The Dunkirk spirit is helping people stranded in Europe

Due to the ash cloud (from the volcano in Iceland) spreading across Europe and halting air travel, people are pooling resources together to help each other. Yes, there are alternative modes of transport (buses, trains, ferries) but they are booked solid so lots of people are stranded across Europe and desperate to get home.

And once again, Twitter is proving to be a valuable tool in times of need. People on Twitter are using the appropriate hashtag, #getmehome that @indiaknight started to share travel, ideas, tips, lifts with others and to simply connect to each other and offer support in any way they can. It's the Dunkirk spirit at work to help people who are stranded.

I'm so impressed with the way people are volunteering to help each other (total strangers) and also impressed with the way Twitter is once again proving to be such a valuable tool. It's simply wonderful.

Edited to add: More Dunkirk spirit
Dan Snow @thehistoryguy is going to Calais, France tomorrow (Sunday, April 18th) to bring people home via a fleet of five speed boats! He's set up a special twitter account: calaisrescue

Ellen DeGeneres gives commencement speech at Tulane University

I love this funny and uplifting commencement speech by Ellen DeGeneres at Tulane University, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States:

The IoS Happy List 2009 :100 people who make Britain a better & a happier place to live

One hundred people who make Britain a better, more caring and contented nation are named today in The Independent on Sunday Happy List, 2009. The IoS Happy List 2009 - the 100 I think it's quite an interesting list with many worthy names. I agree with these names in particular: Sir David Attenborough - he always presents information in a very quiet and dignified way. Camila Batmanghelidjh - I've read lots of articles about this amazing woman. She is truly inspiring. Shami Chakrabarti - she is an important civil liberties campaigner who is always worth listening to. And she is charming as well as very intelligent. Danny Boyle - a very talented movie director who is obviouly well-liked as well as respected in the acting community. His happiness is contagious. Simon King - he's such a quiet and thoughtful man who comes across as very sweet and charming on Springwatch and Autumnwatch. Ray Mears - I like his enthusiasm about the outdoors and how to live in the wild. Jacqueline Wilson - I've always been impressed by how she treats the young fans of her books with such kindness and respect. I would add physicist and broadcaster Professor Brian Cox. He has the perfect television personality for explaining science and making it exciting. And his enthusiasm about science and his happiness are contagious. What do you think of the list? Is there someone you would add?

Michelle Obama: The inspiring First Lady

As much as I enjoy listening to President Obama's speeches and feeling proud that he is our president, I also enjoy listening to his wife and think she is equally inspiring. I was so impressed as I watched Michelle Obama on the news when she visited a school in London today. This is the report from BBC News: First Lady moved by school visit The world needs strong young women to pave the way for the future, an emotional US First Lady Michelle Obama has told schoolgirls in London. Mrs Obama was close to tears as she addressed the excited crowd at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in Islington, north London. She told them: "We are counting on every single one of you to be the best that you can be." Video from NBC News: Michelle Obama's school visit in London Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language College (Girls Secondary School)

Need inspiration? Watch this video by Aimee Mullins

Aimee Mullins: How my legs give me super-powers Athlete, actor and activist Aimee Mullins talks about her prosthetic legs -- she's got a dozen amazing pairs -- and the superpowers they grant her: speed, beauty, an extra 6 inches of height ... Quite simply, she redefines what the body can be. (link via TED.com recommended by parent hacks) Read more about Aimee Mullins on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Former Woolworths manager opens ‘Wellworths’ in Dorchester, Dorset

I love this story! It just goes to show what one person can do: New store fills Woolie gap A former Woolworths manager has opened a new store to fill the gap left by the demise of the national chain. Wellworths, in Dorchester, Dorset, is the brain child of Claire Robertson, who re-hired 20 of her former colleagues to run the shop. The 34-year-old had previously worked for the high street chain for 18 years before it was one of the 815 that closed after the chain went into administration. (link via itv.com) Claire Robertson is a perfect example of an enterprising businesswoman and she deserves a lot of recognition for her idea that has defied the recession. I also love the clever name change - Wellworths - nicknamed ‘Wellies’ (Woolworths was called 'Woolies') which also enhances the attraction of the store. Well done, Claire!

