Episode 78 - Savouring Spring, Walden, and ChatGPT

Many of us have so much on our plates and have been pulled in too many directions by the various greedy institutions in our lives that we might have lost sight of the fact that SPRING IS HERE.  It is time to step outside and do some savouring. 

T-shirt Idea: "One Good Book" or "One Good Poem." Delving into our "internal spring," and finding a moment to savour the blessings of spring newly arrived, we might all just find we have something beautiful to create and share with one another.  After savouring the moment, keep it alive by writing about it.  

Quote for the Episode: "Spring is the time for plans and projects," by Leo Tolstoy.  

Showcase Resouces:

1) What is "savouring?" "Savouring" is a concept from Positive Psychology that refers to a mental effort to step outside a moment as it is happening so one can truly appreciate what his happening and the feelings that are being experienced. It is about living deliberately and consciously.  Listen to what Laurie Santos has to say about "savouring" in this short video - (1) Savoring - The Science of Well-Being by Yale University #5 - YouTube

2) Interested in listening to the audio book called "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau? Go on YouTube and listen to the audio book by LibriVox in the public domain by clicking here - (1) Walden (FULL Audiobook) - YouTube

3) What are the benefits of spring?

What are things to savour in the spring?  Here is response generated by ChatGPT:

Spring is a wonderful season with many things to savor. Here are some examples:

1. Warm sunshine: After a long winter, the warm sunshine of spring is a true pleasure to savor. Take a moment to sit outside and feel the warmth on your skin.
2. Blooming flowers: Spring is a time when flowers start to bloom, adding beautiful colors and fragrances to the environment. Take a walk in a park or garden and savor the sight and smell of the flowers.
3. Fresh air: As the weather warms up, it's a great time to open up the windows and let fresh air into your home. Take a deep breath and savor the freshness of the air.
4. Bird songs: Spring is a time when birds start to return from their winter migrations, and their songs can be heard all around. Take a moment to listen to the birds and savor their beautiful melodies.
5. Fresh produce: Spring is a time when fresh produce starts to become available, such as strawberries, asparagus, and peas. Savor the taste of these fresh, seasonal foods.
6. Longer days: As the days start to get longer, there is more time to enjoy the outdoors and engage in fun activities. Savor the extra time you have to spend with friends and family.

Overall, spring is a time of renewal and growth, and there are many things to savor during this season. Take the time to appreciate the beauty and joy of the season, and savor the simple pleasures that it brings.

Sourcing the above information:

OpenAI. "Response Generated by ChatGPT." Chat log. Accessed on March 23, 2023. Stimulus Question: What are things to savour in spring?

4) In addition to the information provided above about the benefits of spring, I also had information generated by ChatGPT about "What is good about dandelions," "What is spring fever," and "What will be the impact on individuals' ability to think for themselves and creativity if people rely on using AI platforms like chatGPT.

Show Corrections: 

1) At the beginning of the episode, instead of correctly saying "ChatGPT," I made reference to "GPChat."  

2) I struggled at one point to properly refer to "LibriVox" audio books, a free public domain, where volunteers from around the world read books aloud for anyone to listen to on computers and mobile devices. LibriVox audio books can be accessed via YouTube.  

Related Episodes: 

1) Episode 73 - Uncommon Role Models & Gained Perspective: Episode 73 - Uncommon Role Models & Gained Perspective | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

2) Episode 8 - The Benefits of Self-Prescribing Nature in a Tumultuous World: Episode 8 - The Benefits of Self-Prescribing Nature in a Tumultuous World | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

A Parting Salutations: 

Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.  

Peace, take care, be well, and share

The Hopeful Humanist -