The Hopeful Humanist Cafe: Recent Episodes
Hopeful Humanist
Welcome to The Hopeful Humanist Cafe where I explore ideas in flow about the "Good Life" and helpful resources to put in one's mindfulness toolbox
Welcome to another episode of The Hopeful Humanist Cafe. It has been awhile ...
A quick correction
In this episode I refer to nine protocols on a few occasions - there are ten. This was simply a lapse in memory. The protocols developed gradually over time, and in the moment I was recalling an earlier stage of that process rather than the completed list. The full ten protocols are below.
This episode is unscripted and unedited. No second takes, no polish - just an honest, one-take conversation, the way these episodes have always been done at the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. That choice is deliberate. In an episode about staying human in the age of AI, it felt right to keep this one human too.
I want to be clear from the outset: I do not have a monopoly on the truth here. These protocols come from lived experience, not from a lab or a license to be right. Take what's useful, question what isn't, and tell me where I've got it wrong.
A Fact Worth Sitting With
Youth aged 16–24 are the loneliest age group in Canada - almost 1 in 5 report feeling lonely often or always - and they are also the heaviest users of social media and digital tools (CMHA National, May 2026). People who connect with others only online are nearly twice as likely to be frequently lonely (24%) as those who connect both in person and virtually (15%). Technology promised connection. For a lot of young people, it's delivering the opposite - and the more we lean on AI to fill that gap, the more these protocols matter.
What is AI Wellness?
AI Wellness is the intentional practice of maintaining a healthy relationship with AI tools - preserving human agency, perspective, and lived experience, treating AI as a tool in service of a life, rather than a life in service of a tool. In practice, it looks like using AI to draft, but not to decide.
It did not come from a tech company or a research institution. It came from one person's own unsettling experience with AI, and a question that followed: if an adult who understood AI could feel disoriented by it, what is it doing to young people who don't? That question became a free app - a guided check-in for before and after AI use — built around ten protocols, not rules, but questions.
🔗 Try it yourself: hopefulhumanist-chooser.github.io/ai-wellness
What is a Strata Break?
A Strata Break is a deliberate and significant withdrawal from AI-assisted work — not a short pause, but a stepping away of days or weeks, long enough for your thinking to settle, your energy to move toward other areas of life, and your perspective to genuinely renew. The name comes from geology: strata are layers of sediment laid down over time. A Strata Break happens after real work has accumulated - a foundational layer of production - and before the next iteration begins. You return not just rested, but reoriented. AI Wellness is the ethic. The Strata Break is the practice that makes it real.
The Ten Protocols:
- Pause. Step Away. Return to the Real World.
- The No Flattery Prompt (anti-sycophancy prompt)
- Do Not Name Your AI or Form Relational Bonds With It
- Do Not Go to AI for Personal (Emotional/Psychological) Support
- Do Not Share Personal Information With AI
- Do Not Let AI Make Your Decisions
- Be Mindful of Activities of Daily Living
- Critically Question AI Outputs and Verify Information
- Conduct a Weekly Review of Your AI Use and Emotional Impact
- Be Cautious About What Access You Give AI Systems (e.g., microphone, contacts, location, stored files)
The app is freely available, openly licensed for education, and — like everything else on this show - a work in progress, open to correction.
Both AI Wellness and its companion app, C³hoice, are now linked directly on the front page of the Hopeful Humanist Cafe - no digging through menus required.
What Else?
Which of these ten protocols resonated with you the most - and why? And is there a protocol you think is missing, something we didn't cover that you wish we had? This list is a work in progress, and your perspective genuinely shapes where it goes next. Reach out and let me know.
Show notes drafted with AI assistance, reviewed and finalized by the host.
Peace, take care, be well, and share.
Welcome to The Hopeful Humanist Cafe. In this one-take, unedited episode, I look at this thing I call "Intrapersonal Drift" and the eight dynamic questions of self. If someone has drifted from one's self, how can one come back to one's self? I look at just one of many possible options. Maybe it will work for you! In the episode, I share ideas from Henry David Thoreau, Gabor Mate, Brene Brown, Steven Covey, Sue Johnson, Scott Barry Kaufman, and Stephen Hayes (Founder of ACT).
If you're on a journey toward better self-care and wellness, the Hopeful Humanist suggests exploring a variety of free online resources that can be tremendously supportive (Resources and summary complied with the help of Copilot):
Anxiety Canada:
- MindShift CBT App: A free, science-based app that uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help manage anxiety.
- My Anxiety Plan (MAP): Step-by-step online courses for anxiety management tailored for children, teens, adults, and educators.
- Group Therapy: Online group therapy sessions providing support and tools to cope with anxiety.
Action for Happiness:
- 10 Keys to Happier Living: Practical resources and tools based on the latest research to help improve well-being.
- Daily Actions: The website offers daily actions and challenges to help users incorporate positive habits into their lives.
- Community Support: Join groups and participate in events to connect with like-minded individuals and build a sense of belonging.
CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health):
- Free Online Tutorials: A series of tutorials on various mental health topics, providing accessible and reliable information.
- Research and Innovation: Leading-edge research and innovation in mental health and addiction, contributing to better treatments and understanding.
- Comprehensive Resources: A wide range of resources, including brochures, booklets, and assessment tools, available to patients, families, students, and professionals.
These websites are worth checking out, and everyone can decide for themselves whether they find them helpful and recommend them to friends.
Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.
I hope these discussions leave you feeling inspired, thoughtful, and ready to embrace the world with a positive mindset. Your company on this journey means the world to me, and I appreciate each and every one of you who tunes in.
If you have any feedback, suggestions, or know of any online resources that could benefit your community, please feel free to share them with me. You can reach out to me at athopefulhumanist@gmail.com. Your input is invaluable, and I'm always eager to hear your thoughts.
As we wrap up today's episode, I encourage you to keep the conversation going. Share any newfound insights with friends, family, or anyone you think might enjoy the podcast. Let's create a ripple effect of positivity and thoughtful discussions.
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you use. Simply go to the show's page, find the review section, and share your thoughts. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to grow our positive community.
Peace, take care, be well, and share!
Welcome to a windy day walk alongside the might Saugeen River near Denny's Dam in southern Ontario. In this episode, I cast an idea that I hope might catch your interest! Here, I propose a different name than the placeholder name Generation Beta for the generation after Gen Alpha. Who wants to be second to anyone else? For the next generation, that still has of yet to step onto the scene, I propose the name "Generation Nexus" (2025 to 2039), a generation that will have to figure out what is real and what is true. It is important that we ACT to support this upcoming generation navigate a world that in a decade or so will probably be unrecognizable!
Thank-you:
Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.
I hope these discussions leave you feeling inspired, thoughtful, and ready to embrace the world with a positive mindset. Your company on this journey means the world to me, and I appreciate each and every one of you who tunes in.
If you have any feedback, suggestions, or know of any online resources that could benefit your community, please feel free to share them with me. You can reach out to me at athopefulhumanist@gmail.com. Your input is invaluable, and I'm always eager to hear your thoughts.
As we wrap up today's episode, I encourage you to keep the conversation going. Share any newfound insights with friends, family, or anyone you think might enjoy the podcast. Let's create a ripple effect of positivity and thoughtful discussions.
Peace, take care, be well, and share!
Join me in episode 85 where I talk about hopes best companion effort! There are four directions we can apply effort for our wellness. A starting point is to ask the questions: 1) Why do I say what I say when I say it? and 2) Why do I do what I do when I do it? These questions allow one to "get conscious" so we can start to think about the different directions we can start to apply deliberate effort.
Defining the term:
"Effort is defined and expressed in so many different ways: exertion, perseverance, courage, self-discipline, diligence, consistency, patience - the words seem almost endless. Because we all have different spiritual paths, we are going to be called upon to exert different kinds and degrees of effort. What looks easy for one person is difficult for another," page 266 from Awaking The Buddha Within.
Resource Highlight:
1) "Awakening The Buddha Within," by Lama Surya Das. In the section on Meditation Training, the reader is introduced to the sixth step to enlightenment, 'Right Effort.' Click here for the link to the book - Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World: Das, Lama Surya: 9780767901574: Amazon.com: Books
Related Episodes:
1) Episode 84 - Hope and Openness for Healing and Recovery | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
Novel First Sentence Idea:
"It could've been otherwise; it always can be otherwise."
Thank-you:
Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.
I hope these discussions leave you feeling inspired, thoughtful, and ready to embrace the world with a positive mindset. Your company on this journey means the world to me, and I appreciate each and every one of you who tunes in.
If you have any feedback, suggestions, or know of any online resources that could benefit your community, please feel free to share them with me. You can reach out to me at athopefulhumanist@gmail.com. Your input is invaluable, and I'm always eager to hear your thoughts.
As we wrap up today's episode, I encourage you to keep the conversation going. Share any newfound insights with friends, family, or anyone you think might enjoy the podcast. Let's create a ripple effect of positivity and thoughtful discussions.
Peace, take care, be well, and share!
Welcome to another episode of The Hopeful Humanist Cafe. In this episode I attempt to tie a number of threads together from some of the pitfalls of self-care to the importance of hope, openness, and compassion for a healing or recovery journey.
Quotes:
1)
"Hope" is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -And sings the tune without the words -And never stops - at all - And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -And sore must be the storm -That could abash the little BirdThat kept so many warm - I’ve heard it in the chillest land -And on the strangest Sea -Yet - never - in Extremity,It asked a crumb - of me. - Emily Dickinson 2) “It's always something, to know you've done the most you could. But, don't leave off hoping, or it's of no use doing anything. Hope, hope to the last!” ― Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby
Wellness Resources:
1) Action of Happiness - Click this link to access the webpage Happier Kinder Together | Action for Happiness
2) Anxiety Canada - Click this link to access the webpage Anxiety Canada | Self-help Resources, Programs & Services
3) CAMH - Click this link to access the webpage The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health | CAMH
Related Episodes:
1) Episode 1 - The Happier Quest | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
2) Episode 6 - Standing up to Anxiety and Confronting the Absurd | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
3) Episode 67 - Expanding the dashboard: Covid-19, mental health and substance use | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
Thank-you:
Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.
I hope these discussions leave you feeling inspired, thoughtful, and ready to embrace the world with a positive mindset. Your company on this journey means the world to me, and I appreciate each and every one of you who tunes in.
If you have any feedback, suggestions, or know of any online resources that could benefit your community, please feel free to share them with me. You can reach out to me at athopefulhumanist@gmail.com. Your input is invaluable, and I'm always eager to hear your thoughts.
Looking ahead, I've got some exciting episodes in the pipeline, covering a variety of topics aimed at enhancing our understanding of the world, ourselves, and how we can cultivate a fulfilling and balanced life.
As we wrap up today's episode, I encourage you to keep the conversation going. Share any newfound insights with friends, family, or anyone you think might enjoy the podcast. Let's create a ripple effect of positivity and thoughtful discussions.
Peace, take care, be well, and share!
In this episode, I provide articles for listeners to access who might be interested in learning the unwritten rules of etiquette for Pickleball. I then suggest that pickleball itself might be the meaning of life and offer ideas about what might constitute the good life.
Quote:
1) "Pickleball is cheaper than therapy" - unknown
2) "Pickleball is the meaning of life -- why not?" - Hopeful Humanist
3) Here are some from Pickleball Peeps. Click here: Pickleball Quotes - Pickleball Peeps (pickleball-peeps.com)
Resources:
1) Pickleball in Canada - January 2023 Survey: PICKLEBALL IN CANADA – JANUARY 2023 SURVEY – Pickleball Canada
2) Pickleball Canada: Pickleball Canada – Advancing Pickleball for All, for Life!
3) What is rally point? Pickleball Rally Scoring: How It Works & Why To Give It a Try! – Pickle Geeks
4) What is Mortimer Pickleball? Can More Than Four Play Pickleball At Once? - Monmouth Area Pickleball (monmouthpickleball.org)
About the rules
1) The Unwritten Rules of Pickleball – Selkirk Sport
2) Pickleball Etiquette: 19 Unspoken Rules for Newcomers – Paddletek Pickleball
3) Sportsmanship Guide | USA Pickleball
Thank-you:
Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.
I hope these discussions leave you feeling inspired, thoughtful, and ready to embrace the world with a positive mindset. Your company on this journey means the world to me, and I appreciate each and every one of you who tunes in.
If you have any feedback, suggestions, or know of any online resources that could benefit your community, please feel free to share them with me. You can reach out to me at athopefulhumanist@gmail.com. Your input is invaluable, and I'm always eager to hear your thoughts.
Looking ahead, I've got some exciting episodes in the pipeline, covering a variety of topics aimed at enhancing our understanding of the world, ourselves, and how we can cultivate a fulfilling and balanced life.
As we wrap up today's episode, I encourage you to keep the conversation going. Share any newfound insights with friends, family, or anyone you think might enjoy the podcast. Let's create a ripple effect of positivity and thoughtful discussions.
Peace, take care, be well, and share!
How well do you do with managing being wrong? Are you able to recognize internally when you are wrong? Are you able to acknowledge being wrong and take ownership for your thoughts and actions? Is there a difference between being wrong and making a mistake? Join me in this tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about one thread of the so many conversations that could take place on being wrong. At the end of the main podcast discussion, I have included some bonus material. First, a quick poem by William Blake recited by Danielson and then a thought about a way of making the conversation about being wrong relevant to Dawn (See episode 79 - Locating Dawn).
Quotes:
"People who care more about being right than ending right prove just how wrong they were all along." (Lysa Terkeurst)
"When Frog got up one morning, he realised at once that something was wrong with the world. Something had changed." (Max Velthuijs, Frog in Winter)
Resources:
1) Do you agree with Scott - Is there a difference between making a mistake and being wrong? Read this short article and see what you think: “I Was Wrong” vs “I Made a Mistake” – Scott Cochrane
2) Here is an additional thought from a person named Steve. Read his short article and see where you land: Wrong or a mistake? — The Steven Thompson Experience
Novel First Sentences & Journal Prompts:
This part of the show notes is non-sequitur in nature. It has nothing to do with the topic addressed in this episode. It is part of project to inspire creativity for aspiring writers. I offer these sentences as possible points of inspiration for others to take and make their own for either a novel or a prompt for a journal entry. Below, Banksy captures the spirit in a quote:
"I still encourage anyone to copy, borrow, steal and amend my art for amusement, academic research or activism." Banksy
1) My papa was the unpublished author of the unwritten book, "Not a fairy tale at the branches of bliss." In its substance, it was .....................elusive!
2) It was the Black Friday before the Black Friday of the American Black Friday. Everyone was tickled dizzy with thoughts about how much green they would save. Can't wait for Cyber Monday.
3) Barry's painful pickle-ball groin injury turned going to the toilet into a very crappy experience.
4) I decided to play hooky today and go fishing with my son. All we caught was the sunrise. That was enough.
5) Brad (cursing): That guy makes me so angry I could punch the wall!!!
Sue the therapist (in a kind voice): What if you could do something to make your button smaller?
6) I never used to like fried eggs and now I have an iPhone 12.
7) The book felt happy. How could it be otherwise? - another dog-eared page, another scribbled thought in the margin, and another sentence highlighted in yellow!
8) 2080, virtual library, 40 degrees C
Avatar-j (Jacob): Can I get Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau?
AI Assistant: Sorry, it is not currently in circulation.
Avatar-j (Jacob): It's not circulation? Since when? It is an America Classic! Is it banned because of the protests?
A.I. Assistant: Absolutely not! It's just not published anymore for circulation.
9) Brook thought, 'With both sides of the aisle taking books permanently off the shelves, what will be left to read?'
10) The thought took hold of Jack and then he had something to say.
Related Episodes:
-
Episode 79 - Locating Dawn, Activating Empathy | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
-
Episode 44 - "What if ..." - The Optimist Edition | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
-
Episode 13 - Ingredients of an Apology: Valuing Relationships | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
-
Episode 12 - Difficult Conversations | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
Salutations:
Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.
I hope these discussions leave you feeling inspired, thoughtful, and ready to embrace the world with a positive mindset. Your company on this journey means the world to me, and I appreciate each and every one of you who tunes in.
If you have any feedback, suggestions, or know of any online resources that could benefit your community, please feel free to share them with me. You can reach out to me at athopefulhumanist@gmail.com. Your input is invaluable, and I'm always eager to hear your thoughts.
Looking ahead, I've got some exciting episodes in the pipeline, covering a variety of topics aimed at enhancing our understanding of the world, ourselves, and how we can cultivate a fulfilling and balanced life.
As we wrap up today's episode, I encourage you to keep the conversation going. Share any newfound insights with friends, family, or anyone you think might enjoy the podcast. Let's create a ripple effect of positivity and thoughtful discussions.
Peace, take care, be well, and share!
Welcome to another unedited, blithering episode of the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. In this episode, I share with you a leisure project I have been experimenting with on X (formerly Twitter) and Minds. I believe that everyone has within them one book to write. Having said that, however, it should be noted that writing is something that requires time, energy and talent. It is hard work. Reluctantly, I have arrived at the realization that writing is not my wheelhouse. I have a number of friends, Danielson included, that I think are very capable writers and I look forward to the possibility one day of reading a published work. Although I am not able to bring to life a coherent book of sorts, I do have moments where I am struck by what I think could be a fairly decent first sentence for a book - perhaps your book.
Quote: "I still encourage anyone to copy, borrow, steal and amend my art for amusement, academic research or activism." Banksy
Novel First Sentences/Journal Prompts to share:
-
Sage desperately scrambled for some paper and a pen as she did not want to lose the thought. It was fading fast.
-
Bob thinks with the entirety of his body. Every thought pops with a gesticulation of accentuation.
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"What was is no longer; what is has just begun."
-
Francis Luddite was the most avant-garde thinker in our group. We could not wait to see his new invention.
-
Looking up into the infinite night, Teri felt small but not alone. She realized: 'i am the cosmos. i and God are ONE.'
-
Passing by Janus, the man flicked his cigarette butt onto the sidewalk as if the world was his ashtray. Janus shook his head and thought: 'The crown of creation; the apex of evolution - sure.'
-
"Darius was feeling apoplectic with himself. He thought he should've known better."
-
Guy was an undiagnosed romantic of the provocateur type where life was exalted and mucky all at once.
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"In his youth, Darius championed the truth - at all cost! When that became costly, he pursued peace. Now, years later, he just looks forward to a little kindness each and everyday."
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"Life is not a fairy tale, but it is full of everything that makes one."
Resource links:
1) Link for "The Banksy Museum" in Barcelona located on Carrer Trafalgar, 34, 08010 Barcelona. Note in the Podcast, I suggested the permanent exhibit does not direct connection to the Banksy enterprise. This is an assumption, and as it has been hard to garner any information about who is operating the venue, I am inclined to think I may be incorrect. Below, I have included a link for more information about the Banksy exhibit in Barcelona and a link to Wikipedia as a first step (and only a first step) to learn more about the artist.
Museu Banksy Museum : Banksy Exhibition in Spain (museobanksy.es)
Banksy - Wikipedia
Social Media Platforms:
1) X (Twitter) - Go to The Hopeful Humanist Cafe @HopefulCafe - For those interested, at an earlier point and time, I experimented with a personal project to write a story or short tweets called, "Off-Script Living." It was an attempt to create a piece of Twitterature. For now, it sits on the backburner. 2) Minds - Got to: The HopefulHumanist @hopefulhumanist - I am not convinced about this platform. Currently, I have stopped posting. Thank-you for joining me for another tip of the iceberg conversation. Peace, take care, be well & share!
Salutations and welcome to episode 80 of the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. This episode starts with a question from Danielson about the Hero's Journey - How far must one travel from one's home before it is fair to call the experience a journey? Can simply stepping outside one's door of one's home constitute a journey? Furthermore, can framing the challenge of "getting through" a physical or mental illness as a journey be helpful and empowering? While pouring myself into a number of conversations with different souls, one night, in a dream, an answer (notice I did not say 'THE' answer) presented itself. Listen to hear me share the dream and some tentative thoughts. In the back ground, near the end of the conversation you will notice the sounds of life (birds singing, the pattering of rain, and some other outside sounds). The episode ends with a thread-thought from Danielson about Dawn and the Hero's Journey.
