In the mid-1800’s, women in maternity wards were dying at a high rate of puerperal fever, also known as childbed fever. A physician named Ignaz Semmelweis, while working at a hospital in Vienna, Austria, noticed that women in the maternity ward that was staffed by male physicians died at a rate three times that of…
1. Documentary worth watching… Joseph Campbell was a professor of literature and author, who was well known for his work with comparative mythology. The documentary, Finding Joe, delves into how a hidden pattern that shows up in every story, which he called “the hero’s journey,” is “relevant and essential in today’s world.” Joseph Campbell was…
I remember my very first helicopter lesson about fifteen years ago. My instructor and I were sitting in the cockpit with the blades spinning. He explained what each of the flight controls were responsible for. The cyclic is the part that moves the aircraft forward, backward, and side-to-side. The pedals, one for each foot, spin…
1. Phenomenon you should be aware of… There are processes called trophic cascades which “are powerful indirect interactions that can control entire ecosystems. Trophic cascades occur when predators limit the density and/or behavior of their prey and thereby enhance survival of the next lower trophic level.” The trickle down effects of removing a species for…
We can blame our shortcomings on our upbringing, the neighborhood we came from, our parents, the weather, the city we live in, blah, blah, blah… The crazy thing is that two people from those same so-called adversities can end up at opposite ends of the success scale. One may be in prison, while his twin…
1. Book I’m listening to… I just finished reading (actually listening to) the book, The Power of TED, by David Emerald. I recommend it! TED stands for The Empowerment Dynamic, which is a way to move from a victim mentality to a “creator” mentality and break what is called the Drama Triangle. It’s creatively written…
It has been reported that for the first time in history, the next generation will not live longer than their parents. Our children’s life expectancy is shorter than ours. This should bum you out. How in the world, with all of the advances we’ve made, is it possible that we are getting sicker and will…
1. Wellness tip… As Americans, we eat A LOT of food. One simple strategy to lose weight and be healthier is to consume smaller portions. When we are out to eat, it can be tough to control portions, but at home, one simple step would be to use smaller plates. We tend to fill up…
We know that if we plant a seed in rich soil, water it, and give it sunlight, it would not be long before we see it sprout and begin to grow. What if you did everything you were supposed to, but nothing happened for weeks? You would likely give up on it, eh? What if…
1. Happy Father’s Day! I would have to attribute much of who I am today because of my dad. What about him had the most impact in my life? Simple… he led by example. I got to see what a dad is supposed to be like by watching him. I remember being in college, and…