We finally know why live music makes us so emotional: Hearing live music tugs at our heartstrings more than a recording, probably because it increases activity in an emotion-processing region in our brain
Filmmaker Bao Nguyen on His Triumphant ‘The Greatest Night in Pop’ We asked, “The Greatest Night in Pop” director Bao Nguyen everything you would want to know about “We are the World.”
Classical musicians got stuck in traffic with their instruments, and there was only one thing to do: A blocked motorway becomes a concert hall, as a classical violinist and musician friends take out their instruments to help entertain stationary drivers.
From sleep hygiene to boosting energy naturally, here are the big 2024 health trend predictions: Nutritionist and author Clemence Cleave shares how to improve gut health through lifestyle and diet.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award winner A stunning image of a young polar bear drifting to sleep wins a wildlife-photographer competition
Experience the Beauty and Diversity of Human Spirituality in Pictures
Commune Through the Power of Live Music
WINTER’S CLOAK by Joyce Rupp:
This year I do not want the dark to leave me. I need its wrap of silent stillness, its cloak of long-lasting embrace. Too much light has pulled me away from the chamber of gestation.
Let the dawns come late, let the sunsets arrive early, let the evenings extend themselves while I lean into the abyss of my being.
Let me lie in the cave of my soul, for too much light blinds me, steals the source of revelation.
Let me seek solace in the empty places of winter’s passage, those vast dark nights that never fail to shelter me.
Mission Joy!
If you want to appreciate real joy from two masters of the craft and haven’t seen it yet, I strongly recommend watching this movie of the final meeting of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
In pictures – human spirituality in all its remarkable beauty and diversity Love, commitment, dedication, and faith — the many forms of devotion as seen through the lens of one photographer.
Join me on Thursday January 4th at the Music Box for some Righteous Live Music to Kick Off the New Year with Strange Crew!
As we turn the bend on another cycle around the sun, reflect on our resolutions while tolerating disillusions, if more live music is on your Santa list, here is your opportunity to launch into the New Year with the verve and vivacity that is all you…
Strange Crew (and me too) will be playing at the Music Box in Little Italy on Thursday 1/04/24 along with 3 other bands including ZenZag (Reggae Fusion), The Joshua 3 (U2 tribute), and Headmaster (Smiths fans…not impersonators).
So, grab your friends, family (21 and up), neighbors, workmates, frenemies- and come let your hair down.
YOU are in!
I can get you as many complimentary tickets as you like for this killer venue, so don’t be bashful- now is the time to be indulgent and spoil your friends too. This works as a holiday gift that extends into the new year and everyone will appreciate your magnanimous nature.
Simply email me ASAP at nevilleb@missionfed.com re: the number of tickets you want + your mailing address and voila you are on the nice list!
Practicing gratitude: Turns out sometimes less is more, expert says: Not everyone benefits from gratitude practices, studies show. “The How of Happiness” author Sonja Lyubomirsky shares what effective practices look like.
The Science to Be Grateful for This Year Thanks to science, we’ve experienced dramatic shifts in the way we understand ourselves, Earth and the universe in the past 12 months. But the hours, weeks and years people commit to the meticulous research that affects so much of our life can easily get buried in the flow of daily news.
The nature cure: how time outdoors transforms our memory, imagination and logic: Without engaging with natural environments, our brains cease to work well. As the new field of environmental neuroscience proves, exposure to nature isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity.
Tai chi helps boost memory; study finds. One type seems most beneficial: Research shows that a daily dose of tai chi, the slow-moving meditative, martial art can boost our body and brain. A new study finds adding word games to tai chi doubles the increase in memory.
If God wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates.
~Jay Leno~
The problem with political jokes is they get elected. ~Henry Cate, VII~
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. ~Aesop~
Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build a bridge even where there is no river. ~Nikita Khrushchev~
When I was a boy, I was told that anybody could become President; I’m beginning to believe it. ~Clarence Darrow~
Politicians are people who, when they see light at the end of the tunnel, go out and buy some more tunnels. ~John Quinton~
Why pay money to have your family tree traced; go into politics and your opponents will do it for you. ~Author unknown~
Politics is supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first. ~Ronald Reagan~
Politics is the gentle art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other. ~Oscar Ameringer~
I offer my opponents a bargain: if they will stop telling lies about us, I will stop telling the truth about them. ~Adlai Stevenson, 1952~
A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country. ~ Tex Guinan~
Instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks. ~Doug Larson~
We’d all like to vote for the best man, but he’s never a candidate.
~Kin Hubbard~
Never Give Up!
Nobel Prize winner Katalin Karikó on being ‘demoted 4 times’ and perseverance. On Monday, Katalin Karikó won the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine, but her journey to prestige has been punctuated with more hurdles than catalysts.
The No. 1 key to a happier, longer life—’that younger people don’t’ know, according to the oldest and ‘wisest’ Americans. Bestselling author, entrepreneur and psychology researcher Shane Parrish reveals the No. 1 happiness and longevity lesson from the “oldest and wisest Americans.”
