My brain likes to edit. I’m not one to jump in to lead a project without knowing a lot about it. I like to get the lay of the land, see what I can see, try to understand how it works and how the people within it work. Once I know stuff and have asked … Read more
When I was in college, the phrase “keyboard skills” evoked many negative reactions from many of us. Learning to play piano was, succinctly, not a good time. But even at the college level, we weren’t handed a Beethoven piano sonata and asked to plunk it out by whatever means necessary. This is what we’re doing … Read more
“Every time you learn something, your brain changes.” Whether you learn it correctly or not, whether you learn something big or small, something important or not important, something loving or hateful, it physically changes your brain. I heard this somewhere a couple of months ago, and it stuck with me. (Happy to cite if you … Read more
The Kid mentioned to me the other day: “Mom, did you know Tony the Tiger donates money to keep sports in schools?” We had a short conversation about it, and I told him I’d look up the details. Here are the details: you buy a box of Frosted Flakes. You upload your receipt, and Kellogg’s … Read more
My podcast-filled photography hike last weekend yielded many photos! I have a particular affinity for the cactus skeletons—they’re so interesting to look at. The Climbing Daddy and I had gone for a hike and we saw this one cactus in a state of decomposition and it was just fascinating. My goal on this hike was … Read more
Solidarity incited among introverts via memes in the theme of staying home versus socializing. They’ve always rubbed me the wrong way because they didn’t fit me. I’m definitely an introvert. And I definitely enjoy socializing. (In certain contexts.) And, as I wrote about recently, a good girlfriend date is definitely energizing. My depression is always … Read more
Valentine’s Day is coming up (if January ever ends)… A gift that provokes anxiety or guilt (or both!) is not a good gift. If your partner is reducing or eliminating junk food, buying chocolate, cookies, candies, etc. is not a thoughtful thing to do. Likewise, if you’re reducing or eliminating junk food, don’t ask for … Read more
“You choose what you put out into the world.” I don’t remember where this crossed my path recently, but it was timely. It ties in to an earlier post about negative people—from a first-person perspective. My output of complaining goes in cycles. When I notice it’s increasing, I make an effort to cut it back. … Read more
I shared with you a snippet from a podcast regarding emotional contagions and the effect of negative people in your orbit. If you got to thinking and realized that might be you, this clip might help. Or if you move through the world feeling you’re less than other people, for any of a variety of … Read more
I started listening to the Work Life podcast, by Adam Grant. I love it! Super-interesting. Since they’re relatively close to the beginning of the podcast, I started at the beginning. Season 1, Episode 3 was “The Problem with All Stars,” and while it was interesting to listen to, the piece that was most striking to … Read more