What Jay Z, Beyonce, Kanye West, Coldplay, Rihanna, & Madonna Won't Tell You about The Tidal Future of Music

Jay Z had a recent meeting with a few of his friends (Beyonce, Kanye West, Coldplay, Rihanna, Madonna, and others) to talk about the future of streaming music and how artists could best profit from the changing 'tidal' of the music biz. The rap artist turned entrepreneur is launching this as a new direction for the music industry from both the artist and commercial perspective, after having purchased the Swedish music streaming company, Aspiro, for $56 Million. 

But he's not the only one: there's Apple Beats with Dr Dre and now Nine Inch Nails frontman, Trent Reznor, offering their streaming service to compete with both Spotify and now Tidal. 

But what does this all mean for the future of music? What does it mean for us as consumers? Will it replace the purchasing of music? 

Here are questions every music fan needs to ask before signing up for Tidal:

1. Where is music going?: What we're seeing is a trend of all data (whether books or music or photos) transitioning from the material to the metaphysical, from matter to zeros and ones. Where will this end? 

2. Do I want to own my music?: This is a question for any form of data--how much of it do you want to own? If it takes a switch for your music library, stored on a barge in the Pacific, to be swiped and cleaned off your account, how is that sustainable? What does it mean to own music in the 21st Century? Such services as Tidal may benefit the big artists, but how does it benefit you?

3. Should I take my $20/month and buy vinyl?: This is a serious question. There are still record players out there for sale, and plenty of vinyl as people junked them for 8-tracks, then cassettes, then CDs etc. This is a time to put together a sweet library of music, if you haven't already. 

4. What's my longevity plan?: What will you want to keep around when you're hitting 50 or 60 or 70? What music do you want to be passing down to your kids and even rocking out to with your grand kids? If this is desirable, then you need to be thinking about your music collection longevity plan. 

5. How does this trend in music translate to other areas of human knowledge?: This trend is everywhere, from film to photo to emails to tweets: our knowledge is growing less secure as more data is stored on software whose obsolescence is more rapid than ever before. We may be the lost generation, that is, future gens will have no record we were even here unless we re-think how we buy, store, share, and access data. 

Give this some real thought. Part of living in this world is having one foot in the now and one foot in the then. We are at a convergence point in our civilization, and few are considering the ramifications of so much cloud activity. When you're buying music, think about it; when you're uploading your next book or mag to a tablet, think about it; when you're sending an email, think about it; when you're capturing your next vacation, think about it. 

Think about this: If the medium is really the message, then what is the trend toward live stream trying to tell us?

Watch As Robert Downey Jr. Gives This 7 Year Old A Bionic Arm And Shows Us A Thing Or Two About Living Out Our Dreams

We have so much to give--all of us. And yet life is so busy that we get caught up in its fast pace and rattling hysteria that we often miss out on amazing opportunities to help others. 

Robert Downey Jr., the Ironman of Hollywood, saw an amazing opportunity: Alex, a seven year-old boy born with a partially right arm, was hooked up with Albert Manero, a college student who builds low-cost 3D printed bionic limbs and donates them to kids around the world. Albert was asking for support on a Twitter feed #CollectiveProject, and a leading bionics expert wanted to help--and that's where Robert Downey Jr. got involved. 

Here's what we can learn from this amazing story:

1. It doesn't matter who you are, you have a gift to bring to others. Albert Manero is a regular guy--a college student--with an amazing vision of life: inspiring kids with low-cost 3D printed bionic arms. He's not a big superhero like Elon Musk but he is making the world a better place. We can glean inspiration from him and others who are ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

2. If you put yourself out there, you never know what kind of momentum you'll attract. Some say that when you put in the effort, real true effort, the universe will back you up.

3. Use social media: There's a really cool thing about sharing your work on social media: You have an easy vehicle for your ideas to reach others. You could start a wave that others just want to be a part of.

4. Be bold, then be bolder: If you have an idea, something you want to do for others, you have to boldly put it out there, and then find ways to be bolder. I'm sure Albert Manero didn't think his project would draw the enthusiasm of Robert Downey Jr. to create a truly epic moment, but he put himself out there, and the world responded.

5. Do something for others: In our selfie society where living for ourselves is a given, doing something for others, finding time to help out someone else, can lift your spirits and give you meaning in your life. 

