Hello January (1/7)
Hello, January! Behold! A new day and a new year beckons. Yet another list of forgotten but resurrected resolutions are again in vogue.
Hello, January! Behold! A new day and a new year beckons. Yet another list of forgotten but resurrected resolutions are again in vogue.
Our January 1st to-do list is sometimes only an ideal – like a fad or a fashion statement. The perfect model catwalks but later becomes off-balanced and loses her track even before the month ends.
LanceLonie, Editorial Note ( 2 of 7 ) : New Year’s Resolution A Musical Instrument
Lancelonie said: We have come to a point where pronouncing or showing off our resolutions seems enough. Enough to Pinterest or share with our little social-media-based word. Enough to just say, “my new year resolution” with hashtags, #newyear and #selfie, on our Facebook, Instagram and other profiles. Whether it catches on like a craze or totally disappears like a failed trend, it is irrelevant.
We are in a world where sharing our new year resolutions seems enough for Pinterest and other social media. Just as long as we hashtag those with #newyear and #selfie on Facebook, Instagram and other profiles, it doesn’t matter if those go viral or not.
LanceLonie, Editorial Note ( 3 of 7 ) : New Year’s Resolution A Musical Instrument
Lancelonie said: A New Year’s resolution is much like learning a musical instrument. There is a period of initial zeal and excitement as it is a personal challenge.
A New Year’s resolution is much like learning a musical instrument. There is a period of initial zeal and excitement as it is a personal challenge.
LanceLonie, Editorial Note ( 4 of 7 ) : New Year’s Resolution A Musical Instrument
Lancelonie said: A moment comes when you realize how difficult it is to follow every note. You decide whether to continue or not – to keep that musical instrument close to your heart or retire it to some nameless corner.
A moment comes when you realize how difficult it is to follow every note. You decide whether to continue or not – to keep that musical instrument close to your heart or retire it to some nameless corner.
LanceLonie, Editorial Note ( 5 of 7 ) : New Year’s Resolution A Musical Instrument
Lancelonie said: Mastering your musical instrument is like pursuing your new year’s resolution. The result is life changing.
Mastering your musical instrument is like pursuing your new year’s resolution. The result is life changing.
LanceLonie, Editorial Note ( 6 of 7 ) : New Year’s Resolution A Musical Instrument
You should make your New Year’s resolution happen this year instead of procrastinating. How about if we examine its funny lifespan…
A New Year’s resolution seems to have a lifespan of its own. Just like fire, it begins with a spark then it burns and later dies out. There’s always a start and a finish line. But would it be nice if you could reach the end that is actually your goal?
Let’s take a look at this funny thing we hashtag –
👖
Okay, I’ll exercise to lose 20 pounds. I have 3 jeans I’d like to fit into.
🏃♀️
I’m going to wake up early on weekends so I can run a mile or so.
😓
That trail seems steep and it’s killing my legs.
🍰
Hey, I lost 2 pounds already. I’m all good for now… This calls for a cheesecake celebration.
My mother, I remember, had a term for this in Tagalog – “sawsaw-patis” (sao, as in Sao Palo + pa-tease, with an accent on each 2nd syllable). She always called me that roll eyes 🙄 when I was a kid because I made some eager start-ups that never finished – piano 🎹 lessons at level IV, karate classes for 1-2 days only, stenography lessons halfway through the book, Spanish with molded dog ears, etc…
But “I’m a kid” just like what mySophia 👧🏻 would say; and my mom was extremely busy enough to tell me sternly, “I’m your mom who’s telling you to finish that” as I would now to my daughter. She’s pretty consistent. Ha.
🧑
But as an adult, what’s your excuse? ⁉️
“Consistency is key.”🔑 Now, who said this? Do I need to quote anyone?
Do you sometimes feel that being consistent is boring since it somehow lack variations? It’s like eating rainbow-colored 🌈 gummy bears with only one flavor. Yes?.. But hey, I know you get the idea so I’ll gummy-bear with you…
Rewire the brain 🧠 this year.
Oh, yeah!!! That’s probably be the best resolution for me. 🙌🏼
Do you have a NY resolution?
How are you doing?
Instead of saying there’s always next year, make it [your New Year’s resolution] happen this year!
LanceLonie, Editorial Note ( 7 of 7 ) : New Year’s Resolution A Musical Instrument
Johann Sebastian Bach said: It’s easy to play any musical instrument. All you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself.