13 stunning photos from this year’s best wildlife photographers From a delicate sack of salamander eggs to a forest illuminated by fireflies, these winning images from an annual competition emphasize the importance of conservation.
How a golfer with no legs summited Everest In an untidy London dwelling, a 33-year-old considered the stumps that were his legs and poured himself another whiskey. He hadn’t been outside in days. Eleven years later, in May 2023, this same man was atop Mount Everest.
See the beauty of the world’s oceans with these 12 award-worthy photos: Heavenly manatees and Cronenberg-like lizardfish are some favorites from the 2023 Ocean Photographer of the Year awards.
“Replace your “foot on your throat” behavior and self-talk with a transformational “hand on your heart” approach characterized by kindness, self-compassion, understanding, patience, and support.”- Dr. Ken Druck
To learn more about How We Go On by my dear friend Dr. Ken Druck, scroll down to the bottom of this week’s post.
The Most Expensive Cup of Coffee Ever was Worth It:
My wife forgot to get milk for her morning cup of coffee. We were renting a house in the town where I grew up on Long Island, NY for a week and even on vacation I know she likes to have her coffee with milk to kick start her day.
So, when I woke up at 7am, I decided I was going to be a super husband and drive to the grocery store and get her milk before going to the gym to workout. We were driving to Boston that morning and I wanted to workout before we left, so getting the milk was an inconvenience that altered my morning plans.
While I’m in the checkout line buying the milk, I’m feeling pretty good about myself. I’m even telling myself, “She’s going to love this. She is going to wake up and walk to the fridge, see the new carton of milk and call me Saint Jon.”
On my drive back to the house, I’m in such deep thought about how great of a husband I am 🙂 that I didn’t realize I was going over the speed limit. A few minutes later, flashing lights appeared in my rear-view mirror and a police officer pulled me over and gave me a ticket. He said I could pay a fine, take the points and watch my insurance cost increase or appear in traffic court.
Appearing in court wasn’t an option since the court date was in December and I live in Florida, not NY. I drove away frustrated that I got a ticket, when I didn’t even think I was speeding. I was frustrated that this happened as the result of me trying to do something nice for my wife. Are you kidding me? No good deed goes unpunished, I thought. With the ticket, fine and insurance cost, it was going to be the most expensive milk I’ve ever bought, to create the most expensive cup of coffee ever.
I honestly wasn’t being very positive. But then, I had a positive thought. As the pessimistic optimist I am, I thought this had to have happened for a reason. I don’t know why but I think it’s going to lead to something good. After delivering the priceless milk to my wife for her coffee, I drove to the gym to workout. While working out, a trainer and a woman he was training asked me if I was done with the bench I was using. I said I was and then asked them if they happened to know of a good traffic lawyer in the area because I just got a ticket and perhaps an attorney could appear in traffic court on my behalf.
The conversation continued and I learned that the woman’s son had played lacrosse for my rival school and sadly, he passed away from cancer, just a few years ago while still in college. The woman was obviously distraught and cried as she talked about him and his faithful fight and incredible spirit. I was able to tell her and the trainer how I viewed death, dealt with the death of my parents, and shared thoughts and words that comforted her.
She said she was looking for a sign and perhaps this was one. I told her it was definitely a sign because if I didn’t get the traffic ticket, I wouldn’t have asked them if they knew of an attorney, and we wouldn’t have had this meaningful conversation. She had felt the presence of her son recently and knew he didn’t want her to be angry and bitter anymore. We agreed this was a big initial step in her healing and moving forward.
As I drove away from the gym, I was no longer angry about the ticket. I realized I had to get the ticket in order for this woman to begin healing. The most expensive cup of coffee ever, was worth it. I realized that we are all connected and sometimes we have to be inconvenienced and stressed for someone else to be blessed. I’ve decided that from now on, when something doesn’t work out the way I want it to, I’m going to choose to believe there’s a bigger reason, a bigger lesson and bigger blessing that’s on the way. Have a great week! Hard to Believe!
Extra Point Kick Sailing Into Open Window of Passing Car Is Best Thing You’ll See Today A Texas high school player kicked an extra point out of play, and it landed perfectly through the window of a passing SUV.
Nebraska volleyball sets world record for women’s-sports attendance: The crowd at Nebraska’s match against Omaha on Wednesday night at Memorial Stadium set a world record as the largest for a women’s sporting event.
A kid posed with his pilot dad in an airplane. Almost 30 years later they recreated this photo: Southwest Captain Ruben Flowers recently flew his retirement flight with his son, First Officer Ruben Flowers, by his side. The two recreated a 1994 photo of the two of them in the cockpit in the process
Man risks his life to save a sheep after it became stuck on a cliff Chris Oxlade-Arnott raced to help the animal on the cliff edge as the ocean’s tide began to rise.
