“The brain is a far more open system than we ever imagined, and nature has gone very far to help us perceive and take in the world around us. It has given us a brain that survives in a changing world by changing itself.” What is neuroplasticity? Is it possible to change your brain? Norman […]
A kinder, gentler philosophy of success
– Alain de Botton
From TED.com Alain de Botton examines our ideas of success and failure — and questions the assumptions underlying these two judgments. Is success always earned? Is failure? He makes an eloquent, witty case to move beyond snobbery to find true pleasure in our work. Through his witty and literate books — and his new School of Life […]
Christopher Gardner &
“The Pursuit of Happyness”
[ INSPIRATIONAL MOVIES To Learn From ] The “Pursuit of Happyness” movie trailer (2006) The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American biographical drama film based on Chris Gardner’s nearly one-year struggle with homelessness. Directed by Gabriele Muccino, the film features Will Smith as Gardner, an on-and-off-homeless salesman. Smith’s son Jaden Smith co-stars, making his film debut as Gardner’s son, Christopher Jr. and Thandie […]
The Dalai Lama
[ PROFILES – ICONS ] an ongoing series on inspiring leaders “The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.” The Position: The Dalai Lama is a high lama in the Gelug or “Yellow Hat” school of Tibetan Buddhism, founded by Tsongkhapa(1357–1419). The name is a combination of the Mongolic word dalai meaning “ocean” and the Tibetan word བླ་མ་ (bla-ma) meaning “guru, teacher, mentor”. The Dalai Lama is traditionally […]
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
– Dr. Seuss
“Things may happen and often do to people as brainy and footsy as you” Oh, the Places You’ll Go! is the story of your child—well, a boy in one fantastic pair of pajamas who Dr. Seuss uses as a stand-in for your child, who was just a twinkle in your eye when this book was actually written. […]
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance – Robert M. Pirsig
“The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands, and then work outward from there.” One of the most important and influential books written in the past half-century, Robert M. Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance is a powerful, moving, and penetrating examination of how we live […]
The Blank Slate
– Steven Pinker
“Disgust is intuitive microbiology” In The Blank Slate, Steven Pinker, one of the world’s leading experts on language and the mind, explores the idea of human nature and its moral, emotional, and political coloring. With characteristic wit, lucidity, and insight, Pinker argues that the dogma that the mind has no innate traits-a doctrine held by many […]
The Problem is not the problem
– Cap’n Jack Sparrow
The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem. Do you understand? ~ Captain Jack Sparrow