I am fascinated by the idea that someone does not have access to a full range of emotions, because my emotions seem to be in a permanent state of overI am fascinated by the idea that someone does not have access to a full range of emotions, because my emotions seem to be in a permanent state of overdrive. But I am also thankful for them, especially after reading Gagne's account of how hard it is to navigate a world without them. Her lack of emotions was no less stressful or frustrating or at times debilitating. People are fascinating.
(A lot of reviews I read question the author's experience and authenticity. I'm choosing to believe this is someone's lived experience and that it was written as intended - to help people understand themselves and those around them better. It's not to say this is every sociopath's lived experience. Welcome to being human - we're all the same and we're all wildly different.)...more
I had no idea how much this book was going to resonate with me. This made me feel understood, valued, and energized. It's so comforting knowing that tI had no idea how much this book was going to resonate with me. This made me feel understood, valued, and energized. It's so comforting knowing that there are other people like me who are introverted, highly sensitive and/or empathic changing the world every day.
I love that the quiet and often overlooked behind-the-scenes work of researchers, inventors, record-keepers, librarians, educators, artists, mentors, friends, and connectors are championed here.
Phew, so many quotes to transcribe!
A few tidbits: -- Nonviolent campaigns were twice as likely as violent campaigns to achieve their goals -- In order to secure major political change, at least 3.5 percent of the population must actively participate in protests -- The surest way to ensure that you have a reserve of compassion and empathy for others is to attend to your own feelings. -- Recovery time for people-related stress is very long compared to milder forms of stress -- The more challenging aspects of being highly sensitive may diminish as we age, and the ability to appreciate beauty and connect spiritually increases with age. We take things less personally, experience less hurt, and more easily forget negative experiences as we age. -- A 2018 study found that 35 percent of American adults have a low level of trust in others -- Relational activism - supporting and encouraging a person already involved in a cause -- Start in listening mode -- Interacting face-to-face with an out-group reduced prejudice 94 percent of the time -- Reading fiction consistently leads to greater empathy -- Record keeping promotes accountability, counters corruption, and protects human rights -- 14 million adults in the United States do not have access to a bank account or financial institution -- Invest in one-on-one relationships, small group teaching, facilitating trainings, writing curriculum, designing presentations, offering consulting services, or creating websites -- Scholarly and academic publications are much less focused on policy recommendations than they were 100 years ago -- The average paper in a peer-reviewed journal is read completely by no more than 10 people -- There is little to be gained for scholars who submit an op-ed to a popular newspaper or give presentations to the general public -- In 1993, the NRA successfully lobbied for Congress to cut off government funding for any activity that might promote gun control; this was finally revoked in 2019...more
The definitions (in many cases) were spot on. But the made-up words were forced and hard to pronounce.
Maybe my favorite one was FEIGN + UNDERSTAND FEThe definitions (in many cases) were spot on. But the made-up words were forced and hard to pronounce.
Maybe my favorite one was FEIGN + UNDERSTAND FEIGNDERSTAND - to pretend to have finally understood another person after asking them to repeat themselves three plus times.
Or RESENTFUL + REPENTANT RESPENTFUL - saddened by an inability to feel happy for someone...more
Another flawed-humans-trying-to-figure-out-how-to-do-the-right-thing read that I can't seem to get enough of because dang life is hard and complicatedAnother flawed-humans-trying-to-figure-out-how-to-do-the-right-thing read that I can't seem to get enough of because dang life is hard and complicated....more
The best description of gender confusion > discovery > still-figuring-it-all-out I've read. The writing is straightforward and emotionally exposed.
I The best description of gender confusion > discovery > still-figuring-it-all-out I've read. The writing is straightforward and emotionally exposed.
I really need to practice pronouns. Try try again.
(Unrelated, I read this in ebook format and it feels like it just...ends? Am I missing pages??? It ended on a panel about teaching a comics class at a local library and trying to figure out how to incorporate eir pronouns into eir introduction...)
Very squirmy, but in a we-really-need-to-get-used-to-having-honest-conversations-about-race kind of way.
The saving grace that keeps this from being oVery squirmy, but in a we-really-need-to-get-used-to-having-honest-conversations-about-race kind of way.
