The pursuit of happiness... ten (just to begin) achievable steps to a life with more ease

You may have noticed that because of the non-existence of a coursebook during the academic year and our reliance on kinda tailored materials instead, the contents of the course may have felt a little bit unpredictable at some point, as all those materials were not available until a couple of days before actually embarking on a given topic. Yeah, I guess that's the price for trying to be on the creative side of things haha. 

What I had planned, though, was to culminate the academic year with a ray of hope. There has been a pretty evident, humanistic, social, almost psychological approach underlying every single topic we have seen, from art to education, to work, to relationships and I guess some of the discussion topics, issues, etc, may have come across as rather bleak at some point. So I wanted the course's swan-song to be a more positive, constructive, life-affirming activity.

Few things feel more constructive than trying to work our way up to happiness and self-realization, right?

Here I list 10, pretty achievable in my view, steps to a life with more ease and bliss. The problem with "generic" tips such as "be yourself", "lead a healthier lifestyle" is that they are so unspecific that they end up becoming unrealizable. 

Without further ado:

1. Take a break from the social media

This is coming from someone who's absolutely hooked on Whatsapp and checks Facebook like twenty-seven times a day. For no particular reason. Just out of boredom, curiosity, gossiping, maybe vanity... Screw that, for once. I have come to the conclusion that the more one spends on the social media, the less satisfied they feel with their free time or with their time in general. And I know there's tons of useful information there, but we should learn to be more efficient with handling the information online. Grab something you like about the topic/hobby you are interested in, and just do something with it! Do not just fall into the trap of "paralysis by analysis"

2. Get rid of unwanted stuff: give them away, throw them away.

This is pretty self-explanatory, yet we fail to do it again and again. But, boy, does it feel good to make room for the useful stuff at home or just make room, period!

3. Create more, consume less

ABSOLUTELY. I'm pretty sure some are gifted with the ability to customize clothes they already have and reinvent their closet, so what is the point of splashing out your hard-earned money on the umpteenth dress, jacket when you have enough gear? The same goes for eating out, which is great, for sure. Why not trying from time to time to make some great, delicious meals and treat yourselves and impress others with memorable dinners and make restaurant visits a more occasional thing? Or write, or play music, or paint. Just create!

4. Spend quality time with people you care for

I stress here the QUALITY component. So let's cut down on the cell phone gazing, right? Drop it for a while in a place where it is just out of reach and then, laugh with, share stories with, compliment family, friends, pets and loved ones. And LISTEN to what they have to say, for God's sake!

5. Exercise or, rather, MOVE.

"Exercise is not a punishment for what you eat, but a celebration of what your body can do"

God, do I love that line. And so do you, don't you? Yes, you do

This is quite simple. Even if you're not naturally drawn to the idea of getting a gym membership and dealing with that rather frothy environment and atrocious music gyms usually have. Right, I'm with you there. But just try to have a more active lifestyle: walk, cycle, take the stairs, get a pet (it will force you to be more active), dance, jump in bliss, heck... if you feel like smashing some push ups or bodyweight squats, don't hold yourself back... just MOVE!

6. Don't give in to anger (or negative emotions for that matter)

This does not mean being a perpetual wimp and remain cold and unaffected by all kinds of life events which may not be funny. But reveling in anger does not go anywhere. Believe me, I know what I'm talking about. Try to handle any of the arguments, disputes or everyday minutiae with less anger. But...

7. ... Embrace discomfort if necessary

If succumbing to one's fury is rarely going to work in solving one's personal problems, shying away from pain or sadness won't do the job, either. Pain is an essential part of our lives, and a source of reflection, learning, and change. Maybe the greatest life-changing decisions emanate from the hardship, from breakups, from pain. If one is constantly pleased with their life, why change? But when discomfort hits hard, just do not avoid it and rather take your life to another level.

8. Yet don't be afraid to deliver justice

It feels great when confronting an unjust situation, you do something about it. This does not mean being a belligerent, rude prick, but putting certain people in their place if need be. You can act "locally" (with inconsiderate bosses, neighbors, partners, colleagues, asshole buddies, etc) or "globally", denouncing abuse from the big powers and greedy ones.