Baby gorilla almost died before a zookeeper held him close In many ways, raising a baby gorilla is very similar to nurturing human newborns, says Chad Staples, a father of four and the director of Mogo Wildlife Park, a small private zoo in the town of the same name on Australia’s southeastern coast.
Watch the precious, emotional moment this mama chimp and her baby are finally reunited This baby chimp spent a night at the vet due to a snake bite. You can feel the relief and joy when he’s finally reunited with his mama.
If you are local and navigating a challenge or loss…
From my dear brother Dr. Ken Druck: Warwick’s Event Details My dear friend, Dr. Ken Druck, will be hosting a book signing for his latest book, How We Go On: Self-Compassion, Courage, and Gratitude on the Path Forward, at one of our nation’s most treasured books stores, Warwick’s, on Wednesday, Oct 4th at 7:30p PT. The book offers practical advice on resilience, gratitude, and creating a lasting positive impact. It’s an inspiring roadmap for finding joy amidst adversity.
How we manage the defining “What now?” moments in our lives after a loss, change, challenge or opportunity defines what my dear friend, Ken Druck, calls “The Path Forward.” Ken’s new book, How We Go On: Self-Compassion, Courage and Gratitude on the Path Forward is truly “a beacon of light.”
How We Go On was recently released in hard cover, paperback, e-book and audio book (read by Ken himself) versions. Replace your “foot on your throat” behavior and self-talk with a transformational “hand on your heart” approach characterized by kindness, self-compassion, understanding, patience, and support.
This book is one I’ll keep on my nightstand or bookshelf and reference whenever I need a reminder on how to go on after losses and daily challenges.
Readers’ Review 5 Star Rating + Review “A profound guide to navigating life’s challenges, from personal losses to everyday hurdles. Druck leads us into a personal examination of each stage of our lives from childhood, including our defining moments and the choices we have made along the way. Through his heartfelt story of facing inconceivable loss and pain, he shares valuable advice about finding peace and joy again after seasons of feeling lost and uncertain. The book offers practical advice on resilience, gratitude, and creating a lasting positive impact. How We Go On is a broad, incredible work with life-changing lessons about discovering joy when facing hardship. Highly recommended.”
Thanks this week go to Larry H for that expensive cup and Ken D for always being a source of light and inspiration, helping people turn their stumbling blocks into stepping stones!
Please pay it forward with your time, talent or treasure… Love, Neville
Confronting the Brutal Facts- Can we use Father Profit, to help Mother Nature develop a market and culture for Clean Energy?
A letter from Earth: I’m giving you record temperatures and wild floods. TAKE A HINT!! Earth here. Just wanted to pop in and see if you’ve noticed a few subtle changes in me lately. You know, like record hot temperatures and flooding?
July 2023 Is Hottest Month Ever Recorded on Earth This July is set to be the hottest month ever recorded on Earth—and likely the hottest in about 120,000 years—preliminary analyses show.
We are watching the brutal reality of what climate scientists told us would happen. How will we respond? Amid the despair and doomism is a real climate emergency. We must act accordingly…
Extreme weather: the climate crisis in four charts As much of the northern hemisphere endures blistering heatwaves and parts of Asia are deluged with rain, a number of climate records are being challenged…
101.1 degrees? Water temperatures off Florida Keys currently among hottest in the world. South Florida water temperatures reach world record highs. Scientists say climate change is at least partly responsible.
What is a 5-sigma event? Why the sea ice in Antarctica is alarming scientists. During the winter, sea ice that is essential to the marine food web usually grows around Antarctica. Warming temperatures are slowing that growth.
Ons Jabeur has shown how to live with defeat – like it’s the end of the world The art of losing isn’t hard to master, but the Tunisian took it to a spellbinding new level and won Wimbledon hearts
The No. 1 tactic best-selling author Jay Shetty uses to stay positive Your negative thoughts may be keeping you from obtaining happiness and success, according to former monk Jay Shetty. Here’s the hack he uses to stay positive.
Watch this six-year-old’s joy when he finds out his beloved grandpa isn’t just visiting Six-year-old Carson and his grandpa are besties– he’s the only boy in the family and has a single mom. Watch his reaction when grandpa reveals this.
This Mississippi dog is a TikTok star and he can drive a lawnmower, fish and play golf Brewski, a dog in Mississippi, has become a social media sensation with videos of him doing hilarious things that most dogs don’t do.
“Happiness is not about maximizing the intensity of joy. It’s about increasing the frequency of joy. Chasing exhilaration is a roller coaster of regular disappointments and rare, ephemeral highs. Savoring daily delights is a steady, sustainable source of satisfaction.” -Adam Grant
Despite a hot, flat and crowded planet some are living long and happy lives and breaking expectations!
Megaphone Hand, business concept with text Attention Please, vector illustration
It’s World Population Day: Here’s what the world will look like in 2050: By 2050, after India and China, Nigeria is expected to become the world’s third most populous nation.
Earth is at its hottest in thousands of years. Here’s how we know. Observations are enough to make scientists confident that the current period of warming is exceptional.
Happy Soul Food Friday! 