#1: I Have Notes by Nicole Chung

The Atlantic has recently begun a series of newsletters (I know, at this point there are more newsletters roaming the internet than readers!), but I have enjoyed this one so far. It is short and sweet, as most things in life should be.

I just love this phrase in her last newsletter, because her words made me feel the very feeling she is describing: “One reason we read is to know that burst of recognition when someone supplies new language for that which we once found indescribable.“

#2: Empty Pews Are an American Public Health Crisis

Even though is a Christian Magazine, and one could argue is inherently biased on where it stands on certain issues, I still found the article interesting. It’s been two years since I’ve stepped on a church (#COVID). However, I feel that I am becoming more spiritual than religious. Yet (Therefore?) the main premise of the article hit close to home:

“People find their social and personal lives improved—sometimes their lives are even physically saved—when they go to church often. [..] A religious upbringing profoundly affects lifelong health and well-being. We found regular service attendance helps shield children from the “big three” dangers of adolescence: depression, substance abuse, and premature sexual activity. People who attended church as children are also more likely to grow up happy, to be forgiving, to have a sense of mission and purpose, and to volunteer.”

And I wonder… has my life really been missing out on those Sundays at church? Maybe I need to reexamine my posture on church attendance. And while I consider this, I too remember those Sunday mornings in the Paloma Lake ward, and feelings of estrangement wash over me and overwhelm me . And I am reminded, as a consequence, never to settle with acceptance but to strive for inclusiveness wherever I may be so no one has to feel the way I felt back then.

Who knows? Maybe church attendance effect on one’s health is only true if there’s a sincere sense of belonging and community. Much to my parents dismay I am still going to pass on church services for now.

#3: Maybe we should try this on Republicans?

#4: Many years after, I am still processing this

You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath.

#1: The Art of Not Taking Things Personally

‘Emotional generosity’ is the ability to see past behaviours that we don’t understand and proactively look for compassionate ways to explain them.

#2: 90 seconds to emotional resilience

According to Harvard brain scientist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, ninety seconds is all it takes to identify an emotion and allow it to dissipate while you simply notice it. When you’re stressed, pausing ninety seconds and labeling what you’re feeling (eg., I’m getting angry), tamps down activity in the amygdala. MRI studies of the brain show that this “emotion labeling” calms the brain region involved in angry outbursts and helps you regain control. Dr. Bolte explains.

#3: When You Give a Tree An Email Address

The city of Melbourne assigned trees email addresses so citizens could report problems. Instead, people wrote thousands of love letters to their favorite trees.

This one hit close to home, mainly because I do have a tree I could write a love letter to. I used to call him The Life Tree (El Árbol de la Vida). I would pass it by daily on may way to and back from campus. It used to be a reminder to me that life changes, and so we adapt, we change, we shed, we are born over and over again.