What Are ‘Glimmers’? How These Mini Moments of Gratitude Can Boost Your Mood (and Change Your Life): Noticing “glimmers” helps foster joy and calm your nervous system, psychologists say.
Harvard professor reveals the key to lasting happiness: It’s ‘pretty simple’: Harvard professor Arthur Brooks explains the key to living life to the fullest through the deep understanding of happiness.
4 Breathing Exercises to Do with Your Partner to Counteract Stress and Strengthen Your Connection: Pair breathwork with bonding for double the benefits.
Watch this cute toddler unlock a core memory when chatting with this friendly dolphin: This interaction between an adorable toddler and fun-loving dolphin at a Gulfport, Mississippi, aquarium is a sight to see.
Struggle with tight back, hips, or shoulders? These are the best mobility exercises to ease your tension: Find relief in 15 minutes with these six simple moves.
Happiness expert: Make this small change to be happier today: If there was just one little shift you made today for more happiness, here’s what the director of a decades-long Harvard happiness study suggests.
New study finds audience heartbeats and breath rates synchronize during a classical concert: Classical music concerts make audience members’ hearts beat in sync – particularly if they have ‘agreeable’ personalities.
This video captures a rarely seen sperm whale birth. It’s beautiful. The last scientific record of a sperm whale birth was 1986, without audio or video. New recordings of the whales’ behavior during the birth will give researchers new insight.
If you are local and, in the mood, here are a couple of opportunities to get out and find a respite from some of the madness, in the company of kindred spirits, and through the healing power of music.
Can’t make it? No worries.
Stay in the power of the heliotropic effect- The Heliotropic Effect is the tendency for all living systems to move towards light and away from darkness, towards that which is life-giving and away from that which endangers life.
Friday Oct 20th 8:30 to 11:30pm at The Roxy in Encinitas with Drivin the Bus:
Get Ready for a Jammin’ Night with Drivin’ the Bus! 🎶
On October 20th, Roxy Encinitas is hosting an epic jam band performance that you won’t want to miss. It’s the first time they’re taking the stage here, and we’re making sure there’s plenty of room for all the music lovers out there. Get ready for a night of incredible jams and good vibes. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking for a memorable night out, this is one show that’s sure to get you groovin’. 🎵✨ Stay tuned for more details and mark your calendar for a night of musical magic at Roxy Encinitas! 🚌🎸
Saturday Oct 21st at Bogey’s on Miramar Road from 7-9pm with Strange Crew:
Strange Crew is an Eric Clapton tribute band with a twist. As long as Clapton played a song at least once the 8-piece Strange Crew might cover it. This opens up a huge catalog of classic rock, blues, and jam options. Strange Crew is a very dynamic band having 4 different lead singers and 5 lead soloists! Band member Cobby Brzeski’s solo album was nominated this year at the San Diego Music Awards for the best jazz album of the year. This will be a very special night.
Strange Crew is: Bahar Shahidi – Guitar & Vocals, Bobbi The Bass Player, Jeff Parker – Guitar & Vocals, Cobby Brzeski – Flute & Vocals, Jeremy Mercer – Drums, Chris Cahoon – Keys, Neville Billimoria – Percussion, Phil Tish – Guitar & Vocals
Stay in tune and thanks this week go to Jeff B, and all my band mates in Drivin the Bus and Strange Crew for making my heart sing and making audiences happy!
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
Conductor Vladimir Jurowski tells audience to ‘let climate protestors speak’ as they interrupt Bruckner symphony Two climate protestors interrupted a concert at a world-leading classical music festival, and conductor Vladimir Jurowski asked the audience for quiet as the activists “had their say”.
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.
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.
A Knockout Technique for Achieving More Happiness The best lesson from Mike Tyson’s boxing career is not about ring craft; it’s about having the right goals in life.
104-year-old who swims 45 minutes every day shares simple tips for long life Vivian Levy started swimming when was 6. She’s still doing it almost 100 years later.
Dog repeatedly escapes animal shelter, sneaks into nursing home, is adopted by residents. An abused, stray mutt kept trying to move himself into a senior care facility. So, the nurses there had to figure out what to do about him.
Thanks to the generous support of members, community and staff we have already raised $15,000 to help our food insufficient brothers and sisters.
Might you join us?
Feed a Child in Need This Weekend Did you know that when children participate in programs that provide them with food for a weekend, children experience increased self-esteem, improved behavior at school, better academic performance, and increased interest in their classes and other school activities? September is San Diego Hunger Awareness Month. Throughout the month, Mission Fed is proudly supporting the fight against childhood hunger by partnering with The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank for the Food 4 Kids Backpack Program. For just $8, your donation provides a child with a weekend of nutritious food.Donate Now
Thanks this week go to Eric K, the Mission Fed Wellness Committee, and everyone out there committed to helping those furthest from opportunity.
Exemplary Heroes and Healers to Inspire You Over Labor Day
“Heroism is really the quest to live according to one’s internal standards of right and wrong, regardless of whether the world is watching.”—- John F. Groom
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
Happy Soul Food Friday! 