For decades, researchers have tried to answer one of humanity’s oldest questions: What does it mean to live a good life? While many studies have examined happiness, health, or financial success individually, the Global Flourishing Study takes a far broader view. It asks a more meaningful question: What allows people to truly flourish? With about 200,000 participants across 22 countries and one territory, the Global Flourishing Study is the largest and most comprehensive longitudinal study ever conducted on human flourishing. Unlike one-time surveys that capture only a snapshot in time, this study follows the same individuals over multiple years, allowing researchers to better understand not only what flourishing looks like, but also what contributes to it over time.  The findings challenge many assumptions about success, happiness, and modern life—and they offer valuable lessons for anyone interested in building a richer, more meaningful life. Flourishing Is More Than Happ...

Reaching hard-to-reach neighbors requires persistent, low-pressure efforts such as smiling/waving, offering help with chores (shoveling/pets), sharing food, or hosting casual backyard gatherings. Use tools like Nextdoor to build initial contact, and, if necessary, be willing to bridge gaps through consistent, friendly, and patient engagement over time. Practical Strategies for Reaching Neighbors Casual Socializing:  Host a "driveway happy hour" or set up a fire pit to encourage interaction. Invite neighbors to a yard cookout, which can feel less high-pressure than entering a home. Small Gestures of Kindness:  Offer to grab groceries, pick up mail, or share produce from a garden. Shoveling snow or helping with pets are great ways to show care. Utilize Public Spaces:  Engage while walking the dog, checking mail, or doing yard work. Leverage Technology and Groups:  Use the Nextdoor app to connect, or look for local community center groups and activities. Children and Pe...

See our video announcement on YouTube  which includes pictures of the winners. University of Missouri Extension has announced the winners of the 2026 Show Me Neighborhood Art Month, celebrating a record-breaking year that brought together artists, neighborhoods, businesses, and communities across Missouri. Now in its third year, Show Me Neighborhood Art Month encourages residents of all ages and artistic abilities to create and display artwork that strengthens community pride, enhances public spaces, and helps neighbors feel more connected to the places they call home. The program's vision is simple: promote creative expression and public art created by residents as a way to build a stronger sense of place and belonging. The 2026 event established new participation records with 118 registered art sites across Missouri and 1,324 public votes cast on the art. In addition, 82 percent of participants reported that participating increased their sense of belonging and love for their comm...

Sometimes a national conversation confirms something you've suspected all along. I recently listened to an NPR interview titled The Safety and Power of Knowing Your Neighbors . While the discussion covered everything from loneliness to neighborhood gatherings, two guests in particular stood out to me.  Marc Dunkelman, author of The Vanishing Neighbor , and community builder Sam Pressler offered insights that should matter to anyone who cares about stronger neighborhoods. Their observations did not feel abstract or academic. They described many of the same changes I have seen across Missouri and the same opportunities that continue to emerge when ordinary people choose to become engaged neighbors. Perhaps the biggest lesson is this:  Neighboring did not disappear by accident. It slowly changed as our culture changed. Dunkelman explained that earlier generations generally assumed they would know the people living nearby. Somewhere during the late twentieth century our definition...