Category: Monday’s Food for Thought

Monday's Food for Thought

Monday’s Food For Thought: Just Breathe…

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So I know that each of you (or your spouse at least) has a favorite ‘big shot’ in academia that you kind of get star struck over.  A while back my husband and I got a babysitter (score!) and got to have dinner with one of those types.  A fascinating dinner conversation ensued and a friend asked the ‘big shot’  how he was able to do so much writing on top of so many other things on his plate.  “How do you publish two major books a year, how do you have time, how do you handle it all?”

And his answer still has me reeling.

The big shot simply said, “I’m just good at it.”  He went on to say, “I might be rubbish at whatever else, you fill in the blank, but I am really quite good at writing.”  He wasn’t trying to be arrogant, he was just stating a fact.  He also seemed to imply that he makes his writing such a priority that there simply aren’t other things competing for his time.  He then went on to say something along the lines of  “Just do what you are good at” and stop worrying about the rest of us.

Ha!

So often living (somewhat) in this world of academia with my husband, I find that I am easily caught up in ‘being in the know’ on so many things and trying to be well-versed in any and all things.  It was so refreshing to hear this accomplished man say that he was rubbish at some things and that he has just learned to pursue and develop and cultivate what he is good at.  It made me take a deep breath, sink a bit lower into my seat and realize I didn’t have to ‘have it all together’ in front of him.

So for todays food for thought, I just challenge you to stop, take a deep breath and think about what you are good at.  I don’t want to send you another article that I think you should read today and I don’t want you to feel the pressure of having to read it just because we posted it.  (Sometimes I have an inbox full of RSS feeds or articles and links from friends to check out and I just want to scream…I feel like I can’t keep up with it all).

Enjoy a moment to shut the computer, chill out and think about what you enjoy/are good at.

-M.C.

Monday's Food for Thought

Monday’s Food for Thought: Ssekodesigns.com

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Do you ever stop to wonder exactly how your clothes are produced?

MC and I have had several conversations with various people over the past few months highlighting that very question – do big clothing corporations that outsource to countries like India and China have ethical practices? Do they take care of their employees, and pay them fair wages? Or is it all mass production?

My cousin recently posted a link for this company on her Facebook page (and since she’s in college, and way cooler than me, I tend to pay attention to what she likes). After reading their mission statement, and seeing their amazing products (how in the world could you pass up those sandals?), I thought you all should see it.

Here’s a snippet of their story:

Sseko (pronounced Say-ko) Designs is a sandal company based in Uganda. We make beautiful leather sandals with interchangeable fabric straps that can be styled in hundreds of ways.

Sseko began as a way to generate income for high potential, talented young women to continue on to university. Sseko has graduated three classes of women. Every woman who has graduated from Sseko is currently pursuing her college degree.

In addition to our university-bound team, Sseko also employs a full-time team of women from all walks of life. By creating an environment of dignity, honor, creativity and dedication, Sseko Designs provides the opportunity for women in East Africa to end the cycle of poverty and create a more equitable society.

We believe that every woman has a dream. When she is given the opportunity to pursue those dreams, we are collectively walking towards a brighter and more just and beautiful world.

We believe that our stuff has a story and that every dollar you spend is a vote for the way you think the world should work.

Every Sseko has a story.

Here’s a quick peek of one of their products (and my favorite)!:

And a quick tutorial on how to customize your own sandals:

I love the idea that by purchasing a handmade product from this company, you could literally change the direction of a woman’s life.

Something to think about on this Monday morning!

-Mandy

Monday's Food for Thought

Monday’s Food for Thought: Having It All?

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I know many of you have come across the recently posted article by Anne-Marie Slaughter in The Atlantic, entitled “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All”.  It seems this piece went viral last week and I have had several interesting conversations revolving around it’s contents.  Slaughter takes a look at several ‘half truths’ that women have been telling younger generations and basically says they are lies that have to be re-thought in order for women to ever somewhat ‘have it all’ in the world today.

“It’s time to stop fooling ourselves… the women who have managed to be both mothers and top professionals are superhuman, rich, or self-employed. If we truly believe in equal opportunity for all women, here’s what has to change…”

Another piece I came across recently as well is this one entitled, “Why Women Leave Academia and Why Universities Should be Worried”, published in the Guardian.  Although not entirely related to the first, there is a lot of food for thought here and much room for conversation.

“Young women scientists leave academia in far greater numbers than men for three reasons. During their time as PhD candidates, large numbers of women conclude that (i) the characteristics of academic careers are unappealing, (ii) the impediments they will encounter are disproportionate, and (iii) the sacrifices they will have to make are great.”

What do you think about these two pieces?

What you have encountered personally?

-M.C.

Monday's Food for Thought

Monday’s Food for Thought: Risky Rise of the Good Grade Pill

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Over the past few days, there’s been a lot of conversation in our house around this article from the NY Times, detailing teen abuse of the legal drug, Adderall. It was a frightening realization of what students are doing to ‘make the grade’ in high school, college, and graduate studies.

