The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

Episode 23 - The Unicorn Flew Away With My Homework

Welcome to another "make you think," "one take," blithering moment at the Hopeful Humanist Cafe.  In this episode, I invite you to step into the nuts and bolts life of Bruce as he struggles with social acceptance.  The focus of the episode is this novel first sentence: "Bruce's silicon synapses spontaneously started sparking with a gnawing curiosity. Would they accept him? What if they didn't? Hmmm, how could he test the waters with his kids? MAYBE he should tell them: 'Your mom is a robot'"  

Suggested song to enjoy as background theme by Supertramp: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=low6Coqrw9Y

Peace and take care

Episode 22 - Be Well, Do Well

Welcome to this Hegelian synthesis of Blithering Thoughts at the Hopeful Humanist Cafe, a post-post modern, surrealist, phenomenological, first person, empirical exploration of ideas in flow, the good life, T-shirt notions, etcetera moments and resources for your spiritual toolbox.  #okaythen. In this episode, I invite listeners to think about what competencies or meta skills we need to equip our children with to prepare for the 21 century.  

Showcase Resources:

1) Listen to Yuval Noah Harari summarize his book called, "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" in a Ted Talk at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzj7Wg4DAbs 

2) Listen to Yuval Noah Harari give a Google talk about lessons we need to keep in mind for the 21 century at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw9P_ZXWDJU

Games to play to foster creativity ... Don't take my word for it - experiment:

Codename Words, Codename Pictures, Taboo, and the game I struggled to recall called, "Ticket to Ride."  Let the creative spring erupt!

"Learn to fail or fail to learn" - Tal Ben Shahar (Lecture 6 from his Positive Psychology course available on Youtube).

Peace & Take Care ... until our next meeting of the minds

"Dynamic Now" - Blithering Thoughts T-shirt #6

The "crumple basket," the joy of nonsensical words, and "dialoguing memes" are explored in this final episode of the three part series called, "Pass the salt, I'm in France."  It concludes with this novel first sentence for your free-writing pleasure: "Back there, I had everything but nothing; here, I have nothing but everything." And in the non-sequitur spirit of Blithering Thoughts about T-shirt ideas, novel first sentences, and etcetera moments, remember to "Give your head a shake, concussions are serious!"  Trying to share inspiration to inspire creativity.  Peace and take care. 

"Dialoguing T-shirts" - Blithering Thoughts T-shirt #5

In this 2nd episode of the 3 part series called, "Pass the Salt, I'm in France," it becomes clear that T-shirts can be controversial and create feelings.  One is invited to imagine two T-shirts engaging in an open conversation to discover if there could be a common ground.  The novel first sentence to play with in your journal goes like this: Life is not a fairy tale but it is full of everything that makes one ..." Peace and take care ... Sharing inspiration and inspiring creativity!

"I'm almost here" - Blithering Thoughts T-shirt #4

Let me introduce the first episode of my re-boot for my sister podcast on the Anchor platform called, "Blithering Thoughts about T-shirt Ideas, Novel First Sentences, and Etcetera Moments." This episode is the first of a 3 part series called, "Pass the salt, I'm in France."  My hope is to share inspiration to inspire creativity in an unscripted, raw flow of blithering conversation with all the sounds of life in the back ground.  To prevent confusion and help distinguish Hopefulhumanist episodes and Blithering Thoughts episodes, I will number Blithering Thoughts episodes with a "T-shirt #" designations.  Tune in next week for "Dialoguing T-shirts" - T-shirt #5, part 2 of the "Pass the salt, I'm in France" series. 

 

Boompf and Bugadoo   ...

Episode 21 - Happiness and the "Flying Solo" "M" word - Personal & Private, BUT did you know

In this awkward episode, I will provide some resources to explore a possible link between happiness, mental health, sexual health and -- yes, the "M" word -- MASTURBATION.  The showcase resources are as follows:

1) www.teenhealthsource.com - A great resource for teens and parents that provides information about birth control, sexual identity, puberty & the body, relationships & self-esteem, and sex.  

2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvSJE9n0GfA&t=623s - In this Ted Talk, Jane Langton both provides a true confession account and research findings connected to masturbation.

3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRkPU1fKchI&list=PLrQBzEPbi1wRL5NRzlRVSe2muIBTZRmfA - In this Ted Talk, Teesha Morgan explores masturbation myths and provides ideas for different words we can use for the "M" word to make the conversation more comfortable. 

Additional on-line article links:

1) https://greatist.com/happiness/masturbation-health-benefits#1 - This article looks at the question about whether-or-not it is good for us?