T-shirt Idea: Thinking about the meaning of life (Thank-you Danielson - keep on singing)
Definitions - words need to mean something:
Journey: Definition: A journey refers to a long and often challenging passage or process, typically involving personal growth, exploration, or achievement of a specific goal. It involves embarking on a quest or undertaking a significant endeavor, which may be physical, emotional, or spiritual in nature.
Example: "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien. The main character, Bilbo Baggins, goes on a journey with a group of dwarves to reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug. Throughout the story, Bilbo encounters numerous obstacles, faces his fears, and undergoes personal transformation, ultimately emerging as a courageous and self-assured individual.
Trip: Definition: A trip refers to a relatively short excursion or voyage taken for pleasure, leisure, or business purposes. It often involves visiting a specific destination or engaging in a specific activity, and is typically focused on enjoyment, relaxation, or gaining new experiences.
Example: "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. The protagonist embarks on a trip across Italy, India, and Indonesia after a difficult divorce. The trip is centered around self-discovery, healing, and finding joy in life again. Through the various destinations and encounters along the way, the main character explores different cultures, indulges in culinary delights, and explores her spirituality.
Vacation: Definition: A vacation refers to a period of time when an individual or a group takes a break from work or daily routines to relax, unwind, and engage in leisure activities. It often involves traveling to a different location or engaging in activities that bring pleasure and enjoyment.
Example: "The Beach" by Alex Garland. The protagonist, Richard, takes a vacation to a secluded and supposedly idyllic beach in Thailand. However, as the story progresses, the vacation turns into a thrilling and unsettling experience as the characters confront challenges and conflicts in their pursuit of an idyllic paradise.
Mission: Definition: A mission refers to a specific task, duty, or purpose assigned to an individual or a group, typically with a sense of importance, responsibility, or urgency. It often involves striving to achieve a particular objective or goal and may require dedication, commitment, and a clear sense of purpose.
Example: "The Martian" by Andy Weir. The main character, astronaut Mark Watney, is left stranded on Mars after his crew mistakenly believes he died during a mission. The story follows Watney's mission to survive, overcome numerous obstacles, and find a way to communicate with Earth to ensure his rescue. His determination and resourcefulness in the face of extreme challenges exemplify the essence of a mission.
Regarding the relationship between the word "journey" and Joseph Campbell's concept of the Hero's Journey, it is important to note that Campbell's work focuses on the underlying structure of myths and stories across cultures. The Hero's Journey is a narrative pattern that involves a hero undertaking an adventure or quest, facing challenges, undergoing transformation, and returning home with newfound wisdom or treasures.
In Narrative Therapy, which is a psychotherapeutic modality, the term "journey" is often used metaphorically to describe the process of therapy itself. The therapeutic journey involves exploring one's life experiences, examining personal narratives, and working towards desired changes and personal growth. Narrative therapists aim to help individuals reframe their stories and create new narratives that promote healing, resilience, and well-being. The concept of journey in this context emphasizes the ongoing nature of therapy and the idea that change and growth are possible through the exploration of personal narratives.
How far must one go from home before one can call it a journey?
The distance one must go from home for an experience to be considered a journey is subjective and can vary depending on individual perspectives and cultural contexts. The concept of a journey is not solely defined by physical distance but encompasses the depth of personal growth, challenges faced, and the transformative nature of the experience.
A journey can occur even within one's immediate surroundings or within the confines of their mind. It could be an inner journey of self-discovery, emotional exploration, or overcoming personal obstacles. In this sense, the distance traveled may not be measured in physical miles but in terms of the transformative impact on the individual.
However, in a more traditional sense, a journey typically involves traveling a significant distance away from home. It often entails leaving one's familiar environment and venturing into new territories, whether it's exploring a different culture, undertaking an expedition, or embarking on a long-distance pilgrimage. The specific distance that qualifies as a journey can vary depending on cultural, societal, and personal factors.
Ultimately, the essence of a journey lies in the process of growth, exploration, and transformation, rather than a specific distance traveled. It is the challenges faced, the lessons learned, and the personal evolution that define the essence of a journey, regardless of how far one may physically travel from home.
OpenAI. (2023, June 3). "Write definitions for the words journey, trip, vacation and mission. Provide an example for each definition of a book that best captures the definition by referencing the challenge of the main character. Additionally, explore the relationship of the word journey as it relates to Joseph Campbell and Narrative Therapy, a psychotherapeutic modality." [Chat log]. Retrieved from https://www.openai.com
Resources:
South Korea Paying $500 to Young Shut-Ins so They'll Leave the House (insider.com)
South Korea is paying 'lonely young people' $500 a month to re-enter society | CNN
Related Episodes:
1) Episode 79 - Locating Dawn, Activating Empathy - Episode 79 - Locating Dawn, Activating Empathy | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous. If you enjoyed the episode, please write a review on Apple Podcasts so others can discover The Hopeful Humanist Cafe.
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
This episode talks about an essential ingredient and starting point for being a "good mentor" for Dawn, the-every-young person-becoming-young-adult. Before sharing one's wisdom, one must know who one is sharing one's wisdom with. Hence the question, "Who is Dawn?" Only after activating the empathetic sensibility and stepping into Dawn's worlds can one open the treasure chest to share the collected gems and nuggets of one's wisdom.
Quote: "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
T-shirt idea: "I've been AI'd"
Locating Dawn - Where is Dawn?
The study of generations and their characteristics is an important field of research in sociology and psychology. Over the years, several generations have been identified based on their birth years and common experiences. Below is a brief introduction to the terms for the generations, starting from Generation Alpha to the GI Generation.
- Generation Alpha (born 2010 to present): The term "Generation Alpha" was first coined by Mark McCrindle, an Australian demographer. Members of this generation are born in the age of smartphones, social media, and digital technology.
- Gen Zalpha (9-14 years of age): A combination of Gen Alpha and Gen Z. This is an example of a “cusper” generation like the Zillennials and the Xennials. This can make things more difficult in terms of “locating” ourselves in a generational sense but one does not always fit so nicely into a box.
- Generation Z or Gen-Z (born 1997 to 2012): Gen-Z is the cohort born after the millennials, and they are considered to be the first truly digital native generation. They have grown up with the internet, smartphones, and social media.
- Zillennials or Gen Zennial (born mid-to-late 1990s to early 2000s): Zillennials or Gen Zennials are the bridge between Gen Z and millennials. They are sometimes also referred to as the "Oregon Trail Generation," after the popular computer game.
- Millennials or Generation Y (born 1981 to 1996): Millennials are the generation that came of age in the early 2000s. They are known for their familiarity with technology, multiculturalism, and emphasis on work-life balance.
- Xennials (born 1977 to 1983): Xennials are a micro-generation that fall between Generation X and millennials. They are considered to be a blend of the two generations, having grown up without the internet but later adapting to it as adults.
- Generation X (born 1965 to 1980): Members of Generation X are often referred to as the "latchkey kids" because many grew up in households where both parents worked. They are often seen as independent, adaptable, and tech-savvy.
- Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964): Baby boomers are the post-World War II generation and are often associated with the cultural and social changes of the 1960s and 1970s. They are known for their work ethic and dedication to their careers.
- Silent Generation or Traditionalists (born 1928 to 1945): Members of the Silent Generation were born during the Great Depression and came of age during World War II. They are known for their hard work, patriotism, and respect for authority.
- GI Generation or Greatest Generation (born 1901 to 1927): The GI Generation is the oldest generation currently recognized. They are known for their bravery and sacrifices during World War II.
In addition to the above, when talking about generations, there has also been reference to Gen-Meta (Individuals, who since birth, who have had the option of living in both a physical world and a digital world). Our focus in this episode will be Gen-Z. The above information was a hybrid product of an information search on ChatGPT and some editing and revising on my part.
Ideas for a Competency-Based Curriculum for the 21st Century:
-Emotional Intelligence, -Conflict Resolution, -Communication Skills, -Meaning Making, -Citizenship & Activism, -Financial Literacy, -Fostering Creativity, -Problem-solving, -Self-Care, -Critical Thinking, DOT, DOT, DOT.
Helpful Resources:
1) "Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emmerson: Nature by Ralph Waldo EMERSON read by Various | Full Audio Book - YouTube
2) "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau: Walden (FULL Audiobook) - YouTube
3) "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau: CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE - Full AudioBook - Henry David Thoreau - YouTube
Related Episodes:
1) Episode 71 - Advice for a young person: Episode 71 - Advice for a young person - A Steve, Captain Jack and Danielson book and podcast debrief | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
2) Episode 8 - The Benefits of Self-Prescribing Nature in a Tumultuous World: Episode 8 - The Benefits of Self-Prescribing Nature in a Tumultuous World | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
3) Episode 77 - The Hard Case for Self-Care: Episode 77 - The Hard Case for Self-Care - A time to Notice | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
Many of us have so much on our plates and have been pulled in too many directions by the various greedy institutions in our lives that we might have lost sight of the fact that SPRING IS HERE. It is time to step outside and do some savouring.
T-shirt Idea: "One Good Book" or "One Good Poem." Delving into our "internal spring," and finding a moment to savour the blessings of spring newly arrived, we might all just find we have something beautiful to create and share with one another. After savouring the moment, keep it alive by writing about it.
Quote for the Episode: "Spring is the time for plans and projects," by Leo Tolstoy.
Showcase Resouces:
1) What is "savouring?" "Savouring" is a concept from Positive Psychology that refers to a mental effort to step outside a moment as it is happening so one can truly appreciate what his happening and the feelings that are being experienced. It is about living deliberately and consciously. Listen to what Laurie Santos has to say about "savouring" in this short video - (1) Savoring - The Science of Well-Being by Yale University #5 - YouTube
2) Interested in listening to the audio book called "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau? Go on YouTube and listen to the audio book by LibriVox in the public domain by clicking here - (1) Walden (FULL Audiobook) - YouTube
3) What are the benefits of spring?
What are things to savour in the spring? Here is response generated by ChatGPT:
Spring is a wonderful season with many things to savor. Here are some examples:
- Warm sunshine: After a long winter, the warm sunshine of spring is a true pleasure to savor. Take a moment to sit outside and feel the warmth on your skin.
- Blooming flowers: Spring is a time when flowers start to bloom, adding beautiful colors and fragrances to the environment. Take a walk in a park or garden and savor the sight and smell of the flowers.
- Fresh air: As the weather warms up, it's a great time to open up the windows and let fresh air into your home. Take a deep breath and savor the freshness of the air.
- Bird songs: Spring is a time when birds start to return from their winter migrations, and their songs can be heard all around. Take a moment to listen to the birds and savor their beautiful melodies.
- Fresh produce: Spring is a time when fresh produce starts to become available, such as strawberries, asparagus, and peas. Savor the taste of these fresh, seasonal foods.
- Longer days: As the days start to get longer, there is more time to enjoy the outdoors and engage in fun activities. Savor the extra time you have to spend with friends and family.
Overall, spring is a time of renewal and growth, and there are many things to savor during this season. Take the time to appreciate the beauty and joy of the season, and savor the simple pleasures that it brings.
Sourcing the above information:
OpenAI. "Response Generated by ChatGPT." Chat log. Accessed on March 23, 2023. Stimulus Question: What are things to savour in spring?
4) In addition to the information provided above about the benefits of spring, I also had information generated by ChatGPT about "What is good about dandelions," "What is spring fever," and "What will be the impact on individuals' ability to think for themselves and creativity if people rely on using AI platforms like chatGPT.
Show Corrections:
1) At the beginning of the episode, instead of correctly saying "ChatGPT," I made reference to "GPChat."
2) I struggled at one point to properly refer to "LibriVox" audio books, a free public domain, where volunteers from around the world read books aloud for anyone to listen to on computers and mobile devices. LibriVox audio books can be accessed via YouTube.
Related Episodes:
1) Episode 73 - Uncommon Role Models & Gained Perspective: Episode 73 - Uncommon Role Models & Gained Perspective | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
2) Episode 8 - The Benefits of Self-Prescribing Nature in a Tumultuous World: Episode 8 - The Benefits of Self-Prescribing Nature in a Tumultuous World | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
What is the "Hard Case" for self-care? Why do we so often, when helping others, try to get to offering solutions instead of just being there to honour and validate another person's reality. Sometimes the first step in the change process is just taking time to notice.
Quote for the year: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." -- Henry David Thoreau
Showcase Resource:
1) The International Self-Care Foundation -Visit this site for a definition of self-care and learn about the 7 Pillars of Self-Care. Click here to access the site - http://isf-foundation.us/
Related Episodes:
1) Episode 58 - Self-Care Self Assessment - Episode 58 - Self-Care Self-Assessments & Inter-Being Scaffolding | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
In this episode, I invite the listener to join me as I provide a summary account of a virtual, two-day training workshop that I attended about a therapeutic counselling modality called, "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" - otherwise known as ACT. The total listening experience includes six audio segments. Each of the two days of training includes an introduction to the day and two summary modules about the material covered. In each module, I provide a concise sharing about a concept central to ACT (i.e. functional contextualism, relational frame therapy, etc.). Between each module, you will "notice" (the act of mindfully noticing is a big deal to ACT) a very short "typewriting" sound prompt, which is an invitation for the listener to just take a break (actually "pause" the episode) and reflect upon the relevance of the ideas shared to my ongoing discussions about self-coaching and self-care. Hopefully, during the "paused" moments, one might think how the material relates to one's ideas about what constitutes self-care and how one might expand one's thinking about self-care.
Modules:
1) Module One: In this module, I talk about "functional contextualism," which is the underlying philosophical foundation of ACT. I relate the concept to the idea of the self. I suggest a better frame for the idea of a dynamic self that engages in self-care might be this thing called, "Inter-being wellness." Want to learn more about functional contextualism, click here - What is functional contextualism? - YouTube
2) Module Two: In this module, I briefly talk about "relational frame theory," which is a theory that can work in conjunction with ACT. I invite the listener to explore one's idea of what self-care is and how one might expand upon already internalized ideas of self-care. Is self-care an indulgence? A luxury? What activities constitute self-care? Soaking in a hot tub? Setting a boundary? Having a hard conversation? Making an apology? Here is a video if you are interested in learning more about RFT - Relational Frame Theory (RFT) From your ACT Auntie - YouTube
3) Module Three: In this module, we explored the benefits of finding or creating a metaphor for one's life. Metaphors can orient a person and direct a person. Metaphors capture themes that reveal values and can remind us about what is meaningful during difficult moments. What life metaphor is operating in your life? Here are some ACT metaphors -
The Stageshow Metaphor - YouTube
Passengers on the Bus - YouTube
Monsters on a Boat - YouTube
4) Module Four: This module is a wrap-up discussion about the ultimate goal of ACT -- to build and nurture "psychological flexibility" in one's life. There is also acknowledgement that life is hard and that sometimes we get stuck. During these times, we need to be gentle with ourselves and just keep on practicing skills we already know or open up to learning and trying some new ones. Watch the following Steven Hayes' Ted Talk to learn more about psychological flexibility - Psychological flexibility: How love turns pain into purpose | Steven Hayes | TEDxUniversityofNevada - YouTube
Showcase Resource:
1) The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living (Audible Audio Edition): Russ Harris, Russ Harris, Shambhala Publications: Amazon.ca: Books
2) The following blog post was written after I attended the introductory workshop for ACT way over a year ago. In it, I talk about the centrality of noticing to the mindfulness practices connected to ACT. Additionally, I explore what I believe are four core competencies for the practice of self-care. There is also a link for Russ Harris' ACT webpage where one can access a lot of free material related to different ACT tools and strategies. https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/online-resources-1/f/making-acceptance-commitment-therapy-relevant-to-life-coaching
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
Supporting the Café:
Please help keep the conversation at Hopeful Humanist Café going. Check out my support page at Soundcarelifecoaching.com by clicking here - https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/support-the-hh-caf%C3%A9
Steve, The Hopeful Humanist
Peace, take care, be well and share!
In this episode, I invite the listener to join me as I provide a summary account of a virtual, two-day training workshop that I attended about a therapeutic counselling modality called, "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" - otherwise known as ACT. The total listening experience includes six audio segments. Each of the two days of training includes an introduction to the day and two summary modules about the material covered. In each module, I provide a concise sharing about a concept central to ACT (i.e. functional contextualism, relational frame therapy, etc.). Between each module, you will "notice" (the act of mindfully noticing is a big deal to ACT) a very short "typewriting" sound prompt, which is an invitation for the listener to just take a break (actually "pause" the episode) and reflect upon the relevance of the ideas shared to my ongoing discussions about self-coaching and self-care. Hopefully, during the "paused" moments, one might think how the material relates to one's ideas about what constitutes self-care and how one might expand one's thinking about self-care.
Modules:
1) Module One: In this module, I talk about "functional contextualism," which is the underlying philosophical foundation of ACT. I relate the concept to the idea of the self. I suggest a better frame for the idea of a dynamic self that engages in self-care might be this thing called, "Inter-being wellness." Want to learn more about functional contextualism, click here - What is functional contextualism? - YouTube
2) Module Two: In this module, I briefly talk about "relational frame theory," which is a theory that can work in conjunction with ACT. I invite the listener to explore one's idea of what self-care is and how one might expand upon already internalized ideas of self-care. Is self-care an indulgence? A luxury? What activities constitute self-care? Soaking in a hot tub? Setting a boundary? Having a hard conversation? Making an apology? Here is a video if you are interested in learning more about RFT - Relational Frame Theory (RFT) From your ACT Auntie - YouTube
3) Module Three: In this module, we explored the benefits of finding or creating a metaphor for one's life. Metaphors can orient a person and direct a person. Metaphors capture themes that reveal values and can remind us about what is meaningful during difficult moments. What life metaphor is operating in your life? Here are some ACT metaphors -
The Stageshow Metaphor - YouTube
Passengers on the Bus - YouTube
Monsters on a Boat - YouTube
4) Module Four: This module is a wrap-up discussion about the ultimate goal of ACT -- to build and nurture "psychological flexibility" in one's life. There is also acknowledgement that life is hard and that sometimes we get stuck. During these times, we need to be gentle with ourselves and just keep on practicing skills we already know or open up to learning and trying some new ones. Watch the following Steven Hayes' Ted Talk to learn more about psychological flexibility - Psychological flexibility: How love turns pain into purpose | Steven Hayes | TEDxUniversityofNevada - YouTube
Showcase Resource:
1) The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living (Audible Audio Edition): Russ Harris, Russ Harris, Shambhala Publications: Amazon.ca: Books
2) The following blog post was written after I attended the introductory workshop for ACT way over a year ago. In it, I talk about the centrality of noticing to the mindfulness practices connected to ACT. Additionally, I explore what I believe are four core competencies for the practice of self-care. There is also a link for Russ Harris' ACT webpage where one can access a lot of free material related to different ACT tools and strategies. https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/online-resources-1/f/making-acceptance-commitment-therapy-relevant-to-life-coaching
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
Supporting the Café:
Please help keep the conversation at Hopeful Humanist Café going. Check out my support page at Soundcarelifecoaching.com by clicking here - https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/support-the-hh-caf%C3%A9
Steve, The Hopeful Humanist
Peace, take care, be well and share!
This episode is simply a short question. It is an invitation to put one's "self" under the metaphorical microscope. This can be a hard thing to do, but it is essential for living a deliberate and mindful life.
I anticipate that I will follow-up this question with a future episode where I intend to debrief and unpack the question in order to explore the implications it has in our lives as it points to a responsibility to be careful about the words we use. We shape our lives and our relationships with language. Should there be a maxim that guides us in this respect?
For now, however, I find myself just wanting to sit in the question and allow it to percolate.
