Your Soul Food for Friday June 7, 2024: Life Lessons from People’s Last Words, Neuroscience Supports No Constant Self, the Power of Setting Intentions and Breathing Exercises for when YOU are Anxious

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

Overcome regret and fear and learn from people’s last words

Rethink “what is self”?

Setting Intentions is not woo woo but powerful juju

The power of breath!

4 phrases are often people’s last words, says oncologist: What we can learn:
People often wait too long to show their love or correct their interpersonal mistakes, says Pulitzer-winning author and oncologist Siddhartha Mukherjee.

Phrases that are often people’s last words, says doctor: What we can learn (cnbc.com)

Neuroscience learns what Buddhism has known for ages: There is no constant self:
Buddhist Monks have known for thousands of years what science is just now learning: the mind can be changed by training it.

Proving that science and religion can, in fact, overlap, University of British Columbia researcher Evan Thompson has confirmed the Buddhist teaching of the not-self, or “anatta,” is more than just a theory. “Buddhists argue that nothing is constant, everything changes.

A new study confirms what Buddhist monks have known all along – Upworthy

The Power of Setting Intentions — and How to Do It Correctly:
Setting intentions is more than just setting goals — it’s about being purposeful in pursuing your desires.

The Power of Setting Intentions, and How to Try It (shape.com)

8 Breathing Exercises To Try When You Feel Anxious:
Breathing exercises are a form of exercise for your lungs. They improve lung function and efficiency, help manage certain health conditions, and relieve stress and anxiety. Breathing exercises can be useful for people with healthy lungs as well as those with impaired lung function.

Breathing Exercises: Purpose, Benefits, Types (health.com)

Please pay it forward and model it yourself!

Love,

Neville

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Your Soul Food for the Last Friday in May 2024: How to Instantly Feel Better

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

I’ve studied positive psychology for 10 years: This is the secret to happiness:
Stephanie Harrison has studied the science of happiness for 10 years. Here’s what she says is the secret to happiness.

This is the secret to happiness, from a happiness researcher (cnbc.com)

Exercise can reverse ageing in the brain, study claims:
It looks like brawn could be the key to long lasting brains. May 15, 2024 We all know exercise is good for us. It’s been clear for hundreds (if not thousands) of years that keeping fit and mobile is important to keep your body in good nick, prevent diseases and improve your mental health. Despite its myriad benefits for us, however, there always seems to be one insurmountable fact of life that exercise can’t conquer: our minds and bodies decline as we age

Exercise can reverse ageing in the brain, study claims | BBC Science Focus Magazine

As we are all in the midst of reinventing ourselves, I thought this episode of Hidden Brain was particularly informative and counterintuitive!

Innovation 2.0: How Big Ideas Are Born | Hidden Brain Media

Why writing by hand beats typing for thinking and learning:
Researchers are learning that handwriting engages the brain in ways typing can’t match, raising questions about the costs of ditching this age-old practice, especially for kids.

As schools reconsider cursive, research homes in on handwriting’s brain benefits : Shots – Health News : NPR

And the soul-filling wonders of nature-

Majestic mountain ibex among winners in GDT Nature Photographer of the Year 2024 members’ competition:
20 breathtaking images from this year’s GDT Nature Photographer of the Year members’ competition, including a stoic Alpine ibex, a wave-riding penguin, and a bewitching winter woodland.

Majestic mountain ibex among winners in GDT Nature Photographer of the Year 2024 members’ competition – Discover Wildlife

Stay in the positive and please pay it forward.

Love,

Neville

Follow me on Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nevillebillimoria

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Your Soul Food for Memorial Day Weekend 2024: “If you have to ask what Jazz is, you will never know” –Louis Armstrong

This week: The Divine Power of Music

One of my Favorite Classical Music Pieces Ever!

Jeneba Kanneh-Mason stuns with blistering take on Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
A masterpiece of 19th-century piano repertoire, forever linked with the joy of Tom and Jerry…

Jeneba Kanneh-Mason stuns with blistering take on Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No.2 – Classic FM

Here is my first foray, conducting this very same piece as an elementary school kid in Bombay, India at around age 11:

Cathedral School, Bombay, India

Elbow turn Manchester crowd into 23,500-strong choir in spine-tingling harmony:
The most life-affirming sound you’ll ever hear: a crowd of thousands of music lovers, lifting their voices in glorious harmony.