2) https://www.healthline.com/health/masturbation-and-depression - This article looks at the link between masturbation and depression.

3)https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-18581/10-reasons-to-make-masturbation-part-of-your-wellness-routine.html - This article looks at the benefit of incorporating masturbation into your wellness routine.

Ideas for a music playlist:

1)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLexgOxsZu0 - How about some #metime with Bruno Mars

2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv-34w8kGPM - A song by Divinyls called, "I touch myself."

3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFq4E9XTueY - Who was to know what Cindy Lauper was singing about?

How about a comedy sketch about the terrain:

1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V13rRz05uBM - An uncomfortable moment between Donna and Eric on "That 70s Show."

2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jze7b5cG8dw - The Seinfeld game make an awkward bet on "Seinfeld."  Maybe to really be master of one's domain it means "taking back" one's body.  

Worksheet for good coping

1) Here is a list from the Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Skills Workbook of pleasurable activities and it includes the "M" word: http://www.englishtherapy.ch/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Big-List-of-Pleasurable-Activities.doc

Thanks for joining me at The Hopeful Humanist Cafe.  I look forward to our next meeting of the minds!

 

 

Episode 20: A Nomenclature for Empowerment: C3

In episode 20, the second episode in the mini-series On Choice, I will showcase a Hopeful Humanist concept called "C-cubed" (C3) so we can add some new ideas like "The Dawning of agency," "The forfeiture of choice," and "The field of influence" to our spiritual toolbox.  In this episode, I tell a sort of story about the phenomenon called choice by exploring a formula for empowerment captured with the following nomenclature: Circumstance: Choice → Consequence.  Additionally, below, I will include some other interesting resources about how to make better choices. 

Decision Making Resources:

1) Watch the Ted Talk called "How to make better decisions," by Dr. Joe Arvai as he presents the thesis that our choices define us.  He suggests we are all architects when it comes to choice and offers listeners a "Building Code" to navigating difficult choice points at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ7SAcFp4so&t=20s

2) Visit The School of life and watch "How to make a decision."  In this video we are invited to think about different choice perspectives and reminded about the importance of settling for "good enough" as opposed to striving for perfection when making choices as it results in improved mental health.  To watch video click this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okdsAZUTJ94

3) If you are interested in reading some literature about making a systematic approach for making decisions, go to Mind Tools at the following link: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_00.htm

4) At wikiHow there are a number of web-pages dedicated to the decision making process.  I liked the one called, "How to make better decisions" - what do you think? Head to this link and put on your critically-reflective lense: https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Better-Decisions

Peace and take care

 

Episode 19 - A Phenomenon Called Choice and All Its Phenomena

In this episode, we will initiate the first discussion of an on-going exploration about choice.  Our departure point starts with the question: Does choice exist?  While the showcase resource is a book by Barry Schwartz called "The Paradox of Choice," my hope is to also provide a number of additional resources to construct a "grasshopper" (qualifier provided by the 1972 television program called Kung Fu starring David Carradine) curriculum about a phenomenon called choice.  It is my hope the collection of material presented will generate thought about the revelatory and empowering nature of choice. 

Show Case Resource:

1) Go to your local library and pick up the book "The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less - How The Culture of Abundance Robs Us of Satisfaction" by Barry Schwartz to discover if you are a Maximizer or Satisficer and rules of thumb for making important life decisions. It is also available on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.ca/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005696/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2QYHD311FXFW4&keywords=the+paradox+of+choice&qid=1556585483&s=gateway&sprefix=The+paradox+of+choi%2Caps%2C641&sr=8-1

2) If you prefer watching videos, you can watch Barry Schwartz give at Ted Talk on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO6XEQIsCoM

Interested in discussion about the problem of free will?

1) Maybe "Free Will" does not exist but what about "Free Won't?" How would you make sense of the research conducted by Libet?  Check out this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjCt-L0Ph5o

2) Not sure about the different conflicting views that relate to the problem of "Free Will," give an ear to John Searle, an American philosopher from the University of California, Berkeley.  He captures the problem so succinctly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rZfSTpjGl8&t=25s

3) Check-out Crash Course, a great free on-line educational platform, to look for congruence with John Searle's account about "Determinism vs Free Will" at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCGtkDzELAI

4) Inclined to a determinist understanding of life, Check-out Sam Harris' podcast called "Making Sense" and listen to Episode #124, In Search of Reality: A conversation with Sean Carroll at:https://samharris.org/podcast/

Additional Reading: 

1) The Father Reaches of Human Nature by Abraham H. Maslow - this is a must read to understand how one of the pivotal founders of Humanistic Psychology conceptualized the centrality of choice to the human experience and self-actualization.  If it is not available at your local library, you can find it on Amazon:https://www.amazon.ca/Farther-Reaches-Human-Nature/dp/0140194703/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=29QAKS8L2PB1P&keywords=the+farther+reaches+of+human+nature&qid=1556587784&s=gateway&sprefix=The+farther+reach%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-1-fkmrnull

Until our next meeting of minds.  May the choices you make be the wisest ones possible in the moments that you meet.  