9. Listen to your favorite music, preferably in the morning

I read somewhere about the importance of morning rituals, and the powerful effect they have on setting the tone for the rest of the day. I have noticed that for me personally, listening to those songs that I sometimes hum in my head when I walk my dog first thing in the morning puts me in a terrific mood! I'm pretty sure it will have the same effect on you!

10. Focus not so much on the end result and enjoy the RIDE

I said it before, and I'll say it again: knowing that there will always be opportunities for learning new things is amazing. Fight for your goals, be so good they can't ignore you and unleash the best version of you, but make sure you enjoy the journey

;-)

Must watch! Masterpiece alert! Black Mirror's 3rd Edition's NOSEDIVE

Do yourself a favor and watch this NOW! 

Well, let me give you a little bit of context here: If you are into fiction series (many are more drawn to them than to actual movies and the number of brutally good, well-made, extremely compelling series may overwhelm even the most ardent TV lover with lots of free time on their hands!) you may have heard of the British miniseries "Black Mirror". If not, you should have: it is a MONUMENTALLY good three-season production, mostly revolving around the dehumanization of today's society as a by-product of modern technology, mass media, the Internet, social networks... It paints a very bleak picture, for sure, so do not turn to it expecting to have a popcorn filled Sunday afternoon easy-watch, because it will very likely let you down in that regard.

If you are, however, not that impressionable or over-sensitive and just want to have an incredibly smart portrayal of the problems previously mentioned and are not afraid of watching a series which will actually make you think, I cannot recommend this series enough.

As we have recently tackled the topic media and, more specifically, social media, leading to very interesting discussions about their effect on humans in class, there is no way you should miss this AWESOME episode which kickstarts the 3rd season of the series (which in turn, comes across as bleaker, scarier than ever). I don't want to spoil anything here, but it shows the extents to which people's obsession for being accepted in the social networks can reach. But please, judge for yourselves.

Seriously, not unlike the really good episodes of the series (most of them, actually), it is a masterpiece of modern art, in my view.

Just watch it!

The next BIG thing: on today's never ending diet and nutrition craze

Hi there again!

I have mentioned on several occasions how interesting I find the topic nutrition and health, as I profoundly believe how closely linked those two concepts are; the extent to which I believe that what we put in our bodies affects in an almost direct cause-effect relationship our physical, mental and emotional health has made me an enthusiast of the matter and an avid reader and listener of any interesting piece of information that can be found online and in books. This very topic might probably not interest you to the same extent as it interests me, but I'll try to make my point, anyway.

I have never really been interested in following a given plan in order to lose weight, nor have I been interested in doing the same to gain weight, either. For the last couple of years I have been primarily interested in following the way to eat that would make me healthier, more physically and mentally capable, more energetic, stronger, more athletic and leaner; in other words, the diet that could unleash the best version in me, in the physical, mental and emotional realms. In doing so, as I mentioned above, I've paid attention and read with great curiosity any new approach on nutrition with a decent scientific basis.

My conclusions?

a) Well, the amount of information  out there is ABSOLUTELY OVERWHELMING: There is way too much information to take in and every new, novel, revolutionary approach to nutrition (aka: "diet") will, of course, contradict the former one: have 5-6 meals a day vs. have only 2 or 3 substantial ones, milk and dairy products are essential vs. the adult human body is not ready to assimilate the nutrients in milk and therefore should not be consumed by adult humans, breakfast is probably the most important meal of the day and should never be skipped vs. "breakfast" is an oxymoron on itself, as we are not really "fasting" when we sleep and as such, we can do with a very light meal during our mornings, watch your dinners and try not to eat anything 2-to-3 hours before going to sleep vs. feast at night- as it is the time when we naturally have time to enjoy that meal with the family after a long day- and don't fear carbohydrates at that time- as they will make you sleep better-, avoid "starchy carbs" vs. eat plenty of them in your diet, and so on and so forth... and all of them eloquently put to words and not devoid of scientific justification, with graphics, charts, tables, numbers, experiments, examples, etc... Quite difficult to make the right choice, isn't it?

b) Every now and then, a new "superfood" will emerge proud: the soy sprouts and sunflower oils and green teas of yesterday are the quinoa and stevia of today and who knows what will happen tomorrow. I am starting to think that there may be some vested interests behind the sudden spotlight on those miraculous products.