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
Supporting the Café:
Please help keep the conversation at Hopeful Humanist Café going. Check out my support page at Soundcarelifecoaching.com by clicking here - https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/support-the-hh-caf%C3%A9
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
This episode is simply a short question. It is an invitation to put one's "self" under the metaphorical microscope. This can be a hard thing to do, but it is essential for living a deliberate and mindful life.
I anticipate that I will follow-up this question with a future episode where I intend to debrief and unpack the question in order to explore the implications it has in our lives as it points to a responsibility to be careful about the words we use. We shape our lives and our relationships with language. Should there be a maxim that guides us in this respect?
For now, however, I find myself just wanting to sit in the question and allow it to percolate.
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
Supporting the Café:
Please help keep the conversation at Hopeful Humanist Café going. Check out my support page at Soundcarelifecoaching.com by clicking here - https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/support-the-hh-caf%C3%A9
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
In this very brief episode of the Hopeful Humanist Café, I will showcase what I will simultaneously call a "Sound-Story" & "Audio-Sound-Blot." The episode is simply a listening experience. One might just sit back and get comfortable or grab one's journal and open up to the possibility of an imaginative outpouring.
As a "Sound-Story," the invitation is simply to listen to the collection of sounds so one can string together a story about what is happening. I see it as a possible prompt for one's daily journaling exercise. Using your imagination, what story do the sounds tell you? Listen and write.
As an "Audio-Sound Blot," the invitation is simply to quiet one's monkey mind, breath, be and just "notice." Listen and ground. Use your breath to calm both your body and your inner world.
The track is 5 minutes and 39 seconds long. It is created from 13 different sounds. Can you identify them all? It was a lot of fun to make. My youngest son, Blazing Phoenix, who is definitely not a morning person, has found it useful in helping him get up in the morning. He will migrate from his comfortable bed to the living room couch. In the dimly lit room, he will cuddle up in his favourite blanket, listen to the track, and challenge himself to gear up for the start of his day by the time the track runs through. It has become a part of our morning routine. If it works, use it, right!
Showcase Resource:
1) If you want to get in the sandbox and see what you might create as an original beat or something like a "Sounds-Story"/"Audio-Sound-Blot," check-out Soundtrap from Spotify by clicking here: https://www.soundtrap.com/
I use the free version, but paid upgrades are possible.
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
If you think you might benefit from working with a Self-Care Life Coach, please visit my website at Soundcarelifecoaching - Self-Care - Kitchener, Ontario to learn more. You can start the process by emailing me at soundcarelifecoaching@gmail.com.
Supporting the Café:
Please help keep the conversation at Hopeful Humanist Café going. Check out my support page at Soundcarelifecoaching.com by clicking here - https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/support-the-hh-caf%C3%A9
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
In this very brief episode of the Hopeful Humanist Café, I will showcase what I will simultaneously call a "Sound-Story" & "Audio-Sound-Blot." The episode is simply a listening experience. One might just sit back and get comfortable or grab one's journal and open up to the possibility of an imaginative outpouring.
As a "Sound-Story," the invitation is simply to listen to the collection of sounds so one can string together a story about what is happening. I see it as a possible prompt for one's daily journaling exercise. Using your imagination, what story do the sounds tell you? Listen and write.
As an "Audio-Sound Blot," the invitation is simply to quiet one's monkey mind, breath, be and just "notice." Listen and ground. Use your breath to calm both your body and your inner world.
The track is 5 minutes and 39 seconds long. It is created from 13 different sounds. Can you identify them all? It was a lot of fun to make. My youngest son, Blazing Phoenix, who is definitely not a morning person, has found it useful in helping him get up in the morning. He will migrate from his comfortable bed to the living room couch. In the dimly lit room, he will cuddle up in his favourite blanket, listen to the track, and challenge himself to gear up for the start of his day by the time the track runs through. It has become a part of our morning routine. If it works, use it, right!
Showcase Resource:
1) If you want to get in the sandbox and see what you might create as an original beat or something like a "Sounds-Story"/"Audio-Sound-Blot," check-out Soundtrap from Spotify by clicking here: https://www.soundtrap.com/
I use the free version, but paid upgrades are possible.
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
If you think you might benefit from working with a Self-Care Life Coach, please visit my website at Soundcarelifecoaching - Self-Care - Kitchener, Ontario to learn more. You can start the process by emailing me at soundcarelifecoaching@gmail.com.
Supporting the Café:
Please help keep the conversation at Hopeful Humanist Café going. Check out my support page at Soundcarelifecoaching.com by clicking here - https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/support-the-hh-caf%C3%A9
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
Welcome to another spontaneous & unedited blithering at The Hopeful Humanist Café.
When you do not got the motivation to tackle the Mount Everest challenges on your metaphorical life plate, tackle the small stuff. The small stuff can create momentum. For me that was focusing on the backyard shed. Unexpectedly, while getting some small checkmarks, I discovered that perspective is a big deal.
The episode ends with a beat I created for a previous episode called, "Outdoor Playfulness." It just seemed apropos.
Episode Question: What animal do you think of when you think of the words, "adaptable," "persistent," and "creative?"
T-shirt Idea: "Just Painting Bricks!" A way of describing what my day was like. The act of painting bricks seems monotonous enough, but when everything is done, then you have the "WOW FACTOR!" Keep painting them brick.
Quote for the Episode: "Learn to see things from different perspectives. Never limit yourself to just one point of view." ---- Unknown
Threads to connect in the discussion:
1) Creating momentum
2) Gaining perspective
3) Getting over the hindrances of life (from a Buddhist Perspective) - taken from "Awakening the Buddha Within," by Lama Surya Das
- Craving
- Ill will
- Sloth & torpor (spiritual laziness)
- Restlessness
- Doubt
Showcase Resources:
1) What is the lifespan of the squirrel? Why do squirrels run in a zig-zag fashion? Here are a couple links to learn more about squirrels:
20 Awesome Facts About Squirrels - Wildlife Informer
About Squirrel - Informative Website For Squirrel Lover
Squirrel - Wikipedia
2) What is the raccoons most important sense? What is the average height of a raccoon? Here are a couple of links to learn more about raccoons:
Raccoon Web Site Links (raccoonworld.com)
Raccoon - Wikipedia
Fact Check: I just wanted to note in this episode, I stated that cats generally do not venture more than 5 blocks from their homes. This information was collected from one source. After doing a google search, it appears that might not be the case. What I can say, however, in terms of my personal experience, our Nala seldom goes more than 5 houses away from our house and that she was found within a distance of five houses away as opposed to five blocks away.
Special Thanks:
I would like to share a special thanks with Sasa and Mylene who "one the spot" answered a free-association prompt that I used to introduce this episode. My interaction with Mylene was especially interesting as it captured how often miscommunications unfold in simple one-to-one interactions. You will have to listen to the end of the episode to listen to the exchange. It demonstrates that communication is an ongoing skill to be developed.
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
If you think you might benefit from working with a Self-Care Life Coach, please visit my website at Soundcarelifecoaching - Self-Care - Kitchener, Ontario to learn more. You can start the process by emailing me at soundcarelifecoaching@gmail.com.
Supporting the Café:
Please help keep the conversation at Hopeful Humanist Café going. Check out my support page at Soundcarelifecoaching.com by clicking here - https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/support-the-hh-caf%C3%A9
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
Welcome to another spontaneous & unedited blithering at The Hopeful Humanist Café.
When you do not got the motivation to tackle the Mount Everest challenges on your metaphorical life plate, tackle the small stuff. The small stuff can create momentum. For me that was focusing on the backyard shed. Unexpectedly, while getting some small checkmarks, I discovered that perspective is a big deal.
The episode ends with a beat I created for a previous episode called, "Outdoor Playfulness." It just seemed apropos.
Episode Question: What animal do you think of when you think of the words, "adaptable," "persistent," and "creative?"
T-shirt Idea: "Just Painting Bricks!" A way of describing what my day was like. The act of painting bricks seems monotonous enough, but when everything is done, then you have the "WOW FACTOR!" Keep painting them brick.
Quote for the Episode: "Learn to see things from different perspectives. Never limit yourself to just one point of view." ---- Unknown
Threads to connect in the discussion:
1) Creating momentum
2) Gaining perspective
3) Getting over the hindrances of life (from a Buddhist Perspective) - taken from "Awakening the Buddha Within," by Lama Surya Das
- Craving
- Ill will
- Sloth & torpor (spiritual laziness)
- Restlessness
- Doubt
Showcase Resources:
1) What is the lifespan of the squirrel? Why do squirrels run in a zig-zag fashion? Here are a couple links to learn more about squirrels:
20 Awesome Facts About Squirrels - Wildlife Informer
About Squirrel - Informative Website For Squirrel Lover
Squirrel - Wikipedia
2) What is the raccoons most important sense? What is the average height of a raccoon? Here are a couple of links to learn more about raccoons:
Raccoon Web Site Links (raccoonworld.com)
Raccoon - Wikipedia
Fact Check: I just wanted to note in this episode, I stated that cats generally do not venture more than 5 blocks from their homes. This information was collected from one source. After doing a google search, it appears that might not be the case. What I can say, however, in terms of my personal experience, our Nala seldom goes more than 5 houses away from our house and that she was found within a distance of five houses away as opposed to five blocks away.
Special Thanks:
I would like to share a special thanks with Sasa and Mylene who "one the spot" answered a free-association prompt that I used to introduce this episode. My interaction with Mylene was especially interesting as it captured how often miscommunications unfold in simple one-to-one interactions. You will have to listen to the end of the episode to listen to the exchange. It demonstrates that communication is an ongoing skill to be developed.
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
If you think you might benefit from working with a Self-Care Life Coach, please visit my website at Soundcarelifecoaching - Self-Care - Kitchener, Ontario to learn more. You can start the process by emailing me at soundcarelifecoaching@gmail.com.
Supporting the Café:
Please help keep the conversation at Hopeful Humanist Café going. Check out my support page at Soundcarelifecoaching.com by clicking here - https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/support-the-hh-caf%C3%A9
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
This episode is from a Substack article I prepared for my news letter, "Hopeful Humanist Cafe Newsletter." The article is called, "What will you do today." I really enjoyed making the episode and wanted to include it into the library of episodes available on "The Hopeful Humanist Cafe" podcast.
Here is the link for the article: What will you do today? - by Steve the hopeful humanist (substack.com)
Something to do today - Make a list of the things you are grateful for ...
Quote: "Take vacations. As many as you can. You can always make money. You can’t always make memories." - Unknown
T-shirt Idea: Create an eternal moment
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining us for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
If you think you might benefit from working with a Self-Care Life Coach, please visit my website at Soundcarelifecoaching - Self-Care - Kitchener, Ontario to learn more. You can start the process by emailing me at soundcarelifecoaching@gmail.com.
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
This episode is from a Substack article I prepared for my news letter, "Hopeful Humanist Cafe Newsletter." The article is called, "What will you do today." I really enjoyed making the episode and wanted to include it into the library of episodes available on "The Hopeful Humanist Cafe" podcast.
Here is the link for the article: What will you do today? - by Steve the hopeful humanist (substack.com)
Something to do today - Make a list of the things you are grateful for ...
Quote: "Take vacations. As many as you can. You can always make money. You can’t always make memories." - Unknown
T-shirt Idea: Create an eternal moment
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining us for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
If you think you might benefit from working with a Self-Care Life Coach, please visit my website at Soundcarelifecoaching - Self-Care - Kitchener, Ontario to learn more. You can start the process by emailing me at soundcarelifecoaching@gmail.com.
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
Welcome to The Hopeful Humanist Café. In episode 71, I am joined by Captain Jack and Danielson for an organic discussion and debrief about an episode from "The Psychology Podcast" with Scott Barry Kaufman. The specific episode we talked about is called, "How William James Can Save Your Life," with special guest John Kaag, who is an Existential Philosopher (see link below). I framed the debrief with the following orienting question, "As we all work with youth, I work with teen youth and you both work with youth stepping into young adulthood, I would like to paint this picture. We are approached by a young wounded, seeking soul who asks the privileged question, 'Is life worth living and how can philosophy pragmatically save my life?'" What says we?
Word of the Day - Peripatetic: (adjective) Of or relating to the philosophy or teaching methods of Aristotle, who conducted discussions while walking about the Lyceum of ancient Athens.
In terms of this episode, peripatetic more pragmatically describes the "walk and talk" flavour/nature of my time spent with Captain Jack and Danielson, two spiritual brothers, while making this episode. During these "walk and talk" moments, one has the sense of being part of a community; to borrow a Buddhist term, it is as if one is part of what I would like to creatively call my "philosophical sangha." Disclaimer: Humbly, we are just a "few ones blithering."
Quote of the Day - "In any weather, at any hour of the day or night, I have been anxious to improve the nick of time, and notch it on my stick too; to stand on the meeting of two eternities, the past and the future, which is precisely the present moment; to toe that line." -- Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American Author
T-shirt Idea: We are all living in a nick of time; life is but a nick in time ...
Showcase Resource:
1) "The Psychology Podcast," by Barry Scott Kaufman. The name of the podcast says it all. Barry is a Humanist Psychologist who has found a mentor in Abraham H. Maslow. Visit the following webpage to learn more about Barry's updated "Sailboat" metaphor for Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - Sailboat Metaphor - Scott Barry Kaufman .
2) Here are three episodes of "The Psychology Podcast" worth listening to:
a) John Kaag || How William James Can Save Your Life May 26, 2022
John Kaag || How William James Can Save Your Life - Scott Barry Kaufman
b) Alexi Robichaux || The Future of Coaching June 30, 2022
Alexi Robichaux || The Future of Coaching - Scott Barry Kaufman
c) Daniel Schmachtenberger || Towards a Radical Cultural Enlightenment February 24, 2022
Daniel Schmachtenberger || Towards a Radical Cultural Enlightenment - Scott Barry Kaufman
Related Hopeful Humanist Episode(s):
1) Episode 68 - Life Coaching Questions Answered by Sarah Crawte (hopefulhumanistcafe.com)
2) Episode 18 - Yearning to Yearn, a Gen Z GIG-a-lo, and On Being Radical (hopefulhumanistcafe.com)
A Parting Salutations:
A special thank-you goes out to Captain Jack and Danielson! It was fun and I am already looking forward to our next blithering session.
Thank-you for joining us for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
If you think you might benefit from working with a Self-Care Life Coach, please visit my website at Soundcarelifecoaching - Self-Care - Kitchener, Ontario to learn more. You can start the process by emailing me at soundcarelifecoaching@gmail.com.
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
"Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought
and the thought has found words."
- Robert Frost
Episode 70 with Danielson has finally arrived. Another unedited, one take blithering session with "Just Two Ones." As indicated in the "Antidote Primer for upcoming Episode," Danielson and I will attempt to interpret and relate to six selected Emily Dickinson poems. The poems discussed include:
- This is my letter to the world (Danielson)
- I felt a cleaving in my mind (Danielson)
- My portion is defeat (Danielson)
- I'm Nobody! Who are you? (Steve The Hopeful Humanist)
- Longing is like the Seed (Steve The Hopeful Humanist)
- There is a solitude of space (Steve The Hopeful Humanist)
It is my hope you have had a chance to read and recite out loud the poems before listening to the episode. I hope you enjoy the conversation ...
Resources:
1) Please revisit the "Antidote Primer for Upcoming Episode" for complete resource list.
2) In terms of some Canadian poets worth exploring, you might try collections by Al Purdy, John Newlove, Erin Moure and Roo Borson.
A Parting Salutations:
A special thank-you goes out to Danielson! I am already looking forward to our next blithering session.
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. Here I would like to leave you with the invitation to think about the benefits of bringing a little more poetry into your life. Express yourself! As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
If you think you might benefit from working with a Self-Care Life Coach, please visit my website at Soundcarelifecoaching - Self-Care - Kitchener, Ontario to learn more. You can start the process by emailing me at soundcarelifecoaching@gmail.com.
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
Where do thoughts come from? In episode 69, we turn to a poem from the American Poet Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (Dec. 10, 1830 to May 15, 1886) where she shares her experience of an arising thought. It is a beautiful poem. The poem provides one with the opportunity to become aware of one's thinking mind and it's relationship to one's observing mind. As some are more visual learners than others, here is her untitled creation:
A thought went up my mind to-day
That I have had before,
But did not finish,–some way back,
I could not fix the year,
Nor where it went, nor why it came
The second time to me, Nor definitely what it was,
Have I the art to say.
But somewhere in my soul, I know
I’ve met the thing before;
It just reminded me–‘t was all–
And came my way no more.
-Emily Dickinson
At the end of the episode, I have included some bonus material. Something extra from Danielson, a regular Hopeful Humanist Café guest, and the first beat I have ever created called, "Outdoor Playfulness." Both "sharings" utilized free digital audio tools from the online music platform called, "Soundtrap." I hope you enjoy the listening experience.
Resources:
1) Want to create a background musical ambience for your outpourings of poetry, check out this resource: https://www.soundtrap.com/
2) Interested in understanding more about the "Default Mode Network?" Check-out this video:(157) Autopilot Mode, the Brain and Mindfulness (The Default Mode Network) #LewisPsychology - YouTube
3) Need strategies to stand up to intrusive thoughts, check out this book by Russ Harris called, "The Happiness Trap." Find it at your local library or possibly get a free audio copy via Amazon by clicking here: The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living (Audible Audio Edition): Russ Harris, Russ Harris, Shambhala Publications: Amazon.ca: Books . This book in itself, is another episode waiting for the making.
4) Take a trip to your local library to pick up a book of poems by Emily Dickinson. If you want to own your own copy, you can click this Amazon link: The Essential Emily Dickinson : Dickinson, Emily: Books - Amazon
Related Episodes:
1) Episode 57 - BOOMPF …”It’s Create a Word Day!” (hopefulhumanistcafe.com)
2) Episode 59 - ”Audio Sound Blot” - Lot#1 Growing Old & Sardines (hopefulhumanistcafe.com)
- both episodes are all about leaning into creative play ... I especially enjoyed the audio sound blot creation and imagine more might come now that I discovered Soundtrap. Is it time to unleash your creative spirit? When we do creative things, it seems as it fun is not too far away!
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the mind. Here I would like to leave you with the invitation to think about the benefits of bringing a little more poetry into your life. Express yourself! As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
If you think you might benefit from working with a Self-Care Life Coach, please visit my website at Soundcarelifecoaching - Self-Care - Kitchener, Ontario to learn more. You can start the process by emailing me at soundcarelifecoaching@gmail.com.
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
In episode 68, I am joined by Life Coach Sarah Crawte who talks about what life coaching is and is not, her journey toward life coaching, and the benefits of connecting with a life coach.
Maintaining your health is often challenging and, at times, requires reaching out for help. During difficult times, help can be accessed from communities of care that include family, friends, colleagues, spiritual mentors, self-help communities, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, and/or a life coach . These communities provide the necessary scaffolding to help you focus your priorities, establish balance, and develop your vital sense of self. By developing your sense of self, you can become more aware of your needs, beliefs, values, intentions, and interests. With expanded self-awareness, you can then buffer yourself from life’s inevitable challenges, while also building resilience. (Excerpt taken from my website Soundcare Life Coaching).
An apology: When recording this episode, I was experimenting with a new headset and it is quite apparent I should have kept with my usual habit of using my lapel microphone. As a consequence, the sound quality was compromised. It is my hope the listen is still bearable and that the topic is interesting enough to encourage the listener to persevere until the end. Lesson learned.
Orienting Quote: "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone." Lifecoachinghub.com
Resources:
1) "Almost anyone can become a life coach. A hidden cameral investigation reveals why that's a problem." An article from CBC news that explores the importance of not confusing coaching for therapy and encourages coaches to stay in their lane. While I definitely support the idea of trauma-informed life coaching, it is for the purpose of identifying those situations where it is appropriate to make a referral for those suffering from anxiety, depression and PTSD and a caution about practicing outside of one's scope of expertise. To read the article, click here -Almost anyone can become a life coach. A hidden camera investigation reveals why that's a problem | CBC News.