6. Ask what life demands from you: It's like the story Victor Frankl recalls of the concentration camp when one of the inmates came to Frankl wanting to end his life. "I have nothing more to demand of life." he lamented. Frankl's responded, "Yes, but would you consider asking not what more you can demand of life, but what life is demanding of you?" 

We all have gifts to bring to the world, but often we feel that they're not good enough, or we're too caught up in what the big stars are doing. Albert Manero isn't a star, but by bringing himself to life and helping others, he was certainly able to attract one.

What Zayn Malik Quitting One Direction Can Teach Us All About The Good Life

Zayn Malik has announced he has quit the band, One Direction, after 5 years. And beyond all the bewilderment, and even the shedding of tears for those die hard fans, his reasoning is an important one: "I am leaving," states Malik, "because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight." In spite of the fame, the riches, the accolades, Malik is choosing something, for him, far greater: a sense of normality wrought from "private time."

In many ways, our society is a lot like a rock band: we have 'fans', we are constantly on call to give statements, answer questions to those who capriciously invade our world through mobile technology; we busy ourselves socially through parties, get-togethers, date-nights, work-meetings, after work sports games, and on and on. According the Psychology Today, we fear alienation in this "sped-up, over-connected world." And in spite of all the 'keeping-in-touch,' we find ourselves deeply out of touch, not only with others but also ourselves. 

So what's the answer to this? I think Malik, though seemingly trivial, actually gives us pause: private time, or what is better understood as 'solitude'. We are afraid of alienation, and yet it is solitude that gives us the time and space to reconnect with our thoughts, reflections, and feelings, which thus helps us re-enter our busy social lives with on a full rather than empty tank. And according to Katrina Kenison of Opra.com, "[Solitude] and isolation do not go hand in hand. We can retreat from the world for a time without being renounced by it." 

Here are a few more reasons why you need to find solitude:

1. Helps you gain greater perspective: Often in our hectic schedules, our thinking is more like "blinking": that state in which we make snap decisions in the moment. For certain tasks, this is an important skill; however, there are times when stepping back from the blink can actually give us greater perspective. Some decisions and tasks simply demand reflection--usually the most meaningful ones, such as those pertinent to your family and your own life, ambitions, dreams.

2. Calms the body: We are often over-stimulated with work and media, which can cause huge amounts of cortisol to rush into our brains thus stressing our bodies out. You need that solitude to get greater hits of serotonin to your brain that will calm your body down and help you recharge.

3. Aids in creativity: There's a reason why creative thinkers, inventors, artists, and even entrepreneurs spend excessive time on their own: they have the time and space to create. If you have a job requiring creative ideas, or you are an artist looking for the next project, it's very important you spend time on your own. We are all creative beings, and if solitude aids in creativity, all of us need solitude. If you don't feel creative, or have creative things you used to do but don't anymore, then solitude is the thing for you! 

4. Creates space for the big questions of life: There are fundamental questions humans have been wrestling with for thousands of years: Who am I? Why am I here? What is the purpose of my life? But for some reason, the pace of our society and all its distractions really prevent us from asking them in meaningful ways; and yet, answering them can completely change your life. Maybe you're stuck in a big rut; maybe you hate your job or you have a vision for a different life. Spending time with yourself will help you answer them. 

5. Increases bandwidth: You know when you are out of range with your wi-fi connection? You can't connect with others. To be with others requires bandwidth, or signal strength. But to get that requires time spent by yourself re-building your mental and physical strength to re-enter your social circles, especially family life. 

6. Enhances presence for family: If you're a parent, you know when you've had enough of the noise and constant energy of your children. Instead of waiting for that moment when you become frustrated, it's important to get some time to yourself--not in front of Facebook, but truly by yourself: take a hot bath, spend some time in a notebook, listen to music and sing along. 

We all need solitude--indeed some argue we've been created for it by virtue of being social beings. We need that critical time and space to recharge and be present for ourselves, and our thoughts and feelings. Like the great writer and humanitarian wrote of solitude, “Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure.”

10 Awesome Ways You Can Get That Eye Of The Tiger Back This Spring

You've spent your winter indoors; the treadmill has remained untouched for several months accumulating layers of dust as you've layers around your waste. 

But now with Spring it's a new day: the vitamin D of the longer days is seeping in, you're feeling that bounce in your step and hope in your heart. But you want to go farther; you want to get your life back in order. Here are some ways forward:

1. Get out walking: Walking is an amazing way to get back into shape. I still remember when Pat Quinn of the Maple Leafs went on a critical health regimen, the doctor prescribed two things: cutting back on cigars, and walking. A 20 minute walk per day will help you lose weight, build your cardiovascular health, and get the endorphins flowing thus contributing to your overall health.

