So there\u2019s been a sense of bubbly excitement happening for me lately. A sense of promise, and a sense of positivity about the future. A feeling that had been a bit lacking over the past year and a half. I love it!! And I hope some of that positivity is coming (back) into your life too!
Over the past couple of weeks, my thirst for learning new things has also really increased \u2013 always a good sign that I am in my happy place.\u00a0
With so much going on, I\u2019ve been bouncing around topics, so there is no overarching theme to this week\u2019s newsletter. It\u2019s an eclectic mix of all that caught my interest lately!\u00a0\ud83d\ude04<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PERSONALITY TYPES<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am completely fascinated by personality types, and I think it is so helpful not only knowing what personality type *you* are, but also knowing what types of personality you\u2019re interacting with. I\u2019m a Myers-Briggs \/ 16 personalities<\/a> INTJ, the Architect. In any personality test, I\u2019m a composite of opposites: analytical and creative. In the DISC profile, I\u2019m a CI (\u201cAppraiser\u201d) \u2013 two opposing quadrants. While no personality test can be 100% accurate, I do think it can be very useful for self-awareness and team communication to do a bit of digging into what makes you tick. PODCASTS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I may not whistle while I work \u2013 \u00e0 la the seven dwarfs \u2013 but I do listen to podcasts! Making dinner, folding the laundry, in the car en route to swim training, I always have a podcast on the go. And there have been quite a few that have caught my interest lately! WHAT I’M READING<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m a sucker for anything historical, and I admit that I actually DO judge a book by its cover!\u00a0\ud83d\ude48\u00a0A few years ago, based on the recommendation of a friend, I read Deborah Harkness\u2019 wonderful book\u00a0A Discovery of Witches<\/a>.\u00a0Neither vampires nor witches are my go-to genre, quite the opposite in fact. But sometimes a good friend\u2019s word carries more weight than my genre prejudices, so I read it. And loved it! Such a great story. Wonderful character development, and so much rich history!
If you\u2019re interested in learning more about communication styles and what makes people act and communicate the way they do, I\u2019ve been reading a really interesting book on the four DISC profiles: D<\/strong>ominant, I<\/strong>nfluential, S<\/strong>teady and C<\/strong>ompliant. While I don\u2019t love the title of the book, the content of Surrounded by Idiots<\/a> (auf Deutsch Hilfe! Psychopathen<\/a>!) is a great resource for going deeper into the four personality types and discovering what drives and motivates each type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tale of two Turkish immigrants to Germany and their journey to create a vaccine for cancer led to the formation of Biontech and, most recently, the Coronavirus vaccine. The pair \u2013 who are partnered in life and in science \u2013 are so passionate about medical science and their work that it was just a joy to listen to them. I found this TED Talk<\/a> fascinating in how humble they are, how good their English is, how altruistic their company is, and how focused they are on science!
Perhaps one contributing factor to my happy mood these days is that I\u2019m able to see friends and family in person more often again! This podcast<\/a> points out that humans are indeed social creatures and that one significant factor that often leads to depression and anxiety is spending too much time alone, and not enough with our \u201ctribe\u201d.
I really notice a difference in my mental state when I meditate regularly. Unfortunately, I don\u2019t meditate nearly regularly enough, but I do feel the positive effects when I do. I loved this short podcast for pointing out that if you notice your thoughts drifting when you are meditating, that means you’re being mindful! That perspective helps a lot! This interview<\/a> was a refreshingly practical chat about simple habits that can have big effects. (And I also think Dr. Chattergee has a beautiful voice \u2013 a key element for a successful podcast!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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So when I saw the cover of\u00a0The Lost Apothecary<\/a>, I judged it \u2013 it looked so similar to the cover of A Discovery of Witches! That had to be a good sign. And it was! It was two stories intertwined: one the story of a woman living in the present and discovering an ancient apothecary vial on a visit to the Thames in London. The other, the story of a London apothecary run by a woman trying to help voiceless women avenge wrongs in their lives through poisons and potions. A great story!
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And if you\u2019re in the mood for something a bit racy and steamy \u2013 not a genre I am a huge fan of normally, I have to admit! \u2013 I absolutely love everything that Helen Hoang writes. Unlike 50 Shades of Grey, which I found appallingly written and cringingly embarrassing in its intimate scenes, Hoang writes really compelling characters and interactions. Her main character is always on the autism spectrum (as the author herself) and Asian. I\u2019ve loved all her books so far, and\u00a0The Heart Principle<\/a>\u00a0was definitely no exception. If you\u2019re looking for something light, fun and diverting over the weekend, look no further!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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