2) "Mental health coaches filling the gaps during pandemic." Another CBC article that focuses on the increased demand for life coaches as those in need of immediate mental health support are left stranded due to long therapy waitlists. The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in increased levels of anxiety, depression, substance use and loneliness. Therapist are over-extended yet the need for help NOW requires a remedy. To read this article, click here - Mental health coaches filling the gaps during pandemic | CBC News.
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for a blithering tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about life coaching with Sarah. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
If you think you might benefit from working with a Self-Care Life Coach, please visit my website at Soundcarelifecoaching - Self-Care - Kitchener, Ontario to learn more. You can start the process by emailing me at soundcarelifecoaching@gmail.com.
Peace, take care, be well, and share
The Hopeful Humanist -
Join me for a one-take, unedited discussion about the importance of expanding our dashboards of wellness to include mental health and substance use information. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada "24 626 apparent opioid toxicity deaths between January 2016 and June 2021" were reported. Did you also know according to an article, "Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions," "Social isolation significantly increased a person's risk of premature death from all causes, a risk that may rival those of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity." If we are hit with another covid-19 wave of infections from a new variant, should this information inform future policies? Should we also be tracking daily deaths due to loneliness and drug fatality poisonings? These facts bring up important discussions about privilege and inequity. We need to make sure we don't overlook the voiceless!
Quote for the episode: " Asking for help doesn't make you weak - it reveals strength, even when you don't feel strong" - alifeleadsimple.com
Take away thoughts:
- We all need a "friendly voice" in our lives so someone can "love us through the hard stuff."
- Resilience can only take us so far. At some point we might find ourselves "tapped out."
- After the past two years, maybe we all need therapists, even the therapist.
Tag line: "Can we blither?"
Episode Resources:
1) "Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions" by CDC. Interested in finding out what you can do if you are experiencing loneliness, click here: Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions (cdc.gov)
2) What does the data say about fentanyl and fentanyl analogues as a major driver of the opioid crisis? 87% of accidental apparent opioid toxicity deaths involved fentanyl in 201 (Jan to Jun). For more information about opioid related harms, click here: Opioid- and Stimulant-related Harms in Canada - Public Health Infobase | Public Health Agency of Canada
3) "Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Substance Use Treatment Capacity in Canada" by Canadian Centre of Substance Use and Addiction. Curious about the benefits and cost of increasing use of virtual care, click here: Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Substance Use Treatment Capacity in Canada (ccsa.ca)
4) "The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Opioid-Related Harm in Ontario," by Science Table/Covid-19 Advisory for Ontario. What are the pre-existing barriers to adequate care among people who you drugs? "Barriers include stigma surrounding drug use and system inequities associated with social determinants of heath (SDOH) such as housing instability, gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, disability status, sexual orientation." To read further, click here: The-Impact-of-the-COVID-19-Pandemic-on-Opioid-Related-Harm-in-Ontario_published_20210908.pdf (covid19-sciencetable.ca)
5) Centre for Mental Health and Addiction: Visit the CAMH website for health information about Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic by clicking here: Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic | CAMH
Related Episode(s):
1) Episode 58 - Self-Care Self-Assessments & Inter-Being Scaffolding (hopefulhumanistcafe.com)
A Parting Salutations:
Thank-you for joining me for a blithering tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about life. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.
If you think you might benefit from working with a Self-Care Life Coach, please visit my website at Soundcarelifecoaching - Self-Care - Kitchener, Ontario to learn more. You can start the process by emailing me at soundcarelifecoaching@gmail.com.
Peace, take care, be well, and share
Welcome to another episode of the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. In episode 66, I will talk about some obstacles, barriers, and constraints to our ability to take care of ourselves. The invitation will not be to despair about such a reality but to sit with it and "notice" what is happening in our inner world when we are mindful of certain thoughts and feelings that get in our way of taking care of ourselves. In addition to exploring the ABC's of Self-Care, I will also introduce the idea of a "Presenting Moment" as a possible first step to nurturing a self-care mindset.
T-shirt Idea: "Somatic Palliation's best friend is Action Plan; after a soothing bath, they get things done!"
Orientating Quote: "Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy."
Anchoring Concept: Self-care = "Inter-Being Wellness"
Show Case Resource:
1) Below is a link to my coaching website called, "Soundcare Life Coaching." I offer it as an option for your self-care toolkit. You can access links to free on-line resources, access a link to The Hopeful Humanist Cafe, and for my Canadian audience reach out for virtual coaching sessions. Click here to access the https://soundcarelifecoaching.com/.
Related Episodes:
1) https://www.hopefulhumanistcafe.com/e/episode-58-self-care-self-assessments/
A Parting Salutations:
Please email me at hopefulhumanistcafe@gmail.com to share your cool tool resources for others to consider for their spiritual tool boxes and/or any activity that you think can nurture the human need for creativity.
Thank-you for joining me for a blithering tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about life. The conversation is ongoing and continuous!
Peace, take care, be well, and share
Welcome to Episode 65 of the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. In this episode, I hope to provide a definition of generations, share a cautionary note about the limits and dangers when talking about generations, and raise some questions about the benefits of continuing to talk about these socially-constructed things called "Generations."
Video Resource Library for our discussion Generations:
1) "The Generations:" The creator of this You Tube channel has created a comprehensive series about the generations spanning from the Lost Generation to the new kids on the block, Generation Alpha (coined by Mark McCrindle). Click here to supplement your current understanding about the generational continuum - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPDm91SferM
2) William Strauss & Neil Howe: These two thinkers are the authors of "Generations: The History of America's Future 1584 to 2069" (1991) and "An American Prophecy: The Fourth Turning: What the Cycles of History Tell Us About America's Next Rendezvous with Destiny" (1997). I was fortunate enough to access the books at my local library. If you not interested in directing a lot of time and energy to such a significant reading project (and learn about peer personality, generational constellations, generational archetypes and eras), you can click her to a summary video of their pulse-rate theory about generations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-qXpE1bCJs
3) Karl Mannheim (1893-1947) was a German Sociologist who wrote an essay in 1928 called, "The Problem of Generations." Terms he used to talk about generations included social location, generations in actuality, and fresh contact. He defined a generation as a group of individuals of the similar age and a shared social, economical and political experience who share a noteworthy historical event in a specific span of time. Watch this You Tube video for a summary account of his ideas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjlmYCAL7Cs&t=5s
4) Are Generations Real? The History, The Controversy. I very much enjoyed this You Tube video as it looks at the discussion of generations through a critical thinking lens. Click here to learn about the difference between a "pulse-rate" theory of generations compared to the "imprint" theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0Cj5PJPsEI
5) Looking forward with Mark McCrindle and Generation Alpha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0Cj5PJPsEI
6) This interview with Gabor Mate and the host of Sunday Magazine, Piya Chattopadhyay is a must listen to. Gabor Mate gives us a fuller look at the challenges we are currently facing. We are not just in a pandemic - we are trying to stay a float in a convergence of pandemics called a syndemic. Click this link for a soul with an amazing mind: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/sunday/the-sunday-magazine-for-june-20-2021-1.6070909
Books worth reading:
1) "Generations" by Strauss and Howe - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjlmYCAL7Cs&t=5s
2) "The Fourth Turning" by Strauss and Howe - https://www.amazon.ca/Fourth-Turning-History-Americas-Rendezvous/dp/0767900464/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3KMRCBPS7DFP5&dchild=1&keywords=the+fourth+turning&qid=1626030889&s=books&sprefix=the+fourth+turn%2Cstripbooks%2C233&sr=1-1
3) "Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture" by Douglas Coupland - https://www.amazon.ca/Generation-X-Tales-Accelerated-Culture/dp/031205436X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=douglas+copeland+generation+x&qid=1626030989&s=books&sr=1-1
Please email me at hopefulhumanistcafe@gmail.com to share your cool tool resources for others to consider for their spiritual tool boxes and/or any activity that you think can nurture the human need for creativity.
Thank-you for joining me for a blithering tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about life. The conversation is ongoing and continuous!
Peace, take care, be well, and share
In this episode, I take the "Ten-Word Description" podcast activity from Eric Nuzum and take it to make my own to "Reclaim my lens for a journey toward my authentic self." Entering into another lockdown during a third wave assault from covid-19 where everything is fixated on a one-pointed conversation about the pandemic, I felt a need to "bee kind" to myself and expand my centre of identification to more than infection rates, ICU admissions, and vaccination passports.
Quote: "Just because you're right doesn't mean I'm wrong, you just haven't seen life from my position." - Anonymous
T-shirt Idea - "Bee Kind" & "Reclaim the Lens" and "Shifting & Resequencing"
Dedication: I would like to dedicate this episode to the bees and the dandelion. What is your perspective on "No Mow May?" Check out this article and see if it inspires you to "BEE kind" - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/no-mow-may-toronto-1.5568446
Ten-Word Description Example for Reclaiming the Lense Courtesy Danielson: Daily intentions accountability exercise to sharpen focus on life-affirming activities.
Resources:
1) In the spotlight - "Make Noise: A Creator's Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling," by Eric Nuzum. Reading this book and discovering the "Ten-Word Description" activity for launching a podcast inspired the idea for this episode. I would highly recommend this book for anyone thinking of creating a podcast. Even with over 700 000 different podcast shows, the world still has room for your voice! Click here to access it on Amazon if your local library does not have in on shelf: https://www.amazon.com/Make-Noise-Creators-Podcasting-Storytelling/dp/1523504552/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2RKQJPZNTBT6L&dchild=1&keywords=eric+nuzum+make+noise&qid=1621684176&sprefix=eric+nu%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1
2) The following article provided me an opportunity to practice "perspective taking." It reminded me that there is no "total solution" for everyone even when we are struggling with a common problem like covid-19. What is your perspective on this article: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/pandemic-frustrations-boil-surface-b-231831291.html
3) My image google search for perspective-taking brought me to a comic graphic in this article. Is it a six or is it a nine? Check-out my avatar image for this episode and then read the article for some thoughts about perspective-taking. Here is the link: https://everydaypsych.com/dont-understand-advice-for-perspective-taking/
4) Check out this YouTube for a fun hand percussion grounding activity. Click here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-MpzjxEVBU
Special Thanks - Thank-you Danielson for sharing your lens reclamation thought!
Please email me at hopefulhumanistcafe@gmail.com to share your cool tool resources for others to consider for their spiritual tool boxes and/or any activity that you think can nurture the human need for creativity.
Thank-you for joining me for a blithering tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about life. The conversation is ongoing and continuous!
Peace, take care, be well, and share
Welcome to another "Just Two Ones" episode where Danielson and I talk about a bunch of thoughts connected to Critical Thinking with a short special appearance from Woodrow. Let's blither ...
ORIENTING THOUGHTS:
1) “Moving beyond I don’t know” (Danielson)
2) Memorizing is not learning. (Danielson)
T-SHIRT IDEAS:
1)"Read Widely" & "Imagine the Unimaginable" both by Danielson
2) "Just Two Ones Among 7.9 Billion" by Steve The Hopeful Humanist. Click here to discover the changing world population ... https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/
QUOTATIONS:
1) "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution" - Einstein
2) "Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action" - The Foundation for Critical Thinking. Click here for a deeper dive into a definition for critical thinking ... https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766
RESOURCES:
1) Penn Jillette: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/tuesday-march-23-2021-harry-connick-jr-penn-jillette-and-more-1.5959037
2) Stephen Brookfield: https://www.amazon.ca/Power-Critical-Theory-Liberating-Learning/dp/0787956015
3) Micheal Patrick Lynch: https://www.amazon.ca/Know-All-Society-Dogmatism-Arrogance/dp/1631493612
Thank-you for joining me here at the Hopeful Humanist Cafe for on-going conversation about mental health, happiness, and the good life. Together, creatively we can try to make our lives healthier and more meaningful.
Peace, take care, be well, and share!
Welcome to a glimpse into a snippet of a private sharing from myself to Captain Jack. From the outside, I must say, this episode is definitely unconventional and hopefully it will not prove to be a slippery slope (haha!). The flavour of this episode is reminiscent of my "T-shirt ideas, novel first sentences, and et cetera moments" concept piece. Here, literally, I am soaking in some thoughts about a quote, share a T-shirt idea, and instead of a novel first sentence offer a stream of consciousness outpouring on critical thinking. I hope you enjoy it!
Orienting Quote: "There is nothing certain except that nothing is certain, and nothing more wretched than Man nor more arrogant." Pliny ... Taken from page 12 of "KNOW-IT-ALL-SOCIETY," by Michael Patrick Lynch. What do you make of the quote?
T-shirt Idea: How is your big left toe? (Body Scan activity)
Concluding Question: What did I miss?
Resources:
1) Get critically reflective by reading "Know-It-All-Society," by Michael Patrick Lynch. Hopefully, you can access it at your local library or click here to buy it from Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Know-All-Society-Dogmatism-Arrogance/dp/1631493612/ref=sr_1_1?crid=QPP5VH7T2PG0&dchild=1&keywords=know+it+all+society&qid=1617469743&sprefix=know+it+all+society%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1
2) Interested learning about Logical Fallacies, click on this website: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/common-logical-fallacies
3) Curious about the other book I am reading? It is called, "Happiness," by Darrin M. McMahon. I am sure I will have more to say about this book in the future. Here is the link to Amazon - https://www.amazon.ca/Happiness-History-Darrin-M-McMahon/dp/0802142893/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=happiness+by+Darrin+M.+McMahon&qid=1617474237&sr=8-1
Lock-Down Activity:
For those of you like myself, who will be going into another lock-down, after reviewing the above information about logical fallacies, you can listen to the speech I have attached to see if you can spot any of the fallacies. It is an activity to flex one's critical thinking muscle. Click on this You Tube video to listen to the speech - https://www.wsj.com/video/trump-full-speech-at-dc-rally-on-jan-6/E4E7BBBF-23B1-4401-ADCE-7D4432D07030.html.
Please email me at hopefulhumanistcafe@gmail.com to share your cool tool resources for others to consider for their spiritual tool boxes and/or any activity that you think can nurture the human need for creativity.
Thank-you for joining me. This episode is a preamble to my upcoming episode with Danielson where we will talk a whole bunch more about critical thinking and the critical thinking mindset.
Peace, take care, be well, and share
------The Hopeful Humanist
This episode is the unexpected part two to episode 60. Danielson and I continued to explore our respective relationships with the book "Siddhartha," a book we both initially picked up in early adulthood and have revisited a number of times over the different chapters of our unfolding lives. The first order of business was to provide a synopsis of the book, an important task overlooked in episode 60. We both shared how our most recent "look into the mirror" has changed the manner in which we relate to the book -- how the book speaks to us. Finally, Danielson concludes the discussion by asking me two self-stretching questions.
Related Episode(s):
1) Episode 6 - Standing up to Anxiety and Confronting the Absurd (hopefulhumanistcafe.com)
Please email me at hopefulhumanistcafe@gmail.com to share your cool tool resources for others to consider for their spiritual tool boxes and/or any activity that you think can nurture the human need for creativity.
Thank-you for joining me for a blithering tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about life. The conversation is ongoing and continuous!
Peace, take care, be well, and share
In this historic episode, I am joined for the first time ever with a guest - the one and only Danielson - for an unedited, in-the-moment, blithering conversation about Hermann Hesse's classic novel, "Siddhartha." Although we initially intended to start the conversation off by providing a synopsis of the story, we never actually got around to it and just dove into a back and forth discussion about impressions and personal reflections. As such, I would recommend one first read the novel before listening to our humble analysis of Hesse's work.
T-shirt Ideas:
1) Danielson - "Hear the river" (Not - "Here, the river)
2) Hopeful - "Limited View" (play on the idea of Right View - a step on the noble 8-Fold Path) & "Lost Opportunities"
Resources:
1) Here is attached Danielson's short essay about "Siddhartha," by Hermann Hesse accessible at Goodreads. In this essay, Danielson explores the theme of getting out of time to wake up to the eternal in the moment one finds oneself. Click here to access the essay: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3433268299
2) For those that might need to read the novel first before listening to the blithering back-and-forth between me and Danielson, this free click-able link can help you get started: https://www.apnamba.com/Ebooks-pdf/Siddhartha.pdf
Related Episode(s):
1) Episode 1 - The Happier Quest (hopefulhumanistcafe.com)
Please email me at hopefulhumanistcafe@gmail.com to share your cool tool resources for others to consider for their spiritual tool boxes and/or any activity that you think can nurture the human need for creativity.
Thank-you for joining me for a blithering tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about life. The conversation is ongoing and continuous!
Peace, take care, be well, and share
This is my creative take on a psychometric tool referred to as the "Rorschach Test." Subjects are presented with ambiguous inkblots and invited to share their perceptions/interpretations with clinicians to analyze. The goal is to discover underlying personality traits. My goal is not so lofty. It is simply to share something creative that might cause for the listener a "moment of reflection" about self or the world. While this episode is primarily a tribute to creativity, it is also simultaneously a "covid-19 sound capsule" about the concreteness of my here-and-now moment. I think we need creativity more than ever at this unique moment in our shared history. I invite you to create your own "audio sound blot" or "covid-19 sound capsule." Tapping into our creativity opens the door for some nonsensical fun, imaginative connection, and a chance to feel good during these hard times.
T-shirt Idea: Sound Blot
Special Thanks: Special thanks goes to Captain Jack, Danielson, Blazing Phoenix, and Woodrow for their contributions to this blot creation. Wooodrow played a piano piece from Eiffel 65 called "Blue (Da Ba Dee)."
Comical Resource:
1) Whenever I need to laugh, I listen to this little clip of Captain Jack accidentally eating a bug. For a slight guffaw click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdJsc0WoIgE
Related Episode(s):
1) Episode 32 - An Imaginative (naive?) Glimpse into a Post-Covid-19, 2030 World Featuring Janus and Sparky (hopefulhumanistcafe.com)
Please email me at hopefulhumanistcafe@gmail.com to share your cool tool resources for others to consider for their spiritual tool boxes and/or any activity that you think can nurture the human need for creativity.
Peace, take care, be well, and share
Create, laugh a little, share a compliment, breath & smile
Quote: "Right now the world is entirely focused on people's physical health, and for good reason. But I urge everyone to take mental health just as seriously as you do your physical health. Use preventative measures and learn to spot the signs when you are struggling. Reach out to family, friends or medical professionals." - Natalie Romero from her article, "I Am Struggling With Low-Grade Depression."
T-shirt Ideas:
1) Remember, don't forget what you know
2) Somatic Palliation's best friend is action plan, she gets things done
My Self-Care Self-Assessment Inventory Questionnaire:
1) Have I been feeding my mind? (livehappy)
2) Have I been minding my thoughts (livehappy)
3) Have I been watching my words? (livehappy)
4) Have I been keeping good company? (livehappy)
5) Have I been engaged in my daily practice of gratitude, accomplishment, goal?
6) Have I participated in a family game over the past week?
7) Have I done anything physical? Have I exercised?
8) Have I done my morning recitations or engaged in moments of mindfulness?
9) Have I directed energy to a personal learning project?
10) Have I expressed in some fashion my love to those most dearest to me?
