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- Age with Grace:
Yearning to be younger or older is a denial of the richness of your past and the promise of your future, as well as the grace of your present moment.
At every juncture in life, there are treasures to cherish and insights to gather. With each passing decade, and indeed, with every new year, we are bestowed with a bounty of wisdom, transformation, and growth, along with moments of closure and fresh beginnings. It's a common inclination for many to believe that one specific age eclipses all others. People invest considerable energy striving to attain it, and once it slips away, they work tirelessly to cling to it. Yet, yearning to be either younger or older robs us of the joys that we've experienced and those yet to come, as well as the splendor of our current existence. Grasping onto a particular age can hinder our ability to fully appreciate the significance of every new milestone we reach. Instead, relishing the unique delights of your current age, whether you find yourself in your 20s, 40s, 60s, or 80s, can unveil the magnificence and utility of the intricate seasons of life.
Each year gifted to us by the universe is brimming with fresh and uncharted experiences. During our 20s, we can wholeheartedly embrace the exuberance of youth and the learning process, knowing that it's perfectly acceptable not to have all the answers. As we transition through our third decade, our self-assuredness grows as the haze of young adulthood fades. These years deserve our reverence, and we should set aside our anxieties about aging, focusing instead on solidifying our values and basking in our burgeoning emotional maturity. In our 40s, we become acutely aware of the wisdom accrued through life's adventures and are blessed with the ability to put it into meaningful practice. We are unafraid to explore new frontiers or embrace change. By the time we reach our 50s, we've often navigated the reevaluations of midlife and have established our life priorities. As we journey beyond these decades, we encounter a newfound sense of freedom that surpasses any we've known before, allowing us to relish the memories of all that we've witnessed and experienced.
So, endeavor to revel in the age you presently inhabit, for each stage of life offers its own unique wisdom to savor and celebrate.
"I gracefully embrace the passage of time, finding beauty and wisdom in each new day. My age is a testament to the experiences that have shaped me, and I carry them with dignity and grace. With every year, I become a more refined version of myself, radiating wisdom, love, and inner peace."
Good afternoon. It's Wednesday, Sept. 20, and we're covering simmering tensions between Canada and India, the origins of pink diamonds, and much more.
Need To Know
Caucasus Conflict RenewsAt least 25 people were killed and nearly 140 injured after Azerbaijan launched what it called a military operation yesterday against Armenian-backed separatists in the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, raising concerns over a new war in the region. Azerbaijan and Armenia last went to war for 44 days in 2020, with more than 7,000 soldiers and civilians killed. The war ended after Russia brokered a cease-fire deal and deployed nearly 2,000 peacekeeping troops. Canada, India Trade ExpulsionsIndia expelled a senior Canadian diplomat yesterday over accusations that India's government was involved in the killing of a Sikh activist leader on Canadian soil, further fraying the relationship between the two countries. The development comes a day after Canada made the allegations and expelled a top Indian diplomat. Pink Diamond GeologyRare pink diamonds found in western Australia's Argyle mine likely formed 1.3 billion years ago—100 million years earlier than previously believed—as the splintering supercontinent Nuna released them to the crust of the Earth, a new study claims. The mine, closed since 2020, is the source of 90% of the world's pink diamond supply. Politics & World Affairs> House Oversight Committee to hold first hearing of impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden next Thursday, will subpoena the bank records of Hunter Biden (More) > US officials locate debris field in South Carolina believed to be from F-35 fighter jet that went missing Sunday; Marine Corps orders two-day aviation stand-down, cause of crash not yet identified (More) > Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives in the US, making second visit to press for continued support since Russia invaded Ukraine last February (More) President Joe Biden speaks at United Nations General Assembly, urges global support for Ukraine (More) | Sports, Entertainment, & Culture> Disney to spend $60B over the next 10 years on far-reaching projects to expand its theme parks and cruise lines (More) > UEFA Champions League begins; see preview and predictions for the 