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When silence speaks volumes
“To say nothing is saying something. You must denounce things you are against, or one might believe that you support things you really do not.” ~Germany Kent As today’s quote suggests, silence can be misinterpreted. This got me thinking about a variety of complicated situations — including politics. (Don’t worry: I’m staying bipartisan here.) Recently, some friends and I agreed that when people refuse to discuss politics, we often assume that their beliefs and opinions don’t align with ours. Or maybe they don’t know us well enough to share their truth. Otherwise, they’d speak up, right? We could be wrong, of course. But speaking from experience, I’ve learned that others…
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Kindred spirits
“If it is true for you, it is true for someone else, and you are no longer alone.” ~Colson Whitehead If you enjoy watching sports, one of the thrills of cheering for a team is the sense of community you create with your fellow fans. For me, reading books, magazines, and newspaper articles is another way to feel connected to humanity. Whenever a piece of writing lifts my heart or gets me thinking, I believe the author and I are kindred spirits — and I feel validated. Likewise, being in touch with so many readers is the greatest reward I’ve received from writing my own newspaper columns and blog posts.…
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All your loves
“I am all the things I have ever loved.” ~Toni Morrison Each of us is a living collage of our passions, interests, and affections. The books we read, the films we favor, the clothing we choose, the art we make, the hobbies we enjoy, and the people we love — all of these tell the story of who we are. Take a moment to remember all the people and things you’ve ever loved, and how they’ve made you who you are today. ~CL
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Digital dementia
“As technological usage becomes more and more prevalent in our daily lives, it is essential to take proactive steps to protect our cognitive health and avoid digital dementia.” ~Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures When I first ran across the term “digital dementia” in a headline, I assumed it was a jokey reference to seniors who can’t remember where they left their cell phones. But then I learned that digital dementia is a real thing — and a growing concern for all age groups. What is it? And what does the research tell us? In 2012, German neuroscientist and psychiatrist Manfred Spitzer coined the term “digital dementia” when he discovered…
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Put yourself out there
“Imagine living life so carefully that there are no signs you lived at all.” ~Raven Leilani I once met a woman who arranged her life to avoid appearing “wrong.” She never displayed artwork or family photos on the white walls of her immaculate home. She dressed appropriately in a style that never made a statement. Polite and reserved, she rarely revealed an opinion or a passion. I was always on my guard around her. Life can be so much richer — and a lot more fun — when we are willing to take creative chances, make mistakes, and put ourselves out there. So, go ahead: write, paint, dance, sew, decorate,…
