Today I was idly checking twitter.com, and someone had mentioned a joyous video by Franti. I have no idea who he is, but I have played the video about 20 times.."It seems like everywhere I go, the more I see, the less I know -- but I know one thing -- that I love you."
I am bopping in my office chair typing this, and feeling what it is to have a joyful spirit.

There are lots of places to point folks to on the web -- places that inspire, uplift, encourage. There are videos and presentations and photography out there that leave me breathless. So I decided to take some of the cream of the crop that I know about and share them with you.

A couple of days ago, Pam, BlogHer's CE for Travel, sent an email that mentioned a photography site that is moving, and gentle, and brilliant and so touching. A man's father has lost his short term memory and cannot maintain the fact that his wife is dead. He keeps forgetting and having to be told again and again, and experience the pain again and again. So his son told him that she is now in Paris. This is the son's photography about his father and his relationship, and as he says -- "about the days we have left together". It is called Days With My Father.

The Free Hugs Campaign" is downright fabulous. A man stands on the street with a sign -- "FREE HUGS". Some people ignore him -- some collapse in his arms, some make it a joke, some take it seriously. It is amazing to see the expressions on people's faces when they see the sign.

The Interview With God" is a classic. The photography is stunning, and the message is actually worth the time to watch it. Its companionPathways to Peace" provides inspirational quotes with beautiful background scenery.

A quiet meditative photo essay called What is Peace" by Lisa Heppner uses single images and phrases to inspire calm and peacefulness.

Then there is Matt. Matt travels all over the world, dancing a silly dance and getting others to dance with him. Sounds silly, but the video grows on you as it becomes a message about more than one man and one dance. I hear it drew over a million hits in its first day on YouTube.

Beliefnet.com provides a wonderful animation narrated by Thich Nat Hanh called "Being Peace".

Also on B'net is a Flash presentation of the 23rd Psalm, using music, voice and photography. I could have done without the music, m'self, but the rest is lovely.

Other guided meditations can be found here on Beliefnet.

And here is a lovely one about beauty called "It's In Every One Of Us".

Finally, because I want to end on a laugh, a hoot and holler of joy -- here is "Ode to Joy"as performed on the Muppet Show. I do not suggest that it has any spiritual content. I just want to make you smile.

BLOGGERS SUGGEST:

Rose shows a video that she introduces by saying:

I read the tweet and replied without hesitating. Sure I'd send in a picture of me holding a sign stating why I wanted to stand up to cancer. The person asking was going to put together a video montage of all the things people stand for and I wanted to be in on it, because, well, cancer sucks.

On April 11th, Lis found out that she had 3 weeks left to live. On April 12th, she and her pet dog, Diva, did their last agility run together. Elle presents a video of this event.

hope-for needy in India points to an ad that has some inspiring content, despite its commercial intent.

Rachel displays a fun video that inspires great design work.
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Now, tell us your favorites!

Mata H , CE for Religion and Spirituality, shakes her soul at Time's Fool