Elbow turn Manchester crowd into 23,500-strong choir in spine-tingling harmony – Classic FM

15 composers and their dogs:

15 composers and their dogs – Classical Music (classical-music.com)

Steven Tyler’s Unusual Response To A Disabled Fan Went Viral – Here’s What He Said:
Anthony Yorfido, a young man from Niagara Falls, ran into Steven Tyler, the frontman of Aerosmith. What began as a chance encounter at a medical supplies store soon became a moment that would change Anthony’s life forever. Read on to see what amazing things Tyler did for this kind fan.

Steven Tyler Made His Disabled Fan’s Dreams Come True – Buzznet

“I Just Started to Play the Faure’ Pavane, Just for Fun. And Then She Started Playing with Me by Ear!”

‘She’s a miracle kid’ – star pianist Lang Lang on Lucy, last year’s winner of The… – Classic FM

Why Do We Sing? New Analysis of Folk Songs Finds Similarities around the World:
Across the globe, singing traditions are vast and varied. Their commonalities may help explain how music evolved

Why Do We Sing? New Analysis of Folk Songs Finds Similarities around the World | Scientific American

Dance and percussion group puts on a show for travelers at San Diego International Airport:
If you’re headed out of San Diego International Airport over the next week, you may encounter some unexpected sights and sounds that could bring your travel experience to life in a whole new way.

Dance and percussion group puts on a show for travelers at San Diego International Airport – NBC 7 San Diego (nbcsandiego.com)

Thanks to musicians and music lovers everywhere!

Play it forward.

Love,

Neville

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Your Soul Food for Friday May 17, 2024: “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

Happy Soul Food Friday

This week: Confront the Brutal Facts about Climate Change but Never Give Up Hope!

Here are both the challenges as well as some innovative solutions on the horizon.

Confront the brutal facts-

A Big Part of the Problem-

Survey finds that 60 firms are responsible for half of world’s plastic pollution:
Study confirms Philip Morris International, Danone, Nestlé, PepsiCo and Coca-Cola are worst offenders

Survey finds that 60 firms are responsible for half of world’s plastic pollution | Plastics | The Guardian

Sink/Rise- Pre-Apocalyptic- South Pacific Islanders on the brink of losing their homes, lands and livelihoods due to climate change:

These haunting underwater photos portray climate change in a new way (cnn.com)

The Foods the World Will Lose to Climate Change
Droughts, heat, and extreme weather are pushing crops to their limits. The race is on to innovate faster than the Earth warms.

The Foods the World Will Lose to Climate Change | WIRED

Scientists sound the alarm over dramatic loss of 3 billion birds in North America: ‘We’re watching … extinction happen’
The staggering drop in bird populations serves as a sobering signal of an urgent need to take action. Since the 1970s, bird enthusiasts have watched the skies empty and heard the birdsongs go silent as nearly 3 billion birds vanished in North America. Disturbed by the findings of an expansive body of research, scientists across the globe are sounding the alarm as half of the world’s bird populations are in decline. What’s happening?

Scientists sound the alarm over dramatic loss of 3 billion birds in North America: ‘We’re watching … extinction happen’ (thecooldown.com)

But Never Give Up Hope!

Can a picture make you happy? We asked photographers and here’s what they sent us
Photographers sent us pictures of a Syrian boy who finds joy caring for farm animals, Ukrainian girls on a trampoline, music lovers grooving to the blues and more.

Happy photos from around the world for the International Day of Happiness : Goats and Soda : NPR

Many Innovative Solutions-

Say Hello to Biodegradable Microplastics:

Research from UC San Diego shows plant-based polymers can disappear within seven months

Say Hello to Biodegradable Microplastics (ucsd.edu)

Can this technology help refreeze Arctic ice?
Global warming is rapidly melting some of the world’s largest ice shelves but a UK startup believes it may be possible to refreeze new layers of ice. 

This technology may help refreeze the arctic | CNN

A Stunning New Material May Shrink Humanity’s Carbon Footprint
As Earth keeps warming, the ‘Cage of Cages’ emerges as a contender to cool our impact.

