Positive futures

I find is fascinating that these studies keep proving what we've always known to be true. I know I feel better when there' s more kindness in my life.

A new study published in Psychological Science suggests that the link may follow the twisting path of the vagus nerve, which connects social contact to the positive emotions that can flow from interactions.

Meditation that promotes social connection increases vagal tone with positive emotional and health benefits.

Self-Awareness and Mindfulness.  Two pillars to smart decisions about what environments you invest in (education, knowledge), choose now and for the near future.  ~  Deb

Have compassion.

Not banal at all.  Always good to get a different perspective.

Inspiring article by Jamie Dunn on blog of +Richard Branson

Jamie Dunn says:
“To me, building up a network with key, knowledgeable and most importantly, trusted individuals is one of the best things you can spend your time doing. Not just collecting stacks of business cards that you will keep in your drawer and never use, I mean creating relationships that add value to your life and your business. Most opportunities come from developing the right connections and relationships.”

I have sometimes the impression that people do only concentrate on presenting themselves in the networks instead of reaching out to people. They have learned to function.

You can be the best marketing person in the world, but if nobody knows who you are then does it really count?

Especially Twitter is a great tool for networking, maintaining relationships and creating new ones.

Do you really notice people or do you only share your stuff?

Twitter is like a great avenue where people meet others and there are indeed people who say hello to you because saying hello shows that we are friendly, open and interested in other people. The only problem is that not all people are open and want to say hello back.

How can relationships develop when we nip them in the bud?

Life seems to be a matter of course.

Do we live our life with arrogance or with openness and a heart for other people?

Do we try to impress with authority or with empathy?

Does trust come from:
I trust that you believe in my authority!
Learn to respect me!

or from:
I offer you my empathy and my trust that you are able to develop trust in me!

??

I prefer the second option.

And you?

LET PEOPLE COME INTO YOUR HEART!

BE OPEN FOR OTHERS!

Read the article: http://goo.gl/Ek9eV

(Image from Aidan Jones on Flickr: http://goo.gl/D4KPT)

""When we start losing our tolerance for vulnerability, uncertainty, for risk — we move away from the things we need and crave the most like joy and love and belonging, trust, empathy, creativity." — Brené Brown"

Most of the greatest successes in medicine are borne out of mistakes.

SHAME is the fear of disconnection.  WOW .  We MUST be allowed to be seen.  Really seen.  Vulnerability is key.  The "wholehearted" walk into vulnerability.  

Vulnerability is NOT weakness.  It is our most accurate measurement of courage.  

I'm not sure we can BE creative if we aren't courageous and vulnerable.  Te be human is to be vulnerability.  

Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.  

We need to help children develop resiliency and find out mistakes are OK. We will make them.

This article states that the global economy isn't as flat or interconnected as Thomas Friedman's seminal book 'The World Is Flat' might have us believe.

I say that it completely depends on the business and industry you work in.  Blanket statements are dangerous territory for a company to live in and abide by.

ALWAYS evaluate any trend or strategic position against the realities of your specific circumstances.

Please listen deeply and search closely for the clues and nuances to drive your company's agenda.

A water purification system that uses nanotechnology to remove bacteria, viruses and other contaminants may be able to deliver clean drinking water to rural communities for less than $3 a year per family, according to a new study.

To increase the frequency of positive emotions, you need to train your brain to focus on them, rather than succumb to habitual negativity hunting. And like any muscle, you've got to use it -- or lose it.

Learn more:

- http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?tag=Emotions-and-Learning

- http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?tag=Social+Learning

These are great tips for all of us!

Had fun writing an update to one of my favorite books - The Cluetrain Manifesto. Here are highlights from the CoSoMo Manifesto:

* We (your customers) are POWERFUL beyond your wildest dream.
* Our (your customers') everyday needs are more than MET.
* Our (your customers') aspirational desires will never be satisfied.
* Greatness is the cost of the poker game you are playing.
* We can't tell You how to be GREAT, but sure know it when we see, feel or buy greatness.
* Our TIME is our most valuable resource, so don't waste it.
* We may know you better ONLINE than you know yourself, so be authentic and real.
* Together we are more powerful than either of us alone.

What about you? Have ideas we should add to the CoSoMo Manifesto? Share in comments and we will curate in. Marty

"Compassion is the most important skill to teach our children.  If we teach a new generation to put themselves in others’ shoes, the world’s social problems would disappear.” We need to find ways to feel good about our self and others.