We pay attention differently when we are in nature. This is called ‘soft fascination’ The great 19th century thinker William James (brother of novelist Henry James) proposed that there are two ways of paying attention. The first is voluntary and directed, which is used for tasks that demand concentration. For example doing work, walking alongContinue reading “Comforting Thought: Soft Fascination”
Author Archives: Content Catnip
Ancient Word of the Day: Maturun / Binturong
Binturongs, also known in English as bearcats, are long, stocky and heavy tree-dwellers with large bushy tails which they use to communicate. Strangely they have an odd but pleasant scent which people who smell them seem to enjoy – like buttered popcorn. Like all animals large and small they are endangered by palm oil expansionContinue reading “Ancient Word of the Day: Maturun / Binturong”
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #92
See a mini pony take his first shy steps on specially made legs, a Gibson Girl riding a lobster, some serene paintings by Iris Scott and some frenetic modern punk music. It’s all here. Enjoy edition #92!
Comforting Thought: Introverts mature more gracefully than extroverts
Some extraverted people can avoid being introverted and turning inwards, for years at a time. Later in life, self-reflection becomes important for everyone. In short, introverts may mature more gracefully. So you are in good company. Ignore the barbs about ‘lightening up’. Enjoy the levity of others and allow yourself your own specialty. If you’reContinue reading “Comforting Thought: Introverts mature more gracefully than extroverts”
Book Review: Unpolished Gem by Alice Pung
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Publisher: Black Inc Books Genre: Non-fiction, autobiography, Australian history, SE Asia. Review in one word: Witty This is vivid story of a family of migrants who flee from the killing fields of Cambodia to the inner west of Melbourne to find sanctuary in the early 80’s. Told from the perspective of the narratorContinue reading “Book Review: Unpolished Gem by Alice Pung”
Comforting Thought: The blue of distance, the green of time
“The colour of hills that recede layer upon layer into the horizon. Well this is the green of time. The green that grows from nothing, anything if left for long enough.” It comes at first as mildew and mould. A misting of green-grey, or mustard-green, the green of decay. But then it grows into a verdant palette of new life: leaf green, lime green, the green of fresh new shoots.
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #91
Noekken Som Hvit Hest by Theodor Severin Kittelsen Nøkken som hvit hest, 1909 ‘The Nix as a white horse’ is a painting by Norwegian artist Theodor Severin Kittelsen (b. 1857 – d. 1914) He is well known in Norway but less so in other parts of the world for his nature and fantasy paintings depictingContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #91”
Comforting Thought: Viktor Frankl knew a lot about finding meaning even in the worst situations
Frankl was a Jewish psychiatrist who was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp. He was a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) and in his famous book ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ he describes how he was called upon to inspire his fellow prisoners, how he intuitively understood what they needed. He observed that under those awful circumstances,Continue reading “Comforting Thought: Viktor Frankl knew a lot about finding meaning even in the worst situations”
Ancient Word of the Day: Komorebi
This Japanese word has no direct translation to English but means ‘the sunlight filtering through the leaves of the trees’. It is made up of three Kanji characters: 木 means tree 漏 means ‘to leak’ or ‘to escape’ 日 means sun Komorebi 木漏日 ~ from Japanese. ‘Sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees The wordContinue reading “Ancient Word of the Day: Komorebi”
10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #90
In edition #90, we take a gander at the threads worn by medieval maidens, wear plastic helmets in the hairdressers, understand female shamanism and sip some healthy drinks and much more. I hope you enjoy these… The colours of medieval fashion were natural, warming and comforting I love the deep marigolds and oranges here. TheyContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #90”
Content Catnip 