A Stunning New Material May Shrink Humanity’s Carbon Footprint (popularmechanics.com)

The ‘world’s largest’ vacuum to suck climate pollution out of the air just opened. Here’s how it works
Mammoth will suck in air using giant fans, separate the carbon and transport it underground where it will transform into stone

‘World’s largest’ plant to suck carbon out of the air and turn it into stone opens in Iceland | CNN

Thanks this week go to Chris B, and all of you committed to stewarding our tiny blue planet!

Play share and pay it forward.

Love,

Neville

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Your Soul Food for April 26, 2024: I Will Strain My Potential Until It Cries for Mercy!

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

Try these powerful life principles to tap into your unlimited potential:
The author of ‘Passion Struck’ champions proactive living—cultivating a focused, intentional engagement in every aspect of our lives.

Power principles to tap your potential (fastcompany.com)

This 106-Year-Old Psychological Rule Is Still the Secret to Peak Performance. A Harvard Behavior Scientist Just Explained How to Use It Today:
If you want to perform at your peak, you want your stress levels to be not too high, not too low, but just right

This 106-Year-Old Psychological Rule Is Still the Secret to Peak Performance. A Harvard Behavior Scientist Just Explained How to Use It Today | Inc.com

Why do we venerate action and vilify reflection?

Tap one of the most powerful tools in your leadership toolkit!

The Power of Reflection – John Spence


If you are local-

Join us we celebrate 40 years of vibrant arts and culture in our community!

Mission Fed ArtWalk – Connecting Creative Communities (artwalksandiego.org)

Drivin the Bus at Mission Fed ArtWalk in Little Italy in the Piazza della Famiglia on the Main Stage, on West Date Street- Saturday April 27th from 12:30 to 1:30 Free, + you can explore the amazing annual art scene either before or after!

Little Italy Mission Federal Artwalk – Drivin’ The Bus (dtbband.com)

Want more live music?

Strange Crew (Clapton Tribute Night) Saturday April 27th from 6 to 10pm at Duck Foot in Miramar at 8920 Kenamar Drive. No Cover and it’s Phil’s birthday so will be wild!

Strange Crew – Clapton Tribute Night! | Duck Foot Brewing Co (duckfootbeer.com)

Create!

Love,

Neville

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Your Soul Food for The Week of April Fools 2024 and These are No Jokes!

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

Blessings:

Sometimes by Sheenagh Pugh:

Sometimes things don’t go, after all,
from bad to worse.

Some years, muscadel
faces down frost; green thrives; the crops don’t fail.


Sometimes a man aims high, and all goes well.

A people sometimes will step back from war,
elect an honest man, decide they care,
enough, that they can’t leave some stranger poor.


Some men become what they were born for.

Sometimes our best intentions do not go,
amiss; sometimes we do as we meant to.


The sun will sometimes melt a field of sorrow,
that seemed hard frozen; may it happen for you.

Awe!

Scientists Have Identified ‘8 Wonders Of Life’ — And Their Health Effects Are Powerful
Studies conducted in 26 different countries offer intriguing data on the surprising benefits of experiencing awe.

Dacher Keltner’s Guide To Awe And The 8 Wonders Of Life | HuffPost Life

Piffle, Rubbish, Balderdash!

Jane Goodall Reflects On How A Childhood Dog Changed The Way She Saw Animals
“Rusty, I’ve never known a dog like him,” the famed primatologist said, remembering her beloved canine companion.

Jane Goodall Says Childhood Dog Shaped How She Sees Animals | HuffPost Impact

Suddenly aware that you have been paying attention to the wrong body and mind all your life!

Drilling down through layers of delusion, confusion, personal strategies and karmic tangles to arrive at an experience of a stunningly simple and fundamental truth:

Koan and Shikantaza: Escaping the Trap of Delusion | Lion’s Roar (lionsroar.com)

Getting Real!

Spending time in nature makes you a more authentic person – a new study shows how:
Why simply going outside can make you more honest with yourself and others.

stylist.co.uk/life/nature-authenticity-study/874630

Joy is Non-Negotiable!

If you are local, come join us as Drivin the Bus will be playing at Mr. Peabody’s Bar and Grill on Friday April 5th from 8:30 to 12:30pm, with your favorite classic jams!

Mr. Peabody’s Bar & Grill – Drivin’ The Bus (dtbband.com)

Hearty thanks this week go to Chris B, Rex H, Drivin the Bus Band and Wonderers Everywhere!

