Social Studies in a Digital World
Filed Under All Posts, Cathy Fischer, Technology | 20 Comments
Cathy examines social interaction and social change in an ever-shifting landscape
Navigating the social graph is fraught with obstacles. If I were to draw a diagram, it would probably look something like a dream catcher with extra large holes. You’ve got your Real World Friends, and you’ve got your Facebook Friends: you’ve got your Facebook Friends who aren’t Real World Friends but work associates, your Facebook Friends who are old schoolmates, but not currently Real World Friends, and then you’ve got your Facebook Friends who are inspirational, famous or dead, who you wish could be your Real World Friends. It’s as exhausting as high school, navigating the world of cliques and mean girls. Read more
Good Enough is Good Enough
Filed Under All Posts, Cathy Fischer, Reinvention | 13 Comments
Cathy contemplates the source and the cure for her perfectionist ways
This is revolutionary… get ready for it…
Being a perfectionist is a waste of time.
There I said it.
Perhaps it’s the energy suck of hot flashes and other midlife maladies, or just the wisdom of the years, but lo and behold, I have come to realize that I must conserve and preserve my time and energy, and that no one really cares if what I do is less than perfect—no one, that is, but me.
According to Wikipedia, in its pathological form, “perfectionism is a belief that work or output that is anything less than perfect is unacceptable.” Read more
10 Reasons to Smile
Filed Under All Posts, Cathy Fischer, Health | 20 Comments
Cathy finds inspiration for lightening up in dark times
The world seems to be in an upheaval these days. There’s so much bad news, it makes me want to burst into tears. But, I’ve decided to take a different path, to turn away from the sad and focus on the good.
From soul stirring to silly, brilliant to ballsy, here are ten things to get your face grinning.
#1) Smile! It’s Good for You
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh suggests that we look at ourselves in the mirror each day and smile. “What better way to start the day than with a smile?” he writes. “Our smile affirms our awareness and determination to live in peace and joy.“
Smiling lowers blood pressure and relieves stress, it’s contagious, and everyone looks better when they smile. Even if you don’t feel like it, try smiling and get some sunshine from deep within.
#2) Hop on the Bus Gus!
In Los Angeles, where wheels rule, the Do Good Bus gives participants an opportunity to get involved in their community. With no religious affiliation, each trip is different and assignments are kept a secret until on board. Read more
Smart and Hot
Filed Under All Posts, Cathy Fischer, Media, Pop Culture | 16 Comments
Cathy finds a beautiful day in the bay, sunny, cloudy and confusing
There’s a new girl in town: a new weather girl. Yes, they still use that term. Even though she’s a full-grown woman and an ordained meteorologist, she’s the new Bay Area “girl” and she’s H-O-T.
Meet Christina Loren, Today in the Bay’s morning cup of sexy; and boy does she pour it on. Case in point: see screenshot above. While she’s got a rockin’ bod (if you’re into the Barbie look), she’s actually got brains too and a fun on-air personality, but what she’s selling isn’t what’s behind her botoxed forehead or what’s coming from her bee stung lips; she’s selling what sells, S-E-X. Read more
Contemplating Kindness
Filed Under All Posts, Cathy Fischer, Health | 12 Comments
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Cathy reflects on the positive reverberations of kindness and connection
It’s a new year, a new decade and time for a fresh start. Sometimes moving forward is just about going back, back to basics—and human kindness is about as basic as you can get.
In my last post, I wrote about my “funkified” state, concluding that self-kindness, loving-kindness, might be the best approach for calming the turbulent seas of my funk. Now, less than two months later, I believe it to be true. The cloud has lifted and despite many days of gray skies and rain, my enthusiasm has not dampened. My success was in large portion thanks to the kindness of others and finding out that I was not alone in my predicament. That and accepting that time was not on any particular schedule of my making, thus waiting for change while wading through the muck using patience and breath to get me through.
Kindness is free and limitless. It is a practice, an attitude, an approach. It’s an openhearted form of generosity that goes hand in hand with compassion; the more you practice kindness, the more natural it becomes. Jews speak of Tikkun Olam, to heal the world. Buddhists practice loving-kindness meditation. What would Jesus do? He’d be kind. Read more
From Farm to Heart
Filed Under All Posts, Cathy Fischer, Group Posts | 7 Comments
Joy to the world, Cathy unearths her recipe for it
What brings me joy, year-round, is my local farmer’s market. What a feast for the senses—all six of them!
1) I see… a bounty of color and beauty.
2) I hear… people talking passionately about food, sharing recipes and wisdom from the farm.
3) I smell… fresh greens, damp dirt, flowers and sugar (from the waffle seller).
4) I taste… sweet fruit ripened on the vine, spicy hummus and rich almond butter.
5) I touch… everything. Is it soft enough, hard enough, ready now?
The sixth sense? A connection to the Earth, a sense of community, a reminder that food comes from the soil and not the supermarket—and an appreciation for life.
Find happiness at a farmer’s market near you. Check out Local Harvest’s zip code search, and even if you have to wait until spring—go local!
What the Funk?
Filed Under All Posts, Cathy Fischer, Health | 24 Comments
With a nod to P-Funk, Cathy tries to free her mind, so her ass will follow
I have always been a glass half-full kind of person. Now, firmly in my middle years, I’ve come to understand that life has its ups and downs and that staying the course eventually lands you just where you need to be. But lately, for almost three months now, I’ve been in a funk.
Why can’t I just stick my head in the sand like an ostrich, and shut out all sound and light? I can’t possibly do that when Tea Party extremists are shouting so loud. When cholera is killing earthquake survivors in Haiti (can they ever get a break?) When the number of women in government has reverted back a generation and poor Mr. Obama has to deal directly with folk who are, frankly, off their rockers. And while I too, am off my center—just when I start to regain my balance something throws me, and the downward spiral begins again.
Research has proven that people who practice gratitude regularly are typically happier and healthier. Believe me, I have so much to be grateful for. My octogenarian parents are still together and in good health, I have a job (even one that people envy), I have smart, interesting and loving friends and a warm extended family. I live in a beautiful place with nature in my backyard and one of the finest cities anywhere just across the bay. (Go Giants!) I’ve got access to world class culture, fresh healthy food and abundance—more than one can ever need. Read more
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