American football coach making a difference in tough LA communities

I have never been a fan of American football but you don't need to be a fan of the game to admire the football coach, Pete Carroll. He coaches college football with enthusiasm and a positive attitude that includes taking advantage of "teachable moments" - taking a mistake and learning from it - when the players misbehave and need discipline. But that's not all. He also devotes time to A Better LA, an organization he created that's dedicated to reducing violence - by empowering change - in some of the worst gang crime areas of Los Angeles. Watch the episode from "60 Minutes" about the inspiring coach:
Watch CBS Videos Online (link via the blog, Monkeys in My Trees)

Feeling down? You must watch this video!

If you are feeling down, you must watch this inspiring video about Nick Vujicic. Nick faces incredible obstacles every day of his life but he loves living life and he is happy: Nick Vujicic is a truly inspirational man!

TheWhoFarm: The White House Organic Farm Project

I think this is a very cool idea: Edible playgrounds and political vegetables From school playgrounds to digging up the lawns of the White House and Downing St, there are many wasted spaces where we could be inspiring people to grow their own food (link via guardian.co.uk) TheWhoFarm A day-in-the-life of The White House Organic (WHO) Farm Project's cross-country tour:

Men of Honour - an old movie (2000) on TV last night

Men of Honor (released in the UK as Men of Honour) is a 2000 drama film, directed by George Tillman, Jr. and starring Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding Jr. Okay I know this movie isn't new but I only saw it for the first time on TV (Channel 4) last night. Wow! I thought it was excellent, very moving and inspirational especially since it's based on the true story of Carl Brashear (January 19, 1931 – July 25, 2006) who was the first African American to become a U.S. Navy Master Diver in 1970. Cuba Gooding Jr was outstanding in the role of Carl Brashear. His acting always impresses me. In fact, that's why I watched the movie. I knew it would be good if he was starring in it. Have you seen this movie? If you haven't, I highly recommend it.

My Top Ten Favourite YouTube Videos

My top ten favourite (so far!) YouTube Videos on the net: Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams R.I.P. Randy (October 23, 1960 – July 25, 2008) Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight Free Hugs Campaign (official home of the Free Hugs Campaign) Where the Hell is Matt? Do the happy dance with Matt Harding on his global journey Somewhere Over the Rainbow sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole aka "The Gentle Giant" (May 20, 1959 – June 26, 1997) Dirty Dancing UK - Julia and James First Dance Mister Rogers defending PBS to the US Senate About six minutes of passionate testimony.He even recited the lyrics to one of his songs. R.I.P. Fred Rogers (March 20, 1928 – February 27, 2003) High Power Job I love his parting thoughts: "There's only three things I've ever been afraid of - electricity, heights and women - and I'm married too!" Clay Dyer - The Most Inspirational Fisherman Ever Inspirational Video - The Don't Quit Poem I'd love it if you'd share your links to your own favourite videos by leaving a comment or if you prefer, post a list of your favourites on your own blog and leave a link to your post in my comments.

Video of a talk by Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight

Have you ever wondered how your brain works? Or what happens when a person has a stroke? You will learn all about it when you watch and listen to this fascinating presentation by Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight About this talk Jill Bolte Taylor got a research opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: She had a massive stroke, and watched as her brain functions -- motion, speech, self-awareness –- shut down one by one. An astonishing story. About Jill Bolte Taylor Brain researcher Jill Bolte Taylor studied her own stroke as it happened -- and has become a powerful voice for brain recovery I found her talk incredibly moving and profound. What an impressive woman! I'm not surprised to learn that in May 2008 she was named to Time Magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world. If you want to learn more about Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, she has a website. She also has set up My Stroke of Insight website, an interactive place to read inspiring stories and share techniques on how to create deep inner peace.

JK Rowling delivers the Commencement Address at the Annual Meeting of the Harvard Alumni Association

One of the reasons I like delicious (a social bookmarks manager) so much, is that I never know what I will discover when I check in each day for a new batch of links on the web to peruse. Today, I found a link to J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement: Harvard Magazine. You can watch a video and/or listen to an audio recording as well as read the text via the link. Her speech, "The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination" is incredibly powerful and well worth taking the time to read and/or listen to. I also found a report on the Harvard University website about her talk: Yes, it was a magical talk - Rowling casts spell at Afternoon Exercises (link via Harvard News Office, Harvard University Gazette Online)