What began at Thanks-Giving Square has gone global. Faye Lane’s first international Story Spiral in Toyama, Japan, brought strangers across cultures and languages together through the simple, powerful act of sharing stories and listening deeply.

As artificial intelligence reshapes our world, the qualities that make us most human—wisdom, empathy, judgment and moral reasoning—may matter more than ever. The humanities help us wrestle with the questions technology cannot answer: what we value, what is just and how we should live together.

Dallas artist Alena Niehaus recently discovered the Chapel of Thanks-Giving and, through her art and a remarkable Instagram video, helped nearly 200,000 people discover it, too. Her story reminds us that sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes to see—and appreciate—the extraordinary places that have been part of our city all along.

North Texas Kindness Week returns November 7–14 with an invitation to turn kindness into action across our workplaces, schools, congregations and neighborhoods. Together, we can show that the character of a great city is shaped not only by what we build, but by how we treat one another.

What if one simple practice could help us approach others with greater empathy and understanding? Kyle Ogden reflects on the transformative power of "Just like me," inviting readers to see beyond labels and rediscover the shared humanity that connects us all.

What happens when people feel safe enough to tell the truth about their lives? Reflecting on the July 11 Story Spirals gathering at Thanks-Giving Square, Faye Lane shares how honest storytelling transformed a room of strangers into a genuine community. Her inspiring column explores the healing power of deep listening, shared humanity, and the simple act of witnessing one another's stories—one conversation, one circle, and one person at a time.

North Texas Kindness Week returns November 7–14, inviting individuals, families, schools, businesses, faith communities, and organizations across North Texas to celebrate the power of compassion in everyday life. Discover simple ways to participate, visit Thanks-Giving Square during the week, and join a citywide movement to make kindness more visible—one act, one person, and one community at a time.