Greetings from the Land of Aus 😊
Here is your Seven-Bullet Monday
1. A quote I am pondering:
"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Philo
If we were to think of others as having struggles equal to or greater than our own, we would treat them more kindly. That person you encounter in the office, grocery store or on the road is probably having a worse day than you, so they will undoubtedly appreciate any kindness you show them.
2. A question I am asking myself:
How can I get more calorie deficit days each week?
Having put on a few pounds over this summer, I am not enjoying squeezing myself into previously comfortable-fitting clothes. I reckon, each week, if I can score four or more net calorie deficit days, I should get my weight to steadily trend down by burning more calories than I consume.
3. A book I am reading:
Change Your Brain, Change Your Life: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Depression, Obsessiveness, Lack of Focus, Anger, and Memory Problems – Daniel G Amen
Daniel Amen is one of the world's preeminent neuropsychiatrists, having pioneered scanning blood flow through the brain to detect physiological abnormalities and resulting behaviour patterns. This book chronicles his research gained from more than 100,000 SPECT brain scans over the last quarter century. Learning how these brain conditions caused anxiety, depression, anger, obsessiveness, or impulsiveness was fascinating. I also learnt how drugs, alcohol and smoking negatively impact brain performance.
4. My favourite podcast this week:
Ideas: The Stolen Revolution: Iranian Women of 1979
I found this podcast both informative and sad. Several women instrumental to the revolution in 1979 that overthrew the Shah of Iran are interviewed on the podcast, comparing the current deadly protests with what happened over 40 years ago. In each case, establishing women's rights was central to the issues. It was also sad to see how so many brave women fought then to get equal rights, only for the revolution to be 'stolen' and for the oppression of women to worsen under the new Iranian government.
5. Hugh-Tips
See bear markets as opportune times to buy great companies at lower prices
Do you sometimes get pleasantly surprised when you go into a supermarket to buy something, and it's on sale with a healthy discount to the regular price? It's still the same quality item, albeit at a lower price, and you might even buy a couple of extras. You can also apply this philosophy to investing if you buy quality companies. The difference here is you need a little bravery and confidence that the price in future will recover to reflect the proper value of the company you are buying. The best investors don't feel sad when the market comes down. Instead, they see it as an opportune time to buy premium stocks while the price is low. Then they wait patiently for months and sometimes years until the share prices perform again.
6. My highlight of the week
Surprising my Brother-in-law in Brisbane for his 70th birthday
My brother-in-law turned 70 last week, and my niece arranged a surprise birthday party for him. I decided to increase that surprise by travelling to Brisbane for the occasion and making a short 10-day holiday of it with Leanne. Yunus was caught completely unaware as I tapped him on the shoulder at a breakfast restaurant. We had a joyous reunion and a fun birthday party on Saturday.
7. My challenge to you for this week
Cut your screen time before you go to sleep
For far too many people, the last thing they do before going to sleep is to check social media, email and news, and then they do the same again immediately upon waking up. Sleep experts and happiness gurus agree that this is one of the worst habits modern humans have developed, both for the quality of sleep and for protecting personal sanctity and quiet time. So please put away that phone immediately before and after sleeping and instead use the time to reflect, journal, meditate or pray. You will find the start and end of your days far more peaceful and fulfilling.
Have a wonderful week
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