In this section we tap into the wisdom of individuals who look at the world in ways we can all learn from:
Encouraging Words for 2022
I have been thinking for several weeks about writing something profound on our loss as a society of integrity, morality, courage, honesty, empathy, compassion, happiness, and community. The society that I grew up in, and one in which I have spent 84 years, no longer exists. I am baffled by the extent of greed, (me-ism, me, me, & me; me, me & mine; me, me & more), hate, misogyny, lying, narcissism, and ...Read More
To Thine Own Self Be True
From Grant Bartlett, PhD The Mind Gut comments remind me of the admonishments of my Great Grandmother, Grandmother, Mother, and a myriad of Great Aunts and Aunts when I had a medical / illness complaint, “Grant, it is all in your head”. I believe that they all believed that many, if not most, illnesses were psychosomatic without understanding the meaning of the word or the true Gut connection. Everything was attributed to what ...Read More
Fridge Wisdom
From Paul Bell Considering the focus of this newsletter I expect you think this is about healthy consumption or storage of food and drink. No, its about wisdom on the outside of the fridge. We have a list of what we feel are wise things to be mindful of hanging on our fridge door, and I admit that I often read a few and consider them. So here are some with considerations:LET IT GO
My mother ...Read More
The Magic of the Ocean Is Everywhere
From Grant Bartlett, PhD I have been watching sea planes, fishing boats, sail boats, whale watcher cruisers, freighters, kayaks, and paddle boards, come and go since first light this morning. All are traversing this great waterway of life. And, nearby, orcas pod, sea otters frolic, seals protect their land-based territory and myriads of fish and microorganisms move unseen below the surface, untroubled by Homo sapiens. And one’s imagination has no bounds. I ...Read More
Life’s Five Phases
From Paul Bell The last few posts I have written described what I currently seek and am aware of in my life, in order to make it fulfilling and joyful. However, we all pass through phases in our development, each with a focus upon different elements within our lives. For me, and for my children, it has been useful to be aware of what stage in life we are currently, in order to maximize the benefits ...Read More
We Can Accomplish Anything We Set Our Minds To
From Grant Bartlett, PhD“The Mind Is Not a Vessel to be Filled, but a Fire to be Kindled” --- Plutarch
My Father informed me at a very early age that I could accomplish anything that I turned my mind to – and I believed him. There is an interesting observation in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland”. “There is no use trying”. Said Alice, “One can’t believe impossible things”. “I ...Read More
The Vital Connection Between Action and Reason
From Paul Bell
I lead my life with a firm belief in the eudaemonic way. The simple definition of eudaimonia is that enduring happiness and contentment don’t come from the accumulation of fleeting material rewards, and the experience of joys and pleasures, but are the result of an active life governed by reason tempered by understanding and wisdom. Eudaimonia has more to it than just being happy. It is a condition of ...Read More
The Relationship Connection
From Paul Bell
A vital component that is often overlooked when considering a healthy lifestyle is the type of relationships that we have. There are many types of relationships, such as families, friendships, and romantic couples, but strangely enough, whichever ones you are engaged in, the quality and sometimes number of those relationships will have a direct effect on your longevity. According to recent research, good relationships can reduce levels of anxiety and depression, raise your ...Read More
10 “Lessons for Living”
From Grant Bartlett, PhD
On my bookmark, I keep these 10 Lessons for Living: 1. Live with Passion 2. Lead with Vision 3. Listen with Respect 4. Communicate Openly 5. Celebrate Being 6. Share Experiences 7. Dedicate Time 8. Focus on Children 9. Champion “We”ism 10. Build a Legacy The backside of the bookmark has one of my favorite quotes by Confucius… I hear, and I forget. I see, and I remember. I do, and ...Read More
A Funny Connection
From Paul Bell