Resources:
1) Have you lost your spark? Many of us have and we are not along. Check-out this article from Natalie Romero by clicking here - I Am Struggling With Low-Grade Depression | Learning (cbc.ca)
2) "livehappy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy," by Deborah K. Heisz. This books offers "stories and wisdom of Everyday Happiness." I found reading this book helpful in terms of coming up with ideas for my Self-Case Self-Assessment questionnaire (Feed your mind, Mind your thoughts, Watch your words, Keep good company). Pick up the book at your local library or get it on Amazon by clicking here - Live Happy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy eBook: Heisz, Deborah K.: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store
3) "Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization," by Scott Barry Kaufman. This book is a personal favourite as it builds upon the foundational thinking of Abraham H. Maslow, who for me, was a grandparent of Positive Psychology. I have always been drawn to the hierarchy of needs as the necessary infrastructure for good mental health. Scott offers a new "Sailboat" metaphor for capturing the essence of Maslow's thought. The new discussion includes a discussion of transcendence in the framework of security and growth needs. Hopefully soon, one will be able to find the book at one's local library, but if not, you can click on this link to Amazon: Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization eBook: Kaufman, Scott Barry: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store
4) Scott Barry Kaufman also hosts his own podcast called "The Psychology Podcast," where he explores the depth of human potential. On the most recent episode I listened to with special guest Sharon Salzberg, the conversation was about the benefits of incorporating mindfulness into our lives as we struggle collectively with experiences of anxiety, grief, anger and utter exhaustion (one culprit being decision fatigue). Click here to access the podcast - Homepage | Scott Barry Kaufman
5) To learn "How to Write Your Own Prescription for Self-Care," click here: How to Write Your Own Prescription for Self-Care (winniepalmerhospital.com)
6) Check out this article entitled, "When feeling lonely and unhappy veers into depression: challenges of these pandemic holidays," from CBC news to explore ideas, links and videos about how to stand up to depression. Click here - When feeling lonely and unhappy veers into depression: challenges of these pandemic holidays | CBC News
I hope you find the various resources helpful and perhaps you might add some to your spiritual toolbox. Here my invitation stands: What 10 things would you include on your weekly self-care self-assessment?
Related Episodes:
1) Episode 34 - Seriously? Oh my G.A.A.D! - A Sanity Quickie … (hopefulhumanistcafe.com)
2) Episode 36 - One Word (hopefulhumanistcafe.com)
3) Episode 41 - Morning Prayer to Start Off the Day (hopefulhumanistcafe.com)
Please email me at hopefulhumanistcafe@gmail.com to share your cool tool resources for others to consider for their spiritual tool boxes and/or any activity that you think can nurture the human need for creativity.
Peace, take care, be well, and share!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Join me as I talk with Captain Jack and Danielson for over 30 minutes about a word - BOOMPF - we collectively brought into existence merely with the socially constructed wags of the tongue - this is the power of the declarative speech act! To prevent confusion, note that we are birthing the word "BOOMPF" to be distinguished from the words boomp, boomf, and whoomp (feel free to perform your own investigative google searches to flesh out the differences). After listening, perhaps it might be your turn to invent a word, define it, and share it with the world?
T-shirt ideas:
1) Everyone has a book to write (at least one, right?)
2) Ith (cosmic pronoun)
Our New Word:
Boompf (noun, adjective, onamonapia-interjection): a surprising and sudden "there it is" completing experience of a pondering thought; an abstraction being realized and manifested in the dynamic now.
Side thoughts: altogetherswish, drift-lift (Danielson), covid-sigh (Danielson), druffle (??)
Show Case Resources:
1) Need some help inventing some new words, go to DeGraeve.Com to invent some combination words: Click here: https://www.degraeve.com/invent-a-word/
2) "Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture." Interested in discovering some more of Douglas Coupland's creative additions to the English language go to your local library or buy it on Amazon by clicking on this link - https://www.amazon.ca/Generation-Canada-Reads-Accelerated-Culture/dp/031264678X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=383DYHJL0UGTV&dchild=1&keywords=generation+x+douglas+coupland&qid=1606063635&sprefix=Generation+X%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-2
Related Hopeful Humanist Café episodes:
1) Episode 45 - Fostering Creativity - Generation Alpha and Driver-less Cars (hopefulhumanistcafe.com)
2) Episode 27 “Feeding and Extinguishing the Fire of … Dot, Dot, Dot” (hopefulhumanistcafe.com)
Please email me at hopefulhumanistcafe@gmail.com to share your DIY words, cool tool resources for others to consider for their spiritual tool boxes, and any activity that you think can nurture the human need for creativity.
Thank you for joining me for another tip of the iceberg conversation at The Hopeful Humanist Café. Peace, take care, be well, and share!!
Welcome to episode 56! Before making our way to constructing for ourselves a list of action steps to resolve conflict in a future episode, in this episode, I will provide a definition of conflict, make brief mention of Kilmann's conflict resolution styles, and share a tip about what a person can do when going to the "balcony" (William Ury) to get some perspective about the terrain of the conflict before us. At first suggestion, it might sound radical and accusatory, but that is not the intent. It is an opportunity for reflection and it provides us a chance to discover something about our interests and values as we look at our choices which have a revelatory nature about them.
Quote (Orienting quote undiscussed in the episode):
1) A thought by Gordon Livingston, M.D. about addressing conflict from his book, "Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart:" "Often I ask people in conflict to withhold criticism of those around them to see if this changes the atmosphere. It is amazing how radical this suggestion seems to many people. The thought seems to be, 'If I give up criticizing and directing those around me, chaos will ensue. Chores will not be done, dishes will pile up, rooms will not be cleaned, though house will fall down, homework will be ignored, school failure will ensue, followed by drug abuse, pregnancy, and a life of crime. I can't let that happens!' This is called 'awfulizing' (a.k.a. catastrophizing), the idea that any relaxation in standards or vigilance is the first step toward failure, degradation, and the collapse of civilization as we know it." Gordon goes on to say, we help people more by example than by anything we say, especially by demonstrating "in our own lives qualities of commitment, determination and optimism." I think one benefit of putting oneself under the microscope would be the awareness of our tendency to criticize. Remember, criticizing is a discussion stopper.
Resources:
1) Go to the source for the definition of "conflict" that I have adopted for this discussion about how to resolve conflict. According to this source, "Conflict exists when one person has a need from another person and that is not being met." Click here to watch a video called, "Conflict Resolution" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY5TWVz5ZDU&t=114s
2) The five conflict resolution positions presented by Thomas Kilmann include the collaborative, competing, avoiding, accommodating, and compromising styles. This video provides a very brief account of Kilmann's theory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFIydyH2H8Y
3) In an effort to get prepared for our eventual discussion on taking some strategies for conflict resolution and making them our own, I thought I would provide this short video. Any ideas worth incorporating into a framework that will work for you?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyXFirOUeUk
4) One last video for good luck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EABFilCZJy8
Thank-you for giving me an ear as I share some things that I found interesting regarding the topic of conflict and believe could be helpful for one to put in one's spiritual toolbox. Peace, take care, be well, and share.
Salutations and welcome to a very brief tribute to the ... ... ... long pause!! For me, this was one full minute of fun. I invite you to experiment with the long pause for dramatic effect.
Show Case Resource:
1) What do you think about this long pause? Caught off guard, unprepared, or a pause for deliberate effect? This clip is called, "Trudeau pauses for 21 seconds before answering question about Trump's response to US protests" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeaDi-0Nz8w
2) Here is a short video that speaks to the power of the pause - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkS67oiei78
Thank-you, ... ... ... ... for joining me ... until next time ...
Conflict is inevitable. As the saying goes, "Conflict is not the problem ... the problem is how we approach and solve the conflict." In this episode, by inviting you the listener to participate in two thought experiments, I hope to raise thoughts about what the conflict resolution landscape might look like. Additionally, below I have included three videos from William Ury, who co-authored the book, "Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In" with Roger Fisher.
Show Case Resources:
1) Click this link to listen for free the full audio version of "Getting to Yes," by Roger Fisher and William Ury - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQz-psxGeC8
2) Sometimes when we are having a conflict, we have to take a step back or go to what William Ury calls the "balcony." It will give us perspective, which according to the VIA Strengths Inventory is a strength that can bestow wisdom. Interested in learning more about the "balcony," click this YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c-SUdBoD6M
3) When we are stuck in our positions unable to stimulate those creative juices, sometimes we need help from the "Third Side." Reaching out for help is definitely an option. In this video, William Ury gives a number of examples about the benefits of inviting a "Third Side" into our discussions. Click here for more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc6yi_FtoNo
4) In this last YouTube video, William Ury emphasizes the importance of listening to solving conflict. He has suggested that perhaps we collectively need to usher in a "Listening Revolution." Listen here to see what you think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saXfavo1OQo
Thank-you for joining me for this "seed discussion" about conflict and conflict resolution. The conversation has so many more parts. For instance, we should define what conflict is and explore a particular model about the conflict resolution process (i.e. what steps should one take to resolve a conflict?). As always, the conversation is on-going and continuous. Until our next blithering moment ...
Peace, take care, be well and share!!!
Let me start off by saying, "I very much enjoy long pauses as they provide 'fill-in-the-blank" interactive opportunities for the listener." Having shared that, it should come as no surprise then that this episode concludes with an ("awkward"??) long pause that will invite you to think about what you might do during this long weekend to "flower water"/"selectively water" seeds of mindfulness before I share my suggestion (one among many) that one might do to foster here-and-now joy.
T-shirt Idea: "It is what it is so I will do what I can" (not addressed during the episode but a background thought in my mind's eye)
Daily Recitation from Thich Nhat Hanh: "Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of love."
Resources:
1) Here is a link for an explanation about Kurt Lewin's "Expectancy-Value Theory" of motivation: https://mightymustangsutk.weebly.com/expectancy-value-theory.html
2) For a beginning understanding of store consciousness, I am including the following article by Thich Nhat Hanh called, "Seeds of Happiness and Sorrow:" Click here for the link - https://buddhismnow.com/2015/02/22/seeds-of-happiness-and-sorrow-by-thich-nhat-hanh/#:~:text=Seeds%20of%20Happiness%20and%20Sorrow%2C%20by%20Thich%20Nhat,sorrow%2C%20seeds%20of%20pain%2C%20all%20kinds%20of%20seeds.
3) What is your definition of self-care? Here is a link for the definition I used in this episode provided by Raphailia Michael, MA - https://psychcentral.com/blog/what-self-care-is-and-what-it-isnt-2/
Thank-you for joining me for another raw and spontaneous blithering moment about something we can do to foster THE GOOD LIFE. Peace, take care, be well, and share!
Aesculus Hippocastanum! In this episode, I will tell you how to have a chestnut fight. I believe it is a North American variation of a game that is called ¨Conkers¨ in England and has been played for generations. I try to weave some additional thread-like thoughts from Thich Nhat Hanh and Maslow´s Hierarchy of Needs into the discussion in the hope of fostering an opportunity for love and belonging. I leave the listener with the question: Knowing it is tough to be a kid amidst these Covid-19 times of ours because there is so little to do on the school yard during recess (i.e. no singing, no playing soccer, no playing tag, no basketball, etc.), should we revive and bring back to the school yard the chestnut fight? What do you think? What does common sense have to say about it?
Resources:
1) Here is the only video on YouTube I was able to find that explained how to have a chestnut night. It is cute and informative - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ_0V_BhA20&t=16s
2) This video shows how to play the traditional game of ¨Conkers" in England -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GaGw73LijM
3) Interested in information about the chestnut tree, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ec2_lUFLo0
4) ¨A year in the life of a horse chestnut tree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sobEaRpag6Y
5) Want to learn more about the plight of the American Chestnut tree? SciShow has these thoughts about ¨Bringing Back the Lost American Chestnut Tree.¨ Click here for the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe4G9tTzeW0
Thanks for joining me! As always, the conversation is on-going and continuous. Peace, Take Care, Be Well, and Share!!
Why not start your morning with a daily dose of inspiration about self-care and happiness? Below, I have provided links to calendar creations from both Action for Happiness and the Greater Good Science Center. Also, I share some thoughts about the idea that self-care is selfish and indulgent. My thought, which would make a great T-shirt tag is this: "When you take care of yourself, you take care of the world!" It connects with a frame of the self and other as not being separate and independent objects, but as deeply connected wonderous being ("these are not two" from ???). As with all conversations, on the other side of the metaphorical fence, there is always a different perspective that can help us expand our limited two-eye-balled way of seeing things. #ExploreExpandBecome
Showcase Resources:
1) Action for Happiness "Self-Care September 2020 Calendar" - https://www.actionforhappiness.org/media/913605/september_2020.jpg
2) Greater Good Science Center "September 2020 Happiness Calendar" - https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/GGSC_Happiness_Calendar_September_2020.pdf
A parting quote and article for food for thought about self-care at Left Brain Buddha: "Self-care is never a selfish act - it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on the earth to offer others. Any time we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch." Parker Palmer. This quote is contained in an article from Sarah Rudell Beach called, "10 Mindful Ways to Take Care of Yourself, So You Can Care for the World." Click here to access the article - https://leftbrainbuddha.com/10-mindful-ways-take-care-can-care-world/
Just another tip of the iceberg conversation that I hope generates some constructive discussions about self-care. Thank-you for being open to my initial meandering thoughts. Peace, be well, take care and share!!!
In this open pod (open mic) episode, part 2 of a possible 3 in a series on Common Sense, I hand over the discussion, without introduction, to Danielson to share his ruminations about common sense and politics or maybe more aptly the politics of common sense. Danielson brings to the conversation some "hmm" thoughts that seem really relevant especially as the time arrives for our neighbours down south to prepare for an upcoming election. For instance, what is the relationship between common sense and voting in a Democracy? What is the relationship between common sense and social activism especially when a government in power does not even acknowledge at its national convention racial inequalities? As an example to be applauded, creatively, the collective (common) sense of some concerned souls in the NBA has grown and expanded from raising consciousness by wearing team jerseys about a critical cause (BLACK LIVES MATTER) to boycotting play-off games and culminated into a partnership to make Dodger Stadium a polling station for the November 3 election in the USA. Having raised the above questions, I want to take a moment to again state the obvious: ¨I do not have a monopoly on the truth. I am just some guy hoping to encourage others to think critically."
Here are some additional resources that could be helpful in terms of figuring out how to move forward with respect to making sense of common sense.
Resources:
1) ¨Common sense is neither common nor sense,¨ by Jim Taylor. This article appeared in Psychology Today and provides 4 things to do to engage in thinking that is more ¨sensical.¨ Click here to check out the article ... https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-prime/201107/common-sense-is-neither-common-nor-sense
2) ¨Black athletes expected to stand against racism alone - and they shouldn´t.¨ This is an opinion piece by Morgan Campbell and provides a demonstration of the expanding spirit of common sense among NBA players into the ¨commons¨ of all people. Click here to form your own conclusions ... https://www.cbc.ca/sports/opinion-nba-playoff-walkout-morgan-campbell-1.5702839
Peace, be well, take care and share
In this episode, I wrestle with the relative and universal qualities of common sense. While I do not have anything definitive to offer, I still believe there is value in having conversations that generate questions, even in the absence of answers. It is a "seed" conversation about an "idea in flow." Additionally, I introduce some preliminary thoughts about something I call, "The Tendencies of Truth." The episode is comprised of several dialogue snippets I threaded together first between myself and Captain Jack and then myself and Danielson, two of my spiritual brothers. I hope you do not get lost in the final synthesis.
T-shirt idea: "So, what do you think?"
The 5 Tendencies of Truth (Hopeful Humanist Formulation of Truth):
1) One tends to believe that which feels to be true.
2) One tends to believe that which validates one's personal experience.
3) One tends to believe that which has practical utility.
4) One tends to believe that which has convergence.
5) One tends to believe that which opens itself up to scrutiny
Showcase Resources:
1) Check out this Ted Talk from Duncan Watts to see his take on Common Sense at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9XF0QOzWM0
2) In the following video the narrator takes a strong stance on what a lack of common sense looks like. Click on this link to see where you stand on the position presented - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IyMSlvvTcc
The Parting Question -- "So, what do you think?"
In this episode, I talk about an idea worth writing about. I have attached the article that sparked for me a number of interesting questions about the impact of covid-19 on professional sports. I leave my meandering thoughts with this question: So what do you think? Is it in fact an idea worth writing about? If so, maybe it is time for you to "Blog it or Vlog it!"
News Article:
1) Raptors restart NBA season with win over Lakers: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors-la-lakers-nba-restart-aug-1-1.5671738
Thanks for allowing me stumble along with this idea in flow.
With the rise of remote work, it could be helpful to look for the red and green flags in our ability to separate our work lives from our personal lives. If we are not careful life spheres (what I like to call "Life Domains), might blur in such a way that one sphere creeps into and violates the boundary of another sphere. A red flag/green flag inventory will help us keep our feet firmly on the ground to create healthy and balanced lives.
Quote: "Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground." - Wilfred Peterson
Non-sequitur Truism: Squirrels can be squirrely
T-shirt idea: Clarity of mind is a trip
Showcase Resource:
1) Check out this article called, ``Could working from home crush your career? HR expert warns about pitfalls" to discover the professional and personal consequences of working from home by clicking this link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/could-working-from-home-crush-your-career-an-hr-expert-warns-about-pitfalls-1.5662220
Additional Resources:
1) Interested in going to the source to learn more about "Greedy Institutions," check out Lewis A. Coser's book called, "Greed Institutions; Patterns of Undivided Commitment," hopefully at your local library if possible. Otherwise it will be an expensive read. See for yourself by taking a visit on Amazon via this link: https://www.amazon.ca/Greedy-Institutions-Patterns-Undivided-Commitment/dp/0029067502/ref=sr_1_19?dchild=1&keywords=Lewis+A.+Coser&qid=1596237365&sr=8-19
2) Lisa M. Najavits' book "Seeking Safety" is a great manual for standing up to addiction and PTSD. Again, hopefully, you can locate it at your local library, but if not here is the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.ca/Seeking-Safety-Treatment-Manual-Substance/dp/1572306394/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?dchild=1&keywords=Lisa+Nadjivats+seeking+safety&qid=1596237520&sr=8-1-fkmr0
Peace, take care, be well, and share!
Join me, Steve, The Hopeful Humanist, for another unscripted blithering moment as I talk about an activity for standing up to anxiety called, "The Things On My Plate Mind-map." In this episode, the activity is the showcase resource. While it is pretty straight forward it is none-the-less very impactful in terms of creating perspective that can allow for some calm. Do not lose out on what is right in front of you because an overflowing life plate. Make your list, de-select what is outside your circle of control, rank order, create an action plan, get those checkmarks and then celebrate!
Peace, be well, take care, and share!
Join me for a creativity-building activity as we imagine working in the "Off Script Living" department for a car manufacturer to explore ways to help Generation Alpha adjust to a mobile existence in a jobless world. In order to equip our children and youth for the world of tomorrow, creativity has to be a major focus for the learning curriculum of the 21 Century. How else to foster it than to play with it!
This episode was originally produced on September 30, 2018 for my experimental podcast "Blithering Thoughts." As that experiment has come to a conclusion and as I enjoyed the content of the discussion, I decided to import it into The Hopeful Humanist collection. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did creating it!
Peace, take care, be well, and share
"What if" is an example of an automatic negative thought (ANTs) that fuels anxiety. In this episode, instead of turning away from the debilitating "what if," with mindfulness the "what if" is compassionately embraced to nurture more positive empowering thoughts (PETs). The episode ends with the invitation to reflect upon the possible benefits of opening up to "Positive E-Psychotherapy" for one and all to enjoy the science-based fruits of happiness. Parting Thought: What if you clicked on the links in the resource section, especially the link for a 10 day on-line coaching program for happiness?
Possible First Deliberate Thought for the Morning: "What if I gave myself a hug?"
Showcase Resources:
Can you benefit from Positive E-Psychotherapy? Read this article to learn how virtual therapy is helping people cope with the pandemic's mental health strains at: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/how-virtual-therapy-is-helping-people-cope-with-the-pandemic-s-mental-health-strains-1.5577531
2) Interested in learning more about automatic negative thoughts, read the following article at: https://bebrainfit.com/automatic-negative-thoughts/
3) Want to learn how to be happier? Sign up for the free 10-day on-line email-based happiness program with Virtual Coach Lia at Action For Happiness: https://10daysofhappiness.org/
Salutation for now! Peace, take care, be well, and share!