2. Cut down on alcohol: With Spring comes more meals out with others, and the advent of BBQ season in through which liquor flows. However, there is countless documentation showing the health ramifications of alcohol use, not only for mood but also brain and liver function. Cutting down on the amount you drink will go a long way toward getting you in better shape.

3. More whole foods: No, not the store per se, but rather those foods that grow from the ground, and not raised on farms. Yes--eating more fruits and vegetables is critical for health. If you haven't already, check out the great documentary Forks over Knives that features two well-known doctors who did cancer research on animal products. 

4. Stand-up desk: Sitting on the job is the new smoking. If you work for yourself, there are innumerable options for setting up a stand-up desk from Ikea to more expensive solutions. If you work for someone else, gather documentation on the health and performance advantages of stand-up desks, and get one in your office. Even offer yourself up as a guinea pig for the rest of the office--it'll go a long way for your health.

5. Naps: Yes, I've written about this for a while now, but it is so important that the message cannot be stated enough: for optimal mental performance, it has been known among famous thinkers, artists, and scientists that a nap every day while in the throes of work is critical. If you don't have blinds in your office, or you don't work for yourself and can afford the time, take time during lunch or another afternoon break to find a quiet place, whether your car or otherwise, and nap. 

6. More sleep: There are variances in optimal hours of sleep for health and top mental/physical performance. If you're getting 6-8 hours that's optimal; however, if you're burning the candle at both ends and feeling run down, then you need to focus on getting an extra hour, or even two. One major deterrent of sleep is LED screens, such as TVs, phones, and tablets. Many fall into the trap of keeping their mobile devices on at night to read the news, etc--or even read. However, it will be far more optimal to bring an ol' fashioned book to bed, ensuring it's neither too exciting nor too boring, but holding just the appropriate tension to render you drowsy and sweep you off to sleep. 

7. Vitamins: This is a contentious issue, and you must consult a physician if you're on medication that may conflict with supplements. However, if you were taking them at some point, but out of neglect or absent-mindedness forgot, it's good to get back into the swing of it: Vitamins D, C, and a good Calcium-Magnesium is an appropriate place to begin. Even in the Spring, one can lack vitamin D, especially if working in-doors.

8. Media-fast: Too much news? Too many Youtube videos, video games, movies, Television? Media affect our moods--there's so much negativity being sold to viewers to keep them tuning in, but it is not an adequate reflection of society: there are always wonderful things happening in our world that conveniently slip through the cracks of the New York Times or Fox News. Get into a good book. Spend time playing Bridge with family and/or friends. There are so many ways to experience the joy of life without glued to media. 

9. Enhance your joy: Yes, this is important indeed, and has been covered in several posts of this blog. Joy can be experienced everywhere, for we as humans are designed for it--yes, designed to experience joy! Have friends over; get out in nature and experience the beauty of our world; reflect in a notebook on the good things that have happened in your life over the past several months, or ways you have overcome hardships. There's always something to be thankful for; and in thanksgiving, we experience joy. People who experience joy in their lives, and choose to see the glass half-full, are often healthier and live longer than those who are cynical and morose. 

10. Get back up: Remember Rocky 6 when the older Balboa confronted the younger Balboa on the street with one of the greatest lines in cinema history? It went something like this: "It's not how many times you get hit, but how hard you get hit but keep moving forward." It's not about how many times you fall down, how many times you 'fail', but how many times you fall down but keep getting back up. Remember Edison? "I have not failed; I've only found 10,000 ways that won't work." Keep moving forward. Keep getting up. Keep affirming Life. 

7 Reasons Why Spring Is the Best Season...

Spring is here! And here are 7 reasons why it is the best:

1. More hits of vitamin D: This vitamin is critical for physical and emotional well-being. During the dark months of winter, many people, unless supplementing, are vitamin D deficient. With Spring, you'll get out more, and thus be exposed to higher doses of vitamin D which will boost your mood.

2. Better back: Lugging all that snow around several times per week can lead to chronic back and other muscle aches, pains, and, worst of all spasms. With Spring, you're not shovelling snow, thus giving your back, and other parts of your body, time to heal.

3. Greater physical activity: In Spring, you're more likely to get out on your bike, go for a run, or simply walk, which is a major form of health.

