A Beautiful Kindness

Why Teach Kindness

In his book Flourish, author Martin Seligman says "we scientists have found that doing a kindness produces the single most reliable momentary increase in well-being of any exercise we have tested."

Here is a beautiful quote from Aung San Suu Kyi to share with students and adults: 

"Every kindness I received, small or big, convinced me that there could never be enough of it in the world."  Kindness she said, "can change the lives of people."

(This was reported in the NYTimes on June 17, 2012 the day after Aung San Suu Kyi accepted her Nobel Peace Prize, which was originally awarded to her in 1991 while under house arrest in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.)

How the Internet Works

What was life like without the Internet—for teachers, parents and our children? Coincidentally, I happened upon this YouTube video AND a piece that aired on WNYC/NPR,  "A Journey to the Internet Through Telecom's Past."

Watch the video then listen to the WNYC/NPR clip; both overlap nicely.

Memory After 60

"I can’t remember that song. I grew up with it; I should know it by heart."

"What was that author’s name? I just read her latest book."

"I can’t remember anything . . . like now, what’s your name? Only kidding, dear; how could I ever forget your name after 35 years of marriage?"


Until I read “Older Brain Really May Be a Wiser Brain” by Sara Reistad-Long in a past issue of Sunday’s NYTimes, I was getting pretty critical of what I remember or do not. Whether you are 30, thinking about your parents, or 60, thinking about yourself, read what the research is saying about . . . ah . . . let me go back and read the article.

The Other Wes Moore

Wes Moore's NYTimes bestseller The Other Wes Moore is a must-read book for teachers, parents, and students. Having read the book and hearing the author speak at a diversity conference inspired me in so many ways — one of which was to present each of this year's graduates with a copy for their summer reading. Check it out. You won't be sorry.

Flourish with GRIT - 2 of 2

In Flourish, Seligman uses the equation: achievement = skill x effort where effort is the noncognitive ingredient and self-disciline is the character trait that engenders deliberate practice.

Angela Duckworth, a protege of Seligman, gives great advice on resilience and GRIT. She wanted to find out how self-discipline compares with IQ in predicting who will succeed. Here is Duckworth talking about GRIT. Take the time to hear what she has to say.

Flourish with Flourish - 1 of 2

I was first introduced to positive psychology when I heard Shawn Achor speak at a conference (Be sure to watch his TEDx Talk). I remember him mentioning a mentor of his, Martin Seligman, who is the founder of positive psychology. Now, after reading Flourish, Seligman's excellent book that presents, kindness, psychology from a positive point of view, happiness, well-being, meaning and purpose, and grit with lots of research-based data, I am convinced that it is the best way to navigate life for students and adults.

You might also want to view Seligman's TED Talk.