Within this medically focused newsletter there are many excellent ideas on how to improve your health and sense of well being. However, one of the easiest and most effective benefits to health that is often overlooked is laughter. Oh yes, from a smile through a chuckle to a gasping belly-tensing burst, laughter has some very beneficial effects on both your mind and body. Humor is part of being human and a measure of ...Read More
Compassion
From Grant Bartlett, PhD
Our Lives are impacted by Family, Friends, Teachers, Preachers, Colleagues and the Global Community at large. They have inspired me to be much more than I believed I was capable of doing. They demonstrated that we don’t settle for style, but we succeed with substance. We must maintain our integrity and compassion in this less than compassionate world. All people are important. Celebrate them. Befriend them. Love them. Robert Kennedy, using a quote from ...Read More
The Wisdom Within Adventure
From Paul Bell
My previous two articles on excitement and learning have a very powerful element in common; adventure is a way to experience both of these and may be very close to the core of excitement and a stimulus to learning. Adventure is much more than just being entertained. It involves risk. It can be physically, psychologically and financially challenging. There is no certainty of outcome. If you view life with an adventurous spirit, ...Read More
The Learning Connection
From Paul Bell
"TO LEARN OR NOT TO LEARN, THAT IS THE QUESTION" It is obvious that readers of this newsletter believe in learning but what do we do with that learning? We live in a world with an exploding mountain of knowledge and a vast array of possibilities to tap into this mountain. It is important that we keep up. Our innate curiosity has taken us beyond the formal years of education, but has it ...Read More
Time and Tide Wait For No One
From Grant Bartlett, PhD During these endless hours, days, weeks and months of COVID-19 induced social distancing, self-isolation and chaotic politics, other than Friends and Friendships, I have been reflecting on Time. It is our most important commodity, and it is constantly diminishing in spite of all of our attempts to control it. My awareness of its significance was first revealed to me by an elderly (86) fisherman who was my boatman ...Read More
New Year Resolutions
From Grant Bartlett, PhD
With the Western New Year already in full swing, and the Lunar New Year just having started, we thought it would be a good time to listen to Grant’s thoughts about this important topic. I have several views on New Year Resolutions and New Year Celebrations. The concept was first celebrated by the Babylonians 4000 years ago. However, their new year was celebrated in March with the planting of new crops and ...Read More
Another Missing Connection
From Paul Bell “A life lived to the full cries out for the simple yet vital addition that is Excitement.” There is a wonderful, exploding body of knowledge on the benefits of a good diet and adequate exercise. These benefits may be sufficient for supporting, enhancing and even lengthening our lives. However, I believe that this ever so precious span of life requires more than simply just remaining healthy and sane. It deserves something that can ...Read More
Creative Genius
From Grant Bartlett, PhD “Creative genius comes to those who work, but the key is to immerse yourself in a bubbling, creative stew and to ricochet off other creative minds. So, take your walks, complete your work, and then go and have stimulating conversations with all of the creative people you can find… If we care about classical music, we get a Mozart. If we care about digital technology, we get a Steve Jobs.” We get the ...Read More
Encouraging Words For 2021
From Grant Bartlett, PhD I hope you are in Good Health and Positive Spirits. These are stressful times. Best Wishes for Health and Happiness in the New Year. May you be Blessed with all that is Good in this World. If I pause for a moment in the midst of the current global pandemonium and COVID-19 pandemic, and I reflect on the Bubonic Plague that killed 25,000,000 persons in a much less populated world; the ...Read More
What Is the Relationship Between Mind-Gut Interactions, Happiness and Despair?
From Grant Bartlett, PhD Having been around for a multitude of decades during the terms of 15 US Presidents, 15 Canadian Prime Ministers, 18 British Prime Ministers, 5 Russian Dictators, 1 German Dictator, at least 1 Dictator in Italy, Turkey, most mid-East, eastern Europe, Africa, South America and points beyond countries, 9 Popes, 8 Archbishops of Canterbury, 1 King and 1 Queen. I believe it would be interesting to ...Read More