MindComet

Mental Walks

I have an odd habit that I break out when I am having a difficult time falling asleep and wanted to know if anyone else does this…. I take a mental walk.  Specifically, I “walk” around one of my old neighborhoods, Camden, SC to be specific.  I start from where my house used to be (it’s still there, I am not) and walk down the street, on to the “secret street” than loop back around.  I used to take that walk every night when my son was a baby, pushing the stroller or pulling the wagon.  I miss those walks and mentally retracing those steps makes me feel grounded and centered.  According to a study out of University College London, we’re starting to rely too much on devices to help us navigate, which may reduce cell growth in the hippocampus (which is where we believe our mental maps are stored).  Devices are changing the way we think.  I hope that my quirky habit of walking around my old neighborhood helps strengthen my hippocampus.  I guess only time will tell.

Read More & View Comments

Posted by Jennifer Carey on May. 28, 2009

Snack Food of Knowledge

You might think I’m talking about fruits or vegetables, but I’m not.  I’m talking about Chez-Its!  They have a Junior Scrabble edition now.  I thought this was a great way to work through spelling words with my son.  It’s the perfect marriage of form and function.  So I bought them and much to my chagrin, my little darling didn’t like that I tried to make him spell while he was eating.  He now refuses to eat Chez-Its with letters on them.  I don’t blame Chez-Its for my mistake… I pushed the educational aspect.  I should have emphasized the fun.  I’m going to keep trying, mainly because I think they’re cool and I think he will too (eventually).

Read More & View Comments

Posted by Jennifer Carey on May. 25, 2009

New Year Resolution Update

This is such a “follower” thing to do in January, but I did it this year.  I also think it’s important to periodically review the resolution to see where adjustments need to be made.  Here is mine;

My resolution this year is simply to be a better person.  I am going to try to be more patient, understanding, calm, empowering, and nicer.  Both to myself and those around me.  For those of you who know me, you know I have a very developed sense of equity and fairness.  Counter intuitively, this skill is not helpful in being a better person.  So, alas, I am going to attempt to take a step away from “fairness” and a step toward compassion and love.  My hope is that this will turn into a new way of thinking and being and will not be swept away in a sea of stress, emotional hurts, and reactionary behavior.  May the force be with me…

So far this year, I think I’ve made three (3) people cry - adults, not children.  I’ve yelled, screamed, cried, been irrational, and occasionally acted in a mean-spirited way.  YIKES!  Overall, I’ve been human.  Drat!  I was shooting for something closer to Buddhist Monk.  But this is why I think reviewing your goals and adjusting your actions is always helpful.  Growth and change are hard and they need to be monitored.  So with that in mind, I’m going to try and make less people cry this quarter.  Baby steps.

Read More & View Comments

Posted by Jennifer Carey on May. 21, 2009

Technology Moves From Villian To Savior

Technology is Saving the Environment - I’ve been thinking about this for a while and all of the articles and snippets I read seem to support this idea; Technology is the catalyst for environmental improvement.  The interesting part of this movement, for me, is the shifting of “technology as the enemy” to “technology as a friend”.  As we became more urbanized, we individually became less interested in the land and more interested in our own comfort.  (Read here the “Giving Tree” phenomenon.)  With the paradigm shifts happening in society right now, due in large part to the new economy, we’re again interested in the land and how it’s use can ease/augment/support our lives.  Technological advances in recycling, biodegradable products, and product engineering have made it simple again to live earth friendlier lives.  As a self-proclaimed “light greenie”, I am interested in how small changes in my behavior can help offset my footprint.  Small changes have large impacts.  I love technology and I am fully embracing it’s ability to make me a better earth inhabitant.

Read More & View Comments

Posted by Jennifer Carey on May. 18, 2009

How Do I Smell?

Recently I’ve grown tired of the Bath and Body Works “Cherry Blossom” smell.  So, I went “scent shopping” again in Bath and Body Works and have discovered their new line called “Optimism”.  It’s a very orange-y clean smelling line.  It’s packaged in a clean, but powerful way.  They’ve put wishes/dreams on the containers.  Things like “I land my dream job.” “I win the lottery.” that really do (silly enough) give me hope and optimism.  I’m not sure if it’s targeted to me, the Gen X mother and professional, or not but it certainly speaks to me.  Good Job Bath and Body Works.  Not only do you provide excellent value, but you make me feel good about my purchases too. 

Read More & View Comments

Posted by Jennifer Carey on May. 14, 2009

If I Won The Lottery, I Would Buy This Car

Seriously, if I won the lottery I would buy a Tesla Motors car.  Check it out!  They are beautiful, eco-friendly, and electric.  At 244 miles per charge, I could ride for a week or more.  This is the wave of the future.  This car really sparks my imagination, fire, and excitement.  Bring it on, Tesla!!!  I hope they make it affordable enough for the masses.  With the momentum for sustainability in products growing, sometimes old-fashion glamour and design get lost or forgotten.  It’s obvious that the folks at Tesla made sure that didn’t happen to their product and it’s why I think it stands out from the herd of other hybrid/electric cars.

Read More & View Comments

Posted by Jennifer Carey on May. 11, 2009

Today is My Birthday….

As I look back at my time on this planet, I am struck with the volume of cool things that I’ve done and the lessons that I’ve learned.

Cool Things I’ve Done
I’ve visited many different countries (Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Switzerland, The Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, Jamaica, China, and Hong Kong) and am now on my second passport.  I have an unused Chinese visa.  I’ve seen Volcano National Park on the Big Island, Hawaii.  I’ve seen the Pipeline on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.  I’ve ridden in a hot air balloon.  I’ve bungee jumped (I succumbed to peer pressure).  I’ve petted Killer Whales, Dolphins, and Sting Rays.  I’ve snorkeled with barracuda (this was accidental) and swam with sharks (this was not accidental).  I’ve visited every state park in the great state of Kentucky and managed to find myself with very cool jobs and friends.

Things I’ve Learned
I am totally willing to make a complete clown of myself in order to get my son, Caboose, to laugh.  I’ve realized that I enjoy singing out loud in my car no matter how crazy it makes me look.  I enjoy my X-Box360 and own games that are just for me.  I buy and enjoy girl-power anthems like P!nk’s “So What”, Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” and ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”.  I’m an Iron Dog, a Taurus, and a GenX mother.  I know enough to know that I really don’t know anything and I’m OK with that…. I may be getting older, but I still feel like a little kid.  I am me.  Who are you?

Read More & View Comments

Posted by Jennifer Carey on May. 07, 2009