Embracing the Unknown:

The Wisdom in Asking, for the Answer is Always "NO" if You Never Ask.

In a world that often seems to thrive on uncertainty, one nugget of wisdom stands out: "The answer is always NO if you never ask." This seemingly simple statement holds profound implications for our lives, pushing us to venture beyond our comfort zones and challenge the status quo. As I reflect on this concept, I can't help but marvel at the myriad ways it plays out in real-life situations.

1. Job Opportunities:

  • You spot a dream job posting, but doubt and fear hold you back from applying. The answer is a guaranteed "NO" if you never submit that application.

2. Relationships:

  • You've developed feelings for someone special, but the fear of rejection paralyzes you. The answer will forever be "NO" if you never gather the courage to express your feelings.

3. Negotiations:

  • You're eyeing a salary increase, but the thought of asking your boss makes you uneasy. The answer remains "NO" until you muster the courage to initiate the conversation.

4. Personal Growth:

  • You've been considering joining a challenging class or workshop, but self-doubt creeps in. The answer is a resounding "NO" if you never take that leap and enroll.

5. Travel Adventures:

  • The idea of a solo trip excites you, but fear of the unknown holds you back. The answer is always "NO" to incredible experiences if you never take the first step and book that ticket.

6. Creative Pursuits:

  • You have a brilliant idea for a project, but the fear of failure prevents you from sharing it with others. The answer will forever be "NO" to collaboration and potential success if you never voice your thoughts.

7. Learning Opportunities:

  • A challenging task at work requires new skills, but the fear of incompetence stops you from seeking help. The answer is a definite "NO" to personal and professional growth if you never ask for guidance.

8. Community Involvement:

  • You're passionate about a cause, but the fear of rejection hinders you from volunteering. The answer is always "NO" to making a positive impact if you never offer your time and energy.

9. Overcoming Misunderstandings:

  • You're upset with a friend or colleague, but the fear of confrontation prevents you from addressing the issue. The answer remains "NO" to resolution and understanding if you never have that difficult conversation.

10. Seeking Support:

  • Life throws challenges your way, but the fear of burdening others keeps you silent. The answer is an enduring "NO" to support and connection if you never reach out and share your struggles.

In a world brimming with opportunities and challenges, the answer is indeed always "NO" if we never find the courage to ask. Embracing this concept becomes a gateway to a life filled with experiences, connections, and personal growth. So, the next time doubt and fear threaten to hold you back, remember: the answer is waiting for you, but only if you dare to ask. ~RS

"I boldly embrace the power of asking, knowing that the answer is always 'NO' if I never inquire. Each question is a step towards growth, opportunity, and a life lived without regret."

Daily Affirmation

Good morning. It's Thursday, Nov. 16, and we're covering an advance in northern Gaza, another discovery by the James Webb Space Telescope, and much more.

Al-Shifa Hospital

Israel Defense Forces said yesterday they had confirmed the presence of a Hamas command center inside northern Gaza's al-Shifa hospital, a revelation which came after soldiers carried out an overnight raid into the building. The facility had become a flashpoint in the war—at least 43 patients had died in the past week amid fighting outside, with more than 1,500 people trapped inside

A Sandy Planet

Observations made from the James Webb Space Telescope have uncovered details about the atmosphere and clouds of a Neptune-like planet 211 light-years away from Earth. European astronomers have discovered the atmosphere of exoplanet WASP-107b contains water vapor and sulfur dioxide and features silicate clouds that form raindrops of sand. 