It’s easy to play any musical instrument. All you have to do is touch the right key at the right time and the instrument will play itself.
Johann Sebastian Bach
Philip Treacy said: The personality of the wearer and the hat makes the hat.
The personality of the wearer and the hat makes the hat.
Philip Treacy
January 15th is National Hat Day. Its history is possibly attributed to John Hetherington’s first appearance wearing a top hat in 1797.
I am a bit weirded out by the story of this hat incident . . . much like how those onlookers reacted to the bizarre headgear. There is no direct explanation about how the 15th of January was proclaimed the national day of hats, but this one comes close and might as well be its origin… Enter the Age of Enlightenment…
On January 15, 1797, John Hetherington first appeared in public wearing his unusual hat he described as his own silk hat creation – which was actually just a top hat of today. The Strand haberdasher believed his tall headdress will create a “sensation” but caused a commotion instead.
According to Hatter’s Gazette: “It was with no little trepidation that about eleven o’clock in the forenoon, Mr. Hetherington emerged from his shop in the Strand. His family advised against it, but he was determined, and forth he sallied.”
Wow! Talk about deep English of yore… How about if you post your next Instagram #selfie or Facebook #status with this tagline – “With no trepidation in the forenoon, I emerged and sallied.” #thebest
As reported, the unusual sight of Hetherington’s hat not just invited curious bystanders to follow him around but also spawned a “howling mob”. Weirded 18th-century folks reacted to that tall and lustre-shiny oddball titfer they described as “calculated to frighten timid people”. “Several women fainted…, children screamed, dogs yelped” and a young boy ended up having his right arm broken (as crowds can be dangerous, you know).
Like I said, I’m already weirded out by their reaction. I wonder how they’d react if they see the Coneheads. Well, I bet even you will be scared to see a crowned alien in the flesh.
Furthermore, “those on the outskirts of the crowd did not know the nature of the trouble, if there was any, but they helped to swell the din.”
Okay, you must remember: It’s not good to swell the din, else…
The result: “John Hetherington, haberdasher, of the Strand, was arraigned before the Lord Mayor yesterday on a charge of breach of the peace and inciting to riot and was required to give bonds in the amount of £500.”
Wow.
How about you check out Sia’s 2016 Cheap Thrills lyric video (below) if you haven’t yet…
Hatmaker John claimed he did not violate any law further saying that he was “merely exercising a right to appear in a headdress of his own design – a right not denied to any Englishman.”
You go, grampa mad-hatter!
I also wonder how much Mayor will charge the real Mad Hatter Tarrant Hightopp. Hmm…
Times on January 16, 1797 commented, “In these days of enlightenment, it must be considered an advance in dress reform, and one which is bound, sooner or later, to stamp its character upon the entire community. The new hat is destined to work a revolution in headgear, and we think the officers of the Crown erred in placing the defendant under arrest.”
Wow! Talk about deep English of yore… How about if you post your next Instagram #selfie or Facebook #status with this tagline – “With no trepidation in the forenoon, I emerged and sallied.” #thebest
I Call Her Mnimi, AboutMnimi.com
Reference:
(1) Thornton, Richard. The First Silk Hat in London. The Literary Era: A Monthly Repository of Literary and Miscellaneous Information, 6. Philadelphia, PA: Porter & Coates. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=BzLZAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA167&lpg=PA167&dq=january+15+1797+hatter’s+gazette&source=bl&ots=wtcUQigBxK&sig=nt7tI2w0OEp5o26BnFO6-O0jJQw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirguGa6-ffAhWN-lQKHUbdD-QQ6AEwAnoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=january%2015%201797%20hatter’s%20gazette&f=false.
The 2nd Monday of January is National Clean Off Your Desk Day.
Go ahead; clean your desks. Declutter for a better focus. What a good way to start your work week!
Happy Bench Monday Clean Off Your Desk Day!
Memory is the mental faculty that retrieves information that had been encoded and stored in the brain. This is key to learning.
Memory is the mental faculty that retrieves information that had been encoded and stored in the brain. This is key to learning.
Memory as defined in Psychology here
January 12th is National Hot Tea Day. Let’s toast our teacups and celebrate by understanding the brain benefits of tea, like peppermint, chamomile, green and black.
January 12th is National Hot Tea Day (with January as the National Hot Tea Month) as declared by the Tea Council of the USA in 2016. Let’s toast our tea cups and celebrate by exploring some types of tea – chamomile, peppermint, black and green – and their cognitive benefits.