4. The upward trajectory toward Summer: With spring here, we know its only a couple of months till Summer. People now are beginning to make plans for the summer, which can elevates one's mood through anticipation.

5. Visiting others: The Spring brings more people out on visits, which is very healthy for overall feelings of connectedness, camaraderie, and conviviality. As written in a previous post, eating with others can bolster your mood and make you feel good.

6. Airing out the house: Spring cleaning is a great time to declutter your home, and get the windows open to let in some fresh air.

7. A clean car: You now have warm(er) weather in which to clean your vehicle: get a good thorough clean inside and out, then take it for a spin--you'll feel great.

9 Ways You Can Endure And Enjoy Your March Break Stay-cation

It's March Break, and if you have kids and are not in Borneo or the Galapagos Islands on a routine spring trip, but having instead a 'stay-cation', then this post is for you. 

1. Stay calm and carry on: Yes--totally cliche, but true. It's easy when the kids are away at school all day to get done the things you need; but when they're home, there's a lot of demand on you and your time. Be present for yourself. Don't feel you need to be super-mom or super-dad. Go easy on yourself. When you get impatient, take a little break: sit, breathe, make a cup of tea, and step back from it all.

2. Go places: You don't have to spend money to get out there: a simple trip to your public library can provide a good time; and kids love coming home with stacks of books and audio books to gorge themselves on for the next day or so. There are also galleries and museums, and even swimming at the local Y

3. Get outside: A good long walk with your kids can help them get the beans out, and give you some necessary fresh air and vitamin D. If you live by a forest or ravine or park, check it out if you haven't already. Bring the camera and take some good pics to take home with you.

4. Sugar alternatives: We all know what sugar does to kids, so why, when they're cooped up with us at home do give it to them? They'll be clamouring for snacks most of the day, so it'll be best to keep a good assortment of things they can eat--without the sugar: fruits, nuts, even chips are better than candy, pop, and endless cookies.

5. Be vigilant: This is a time of play-dates and sleepovers. Do you know the people whom your child will be spending time with? Have you been to the houses they're playing at? Have you met the other parents? Do they share the same rules you do, or the same values? It's important to keep your kids safe while in the company of their friends.

6. Do some good: This is a great time to have a de-cluttering party with your kids: Rummage through your closets, basement, garage, and crawl space and find items you don't use but still in good shape and donate them to a local charity. It'll teach your kids about giving, and valuing the things they have.  Will also go a long way to making your house more comfortable.

7. Pajama day: Kids love to do things that are a little crazy--why not go with the flow? Have a pyjama day, and an all-day breakfast, build forts, and just plain lay around. Sometimes kids just need a bit of rest, and parents do too!

8. Movie night: This is not putting your kids in front of a movie while you're on Facebook, but choosing a movie that you as a family can cuddle up on the couch and watch together--replete with popcorn! This is a great time to bond with your kids, and sharing time together. Look for movies that are uplifting and positive, rather than those that are merely popular but full of violence. By not having to go to school, they can stay up later.

9. Be thankful: Thanksgiving is a great thing: it can lift your emotions and release endorphins, while also keeping you patient and joyful. Be thankful for your kids and the time you get to spend with them--they're growing up so fast; and there will come a time when they won't be 'nagging' you to do things all the time. Cherish them.

5 Simple Reasons Why You Need Joy In Your Life

JOY: we all need it; we all want it--but do we have it? And if we don't, how do we get it? Where can it be found? 

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines Joy as "a vivid emotion of pleasure arising from a sense of well-being or satisfaction." 

To me, joy is more than an emotion--it's a state of being; a way of dwelling in the world. 

So maybe I would stand the OED definition on its head and claim that "Joy is a state of well-being that gives one a vivid emotion of pleasure." 

Does it mean there is no sorrow or pain? No. In fact, in many traditions, whether religious or psychological, joy and sorrow are often thought of as married to one another--that in some ways we experience a joy that arises from sorrow, as we sometimes experience sorrow in some moments of joy. 

Why should you seek joy? Because there is a lot about our world that we find trying, depressing, mind-numbing, meaningless. As well, there is no shortage of health-ailments as a result of our world--as a result of those systems we've built only to find out decades later that it's making us sick. 

There are many benefits to joy. Here are some for you to ponder.

1. You feel better about yourself and your world: When you seek joy, even in sorrow, you feel better about yourself and those around you. You carry an "aura" some would say; you light up a room; you serve as the contagion of joy itself. Part of being joyful is realizing that you are unique, that you are precious, that you are loved. That's a good thing.