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture

> Comedian and actor Kevin Hart selected as 25th recipient of prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (More)

> New York Yankees' Gerrit Cole and San Diego Padres' Blake Snell win AL and NL Cy Young Awards for MLB's best pitchers; MVP winners to be announced tonight (6 pm ET, MLB Network) (More)

> Jimmy Kimmel tapped to host Academy Awards (March 10) for a fourth time (More)

Science & Technology

> Google's DeepMind found to predict weather forecasts equal to or better than existing models; known as GraphCast, the application computes within a minute and can be run on a desktop computer (More)

> Previously unknown coronavirus strain in cats, responsible for thousands of feline deaths in Cyprus, identified in the UK; virus is not currently believed to be a threat to humans (More)

Business & Markets

> US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +0.2%, Dow +0.5%, Nasdaq +0.1%) fueled by cool inflation data (More

US Producer Price Index—a key inflation metric tracking product prices—drops 0.5% in October from September, the first decline since May and biggest decline since April 2020 (More

> United Auto Workers vote on tentative labor contract with General Motors too close to call following latest tallies at GM factories, with ballots still being counted; more than 60% of workers at GM's largest factory in Arlington, Texas, voted to approve the deal (More)

Politics & World Affairs

> President Joe Biden meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping for the first time in a year on the sidelines of an economic summit in San Francisco; talks covered military and economic issues (More

 Biden announces five federal judiciary nominees (More)

New Hampshire sets presidential primary for Jan. 23 (More

> Former President Donald Trump requests mistrial in ongoing $250M New York civil fraud case, claiming the judge and law clerk demonstrated bias; a limited gag order was previously issued to Trump over inflammatory remarks he made (More

> Mother of 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher in Virginia sentenced to 21 months in prison for marijuana use while owning a gun, which is illegal under US law (More

Animals

Endangered Bird Dubbed “the World’s Most Dangerous” Emerges From Australian Waters

A bird belonging to a species deemed by some to be “the world’s most dangerous” surprised Australian beachgoers when it emerged from the waters of Bingil Bay, a coastal town in the northeast. Cassowaries are aggressive, flightless birds that can grow up to 5.5 feet tall, making them the third largest species behind ostriches and emus.

Post of the Day

The U.S. women’s national soccer team has a new coach. Emma Hayes, who has led the U.K.’s Chelsea FC for the last 11 years, will head stateside at the conclusion of her team’s season in May, just in time to prep the USWNT for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. And she will become the highest paid women’s soccer coach in the world. “This is a huge honor to be given the opportunity to coach the most incredible team in world football history,” Hayes said in a statement. “The feelings and connection I have for this team and for this country run deep. I’ve dreamed about coaching the USA for a long time so to get this opportunity is a dream come true.” Read her story.

And Finally...

 

River turtles sit in a plastic basin before being released into a river in the Peruvian Amazon, in San Jose de Lupuna.

In the Peruvian Amazon, an extended heat wave and drought have shortened the incubation period for thousands of turtle hatchlings released into the river by biologists as part of a local environmental program. Around 3,200 yellow-spotted Amazon river turtles were freed as part of a plan to repopulate the species.

SNIPPETS

Amazon is now selling security robots for businesses — the $2.4k robots can autonomously patrol office spaces 24/7 with their HD night-vision camera. For an extra $99/month, the cute li’l wheely fella will notify Ring agents if it detects something out of place.

Airbnb dropped ~$200m on AI startup GamePlanner.AI just weeks after Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky teased AI’s role in enabling his company to become “the ultimate travel agent.” What does that mean? No idea, but sounds fun.

Snapchat launched Beauty Bestie, a new AR makeup filter that doubles as a marketing tool. The filter — a partnership with NYX Professional Makeup — links out to real makeup products that users can buy to recreate their filtered looks.

Sephora will remove all fragrances from its shelves, saying the category is one of the most targeted for theft. Tester bottles will still be available, but customers will need to request boxed packages from store staff if they want to check out.

Uber Tasks is a pilot program that allows users to hire drivers in Fort Myers, Florida, and Edmonton, Alberta, for chores — so basically it’s just TaskRabbit now?

DON'T MISS THIS...

The social media boom is officially over. Here’s how popular social media platforms and user habits are evolving as we approach 2024.

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