Carolina Avendano
Carolina is a Canada-based writer and journalist who enjoys learning and sharing information about how to lead a meaningful life. She is passionate about traditional culture, handmade crafts, the connection between humans and nature, and human rights.
Li Bai: The Star of China’s Golden Age of Poetry
If any verses of ancient Chinese poetry continue to uplift the spirit and impress the intellect of today’s people, as much as it did for readers of the past, it is those of Li Bai...
Common Products With Toxins and Their Healthy Alternatives, Part I – Covered in Chemicals
As society advances, we strive to find ways to make our lives easier and more convenient; but according to the natural laws of the Universe, for every upside, there is a downside. Our practical modern...
The Dunhuang Caves: An Earthly Glimpse Into Otherworldly Realms
In China’s northwest, on the edge of the Gobi Desert, lies a town that was once a blessed stopover for the weary Silk Road traveler: the city of Dunhuang. Surrounded by majestic sand dunes that...
The Orchid Pavilion: A Celebration of Beauty in Poetry, Calligraphy, and Music
It was the third day of the third lunar month of the year 353. Wang Xizhi, the greatest calligrapher in Chinese history, had invited a group of family and friends to his Orchid Pavilion in...
Hobbies and Work – How to Make Time for the Things We Love
As technology advances, our minds grow increasingly complicated. With task after task being added to an already long to-do list, making time for things like hobbies seems nearly impossible. How many of us long to...
Photon Rings – Deciphering Black Holes’ Interior From Their Exterior
Black holes are among the most fascinating and mysterious natural phenomena known to man. Not only do they have a mass that exceeds that of our planet by a million times — about 2 x...
Tradition and Spirit Behind the Day of the Dead
Remembering the deceased has been at the core of many traditional rituals and celebrations. This especially rings true in Mexico, where family and friends gather annually to pray and tell anecdotes about the departed, build...
Tai Chi: The Daoist Martial Art of Winning Without Fighting
It is said that during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127–1279), in the twelfth century, a man called Zhang Sanfeng (張三豐) walked the earth. Adept in Shaolin kung fu and incomparably skilled in other styles of...
Mindful Eating: Slower Consumption for Better Health
With tight schedules and busy lives, sitting down to a meal free of distraction can be more of a luxury than the norm. Mindful eating gets pushed aside for many reasons. Taking a break to...
The Virtuous King Wen: Forging a Legacy for the Ages in an Era of Corruption
An important concept in the history of China’s many dynastic governments is tian ming (天命), or the Mandate of Heaven. A ruler who follows this mandate leads his people with virtue, allowing the nation to...
Transformers May Improve Our Understanding of the Human Brain
Understanding how our mind organizes and accesses spatial information has been an ongoing challenge for scientists. Knowing where we are, what surrounds us and how to negotiate through our environment involves not only the issue...
Overcoming Artist’s Block Part V – Sharing Your Art
After a long personal journey to understand and overcome artist's block, it's time to let our new inspirations see the light. In this final part of our series, we will explore ways to let others...