A regular cup of tea is found to be beneficial to your cognitive health.
In a study of 1,003 Japanese participants aged 70 and above, it was concluded that the more green tea 🍵 they consumed, the lesser the cognitive impairment was. In another study of 2,501 Chinese adults aged 55 and above, regular consumption of black (fermented) and oolong (semi-fermented) tea ☕️ “was associated with lower risks of cognitive impairment and decline independent of other risk factors.” (1)
Both black and green tea inhibited an enzyme activity in relation to a brain 🧠 neurotransmitter imbalance that causes Alzheimer’s disease. According to Dr. Ed Okello, lead investigator: “Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, tea could potentially be another weapon in the armoury which is used to treat this disease and slow down its development.” (2)
Dr. Okello, a green tea 🍵 drinker, also said, “The ageing politician, Tony Benn, is a prime example of somebody who drinks tea and has a fantastic memory. He is said to drink 18 pints a day and has a very sharp mind for a man of his age.” (2)
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, tea could potentially be another weapon in the armoury which is used to treat this disease and slow down its development.
Dr. Ed Okello
In an experiment conducted by the Psychology Department of Northumbria University, peppermint and chamomile tea had been proven to have contrasting effects… While peppermint tea makes you alert; thereby, improving memory, chamomile tea impairs cognition as it calms you down. (3)
Picture me upon your knee –
Doris Day song, Tea For Two
With tea for two and two for tea;
Just me for you
And you for me alone.
Peppermint contains theanine, an amino acid (a building block of protein), found in green tea. Its combination with caffeine is found to promote better memory and learning; thus, became popular as a nootropic supplement typically found in the form of a pill, drink or gum. (4)
While theanine is good for treating anxiety and high blood pressure, it is also used to make cancer treatment more effective. Similar to glutamate, theanine also transmits nerve impulses in the brain and helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease. (5)
Like peppermint, chamomile can alleviate anxiety and possibly prevent cancer cells from developing. But in addition, it also ease menstrual cramps and reduce inflammation, as well as “help” prevent blood sugar increase, slow down osteoporosis and relieve cold symptoms (although more research is needed on those last three claims). (6)
Because chamomile calms you down and lowers mental alertness, it will naturally and temporarily impair your memory.
Please note:
Peppermint and chamomile should be taken as supplements; and should not, in any way, replace medicine, especially when prescribed. Please consult your doctor.
References:
(1) Okello, Ed. (2016, September 14). A memorable cup of tea. Retrieved from https://www.ncl.ac.uk/media/wwwnclacuk/instituteofneuroscience/files/A%20memorable%20cup%20of%20tea%20and%20other%20natural%20products%20%20-%20ARUK%202016-Ed%20Okello.pdf.
(2) University Of Newcastle Upon Tyne. (2004, November 1). Tea Could Improve Memory, Study Shows. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/10/041030144110.htm.
(3) Herbs that can boost your mood and memory. (2016, April 29). Retrieved from https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/news-events/news/2016/04/herbs-that-can-boost-your-mood-and-memory/.
(4) Theanine. (2018, December 30). Retrieved January 4, 2019 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theanine.
(5) Theanine. (n.d.). Retrieved January 4, 2019 from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1053/theanine.
(6) Villines, Zawn. (2017, November 15). What are the benefits of chamomile tea? Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320031.php.
January 11th is world thank you day… Thank you, a beautiful two-word phrase that we should always remember to say. If you are one of those who find it difficult to utter these simple words, at least now is the perfect time to say it.
January 11th is International Thank You Day.
Someone once reminded me the importance of saying thank you. He told me that his mother taught him that. I just now realize that this beautiful two-word phrase – Thank You – is associated to this person. (I happen to have a word-name association list and so he’s now officially there. #ohwell 😒
Of course, I know how to say thank you since childhood. But getting a reminder once in a while is good, too, as we unmindfully forget to say it sometimes. So, this is also your reminder. #yourewelcome 😆
If you are one of those who find it difficult to utter these two simple words, at least now is the perfect time to say it. It’s official – the 11th of January – World #ThankYou Day. 🙏
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.
Meister Eckhart quote
Thank you, next, next… Thank you. 🎶😆
January 10th is Take The Stairs Day.
In the New Year, never forget to thank to your past years because they enabled you to reach today! Without the stairs of the past, you cannot arrive at the future!
Mehmet Murat ildan quote | I Call Her Mnimi | AboutMnimi.com
Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing. Believe in yourself and believe that there is a loving Source – a Sower of Dreams – just waiting to be asked to help you make your dreams come true.