2. You touch those around you: When you are joyful and bring that to others, you are able to touch them, to make a difference in their lives, which, in turn, brings more joy both to yourself and your world. You help others feel precious and loved and valued.

3. You can touch suffering: Those without joy hide from suffering, which just leads to more problems. Hiding, deflecting, avoiding suffering can bring on health issues, addictions, and self-devaluation. When you are joyful, you know that joy can also be found in suffering, and thus experience joy in moments of pain and hardship. This does not imply some state of perfection or bliss, but a presence to yourself and that which you're going through out of which joy can come. 

4. You experience laughter: A good laugh can release endorphins, which leads to a greater sense of well-being, and even, in some studies, a higher tolerance of pain (which may be why those who are joyful can endure hardship better than those who aren't). Laughter can also increase blood flow, which can defend against hardening arteries.

5. You experience peace: In our crazy world in which there is so much uncertainty, tension, and anxiety, when we seek and experience joy, we also find peace. Not a slothful disinterest in the world around us, but rather an active peace--a kind of calm while we're out there living our lives and trying to make the world a better place one day at a time. It seems, as well, that peace can lead also to joy; that when you experience a state of peace you are in a state of joy. 

Do You Know What Is Considered Distracted Driving?

In our last post, we looked at distracted driving, and some tips for avoiding hundreds of dollars in fines. 

But what is distracted driving? We can clearly define distracted driving as any activity or object or individual that takes your focus off the road and thus puts you at risk of accident. 

Mobile phones have such a high profile of attention, but what other kinds of distractions are there that lead to collisions? There are numerous things we are not aware of in and outside of the vehicle that engaging in are considered driving distractions.

1. Mobile Phones: Ok, so this is the most basic and obvious one, and important to include. If you are texting while driving, you are 4x more likely to get into an accident. It's best just not to do it at all. Make a phone call if you can hands free.

2. Noise: So many people like to get in their vehicles and crank up the tunes; but loud music can be a significant distraction, not only by elevating your mood by which you take more chances on the road, but also impairing your hearing of important sounds around you, such as horn honks and emergency sirens.

3. Adjusting Music: Sometimes I look down to adjust the sound dials on my vehicle's sound system and am surprised by how complicated its design is: I'm forced to look across the interface, press different buttons, and stare at the screen. Until auto companies wake up to the design demands distracted driving statistic, it's critical that you avoid setting the dials when you're driving.

4. Other vehicle occupants: Kids can be so distracting, especially if you have several in the vehicle with you. Tending to children may be necessary at times, but can also lead you to take your eyes off the road for prolonged periods of time. If it's not an emergency with your children, don't tend to them; however, if it is, simply pull over and wait till everything has settled down before proceeding.

5. Personal grooming: Are you one of those guys who whips out the electric razor on your way to a dinner meeting? Or how about putting on lipstick while driving in rush hour? Again, it takes your eyes off the road, and divides your concentration.

6. Eating and drinking: When driving along the highway, I often like to chew on candy: it keeps my mind running and helps prevent me from dozing off. But what I find sometimes is just getting a candy out of a wrapper can take my focus off the road and put me at risk of accident--not a huge risk, nevertheless a risk. If you're eating something complicated, or drinking a full cup of coffee whose risk of spilling is drawing your attention away from the road, it's best to pull over or wait until you get to your destination.

7. Road signs and advertising: Billboards are designed to get your attention; but if you are too entranced by one, you could fall prey to a collision. Same with road signs. I remember once travelling in the U.S. and passed a sign called 'Dip' and almost panicked wondering what that dip immediately ahead was going to possibly be--not to mention it was 2am. 

8. Scenery: Beautiful scenery can take your eyes off the road. If you're driving through a mountainous region or in a hip part of a city, it might be best to pull over or park and take time to really soak it in. If you're with a person who can drive and for whom the scenery is not as awe-inspiring, let them drive so you can enjoy yourself. 

How You Can Avoid Hundreds Of Dollars In Distracted Driving Charges

There is a crackdown shaping up on Ontario highways this week (March 12-20th). The object of the blitz: distracted drivers. 

According to the OPP's 2015 data, distracted driving remains a greater cause of highway fatalities than impaired driving--now for the 7th consecutive year: a quarter of highway fatalities recorded have been from distracted driving, that is, of the 51 total fatalities 12 of them were a result of distracted driving.

