Hey Reader! My friend Claudia is fond of saying, "Perception is reality." But according to new MIT research, it might be more accurate to say, "Perception shapes how you experience reality." I came across this fascinating Thread this morning, recapping an experiment to recreate a famous 'double slit' experiment to see if light behaves like a particle or a wave. In this recreation, researchers were able to isolate single atoms and photons in different quantum fields. What they found is that...
8 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! One of my favorite bosses was obsessed with team dynamics. Of primary concern was keeping people from ‘tipping over’ under the burden of too much work. Overload shouldn’t be your default It was a novel concept to me—that there might be too much for any one person to do. Overload in our household was normalized. We didn’t do second trips to bring in groceries, we’d string bags all up our arms to get it all over with. We didn’t sit around and relax, we’d pack our schedules with...
15 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! When it feels like the world is falling apart, the most radical thing you can do is find and feel joy. Please let there be kisses during the apocalypse. Not that anyone wants the world to end. But if it does come to that, you can bet people will still find time to fall in love, enjoy time with friends, and cling close to their family. Don't feel guilty for having moments of happiness. The world shouldn't stop just because bad people exist. Don't stop celebrating your wins. You...
22 days ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader! Who benefits if we hate each other? In what community structure does hate work? Power struggles. Endless violent conflicts. And the occasional sporting event. Is this the kind of environment you thrive in? A community is like a family. If everyone's needs are met and they feel safe and secure, then it's easy to have a harmonious environment. But when people don't have enough food, water, safety, shelter, and emotional support—that's when cracks appear. Our leaders are public...
29 days ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! Why's everyone in such a hurry? When you rush, you miss so much. Like small miracles, the majesty of the natural world, and moments of connection. The tyranny of productivity Every time we check something off our list, our body releases a small amount of dopamine. This reward system encourages us to set goals and get stuff done. That's a good thing! But there's a shadow side to productivity. The more we do, the more productive our bosses (or our bossy inner selves) might want us...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! What are you doing to feed your dreams? If you have the option to spend time with people who believe in you, why would you waste time with people who are always crapping on your dreams? So what if you feel like a hot mess? If you weren't messy and emotional sometimes, you'd be a robot. Don't let that limit you. You matter, even if you haven't accomplished what you thought you would. This is the life you were meant to live. If you don't like it: What will you do differently? When...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Hey Reader! Few of us remember our childhoods. I wonder how many have forgotten them as a form of self-defense? Growing up, I noticed how difficult many of my friends found it to speak openly and honestly about what upsets them. Many men and women I know were either the clowns of their families or peacemakers. I would sometimes brace for pushback in the form of derision or anger myself. I could never quite identify the source of that behavior until this morning. I happened to stumble upon a...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Hey Reader! In 2010, my brother visited Egypt. The day he left, a Tunisian street vendor immolated himself, sparking pro-Democracy protests that quickly spread across North Africa and shook the Middle East. Change instigated by anger is unstable My brother could tell something was brewing before the revolutions began. "We were in a cab on the way to see the pyramids," he told me. "Everyone was stuck and honking. I've never seen people so angry." The Arab Spring liberated Tunisia, Libya, Egypt...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Reader! The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing and expecting different results. How often have you heard that phrase? How many times have you ignored it because: this time will be different!? Spoiler alert: It won’t be. The key to growing and making things better is acknowledging patterns that hold us back and replacing them with healthier behaviors. Shame keeps us stuck It’s hard to wrap our heads around why we make choices we know are not good for us. Especially when we...
2 months ago • 2 min read