2When to Speak: A Lesson from the Young Einstein. I love this excerpt from Joshua Dubois’ book “The President’s Devotional: The Daily Readings That Inspired President Obama.” Joshua served as White House Executive Director of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships during the President’s first term. I am reading this book for the third year in a row, and continue to find words that impress and inspire me.
“There’s a story told about a young Albert Einstein. His parents were concerned that although Albert was growing in years, he had not spoken yet. One evening at dinner, the boy finally opened his mouth to speak, declaring ‘The soup is too hot!’ His parents rejoiced and asked Albert why it had taken him so long to talk. Albert replied, ‘Because up to now everything was in order.’ Like Einstein, we should be careful to be judicious with our words. Our tongues have great power and are best used when they’re truly needed. Until then, let’s cultivate a listening spirit.”
3The Science of Friendship: Friendship With Benefits. This video is an entertaining look at our brain’s hardwiring to connect with others. One of the contributors is Duke University Medical Center Neurobiologist Dr. Michael Platt, whom I recently met while researching a wildlife show that I am developing. In a nutshell, “it’s easier to rise to the top” with the right group of pals versus going it alone.
4Yep, We Can Actually Learn How to Master the Art of Romance from Penguins. Just watch this video. It is so cute, funny, and true! Also, a fun fact, these tuxedo-feathered guys mate for life.
5How Learning New Words Could Make You Happier. Have you ever heard of “positive lexicography”? Neither have I. It is a recently published set of terms, from different cultures, which describe the phenomena of experiencing Happiness in about a thousand ways that you may not have heard of, or even thought of before. Tarab is the Arabic word for musically-induced ecstasy. Ohanami in Japanese describes a group gathered to admire flowers. Kefi in Greek is an intense emotional state (made more intense by drinking.) Positive lexicography comes from the increasing obsession to translate the untranslatable words of various languages. Why? Because, “untranslatable words can give us the sublime feeling one enjoys when briefly comprehending the size of the universe, reminding us that there are infinite perspectives to have and that there is a depth to things that we might not be comprehending.” Like hyppytyynytyydytys, Finnish for the pleasure derived from sitting on a bouncy cushion. Though my favorite is the German word fernweh, “a longing to travel to distant lands, a kind of homesickness for the unexplored.”
6Holding a Loved One‘s Hand Eases Pain and Syncs Brainwaves. You know how the touch of someone can make you feel better? Well, there is a scientific reason why. According to a new study, “when it comes to hand-holding, the feelings of being soothed and loved with touch can blunt pain a little in the same way that people control pain with breathing exercises or meditative methods.”
75 Yoga Poses to Boost Your Mood When You’re Having “One Of Those Days.” For when you are feeling “meh.” Last year, I became a certified yoga instructor. I teach a restorative method. The poses in this article are practical and easy to do. There are videos for each one to help you get optimal results. My favorite is number one, happy baby.
Transformational Travel Council
Jim B.