The OPP claims that the only way to reduce the number of people dying from distracted driving is to crack down on it as well as raise awareness of what it is and help people make a firm commitment to avoiding distracted driving behaviours. 

According to the Ministry of Transportation, those who use mobile phones are 4 times more likely to have a collision than those who don't. And when people take their eyes off the road for more than 2 seconds, the risk of collision doubles. The following, according to the Ministry of Transportation, are activities considered distracted driving:

1. Operate hand-held communication and digital entertainment devices while you're driving, which include:

• iPods/iPads
• MP3 players
• GPS devices
• Smart phones
• Cell phones
• Laptops
• DVD Players

2. View display screens unrelated to your driving.

What is considered hands-free, according to Ministry of Transportation?

"Any device that you do not touch, hold or manipulate while driving, other than to activate or deactivate it. For example, actions such as dialing or scrolling through contacts, or manually programming a GPS device are not allowed."

Note that you can still use a hand-held device to make 911 emergency calls. However, it's good to consider these safety tips for doing so:

• Pull over safely if conditions allow.
• Keep emergency calls as brief as possible.
• Alert the caller that you are on the road.
• End conversations immediately if driving conditions or situations become hazardous (inclement weather, roadway construction, high-speed or high-volume traffic).
• Be alert to situations on the road where a cell phone's radio frequency and electronics may be potentially harmful, such as construction zones where blasting is occurring, or at gas stations and fuelling areas.

6 Ways To Survive Daylight Savings Time And Get The Best Sleep Of Your Life

Do we really need Daylight Savings Time, or is it an outmoded form of siphoning off an extra bit of daylight here and there? The National Post this week called for an end to it, given that the difference in actual energy saving between us and Saskatchewan (that hasn't adopted DST) is hairline at best. Moreover, given the rise of technology that has provided contexts for more people to work away from an office allows them more flexibility for getting sunlight than ever before. The National Post's claim: do away with DST, return to standard time that places the sun at the top of the sky at noon, and let people sort out when and where to get it.

That said, we may be a ways off from moving away from DST, and, especially this year, find ourselves having to adjust once again to a time change. For some, the impact is minor, and yet for others, there are all kinds of effects from sleeplessness and fatigue, to migraines and even depression especially for people with Seasonal Affective Disorder in which light in the morning is better than light in the evening. Here are some tips to adjust to DST, if you haven't already:

1. Slowly adjust to the change: This may be too late this year, but can be noted for next, unless of course between now and then DST is brought to an end. Start going to bed 15 minutes earlier, then 30 minutes, then 45 minutes, etc until you've adjusted to the hour.

2. Nap: We have already read throughout this blog that naps are important, not only for brain functioning and lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke, but also for adjusting to DST. In fact, one way of changing poison to medicine is to use DST to kickstart your habit of getting in a 10-15 minute nap once a day. 

3. Exercise: Getting in some form of workout--whether running, weights, or even walking--during the day will tire your body out and help you sleep better at night. But don't exercise too close to going to bed, for that may actually keep you awake.

4. Caffeine: Avoid drinking caffeine too close to going to bed. The temptation here is to drink a little more during the day than your normal dose to mitigate fatigue as a result of DST; however, that can actually have reverse effects. Remember: Caffeine is a very serious drug, and in fact is recorded in the DSM 5 (Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Edition from the American Psychiatry Association) as an addiction. As such, drinking more than you're used to can cause all kinds of physical, cognitive, and psychological disruptions. 

5. Go to bed only when sleepy: You don't want to force the change. If you usually go to bed at 11:00 and you're not sleepy when it's 11:00 DST time, relax. Take a book to bed and read until you fall asleep, or listen to soft music--whatever gets you relaxed.

6. Take advantage of the longer evening: If you go to a workplace everyday, now's the time to enjoy that extra hour of daylight when you get home: you'll feel good, and, if you're seeking physical activity, you'll get your body ready for a good night sleep.

Why Eating Food With Others Is One Of The Best Things In Life

When the weather remains cold, and we're waiting for Spring with greater anticipation than the feature film after only the second advertisement, we all need moments in our lives that give us a good ol' fashioned warm fuzzy feeling. And there are very few things that do this than a good feast with others (a feast alone is, I believe, one of the no-nos of winter). 

Conviviality is a glorious word in this sense: events in which people can eat, drink, and be festive in a friendly manner with one another. How quickly would the closing scene of winter seem to go by when in the throes of a feast, or a string of them.