As the accidental experiment of remote work/telecommuting unfolds in response to a Covid-19 reality, what are the implications we will discover downstream of this new social reality as people sit in front of screens for inhumane amounts of time, looking at surreal representations of co-workers on ZOOM one may never have met in real face-to-face time? Heavy stuff, eh! But seriously, take care of your coconut (brain) and your eyes so you can avoid digital eye strain, blurred vision, eye irritation, headaches, etc. What can you do?:
1) Every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break and look at something 20 feet away
2) Do some eye crunches for 20 seconds
3) Blink 10 time
4) Every 4 hours take a 15 minute break
Showcase Resources:
1) Read this article from the Canadian Association OF Optometrists for a concise yet thorough overview of Digital Eye Strain at - https://opto.ca/health-library/computer-vision-syndrome-digital-eye-strain
2) Check-out these YouTube videos:
- Do you have computer vision Syndrome -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wMqzF6_q9s
- Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qqRo31_rdc
- Digital Eye Strain & Computer Vision Syndrome - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHJ2Ksxi3Hs
3) What is Zoom Fatigue:https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/zoom-fatigue-is-setting-in-1.5585933
4) As an etcetera thought, in terms of my interest in the bow, check out this video if you are interested in learning "How to Wai properly" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tec9pCjkoxo
Salutations for now! Peace, take care, be well, and share!
What does a beach party have to do with the meaning of life? In this morning file, I invite you to join me and Woodrow II as we start off the day with some music and a thought for the day to make one think. The thought of the day is a quote from Viktor Frankl which is one of my favourites about the meaning of life. The quote comes from the book, "MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING," which I believe is a must read. Be prepared for a long pause close to the end of the file as I wanted to provide some space for wonder. Also, I should note, while reading the quote from pages 108 to 109, I felt inclined in the moment to add some inclusive language (specifically, the word "one") as an effort to make the ideas more accessible to all. I know it is not a choice all would make or agree with. I am also well aware my decision to open things up by using the word "one" also somewhat hampers the flow of the read. My hope is that the sharing experience is still a great way to start the day.
Showcase Resource:
1) "Man's search for meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl. Try to find it first at your local library or else you can go to Amazon at this link: https://www.amazon.ca/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/0807014273/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1EF4VCVTZGHFF&keywords=mans+search+for+meaning+viktor+frankl&qid=1588768595&sprefix=mans+%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-1
Peace, be well, take care, and share!
Open the curtains, get comfortable, and sip some tea for a moment of mindfulness to orient the day. I discovered this gem while reading, "Awakening The Buddha Within," by Lama Surya Das. I would like to quote what Lama Surya Das wrote about this prayer on page 184: "The Buddha himself said that if you repeatedly practice this meditation and recitation - with a forgiving, loving heart, while relinquishing judgement, anger, and prejudice - great benefits will definitely ensue: You will sleep easily, wake easily, and have pleasant dreams; people will love you; celestial beings will love you and protect you; poisons, weapons, fire, and other external dangers will not harm you; your face will be radiant and your mind concentrated and serene; and you will die unconfused and be reborn in happy realms." W.O.W. - Words of Wisdom!
METTA PRAYER
May all beings be happy, content, and fulfilled.
May all beings be healed and whole.
May all have whatever they want and need.
May all be protected from harm, and free from fear.
May all beings enjoy inner peace and ease.
May all be awakened, liberated, and free.
May there be peace in this world, and throughout the entire universe.
Peace, take care, and be well
Jump into this episode (#40 and not #37 as would be expected) with me as I talk about the importance of showing care in the way we talk to one another to avoid avoidable regrets. Words, while limiting, are also powerful. We need to be mindful and practice "Right Speech." During this episode, appropriately, I was wearing my "No Regrets" T-shirt which I attempt to link into the conversation at the end of the episode. The episode ends with a clip of me and my boys attempting to create the content for the One Word episode.
Setting the tone for the episode:
1) Quote: "Better than a meaningless story of a thousand words, is a single word of deep meaning which, when heard, produces peace." - From the Dhammapada (Sayings of the Buddha)
2) T-shirt idea: "Quest, Create, Grow"
3) The essence of ONE WORD in a three word poem: "Authentic, Enthusiastic, Brevity"
Showcase Resource:
1) AWAKENING THE BUDDHA WITHIN by Lama Surya Das. Possibly, the book might be available at your local library or click here to find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Awakening-the-Buddha-Within/dp/B071VHSK5W/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=lama+surya+das+Awaking+the+buddha+within&qid=1588520477&sr=8-1
Peace, take care & be well!
A two word title for a "One Word" podcast episode - possibly the shortest podcast episode ever! In this episode, Blazing Phoenix takes centre-mic for another Sanity Quickie. Before listening to the episode, I would like to invite you to join me in a creativity challenge. Imagine you have been asked to create an episode for a podcast called, "The Happier Quest." Specifically, you have been given the task to broadcast only one word to your listening audience to elevate happiness and foster creativity. What word would you choose and why? Any guess what word I have chosen? Try not to check-out the showcase resources below until after you listened to the episode as it will amount to a complete give away.
Orienting quote: "Beauty is everywhere," by Bob Ross
T-shirt Idea: #Ch.3.14 … a perfect place to share your one word idea for a podcast
Showcase Resources:
1) Read this Psychology Today article to learn about one kind of superpower at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/201605/the-9-superpowers-your-smile
2 )Check out this Ted Talk by Ron Gutman for the science behind the superpower above at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9cGdRNMdQQ
Peace, take care & be well!
Welcome to another Sanity Quickie! In this episode, I hand the microphone over to Captain Jack as he shares his off-the-cuff thoughts about a possible Stoic response to the question about how fate plays itself out in our lives.
Peace, take care & be well!
Welcome to an ¨S.Q.¨ moment, a Sanity Quickie, where I will share with you a daily practice I have incorporated into my days to stand up to the chaos thrust into our lives because of the covid-19 Pandemic. The tile for this episode is both a description of the shared hardships of our collective reality and a sanity prescription to boost optimism, elevate levels of happiness (even if only by degrees), and combat intrusive automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) that currently plague many of us as we are struggling to figure out how to navigate the terrain of an uncertain and unfamiliar world. The acronym is obviously a play on words and hopefully a refuge for the secularist, humanist, atheist or anyone whose tendency is to appeal to reason. G.A.A.D stand for gratitude, acceptance (of the radical sort), achievement (or accomplishment) and a deliberate internal reflection about who or what we desire to embrace and bring into our lives so we can experience happiness and good mental and physical healthy. I invite the listener to reflect upon the benefits (i.e. increased optimism) of finding a moment each and everyday (upon waking up, during a meal, going for a walk, getting ready for bed, etc.) to think about things to be grateful for, embrace a mental attitude of acceptance, consciously reflect upon daily achievements (check-mark moments), and setting goals motivated from an inward glance of enhancing desires as opposed to desires based on impulsive clinging and craving.
The orienting tone includes:
1) T-shirt idea: "No Biggie"
2) Mantra: "Chip away at the stone"
3) Empowering quote by Emily Dickinson: "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul."
Showcase Resource:
1) I would like to share a link to a podcast I recently listened to entitled, "How to take it like a Stoic" at https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/take-it-like-a-stoic-coping-in-the-time-of-coronavirus-1.5520846. Check-out the interview to discover some ways to hone the acceptance muscle and enjoy a discussion about the benefits of journalling like a stoic and the suggestion that "negative visualization" might help us to be more grateful for the moment(s) we find ourselves in.
Thank-you for joining me for this sanity quickie, just a tip-of-the-iceberg conversation that is always on-going and continuous. Until next time, peace, take care, and be well!
In this episode (#33), we start off with a "germ-free" couple of clips from Danielson and then switch the discussion to explore four things a person might do to prepare for one's first ever therapy session.
The orienting framework includes the following:
1) T-shirt Idea: "Explore, Expand, Become"
2) A moment of free-association: Attitude, Awareness, Attention; Self-Compassion, Patience, Acceptance
3) Quote: "The Perfect is the enemy of the good" - and is explained by Danielson
4) Words of the Day: Cathartic & Process
5) Danielson's re-crafting of the Novel First Sentence he shared in Episode 29: "The mirror conjured a new testimony of age: evidence of a deeper parenthesized mouth that launched a regret-flavoured reverie as he scrutinized his altered face."
Home Work Resources:
- Learn about the "Stages of Change" by clicking this PowerPoint presentation at the CAMH website by clicking here - http://www.camhx.ca/education/online_courses_webinars/mha101/stagesofchange/Stages_of_Change_.htm
- Again, by visiting CAMH, recognize the power of "Standing up to Stigma" - http://www.camhx.ca/education/online_courses_webinars/mha101/stigma/Stigma_.htm
Wondering, "What is therapy?" Visit -
- Check out what therapy is all about at Crash Course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nEL44QkL9w
- Interested in what the research says in answer to the question "Does Psychotherapy Work?" Go to SciShow Psych at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J44e8gpA7fk
Interesting Reading Material:
- Quotes about therapy by therapists - https://positivepsychology.com/best-therapy-quotes/
- A revised response by David Byrne (former lead singer of Talking Heads) to the dialoguing memes between Huxley and Talking Heads: Huxley - "It's a brave new world out there." David Byrne - "Yeah, life goes on." Read David's recent article, "The World is Changing - So Can We" at: https://reasonstobecheerful.world/the-world-is-changing-so-can-we/
- Check out Danielson's short essay about the covid-19 crisis available on GoodReads called “Pandemic Lessons from Albert Camus” - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2943385953
Listeners can now access the Hopeful Humanist Cafe on YouTube. Please subscribe and share cool resources in the comment section.
Be well & take care!
In this episode, I share an imaginative glimpse I had looking forward to the early years of 2030 when the 8, 9 and 10 (Generation Alpha) years old of today get ready to be "Alphas at the Helm" of tomorrow. I am building on the "In-the-Clouds/Nebulous" novel of episode 31. As a prelude to that moment, let me again turn our attention to the unnamed "Man in the Mirror" from Danielson's novel first sentence of episode 29. It is March 22, 2020, and his partner asks him, "Will the world ever be 'normal' again?" Bill, who just turned 50 on March 10, 2020, replies, "It will, but we will forget about it and we won't learn our lessons." This episode features an interaction between Janus and Sparky who offer a rebuttal to such cynicism.
With that fictional background in place, my goal for this episode is to provide some helpful resources to stand up to the covid-19 pandemic, some new and some a reminder about things we already know.
T-shirt Idea for the episode: "Remember, don't forget what you know."
Mantras for the day: "Cooperative Synergy," "This is hard, but we can do hard things," and ... (what says you?)
Janus’ twitterature novel first sentence tweet: Remember everyone, borders don't stop the spread of viruses. Welcome to the new global community. Let’’s be proactive in a community-minded way and make good decisions!
Words of the moment: Toilet paper, masks, pandemic, self-isolating, social distancing, Rubbing alcohol, covid-19, corona virus, planking the curve, quarantine
Showcase Resources
About the Coronavirus:
1) For a coronavirus guide explainer, go to CBC News and click on this article:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/coronavirus-guide-explainer-1.5497009
2) Who would have thought the "off-script" idea of home schooling would be a current reality necessity? Go to this CBC news link to learn how to talk to your kids about why schools are being closed at:
https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/post/watch-why-are-schools-being-closed
3) Experts are encouraging us to flatten the curve. For more click on this article:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/coronavirus-simulation-toronto-1.5497184
4) To explore the dangers of panic buying during an outbreak, again, check out this CBC News link:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/thenational/the-trouble-with-panic-buying-during-an-outbreak-1.5498028
5) Here I am including an interview accessible on YouTube by Joe Rogan with Dr. Michael Osterholm that was sent to me by a very close friend at the start of the pandemic. Attached to the video was his personal sentiment that the corona virus is a "Game Changer." As events continue to play themselves out, I think there is lots of evidence to support this claim. Click here for the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZFhjMQrVts
Three "Remember, don't forget what you know" resources:
1) Action for Happiness provides daily tweets of inspiration on Twitter. Go to the following website to follow or revisit the keys to happiness. This is the time that we need to use our strengths to get through a domino of challenges. Click here for hyperlink: https://www.actionforhappiness.org/
2) Don't forget the Greater Good Magazine by UC Berkley where you can access a guide to well-being at https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/
3) Last, but not least, visit the Good News Network to laugh by clicking this link https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/jimmy-fallon-hashtags-myquarantineinsixwords/ or listen to a new, inspiring podcast that captures daily news stories about people caring for people during the covid-19 outbreak athttps://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/silver-linings-of-covid-19-episode-3-from-geri-and-anthonys-good-news-podcast-quarantine-edition/. This last link offers thoughts for cabin fever projects - https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/tips-for-making-your-time-at-home-pandemic-positive/
Together, we can not only get through this but also learn some incredible lessons to make the world a better place for one and all --- Steve, The Hopeful Humanist
Welcome to another episode of The Hopeful Humanist Cafe, a "Just Some Guy" production by me, Steve, The Hopeful Humanist. In this episode, after a humourous introductory segment by Woodrow II featuring two silly clips from Captain Jack, I attempt to weave together a novel first sentence from Danielson in Episode 29 and a novel first sentence I shared in Episode 26 (the sentences will be noted below). With that goal in mind, I would like to invite interested listeners to construct "one's own" novel first sentence to bring to this episode as we will attempt to start the beginning discussion of an "In-the-Clouds/Nebulous" novel.
Quote for the day: ¨I believe the very purpose of life is to seek happiness. That is clear.¨ The Dalai Lama
T-shirt Idea - "Mad Thinker"
Creativity Challenge:
After constructing your own novel first sentence, attempt to weave it together with the novel first sentences below -
1) Novel First Sentence by Danielson from Episode 29: "The mirror conjured a new testimony of age: evidence of a deeper parenthesized mouth that launched a regret-flavoured reverie as he scrutinized his disturbingly unrecognizable face."
2) Novel First Sentence by Steve, The Hopeful Humanist from Episode 26: “Janus was a psychonaut who decided to put down his flight plans after a bad trip that woke him up to the dream he had been living. He realized the real business in life was the spiritual journey and he had been living in bad faith.”
Novel first paragraph:
.… Janus decided he was going to mindfully co-author the story of his lived experience. Thirty seconds earlier, he made the life altering choice to change his name to Janus to mark this new beginning. Ironically, from the perspective of any “Other,” the mere passage of 30 seconds would naturally of led anyone to conclude that nothing in fact had changed – he still occupied the same physical space; he was still 25, white; male; 5'6”; Canadian; university educated; homeless; single, and spiritually rudderless. Still, back then when he was – him, he had everything but nothing; now, he had nothing but everything. His transformation while total but not complete was from the inside out. The exercise of this inherent life-altering agency left Janus feeling content and satisfied. With a Mona Lisa smile, he found himself inclined to just sit in the moment, be, breath, and get out of his head and into the world to open up to the surrounding sounds, sights, smells, tastes, and textures while he waited for Sparky and the others to arrive for open-mike reading night.
Showcase Resources:
- To explore more fully the quote of the day from the Dalai Lama, listen click here to listen to the audio version of the book called "The Art of Happiness Part 1: The inner light mastering mind series" at this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2akxJSndjA0
About Skunks:
- Click this YouTube link if you are struggling to get skunks off your property -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DheQbj8_JUQ
- How to get skunks off your property. This one does not mention the orange peel strategy above so I thought I should offer at least two more alternatives to experiment with ways to get skunks off your property. Click here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQwFuKj9I9
- Another one here at - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGGw2vpea94
- For some general information about skunks, checkout this YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVlqcrEuGmw&t=70s
As always, this tip of the iceberg conversation is ongoing and continuous. As Blazing Phoenix shared, "Peace and Take Care Everyone!"
Salutations!!! Join me, Steve, The Hopeful Humanist, Woodrow II, and Danielson along with all the background sounds of life (I may have gone a little overboard with the sounds of life in this episode?!) as we initiate a tip-of-the-iceberg discussion about some resources accessible on YouTube that might help you get a sweet, slumbering sleep. The musical intro played by Woodrow II is called "Jazz Blast," by Nancy and Randall Faber.
T-shirt Idea: "Sleep is a gift you give yourself"
Showcase Resources:
- Calm Sleep Stories for Adults:
- The Nordland Night Train by Erik Braa at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcrcXtjRTTE&t=1204s
- Blue Gold by Stephen Fry at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mGifCwig8I
- Sacred New Zealand by Jerome Flynn at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4x9ssJ0jfM
- Sleep Meditation for Kids:
- Magic Sleep Tent at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2bQ850rylI
- The Sleepy Sloth at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsPo4T3v6dA&t=1566s
- The Sleep Train: Destination Dreamland at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BvddFyiLVI
- Some concussion friendly audio books to help with sleep:
- Making Space: Creating a Home Meditation Practice. Click here to access a link to Amazon - https://www.amazon.ca/Making-Space-Creating-Meditation-Practice/dp/193700600X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=making+space+by+Thich+Nhat+Hanh&qid=1583078708&sr=8-1
- Self Hypnosis by Lynda Hudson. Click here to access a link to Amazon - https://www.amazon.ca/Learn-Self-Hypnosis-Discover-power-within/dp/B071DWNPVL/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Self+hypnosis%3A+Discover+the+power+within+by+Lynda+Hudson&qid=1583078886&sr=8-2
- What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast by Laura Vanderkam. Click here to access link to Amazon - https://www.amazon.ca/What-Successful-People-Before-Breakfast/dp/B072Q1VVB2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2A0QXYN2KE4C7&keywords=what+the+most+successful+people+do+before+breakfast&qid=1583078985&s=books&sprefix=What+the+most+succe%2Caudible%2C187&sr=1-1
- For some ideas about why we sleep, check out this TED Talk by Russell Foster at this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWULB9Aoopc&t=477s
A special thanks to Woodrow II and Danielson for their contributions to this episode. Thank-you for listening. It is my hope tonight you might have the gift of a restorative, "sweet, slumbering, sleep" (cool, an alliteration!). Until next time, peace and take care.
For more on alliterations click here - https://ca.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=alliteration#id=3&vid=dddf32db477bbfbc798c850cfe7bbc77&action=click
The Hopeful Humanist
Join me, Steve, The Hopeful Humanist, my oldest son, Woodrow II (his chosen cyber-handle), and my friend and spiritual brother, Captain Jack, for a very cold and brisk winter walk (-3 degrees Celsius feels like -9 and you can hear the chill in my voice) as we pit two quotes against each other for a quote-off about the benefits of schedules. I would encourage you to go to the Good Reads link provided as the showcase resource and read the quotes before listening to the episode. In addition to the quote-off, another good friend and spiritual brother, Danielson (his chosen cyber-handle), has offered a thought for the novel first sentence contribution provided below.
Showcase Resource Link:
1) Go to goodreads, an on-line book club to discover which book your going to read next. Click the following link to read a quote about schedules by Wilkie Collins and another by Annie Dillard to discover which quote strikes a cord with you? Click here: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/schedule
Other Ideas:
1)T-shirt Idea for the episode comes from Captain Jack: "Life is too short for BS"
2) Novel First Sentence by Danielson: "The mirror conjured a new testimony of age: evidence of a deeper parenthesized mouth that launched a regret-flavoured reverie as he scrutinized his disturbingly unrecognizable face."
Special Thanks:
Again, I would like to give a special thanks to my son, Woodrow II, Captain Jack, and Danielson for their contributions to this episode. The opening musical intro-bit was from a piece called, "Shadows," created by Dennis Alexander (b. 1947) and Martha Mier (b. 1936).
Thank-you for joining me for another blither moment at The Hopeful Humanist Cafe. As always, the conversation is on-going and continuous. Until next time, peace and take care!
In this episode, Steve, The Hopeful Humanist, in another "one take, unedited" discussion will explore the benefit of creating a "Being Day" in an effort to show our commitment to slowing things down in our otherwise busy, fast-paced, hectic lives. Perhaps, one thing we might do on such a "sacred day" could be to talk to the universe to gain insight for personal wisdom, perseverance for the struggles in life, and communicate about gratitude for this privileged moment."
