I tell wonder-filled stories about hope and healing
Today I went to the H Street Festival, a celebration of art, food, and culture in one of DC’s most diverse and interesting neighborhoods. It felt like I was back on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It warmed my heart to be among every walk of life in a city bustling and buzzing with creativity and happiness. Here are some of my favorite shots from the day!
My friend, Sofia, posted this beautiful quote and it really got me thinking how often we seek to defend what we have rather than share it with others. The truth is that the more we share of anything—ideas, wisdom, energy, patience, kindness, love, compassion, empathy—the more we receive. Scarcity of goodness is a complete myth. If we have the courage to give, we’ll find ourselves richer in the ways that matter—love, friendship, trust, happiness—than we ever thought possible.
Last night my friend, Josh, and I attended the fabulous launch party for the Hidden Brain podcast at NPR’s headquarters. Hidden Brain starts on 9/22 and is hosted by Shankar Vedantam. It’s mission: to have a conversation about life’s unseen patterns. It’s grounded in science and based on the desire to better understand our own behaviors and the behaviors of others.
I’m loving Shankar’s book The Hidden Brain and am excited to tune in for his take on what really happens between our ears. There will be plenty of games and entertainment, lots of discovery, and an incredible amount of inquiry. He’s got an incredible slate of special guests lined up for his listeners! For some fun pics from the event, check out my Twitter and Instagram feeds! Here are a few of my favorites:
As I was walking to work yesterday, I couldn’t stop thinking of Philadelphia. I went to college there and the fall season always takes me back to that city. The excitement of new classes. The start of a new year with new promises, hopes, and dreams. Discovery. I always get nostalgic during this time of year.
Though my college years were often filled with tough lessons, I’ve found that the older I get the more grateful I am for that time. So today I’ll drink my pumpkin latte, gobble down my cranberry muffin, and hold the magic of Philly in the fall in my mind, determined to do whatever I can to hold on to the magic and wonder of the season.
“A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.” ~ Henry Kissinger
Sometimes life gives us a whammy. We end up disappointed, frustrated, and angry by something (or someone) not going our way. I read this quote from Henry Kissinger yesterday and it made me smile. Life has unavoidable pressures. Everyone faces them. What matters is how we use that pressure to transform ourselves in the very best we can be. Keep shining, little diamonds.
I’m not Jewish though at Penn I made many friends who are. They taught me about many of their traditions. One that’s always resonated with me is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It started yesterday at sundown, and I share the idea that Fall is a true new year for me.
The cool air rolls in, the leaves change color, and there’s a hint of newness around every corner in this season. 2015 has been a tough one for me, and I want nothing more than to turn the page so I decided not to wait until January 1.
Last night, I took out my cutting board, carved up an apple, poured some honey, and took in the sweetness of the new year with a lot of hope for brighter days ahead.
I want to know what’s going to happen. Tomorrow. Next week. Next year. This has been especially true for me the last few uncertain weeks. Every day, several times a day, I have to remind myself that there’s no way to know what the future holds. Wild and unexpected things happen every day. Some good. Some bad. All of them give us an opportunity to learn and grow. The best we can do is the best we can do.
Last week I went to a Paint Nite event. At Paint Nite, a professional artist leads a group of about 20 people to create a pre-designed painting. In a bar. Yes, a bar. Here is a picture of me as I’m painting an abstract, happy piece of work that features red poppies. I love that 2 hours and $25 later I walked away with a painting I created. I’ll certainly be stopping by a Paint Nite around the city more often.
Want to find a Paint Nite in your city? Click here and drink creatively!
“Veni. Vidi. Amavi.” We came. We saw. We loved.
I adore this variation on the Julius Caeser quote, “Veni. Vidi. Vici.” (We came. We saw. We conquered.) Conquering – amassing money and power – is glorified in our media and in our communities all the time. What the world needs is more love, concern, and compassion. You want to grow your sphere of influence? Do it with heart, not might.
I’m so thrilled to announce that my ed tech startup has launched a new name, branding, and website: exploreplanet3.com.
Planet3 is an exploration-based learning company. We present the entire Earth as a living laboratory through an immersive game-based environment. We’re crafting a digital platform with a compelling game-based narrative that utilizes real-world data and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to deliver better learning outcomes. Our curriculum, woven through immersive 3D experiences, will inspire teachers and students to understand the intricate connections between Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) subjects and our changing planet.
Click here to check out our press release and all the details. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Here’s to adventure!
