Inspirational and good news.
An article at the New Scientist puts me at ease because it allows me to remember that forgetfulness is a tool of the brain. Thank goodness! I can’t even remember what I had for breakfast today – apparently forgetting that is a smart move.
According to a new study, the brain only chooses to remember memories it thinks are most relevant, and actively suppresses those that are similar but less used, helping to lessen the cognitive load and prevent confusion.
The Economist Intelligence Unit has done its first global peace index and has named Norway as the most peaceful country. Many international figures, like Jimmy Carter and the Dali Lama have supported the survey.
Some rankings:
2 New Zealand
3 Denmark
25 Australia
40 Ghana
60 China
96 USA
97 Iran
Without consciously thinking we, as humans, will find ourselves engaged in a way of thinking that has inadvertently been altered by our surroundings. This could be good, or it may not be, I have no idea. Either way, what is good is that we can become aware of the ways that our thinking may be affected – there are at least 26 reasons what you think is right is wrong.
11. Hyperbolic discounting – the tendency for people to have a stronger preference for more immediate payoffs relative to later payoffs, the closer to the present both payoffs are.
12. Illusion of control – the tendency for human beings to believe they can control or at least influence outcomes which they clearly cannot.
13. Impact bias – the tendency for people to overestimate the length or the intensity of the impact of future feeling states.
Life is complicated, confusing, and often fun. Now you can ensure taht you have a wonderful life by following these 5 steps. (There are actually 6 reasons but the headline says 5.)
A sample:
3. Educate Yourself
Education builds over time. It might feel like the bits of wisdom you acquire don’t mean much, but over the years they add up to form a wiser, kinder, more interesting person.
There’s a new website out there on the interweb that wants to record what you are thankful for, it’s called the Journal of Gratitude. There, they invite you to tell the world what you are thankful for. Go ahead and tell them.
“Taking the time to list the things we’re grateful for helps us focus on what’s really important,†said Keith Cohn, Gimundo CEO. “It’s too easy to go through an entire day lost in the frustrations and hassles of living. This Journal of Gratitude is our way of spreading good thoughts and thankfulness throughout cyberspace. Think what a positive force this could be as people pass it around, read what others share and purposefully think about the good things in their own lives.â€