Melania Trump’s “Be Best“ Campaign: Notes From Her Memoir

Melania Trump holds a blanket embroidered with her ‘Be Best’ campaign logo at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in 2018

What’s Melania Trump’s “Be Best” campaign? How did this initiative aim to protect children while tackling major social issues? Melania Trump launched her “Be Best” campaign in 2018, focusing on three main pillars: children’s well-being, online safety, and opioid abuse awareness. She worked to create safer digital spaces for youth while addressing substance abuse challenges affecting families. Keep reading to discover how this ambitious initiative unfolded, including its achievements and the controversies it faced along the way.

When Was the “Me Too” Movement Founded? (Tarana Burke)

A woman holding a "me too" sign in the middle of the street, representing when the me too movement was founded

When was the “me too” movement founded? How did Tarana Burke’s daughter influence her to say “me too”? After Burke’s experience with a sexual abuse victim prompted her to take the first step toward healing, she continued to pursue both personal and professional growth. In her book Unbound, she discusses how a series of betrayals and dead ends in her community led Burke to help others heal by founding the “me too” movement. Here’s how motherhood inspired the “me too” movement.

When Did the “Me Too” Movement Become Popular?

A cardboard sign that says "#metoo" in pink letters, showing when the me too movement became popular

When did the “me too” movement become popular? How did founder Tarana Burke feel about the growth of the “me too” movement? Burke explains that her grassroots “me too” movement eventually transformed into something much larger. This transformation evoked both hopes and fears for the future of the movement. Let’s explore that transformation and its effects now.

Focus & Insight Meditation: Traditional Paths to Enlightenment

A woman meditating near a small statue of the Buddha illustrates traditions of insight meditation and focus meditation

Is it possible to achieve a state of complete spiritual liberation? What does it mean to combine focus with insight in meditation? Insight meditation, a practice innovated by the Buddha, combines focused attention with open awareness. In Altered Traits, Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson explain that this approach aims to cultivate a state of mindfulness, allowing practitioners to observe their thoughts and experiences without judgment. Continue reading to learn how insight and focus meditation evolved and found their way into modern Western culture.

The Origin of Mindfulness Meditation (+ Modern Manifestations)

An Indian man practicing meditation and an American woman practicing mindfulness depicts the origin of mindfulness meditation

What’s mindfulness meditation rooted in? How did it come to the West and become so popular? The origin of mindfulness meditation is primarily in Theravada Buddhism, the oldest of the three major Buddhist schools. It evolved from traditional practices and was simplified for wider accessibility. Western travelers, including authors Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson, brought these techniques from India in the 1970s. Read on to discover the fascinating journey of mindfulness from ancient spiritual traditions to modern-day applications.

Principles for Dealing With the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio

A bearded man wearing glasses and a denim jacket reading a book in a cafe by a window with shelves of dishes behind him

How does history unfold in cycles? What can we learn from studying these patterns? Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio explores the cyclical nature of history and its impact on global powers. Dalio examines how empires rise and fall, economies expand and contract, and societies experience periods of harmony and discord. Keep reading for our overview of this book, and discover Dalio’s insights on navigating an uncertain future in a changing world.

Cycles of Society: The Ebb & Flow of Harmony & Disharmony

Balanced scales tipping back and forth between happy emojis and angry emojis illustrates cycles of society

How do societies evolve over time? What causes periods of harmony and disharmony in civilizations? Ray Dalio explores the cycles of society in his book Principles for Dealing With the Changing World Order. He examines how economic and social factors contribute to the rise and fall of major powers. Dalio argues that societies progress through stages of building harmony and increasing disharmony. Read on to discover Dalio’s insights into these cycles, including the state of the US and China within them.

Ray Dalio: Economic Cycles of Debt & Credit Are Natural

Three stacks of coins (tall, short, and tall) represent economic cycles

Does the global economy follow a predictable pattern? Can understanding economic cycles help you make better financial decisions? According to Ray Dalio, economic cycles are natural. In his book Principles for Dealing With the Changing World Order, he explores the rhythm of debt and credit use and explains how these patterns have shaped major powers throughout history. Continue reading for Dalio’s fascinating perspective on how economies ebb and flow over time.

Cycles of War and Peace: Ray Dalio on the Dynamic of Geopolitics

Balanced scales with a dove on the left and a hawk on the right illustrates cycles of war and peace

Is the world locked in an endless cycle of conflict and cooperation? How do major powers shape the global landscape? Ray Dalio’s insights on cycles of war and peace offer a fascinating perspective on international relations. He explores how nations interact, compete, and sometimes clash on the world stage. From economic battles to the looming threat of military confrontation, Dalio paints a vivid picture of the complex dance between global powers. Keep reading to understand this characteristic of geopolitics, especially in regard to the United States and China in our current era.