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Twelve Good Things |
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Each year I use an issue of the Just One Thing newsletter to offer Twelve Good Things that I think are really wonderful and worth your attention.
May you, those you love, and the whole wide world be truly well, truly happy, and truly at peace.
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— ONE — |
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The Global Compassion Coalition |
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The Global Compassion Coalition is working to build a better world, with compassion and justice at its heart. With a community of 160,000 (and growing), we're connecting inner and outer, the personal and the political, so that people and the planet are truly thriving. Compassion brings us together, and together we can change the world.
In 2026, we’re launching a major campaign to rehumanize the global systems that are causing so much needless suffering. Please join us! |
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— TWO — |
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Rewire Your Anxious Brain |
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If you've struggled with anxiety, worry, stress, or fear, I hope you'll consider joining me for this NEW, LIVE course I'm offering at the beginning of 2026. Each week you'll meet with me LIVE on Zoom and I'll teach you practical things you can do to finally get a handle on your anxiety for good. There are also weekly live group discussions, handouts, home practices, and an online community. This is the most interactive, supportive course I've offered and it starts on January 24th. Plus, if you sign up by this Friday, you can get the early-bird half-off discount!
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— FOUR — |
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The Foundations of Well-Being 2.0 |
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Life keeps throwing us challenges, and so many of us are just trying to survive it all. That's why I created my flagship course The Foundations of Well-Being to take you through a whole year of growing inner strengths and practical life skills so you can start thriving amidst life's challenges — isntead of just struggling to get by. Over 20,000 people have taken this course over the last decade, and it's helped so many. We're starting a new cohort in January, and if you sign up by this Friday, you can save 50%. |
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— FIVE — |
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Rick's Recommended Books of 2025 |
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This year’s been full-on - in the best way - but wow, it adds up. Even when you love what you do, that kind of pace builds what scientists call allostatic load in the body and mind. So to cool down at night, I reread all of Robert Parker’s Spenser novels, along with his Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall series. Parker just nails it - gritty, funny, deeply human. Early Autumn is my favorite, with this grumpy detective helping a kid get his act together, and A Catskill Eagle hits hard with heartbreak and loyalty. I loved News of the World, The Art of Racing in the Rain, A River Runs Through It. I dipped back into sci-fi and reread Startide Rising and Speaker for the Dead, and enjoyed several new books, notably Whalefall. On a totally different wavelength, rereading Realizing Genjōkōan really slowed my mind down; it’s like dissolving into pure awareness for a while. I’m still chewing through Science magazine, real news, and the usual politics. But when it’s time to really unwind, give me great writing, likable characters, a moral trajectory . . . . and a happy ending!
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— SIX — |
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Worthy Nonprofits |
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BRITE Initiative is near and dear to my heart. Their school in Haiti for kindergarten through 8th grade serves children who would not otherwise get a decent education. They have about 100 students who still need support for this school year, and you might like to join me in sponsoring one of them.
Buddhist Global Relief is also close to my heart. Over 90% of what’s donated to them goes directly to feeding people, operating schools — including for girls who would otherwise suffer a terrible fate — and demonstrating the power of boundless lovingkindness.
And Mwanzo in rural Kenya with its founder Loyce Ong’udi is doing extraordinary work. Their slogan is “hope has a home here”—profoundly true in a setting in which hundreds of people will turn out to celebrate the graduation of children from kindergarten. |
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— SEVEN — |
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Movies and Videos |
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My wife Jan and I usually wind down at night with a bit of TV. My personal favorites over the last few years have been Friday Night Lights, The West Wing, and Ted Lasso. All tied for first place. Those shows just have heart.
This year I was blown away by Murderbot. Fantastic adaptation of an already brilliant book series by Martha Wells. It’s this androgynous killing machine who just wants to understand love. (You’re probably seeing a pattern here. My favorite stories - Friday Night Lights, West Wing, Ted Lasso, Murderbot - they’re all about love.)
We did catch a show this year called Classified, some CIA thing with great characters. I wasn’t crazy about the ending - no spoilers - but it broke my “happy ending” rule.
And then there’s Emily in Paris. I swear, I watch it for the clothes. I’m not a fashion guy, but the outfits are wild. It’s goofy, light, funny, there’s character growth, and it usually ends well. What’s not to love? |
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— EIGHT — |
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Equanimity - What It Is, Why It’s Good,
and How to Develop It |
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Life can shake us—whether it’s personal loss, financial uncertainty, or just the stress of the world. Maybe you’re struggling to move forward after a major change, or feeling stuck in frustration and resentment. Perhaps you’re simply exhausted from trying to keep it all together. In one of my favorite Wednesday Talk + Meditations this year, I explored equanimity—what it really is (hint: it’s not numbing out or ignoring reality), why it’s so powerful, and how you can develop it to stay grounded, even when life feels like… too much. |
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— ELEVEN — |
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Free Online Meditation Groups |
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Much research has shown that meditation is a powerful way to develop greater resilience, compassion, and happiness – as well as strengthen the immune system and promote other health benefits. You can join me for free every Wednesday as I offer a talk and meditation that draws on modern psychology, brain science, and the teachings of the Buddha. My good friends Michael Taft, Stephen Snyder, and Tara Brach also offer meditation sessions you may want to check out. |
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— TWELVE — |
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The Best of Science News! |
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Every week in my newsletter I share a science news article that has gotten my attention and I find fascinating. Here is a list of some of the best from this year:
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As we head into the holiday season, I'd like to send twelve times warm wishes to you,
Rick
P.S. For a baker’s dozen, I highly, highly recommend the Being Well Podcast hosted by Forrest Hanson (yep, that's my son) alongside a recurring mystery guest (me!). The podcast has been downloaded over 25 million times, we've interviewed a ton of really smart and interesting people, and we've explored topics like how to improve our relationships, deal with anxiety, heal from trauma, break old patterns, motivate ourselves, and more. I know you’ll like it! |
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JUST ONE THING (JOT) is the free newsletter that suggests a simple practice each week for more joy, more fulfilling relationships, and more peace of mind. A small thing repeated routinely adds up over time to produce big results.
Just one thing that could change your life.
(© Rick Hanson, 2024) |
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