32-team tournament (More) | Max, formerly HBO Max, to launch "Bleacher Report" add-on package Oct. 5 with plans to stream 300 live sporting events a year (More) Science & Technology> Google's DeepMind unveils AI-powered platform to predict which mutations in various proteins are likely to lead to health conditions and diseases (More) > Next-generation CRISPR-like tool makes debut in clinical trials; known as base editing, the approach allows high-precision changes to individual strands of DNA (More) Business & Markets> US stock markets close lower (S&P 500 -0.2%, Dow -0.3%, Nasdaq -0.2%) ahead of today’s Federal Reserve interest rate decision (More) > Delivery giant Instacart closes up 12% on first day of trading following initial public offering, valuing the company at approximately $10B (More) > US gasoline prices reach highest level since October 2022, averaging $3.88 per gallon (More) Etcetera
Taste 15 of the best sandwiches across the US. Visit America's happiest places to live. See the winners of the Minimalist Photography Awards. Acrobatic skunk caught doing a handstand. ... and watch a bird make teeny tiny toast. A newspaper correction 60 years in the making. |
WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT…
Early Morning Hustle Culture
Meditating, exercising, and journaling all before sunrise are apparently the keys to optimal wellbeing and more productive lives, according to popular morning wellness trends like "low dopamine mornings" or "5 to 9 before the 9 to 5." The not-so-subtle message? The healthiest, most successful people get shit done — and early. But the truth is there's no magical time of day to optimize your health habits.
If you've ever felt personally victimized by early morning hustle culture, don't sweat it. Go ahead, hit snooze — if you want to.
What does science say?
It varies. Exposure to sunlight in the morning does help regulate your internal clock for better sleep. And research agrees journaling and meditation may help improve mental health, but it’s less about when you do these things, and more about simply doing them. As for dopamine hacking? You can’t measure dopamine at home, and even if you could, it's not clear what benefits you’d get from manipulating those levels, says Gretchen Rubin, bestselling author of “The Happiness Project” and host of the "Happier" podcast.
If you want to reap the benefits of any routine, figuring out if you’re a morning vs. night person is a great place to start. Ask yourself when you feel most energized, says Elizabeth B. Klerman, PhD, MD, a professor of neurology in the sleep medicine division of Harvard Medical School. Then understand your preferences. “Why should you journal first thing in the morning if it’s going to make you miserable?” asks Rubin. However, “some people may simply enjoy doing certain chores or practicing self-care in the early hours because it tends to be a more peaceful and controllable time of day.” What matters is having a sustainable routine that works with you.
Your move
Avoid the comparison trap. Just because someone on TikTok chooses not to look at their phone in the morning doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. Plus, there’s no way to know what their responsibilities or privileges look like.
Prioritize sleep. If your schedule is such that you’d have to sacrifice quality sleep to achieve certain habits, then your morning routine is no longer beneficial — you’re just tired for no good reason.
Focus on basic healthy habits. Start with getting enough sleep, exercising, and getting sunlight on your face, says Rubin. Then try building other wellness habits — practicing mediation, writing in a gratitude journal — into your day (whenever is best for you). Keep what you enjoy, and ditch what doesn’t serve you.
WELL, WELL, WELL...
Catch up on the latest health news, tips, and trends.
They say to listen to your heart. But what does it mean when you can actually hear or feel it beating? And we don’t mean while checking your pulse.
Is Dr. ChatGPT the new Dr. Google? This question emerges as, according to one analyst, AI tools are outpacing doctors in mental health screenings. We’re sensing a theme.
Doctors are curious if not getting enough sleep may be a contributing factor to rising cancer rates among young people. Plus, crappy Zzzs could be causing your upset stomach. Nap, anyone?
Hormonal birth control is having a “reputational crisis,” and more women are opting out. Here’s what you need to know to make the right choice for you.
Inspiring Stories
Opening the conversation, one book at a time
After returning from war with post-traumatic stress disorder, army vet Pete White became a mental health consultant and penned seven children’s books aimed at helping young people navigate their emotions, with titles like The Anxious Knight and The Sorcerer’s Secret.
Pizza Pizza It’s all about the Pizza!!
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