“The practical value of psychology… It is well recognized that the teacher must understand the working of the mind in order best to impart his information in that way that will enable the student to grasp it most readily. It was not recognized that every man[woman] going out into the […]
Words: “Water …The Vital Humour Of This Arid Earth”
Leonardo Da Vinci was a keen observer and student of nature. His notes on The Nature of Water, from The notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci , Translation by Edward MacCurdy (1955) are perceptive and eloquent: “Water is that which serves the vital humour of this arid earth. …Thus hither and thither, up […]
Words: “The World Of The Individual Person…”
Recently, Pew Research asked thousands of Americans where they find meaning in life. Instead of presenting group responses, they highlighted the wonderful responses and stories from the world of the individual person. It reminded me that: Everything of value and meaning is close to us. One step and one person won’t […]
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Universal Well-Being And Planetary Considerations
What will it take for us to let go of our endless debates and finger-pointings over global warming or global climate change? When will we begin to truly recognize that the heart of our human existence and survival is the planet Earth and all it holds? As E. B. White […]
Words: “After Us, There Will Be Others…”
You know you are hanging out with the right kind of friends, when, on a day you most need it, you are gifted with a beautiful starfish and the words “You make a difference every day!” The original Starfish Story was part of a 16-page essay called “The Star Thrower” […]
Walking In Nature — A Basic Tool For Creative Multitasking
Author Julia Cameron points out that one of the most valuable tools for creativity is one of the simplest — walking. When she wrote THE ARTIST’S WAY she didn’t address exercise until week 12 in the program. In IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO BEGIN AGAIN: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at […]
Words: “The Field Of All Possibilities…”
When all the stars align in our favor, we tend to feel a sense of self-satisfaction that the universe has fallen into place for us. But instead, maybe we should feel a sense of humbling recognition that among the field of all possibilities, we have fallen into place within the […]
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Words To Live By: “Nature Brings Solace In All Troubles”
Within her diary, first published as THE SECRET ANNEX and later published as THE DIARY OF A YOUNG GIRL, Anne Frank expresses her belief in the healing power of nature — “amidst the simple beauty of nature…will always be comfort for every sorrow… nature brings solace in all troubles”: “The […]
Words: “Where Human Beings Grow Human Souls …”
Where do we find our courage, our strength, our resiliency, our compassion… Ursula K. Le Guin explained in her Mills College Commencement address, 1983 (excerpt): “Because you are human beings you are going to meet failure. You are going to meet disappointment, injustice, betrayal, and irreparable loss. You will find you’re weak […]
Words: “The Bastard Muses … Propaganda, Sentimentality, and Pornography”
In the age of social media when we are overwhelmed by too much information and too many ultra compelling stories from questionable sources with untold or dubious purposes, it’s helpful to remember Cleanth Brooks’ warning about the “Bastard Muses ” and be wary of “Propaganda, Sentimentality, and Pornography.” Excerpt from Literature […]
Reclaiming Creativity
Creativity is how we reframe and redefine our world. It is how we express our joys, fears, interests, hates, passions, frustrations… It is how we feed our curiosity, learning, understanding, artistry, craftsmanship, resiliency, social connections… It is a profound part of our conscious and unconscious being. It is an everyday […]
Words: T.S. Elliot “…When We Do Not Know Enough…”
We can never know everything. But, when we do not know …when we have moments of doubt or confusion …or when we simply do not know enough — Do we ignore the unknown? Or, do we pause to wonder? Do we assume we know? Or, do we take a moment to question? Do we […]
Words: “I Am Not Simply A Story-teller …”
One of my goals in starting BELOW THE SALT NEWS was to explore the power and possibilities of stories and storytellers to create change. Whether the story is based in fact or fantasy; whether it is told through art, invention, music, or words; whether it is couched in persuasion, humor, aggression […]
Words: “Ingredients For Your Cognitive Salad”
Some Jason Silva inspiration for your day. When asked “Can we harness the secrets of ‘Getting In The Zone?’ Can we ‘Hack Our Flow State?’”, Jason Silva says — Yes! “I have found that the best way is to take yourself out of context… so rest, relaxation, novel spaces, novel […]
Words To Live By: “It’s A Beautiful Glass”
Wanting to understand “What is it that makes us human?” filmmaker and artist Yann Arthus-Bertrand collected images and stories from 2,000 women and men in 60 countries about love, work, poverty, death, war… for his film HUMAN. In this excerpt, John Halcyon Styn shares an inspirational story about his grandfather, Rev. Caleb Shikles. Who reminds us not to […]
Words: “I design, therefore I become.”
Jason Silva’s DO WE HAVE FREE WILL video (below), part of his SHOTS OF AWE web series, is an excellent reminder of how everything and everyone around us forms our consciousness. Love it! “Consciousness is a co-production, Consciousness is a collaboration… Consciousness is mediated by the spaces that we dwell… Our […]
Words: “Do Worthwhile Work”
We all want ‘what we do’ to be valued. And we want to be valued for what we do … Since what we do actually builds platforms for future actions by ourselves and others… Wouldn’t it make sense that the choices we make every day over what we do and how we do it will have greater impact […]
Words: “Forgiveness Is An Act Of Creation…”
“Forgiveness is an act of creation. You can choose from many ways to do it. You can forgive for now, forgive till then, forgive till the next time, forgive but give no more chances it’s a whole new game if there is another incident. You can give one more chance, […]
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Quotable You: “Not All Were Sprinkled With Happiness…”
A dear friend has a favorite saying she shares as needed. Words of wisdom told to her by a boss early in her work life. Since she had her 99th birthday a few months back, one can assume she knows what she is talking about. “This Too Shall Pass!” she confidently assures… A simple […]
Words: “…The Gulf Between Practice and Profession …”
“One of the great tragedies of life is that men seldom bridge the gulf between practice and profession, between doing and saying. A persistent schizophrenia leaves so many of us tragically divided against ourselves. On the one hand, we proudly profess certain sublime and noble principles, but on the other […]
Words: “The Test Of A First-rate Intelligence “
The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise.” ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald, […]
Words: “…Culture Is The Family Of The Family…”
Culture is an important dynamic in our communities and in life. It can be a source of nourishment, protection and guidance. It also can help us grow strong, loving and courageous. When culture is based in fear, anger and revenge, it steal our most precious gifts to the future. I love […]
Words: “Impartial Justice Consists Not In Being Neutral …”
Impartial justice consists not … “As for neutrality, it is well to remember that it is never moral, and may be a particularly mean and hideous form of immorality… It is a wicked thing to be neutral between right and wrong. Impartiality does not mean neutrality. Impartial justice consists not in […]
Words: “… You Tend To Get Told …”
“…you tend to get told that the world is the way it is and your life is just to live your life inside the world, try not to bash into the walls too much, try to have a nice family, have fun, save a little money. That’s a very limited life. […]