Here are some benefits to eating with others:

1. Endorphins: When you're in a happy, positive, friendly atmosphere, you get a rush of endorphins to your brain that elevate your overall mood, and make you feel great. Being lonely and alienated can have the opposite effect, namely depression and even anxiety.

2. Communication: We are social beings, as noted in my last post, and eating around food is something that defines us anthropologically. When we are with others in a friendly atmosphere, we are more likely to share difficulties through which we can be validated. It's a terrible thing to feel that we're suffering alone; it's often the case that we are not.

3. Diversity: Sick of order pizza for the third time in a week? Having a feast with others can really bring out the diversity, especially when people are bringing different items. Even take-out feasts can be diverse, especially when you have some who want Indian, others who want Chinese, and still others who want Burritos. 

4. Socialize the kids: Modelling is a central way for children to learn behaviours and cultural norms. When you are at a feast, not only do the children get to play with other children, but also see adults getting together and having a good time. Children then learn that getting together with others for a feast is a cool thing, and thus will most likely do it when they're older.

5. Less screen exposure: We spend most of our time in front of a computer screen, and less time with others. By getting out and having a feast with others, we are reducing our screen time, trading it in for real human-to-hums interaction. 

6. Make new friends: When Facebook and other social network sites seem to be the prevalent context for making 'friends', it's important to see a more personable way of doing it. Feasts can be a great way to meet new people, make new friends, and maybe even long-term partners. Friends are important to well-being in life, and getting around good food and friendly atmospheres can be a less intimidating and more healthy way than say at a club or bar.

7. Get new food ideas: My brother in-law makes the best Kombucha I've ever tasted; in fact, whenever I go to his house, I by-pass the wine and head right for that fuzzy long-necked pop-top bottle of that lemony elixir (I'm salivating right now just thinking of it). Now, I just want to make it myself, because having it at his house only a couple of times a month is no good. If my family and I had never had a feast at his house before, I never would've had this idea of home-brewed Kombucha. Get it?

Let's find ways to bring others together in conviviality--let's celebrate life. Instead of getting the blues, let's open our homes to others and enjoy company. There're very few things better in life than being with warm meals and hearts while the wind howls and the cars frost outside. 

10 Things The TV Show Friends Can Teach You That You May Not Know

Are you a loner? Don't get out much? Believe your Twitter followers are your friends? Haven't seen another's house in months, or been out for a coffee with anyone other than your iPhone? Well here are 10 reasons why you need friends.

1. You are made for community: We are social beings. We have developed out of smaller groups and families to more complex societies. There is something incessantly social about the human being--it's in our DNA.

2. You can't make it alone: We need people in our lives--we can't walk this precarious earth alone. And only when we try do we find out just how darn tough it is. 

3. It's no fun: Ever sat in front of a movie and desperately wanted to share it with someone else--even when enjoying the quiet? It's not fun without sharing the stuff we like with others. 

4. Keep you real: We can get all puffed up and tell all sorts of lies to ourselves about how awesome or wretched we are. We can build sand castles in the sky or pits deep enough for us to fall into. Friends can lift us up when we've fallen down, and bring us down when we've left planet earth for our own illusory star.

5. Teach you stuff: We're only as smart as our community. We can be erudite scholars and researchers and thinkers, but a community of other beliefs and ideas and sources of research can make us sharper, smarter. Intelligence is so multi-faceted and diverse that there's always something new to learn from someone else.

6. It's just plain healthy: We are healthy to the extent that we're in community with others. It's hard to say why, but a good friend or set of friends can help us stay healthy, responsible, and better in touch with ourselves.

7. You have something to give: How can you shine without friends? How can you give without friends to give to? How can you take all your knowledge and experience and give it back to the world without friends to receive it? Everyone has something inside to give--a spark, a joy, a talent, a gift--and friends are the direct objects of those gifts. And when we give to them, we receive something special in return: joy. 

8. Being lonely sucks: There is a difference between solitude and loneliness: in solitude, we draw energy and strength from being present to ourselves, our feelings, experiences, circumstances; however, when we are lonely, we feel alienated, despondent, and often without hope. Solitude is something we seek for wholeness; loneliness is something we fall into and wish we hadn't. 

9. To be in touch with life: When we touch others, we touch life itself. When we welcome others into our lives, we have a chance to become more fully alive; to become healed, to find solidarity, to find people who have walked similar paths, or those we find ourselves on that present nothing but peril. We are better in touch with who we are as human beings. We are no longer estranged, no longer alone.

