Thinking Thursday : Your brain has ruts. Make them ruts you like.
by Bruno Mallart
MIND
If male scientists (or presidential candidates) were written about like female scientists. Ain’t that the truth.
Welcome to the neuroscience of happiness: “…in the last 20 years, the scientific understanding of the brain has literally doubled. And that has given us much more clarity about the linkages between the mind and the brain, which then gives us this amazing possibility to change our brain to change our mind—so that we feel better, we’re happier, we’re less prone to suffering, we’re kinder, we’re better to people around us, we’re more effective at home and work, and we have more sense of a kind of inner peace and connectedness with all things…the classic line in neural psychology is, “As neurons fire together they wire together.” The seemingly immaterial and ephemeral flow of the thoughts and feelings through your mind leaves behind traces in your brain. So the takeaway point is to be very thoughtful about what you think about all day long.”
BODY
Would someone please cook me this whole menu? I’ll wait right here.
Because sometimes you just need you some avocado toast.
I start cardiac rehab on February 24th. My doctor says it may seem silly at times, but that I am to take it seriously. Oh, do not worry about that. In the meantime, I’m doing a yoga class every day online and meditating (which looks a lot like napping in my current practice) for at least 5 minutes a day.
You might need one of these for your key ring.
SOUL
“Over the last 10 years, ‘being blessed’ has become a full-fledged American phenomenon. Drivers can choose between the standard, mass-produced ‘Jesus Is Lord’ novelty license plate or ‘Blessed’ for $16.99 in a tasteful aluminum. When an ‘America’s Next Top Model’ star took off his shirt, audiences saw it tattooed above his bulging pectorals. When Americans boast on Twitter about how well they’re doing on Thanksgiving, #blessed is the standard hashtag. It is the humble brag of the stars. #Blessed is the only caption suitable for viral images of alpine vacations and family yachting in barely there bikinis. It says: ‘I totally get it. I am down-to-earth enough to know that this is crazy.’ But it also says: ‘God gave this to me. [Adorable shrug.] Don’t blame me, I’m blessed.’ Blessed is a loaded term because it blurs the distinction between two very different categories: gift and reward. It can be a term of pure gratitude. ‘Thank you, God. I could not have secured this for myself.’ But it can also imply that it was deserved. ‘Thank you, me. For being the kind of person who gets it right.’ It is a perfect word for an American society that says it believes the American dream is based on hard work, not luck.” (from Death, the Prosperity Gospel, and Me)
SPEAKING UP
Here are 8 things transgender people do not owe you.
FIVE THINGS
New this week, five things I love. (And no, I don’t do any affiliate links, ever, ever, ever. I only post things I love, without any reason to do so other than that I want to share them.)
ONE> Tom Bihn bags. I carry a messenger bag by Tom Bihn every day, they supply our bags for Life is a Verb Camp, and I never travel without my Tom Bihn Aeronaut bag. Best constructed, last forever, made in Seattle bags. Thoughtfully designed by Tom Bihn himself. Can’t recommend them highly enough. And the accessories are über fantastic. Ask me anything about them and I probably know it.
TWO> A friend just sent what has become my favorite scented candle, a Pomegranate and Currant candle by Paddy Wax. The smell is divine, and I’ve ordered more to keep that smell going forever.
THREE> Origins Ginger Body Soufflé. Again, a friend recently sent me this as part of an amazing gift box from Origins and it is so smooth and yummy that I can’t decide whether to slather myself with it or eat it. (Choose the former). It appears to last forever, and is worth the splurge.
FOUR> Do you use a fountain pen? WHAT? YOU DON’T? Let me gather myself for a moment. Well, if you do, you might want to treat yourself to a fantastic special edition ink by J. Herbin with gold specks in it from the 1670 collection. I treated myself to Stormy Grey and Emerald, and I might see Rouge Hematite in my future.
FIVE> My favorite food site at the moment is Food52. Delicious recipes, great photography, and a beautiful online shop.
WORD
“Biology gives you a brain. Life turns it into a mind.”
― Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex
