Thursday, March 13th, 2025

Good Morning! 🌞 

Wow, I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but I am in central Virginia and it feels like full blown spring. Yesterday it was 73 degrees and sunny. ☀️ Just a few weeks ago we had days in the low 20s. 🥶 

Now, I have an important question I would like feedback on. Which of these recent sponsors, if any, did you like the best? We are selective with what sponsors we take on and we want you all to have a say in it too. Because ultimately, this newsletter is about making your day a little brighter and a little better.

If you didn’t like any of them, shoot us a quick email letting us know why. We are also always open to recommendations if you have any.

p.s. Check out our Thankful Thursday segment. We got a special one today.

World News

The Last Contested Border

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have agreed to realign their shared border after decades of violent disputes, marking a rare move toward stability in Central Asia. The Fergana Valley, where the two nations intersect, has long been a flashpoint due to its complicated geography—enclaves, disputed territories, and historical nomadic routes. Soviet-era demarcations only heightened conflicts over land, water, and grazing rights, fueling frequent clashes between Kyrgyzstan’s Batken region and Tajikistan’s northern Sughd region.

Negotiations have now reached a conclusive phase, with Kyrgyzstan’s secret service chief, Kamchybek Tashiev, announcing that the deal can “be discussed openly from today.” Though it still requires parliamentary approval before being signed by both presidents, key points include neutral access to certain disputed roads, the relocation of villages affected by shifting borders, and shared use of a critical irrigation canal. While a preliminary agreement surfaced in December, details are only now emerging.

This breakthrough follows deadly clashes in 2022—some of the worst violence in decades—underscoring the urgency for a diplomatic solution. A recent meeting at the UN between the two presidents signaled a pivot toward dialogue, leading to this landmark resolution. By clarifying boundaries and resource-sharing, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan hope to establish a more enduring peace in an historically volatile region.

Culture

Resurrecting Extinct Instruments

The Yazh, a harp-like instrument once played for Tamil kings 2,000 years ago, had seemingly vanished from history. With no remaining models or clear construction methods, its revival appeared impossible—until a young Chennai-born architecture graduate, Tharun Sekar, stepped up. Spurred by a friend’s request, he delved into ancient Tamil literature, where poetic descriptions compared the Yazh’s sound to honey and its curve to a pregnant woman’s belly, relying on these faint clues and insights from similar instruments like the Greek lyre and Burmese harps.

Building the first Yazh took a year, aided by local brasswork experts who helped Sekar bring the literary references to life. Once satisfied with his prototype, he founded Uru Instruments to produce hand-carved Yazhs of various sizes, from portable versions to floor-standing harps. The result is a unique sound that blends elements of the sitar, lyre, and banjo.

Since its launch, Uru Instruments has sold about 80 Yazhs worldwide, reaching Canada, the US, the UK, Germany, and India. Sekar’s next goal extends beyond the Yazh, as he intends to resurrect a lost instrument from every Indian state. “We are in the search for that,” he told The Better India, underscoring his commitment to restoring India’s musical heritage.

Environment

New 7.5 Mile Trail

The Hudson River Valley’s scenic hiking trails draw large crowds, yet limited infrastructure and access have left neighboring towns struggling with congestion during peak seasons. To address these challenges, a major public-private initiative is underway: the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, a 7.5-mile linear park and trail connecting Beacon to Cold Spring. By connecting marshlands, forests, highlands, and riverlands—and steering visitors away from State Route 9D—the trail aims to better distribute foot traffic and showcase the region's natural beauty.

Supported by the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and spanning two counties and four communities, the project brings together a notable team. Landscape architect Kate Orff, a TIME 100 honoree and founder of SCAPE, leads the design, while Peter Mullan—formerly of the High Line—oversees construction. Their vision is a trail system that balances visitor access with ecological stewardship, integrating four distinct landscape zones and using materials attuned to each environment.

The Fjord Trail will accommodate bikes, rail connections, and wheelchair access, linking major trailheads like Breakneck Ridge, Sugarloaf, Taurus, and South Beacon mountains. As part of its restoration focus, the Breakneck Connector area has already seen significant progress, with 436 native trees and 2,000 native shrubs planted to restore the local landscape. By managing visitor flow and preserving sensitive habitats, the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail aims to safeguard the region’s ecology while offering a transformative outdoor experience.

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Mind Stretchers

⁉️

I walk alone yet crave your touch,
I rule the house but ask for much.
Silent steps and piercing eyes,
A hunter cloaked in small disguise.
What am I?

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:

amazing grace— James Godfrey got this correct first! 🌞 

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to[email protected]or reply to email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.