By Monique Rhodes
Here is your weekly dose of three things that have impressed me during the week or that I am contemplating.
Who is going to like me first? Your chance to win something!
I struggle with all of the social media side of things. I get a bit overwhelmed by it all. But I am aware I need to have a page where we can chat. So today I've finally gone and created it. Here it is. This is where I will post more thoughtful and personal things. I'll tell you what I'm up to. And this is also where each week we can discuss the posts from the 3 Thought Thursday. As I have only just set it up one of you is going to be the first to like it which is super cool! You know you'll always have a special place in my heart if it's you!
So maybe as this is the inaugural day why don't we have a bit of fun with it. Come and drop me a like on the page and tell me in the comments why you are a fan. The person with the most likes on their comment will win a prize. That prize will be a framed copy of one of my banner photo - a classic New Zealand scene complete with sheep that I took last year. (And if for any reason you'd prefer another of my collection I am more than happy to oblige). Are you in?
My favourite article of the week -
Like everyone else I was deeply moved by the story of the boys and their coach caught in the cave in Thailand. We have been spell bound hoping beyond hope that the seemingly impossible could happen - they might all be rescued. And somehow, like a miracle, they were. Let us remember Saman Kunan who lost his life in the process of selflessly trying to save these boys.
This week we got a glimpse into a world where an international team put themselves and even their own safety aside to take care of a football team of boys and their coach. These kids aren't their family. They aren't their friends. To all of us they are complete strangers. We've never met them and more than likely never will. And yet worldwide we were completely engaged in wishing for their safe return. Why was that?
There are many reasons however in a world where self serving behaviour is becoming more and more the norm, I believed it touched something deeply in many of us to see so many come together from around the world to try and save these boys . We forget, in the end, that we are one humanity. This week we were reminded.
There were two things that particularly struck me in this story. The first was that the parents made a point of letting the coach know that they didn't blame him.
The second was the story that the coach had taught the boys meditation to help keep them calm. When they were first discovered one of the mothers of the boys said, “Look at how calm they were sitting there waiting. No one was crying or anything. It was astonishing." Have a read of that article here. And tell me your thoughts on the new Facebook page.
My favourite blog post of the week -
I read a blog each day from a music lawyer called Bob Leftsetz. He talks mainly about the music industry but at times he deviates. I don't always agree with him but I thought you might enjoy his blog on Guidance from this week (please note these are HIS opinions, not necessarily mine):
GUIDANCE - Bob Leftsetz
BE AN INDIVIDUAL
Make a difference, have your own ideas, if your only goal is to get along you'll be left behind.
GET AN EDUCATION
Mostly in school, but travel and summer stuff helps too. Kids should not be allowed to stay home and graze in front of the TV or computer all summer. It's when you're not in a school situation that you learn the most, about people, about life. Summer camp could be the happiest and most productive months of my life.
READ
Only a fraction of the front page of the newspaper appears in a half hour news program. Take your choice, NYT, WSJ or WaPo. Hopefully two, with the WSJ as one. The WSJ is a far cry from what it used to be, but it still represents the right wing view. You want to know how the other half thinks. And it's not only newspapers. Magazines, blog posts... Be a generalist and a specialist. Know what's going on in the world, but also dive deep in a certain area. You want to be able to have a conversation with anyone, which will garner respect, esteem and opportunities.
EXERCISE
For your brain more than your body. Exercise clears out the detritus holding you back, it evens you out, allows the inspiration to seep in. Find something you like to do and do that. Don't think you have to go to the gym. If you don't like what you're doing, you won't do it.
FINISH
No matter what it is. Most people can't. If you do, you'll go to the head of the class, believe me. Ideas are a dime a dozen, execution is key. And it's the little things that count, don't delegate, do them.
LEARN HOW TO GET ALONG
But don't do so at the price of your identity/personality. Groupthink is your enemy. And anyone with a brain and an opinion who expresses it will have haters, they go with the territory, they're a badge of honor.
DON'T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
Don't respond to the haters. Know that most kerfuffles end quickly. They want to drag you down, don't let them.
KEEP LEARNING
Most people don't, but those who do get ahead. A nurse practitioner I see at UCLA learns Spanish on his hour-long commute.
NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOU
They're too wrapped up in themselves. Our society is incredibly narcissistic.
DON'T OWE MONEY TO THE CREDIT CARD COMPANY
It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap, the interest is high and there's always a day of reckoning. If you can't afford it, don't buy it. Unless it's food or shelter.
MARRY WELL
You don't want someone to show off, you want someone who is fiscally responsible, listens to you/is compassionate, and will care for you when you get sick, which you will.
DON'T HAVE KIDS IF YOU'RE NOT GONNA SPEND TIME WITH THEM
They are not possessions, they are complicated individuals, if you don't have time for them, don't have them. However, we are just animals here to reproduce and there's a lot of satisfaction in having children.
SEARCH FOR MEANING
Without it your life is worthless. Doesn't matter if it pays or not, you've got to have something to live for.
DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP
You'll make mistakes, waste time, just dust yourself off and get back in the game.
FEEL FREE TO CRITICIZE
Despite the online bickering, too many people are afraid to have a viewpoint. Specialize in holding contrary opinions in your head simultaneously, the spoils go to those who can split the hairs, who can see the truth.
PLAY THE LONG GAME
That tattoo is gonna fade. Your body is gonna change. Do you want to ink yourself forever? If you do, go for it. But see the long term consequences. Today's rebel is tomorrow's complacent adult. If your goal is just to rebel at the system, the joke is on you.
EVERYONE FEELS INADEQUATE
Don't beat yourself up.
GO TO THE DOCTOR
We're fallible machines. You're gonna break down, it's just a matter of when. Don't be too proud to see the doctor, especially for that which is not visible. Statins could save your life.
BEWARE OF THE TOUCHY-FEELY
There are false prophets and those who will lead you into the wilderness. The government is not out to get you, science is your friend. Funny how the educated follow junk science and the poor don't. Beware of fad diets, beware of all health scams.
USE BIRTH CONTROL
To prevent pregnancy and disease. If you think it can't happen to you, you're wrong.
DON'T TAKE ILLEGAL DRUGS
Or overdo legal ones. No high is as good as real life. Self-medicating is a torturous road that can end in death, and believe me, you don't want to die. Experiment at your peril. Drugs are not cool, despite what everybody tells you.
PRAY TO GOD BUT DON'T BELIEVE IN HIM
If your religion is cultural, if it keeps you part of a tight-knit group, great. If it tells you what to do and how to behave because some guy centuries ago laid it all down, ignore it or run.
YOUR DREAM WILL DIE
Just find another one.
LOVE KILLS
Have relationships, but know that bad ones can cripple you for life, and the only people who get over them quickly are those who are lying.
HELP YOUR BROTHER
It could be you next.
My favourite video of the week -
I found it interesting to watch this video about how happiness is on the decline in the USA. Especially as my new course is about exactly this. So have a watch and let me know what you think.
This week I am contemplating taking time to care for others, not only for them, but also it naturally makes us happier.
Don't forget, if you have something that has touched or impressed you, send it on to me. I'm always looking to be blown away by the wonders of this world.
And don't forget to join me every single day on The 10 Minute Mind.
Enjoy!
Monique Rhodes
Happiness Specialist
Founder, The 10 Minute Mind