Rache Writes

For my last learning challenge, I read Four Questions to Help You Overcome Procrastination by Peter Banerjea . I figured with it being dead week, I need to learn some extra ways to avoid procrastination and make sure I use my time effectively. This article proposes that a "self-interrogation" may be the best way to get yourself out of a procrastination slump, and suggests four questions to ask yourself when you're putting off work. 1. What one thing can I do to get started? This very much reminds me of the "eat the big frog first" mentality. By breaking tasks up into steps, making the decision to get started, and getting the complicated stuff out of the way first, you can better focus your energies on tasks. 2. What are my three biggest priorities today? I like that this one allows you to take a moment to step back and figure out what actually has  to be done today, and what would just be nice to also get done today. Even though other tasks may be easi

For my last growth mindset exercise, I read Scientist finds Secret to Thriving by the University of Portsmouth . They say that "it appears to come down to an individual experiencing a sense of development, of getting better at something, and succeeding at mastering something." It goes on to say "In the simplest terms, what underpins it is feeling good about life and yourself and being good at something." I think this is extremely insightful, since most of the times I feel the best about myself, it's because I've achieved something or developed one of my skills further. The article also highlights that, while this has been previously studied, it normally is studied in specific contexts. For example, what makes babies thrive may not be the same factors that make employees thrive. These researchers laid out a list of factors that are not necessary or exhaustive, but a combination of which may help an individual select aspects of their life to focus on in or

For this week's storylab, I watched two Ted Talk videos about creative life. First, I watched A New Theory of Human Intelligence by Scott Barry Kaufman . He covered twice-exceptional children, which are students have exemplary strengths while dealing with considerable challenges. He particularly focuses on students diagnosed with learning disorders and what they're actually capable of versus their perceived capabilities. He says we need to leave more room for children to surprise us. He also points out the problems with putting academic success first, especially as a prerequisite to determine whether or not a student is allowed to pursue other interests. His definition of intelligence is the dynamic interplay of engagement and ability in pursuit of personal goals. He wants to change how we value potential versus achievement, especially when it comes to IQ and SAT scores. He tells his personal story about how he was rejected from gifted programs and schools based on these

Today I decided to take notes on The Woman on her Death-Bed from The Heptameron of Margaret, Queen of Navarre by Walter M. Kelly . The story starts with a saddler named Brimbaudier who was married with children. One day, he found out his wife was sick. By the time he made it home, she was too far gone for even a doctor. She asked for a cross, which was brought to her. He calls out to a young servant in the room and said that seeing his wife suffer like this was worse than being dead. He asked her to take care of the children and the house. The servant begged him to not be so sad, because she didn't want to lose him along with his wife. He asked her to come closer and he put his hands on her chest. He threw her onto the bed. Then, his wife who hadn't spoken in 2 days cried out and said that she wasn't dead yet. She began to recover after that point, and the husband had to listen to her chastise him about what he had done often. ( Hinchliff's engraving of Mar

For this section, I chose the beginning of The Priest who Learned to be a Philosopher, found in The Chaucer Story Book by Eva March Tappan . The story begins with a priest who had no church, but instead would spend his time in singing masses for the dead. He stayed with a dame and was so helpful that she bought his food and clothes for him. Because of this, he always had a decent amount of money. One day, a man asked him for a loan for three days. The man thanked him and brought the priest his money back in a timely manner. The man then wanted to be generous back to the priest since he was generous to him. He said he would teach the priest how he works in philosophy. He begins to show the priest how he will turn quicksilver into malleable pure silver, and demands everyone else be sent away so as to not learn the secrets. ( Illustration of the Canterbury Tales Pilgrims )

I'm taking notes on the beginning of The Unknown Bride in the Canterbury Tales, found in the Chaucer Story Book by Eva March Tappan . It begins by describing a land of fairies and fairy rings long ago where the story takes place. A knight in King Arthur's court had disrespected a woman, and according to the law, should be put to death. However, the court ladies all liked him and begged that he may live. King Arthur finally said the matter would be left to the Queen. The Queen said he could live, but on one condition. In a year, he must tell her what women wish for most. The knight travelled and asked many women what they wished for most, but no two answers were the same. He had run out of time, so he decided to ask a group of women he saw at a distance. By the time he got there, only one elderly woman remained. She agreed to tell him the answer if he would do the first thing she asked of him, and he agreed. ( King Arthur )