By: Gabriela Yareliz
-The Strongest Virtue: Resilience-
There’s a Russian saying that says something like, even the strongest piece of metal will break if it takes enough hits. Something like that. Do not quote me. I am not a Russian philosopher. This has had me thinking. The true virtue is not in being strong, but in being resilient. Resilient things/people don’t snap, they bend, and then, they fling themselves forward. Resilience is the virtue that tops strength. How can we cultivate resilience every day? I think the world needs more resilience. Most people freak out when normal life happens, never mind what happens when life goes into dark mode. The TSC podcast was hinting at the idea (and I agree) that if people read more, they would be more resilient. You know, your life wouldn’t seem as crappy after reading about a crew in the 1700s who survived shipwreck and typhoid fever. We need to read more history and nonfiction, not the fiction that rots the brain.
Yeah, these are the thoughts on my mind. I am eyeing my almanac. It’s time to read it and make a s’more or something.
-A Rainy Day in New York-
Happy first day of autumn. And just like that, NYC has decidedly gone in the direction of rustling leaves and drizzly rain. A perfect day to watch A Rainy Day in New York. A perfect day to live it.
I am pretty sure I am gonna end up in a George W. Bush poncho tomorrow for the 5k.
The autumn vibes have been real. Rest was lacking last week, so I am trying to recharge this weekend today. I did some low impact pilates from MWH, and thought about curling up with a good book. #buildresilience
-A New Fact-
I was listening to Lauryn Bosstick who was saying that people should bring a new fact to dinner every day. It sounds old-fashioned, but I love this idea. It is an excellent way of inculcating the discipline of reading and learning into children and even adults. What new thing are you literally bringing to the table, each day? And if you aren’t, how can you change that?
-Autumn Inspiration-
Isn’t this Alex Rivière look wonderful? It just screams falls; and I love it. I leave you with this autumny outfit. The season is here! It has embraced us. It’s time to slow down, read and make every minute count. Everything is starting to die and darken outside, but the season reminds us of the beauty that comes with every new chapter.
GABRIELA YARELIZ 
My mother was an excellent student in high school but had to go to work instead of college. All through my youth, even when I was in college, all 4 kids had to tell something interesting they had learned that day in school. As a lazy student, I often paid attention only until I had my Mom fact for the day. She called it her continuing education. I continued the tradition with my daughters.
I love this! Thank you for sharing!!
I love the dinner fact idea! And I hope you like the rainy day movie better than I did–it depressed me. Woody Allen always seems to depress me . . .
It is a bit neurotic and all over the place (the movie). Yes! I want to do the dinner fact with my kids when I have them in the future. Such a fun ideas.