Pay and Play it Forward.

Love,

Neville

Your Soul Food for Friday Sept 15, 2023: Live Well to 100

Happy Soul Food Friday

This week:

5 habits to borrow from people who’ve lived to 100:
Dan Buettner, who has been studying people who live the longest for 20 years, shares their secrets.

5 Tips for Living to 100 from a Top Longevity Researcher (today.com)

These 7 Foods Will Help You Live Longer, Healthier And Happier:
The new Netflix docuseries on Blue Zones has us reconsidering what we’re eating.

These 7 Foods Will Help You Live Longer, Healthier And Happier | HuffPost UK Life (huffingtonpost.co.uk)

My 95-year-old grandfather is a former cardiologist—his 8 ‘non-negotiables’ for a long, happy life:
Mika Cribbs spent the summer with her 95-year-old grandfather in Japan and was inspired by how he boosts longevity and happiness. Here’s his daily routine for living a long, healthy life.

My 95-year-old grandfather is a former cardiologist—his 8 ‘non-negotiables’ for a long, happy life (cnbc.com)

The Documentary that is Informing Much of this Work:

Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones | Official Trailer | Netflix – YouTube

Live Well & Pay it forward!

Love,

Neville

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NevilleB108 
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Your Soul Food for Friday Sept 1, 2023: Exemplary Heroes and Healers as We Celebrate the Labor Day Weekend

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

Exemplary Heroes and Healers to Inspire You Over Labor Day

We can be heroes, and everyone can be a healer…

Now These are Real Heroes:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/5417078548373561

Italian banker hailed a hero after catching toddler falling from fifth floor balcony:
A 37-year-old banker from Turin is being hailed a hero after miraculously catching an Italian toddler who fell from her family’s fifth floor balcony on Saturday.

Italian banker hailed a hero after catching toddler falling from fifth floor balcony | CNN

Life of diner in China saved by doctor in same restaurant who spots symptoms of brain tumor and intervenes:
A doctor in China who saved the life of a stranger by noticing the symptoms of a brain tumor in a woman eating at the same restaurant was celebrated as part of the country’s Doctors Day earlier this month. Zhao Ming, a senior member of the neurosurgery…

Life of diner in China saved by doctor in same restaurant who spots symptoms of brain tumour and intervenes | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)

Watch the astonishing moment this dog predicts his owner is sick before she does:
Watch this incredible display of communication and love as this sweet pup tells his owner she’s sick before she even realizes it.

Dog uses sound buttons to communicate with owner that she’s unwell (usatoday.com)

A mother of 3 was struggling at the airport. Then the ‘mom tribe’ swung into action
Adrianne Drazin was on a long overseas flight with her baby and two young children. After she exited the plane, she noticed a family nearby waiting for something.

A mother of 3 was struggling at the airport. The ‘mom tribe’ swung into action : NPR

From the U.S. Surgeon General: Anyone can be a Healer:
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Vivek Murthy speaks about the growing mental health crisis and loneliness epidemic in America—and what we can do in the workplace to help.

From the U.S. Surgeon General: Anyone can be a healer (fastcompany.com)

If You Are Local-

Enjoy some killer live music overlooking the Pacific Ocean and join Drivin The Bus on Saturday September 2nd from 6-8pm at The Camp Store inside the entrance to South Carlsbad State Beach at 7201 Carlsbad Blvd. Carlsbad CA92008.

We will be playing all your favorite classic jams. No Cover.

Location – The Camp Store – Carlsbad, California

Thanks this week go to Larry H, and all you heroes and healers out there!

Pay it forward!

Love,

Neville

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Your Soul Food for Friday Aug 25, 2023: Why? Be Cause!

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week- Social Impact Anyone?

With my dear brother Dr. Danny Friedland when we Co-Chaired the Cause Conference in 2017

The 25th Annual San Diego Cause Conference:

For nearly a decade during which I co-chaired this conference 3 times, the focus of this gathering has been about uplifting society, initially through the nonprofit sector but more recently through all purpose-driven enterprise, regardless of their tax designation.

Here is a link to this year’s conference, in the brand spanking new Sharp Prebys Innovation and Education Center on Sept. 14th 2023.

Cause San Diego

By Way of Background…

Here is a CloudCast podcast with host Drew S that we did recently featuring Staci Reidinger, who along with DeLinda Forsythe are the Cause San Diego Co-Executive directors and are co-producing the conference with the help of an amazing group of volunteers.

