The week in review - October 2, 2020

Monday - "It's pumpkin spice time" Yes, that means more giveaways! "It's the most wonderful time of the year (if you're a pumpkin spice lover like Kim Holderness)!"

Tuesday - "Neuroscience Says Doing This 1 Thing Makes You Just as Happy as Eating 2,000 Chocolate Bars" What is it? "It also gives you the same neurological boost as receiving $25,000."

Wednesday - "Why You Should Learn the Lost Art of Rhetoric" From The Art of Manliness. "For thousands of years, the study of rhetoric was a fundamental part of a man’s education."

Thursday - "Partial sleep deprivation hinders weight control #TBT" From Dr. Michael Breus. "Getting enough sleep is very important in weight loss, along with diet and exercise."

Interesting days

Today - World Smile Day, Name Your Car Day, World Farm Animals Day, Kids Music Day, International Day of Non-Violence and Custodial Worker Day

Tomorrow - Card Making Day, Bring Your Bible to School Day, Boyfriend’s Day, Virus Appreciation Day and Techies Day

Month long celebrations:

Sep 15 - Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Next Friday - Egg Day, Scrubs Day, Vet Nurse Day, Beer and Pizza Day, Curious Events Day, Fire Prevention Day,  Moldy Cheese Day and World Post Day

Month long celebrations:

Sep 15 - Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

November 2 - Deviled Egg Day, Dynamic Harmlessness Day, Job Action Day and Broadcast Traffic Professionals Day

Week long celebrations:

Nov 1 - Nov 8: Marzipan Week

Partial sleep deprivation hinders weight control #TBT

Today's blog post was originally published last year:

Today's blog post is based on a blog post by Dr. Michael Breus.

A comprehensive new review of research related to sleep and weight gives us some perspective on what we’ve learned about the complicated relationship between the two. Researchers examined studies from the past 15 years on the possible influence of partial sleep deprivation and weight control. They emerged with a broad consensus: partial sleep deprivation appears to have a significant impact on weight—how easily it is gained, lost, and maintained. Partial sleep deprivation, in this case, is defined as sleeping fewer than six hours per night. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that nearly one-third of working adults in the U.S. are sleeping no more than 6 hours per night, an indication of just how broadly lack of sleep may be contributing to our culture’s problems with weight.

I know that during the week I currently get between 5 and 5 1/2 hours of sleep (on a good day), although I often make up for it on the weekend (which isn't a good strategy either). This year I'm getting about an hour more sleep during the week since I don't have to commute right now...however Friday and Saturday are pretty bad with Zooms on both days).

Why does a lack of sleep cause weight gain?

This review revealed consensus among multiple studies about some of the ways that sleep can influence weight. Partial sleep deprivation disrupts the normal levels of two hormones that are critical to regulating hunger and appetite: ghrelin and leptin. I’ve written before about the role that these hormones play in the sleep-weight connection. Studies show that even mild and short-term sleep deprivation can result in imbalances to these hormones that govern appetite. 

Ghrelin is a fast-acting hormone, produced in cells of the stomach, which spurs appetite and drives us to eat. Ghrelin may particularly increase appetite for high-calorie foods. There’s evidence that ghrelin may also direct fat towards the midsection of the body, where it is most dangerous to health. When the body is deprived of sleep, production of ghrelin increases. Research shows that even a single night of sleep deprivation can elevate ghrelin levels—and appetite. 

Leptin is a hormone that suppresses appetite by communicating to receptors in the brain that the body has the energy it needs to function, and doesn’t need to take on more. Leptin is produced in white fat cells throughout the body. The amount of fat in the body, then, influences the amount of leptin produced. When leptin levels are lower than normal, we’re less likely to feel full after eating. Food also appears more enticing to people with low leptin levels, according to research. Low sleep suppresses leptin production, making us more likely to feel ongoing pangs of hunger. Even short-term sleep deprivation has been shown to reduce leptin levels.

Here's a blog post about the different kinds of fat...some fats actually helping you lose weight!

Be sure to check out the blog post above...it tells how to increase brown fat...the kind that helps you lose weight.

Getting enough sleep is very important in weight loss, along with diet and exercise.

I've pretty much been in hibernation the last 6 months...but this week I've started walking more and eating less. only 6 more months until spring! 

