A few months ago, I lost my best friend. It has been hard. I had so much to do in my practical life these past weeks that I kept postponing a much-needed mourning period, as I knew it would stop me. I simply could not inconvenience myself in that way. So, I kept going, as if I was free diving, holding my breath to the deepest possible depth. A controlled dive. And then, one day, I started making my way back to the surface, to breath. And I allowed myself to grieve.
Read MoreAs I was reaching out to collect anti pet peeves for Earth Day, Maria responded with a more extensive list, and I decided to share this wonderfully detailed list with the community! She also used her inspiration to create a little collage to go with it as you'll see below! I hope you enjoy - I am ALL for celebrating Earth Day not just on the 22nd, but everyday :) Thank you for keeping the theme going, Maria!
Read MoreLast year, Elana invited me to be a guest monologist for "The Armando Diaz Experience" (link), an improv show at the Magnet Theater in NYC. In this show, the monologist takes a suggestion from the audience and/or shares true stories from their life. These stories are then brought to life by a cast of improv performers. One show has three acts and it happens every Saturday evening.
Read MoreEarlier today, I replied to a message from Melissa, who, as usual, wrote me a kind note of friendship and encouragement. I told her that lately, our Zoom sessions and dinners about community made me connect even more with a passage in a recently published book about the biology and evolution of friendship (Isn’t it great? Friendship has a fundamental biological aspect to it, and it goes beyond human physiology! I am totally hooked on this book!).
Read MoreBack in November, I had asked Maria to share one thing she was grateful for from the past year. She responded with a much deeper thought and shared some very personal experiences. I am excited to now share it with you all as well. Maria inspires me to be more self-reflective and to find greater peace from within, being conscious of my surroundings let not allowing them to disturb what's inside. I think this idea helps me be more present, aware, and even spiritual. Thank you for your authenticity and for your growth mindset Maria, as always!
- Amanda
Read MoreNeuroscientist Irving Biederman (University of Southern California) and his colleagues have identified a mechanism in human brains that leads us to one clear conclusion: we are designed to be ‘infovores’.
This is because we have a reward system that associates the release of innate opioids with acquiring new information. I have always been a very curious person, and indeed I am my happiest when I’m finding things out.