Sarah Ban Breathnach quote| I Call Her Mnimi | AboutMnimi.com
Nina Simone’s Feeling Good song is a perfect message, not just for the new year but also for every single new day. Wake up to a new dawn, a new day, a new life everyday. Here are a few feel-good reminders…
My heart is singing to this tune, Feeling Good sung by Nina Simone…
Birds flying high,
Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, Feeling Good
You know how I feel;
Sun in the sky,
You know how I feel;
Breeze driftin’ on by,
You know how I feel.
It’s a new dawn;
It’s a new day;
It’s a new life
For me…
And I’m feeling good.
Kudos to Bricusse and Newley for producing a well-written song – perfect for this year! Shall we take this message to heart as we journey (together) all throughout this year?
Channel your spirits to being positive and feeling good.
That’s easy to say and a little hard to do… But pause… Think about your family, those who rely upon you or that one person who looks up to you like a hero… How about those people who -or- things that give you inspiration? Think of them / those . . . and then focus on your goal.
Here are a few things to do in order to shake bad things off your system and come back to good life…
Remember:
New Year’s Day is a good start . . . however, you don’t really have to wait for the end-of-year to improve your life. Each day is always a good new day to start over even if you have to do it again and again . . . and again.
I always liked those moments of epiphany, when you have the next destination. Brad Pitt quote | I Call Her Mnimi | http://www.AboutMnimi.com
Feeling Good by Nina Simone is a perfect feel-good song for the new year… Birds flying high, you know how I feel… It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life. And I’m feeling good! | Nina Simone song
I Call Her Mnimi | http://www.AboutMnimi.com
Feeling Good – Birds flying high, you know how I feel… It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life. And I’m feeling good!
Nina Simone, Feeling Good by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley
January 4th is National Trivia Day in the US. Here is your trivia: Did you know that January is named after…
January 4th is National Trivia Day in the US.
January is named after Janus, the Roman god of time and transitions, as well as passages and endings. He is depicted with two faces – one facing backward (past) and the other looking forward (future).
Reference:
Janus. (2018, December 10). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus.
The new year stands before us like a chapter in a book – waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals. Melody Beattie quote – I call her Mnimi – AboutMnimi.com
Good-busy is a positive way of expressing, “I’m busy.” It shows that you like what you’re doing and the time you’re spending is well worth it. It also sorta gives you energy and, overall, adds up to your value. This is my point of view.
It’s just Wednesday and halfway through the 2nd week of January. Did you really get enough of that holiday? Why do I sense that you’re fast-forwarding your way though Friday afternoon? . . . Oh, that was me thinking out loud. Haha…
Well, not really!
I shared 7 healthy ways to start the new right, didn’t I? And I “proclaimed” I’m feeling good and wrote/proof-read over and over 19 ways to make yourself feel good, too. Those are to rev up the new year, of course, and I mean all of those! So, let’s get good-busy…
I remember the first time I heard that phrase…
I was on my desk silently working when I overheard our former CEO said to someone that “I’m busy, good busy”. I thought he just partnered those two words up and it kinda sounded cool. From then on, I would use it to describe my #workstatus.
Colleague: “How are you, LL?”
Me: “I’m good-busy . . . and you?..”
If you think otherwise, then you probably don’t like your current state. Maybe you need to pack your things and go. I know #youdeservebetter.
If you don’t like where you are, move. You’re not a tree.
Unknown quote
I Call Her Mnimi | AboutMnimi.com
Last Thursday, I went to Walgreens to pick up my prescription. The lady pharmacist checked my data and said, “Come back in 10 minutes. I won’t be able to page you. I’m busy.” I looked at my phone to set up my alarm as I silently stepped away. I thought it was rude . . . but, ugh, who cares? . . . When I came back, she had just clocked out but said it’s ready for me. She was nice . . . but just frankly busy earlier so #noworries.
I think using good-busy is a positive way of expressing, “I’m busy.” It shows that you like what you’re doing and the time you’re spending is well worth it. It also sorta gives you energy and, overall, adds up to your #value.
But how can you *literally* say that? It’s gonna sound very unusual if that pharmacist say, “Come back in 10. I’m good-busy.” Well… Who knows? Kids keep reinventing catch phrases anyway. #meme
Let’s get good-busy.
lancelonie quote
I Call Her Mnimi | AboutMnimi.com