Quote for the episode: "In this house, We Do real, We never give up, We hug & kiss, We value & respect, We talk, We laugh, We dream, We love" ... my beautiful wife
T-shirt idea: "Talk to the Universe"
Showcase Resources:
1) Listen to the audio-book called, "Bartlbey, The Scrivener" by Melville on Youtube at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dgmpg9P5ZRY&t=2507s
2) Try to find the audio-book "Happiness" by Thich Nhat Hahn at your local library or buy it on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.ca/Happiness-Mindfulness-Thich-Nhat-Hanh/dp/1888375914/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?keywords=Happiness+by+Thich+Nhat+han&qid=1579634107&sr=8-1-fkmr1
Read my good friend's review of "Bartleby, The Scrivener" by Melville at Goodreads at this link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3043223656
Journal entry thought: "I am a culmination (small but relevant) of the cosmos - I am the air that I breath, the water that I drink, the food that I eat, the earth that I walk upon, and the sun that shines down upon me -- I and the Universe are One" .... by Steve, The Hopeful Humanist
Thank-you for another neighbourly moment, peace and take care. Until our next blithering moment!
Welcome to another "one-take, unedited episode" of Blithering Thoughts at The Hopeful Humanist Cafe. With a drum roll, and the hug of a tree, you can construct a rationale for your vision board for the new decade as we step into the "Twenty-Twenties." The unmentioned T-shirt idea for this episode to usher in the next decade is "Explore, Expand, Become."
Showcase Resources:
1) Do you feel your time is time well spent? Go to the following link and scroll down to an enlightening video called "A New Agenda for Tech," by Tristan Harris, the founder of the Centre for Humane Technology for his take on the question - https://humanetech.com/problem/
2) "Happiness" a book by Thich Nhat Hahn - Amazon link: https://www.amazon.ca/Happiness-Mindfulness-Thich-Nhat-Hanh/dp/1888375914/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_1?keywords=happiness+by+thich+nhat+hahn&qid=1578509632&sr=8-1-fkmr3
-- Go hug a tree
3) "The Happiness Curve" by Jonathon Rauch - Amazon link" https://www.amazon.ca/Happiness-Curve-Life-Better-After/dp/1250078806/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RGPB0TGTO14C&keywords=happiness+curve&qid=1578509814&sprefix=Happiness+cu%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-1
--- Learn about the formula for happiness: H = S + C + V + Time/Age
Current interesting headlines as we enter the 20-20s:
1) "Precarity, debt and social media:BuzzFeed writer Anne Helen Peterson on the modern brand of burnout "- link: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/tapestry/why-so-many-of-us-are-hustling-past-exhaustion-1.5028802/precarity-debt-and-social-media-buzzfeed-writer-anne-helen-petersen-on-the-modern-brand-of-burnout-1.5028805
2) "Gen X women are facing a mid-life crisis. This author says we're not taking it seriously" - link: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-jan-6-2020-1.5415939/gen-x-women-are-facing-a-mid-life-crisis-this-author-says-we-re-not-taking-it-seriously-1.5416004
Resolution References
1) Dry January - Check-out the Baroness Von Sketch Show at this CBC link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/dry-january-alcohol-booze-quit-cleanse-1.5402076
2) "The evolution of swearing from 'bloody hell' to the f-bomb" - Want to cut down on swearing check-out this radio talk for size:https://www.cbc.ca/news/the-evolution-of-swearing-1.5300157
Peace and Take Care
The new audio content for this episode is available
The “Chop wood, carry water” (An expression I discovered while reading about Buddhism) thing to do when you find yourself unfulfilled and craving for more on the hedonic treadmill that is swirling about in the middle of the hectic rat race called “Life,” is to TRY and bring it back to a mindful breath and just SLOW THINGS DOWN. Join me, Steve, The Hopeful Humanist, as I talk about how hard it is to be mindful and a hodgepodge of other things like T-shirt ideas and novel first sentences. This is a one take, unedited experience via my Zoom H1 Handy recorder and my lapel microphone.
Books Referenced:
- Why Buddhism is True by Robert Wright – click the following link:
https://www.amazon.ca/Why-Buddhism-True-Philosophy-Enlightenment/dp/1439195455/ref=sr_1_1?crid=17IFF6EJ46PKO&keywords=why+buddhism+is+true&qid=1576161191&sprefix=why+bu%2Caps%2C223&sr=8-1
- How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan
https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=how+to+change+your+mind+michael+pollan&crid=1WCUK54W0Q1RH&sprefix=how+to+change+%2Caps%2C162&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_14
- I Think Too Much: How to Channel Intrusive Thoughts – A mind that never rests by Christel Petitcollin
https://www.amazon.ca/think-too-much-intrusive-thoughts-ebook/dp/B07Q5Y86K9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14UOEOXZ3OTFF&keywords=i+think+too+much&qid=1576161058&sprefix=I+think+too%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1
Other Showcased Thoughts:
T-shirt Idea linked to the idea of Human Hubris: “The Apex of Evolution; The Crown of Creation – yeah” (An alternative thought could be to change “yeah” to “whatever”).
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yeah - I like pushing the sound feature
Novel First Sentence (From 6 Oct 18 twitterature experiment called, #OffscriptLiving): “Janus was a psychonaut who decided to put down his flight plans after a bad trip that woke him up to the dream he had been living. He realized the real business in life was the spiritual journey and he had been living in bad faith.”
Thank-you for joining me for this neighbourly moment. Try not to fly to close to the sun.
Peace and Take Care
Join me, The Hopeful Humanist, for a blethering trite conversation about the apostrophe's demise, a "This, that, there ..." challenge and an invitation to take and make the invented, silly, post-modern tradition of 'Festivus' your own. Check out the resources below:
Videos:
1) Watch these clips of the Seinfeld episode called "The Strike" to learn more about "Festivus,"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX55AzGku5Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKdnqjnegEs
Festivus
Books
1) Here is a great book (I borrowed it in audio form from my local library) about the history of the sitcom called "Seinfeld."
Seinfeldia - attached is the link to Amazon
https://www.amazon.ca/Seinfeldia-About-Nothing-Changed-Everything/dp/1476756104/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31EIJOCPZ1X8P&keywords=seinfeldia&qid=1575412624&sprefix=Seinfeldia%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1
2)Festivus: The Holiday for the rest of us - Again, I borrowed this book in audio form from the local library, but here is the link to
Amazonhttps://www.amazon.ca/Festivus-Holiday-Rest-Allen-Salkin/dp/0446540668/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=festivus+book&qid=1575412700&sr=8-3
To learn more about the apostrophe's demise go to the following link:
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-monday-edition-1.5380932/apostrophe-protection-society-shuts-down-after-18-years-blaming-ignorance-and-laziness-1.5380935
Peace and Take Care
On October 21, 2019 Canadians will cast votes for the next federal leader of Canada. In this episode, I encourage Canadians to get informed, engage in respectful conversation and get out to vote because voting is a right. I provide a number of resources to explore to prepare for the upcoming vote. So please, check the sources, check the images, and check the claims, and stand up to the "Why vote?" meme, because choosing not to vote allows those who do vote to double-down on the weight of their vote. Let us use our critical thinking skills (i.e. know your bias, suspend judgement and ask questions) so we can make the wise decisions and send the message that we will not fall into the role of "emotionally provoked persuadables."
Resources:
1) Learn about logical fallacies (i.e. hasty generalizations, appeal to emotions, bandwagon effect, etc.) at these two links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IawIjqOJBU8
2) And: https://thebestschools.org/magazine/15-logical-fallacies-know/
3) Explore the expansion of Democracy from 1816 to 2016 at: https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/its-2016-here-is-the-state-of-voting-rights-around/
For voting Canadians:
1) First time voters uncertain of your leanings - check out Vote Compass - Canada Votes 2019 at: https://votecompass.cbc.ca/canada/
2) Feeling like you don't have any clarity about campaign positions go to: https://pollenize.org/en/elections/canada-2019
3) Want to learn about the Canadian Democratic system and how to get ready to cast an informed vote access "classroom resources" at https://studentvote.ca/canada/
Lastly, feeling creative? If so, before October 21, 2019, make a concrete prediction about the overall voter participation rate (68.5% in 2015) and the final election outcome (i.e. Liberal minority government with surges in the Bloc and NDP?) by putting pen to paper. It is a healthy way to put those automatic thoughts we have into check and an invitation to be open to surprise.
Remember, voting makes a difference! Thank-you for joining me in another "tip of the ice-burg" conversation. Take care & peace from the Hopeful Humanist, just some guy, attempting to share inspiration and inspire creativity.
Welcome to another "make you think," "one take," blithering moment at the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. In this episode, I invite you to step into the nuts and bolts life of Bruce as he struggles with social acceptance. The focus of the episode is this novel first sentence: "Bruce's silicon synapses spontaneously started sparking with a gnawing curiosity. Would they accept him? What if they didn't? Hmmm, how could he test the waters with his kids? MAYBE he should tell them: 'Your mom is a robot'"
Suggested song to enjoy as background theme by Supertramp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=low6Coqrw9Y
Peace and take care
Welcome to this Hegelian synthesis of Blithering Thoughts at the Hopeful Humanist Cafe, a post-post modern, surrealist, phenomenological, first person, empirical exploration of ideas in flow, the good life, T-shirt notions, etcetera moments and resources for your spiritual toolbox. #okaythen. In this episode, I invite listeners to think about what competencies or meta skills we need to equip our children with to prepare for the 21 century.
Showcase Resources:
1) Listen to Yuval Noah Harari summarize his book called, "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" in a Ted Talk at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzj7Wg4DAbs
2) Listen to Yuval Noah Harari give a Google talk about lessons we need to keep in mind for the 21 century at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw9P_ZXWDJU
Games to play to foster creativity ... Don't take my word for it - experiment:
Codename Words, Codename Pictures, Taboo, and the game I struggled to recall called, "Ticket to Ride." Let the creative spring erupt!
"Learn to fail or fail to learn" - Tal Ben Shahar (Lecture 6 from his Positive Psychology course available on Youtube).
Peace & Take Care ... until our next meeting of the minds
The "crumple basket," the joy of nonsensical words, and "dialoguing memes" are explored in this final episode of the three part series called, "Pass the salt, I'm in France." It concludes with this novel first sentence for your free-writing pleasure: "Back there, I had everything but nothing; here, I have nothing but everything." And in the non-sequitur spirit of Blithering Thoughts about T-shirt ideas, novel first sentences, and etcetera moments, remember to "Give your head a shake, concussions are serious!" Trying to share inspiration to inspire creativity. Peace and take care.
In this 2nd episode of the 3 part series called, "Pass the Salt, I'm in France," it becomes clear that T-shirts can be controversial and create feelings. One is invited to imagine two T-shirts engaging in an open conversation to discover if there could be a common ground. The novel first sentence to play with in your journal goes like this: Life is not a fairy tale but it is full of everything that makes one ..." Peace and take care ... Sharing inspiration and inspiring creativity!
Let me introduce the first episode of my re-boot for my sister podcast on the Anchor platform called, "Blithering Thoughts about T-shirt Ideas, Novel First Sentences, and Etcetera Moments." This episode is the first of a 3 part series called, "Pass the salt, I'm in France." My hope is to share inspiration to inspire creativity in an unscripted, raw flow of blithering conversation with all the sounds of life in the back ground. To prevent confusion and help distinguish Hopefulhumanist episodes and Blithering Thoughts episodes, I will number Blithering Thoughts episodes with a "T-shirt #" designations. Tune in next week for "Dialoguing T-shirts" - T-shirt #5, part 2 of the "Pass the salt, I'm in France" series.
Boompf and Bugadoo ...
In this awkward episode, I will provide some resources to explore a possible link between happiness, mental health, sexual health and -- yes, the "M" word -- MASTURBATION. The showcase resources are as follows:
1) www.teenhealthsource.com - A great resource for teens and parents that provides information about birth control, sexual identity, puberty & the body, relationships & self-esteem, and sex.
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvSJE9n0GfA&t=623s - In this Ted Talk, Jane Langton both provides a true confession account and research findings connected to masturbation.
3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRkPU1fKchI&list=PLrQBzEPbi1wRL5NRzlRVSe2muIBTZRmfA - In this Ted Talk, Teesha Morgan explores masturbation myths and provides ideas for different words we can use for the "M" word to make the conversation more comfortable.
Additional on-line article links:
1) https://greatist.com/happiness/masturbation-health-benefits#1 - This article looks at the question about whether-or-not it is good for us?
2) https://www.healthline.com/health/masturbation-and-depression - This article looks at the link between masturbation and depression.
3)https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-18581/10-reasons-to-make-masturbation-part-of-your-wellness-routine.html - This article looks at the benefit of incorporating masturbation into your wellness routine.
Ideas for a music playlist:
1)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLexgOxsZu0 - How about some #metime with Bruno Mars
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv-34w8kGPM - A song by Divinyls called, "I touch myself."
3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFq4E9XTueY - Who was to know what Cindy Lauper was singing about?
How about a comedy sketch about the terrain:
1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V13rRz05uBM - An uncomfortable moment between Donna and Eric on "That 70s Show."
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jze7b5cG8dw - The Seinfeld game make an awkward bet on "Seinfeld." Maybe to really be master of one's domain it means "taking back" one's body.
Worksheet for good coping
1) Here is a list from the Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Skills Workbook of pleasurable activities and it includes the "M" word: http://www.englishtherapy.ch/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Big-List-of-Pleasurable-Activities.doc
Thanks for joining me at The Hopeful Humanist Cafe. I look forward to our next meeting of the minds!
In episode 20, the second episode in the mini-series On Choice, I will showcase a Hopeful Humanist concept called "C-cubed" (C3) so we can add some new ideas like "The Dawning of agency," "The forfeiture of choice," and "The field of influence" to our spiritual toolbox. In this episode, I tell a sort of story about the phenomenon called choice by exploring a formula for empowerment captured with the following nomenclature: Circumstance: Choice → Consequence. Additionally, below, I will include some other interesting resources about how to make better choices.
Decision Making Resources:
1) Watch the Ted Talk called "How to make better decisions," by Dr. Joe Arvai as he presents the thesis that our choices define us. He suggests we are all architects when it comes to choice and offers listeners a "Building Code" to navigating difficult choice points at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ7SAcFp4so&t=20s
2) Visit The School of life and watch "How to make a decision." In this video we are invited to think about different choice perspectives and reminded about the importance of settling for "good enough" as opposed to striving for perfection when making choices as it results in improved mental health. To watch video click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okdsAZUTJ94
3) If you are interested in reading some literature about making a systematic approach for making decisions, go to Mind Tools at the following link: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_00.htm
4) At wikiHow there are a number of web-pages dedicated to the decision making process. I liked the one called, "How to make better decisions" - what do you think? Head to this link and put on your critically-reflective lense: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Better-Decisions
Peace and take care
In this episode, we will initiate the first discussion of an on-going exploration about choice. Our departure point starts with the question: Does choice exist? While the showcase resource is a book by Barry Schwartz called "The Paradox of Choice," my hope is to also provide a number of additional resources to construct a "grasshopper" (qualifier provided by the 1972 television program called Kung Fu starring David Carradine) curriculum about a phenomenon called choice. It is my hope the collection of material presented will generate thought about the revelatory and empowering nature of choice.
Show Case Resource:
1) Go to your local library and pick up the book "The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less - How The Culture of Abundance Robs Us of Satisfaction" by Barry Schwartz to discover if you are a Maximizer or Satisficer and rules of thumb for making important life decisions. It is also available on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.ca/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005696/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QYHD311FXFW4&keywords=the+paradox+of+choice&qid=1556585483&s=gateway&sprefix=The+paradox+of+choi%2Caps%2C641&sr=8-1
2) If you prefer watching videos, you can watch Barry Schwartz give at Ted Talk on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO6XEQIsCoM
Interested in discussion about the problem of free will?
1) Maybe "Free Will" does not exist but what about "Free Won't?" How would you make sense of the research conducted by Libet? Check out this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjCt-L0Ph5o
2) Not sure about the different conflicting views that relate to the problem of "Free Will," give an ear to John Searle, an American philosopher from the University of California, Berkeley. He captures the problem so succinctly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rZfSTpjGl8&t=25s
3) Check-out Crash Course, a great free on-line educational platform, to look for congruence with John Searle's account about "Determinism vs Free Will" at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCGtkDzELAI
4) Inclined to a determinist understanding of life, Check-out Sam Harris' podcast called "Making Sense" and listen to Episode #124, In Search of Reality: A conversation with Sean Carroll at:https://samharris.org/podcast/
Additional Reading:
1) The Father Reaches of Human Nature by Abraham H. Maslow - this is a must read to understand how one of the pivotal founders of Humanistic Psychology conceptualized the centrality of choice to the human experience and self-actualization. If it is not available at your local library, you can find it on Amazon:https://www.amazon.ca/Farther-Reaches-Human-Nature/dp/0140194703/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=29QAKS8L2PB1P&keywords=the+farther+reaches+of+human+nature&qid=1556587784&s=gateway&sprefix=The+farther+reach%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-1-fkmrnull
Until our next meeting of minds. May the choices you make be the wisest ones possible in the moments that you meet.
Join me as I take a breath and start off the episode by making the power statement that "I am the Mitochondria" to help me sing a debut song to set the scene about how hard it is for parents to make a radical choice to practice self-care while living in an Age of Anxiety. In this episode, I showcase a book by Ann Douglas called "Happy Parents Happy Kids" where she talks about the importance of self-compassion and self-care for parents as they struggle with a world of "Total Work" (Josef Pieper, 1950) and the "technoference" of mobile technology that is resulting in a generation of distracted parents. I think this book could be the centre-piece for a book club where parents could come together, create a community, and support one another.
Showcase Resource:
1) Happy Parents Happy Kids: I got my copy of the book at my local library but if it is not available here is the link at Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Happy-Parents-Kids-Ann-Douglas/dp/1443425753/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RY3WFQT3IE0E&keywords=happy+parents+happy+kids&qid=1554063667&s=gateway&sprefix=Happy+Paren%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1
Other Resources Mentioned:
1) To watch the short clip about yearning click the link attached below. Note, I made a mistake; the scene with George included Kramer and not Jerry. Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERsI3twlu34
2) If you are interested in reading the Rebel by Camus to explore humanities yearning for unity, head down to your local library or get it at Amazon at this link: https://www.amazon.ca/Rebel-Essay-Man-Revolt/dp/0679733841/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BKEYR8BU808D&keywords=camus+the+rebel&qid=1554055807&s=gateway&sprefix=Camus+%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-1
3) To watch Gabor Mate talk about his book, "Hold On To Your Kids," click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_akH6Cin6E
Additional Information:
1) The power statement, "I am the Mitochondria" is a playful Hopeful Humanist creation. Just like the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, one can be the powerhouse of one's self. Talk about breathing life into one's day.
2) The term "GIG-a-lo" is not intended to be offensive. It is an attempt to draw attention to the challenges young people have finding full-time work in our unfolding jobless economy also dubbed the "GIG economy." Instead of regular jobs with benefits, young people are chasing financial security by moving from GIG to GIG. Also, I should note that I sense the rhythm of my debut song "Nothing But" is borrowed from another song that I cannot place at this time but once it is brought to my attention, I will provide the necessary reference and acknowledgement.
Peace and Take Care
Welcome to another episode of the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. Happiness is a life-long process that is definitely possible, BUT it requires happiness-work or what others call soul-work. What should a curriculum for discussion look like for our youth. In this episode I will offer six possible topics of discussion to explore during dinner conversation for the youth in your family.
