The weather is always nice!
We are raised to believe that there is “good weather” and “bad weather.” So we learn to say 80 degrees and balmy is good, and 33 degrees and rainy is…
Tag: secrets of the superoptimist
Avoid the explanation.
“Explain why you decided to walk across the United States barefoot.” “Explain your inspiration for spending 10 years in a Nepalese cave.” “Explain what motivated you to jump your motorcycle…
A tip of the cap to National Hat Day.
While we’re all familiar with government-mandated holidays, thanks to corporate interests, every day of the year now constitutes a celebration of sorts. Surely you’re aware of National Corn Chip Day,…
Exercise #19: Fun with deprogramming.
New year, old patterns? If you find yourself a few days into the fresh annum already backtracking on your resolutions, you are not alone. But rather than cave to your…
Heads you win, tails you win: the SuperOptimist guide to the New Year.
Lots of people play it safe as they age, and for good reason. “Safe” seems to be a wiser choice than “sorry.” But could it be that we actually have…
This holiday, try 6 hours of meditation. For starters.
Happy Kringle from America! As we prepare to enter the year 2019 AD, we find ourselves beset by turmoil in Washington, a stock market in free fall, and the prospects…
Experiment 411: Transcending the customer call center experience.
One of the most unpleasant tasks a present-day human can undertake is making the dreaded “phone call to customer service.” A typical experience might involve, oh, say Verizon Wireless and…
Who deserves a state funeral? This guy.
This week, we mourn the passing of a great humanitarian and leader, one who brought the country together in perilous times and who gave selflessly to his profession. Carrying himself…
Every day is gravy. Or it should be.
Thanksgiving has come and gone, and with it the blessed gravy boat. But why should this beacon of gastronomic goodness be relegated to brief appearances at holidays? Why not make…
Today’s totem: Ootey the Owl.
Do you have a spirit animal? If not, the owl is a very wise choice.* By claiming the owl as your totem, you’ve picked a symbol with deep sagacity, not…