The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

Episode 46 - Things on my plate mind-map

Join me, Steve, The Hopeful Humanist, for another unscripted blithering moment as I talk about an activity for standing up to anxiety called, "The Things On My Plate Mind-map."  In this episode, the activity is the showcase resource.  While it is pretty straight forward it is none-the-less very impactful in terms of creating perspective that can allow for some calm.  Do not lose out on what is right in front of you because an overflowing life plate.  Make your list, de-select what is outside your circle of control, rank order, create an action plan, get those checkmarks and then celebrate!  

Peace, be well, take care, and share!

Episode 45 - Fostering Creativity - Generation Alpha and Driver-less Cars

Join me for a creativity-building activity as we imagine working in the "Off Script Living" department for a car manufacturer to explore ways to help Generation Alpha adjust to a mobile existence in a jobless world.  In order to equip our children and youth for the world of tomorrow, creativity has to be a major focus for the learning curriculum of the 21 Century.  How else to foster it than to play with it!  

This episode was originally produced on September 30, 2018 for my experimental podcast "Blithering Thoughts."  As that experiment has come to a conclusion and as I enjoyed the content of the discussion, I decided to import it into The Hopeful Humanist collection.  I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did creating it!

Peace, take care, be well, and share 

Episode 44 - "What if ..." - The Optimist Edition

"What if" is an example of an automatic negative thought (ANTs) that fuels anxiety.  In this episode, instead of turning away from the debilitating "what if," with mindfulness the "what if" is compassionately embraced to nurture more positive empowering thoughts (PETs).  The episode ends with the invitation to reflect upon the possible benefits of opening up to "Positive E-Psychotherapy" for one and all to enjoy the science-based fruits of happiness.  Parting Thought: What if you clicked on the links in the resource section, especially the link for a 10 day on-line coaching program for happiness?  

Possible First Deliberate Thought for the Morning: "What if I gave myself a hug?"

Showcase Resources:

 Can you benefit from Positive E-Psychotherapy? Read this article to learn how virtual therapy is helping people cope with the pandemic's mental health strains at: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/whitecoat/how-virtual-therapy-is-helping-people-cope-with-the-pandemic-s-mental-health-strains-1.5577531

2) Interested in learning more about automatic negative thoughts, read the following article at: https://bebrainfit.com/automatic-negative-thoughts/

3) Want to learn how to be happier? Sign up for the free 10-day on-line email-based happiness program with Virtual Coach Lia at Action For Happiness: https://10daysofhappiness.org/

Salutation for now! Peace, take care, be well, and share!

Episode 43 - Computer Fatigue/Vision Syndrome

As the accidental experiment of remote work/telecommuting unfolds in response to a Covid-19 reality, what are the implications we will discover downstream of this new social reality as people sit in front of screens for inhumane amounts of time, looking at surreal representations of co-workers on ZOOM one may never have met in real face-to-face time?  Heavy stuff, eh! But seriously, take care of your coconut (brain) and your eyes so you can avoid digital eye strain, blurred vision, eye irritation, headaches, etc.  What can you do?:

1) Every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break and look at something 20 feet away

2) Do some eye crunches for 20 seconds

3) Blink 10 time

4) Every 4 hours take a 15 minute break

Showcase Resources: 

1) Read this article from the Canadian Association OF Optometrists for a concise yet thorough overview of Digital Eye Strain at -  https://opto.ca/health-library/computer-vision-syndrome-digital-eye-strain

2) Check-out these YouTube videos:

1. Do you have computer vision Syndrome -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wMqzF6_q9s
2. Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qqRo31_rdc
3. Digital Eye Strain & Computer Vision Syndrome - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHJ2Ksxi3Hs    

3)  What is Zoom Fatigue:https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/zoom-fatigue-is-setting-in-1.5585933 

4) As an etcetera thought, in terms of my interest in the bow, check out this video if you are interested in learning "How to Wai properly" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tec9pCjkoxo

Salutations for now! Peace, take care, be well, and share! 

Episode 42 - Beach Party and Words of Wisdom from Viktor E. Frankl about the Meaning of Life

What does a beach party have to do with the meaning of life?  In this morning file, I invite you to join me and Woodrow II as we start off the day with some music and a thought for the day to make one think.  The thought of the day is a quote from Viktor Frankl which is one of my favourites about the meaning of life. The quote comes from the book, "MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING," which I believe is a must read.  Be prepared for a long pause close to the end of the file as I wanted to provide some space for wonder.  Also, I should note, while reading the quote from pages 108 to 109, I felt inclined in the moment to add some inclusive language (specifically, the word "one") as an effort to make the ideas more accessible to all.  I know it is not a choice all would make or agree with.  I am also well aware my decision to open things up by using the word "one" also somewhat hampers the flow of the read.  My hope is that the sharing experience is still a great way to start the day. 

Showcase Resource:

1) "Man's search for meaning," by Viktor E. Frankl.  Try to find it first at your local library or else you can go to Amazon at this link:      https://www.amazon.ca/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/0807014273/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1EF4VCVTZGHFF&keywords=mans+search+for+meaning+viktor+frankl&qid=1588768595&sprefix=mans+%2Caps%2C175&sr=8-1

 

Peace, be well, take care, and share! 