c) For every "super aliment", every now and arises a "scapegoat food", a dreaded substance that people should avoid at all costs and which so-called doctors and bullshitters alike warn hapless, ignorant citizens not to dare to consume, as they will give them cancer, cause all types of biological dysfunctions and make them put on 10 kilos in one go. Yeah, you've all been warned of the much-maligned usual suspects: sugar, alcohol, palm oil, red meat, milk (or any dairy product, for that matter), gluten foods, all of which can be so mean to you, your health and your figure in so many different ways. That's complete BULLSHIT if you ask me. Sometimes, the easiest, simplest information is the right one. I have been told all my life that everything in moderation is likely to be good for you and everything done excessively turns out to be harmful. To this day, that makes complete sense to me. I know that most of us need something to believe in and some creed to pledge our allegiance to, and that many feel happy when thinking that if you eat/drink (as much as you want of) these foods and NEVER try those ones, you'll always be healthy and in good shape. Never heard of the principles of energetic balance, huh?

d) Moral issues cannot be shunned; well, I cannot shun them. We all love pets and find those videos with puppies and kitties absolutely cute, yet we are sometimes a little impassive or kind of insensitive to the suffering animals have to go through in factory farms and laboratories in order for us to enjoy our meals and buy medicines and look good and whatnot. For that reason, as I read and heard- just like you I guess- about the wretched conditions livestock and laboratory animals undergo, the idea of becoming a vegetarian- which I was at some point in my life- or even a vegan-in the end, dairy products and egg production are not devoid of suffering inflicted to the animals producing them- crossed my mind. Mike Mahler, a vegan bodybuilder, gives some interesting insights on the matter: "I realized that I did not want to contribute to the unnecessary suffering of other beings and I knew that I needed to make some changes. I started thinking about how animals are abused in labs and further solidified the new direction that I was taking. In addition, to giving up meat, I decided that I would make sure to purchase products such as toothpaste, shampoo, soap etc that were not tested on animals. I gave up meat gradually. I started off by giving up all meat except fish. Then I gave up fish but continued to eat eggs and dairy. I, of course, ended up giving up all animal products. That was 10 years ago and I have never looked back." Super interesting views, for sure, but then he continues "I am an ethical vegan and believe you are not entitled to talk about peace, or even be at peace with yourself, when you have a steak on your plate, as an animal died in agonizing pain to end up there". Well, Mike, slow down, will you? Let's not forget that Hitler was a vegetarian. There may be many moral reasons to consider giving up all meat products, but decrying all meat eaters as vile, vicious savages is too much, I think.

e) As there is not a simple nutritional approach that will work for every single person (as we are different, have different genes, different body shapes and needs, different metabolisms, etc.), you have to find out what works for you: I for example have observed that I feel much more active and energetic early in the morning when I haven't had anything to eat, and can pretty much get by for a couple of hours on an empty stomach (exercising, working, researching...), as I have never been much of a breakfast person; 6-7 hours of good, solid sleep and a large cup of coffee will do the job hehe. I also do not have those many meals a day, like all dieticians (well, mainstream ones) say you should (mostly 2 or 3, but kind of big ones) and I feel really hydrated because- not surprisingly- I drink plenty of water too, something like 5 liters a day. I also like opening the fridge and seeing lots of green and colorful stuff: asparagus, zucchini, pears, mushrooms, bananas, berries, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, spinaches, watermelon, mangoes, avocados, you name it... I just love that stuff, but I eat plenty of fish, meat, eggs, thick carbs like rice, potatoes and all types of nuts as well. I have never had problems feasting at night and going to bed something like 30 minutes after finishing a big meal. The thing is that this diet works for me and makes me feel great, but your ideal meal plan might be different!

