News I Reviews I Books I Film I Art I Ideas

EDITED BY ELLEN TOUT

TAKEN FROM ‘WONDERS: SPECTACULAR MOMENTS IN NATURE’. PHOTOGRAPHY COMPILED BY RHONDA RUBENSTEIN AND THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. INTRODUCTION BY SYLVIA A EARLE. PHOTOGRAPH: MARCIO CABRAL

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has”MARGARET MEAD

‘Photos tell stories, arouse sympathy, provoke joy, and make you gasp with wonder. An image like this is precisely what is needed to inspire new generations of people to know and care about wild places and wildlife, and to take action while there is still time,’ writes Sylvia A Earle in the new Wonders book (Chronicle Books, £26). The striking compendium features unique glimpses into rare moments of nature – like the sempre-viva, a rare wildflower native to central Brazil’s highlands, whose magical blooms reflect light (pictured). The photos, and the stories behind them, are truly inspiring.

Thought-provoking culture, creative ideas, insightful science and inspiring gifts

Print, £14.50, notonthehighstreet.com

OUR KINDNESS PROJECT

LOVE IS PATIENT, LOVE IS KIND

Author David Hamilton is an advocate of kindness. Here, he talks about showing compassion towards ourselves and others

PRACTISING KINDNESS can be an antidote to self-criticism, especially when also fostered towards ourselves. In a study, volunteers who scored particularly highly for self-criticism were taught the Buddhist ‘loving kindness meditation’. This involves a person cultivating the feeling of kindness and compassion towards others, and particularly themselves. Compared to those who didn’t meditate, the volunteers significantly reduced their tendency to be self-critical. Even three months later, the benefits were notable. So, if you strive to feel lighter about yourself, try practising some loving kindness.