More Good News for Coffee Drinkers
I love coffee. Addicted to it. If I decided to give up coffee for Lent, I’d probably keel over because my head would explode. (Of course, it may be my best shot at heaven…) So it always makes me happy when I read stories about the health benefits of coffee.
Be Mindful. Be Smart.
“The simple process of focusing on the breath in a relaxed manner, in a way that teaches you to regulate your emotions by raising one’s awareness of mental processes as they’re happening is like working out a bicep, but you are doing it to your brain. Mindfulness meditation teaches you to release sensory events that would easily distract, whether it is your own thoughts or an external noise, in an emotion-regulating fashion. This can lead to better, more efficient performance on the intended task.”
Banter with Care
I love to banter, especially when I’m instant messaging or texting. But I was reminded today of one of the greatest electronic hazards of all – misinterpreted humor.
Unless you’re unequivocally sure about another person’s sense of humor, and unless you’re even more certain that they get yours, never shimmy out on the banter limb unless you’re prepared for the snap and tumble to the ground.
I know better.
A Semester At Sea
My friend Luana and her husband Bob decided late last year to take advantage of a great deal offered by the Semester At Sea program. She’d been laid-off from her job several months back, and had been unable to find another, and Bob had taken reluctant early retirement in the midst of layoffs taking place where he worked.
Bob & Luana
I think this was the best decision ever. When given the gift of time – willingly or not – the precious gift of time, a person ought to take advantage of it by doing something life-changing. Which Bob and Luana have done.
Anyway, they’re keeping a great blog of their journey. Both are wonderful writers and have captured in both photos and prose the essence of a bunch of places around the world. I’ve been keeping track of their progress both by map and by blog. I’m looking forward to the next time Lu and I meet up at Peet’s. I want to hear the stories.
Oh, and did I mention I’m envious? Yep, I sure am. Here’s the deal: there’s plenty enough time for work. What there’s not nearly enough time for is living. Of course you never find this stuff out until, well, you know.
Cow Pies
Ganges River
Cheetahs in the Wild
The Ghana Bread Lady
Foreshadowing a Lasting Marriage
On the news that other night, there was a story about a couple in the UK who just gotten married. The bride and groom were Wilma & Fred Flintstone respectively, and the entire wedding party was attired in Flintstone get-up.
Yabba-dabba-doo wedding.
It occurred to me as I was watching the story that this couple would probably have a very successful marriage. They share the same sense of humor and playfulness, can probably laugh at themselves, and agree on approaches to important decisions. They must also generally be surrounded by equally blessed friends and family who – even if they don’t completely feel comfortable with an approach, support it nevertheless.
There must be certain signs or good omens that signal a successful long-term relationship in the same way that you can just tell when a couple is not meant to be. I think these kinds of weddings signal something big, something grand and wonderful about a relationship.
- Flintstone Wedding Party
This story reminded me of the wedding video from the Dancing Bride and Groom (Jill & Kevin’s Wedding) – one of the best wedding videos of all time. Here again, the same set of factors in play. I imagine these two will be together for a long, long time.
What Teachers Make
Just saw this video today. It’s really a good one. Reminded me of my teacher friends – to whom all this would apply.
MemeSeeker 