Show Case Resources:
1) Check-out lecture 16 of Tal Ben Shahar's Positive Psychology Harvard course. The conversation relevant to this episode starts at the 32 minute mark. I believe there would be great benefit listening to his entire series as he addresses a number of relevant topics to happiness including goal-setting, how to build self-esteem, creating healthy relationships, and strategies to unite the mind and body. In lecture 16, 17, and 18, Tal Ben Shahar talks about the importance of exercise for happiness as it is a powerful antidote against depression. Here is the link to lecture 16: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9l41JvdB_I&t=2153s
2) Check-out the Purpose Challenge and explore activities to discover strengths and reflect upon the benefits of a purpose-driven life. It is a great resource specifically for teens getting ready to get their bearings and start to claim their lives. Here is the link: http://www.purposechallenge.org/toolkit/?activity=day-1/activity-1#
3) Need to relax, stretch, and be? Let me introduce you to Yoga with Adrian at https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene. Action speaks volumes. Just don't talk about the importance of exercise and mindfulness with your young person - Role Model self-care as it is an investment that pay back in dividends.
Thanks for joining me for another tip of the ice-burg conversation. Peace and take care.
In Episode 16, we are going to re-examine our relationship with boredom. At first, I thought that "There is not enough time to be bored," but perhaps the real question should be "What is the cost of never being bored?" In this tip-of-the-iceberg conversation, I have compiled a lot of links in the show notes below all worth a perusal, but I would like to highlight ¨60 productive websites to spend on when your bored¨ at http://inspirationfeed.com/time-is-money-60-productive-websites-to-spend-time-on-when-youre-bored/ and ¨The Scientific Benefits of Boredom at https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=LKPwKFigF8U. Remember, if you feel bored, ¨Don´t panic; Boredom is just an invitation for Self-Discovery.¨ So take some time to just be so you can Explore, Expand, and Become your most authentic self. Peace and take care.
Other Links:
- Check-out these two Ted Talks about boredom: 1) A Source of Inspiration by Hans Wilhelm at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GIUgPBysis and 2) The Value of Boredom by Genevieve Bell at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps_YUElM2EQ
- Here are a couple of article to read. The first, called "Adolescent Boredom," explores two different kinds of boredom (Emptiness and Entrapment) at https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/surviving-your-childs-adolescence/201408/adolescent-boredom and the second, called "'It's like a little trigger': The surprising benefits of boredom," will shed some light on Facebocrastination at https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/boredom-benefits-1.3860655.
- Check-out this short segment from the Joe Rogan Experience and discover what Sam Harris has to say about re-framing boredom at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_5e-O2hk3M.
- Read this article about the idea that we have lost the ability to sit silently at https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/mind/have-we-lost-our-ability-to-sit-quietly/.
- Sometimes animation captures best the essence of a big conversation. I think this video called ¨Alike¨” does a great job at exploring the ¨boring¨ nature of the adult world (club) that youth are constantly being encouraged to join. Perhaps this is an example of a form of boredom as being both empty and entrapping. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDHIyrfMl_U. What do you think?
Salutations and season greetings! Episode 15 is an invitation to join me, The Hopeful Humanist, in a year end review as the Hopeful Humanist Cafe turns one year old so that we "Don't forget what we know." With some foundational thoughts in place, we can then think about creating a vision for a happier life as we step into 2019. In this episode, I will showcase two resources related to my vision board and offer some suggestions about some things to read for your self-directed wellness curriculum for the upcoming year.
Showcase Resources:
1) Want to create a vision board or dream board as you move into 2019? Check-out the Ted Talk called "Draw your life" by Patti Dobrowolski at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zESeeaFDVSw&t=317s
2) Interested in learning a second language for a future family sabbatical or just out of a desire to learn to see the world through a different lense? Check-out this link: https://www.duolingo.com/
Other helpful links:
1) What are Gardner's different kind of intelligences? Visit the following link at: https://www.verywellmind.com/gardners-theory-of-multiple-intelligences-2795161
2) Check-out some inspiring family travel blogs that could inspire you to set out and tour the world at https://r-login.wordpress.com/remote-login.php?action=auth&host=redtri.com&id=45477576&back=http%3A%2F%2Fredtri.com%2Ftop-family-travel-blogs%2F&h=
A few suggestions for your 2019 reading list about the Absurd:
1) Fifteen Dogs by Andre Alexis - try your local library first or buy it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Fifteen-Dogs-Andre-Alexis/dp/1552453057/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1545947787&sr=8-1&keywords=fifteen+dogs
2) The Shoe on the Roof by Will Ferguson - try your local library or buy it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Shoe-Roof-Will-Ferguson/dp/1501173588/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1545947942&sr=8-1&keywords=the+shoe+on+the+roof+by+will+ferguson
3) The Road Warriors: A Journey Back In Time, a short story by Sean Toland at this link: http://thefontjournal.com/the-road-warriors-a-journey-back-in-time/
All the best in the New Year & Peace Out Panda
Welcome to another "Just Some Guy" production of the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. This episode we are exploring the importance of creativity to happiness and showcasing the resource called Anchor where you can learn about the easiest way to start a podcast. For me, The Hopeful Humanist, the essence of micro-podcasting can best be described as "optimistically creative and helpful brevity" that is a "cup of tea in length." Maybe it is time for you to find your voice and creatively express yourself by creating your own podcast. Check-out the resources below:
Showcase Resource: Anchor at https://anchor.fm
Research on the link between creativity and happiness
1) Go to healthypsych and read this article called "The Link between Creativity and Happiness at https://healthypsych.com/the-link-between-creativity-and-happiness/
2) Read about the five benefits of creativity by reading the article "Is There a Link Between Creativity and Happiness? Why Creativity Makes You Happier" at https://deltadiscoverycenter.com/link-between-creativity-happiness-creativity/
Additional Resources:
1) What to know how many podcasts are out there then follow these two links: a) https://www.fastcompany.com/40563318/apples-podcasts-just-topped-50-billion-all-time-downloads-and-streams
b) https://www.podcastinsights.com/podcast-statistics/
2) Need to re-think your philosophy on time management watch the Ted Talk at this link: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thesundayedition/november-18-2018-the-sunday-edition-1.4907270/we-need-to-rethink-our-obsession-with-being-more-productive-1.4908752
Also, checkout my twitterature-novel-in-process called #OffScriptLiving at The Hopeful Humanist Cafe @HopefulCafe. Peace, for now ...
As relationship is paramount to happiness, one should not overlook the importance of developing the skill of offering a sincere apology to heal any relationship fractures that inevitably unfold in life as we are imperfect souls and sometimes put our foot in our mouth. A great quote to orient this discussion comes from Benjamin Franklin --- "Never give an apology with an excuse" as it rings hollow. In this episode, I showcase two Ted Talks; the first by Robert M. Gordon called "The power of apology," and the second by Jennifer Thomas called "Getting the last word with apology." Check them out in addition to a number of additional links that might be worth putting in your spiritual toolbox.
Showcase Resources:
1) Watch Robert M. Gordon as he teaches us about a dose appropriate apology at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7vP01U8qr4
2) Explore the 5 ingredients of an apology with Jennifer Thomas at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiiPNPLWXSM
Additional Resouces:
1) Learn the benefits of an apology at MindTools by going to this link: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/how-to-apologize.htm
2) Discover what makes a good life with Robert Waldinger, the 4th director of the 75 year study by Harvard on human relationships at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KkKuTCFvzI.
3) Explore an example of a bad apology and a good apology at the Modern Relationship Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIIm7yBdUG4.
Lightening the mood resources:
1) Learn how to get offended at Awaken with JP by visiting this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-mju_gW3c8
2) Laugh a little with Joey's funny apology on Friends at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIIm7yBdUG4.
Thanks for tuning into another episode of The Hopeful Humanist Cafe. Episode 12 explores a resource called Living Room Conversations that provides some helpeful ideas about how one might go about initiating a difficult conversation from one's political affiliation to legalizing marijuana. Put on your critically reflective lens and listening cap and prepare to get curious about ideas outside of your filter bubble.
Show Case Resource: https://www.livingroomconversations.org/
Additional Resources:
1) Discover your bias by going to https://www.allsides.com/rate-own-bias
2) Discover the 10 ten tips for Listen First Conversations at http://www.listenfirstproject.org/listenfirstconversations/
3) Interested in learning more about "filter bubbles" listen to this Ted Talk with Joan Blades and John Gables at https://www.ted.com/talks/joan_blades_and_john_gable_free_yourself_from_your_filter_bubbles
Just By The Way Thought
1) Check-out some inspiring thoughts I shared on twitter at #ExploreExpandBecome or #BlitheringThought and join the thread.
2) Interested in learning more about the Canadian Blood Services go to https://blood.ca/en
Welcome to another “Just Some Guy” production at the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. In episode 11, “Experimenting with Happiness,” I will showcase the “Greater Good Magazine” (https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/) webpage where you can listen to a podcast, complete a quiz, or read an article about strategies for creating a meaningful life. This episode is sponsored by the “Red Dot Tee*,” playfully bringing the experiment of a personal “Say Hello” campaign to the next level. If you are interested in following the Hopeful Humanist Cafe follow me on Twitter at The Hopeful Humanist Cafe @HopefulCafe.
Feature Website:https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/
Other Resources to check-out:
- To Learn more about positive psychology listen to Tal Ben Shahar from Harvard at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sEyWefn0Cs&list=PL28D16304BA57DD7E&index=3
- Interested in taking the free online Yale course called “The Science of Well Being” via Coursera go to: https://news.yale.edu/2018/02/20/yales-most-popular-class-ever-be-available-coursera
- Interested in reading the book by Micheal Pollan entitled, “How to change your brain” visit your local library or order it from Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/How-Change-Your-Mind-Psychedelics-ebook/dp/B077TCWPKH
*Disclaimer: This podcast has no official sponsors. All references to episode sponsors are merely acts of playful creativity.
Interested in participating in a survey on retirement go to my webpage the Happier Quest at https://sites.google.com/s/0Bw0dwzRkyffpcklkSGYtdXdueFU/p/0Bw0dwzRkyffpQmdHX2VLWkNuX2M/edit
Part Two of "Say Hello To The Peace Out Panda Movement" addresses the unfinished business of Part One. This episode was inspired by a homework challenge assigned by Angela Rolleman during her Positive Psychology: The Science of Happiness 2 day workshop. For more information on her workshop you can go to:http://www.angelarolleman.com/positive-psychology--the-science-of-happiness.html. During this episode some of the resources identified in Part One are more thoroughly explored.
Some additional source information to check-out include the following:
1) https://globalnews.ca/news/3678277/loneliness-even-unhealthier-than-obesity-should-be-a-public-health-priority-researcher/
2) http://andreakihlstedt.com/saying-hello-to-strangers-an-unearned-privilege/
3) Go to your local library to pick up a copy of Johann Hari's book "Lost Connections" or buy it on Amazon at:https://www.amazon.ca/Lost-Connections-Uncovering-Depression-Unexpected/dp/163286830X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1532049498&sr=8-1&keywords=johann+hari+lost+connections.
Lastly, a reminder to listeners to visit my website if you are interested in doing an anonymus survey about retirement at:https://sites.google.com/view/self-directedcurriculum/home.
Did you know 25 to 30% of Canadians struggle with persistent loneliness? Experiment with a personal "Say Hello" campaign as one small way to stand up to loneliness. Join the Hopeful Humanist as he shares his personal experience unplugging and saying "hello" to souls in is immediate world and also talks about the inspiration behind the "Peace Out Panda" movement. The resources highlighted in this episode are: 1) The Simple Cure for Loneliness Ted Talk by Baya Voce at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSXh1YfNyVA and 2) The wikiHow webpage called "4 Ways to Deal with Loneliness at https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Loneliness.
Other Resources:
1)"Beyond the Classroom: The Power of Saying Hello" at https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/community-voices/article44762559.html
2)"The Power of Hello" at https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/science-small-talk/201203/the-power-hello
3)"Why You Should Say Hello to Strangers on the Street" at https:www.citylab.com/equity/2012/06/why-you-should-say-hello-strangers-street/2141/
4) "Loneliness is a significant issue in Canada, says doctor" at http://www.rcinet.ca/en/2018/01/19/health-risk-alone-lonely-canadians/
5) "Loneliness is Canadian seniors an epidemic, says psychologist" at https://www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-september-20-2016-1.3770103/loneliness-in-canadian-seniors-an-epidemic-says-psychologist-1.3770208
6)"Living with Loneliness" at https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/anxiety-files/201702/living-loneliness
More resources to come in Episode 10 "Say 'Hello' To The Peace Out Panda Movement Part 2"
This months episode is sponsored by the Dandelion and the metal straw. You are invited to unplug and get outdoors for both your mental and physical health. This month the resources in the spotlight are iNaturalist at https://www.inaturalist.org/ and Johann Hari's book called "Lost Connections" possibly available at your local library or get it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.ca/Lost-Connections-Uncovering-Depression-Unexpected/dp/163286830X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1529013447&sr=1-1&keywords=johann+hari.
Other resources referenced are below:
1) Re-think your relationship with the dandelion at:
https://www.quora.com/Why-dont-people-like-dandelions
2) Learn about Nature Deficit Disorder at:
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-38094186
3)Read about the benefits of getting out doors at:
http://www.businessinsider.com/why-spending-more-time-outside-is-healthy-2017-7
4) Learn about "Forest Bathing at:
http://time.com/5259602/japanese-forest-bathing/
5) Check-out the Standord experiment on the benefits of nature for mental health at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTzl_AHCmho
6) Check-out the Ted Talk by Ben Klasky at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTzl_AHCmho.
7) Explore the benefits of dandelions at: https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-dandelion.html.
Also visit my website if you are interested in doing an anonymus survey about retirement at:
https://sites.google.com/view/self-directedcurriculum/home
Welcome to another meeting of the minds as we explore the webpage provided by Wiki How called "How to Find Yourself - 15 Steps" at the address: https://www.wikihow.com/Find-Yourself. Get your journal and pen to dive into the perrenial question - Who Am I? We start the episode by returning to the Absurd as a possible departure point to put one's self under the metaphorical microscope. Before getting into it, the additional following resources were provided as some "Just by the way thoughts" as follows:
1) Check-out the "Science of Well-Being on Coursera by Professor Laurie Santos from Yale (free on-line course) at https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being.
2) Try doing something different at https://dsd.me/. You can also access this three week free on-line course via the home page at Action for Happiness at http://www.actionforhappiness.org/. Just scroll down to the resources box at the bottom of the page and click on the website Do Happiness.
3) Put on your critically reflective hat and consider the limits of the Action for Happiness Movement by reading the article called "The Sad Truth About The Action For Happiness Movement" by David Harper at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/feb/21/sad-truth-action-for-happiness-movement.
4) Take a free personality test that will require about 15 minutes of your time at https://www.16personalities.com/.
5) Reflect upon the 5 Remembrances at https://www.yogajournal.com/meditation/embrace-reality.
Until our next meeting of minds
This episode explores a philosophical explanation for anxiety as presented by the Absurdist philosopher, Albert Camus. The resource highlighted is AnxietyBC at: https://www.anxietybc.com/. When we confront the absurd how can we not but become overwhelmed. During these moments, however, when we realize the stuff of life is paradox, irony, and contradiction, we are presented with an opportunity to wake up to our lived experience and accept responsibility to create meaningful and purposeful lives. The listener is invited to put on one’s critically reflective lense to think about how the absurd might be playing itself out in one’s life.
Sources Referenced:
- Article on homelessness in Canada https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/we-can-end-homelessness-in-canada/article33632029/
- Article on Storage Boom http://www.cbc.ca/news/thenational/canada-s-latest-business-boom-is-in-selling-storage-1.4585511
- Book - The Myth of Sysyphus, by Albert Camus: https://www.amazon.ca/Myth-Sisyphus-Other-Essays/dp/0679733736/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1523579121&sr=8-2&keywords=camus
- The resource for today is a three part lecture on Youtube by Gregory B. Sadler called Existentialism: Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_js06RG0n3c&t=37s
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmtDirUpwAA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsWU68r-VjI&t=476s
In Episode 5 entitled "Causes of Depression and Common Place Insanity - Part II," Steve, The Hopeful Humanist, revists the three resources presented in Episode 4. These two episodes are merely the start of a larger discussion about depression. The focus was on a narrow topic area - causes of depression with quick mention made about three approaches to treatment (pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and psychoeducation). Below are links provided to other materials referenced in the discussion.
Other resource links:
John Ralston Saul's "The Doubter's Companion: A dictionary of Aggressive Common Sense (https://www.amazon.ca/Doubters-Companion-Dictionary-Aggressive-2002-01-15/dp/B01K3PKZRE/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521917804&sr=1-2&keywords=The+doubters+companion+by+John+ralston+saul)
Jean-Paul Sartre's "Nausea (https://www.amazon.ca/Nausea-Jean-Paul-Sartre/dp/0811220303/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521917935&sr=1-1&keywords=nausea+jean+paul+sartre)
To access my other podcasts, you can go to my google website at https://sites.google.com/view/self-directedcurriculum/ or click this link to access via Google Play (https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&apn=com.google.android.music&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I4ye35gszhjblc3lakesgoyejii?t%3DThe_Hopeful_Humanist_Cafe%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16)
In Episode 4 entitled "Causes of Depression and Common Place Insanity - Part I," Steve, The Hopeful Humanist, will explore three resources for your Spiritual Tool box. We will look at the Centre for Addition and Mental Health (CAMH) website, discuss some ideas presented in a book called "Lost Connections: Uncovering the real causes of depression-and the unexpected solutions" by Johann Hari (2018), and briefly talk about an online, six week free program avaialbe to residents of Ontario who are struggling with chronic health conditions called Better Choice, Better Health based on a Standford University Workshop model. Here I would like to provide a link to the cbc.ca website for an article about the relationship of money to happiness (http://www.cbc.ca/life/wellness/salary-sweet-spot-new-study-claims-that-this-specific-amount-of-money-actually-can-buy-happiness-1.4547201) and an article about NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozen's battle with depression ( http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/demar-raptors-fans-support-nba-star-depression-1.4573441).
Other resource links:
Better Choice, Better Health Ontario: (https://selfmanagementontario.ca/)
CAMH:(http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/Pages/home.aspx)
Johann Hari, "Lost Connections: Uncovering the real causes of depression-and the unexpected solutions (https://www.amazon.ca/Lost-Connections-Uncovering-Depression-Unexpected/dp/163286830X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1521916184&sr=1-1&keywords=johann+hari)
To access my other podcasts, you can go to my google website at https://sites.google.com/view/self-directedcurriculum/ or click this link to access via Google Play (https://playmusic.app.goo.gl/?ibi=com.google.PlayMusic&isi=691797987&ius=googleplaymusic&apn=com.google.android.music&link=https://play.google.com/music/m/I4ye35gszhjblc3lakesgoyejii?t%3DThe_Hopeful_Humanist_Cafe%26pcampaignid%3DMKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16)
Check out www.dolivewell.ca and go to the Tools and Resources section to complete the Life Balence Inventory. While you will have to share some demographic informatioin no sign-up is required. Here at the Hopeful Humanist Cafe, we will continue to explore resources for your spiritual tool box and assist you with your self-directed curriculum for wellness. To read the full news article discussed in this episode, you can go to the following link at CBC.CA news network: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/south-korea-overwork-culture-jail-retreat-prison-inside-me-1.4527832.
Welcome again to the Hopeful Humanist Cafe with your host Steve, the Hopeful Humanist. During this 2nd episode we will explore the website Authentic Happiness at https://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/. Reflect upon the benefits of incorporating this resource into your self-directed wellness curriculum for happiness. Take the VIA (Values in Action) Survey of Character Strengths and discover your top five strengths.
Welcome to spiritual blitherings, philisophical ponderings, and everything ramblings at the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. Here you can explore resources for your spiritual toolbox. Episode one, The Happier Quest, focuses on getting familiar with the website www.actionforhappiness.org . Additional resources suggested to explore include Tal Ben-Shahar's Harvard lecture series about Positive Psychology and June Gruber's Dark Side of Happiness Tedx Talk both on Youtube. Books include "Start Here: A Groundbreaking, Science-Based Program for Emotional Fitness" by Eric Langshur and Nate Klemp, PhD; "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin; and "Happier" by Tal Ben-Shahar.