Enjoy the story and hopefully find your place in it, wherever you find yourself!

Cause San Diego Connects For-Profit Businesses With Issues To Drive Social Impact; 25th Cause Conference On September 14th | Cloudcast Media

The Zen Room at the 25th Cause Conference: Warning: Experiences could lead to unbridled joy and delight!

To harmonize vocational and avocational passions, this year Mission Fed is sponsoring a Zen Room at the conference (deets below):

Ever noticed that as a society, we seem to seem to venerate action and vilify reflection? As critical as self-care and self-compassion are today, why do relegate them to “nice to haves” v. “must haves”?

At this year’s cause conference, we have intentionally incorporated a Zen room with a variety of Zen experiences (Zen Ex), designed to help you tune up, tune in, and bring your best self to the day, in just a few minutes!

Even a world class symphony begins by tuning and don’t just jump outright into the “playing”. We all can benefit from short bursts of re-centering to be fully present, but if it’s easy to do, it’s easy not to do.

Forget the charge on your smartphone. Charge up your intention, attention, and attitude!

From massage stations, to yoga, to singing bowls, to breath breaks (today’s far better version of smoke breaks), you will have the opportunity to experience a variety of modalities and therapeutics to keep you in flow and in a peak state.

Why? Be Cause.

Conscious leaders intentionally and consistently incorporate micro habits into their schedule, and you can experience and incorporate some of these Zen Ex’s as part of your conference experience- all for free, courtesy of the practitioners and their gifts of service.

The choice is simple. Critical self-care now, or critical care later…

 If you are coming, check the Whova app or visit the Zen Room #211 anytime you feel the need to decompress, reset and recharge!

Even the heart pumps blood to itself first, so listen to your most authentic self.

We’ve got you…

PS. “All our (Zen) Ex’s don’t live in Texas 😊”

Thanks this week go to Staci R, DeLinda F, Drew S, Niki C, Rebecca T and all the Cause Conference volunteers!

We hope to see you there…

Pay it forward!

Love,

Neville

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Your Soul Food for Friday Oct 28, 2022: The Power of ONE

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

  • The Power of Magic to Create Awe and Wonder
  • The Power of Philanthropy to Transform
  • The Power of Sport to Unify
  • The Power of Animals to Crack Us Up
  • The Power of Meditation to Change Your Brain
  • The Power of Swearing to Produce Powerful Cognitive Effects

The Power of Magic to Create Awe and Wonder-

The Wonder and Intelligence of Our Relatives the Primates is Inspiring!

Monkeys react to magic – YouTube

The Power of Philanthropy to Transform-

Congratulations to Escondido Union School District!

Superintendent Rankins-Ibarra says they see unlimited potential in every student.

There is a strategic plan underway for creative learning the donation would help fund.

They are also listening to the students and will use the money to make sure it will have a lasting impact.

So honored to partner with them!

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donates $16 million to Escondido Union School District | KPBS Public Media

The Power of Sport to Unify-

Watch: Cricket Fans from India and Pakistan sing ‘Pasoori’ and Dance Together, Putting Aside Rivalry

Video: Cricket fans from India and Pakistan sing ‘Pasoori’ and dance together, putting aside rivalry (scroll.in)

The Power of Animals to Crack Us Up-

A standoffish penguin, a horrified monkey and a farting zebra are among the images shortlisted for the 2022 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2022 finalists announced | CNN Travel

The Power of Meditation to Change Your Brain-

Meditation literally changes how your brain’s neurons move
This is your brain on mindfulness. Any questions?

Meditation literally changes how your brain’s neurons move (inverse.com)

The Power of Swearing to Produce Powerful Cognitive Effects-

No shit! Swearing study reveals cursing’s powerful cognitive effects
Swearing isn’t just cathartic.

Swearing study reveals cursing’s powerful cognitive effects (inverse.com)

Thanks this week go to Chris B and Luis R-I.

Please pay it forward. You’ve got the power!

Love,

Neville

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“The cynic says one person can’t do anything.

I say ‘Only one  person can do anything.”

“All good ideas start with one person

“The creative, caring, believing person sends out waves of influence”

One affects others who in turn affect others…”

–The Power of ONE