The saving grace that keeps this from being one big boatload of cringey-ness is that the main character Raj expresses so much warmth and appreciation for his wife, kids, colleagues, and students, even when he is also feeling defensive, downtrodden, and woefully misunderstood. ...more
Strange how a book about crushing depression and anxiety can be so...comforting? Relatable and easy to digest. Living can be impossible and impossiblyStrange how a book about crushing depression and anxiety can be so...comforting? Relatable and easy to digest. Living can be impossible and impossibly gorgeous....more
I will never tire of these. I am so fascinated by books that can so perfectly encompass the human experience that I have an entire bookshelf devoted tI will never tire of these. I am so fascinated by books that can so perfectly encompass the human experience that I have an entire bookshelf devoted to them, and this one earned its place on that shelf.
For fans of StoryCorps, and for fans of humans in all their many iterations....more
(I am a sucker for this-is-what-my-work-looks-like books, and this-is-what-it-means-to-be-human booksThe best sales pitch for therapy I've ever read.
(I am a sucker for this-is-what-my-work-looks-like books, and this-is-what-it-means-to-be-human books. This was a stellar combination of the two. Also, be prepared to cry.) ...more
I rarely stumble upon this NPR series when flipping channels on the radio, but every time I do it pulls me in. This compilation had the same power. A I rarely stumble upon this NPR series when flipping channels on the radio, but every time I do it pulls me in. This compilation had the same power. A more polished but just-as-honest version of the Storycorp series....more
Gmorning, this book awaits you. Find it, devour it.
Gnight, this book is now a part of you. Be grateful. And tomorrow, share it with someone you love.Gmorning, this book awaits you. Find it, devour it.
Gnight, this book is now a part of you. Be grateful. And tomorrow, share it with someone you love.
(Full disclosure: I have never read, watched, or listened to Hamilton. This fact did not in any way tamper my pure enjoyment of Gmorning, Gnight!.)...more
Having never followed her Instagram account, this was a nice introduction to Mari Andrew's art and life musings. I appreciated the casual nature of thHaving never followed her Instagram account, this was a nice introduction to Mari Andrew's art and life musings. I appreciated the casual nature of the illustrations and the way that her thoughts were laid out into unexpected lists and categories.
Though there was a lot I could relate to here, I have heard this story/POV before. Young woman tries to make her way in the world, struggles with loss and heartbreak, and becomes more herself through travel, self-discovery and journaling with oh-look-at-me-I'm-adulting exposition. I'm less interested in the concept of how to be an "adult" than I once was. Because it really just means learning how to "be." And there is no prize of adulthood because there is not end to that process. Ah, well, I'm just being grumpy. It was good and held my attention and I liked hearing about her travels. So what am I complaining about? ...more
I wake up every day and try to be a slightly better person than the day before, despite the overwhelming evidence that life is hard and unfair, and - I wake up every day and try to be a slightly better person than the day before, despite the overwhelming evidence that life is hard and unfair, and - at times - so perplexingly rewarding. My favorite authors can ascribe words to that phenomenon, and Kelly Corrigan is one of them.
Not as emotionally raw as Tiny Beautiful Things, but still worthwhile. Being human is hard work, and sometimes it's nice to know that everyone else isNot as emotionally raw as Tiny Beautiful Things, but still worthwhile. Being human is hard work, and sometimes it's nice to know that everyone else is struggling to navigate this whole life thing just as much as I am....more
Kind of like a book version of the movie Amelie? Or like the best game of what-shapes-do-you-see-in-the-cloudst? Not really at all like those things, Kind of like a book version of the movie Amelie? Or like the best game of what-shapes-do-you-see-in-the-cloudst? Not really at all like those things, but it gave me the same warm-and-cozy feel. Spoonfuls of whimsy and playfulness....more
I first "met" Alan Cumming through his role in Circle of Friends and I truly thought he was the creepiest man on the planet. Turns out, he's just a goI first "met" Alan Cumming through his role in Circle of Friends and I truly thought he was the creepiest man on the planet. Turns out, he's just a good actor. Who knew?!? His retelling of his childhood with his abusive father and the ways in which his family struggled to survive and find peace was so very relatable to me, and the voice he used to tell his story was utterly endearing.
The weight of the subject matter and the raw emotion he showed more than made up for the few too many instances of I-was-floored-I-was-taken-aback-I-was-shocked phrases, IMHO.
P.S. I really want to start working the phrase "That's me away" into my daily vocabulary.
I worry, like, a lot. But if I spent my career preparing for every possible impending-death scenario like Chris Hadfield has, maybe I would worry a liI worry, like, a lot. But if I spent my career preparing for every possible impending-death scenario like Chris Hadfield has, maybe I would worry a little less. Maybe.
Also, the concept that everyone is either a +1, -1 or 0 is genius. Genius! ...more
Loading...