Interesting days

October will be Dysautonomia Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, SUDEP Action Month, Fire Prevention Month, Cyber Security Awareness Month, Mental Health Month, Black Cat Awareness Month, Family History Month, Dyslexia Awareness Month, Computer Learning Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fair Trade Month, Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month, ADHD Awareness Month and Pizza Month

Today - International Coffee Day, CD Player Day, World Vegetarian Day, Older Peoples Day and Lincolnshire Day

Tomorrow -  World Smile Day, Name Your Car Day, World Farm Animals Day, Kids Music Day, International Day of Non-Violence and Custodial Worker Day

Month long celebrations:

Sep 15 - Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Next Thursday - World Octopus Day, International Podiatry Day, Pierogi Day, Sight Day and American Touch Tag Day

Month long celebrations:

Sep 15 - Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

November will be World Vegan Month, Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month, Pomegranate Month, Epilepsy Awareness Month, Movember, Adoption Month, Novel Writing Month, Manatee Awareness Month and Native American Heritage Month

November 1 - Zero Tasking Day, Orphan Sunday, World Vegan Day, French Fried Clam Day, Vinegar Day, Author's Day, Extra Mile Day, Go Cook For Your Pets Day and Scented Candle Day

Week long celebrations:

Nov 1 - Nov 8: Marzipan Week

Why You Should Learn the Lost Art of Rhetoric

Today's blog post is based on a podcast from The Art of Manliness:

For thousands of years, the study of rhetoric was a fundamental part of a man’s education. Though it ceased to be commonly taught in the 19th century, my guest today argues that it’s an art well worth reviving in the modern day. 

His name is Jay Heinrich, and he’s an expert in language and persuasion and the author of Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion. Jay and I begin our conversation with a description of what rhetoric is, why after being taught around the world for centuries it fell out of favor as a component of education, and why it’s still essential for everyone, especially leaders, to learn. We then unpack the difference between fighting and arguing, and how it’s the latter that’s a lost art, especially in our digital age. From there we discuss each of Aristotle’s three tools of rhetoric — ethos, pathos, and logos — including a dive into how the way your audience sees your character is so important, and how you can even do an ethos analysis of your resume. We then delve into Cicero’s five canons of rhetoric, and Jay shares a smart technique for memorizing a presentation, and thus delivering it more persuasively. We end our conversation with a fun game you can play to sharpen your rhetorical skills.

Rhetoric is one of the disciplines of a classical liberal arts education:

The trivium:

Grammar
Logic
Rhetoric

The quadrivium:

Arithmetic
Geometry
Music
Astronomy

Our grammar schools came from this idea  In fact, the ideas of the trivium matches up pretty well with grammar (or elementary) school, middle school and high school. Although, classical education went out of favor in the early 1900's. But you can check out this additional podcast on AoM on how to get a classical education today for yourself or your children..

Here are the highlights from the program:

• What is rhetoric?
• The history of sophists and rhetorical studies 
• Why did rhetoric stop being taught in school? What’s lost when we don’t teach rhetoric?
• What’s the difference between a fight and an argument?
• Can you have a constructive argument with someone who just wants to fight?
• 3 primary things to know about your audience
• Why tense matters so much — forensic (past), tribal (present), and deliberative/political (future) 
• How to argue well with your significant other 
• Aristotle’s “tools of character” 
• How to connect with groups of people different from you 
• Getting people in the mood to be persuaded 
• What Homer Simpson can teach us about speaking 
• Why logical fallacies aren’t always bad in persuasion 
• Cicero’s Five Canons of Rhetoric 
• The value of memorization when it comes to persuasion 
• A rhetorical game to bone up on your skills

Also, check out this series of articles from AoM on rhetoric.

Interesting days

Today - Ask A Stupid Question Day, Thunderbirds Day, Rumi Day, Hot Mulled Cider Day, Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day, International Translation Day and Mud Pack Day

October will be Dysautonomia Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, SUDEP Action Month, Fire Prevention Month, Cyber Security Awareness Month, Mental Health Month, Black Cat Awareness Month, Family History Month, Dyslexia Awareness Month, Computer Learning Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fair Trade Month, Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month, ADHD Awareness Month and Pizza Month

Tomorrow - International Coffee Day, CD Player Day, World Vegetarian Day, Older Peoples Day and Lincolnshire Day

Month long celebrations:

Sep 15 - Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Next Wednesday - Canadian Beer Day, Bathtub Day, Random Acts of Poetry Day, Frappe Day and Team Margot Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Awareness Day

Month long celebrations:

Sep 15 - Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

October 30 - Checklist Day, Bandana Day, Candy Corn Day, Create A Great Funeral Day and Haunted Refrigerator Night

October 31 - Halloween, Magic Day, Hug A Sheep Day and Caramel Apple Day

Neuroscience Says Doing This 1 Thing Makes You Just as Happy as Eating 2,000 Chocolate Bars

Today's blog post is from an article in Inc. But not only does it make you as happy as eating 2,000 chocolate bars:

It also gives you the same neurological boost as receiving $25,000.

Wanting to be happier is a universal trait. It's rare to find a person whose reply to, "How would you like to feel today?" is, "Morose, please." 

The scientific study of happiness (aka positive psychology) has mushroomed over the last two decades. Major research institutions have taken on substantial and often thought-provoking forays into the joy of joy, with surprising and often enlightening results. 

One such study took place in the UK, where researchers used electromagnetic brain scans and heart-rate monitors to generate what they called "mood-boosting values" for different stimuli. In other words, they had participants do, look at, or listen to different things, and measured how happy it made them. 

One thing trumped all else. It emerged as giving participants the equivalent level of brain stimulation as up to 2,000 chocolate bars. It was just as stimulating as receiving up to $25,000. What was this magic stimulus?

Drum roll, please...

A smile.

And since Friday is World Smile Day, this seems like a good time to talk about this. We all know that smiles make us feel good, but do they really make us feel THAT good?

Smiling, as it turns out, has truly remarkable effects. First, doing it actually makes you feel good even if you're not feeling good in the moment. A 2009 fMRI study out of Echnische Universität in Munich demonstrated conclusively that the brain's happiness circuitry is activated when you smile (regardless of your current mood). If you're down, smiling actually prompts your brain to produce feel-good hormones, giving credence to the adage, "fake it til you make it" when it comes to your state of mind. 

Smiling is also a predictor of longevity. In a 2010 out of Wayne State University, researchers looked at Major League baseball card photos from 1952. They found that the span of a player's smile actually predicted his lifespan -- unsmiling players lived 72.9 years on average, while beaming players lived a full seven years longer. 

Who had the biggest rookie card smile? (I don't know the answer to that...can you recall a baseball player with a huge grin on their card?)

Similarly, a 30-year longitudinal study out of UC Berkeley examined the smiles of students in an old yearbook, with almost spooky results. The width of students' smiles turned out to be accurate predictors of how high their standardized tests of well-being and general happiness would be, how inspiring others would find them, even how fulfilling their marriages would end up. Those with the biggest smiles came up on top in all the rankings. 

Finally, research demonstrates that when we smile, we look better to others. Not only are we perceived as more likable and courteous, but those who benefit from our sunny grins actually see us as more competent (something to keep in mind while giving presentations or interacting in the office). 

Want to know where you stack up when it comes to smiling? Know this: under 14% of us smile fewer than 5 times a day (you probably don't want to be in that group). Over 30% of us smile over 20 times a day. And there's one population that absolutely dominates in the smile game, clocking in at as many as 400 smiles a day: children.
So there you have it: smiling makes you feel good, makes you look good, and gets you a better marriage in the end. 

Seems like something to smile about.

So, put a smile on your face! It's better for your body than 2,000 chocolate bars!

Interesting days

Today - World Heart Day and Biscotti Day

Tomorrow - Ask A Stupid Question Day, Thunderbirds Day, Rumi Day, Hot Mulled Cider Day, Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day, International Translation Day and Mud Pack Day

Month long celebrations:

Sep 15 - Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Next Tuesday - Mad Hatter Day, World Cerebral Palsy Day, Physician Assistant Day, Noodle Day and Badger Day

Month long celebrations:

Sep 15 - Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

October 29 - Internet Day and Cat Day

It's pumpkin spice time

It's the most wonderful time of the year (if you're a pumpkin spice lover like Kim Holderness)!

I'm giving away pumpkin spice caramels again this year and there are six five ways to get some.

1. Buy your own
2. Get someone to buy you some
3. Sponsor the book "Beaten to Badass" to a women's shelter
4. Enter the Hug a Greeting Card Writer Day contest
5. Go to my website and set a 15 minute appointment
6. Become a SendOutCards customer or upgrade your account

The first three ways are guaranteed, although the first two aren't any fun! The third way is a great way to get rewarded for giving back. My friend Erin Baer has written a book called "From Beaten to Badass" and she's on a mission to get her book donated to women's shelters across the US and around the world. To sponsor a book, go to Erin's website and click on the Make A Difference button. Even though the book is available via Amazon, the only way to sponsor it is through Erin's website. The cost is $25 within the US and $50 international. That covers the book, shipping and some thank you gifts from Erin. And if you sponsor a book before the end of the month, let me know and I'll send you some pumpkin spice caramels to thank you for supporting my friend.

Here's an interview I did with Erin last week.

Number 4 may or may not still be valid. I started a contest a couple of weeks ago, which I talked about here. The problem is that this Friday is the absolute deadline. If your card isn't in my PO Box by this Friday, you won't be entered in the drawing. If they arrive after that time, they'll still be appreciated but they'll be ineligible for the contest.

Number 5 is very easy. Just go to my website and click on one of the big, red "Book An Appointment" buttons. The button will take you to my appointment calendar. Just set an appointment for a day and time that works for you. If you can't find a time that works for you, let me know and we can try to work something out. When you make an appointment, I'll receive an email confirming the appointment. When I receive the email, I'll enter you in the drawing. Please choose a time that you'll actually be available because I'll try to call you then. 

Put Pumpkin Spice for the Company Name, so I'll know that you're entering the contest. To get even more entries, share the link to my website with your friends and if they book an appointment, they'll be entered in the drawing. If they put Pumpkin Spice - your name for the company name, you'll get another entry in the drawing.

Number 6 is also very easy...become a SendOutCards customer or upgrade an existing account. My current customers that already have a $17 monthly subscription (or higher) have been entered. In fact, one of those customers won the first drawing this past Friday.

SendOutCards is a great tool, especially this time of year with the holidays coming up soon! (Halloween is just a month away). Check out this Halloween word search card. There are also Thanksgiving and Christmas cards available with more coming soon. Now, more than ever, it's important to reach out to your friends, family, clients and prospects and let them know that you're thinking of them.

If you sign up for a SendOutCards account or upgrade your existing account (if you're one of my customers), you'll receive the following number of tickets:

$17 a month - 1 ticket
$37 a month - 2 tickets
$97 a month - 5 tickets, plus you'll get Erin's book donated in your name to a shelter of your choice
$395 System Package - 20 tickets

Check out this link for the ways to get started. This offer is only available to MY new or existing customers. This is not a SendOutCards promotion and other affiliates are not offering this.

So, pick one (or more) of the ways to get free pumpkin spice caramels and watch for your name to be drawn every Friday when I do a Facebook Live on my FB wall.

(Offer good while supplies last...last year the contest went for 10 weeks)

Interesting days

Today - Drink Beer Day, International Poke Day, Strawberry Cream Pie Day, Family Day, Good Neighbor Day and World Rabies Day

Tomorrow - World Heart Day and Biscotti Day

Month long celebrations:

Sep 15 - Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Next Monday - World Teachers Day, World Habitat Day, Chic Spy™ Day, Country Inn Bed & Breakfast Day, Architecture Day, Day of Bullying Prevention and Balloons Around the World Day

Month long celebrations:

September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

October 28 - Plush Animal Lover’s Day and Animation Day

Your weekend guide to interesting days - September 26, 2020

This week

Sunday - Wife Appreciation Day, Punch Day and Pepperoni Pizza Day

Monday - World Alzheimer’s Day, Escapology Day, World Gratitude Day, International Day of Peace, Miniature Golf Day and Pecan Cookie Day

Tuesday - Business Women’s Day, World Car Free Day, Doodle Day, White Chocolate Day, Hobbit Day, Ice Cream Cone Day, Dear Diary Day, Elephant Appreciation Day, World Rhino Day and Chainmail Day

Wednesday - Restless Legs Awareness Day, Za’atar Day, Education Technology Day, International Day of Sign Languages, Celebrate Bisexuality Day and Checkers Day

Thursday - Lash Stylists’ Day, Remember Me Thursday and Cherries Jubilee Day

Yesterday - World Dream Day, Hug a Vegetarian Day, Fitness Day, German Butterbrot Day, Better Breakfast Day, Binge Day, Cooking Day, Psychotherapy Day, World Pharmacists Day, Love Note Day, One-Hit Wonder Day and Comic Book Day

Today - Lumberjack Day, Human Resource Professional Day, Save Your Photos Day, Rabbit Day and Johnny Appleseed Day

Week long celebrations:

Sep 21 - Sep 27: International Week of Happiness at Work

Month long celebrations:

Sep 15 - Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Next week

Tomorrow - Crush a Can Day, Rivers Day, Corned Beef Hash Day, Morning Show Hosts Day, Ancestor Appreciation Day and Tourism Day

Monday - Drink Beer Day, International Poke Day, Strawberry Cream Pie Day, Family Day, Good Neighbor Day and World Rabies Day

Tuesday - World Heart Day and Biscotti Day

Wednesday - Ask A Stupid Question Day, Thunderbirds Day, Rumi Day, Hot Mulled Cider Day, Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day, International Translation Day and Mud Pack Day

October will be Dysautonomia Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, SUDEP Action Month, Fire Prevention Month, Cyber Security Awareness Month, Mental Health Month, Black Cat Awareness Month, Family History Month, Dyslexia Awareness Month, Computer Learning Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fair Trade Month, Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month, ADHD Awareness Month and Pizza Month

Thursday - International Coffee Day, CD Player Day, World Vegetarian Day, Older Peoples Day and Lincolnshire Day

Friday -  World Smile Day, Name Your Car Day, World Farm Animals Day, Kids Music Day, International Day of Non-Violence and Custodial Worker Day

Saturday - Card Making Day, Bring Your Bible to School Day, Boyfriend’s Day, Virus Appreciation Day and Techies Day

Week long celebrations:

Sep 21 - Sep 27: International Week of Happiness at Work

Month long celebrations:

Sep 15 - Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Next month

October 20 - International Chef Day, International Sloth Day, Information Overload Day, Suspender’s Day, Brandied Fruit Day, Office Chocolate Day and Community Media Day

October 21 - Apple Day, Count Your Buttons Day, Global Dignity Day, Reptile Awareness Day and Hagfish Day

October 22 - Caps Lock Day, International Stuttering Awareness Day, Nut Day and Smart is Cool Day

October 23 - iPod Day, Snow Leopard Day, SUDEP Action Day, Boston Cream Pie Day, TV Talk Show Host Day, Mole Day and Event Organizers Day

October 24 - Make A Difference Day, Tripe Day, Bologna Day and United Nations Day

October 25 - International Artists Day, Greasy Food Day, Punk for a Day Day, Mother-In-Law Day and Sourest Day

October 26 - Howl At The Moon Day, Pumpkin Day, Mule Day and Mincemeat Day

Week long celebrations:

Oct 19 - Oct 25: Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week

The week in review - September 25, 2020

Monday - "How to Fight Entitlement and Develop Gratitude in Your Kids" A World Gratitude Day post. "Instead, two-thirds of parents said their primary concern about their kids, was their sense of entitlement."

Tuesday - "They're back!" Pumpkin spice caramels have returned. "And I've already had people ask how they can win some."

Wednesday - "#SourdoughSeptember" I love sourdough bread! "French bakers brought sourdough techniques to Northern California during the California Gold Rush, and it remains a part of the culture of San Francisco today."

Thursday - "Could you use an additional $1,000 a month? #TBT" I know I could. "The numbers have changed quite a bit in the last two years, although the concept is the same. I'll update the numbers next week."

Interesting days

Today - World Dream Day, Hug a Vegetarian Day, Fitness Day, German Butterbrot Day, Better Breakfast Day, Binge Day, Cooking Day, Psychotherapy Day, World Pharmacists Day, Love Note Day, One-Hit Wonder Day and Comic Book Day

Tomorrow - Lumberjack Day, Human Resource Professional Day, Save Your Photos Day, Rabbit Day and Johnny Appleseed Day

Week long celebrations:

Sep 21 - Sep 27: International Week of Happiness at Work

Month long celebrations:

Sep 15 - Oct 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

Next Friday -  World Smile Day, Name Your Car Day, World Farm Animals Day, Kids Music Day, International Day of Non-Violence and Custodial Worker Day

Month long celebrations:

September 15 - October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

October 25 - International Artists Day, Greasy Food Day, Punk for a Day Day, Mother-In-Law Day and Sourest Day

Week long celebrations:

Oct 19 - Oct 25: Healthcare Foodservice Workers Week