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Posts Tagged ‘Thoughts’

A Happy Writing Life

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , on December 7, 2025| Leave a Comment »

What does James Patterson, one of the world’s top authors, have to say about leading a creative and happy life? Here are three suggestions that resonated with me:

James Patterson’s Maxims for a Happy Life

2. Pay attention to process rather than outcomes.

3. Excellence is less about talent and inspiration, more about hard work and persistence.

5. Focus on what’s getting better, rather than fretting over what’s getting worse.

For the full list, check out the article above, or listen to the full podcast with Arthur Brooks.

In the end, “how does Patterson find the work of writing? ‘I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it.’”

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Photo by Sean Nufer on Unsplash

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As You Are

Posted in Other, Writing, tagged , , , on December 6, 2025| Leave a Comment »

“Be like the sun for grace and mercy. Be like the night to cover others’ faults. Be like running water for generosity. Be like death for rage and anger. Be like the Earth for modesty. Appear as you are. Be as you appear.”

― Rumi

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Lesson for Today

Posted in Other, tagged , , , on December 5, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Today’s minor bit of wisdom, gained from an hour standing in line at the post office with increasingly cranky people:

Try not to let someone else’s bad day ruin yours.

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Photo by Valeria Kodra on Unsplash

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See Better, Be Better

Posted in Other, Science!, tagged , , , , , on December 4, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Why do we need heroes? To be better versions of ourselves.

Scientists Discover That People Act Way Better When Batman Is Present

After making a guy dressed as Batman stand around in a subway car, a team of researchers found that the behavior of people around him suddenly improved the moment he showed up.

I call this the “see better, be better” school of human behavior. And I like it!

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Photo by Etodayn on Unsplash

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Magic and Meaning

Posted in Other, Writing, tagged , , , , , on December 1, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Now this is exactly what I need on a Monday.

How John Green Fights Despair Every Day | The Interview – YouTube

I mean the problem with hope is that it feels like a very easy word. You know, it feels like very convenient and sort of kumbaya. But I’m interested in the kind of hope that holds up to scrutiny. The kind of hope that does hold up to the worst things that happen to us, that holds up to our worst days. That’s the kind of hope that I’m interested in.

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Photo by eko tavkhelidze on Unsplash

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All the Pain and Joy

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , , on November 30, 2025| 1 Comment »

The flood of AI art has led to a lot of commentary, some thoughtful, some otherwise, by pundits, tech gurus, and artists themselves.

Here’s cartoonist Matthew Inman sharing his perspective on why he finds AI art problematic.

A cartoonist’s review of AI art – The Oatmeal

…I need you to know from one artist to another, that every mark you make on a page even a squiggly, imperfect one is still beautiful.

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Photo by Eduardo Casajús Gorostiaga on Unsplash

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Grow a New World

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , on November 29, 2025| Leave a Comment »

“Young people will have the seeds you bury in their minds, and when they grow up they will change the world.”

— Jack Ma

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Photo by Joseph Gonzalez on Unsplash

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Positivity Bias

Posted in Holidays, tagged , , , , on November 27, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate today! Even if this isn’t your holiday, I hope you have a moment to remember the good things in your life.

The Right Attitude to Gratitude – The Atlantic

Gratitude is so effective that if you could bottle it, you’d be a billionaire. But as with so many beautiful parts of life, gratitude is not something you can market like a drug or nutritional supplement: It happens to be completely free—but not so easy to attain. Thankfulness requires neither payment nor subscription, just a commitment to stand up against your limbic system, which is lying to you with its negativity bias—saying that this lovely morning is actually pretty annoying, and that everyone is dissing you.

And if you want to learn more about overcoming your all-too human negativity bias, check out the full article. Because while evolution may be good for the species, it’s focused on survival. It doesn’t care if you have a good day.

Unlike me. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

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Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

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When Simple Is Good

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , , on November 25, 2025| 1 Comment »

“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, and more complex. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.”

― E.F. Schumacher

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Staying Sharp

Posted in Writing, tagged , , , , , on November 24, 2025| Leave a Comment »

“A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.”

— George R.R. Martin

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