on results. Rebuild outlines proven ways to both prevent disease and recover from chronic health issues or diseases.

BUY Rebuild: Five Proven Steps to Move from Diagnosis to Recovery and Be Healthier Than Before

Listen to Episode #28 with  Dr. Mark Hyman (Food: What the Heck Should I Eat?).

Listen to Episode #32 with Max Lugavere (Genius Foods: Become Smarter, Happier, and More Productive While Protecting Your Brain for Life). 

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