A few weeks ago, I was in a minor argument with a friend of mine. I, of course, was trying to get her to “see the light” by logically and systematically presenting evidence as to why she should take my advice. Despite what I thought were very convincing arguments, she remained unswayed and unconvinced. I …Read More
Mindfulness Book Recs – East Meets West
Jan 15, 2012
Mindfulness is an approach to living that involves an open, active attention to the present moment in a non-judgemental fashion. In this way, we can observe our thoughts and feelings without becoming swept away by them. We can experience various thoughts and emotions, but they are not who we are. By being able to observe our thoughts …Read More
Turning a Liability into an Advantage
Dec 24, 2011
We all run into negative thought “loops” at times that are difficult to shake. Sometimes these negative thought loops can contribute to our suffering because the way we think affects the way we feel. For instance, incessantly thinking about a romantic relationship that went south can lead to strong feelings of sadness, anger, regret, and jealously (if …Read More
THE Answers to God, the Universe, and Everything
Nov 24, 2011
Please read my story at the end of this blog that ties into Chopra and Mlodinow’s new book War of the Worldviews: Science vs. Spirituality – it’s surreal and makes you go, “Hmmmm.” Is the universe conscious? What’s the connection between mind and brain? Does the brain dictate behavior? What is the nature of time? …Read More
A Sure Way to Reduce Suffering in Life
Nov 14, 2011
Although I can’t claim that I’m Buddhist, I’m really drawn to Buddhist psychology, and I’ve read a number of books by the Dalai Lama. I count him among a short list of very influential people in my life. In one of his books, perhaps it was The Art of Happiness, he presents a simple (but not necessarily …Read More
The Keys to Being a Good Parent
Nov 6, 2011
As parents, we all try to do our best to do a good job. But with thousands of books on the topic of parenting as well as countless articles in popular magazines and periodicals, sometimes it is difficult to know how to be a good parent. Should we be more strict? More lenient? Use time-outs? …Read More
The Road to Expertise – Nature or Nurture?
Oct 16, 2011
“America’s Got Talent!” proclaims the title of the popular TV show. A more provocative question is, “Does anyone have talent?” A dichotomy regarding expertise exists, especially in America. For one, we hear things like “Practice makes perfect” that extol the virtues of working hard as the road to greatness. On the other hand, we hear how some …Read More
A Response to the “Tiger Mother” and a Thanks to Disney
Oct 2, 2011
First, before I jump into this topic, I want to apologize for the long delay since my last blog. I recently had a third child, so it’s difficult to keep up! My aim is to post weekly, so I promise to get back on track. I listened the audiobook version of Amy Chua’s Battle Hymn of …Read More
Elite Preschool = Success in Life? Hmm…
Aug 29, 2011
So I was driving home the other day when I heard this NPR story about how fierce the competition is for Manhattanites to get their children into elite preschools. These preschools can cost parents between $20,000-$30,000 per year! Apparently, it is so competitive to get into some of these preschools that parents can become quite …Read More
“The Brain That Changes Itself” by Norman Doidge, M.D. (Book Recommendation)
Aug 21, 2011
A fellow professional recommended this book to me a few years ago, and I finally go around to reading it (well, listening to the audiobook). Although a few years old, the findings and implications are still very relevant today. It is similar to Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain by Sharon Begley, which I blogged …Read More