f) The concept of "diets/ miracle diets" is, in my opinion, absolutely worthless: a shameful moneymaker at the expense of people unhappy with their own image, desperate for quick changes. Things like the Ketogenic/Atkins/ Duncan diet (pretty similar in their principles), the artichoke diet or whatever stupid next big thing, make no sense in my humble opinion, for many reasons: firstly, because they are impractical (scheduling and planning your meals according to those diets would mean killing your social life- eating out with friends and family, special dates and events, birthdays, Christmas, etc- altogether) and because they make the person following them absolutely deprived and, as a consequence, miserable. That who starves on artichoke or broccoli for a period of time is very likely to feel angry at the world and anxiously pig out and binge on all the "forbidden foods" they crave for, eat back all the calories previously burnt (plus many, many more) and ruin everything and put on twice as much weight as they managed to lose (Why? Because they feel deprived!). In today's world, people want shortcuts for everything and, unfortunately, there are no shortcuts for being healthier and fitter, and no extreme approaches should be taken, either. If one wants to be healthier and fitter (not necessarily "lean", "slim" or "ripped", mind you, though that- a lean, nice-looking body- is, of course, a nice side effect/outcome of a healthy lifestyle), they will have to find the right combination of nutrition, exercise and rest that works for them, that is practical (i.e.: it fits easily in their working, family, leisure life) and that they can sustain for almost the rest of their lives. Extreme measures and shortcuts are bound to fail, miserably.

g) And, on top of that, food is a pleasure, right? Something to be enjoyed with all of our senses, a social activity... and if someone is deliberately (which means that it is not because of some medical prescription, abject poverty or anything like that) missing the delight of a delicious meal with friends, family or partner, well, I feel sorry for them. So, even if you're following a particular meal plan/ diet for a particular purpose, there is no reason why you shouldn't occasionally cheat on it and enjoy that gorgeous pasta dish or that yummy dessert you like so much. That will make you happier and isn't happiness the ultimate goal in everyone's life?

What's your opinion on the issue?

Long live lexical creativity! Enter the PORTMANTEAUS!

Are you familiar with words like "brunch", "Sitcom", "Brexit", "Pokemon", "podcast", "cyborg"? I'm sure you are. Well, they are examples of "portmanteaus", words stemming from the combination of different ones, in order to describe a new meaning/ reality. That's part of what's called "lexical creativity" and which contributes to English (in this case, but also Spanish or any other language for that matter) being an ever changing and evolving language.

Check this SUPER interesting and funny article!

24+ Brilliant new words we should add to the dictionary

Whatsapp on Trial!: 10 Signs you are addicted to Whatsapp

Hey!

I'm copying here an interesting article I found on the web. Pretty much like the naked truth. So true it hurts. Check it out!

10 SIGNS YOU ARE ADDICTED TO WHATSAPP

Come on, let's admit, we spend more time on WhatsApp in a day than we actually spend in front of our computer screens at work or home. Chatting, exchanging texts, forwarding jokes and sometimes, just teasing each other with non-sense talks, that's most of us all day long.

But are you addicted to it like REALLY? Read these 10 signs and tick mark on what suits you and then decide how much WhatsApp has affected your life and how close you are to addiction!

1. If you cannot resist the urge to pick up your phone and check the message each time WhatsApp rings, you're certainly addicted to it. So much that even if you are sitting in the middle of something really important, you would make a point to check the new message first. 

2. Checking your WhatsApp messages for any new messages each time you get up in the middle of the night is a clear sign that you have surrendered your life to it. Also, if WhatsApp is the first thing in the morning after you wake up, you are in no better situation.

3. Checking "last online" of your contact list is something that is uncalled for, yet most of us do for no reason whatsoever. If someone has to message you, they will. By checking the last time they were online won't make you get a ping from them instantly. So, why bother so much?

4. Frequently checking your friends' profile pictures on WhatsApp is nothing, but a clear indication of you being inquisitive about your friends and fancy lives they are leading, which is reflected through their display pictures. Not just this, once you have seen the pic, you want to compliment them by sending a quick text. Ah, wasn't Facebook enough for this?

5. Changing your status and display pictures on WhatsApp almost every second day is a clear sign that you are addicted and cannot survive without it. It is like you have to announce it to the world whatever you are doing and, honestly, there is nothing wrong about it. Just you tend to take it a bit too seriously at times.

6. You are addicted to WhatsApp if you have a habit of continuously checking your phone again and again after you have sent someone and haven't received a reply from them for a few minutes. Is waiting that tough? Strange we don't even want to give the benefit of doubt to that person, who may genuinely be busy. 

7. If you love to forward all jokes- text, images and videos- with many in your contact list, well, you are definitely addicted. Even if the other person never acknowledges any of your forwarded messages, that won't prevent you from continuing doing so.