Episode 18 - Yearning to Yearn, a Gen Z GIG-a-lo, and On Being Radical

Join me as I take a breath and start off the episode by making the power statement that "I am the Mitochondria" to help me sing a debut song to set the scene about how hard it is for parents to make a radical choice to practice self-care while living in an Age of Anxiety.  In this episode, I showcase a book by Ann Douglas called "Happy Parents Happy Kids" where she talks about the importance of self-compassion and self-care for parents as they struggle with a world of "Total Work" (Josef Pieper, 1950) and the "technoference" of mobile technology that is resulting in a generation of distracted parents.  I think this book could be the centre-piece for a book club where parents could come together, create a community, and support one another. 

Showcase Resource:

1) Happy Parents Happy Kids: I got my copy of the book at my local library but if it is not available here is the link at Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Happy-Parents-Kids-Ann-Douglas/dp/1443425753/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RY3WFQT3IE0E&keywords=happy+parents+happy+kids&qid=1554063667&s=gateway&sprefix=Happy+Paren%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1 

Other Resources Mentioned:

1) To watch the short clip about yearning click the link attached below. Note, I made a mistake; the scene with George included Kramer and not Jerry.  Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERsI3twlu34

2) If you are interested in reading the Rebel by Camus to explore humanities yearning for unity, head down to your local library or get it at Amazon at this link: https://www.amazon.ca/Rebel-Essay-Man-Revolt/dp/0679733841/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BKEYR8BU808D&keywords=camus+the+rebel&qid=1554055807&s=gateway&sprefix=Camus+%2Caps%2C173&sr=8-1

3) To watch Gabor Mate talk about his book, "Hold On To Your Kids," click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_akH6Cin6E

Additional Information:

1) The power statement, "I am the Mitochondria" is a playful Hopeful Humanist creation.  Just like the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, one can be the powerhouse of one's self.  Talk about breathing life into one's day.  

2) The term "GIG-a-lo" is not intended to be offensive.  It is an attempt to draw attention to the challenges young people have finding full-time work in our unfolding jobless economy also dubbed the "GIG economy." Instead of regular jobs with benefits, young people are chasing financial security by moving from GIG to GIG.  Also, I should note that I sense the rhythm of my debut song "Nothing But" is borrowed from another song that I cannot place at this time but once it is brought to my attention, I will provide the necessary reference and acknowledgement.  

Peace and Take Care

Episode 17 - Equipping our youth for the happier quest

Welcome to another episode of the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. Happiness is a life-long process that is definitely possible, BUT it requires happiness-work or what others call soul-work.  What should a curriculum for discussion look like for our youth.  In this episode I will offer six possible topics of discussion to explore during dinner conversation for the youth in your family.  

Show Case Resources:

1) Check-out lecture 16 of Tal Ben Shahar's Positive Psychology Harvard course.  The conversation relevant to this episode starts at the 32 minute mark.  I believe there would be great benefit listening to his entire series as he addresses a number of relevant topics to happiness including goal-setting, how to build self-esteem, creating healthy relationships, and strategies to unite the mind and body.  In lecture 16, 17, and 18, Tal Ben Shahar talks about the importance of exercise for happiness as it is a powerful antidote against depression.  Here is the link to lecture 16: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9l41JvdB_I&t=2153s

2) Check-out the Purpose Challenge and explore activities to discover strengths and reflect upon the benefits of a purpose-driven life.  It is a great resource specifically for teens getting ready to get their bearings and start to claim their lives.  Here is the link: http://www.purposechallenge.org/toolkit/?activity=day-1/activity-1#

3) Need to relax, stretch, and be? Let me introduce you to Yoga with Adrian at https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene. Action speaks volumes.  Just don't talk about the importance of exercise and mindfulness with your young person - Role Model self-care as it is an investment that pay back in dividends.

Thanks for joining me for another tip of the ice-burg conversation.  Peace and take care.