Episode 41 - Morning Prayer to Start Off the Day

Open the curtains, get comfortable, and sip some tea for a moment of mindfulness to orient the day.  I discovered this gem while reading, "Awakening The Buddha Within," by Lama Surya Das.  I would like to quote what Lama Surya Das wrote about this prayer on page 184: "The Buddha himself said that if you repeatedly practice this meditation and recitation - with a forgiving, loving heart, while relinquishing judgement, anger, and prejudice - great benefits will definitely ensue: You will sleep easily, wake easily, and have pleasant dreams; people will love you; celestial beings will love you and protect you; poisons, weapons, fire, and other external dangers will not harm you; your face will be radiant and your mind concentrated and serene; and you will die unconfused and be reborn in happy realms." W.O.W. - Words of Wisdom!

 

METTA PRAYER

May all beings be happy, content, and fulfilled.

May all beings be healed and whole.

May all have whatever they want and need.

May all be protected from harm, and free from fear.

May all beings enjoy inner peace and ease.

May all be awakened, liberated, and free.

May there be peace in this world, and throughout the entire universe.

 

Peace, take care, and be well

          

 

Episode 40 - The Essence of One Word in a Three Word Poem, other Word Contestants, and Its Motivation

Jump into this episode (#40 and not #37 as would be expected) with me as I talk about the importance of showing care in the way we talk to one another to avoid avoidable regrets.  Words, while limiting, are also powerful.  We need to be mindful and practice "Right Speech."  During this episode, appropriately, I was wearing my "No Regrets" T-shirt which I attempt to link into the conversation at the end of the episode.  The episode ends with a clip of me and my boys attempting to create the content for the One Word episode.    

Setting the tone for the episode:

1) Quote: "Better than a meaningless story of a thousand words, is a single word of deep meaning which, when heard, produces peace." - From the Dhammapada (Sayings of the Buddha)

2) T-shirt idea: "Quest, Create, Grow"

3) The essence of ONE WORD in a three word poem: "Authentic, Enthusiastic, Brevity"

Showcase Resource:

1) AWAKENING THE BUDDHA WITHIN by Lama Surya Das.  Possibly, the book might be available at your local library or click here to find it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Awakening-the-Buddha-Within/dp/B071VHSK5W/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=lama+surya+das+Awaking+the+buddha+within&qid=1588520477&sr=8-1

Peace, take care & be well!

   

Episode 36 - One Word

A two word title for a "One Word" podcast episode - possibly the shortest podcast episode ever!  In this episode, Blazing Phoenix takes centre-mic for another Sanity Quickie.  Before listening to the episode, I would like to invite you to join me in a creativity challenge.  Imagine you have been asked to create an episode for a podcast called, "The Happier Quest."  Specifically, you have been given the task to broadcast only one word to your listening audience to elevate happiness and foster creativity.  What word would you choose and why?  Any guess what word I have chosen?  Try not to check-out the showcase resources below until after you listened to the episode as it will amount to a complete give away.  

Orienting quote: "Beauty is everywhere," by Bob Ross

T-shirt Idea: #Ch.3.14 … a perfect place to share your one word idea for a podcast

Showcase Resources:

1) Read this Psychology Today article to learn about one kind of superpower at https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/changepower/201605/the-9-superpowers-your-smile

2 )Check out this Ted Talk by Ron Gutman for the science behind the superpower above at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9cGdRNMdQQ

Peace, take care & be well!

 

 

Episode 35 - Off-The-Cuff Thoughts About Stoicism and Fate with Captain Jack

Welcome to another Sanity Quickie!  In this episode, I hand the microphone over to Captain Jack as he shares his off-the-cuff thoughts about a possible Stoic response to the question about how fate plays itself out in our lives. 

Peace, take care & be well!   

Episode 34 - Seriously? Oh my G.A.A.D! - A Sanity Quickie ...

Welcome to an ¨S.Q.¨ moment, a Sanity Quickie, where I will share with you a daily practice I have incorporated into my days to stand up to the chaos thrust into our lives because of the covid-19 Pandemic.  The tile for this episode is both a description of the shared hardships of our collective reality and a sanity prescription to boost optimism, elevate levels of happiness (even if only by degrees), and combat intrusive automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) that currently plague many of us as we are struggling to figure out how to navigate the terrain of an uncertain and unfamiliar world.  The acronym is obviously a play on words and hopefully a refuge for the secularist, humanist, atheist or anyone whose tendency is to appeal to reason.  G.A.A.D stand for gratitude, acceptance (of the radical sort), achievement (or accomplishment) and a deliberate internal reflection about who or what we desire to embrace and bring into our lives so we can experience happiness and good mental and physical healthy.  I invite the listener to reflect upon the benefits (i.e. increased optimism) of finding a moment each and everyday (upon waking up, during a meal, going for a walk, getting ready for bed, etc.) to think about things to be grateful for, embrace a mental attitude of acceptance, consciously reflect upon daily achievements (check-mark moments), and setting goals motivated from an inward glance of enhancing desires as opposed to desires based on impulsive clinging and craving. 

The orienting tone includes:

1) T-shirt idea: "No Biggie"

2) Mantra: "Chip away at the stone"

3) Empowering quote by Emily Dickinson: "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul."  

Showcase Resource:

1) I would like to share a link to a podcast I recently listened to entitled, "How to take it like a Stoic" at https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/take-it-like-a-stoic-coping-in-the-time-of-coronavirus-1.5520846. Check-out the interview to discover some ways to hone the acceptance muscle and enjoy a discussion about the benefits of journalling like a stoic and the suggestion that "negative visualization" might help us to be more grateful for the moment(s) we find ourselves in.  

Thank-you for joining me for this sanity quickie, just a tip-of-the-iceberg conversation that is always on-going and continuous.  Until next time, peace, take care, and be well!