I'm embarrassed to admit that when I was younger, I was under the mistaken impression that achievement in school was an excellent measure of intelligence. A classic overachiever who would settle for nothing less than an A, I sacrificed my intellectual integrity many times to please dogmatic professors. I also routinely underestimated my classmates' abilities.
As I've grown older, I've learned to appreciate the diversity of humanity and marvel at the differences in the way that people think. As the mother of a dyslexic, I've learned through first-hand experience that school grades are neither a proxy for intelligence nor a predictor of future success. As Albert Einstein once said: "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
How to Beat Back the Winter Doldrums
In the past three hours, our weather here in Vermont has vacillated between sunshine, rain, something that sort of seemed like sleet, and a raging blizzard. At least we got a peek of the sun. But seriously, this time of year is enough to make even the most sane and highly functioning person feel like they are going to come completely unhinged. "Cabin fever" doesn't even come close to describing the absolute desperation and dreariness that can take hold of even the most resilient person. So to help you get out of your funk, here are my ten favorite ways to beat back the winter blues:
1. Go to the store and buy flowers. Today I purchased a cheery bunch of yellow tulips from my local florist. Trust me, ten dollars is a lot cheaper than a therapist's bill.
2. Go ahead and have that chocolate bar. It's scientifically proven that dark chocolate releases endorphins. So what are you waiting for? Eat up!
3. Plug in the disco ball and turn up the music. Nothing beats dancing in your living room until you sweat. Don't just sway back and forth . . . really bring it. No one's watching. And who cares if someone is watching? I'm sure they'll enjoy the show. If you are feeling more adventurous, take a dancing class like Zumba or go to a club.
4. Go for a drive in the car, blast the radio, and belt out some tunes. Singing in the car will not only make you feel better, it will bring a smile to the people in the cars around you. Don't hold back, really let it rip.
5. Invite some friends over. I know your house is probably a complete post-Christmas disaster zone, but who cares? Your true friends honestly don't. They will be happy to get out of their own hovels. You don't have to make anything fancy to entertain. Just serve pasta for dinner or pancakes for breakfast. The point is to get together and laugh.
6. Make something unusual for dinner. Go buy some fresh lemons, limes, cilantro, or other leafy green herbs. Find a recipe online and try something you ordinarily wouldn't cook during the winter. Fresh fish tacos anyone? With a side of chipotle-lime mayo and fresh pina coladas?
7. Browse a summery magazine. I like to delve into the pages of Coastal Living at this time of year. If you can't afford to go to Fiji, at least you can daydream about it.
8. Dress up! I know that the easiest thing to do is pull on some sweats and layer up with turtlenecks. But this is the perfect time of year to throw together an adventurous ensemble that looks fresh out of a magazine. There are great post-Christmas sales and this weather is a perfect excuse to wear some textured tights.
9. Take a long, luxurious bubble bath.
10. Read a romance novel or buy one for your significant other. Winter is the perfect time to cuddle up next to your loved one. Again, research proves that hugging produces endorphins. But why stop there? I always say go big or go home.
1. Go to the store and buy flowers. Today I purchased a cheery bunch of yellow tulips from my local florist. Trust me, ten dollars is a lot cheaper than a therapist's bill.
2. Go ahead and have that chocolate bar. It's scientifically proven that dark chocolate releases endorphins. So what are you waiting for? Eat up!
3. Plug in the disco ball and turn up the music. Nothing beats dancing in your living room until you sweat. Don't just sway back and forth . . . really bring it. No one's watching. And who cares if someone is watching? I'm sure they'll enjoy the show. If you are feeling more adventurous, take a dancing class like Zumba or go to a club.
4. Go for a drive in the car, blast the radio, and belt out some tunes. Singing in the car will not only make you feel better, it will bring a smile to the people in the cars around you. Don't hold back, really let it rip.
5. Invite some friends over. I know your house is probably a complete post-Christmas disaster zone, but who cares? Your true friends honestly don't. They will be happy to get out of their own hovels. You don't have to make anything fancy to entertain. Just serve pasta for dinner or pancakes for breakfast. The point is to get together and laugh.
6. Make something unusual for dinner. Go buy some fresh lemons, limes, cilantro, or other leafy green herbs. Find a recipe online and try something you ordinarily wouldn't cook during the winter. Fresh fish tacos anyone? With a side of chipotle-lime mayo and fresh pina coladas?
7. Browse a summery magazine. I like to delve into the pages of Coastal Living at this time of year. If you can't afford to go to Fiji, at least you can daydream about it.
8. Dress up! I know that the easiest thing to do is pull on some sweats and layer up with turtlenecks. But this is the perfect time of year to throw together an adventurous ensemble that looks fresh out of a magazine. There are great post-Christmas sales and this weather is a perfect excuse to wear some textured tights.
9. Take a long, luxurious bubble bath.
10. Read a romance novel or buy one for your significant other. Winter is the perfect time to cuddle up next to your loved one. Again, research proves that hugging produces endorphins. But why stop there? I always say go big or go home.
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