10. Solitude is better: When we have friends, when we are engaged in community, those moments of solitude, those moments we take to be away from others, become sweeter. While we are in those moments of solitude, we can be thankful for the community we will return to when, again, we are ready. We can be human and free in our solitude because of the strength we have garnered through our social interactions. We are not lonely, because we remain in community even in our solitude. 

If you have slipped out of community, whether because of work, or school, or just life slipping by, I encourage you to re-enter. If you have lost touch with some friends, maybe this is a good time to re-connect with them. If you have left friends who were of poor influence, find the places where those of good influence would be, and enter that community. Our world is full of loneliness and despair, especially as it becomes more technologized. It's easier to hide behind our computer screens than to enter deeper into life. Be encouraged.

If You Think Maybe This Is As Good As It Gets, Then You've Got To Read These 12 Awesome Tips For Adding Health, Happiness, and Longevity To Your Life

When you walk out your door in the morning and you see yet more snow, it's hard to be positive; and yet, there are many studies done that show a connection between mindset and health. As we're looking forward to spring, there's no better time than now to make changes in our lives that will enhance our overall health and well-being.

1. Get a dog: Do you know that it's routine practice for hospitals to bring dogs in to visit with those in long-term care? Dogs have a way of brightening up your spirits. Like a professor of mine said once, "Even if everyone else hates you, the dog'll always love you." In addition to that is the accumulated research showing that dog-owners on average tend to get more exercise thus boosting their overall physical health and well-being. If you're planning to get one, check out your local dog rescue shelter--you'll add to your life and save a dog in the process.

2. Drink coffee: Yes--a little coffee can go a long way to reducing certain kinds of diseases, such as stroke, heart disease, and even Alzheimer's. If you actually sit and enjoy your coffee with a friend that will add even more longevity to your life.

3. Be social: Those who are reclusive have a higher risk of all kinds of health problems. There is mounting evidence that shows a link between social interaction and overall health. There are even some correlations showing the link between social drinking and health, not because of the drinking, but more because of the social interaction.

4. Volunteer: We all have gifts to bring to the world. Good at numbers? How about tutoring kids in need? Are you an artist? How about teaching art to those who don't have access to good art teachers? There are also volunteer opportunities at any local soup kitchen for the homeless etc. When we give of ourselves, we enhance our well-being and overall happiness.

5. Quit smoking: This is obvious, but one that can easily get lost in the cliche. Quitting smoking can add decades to your life; and all it takes is a lot of will power and consistency.

6. Flossing: Another very simple thing that can add years to your life. It takes 3 minutes a couple of times per day, and provides amazing health benefits. Gum disease can be linked to many other health ailments.

7. Sing: This simple vocal activity can heighten your brain functioning, send all kinds of wonderful endorphins through your brain, and elevate your mood. There are great health benefits to singing that add up to longevity over time. If you're singing in a choir or band, then your social activity is augmenting the health benefits.

8. Wine: Just under one glass of wine per day can act as an amazing antioxidant, which means that it aids in the killing of free-radicals--the things in your body that can lead to the actualizing of cancer cells. Too much wine, however, will act as a depressant, thus reversing the initial health benefits.

9. Positive thinking: We've seen in other posts the importance of mindset. There is so much research on the power of the mind to either cause one great stress and despair or tremendous heights of joy and elation. Thinking positively, rather than dwelling negatively on your life, can lead to better decisions that ultimately lead to the opening of better circumstances.

10. Sleep: Good sleeping patterns are critical for longevity and overall health. Some maintain that seven hours of sleep is adequate enough. However, as with everything in life, too much sleep can reverse the benefits. There are links between the number of hours of sleep beyond 7 or 8 and the risk of heart disease.

11. Work standing up: Sitting on the job is the new smoking. More people are getting standing desks for their workplaces, given the stats coming out on the link between sedentary lifestyles and heart disease, stroke, even cancer. If you don't have a standing desk, make one by piling stuff up on your current desk, plunk your computer on it, and hit those keys. There are always solutions.

12. Find meaning: This is one that will serve you all through your life: finding meaning in your life. Do you have a dream? Is there something you feel you need to accomplish in life? By not following your heart toward that thing you need to accomplish you are adding stress and despair to your life. Following dreams are not easy; they often require sacrifice and hard work. If you don't have the answer, don't worry about trying to swallow it all in one bite. Work at bits of it everyday, and you'll find the strength to continue.