I am struck with how good this advice is, and am trying to take it to heart. Full transcript follows, under the cut. It's worth listening to -- and reading -- the whole thing. But in brief, Minchin's nine pieces of advice are:

1. You don't need a big dream, a big ambition. Those are OK, but you don't need them. Strive to do well at what you're doing ( Read more... )

Usually, it's a good idea to avoid reading comments on any news story. But not this one! Be sure to read the comments on this science news story; they range from educational to charming:
Gravity’s strength still an open questionThe comments following this article are worth reading, too, although many are frustrating to any American who cares about ( Read more... )

I was a scrawny, hyperactive child. My sister Liz, who really didn't weigh much more than me, was "the fat one". My Mom used to call us Skinny Minnie and Fatty Patty.

( Cut for length )

Thanks to supergee for the link to this great essay by Mary Catherine Bateson, Composing a Life Story.

Bateson discusses "the stories you make about your life, the stories you tell first to yourself and then to other people, the stories you use as a lens for interpreting experience as it comes along. What I want to say is that you can play with, compose, ( Read more... )

This was posted on the brilliant zoethe's journal today. (She got it from ross_winn, who got it elsewhere.) I think I'll follow her example and add it to my Memories "for reference when I'm in danger of engaging in drama again".( Read more... )