BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every day on the Optimist Daily, we report on solutions from around the world. Though we love solutions big and small, it is often the ones right in our communities that make the largest impact. A few weeks ago, The Optimist Daily asked you, our readers, to nominate the problem solvers and/or organizations making a difference in your community so we can recognize them and share their stories with the rest of the world. Thank you to all who participated—we couldn’t reply to each submission but we want you to know that we appreciate every one of you! Today marks the first edition of The Optimist Daily’s Local Changemakers series which will run until Thanksgiving. This is our way of expressing gratitude to our Optimist Daily community. We hope you enjoy learning about these solutions-oriented individuals and organizations as much as we did.  Bringing nature indoors: how tree ceiling murals are transforming classrooms for the better Imagine stepping into a classroom where you’re greeted by the sight of towering tree branches, sunlight filtering through leaves, and the feeling of being outside. This is what Nature in the Classroom, a nonprofit founded by Ernesto Rodriguez, is accomplishing by installing ceiling murals of trees in schools across the U.S. These murals offer students in windowless and portable classrooms a calming connection to nature, supported by over 40 years of scientific research. Avalon Schools K2 class with their finished ceiling mural; courtesy of Nature In The Classroom Rodriguez, a retired school psychologist turned naturalist, emphasizes the proven benefits of nature on mental health. “Forty-plus years of empirical science teaches us that viewing trees or images of trees calms us and helps us focus,” he explains. Through Nature in the Classroom, tree ceiling murals are now installed in 14 school districts across California, Colorado, Kentucky, Utah, New York, and Pennsylvania, reaching over 7,000 students. The murals have been received with enthusiasm. As one sixth grader at Nellie N. Coffman Middle School in California expressed, “I like the branches. It’s like roads to a great journey”. Creating calm and focus in the classroom Classrooms can often be stressful environments, especially for young students. By incorporating nature imagery, teachers and students alike are noticing significant improvements. “Teachers express that students are more focused, happier, and the trees create a greater sense of community in the classroom,” Rodriguez shares. In a world where approximately 10 million students attend classes in portable or windowless rooms, these murals provide a solution. The sense of being outdoors offers an immediate relaxing effect, helping students manage anxiety, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Rodriguez recalls a kindergartener who perfectly summarized the benefits of the murals: “She was sitting on her calves, straightened up, flicked her hair back and said, ‘It calms me up.’” Addressing mental health through greenery Recent studies have supported the mental health benefits of access to greenery. A study from Spain introduced the ‘3-30-300 rule,’ recommending that to enhance mental health, individuals should be able to see three trees from a window, have 30 percent greenery in their neighborhood, and live within 300 meters of a park. Unfortunately, many inner-city schools, particularly Title 1 schools, lack access to these benefits. Rodriguez highlights how his tree ceilings can provide an alternative: “The tree ceilings provide a bridge to greenery and the mental health benefits.” Helping students post-pandemic The calming impact of these tree ceilings has been particularly helpful in managing the anxiety left in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. One principal from Gage Middle School in Los Angeles shared that they couldn’t have gotten through the pandemic without the tree ceilings, which “instantly calm kids who are having anxiety.” With each mural, Nature in the Classroom is giving students a peaceful, green escape that fosters creativity, reduces stress, and cultivates a sense of calm—all while helping them stay focused and engaged in their learning environments. As more schools adopt this unique approach, the positive effects of nature-inspired spaces are becoming increasingly clear, paving the way for healthier and more nurturing classrooms. For more information, visit Nature in the Classroom.   The Man That Rescues Dogs: transforming the lives of stray dogs in Thailand In the heart of Chonburi, Thailand, The Man That Rescues Dogs (TMTRD) has become a sanctuary for more than 1,000 stray, sick, and disabled dogs. Founded by Swedish entrepreneur Michael J. Baines, TMTRD is committed to giving these animals a second chance at life. Initially, Baines fed local dogs near his restaurant but eventually made the life-changing decision to open the sanctuary full-time in 2017. Since then, TMTRD has grown into a remarkable space that not only rescues dogs but also educates the local community on animal welfare. Baines’ inspiring journey began with simply feeding stray dogs. “He started spending his free time helping as many of Thailand’s stray population as he could,” says Caroline, a supporter and the one who nominated TMTRD as a local changemaker for this series. Michael with two rescue dogs; courtesy of TMTRD A sanctuary with heart and purpose As Baines’ passion