8. Keeping a tab on everyone's status updates on WhatsApp is another indication that you have all the time in the world to know what is happening in others' life and what is going in their mind. We do tend to judge the person on the basis of what they have posted, and also on the basis of their WhatsApp status, and if not this, then take the sarcasm as if it was aimed at us.

9. If you HAVE picked up fights or arguments with friends for a reason that, despite being online on WhatsApp, they didn't respond to your message or didn't ping you, clearly you have given your life to it. Understand it only leads to more confusions and misunderstanding.

10. Driving, eating, sleeping, working or whatever you are doing, if you reply to a WhatsApp message as soon as you receive it, clearly shows that you are addicted to the medium. Even if that means disturbing your sleep or taking the risk while driving or getting distracted from work, does not really bother you. Well, in this case, you most certainly have a problem.

FORGIVE ME LORD, FOR I HAVE SINNED

I have to say that I'm quite shocked after reading this list since, at some point in my life I might have done all of those questionable behaviors! Like an adolescent suffering from ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) who just cannot focus! Shame on me!

Therefore, I will say my prayer, in the seek of my personal redemption (and for the sake of maturity):

Forgive me Lord, for I have sinned:

Not only have I done all of the aforementioned at a point in my life,

but I have also indulged in Facebook narcissism and megalomania.

I confess that I only put up pictures of me- and what's worse, even Selfies- looking really good, when my everyday appearance may have little to do with said photos. Wanting to make a certain impression on female FB users may or may not have been related to such a demeanor.

Yes my Lord, I have indulged in FB photo imposture.

Also in many an occasion I have posted some line, message or text which I thought witty, sharp and ingenous with the intention of being complimented by other users, by means of comments of approval or just "likes". 

I also plead guilty to checking way too often (like every five minutes or so), if my new publication has more "likes" than the last time I checked.

Yes, I have been a compliment-seeker

I confess that all of the previous may be the result of vanity, conceitedness or self-admiration, all of which I know are capital sins, hence, with the present prayer I make a plea for your mercy and possibility of redemption and further salvation as, at this very moment in my life I strive for personal integrity and transcendence.

Without further ado, your servant,

J.

What about you? How much of an addiction to WhatsApp and the social media have you got?

Please, your insights on the comments box!

Top 10 Media Manipulation Strategies by Noam Chomsky

Ever heard of the American linguist, MIT professor, philosopher, and political activist? Chances are that you have. As any person who's radical, intense and passionate about their ideas, he is not likely to please everyone, nor did he have that intention in the first place, me thinks. 

As you will find out by reading the article below, he does not regard big media corporations very highly, but rather the opposite. Have a look at it, anyway; there are way worse ways to spend your precious time!

Top 10 Media Manipulation Strategies by Noam Chomsky

The job of media is not to inform, but to misinform: Divert public attention from important issues and changes decided by the political and economic elites, by the technique of flood or continuous flood of distractions and insignificant information.

The 10 Strategies:

1. The strategy of distraction

The primary element of social control is the strategy of distraction which is to divert public attention from important issues and changes determined by the political and economic elites, by the technique of flood or flooding continuous distractions and insignificant information.

Distraction strategy is also essential to prevent the public interest in the essential knowledge in the area of the science, economics, psychology, neurobiology and cybernetics.

“Maintaining public attention diverted away from the real social problems, captivated by matters of no real importance. Keep the public busy, busy, busy, no time to think, back to farm and other animals” 

2. Create problems, then offer solutions

This method is also called “problem -reaction- solution.”

It creates a problem, a “situation” referred to cause some reaction in the audience, so this is the principal of the steps that you want to accept.

For example: let it unfold and intensify urban violence, or arrange for bloody attacks in order that the public is the applicant’s security laws and policies to the detriment of freedom.

Or create an economic crisis to accept as a necessary evil retreat of social rights and the dismantling of public services.

3. The gradual strategy

Acceptance to an unacceptable degree, just apply it gradually, dropper, for consecutive years.

That is how they radically new socioeconomic conditions (neoliberalism) were imposed during the 1980s and 1990s:

• the minimal state
• privatization
• precariousness
• flexibility
• massive unemployment
• wages
• do not guarantee a decent income,

...so many changes that have brought about a revolution if they had been applied once.


4. The strategy of deferring

Another way to accept an unpopular decision is to present it as “painful and necessary”, gaining public acceptance, at the time for future application.

