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Embodying Self-Compassion

What could self-compassion make way for? less struggle in the acceptance less struggle in the striving to change less struggle from the openness to new possibilities letting go of the struggle embracing the heartache embodying the wisdom the butterfly landing gently on her shoulder relaxing the weight of it all open to the beautiful awe of the gentleness curiousness   over business exploration   over contraction a bridge of wood swaying in the wind a bridge to the future the fun the fear the balance seeing the sunset with beginner's eyes the toddler wonder the touch the taste the movement the laughter the tears of a baby the tears of remembrance the tears of loss the tears of joy the smile emerging through the pain the light shining through the dark forest of doubt the colors alive in the leafs of fall the beauty of the sacred the beauty of our touching the Earth the wonder of the nighttime sky the sunrise of possibility In answer to a writing prompt from Dr. Marissa Knox, author o
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Ed.X Behavioral Economics

Notes from Ed.X course on Behavioral Economics 6.3 Discussion on  End User License Agreement (EULA) The way in which something is disclosed is also important. If the disclosure is written by lawyers with the intent to not be clear and to cover themselves in all possibilities, then clearly consumers will not have the patience to read lengthy disclosures or the capability to understand them. The software End User License Agreement (EULA) is the classic case of forcing an active choice, but giving totally incomprehensible information. Perhaps we will have future digital assistants that will translate and summarize this stuff for us humans. I hope those programs don't come with EULAs. 6.2 Decision Aids Wisdom of Crowds I think there is a third alternative to expert versus model, and that is applying the fascinating principle of the wisdom of crowds. It is applying the same technique as averaging the model and the expert to get the best performance. This seems to be a dominant
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Trust but verify?

Доверяй, но проверяй.  Trust but verify.  Ronald Reagan applied this to the Soviet Union.  We currently do the opposite with our wounded warriors, verify and then trust.  This results in a backlog, mountains of paperwork, navigating the bureaucracy, old computer systems, silos, and endless delays that wear down our soldiers more so than running with 100 pounds of gear up a hill, in nasty weather, while under attack.  What if we follow Ronald Reagan's lead for our own people who sacrificed for our nation?  Let's approve all of their applications for health benefits and then audit later.  Treat human beings as human beings.
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TED Talks Summary - "How To Make Stress Your Friend"

Kelly McGoncial   "How To Make Stress Your Friend" Research Study  showed that those who believed stress was harmful were 43% more likely to die. Those with the lowest risk, were not the ones who didn't experience stress, but those who didn't believe stress was harmful. Change mind -> changes body's response Stress as harmful mindset Interpret sweat & heart rate increase as harmful  causes blood vessels to constrict. causes high blood pressure causes heart disease If view stress as body preparing you to help rise to the challenge blood vessels stayed relaxed Oxytocin released in hugs -> stress resilience -> human connection neurohormone -> strengthens empathy, physical contact stress response -> nudging you to tell how you feel to others who care about you. anti-inflamatory helps heart cells regenerate, strengthens your heart Enhanced under social support Social People who cared for others created resili
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TED talks summary - "The Power of Vulnerability"

Brene Brown “The Power of Vulnerability” Conventional research wisdom “If you can’t measure it, it doesn’t exist” “Lean into the discomfort” Connection = purpose & meaning people tend to focus on negative experiences Shame & fear => fear of disconnection I’m not smart/beautiful/etc. enough Excruciating vulnerability - 2 groupings Those with sense of worthiness, love & belonging, believe they are worthy Those who struggle with worthiness fear that we are not worthy of connection Wholehearted living from deep sense of worthiness Courage (from Latin cour=heart), tell who you are with whole heart, accept imperfect Compassion, first kind to themselves, then kind to others Connection => let go of who you should be Embraced Vulnerability Believed what made them vulnerable, made them beautiful Willingness to do something without guarantees Vulnerability birthplace of joy, creativity, and love
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Nelson Mandela 1918-2013 Rest in Peace

The most shinning example in action of Abraham Lincoln's words, "With malice towards none and charity for all."  We will never be graced again with the likes of Nelson Mandela, but the world is sorely in need of future leaders to be inspired by his life of courage to stand up to injustice and his mission to accomplish the true meaning of democracy for all.
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Letter to my congressman

Mr. Williams, Nothing is worth endangering the full faith and credit of the United States of America, raising interest rates, and risking economic collapse of a fragile recovery.  Have you thought this through?  What will happen to the nation's debt if we have to pay higher interest rates? Republicans have said anyone who votes for re-opening the government and raising the debt ceiling would be "primaried."  Obviously they are more concerned with their own jobs than the countless millions of jobs that would be lost if we fail to raise the debt ceiling.  Please for God's sake, talk to conservative economists and see what the impact will be for failing to raise the debt ceiling.  Playing brinksmanship is one thing.  Going nuclear is something else. Do you believe you are saving the country from Obamacare by ruining our nation with this fruitless hatred?  Otherwise you will have accomplished what the Soviet Union could never do, bring our country to its knees.
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