The best way for mental clarity and insight in our busy world is through quiet reflection. Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. Anne Lamott. The Dream In the early 1960s, Paul McCartney woke up one morning with a fully formed melody that had come to him … Read more
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep. Rumi. There are two sorts of people in the world—the reactive and the proactive. They epitomize very different approaches to life. The reactive ones are typically those who snooze their alarm six times before waking up, are always “too busy” playing … Read more
So, a few months back, I was in the audience at a theater, immersed in a series of Indian classical dance recitals featuring local students, mostly teens and young adults. Roughly an hour into the annual show, my Apple Watch buzzed with a “High Heart Rate” alert. To set the scene, my resting heart rate … Read more
Getting back on the bandwagon—whether it’s resuming a diet, exercise regimen, a personal project, or any good habit that has slipped—can be challenging but is ultimately a rewarding pursuit. New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings. Lao Tzu Here’s a story I read in the comments section of an article in the NY Times: … Read more
Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind. Henry James. Unsung Hero I heard this uplifting tale on NPR’s Shankar Vedantam’s Unsung Hero segment of the Hidden Brain podcast. About 18 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, Alexandra … Read more
You create your own luck by being ready to grab opportunities as they come to you. Richard Branson. True or False? Luck: That which can’t be explained Imagine you’ve planned an outdoor party and learned too late that a storm is forecasted for your area that day. Or picture yourself in the middle of a … Read more
The art of decluttering is the art of letting go. It’s all about the stuff Now, I’ll admit, this isn’t my first post about decluttering and conquering the chaos of “stuff,” and I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last. If there’s one aspect of my life that would get a barely-passing grade on a … Read more
In a world that constantly emphasizes the importance of acquiring new knowledge and skills, the concept of unlearning might seem counterintuitive, if not outright perplexing. After all, why would we want to let go of what we’ve spent so much time and effort learning? You must unlearn what you have learned. Yoda, Star Wars. What … Read more
Take your time. Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have a title until much later. Bob Goff. The Road Less Traveled – Scott Peck In The Road Less Traveled, Scott Peck recounts his journey of learning patience and problem-solving. He writes, “One day, at the end of my 37th … Read more
In a world dominated by the Protestant Work Ethic, our worth is often measured by our ability to produce. This leaves us feeling inadequate when we forget that our value extends far beyond our professional accomplishments. The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. Henry David Thoreau. The Protestant Ethic … Read more
In his book The Creative Act: A Way of Being, Rick Rubin explains the Power of Curation: If you choose to read classic literature every day for a year rather than the news, by the end of that time period, you will have a more honed sensitivity for recognizing greatness in the books rather than in … Read more
Wonder is the heaviest element on the periodic table. Even a tiny teaspoon of it can stop time. Diane Ackerman, describing the Power of Awe. Songs of the Humpback Whales After many years studying moths, Tufts University researcher Roger Payne headed to Bermuda to study whales. There, he met a US Navy engineer who, while … Read more
“I’m not a control freak. I know exactly how things should be done, and if you’d all just do it my way, everything would be fine!” This article in the NY Times describes a micromanager who was so much of a control freak that she “cleaned out employees’ desks when she felt that they were … Read more
The paradox of moral licensing: the more we pat ourselves on the back for our goodness, the easier it becomes to turn a blind eye to our lapses. “I worked really hard this week. So, I deserve to binge-watch five episodes of The Crown this weekend.” “I ran 6 miles today. What’s the harm in … Read more
A diamond is just a lump of coal that did well under pressure. Start before you’re ready. Whether you spent weeks last year meticulously crafting New Year’s resolutions, conjured your resolution in a tipsy state on New Year’s Eve, or avoided the rigamarole altogether, it’s time to confront one truth: New Year’s Day was over … Read more
The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she’s treated. I shall always be a flower girl to Professor Higgins, because he always treats me as a flower girl, and always will; but I know I can be a lady to you [Colonel Pickering], because you always … Read more
Wabi-sabi is a character skill. It gives you the discipline to shift your attention from impossible ideals to achievable standards—and then adjust those standards over time. Adam Grant, Hidden Potential According to legend, as a young boy, Sen no Rikyu sought to learn the art of the Japanese tea ceremony from the esteemed tea master, … Read more
“Don’t let the title mislead you,” Arlbeth told her. “The king is simply the visible one. I’m so visible, in fact, that most of the important work has to be done by other people.” “Nonsense,” said Tor. Arlbeth chuckled. “Your loyalty does you honor, but you’re in the process of becoming too visible to be … Read more
I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson’s words resonate with me deeply. The fact that I try to read a lot, coupled with the reality that I have the memory of a firefly, it is a miracle I … Read more
According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, Beavers are meticulous groomers. They use the preening toe as a comb to prevent their fine, soft fur from matting to maintain its waterproofing and insulating properties. In an alternate universe, I think I’d be a Beaver. Far from glamorous, I know. But I feel … Read more