grew, he transitioned from running a restaurant to building a sanctuary that now spans 8,000 square meters. This space includes a full-service clinic, a care unit for dogs with special needs, a sterile quarantine section, a specialized distemper unit, and even swimming pools for water therapy. Every day, twice a day, the dogs at TMTRD receive a nutritious meal of meat, rice, and dry food, and the onsite vets ensure the health and well-being of each dog. “Michael’s work is truly incredible and inspirational,” Caroline adds. With 32 staff members, including veterinarians, construction workers, and administrative personnel, TMTRD not only supports the dogs but also provides competitive salaries and accommodation for its staff. The Wheelchair Mafia: a story of resilience TMTRD is also well-known for its “Wheelchair Mafia,” a group of disabled dogs who use custom-made wheelchairs to move around. The organization’s work is a heartwarming example of compassion, resilience, and dedication. TMTRD doesn’t just focus on rescuing dogs; it also emphasizes community outreach and education to foster a harmonious relationship between people and animals. Supporting the mission through storytelling To support the sanctuary’s mission, Baines has written a memoir called Home. Made., with 70 percent of the book’s royalties going directly to fund the foundation, thanks to a unique partnership with the social impact publisher, Witchcraft. “In traditional models, an author only receives 5-10 percent of royalties,” Caroline explains, “but Witchcraft flips the model in favor of nonprofits, helping to fund their crucial missions.” Through education, community involvement, and a tireless commitment to the welfare of stray dogs, TMTRD is making a life-changing difference for animals in Thailand. Baines’ dedication and vision are an inspiring example of how one person can make an enormous impact on the lives of countless animals—and create lasting change within a community. For more information and to support this incredible mission, visit TMTRD.The post Changemakers of the week: Nature in the Classroom and The Man That Rescues Dogs first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

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'All moving in Trump's direction'

A blind kitten, once lost outside, now melts every heart he touches and has grown incredibly close to another cat. FlannelBetsy @betsyherrelkoDespite having used several of his nine lives, Flannel, the kitten, never let anything hold him back and continued to love every person he met.He was found wandering alone, unable to see due to a severe upper respiratory infection. When a Tails High volunteer learned that he urgently needed rescue placement, she leaped into action.Within days of being in foster care, Flannel blossomed into the ultimate love bug. "From the moment he was rescued, he was rubbing all over his foster mom and giving her kisses and head boops," the rescue shared. Tails HighFlannel made himself right at home, crawling onto people's laps and showering them with endless affection. "He had clearly been through so much, but he purred through it all.""While we don't know how Flannel ended up outside, fending for himself when he was so sick and unable to see, we do know he had to have known human touch and companionship at some point in time." Tails HighWithout sight, Flannel expertly mapped out his surroundings. He confidently navigated the house, climbed stairs, and used the litter box with ease.After his eye surgery, Flannel felt much better, bouncing around with renewed energy. "He has never slowed down one bit, despite having such a hard start to life and going through so much strife before being rescued." Tails HighFlannel was incredibly friendly with other kitties, letting them pounce on his head during play and cuddling with them when they napped. "He is a sweet pea to every human and kitty he meets, wanting nothing more than love."He stole the show at every meet-and-greet, nestling into potential adopters' laps and showing off his high jumps. Despite being blind, he never missed a step. Betsy @betsyherrelkoThat's when he caught the eye of Betsy and quickly had her wrapped around his little paw."She described the type of kitty she was looking for, explained the broken heart she was nursing back to life after losing her most special senior kitty, and we just had a feeling... Flannel was her boy." Flannel cuddled with his forever momBetsy @betsyherrelkoFlannel strutted around his new home, full of unbridled energy. Soon, he was zooming around, jumping and scaling tall furniture like a ninja.His fearless attitude and curiosity make him an excellent companion and travel buddy. Flannel loves playing fetchBetsy @betsyherrelko"He is living his best life, greeting the residents of his building in the lobby, distracting mom from work, and taking in the smells of the city from his favorite window perch."Flannel had always wanted a constant friend, and when Betsy brought home a new feline brother, Abba, he was instantly smitten. Abba and FlannelBetsy @betsyherrelkoAbba was very shy at first with all the unfamiliar sights and sounds and took refuge behind the couch. With a good TV program and plenty of patience, he slowly came out of his shell. But the true magic happened when he met Flannel.Perhaps Flannel's confidence and friendliness eased his worries and gave him the courage he didn't know he had. They became fast friendsBetsy @betsyherrelkoAfter a proper sniff greeting, they became fast friends. They began zipping around the house, sharing toys and adventures. When worn out from a whirlwind of play, they curled up side by side and fell asleep to the sound of their harmonized purrs.Flannel melts as Abba wraps around him and washes his face. Betsy @betsyherrelkoAbba adores his little brother, who is completely obsessed with him. They are joined at the hip and spend every moment together."Flannel's fairy tale is one that inspires us to keep fighting for the underdog... well, undercat." Best of friendsBetsy @betsyherrelkoShare this story with your friends. More from Tails High on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks to Betsy @betsyherrelko.Related story: Cat Shows Up at a House Looking for Food, They Realize She's Deaf with a Heart of Gold

Colin Kaepernick is a father and a published author, but recent comments suggest that his new phase in life hasn’t stopped him from longing for the good old days back on the NFL’s “plantation.” The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback turned racial justice activist appeared recently on “CBS Mornings” with his partner, Nessa Diab, to promote their new children’s book, “We Are Free, You and Me.” The couple wrote the book to bring the work they do in their Know Your Rights camp to a younger audience. The book says kids have the right to be free, be healthy, be brilliant, be safe, be loved, be courageous, be alive, be trusted, be educated, and know their rights. The hosts seemed genuinely excited about the project, but the book probably won’t be read as widely as Dr. Seuss or Aesop’s Fables in 30 years. People should be able to go to a game without overpaid and underinformed athletes lecturing them on whatever topic is trending on X. Ironically, the most interesting part of the interview had nothing to do with the couple or their new project. At one point, Gayle King noted that Kaepernick is still training every morning, hoping to play pro football again. It’s normal for an unsigned player to stay in shape in case he gets a call from a team looking to fill a roster spot due to injury. What doesn’t happen every day is watching a former player who compared playing football to slavery beg to be put back on his old “plantation.” For those who don’t remember, Colin Kaepernick compared the NFL Scouting Combine to a slave auction, with black players playing the role of slaves and white general managers and coaches functioning like slave owners. Kaepernick also wore a shirt that said “Kunta Kinte” — one of the main characters from the miniseries “Roots” — to an NFL workout. These comparisons trivialize the brutal reality of slavery, but they also showed how far Kaepernick would go to make a political statement and trash his former employer. He seems to believe the NFL only cares about using black men’s bodies for financial gain but won’t let them speak out against social injustice. That is his right. But I don’t understand why an “emancipated” activist who escaped such oppressive conditions would willingly subject himself to life back on the plantation. Waking up every morning hoping your old “master” — or one of his friends — would put you back out in the field is a strange use of time for a revolutionary and freedom fighter. What kind of man fights to escape the bondage of a multimillion-dollar contract only to volunteer himself for additional years of servitude? I guess the type of man who wears a “Kunta Kinte” T-shirt. But then again, Kaepernick is also a man who bashes capitalism one minute and signs a multimillion-dollar deal with Nike the next, earning the company billions along the way. Like the co-founders of Black Lives Matter, Kaepernick realizes that free enterprise is so powerful that even Marxists can find a market for their silly ideas and earn quite a living. It’s clear that BLM ultimately stood for “buying large mansions.” Like many champagne socialists and limousine liberals, professional revolutionaries have enough money to shield themselves from the consequences of their bad ideas. Ultimately, Kaepernick is far less influential today than he was when he first started protesting police brutality during the national anthem in 2016. Many athletes also started to kneel, not out of deep and principled conviction but because they fell victim to peer pressure. Anyone who doubts my claim probably doesn’t remember that by the time the George Floyd protests took off in 2020, it was controversial for an athlete to stand for the national anthem. The beauty of sports is that they bring together people from all different walks of life to support a common cause. Injecting partisan politics into the heart of professional athletics is bad for society, especially when players are only allowed to express certain beliefs. The reaction to the pro-family comments from Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker earlier this year is a useful reminder that our cultural tastemakers are only interested in outspoken athletes who share their politics. Ultimately, people should be able to go to a game without overpaid and underinformed athletes lecturing them on whatever topic is trending on X. Colin Kaepernick is obviously free to continue his fight for “liberation,” whether through his books or his camps. I just find it strange that a self-described abolitionist is so eager to become a “slave” again.

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