Tip of the week
A friend or family member just said something insensitive and awful? Rather than immediately responding, take a breath and ask 'What's the most respectful interpretation of what they said?'. By giving the other person the benefit of the doubt you'll engage your curiosity rather than your anger and can ease, rather than escalate the situation. Read more about having a gracious mindset.
Look clever at a cocktail party
In the early 1990s neuroscientists first discovered 'mirror neurons'. They are brain cells that fire both when you perform an action and when you see someone else perform that action. It's believed that this may be the underlying system which enables empathy and our ability to predict others behavior. Read more about the research.
What are Ian, Darren & March up to this week?
- Ian is experimenting with gratitude by writing holiday thank you cards to friends and family.
- Darren is trying out limiting gifts this year to experiences and consumable items (like Lush Bath Bombs).
- March is exploring the Google Photos photobook service to create very personal holiday gifts.
Listen to an upcoming show to hear how our experiments went and what we learned!
Article of the week
Err in the Direction of Kindness - by George Saunders
"If we’re going to become kinder, that process has to include taking ourselves seriously — as doers, as accomplishers, as dreamers. We have to do that, to be our best selves."
Product of the week
The Five Love Languages - by Gary Chapman
A favorite of Darren's The Five Love Languages is a friendly, often humorous exploration of the different ways people want to be loved. Dr. Chapman, through 30 years of marriage counseling, has identified five ways people want to receive love from their partner: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. What is your love language?
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All the best in getting better,
Ian, Darren & March
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