It did make me pause to reflect: are we pushing ourselves and our children unrealistically, and why are we doing it? Is a grade or a promotion or a PhD worth the risk or our health, or even worse, our lives?

I’m not one to settle for mediocrity, but there is a limit. I hope that parents and educators will teach the rising generation to strive for excellence and do their best, even if that might mean receiving a B or even a C. At some point, we have to learn that there is room for disappointment AND excellence in our lives.

-Mandy

Monday's Food for Thought

Monday’s Food for Thought: Symphonies and Whistles

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The ability to create beauty in the midst of chaos is something that is always intriguing to me.  I’ve found it fascinating to view art that has emerged from war zones and to see it’s powerful messages of hope stand valiantly in the face of darkness and despair.  I stumbled across this amazing little clip a few weeks ago and was so moved by these Congolese men and women’s ability to create beauty and order in the midst of the chaos around them.  ‘They seem to defy the poverty of their war-torn country’ and produce music that is almost angelic.  It makes me reflect upon my own ability/energy/willingness to make something beautiful from something chaotic in my own life.

On a similar note, I recently went to my high school reunion (another post on that possibly coming soon:) and ran into an old friend who has started a campaign called “falling whistles“ to help end the war in Congo.  Their mission is simple and inspiring. Check it out.  Again, it made me think of the Congo and also the incredible power of beauty and love in the face of war and destruction.

-M.C.

Monday's Food for Thought

Shuga’ Mommas: Coconut Curried Chicken and Broccoli

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I’ve been quite bored with our family’s recent selection of dinner meals (this is my own fault, really, since I’m the one who plans them). I finally had time over the weekend to sit down with my best recipe friend, the internet, to try to come up with some new ideas. I needed something quick, easy, and healthy.

After perusing websites, pinterest, and random cooking blogs, I stumbled upon this recipe, and immediately thought this might be a good one to try. (And my other half is not to bothered about being used as a recipe guinea pig). Since moving to the UK, I have fallen in love with curry. I love the smell of Indian spices, flavours, and well, naan. Who doesn’t like naan?

So, I made it. It was FABULOUS. My 2 year old son, who seemingly only ever eats pasta, actually ate it and said, “Mummy, it’s so good!” Winner!

You can find the recipe here. My only advice:

1. Make the sauce a few hours before, to let the flavours develop.

2. It keeps well in the fridge, and makes great leftovers.

3. Serve over rice. (I opted out of the rice, and it was still amazing).

4. For the ‘shakes’ in the recipe, I used 1 TBSP of each, but if you favour one flavour over another, add away.

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Enjoy!

-Mandy

Monday's Food for Thought

Monday’s Food for Thought: The Little Free Library Movement

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As the wife of an academic, and a voracious reader of a lot of books, I came across this website, and immediately fell in love.

If you haven’t heard of The Little Free Library movement, please go check it out.

The free book exchange concept, called a “movement” by most stewards, began in 2009 with a single mini-library in Wisconsin, and has since spread all over the world, with libraries registered in 45 States and over 20 countries.

The founders, Rick Brooks and Todd Bol, would like to have 2,510 libraries established – which would be more than Andrew Carnegie endowed.

There are countless stories on the web of how this movement is impacting communities and neighborhoods.

What could you do to further their mission in your neighborhood?

-Mandy

Monday's Food for Thought

Monday’s Food for Thought: The Diamond Jubilee

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In case you may have missed it, this has been a huge weekend for those of us living in England.

This year marks the 60th year of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, and trust me, this country knows how to throw a party. It’s been unbelievable to watch the transformation of a country that normally hides its patriotic pride (Brits, by their own admission, rarely show patriotism), to Union Jack bunting lining the streets of every village, shop, and home, in celebration of Her Majesty, The Queen.

If you get a chance, watch a bit of yesterday’s royal flotilla, the largest boat pageant in England since King Charles II’s reign.  (You can find a great link here).

To be honest, I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been nice to watch a country that I live in, but am not a citizen of, celebrate a woman who has given 60 years of her life to serve her country. She is certainly more than deserving of it.

God Save the Queen!

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For some wonderful coverage of this special event, check out these links:

http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/

http://www.bbc.co.uk

-Mandy

Monday's Food for Thought

Monday’s Food for Thought: Memorial Day

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On this Memorial Day, we remember those who have given their lives for our freedom, and honor those who still fight for it. Thank you.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monday's Food for Thought

Monday’s Food for Thought: Leaving a Little Mystery?

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I came across this quote a while back from an interview with Emma Watson, the famous star from the Harry Potter films.  I was really struck by her last statement that ‘less is more’.  It reminds me of a former roommate of mine and a discussion we had revolving around the issue of buying a one piece bathing suit for an upcoming trip to the beach.  “You gotta leave a little mystery!” were her words and how they have stuck with me.  What does this have to say not only of our wardrobes, but maybe also to our  lives lived online?

Is less really more? In this context? In others?  What do you think?

Much food for thought!

-M.C.