It is easier to accept that a future sacrifice of immediate slaughter.

• First, because the effort is not used immediately
• Then, because the public, masses, is always the tendency to expect naively that “everything will be better tomorrow” and that the sacrifice required may be avoided

This gives the public more time to get used to the idea of change and accept it with resignation when the time comes.

5. Go to the public as a little child

Most of the advertising to the general public uses speech, argument, people and particularly children’s intonation, often close to the weakness, as if the viewer were a little child or a mentally deficient.

The harder one tries to deceive the viewer look, the more it tends to adopt a tone infantilizing.

Why?

“If one goes to a person as if she had the age of 12 years or less, then, because of suggestion, she tends with a certain probability that a response or reaction also devoid of a critical sense as a person 12 years or younger.” 

6. Use the emotional side more than the reflection

Making use of the emotional aspect is a classic technique for causing a short circuit on rational analysis, and finally to the critical sense of the individual.

Furthermore, the use of emotional register to open the door to the unconscious for implantation or grafting ideas , desires, fears and anxieties , compulsions, or induce behaviors …

7. Keep the public in ignorance and mediocrity

Making the public incapable of understanding the technologies and methods used to control and enslavement.

“The quality of education given to the lower social classes must be the poor and mediocre as possible so that the gap of ignorance it plans among the lower classes and upper classes is and remains impossible to attain for the lower classes.” 

8. To encourage the public to be complacent with mediocrity

Promote the public to believe that the fact is fashionable to be stupid, vulgar and uneducated…


9. Self-blame Strengthen

To let individual blame for their misfortune, because of the failure of their intelligence, their abilities, or their efforts.

So, instead of rebelling against the economic system, the individual auto-devaluate and guilt himself, which creates a depression, one of whose effects is to inhibit its action.

And, without action, there is no revolution!

10. Getting to know the individuals better than they know themselves

Over the past 50 years, advances of accelerated science has generated a growing gap between public knowledge and those owned and operated by dominant elites.

Thanks to biology, neurobiology and applied psychology, the “system” has enjoyed a sophisticated understanding of human beings, both physically and psychologically.

The system has gotten better acquainted with the common man more than he knows himself.

This means that, in most cases, the system exerts greater control and great power over individuals, greater than that of individuals about themselves.

What do you think of these findings? Maybe you have been brainwashed, too?

Throwback Tuesday! Meet the true forerunner of the Crowdfunding phenomenon

Hey hey!

You know that a couple of weeks ago, when addressing the topic "money and shopping", we dealt with the pretty recent Crowdfunding trend, as a rather revolutionary and creative way of raising funds for different causes and projects.

Well, it is funny that a compatriot could foresee this trendy thing many years ago and be so ahead of her time; almost 25 years ahead of her time, to be more precise.

Yes my friends, not unlike Rap music or the molotov cocktail, it turns out that Crowdfunding was invented by the Spanish; more specifically by a Spanish woman. Do you not believe me? Watch the video below and judge for yourselves!

Crowdfund your way Up!

Hi there!

How familiar are you with the phenomenon of crowdfunding? Gosh, it is so overwhelmingly present nowadays! I get email alerts of crowdfunding campaigns like on a daily basis and I've contributed to a few of these money raising campaigns (the people behind those are people I know and like, and the projects they were trying to make come true were ones I found worth funding) of different kinds. But to be honest, just 2 years ago I was completely clueless about crowdfunding. Now it is one of the most popular ways of raising funds for whatever project (recording a record, promoting your photographies, art collection, making a short movie...) or actually making true your startup (that is, setting up your small business). You basically get people involved in contributing with some money to your project (they become, then, investors) and, in exchange, they get something related to that project (maybe a CD with a mention to the donors in the liner notes, a free ticket to an exhibition, becoming a shareholder of the new startup, etc...)

If you have ever thought of launching a crowdfunding campaign, here are some tips (5, to be more precise) about how to make the most of such a campaign:

And also, some insight on the origins of Crowdfunding, and also on the importance of this revolutionary phenomenon in today's world.

So, if you're really enthusiastic about making your dreams come true, but those dreams involve some economic investment and don't have the money yourself, just don't throw in the towel!. There is a way to do so! Crowdfund your way out!!!