The World's Best Book Summaries
Is a big decision on the horizon for you? What are some things you should consider when making important decisions in life? Your decisions chart the trajectory of your life. When faced with a big decision, it’s important to push yourself beyond the current situation and consider how you’ll feel about your decision at various points in the future. Here’s how to make high-stakes decisions, according to Chip and Dan Heath.
What are some of the best benefits of optimism? How do optimistic people think differently? Psychologist Martin Seligman has studied the science behind optimism and pessimism to understand these mindsets better. According to him, learning to be optimistic does more than simply boost your mood. Keep reading to find out the four important benefits of optimism that improve your wellbeing.
What matters most at the end of life? How can end-of-life institutions help their patients prepare to die with dignity and peace? The dying should have the chance to wrap up their affairs, share their deepest thoughts, encourage their loved ones, and establish their legacies. However, modern-day end-of-life institutions tend to deprive their patients of the opportunity to decide how they want to spend their final days. Here’s why we should make our end-of-life decisions before they are made for us.
What are some of the best poems about culture and heritage? What is poet Rupi Kaur’s perspective on her South Asian heritage? Rupi Kaur is a poet and visual artist who emigrated to Canada from India as a young girl. Kaur’s poems offer insight into her cultural background, including why she criticizes certain aspects of her Indian heritage. Keep reading for a look at Kaur’s poems about culture and heritage in South Asia.
What is Lisa Feldman Barrett’s body budget? How do you know if your body budget is imbalanced? In her book, How Emotions Are Made, author Lisa Feldman Barrett introduces the body budgeting concept as the way you regulate energy and emotions. According to Barrett, maintaining a balanced body budget is important for your overall sense of wellbeing. Keep reading to learn more about your body budget, according to Lisa Feldman Barrett.
Where does creative inspiration come from? Does the “muse” exist? Many artists rely on the “muse” to get inspired. In The Practice, Seth Godin says that the muse doesn’t exist, or at least shouldn’t be your main source of creative inspiration. Keep reading to learn what can help you get inspired.
How are culture and depression connected? Which cultural influences predispose you to depression? According to Martin Seligman’s studies in psychology, modern culture has primed you to be at risk of developing depression. Seligman advocates for overcoming cultural pessimism and embracing optimism while keeping a balanced (realist) perspective. Read on to learn why culture and depression are so closely connected, according to Seligman.
How can poetry explain having a bad body image? What did Rupi Kaur’s negative self-image teach her? As she explores the struggle of having a bad body image, Rupi Kaur’s poetry in her book, The Sun and Her Flowers, expresses feelings of depression, envy, and longing. Kaur’s poetry gives intimate details of how women, especially women of color, come to terms with negative body image. Keep reading to learn about Rupi Kaur’s experience of having a bad body image, expressed through poetry.
What is artistic intent? What should be the purpose behind your artwork? In The Practice, Seth Godin says that you need a purpose behind your artwork. Artistic intent should involve what and who you’re making work for. Here’s how to establish your artistic intent to become a better artist.
What is your “predictive brain,” according to psychology? How do humans use prediction to maintain well-being? Your predictive brain is in charge of monitoring all of your body’s needs, according to neuroscientist and psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett. In her studies of the brain and emotions, Barrett found that the predictive brain plays a large role in regulating your mood, too. Read on to learn more about the function of your predictive brain, according to Barrett’s research.