The Chocolate Brain. . . . .

On By scottpetersenIn The chocolate brainLeave a comment

(AP Wilmette IL) Chicago lawyer Scott Petersen has a problem. His brain is slowly turning into chocolate.

After years of overindulging in Oreos, chocolate chip cookies, Hershey’s kisses, Hershey bars, Easter eggs, chocolate rabbits, frogs and sweets, Petersen’s brain is slowly but surely becoming a chocolate mass.  A routine physical exam turned up this unique phenomenon last Tuesday. His doctor said “Mister Petersen’s cerebral cortex has already developed a 1/4″ layer of chocolate. I believe that his cerebellum and occipital area are now crusted with a 60% cocoa.”

In a few years, Petersen’s head will be filled with a commercial grade of bittersweet chocolate.

Petersen was interviewed in a local restaurant where he was dining with his wife Donna. “I think it’s silly. I eat pizza too and you don’t hear that my brain is turning into Mozzarella cheese” he said testily. Petersen then ordered a double “Chocolate Decadence” – the menu’s signature dessert.  For his main course . . . . . 

Once Petersen’s brain has become solid chocolate, his wife is expected to put him on display at a local museum on weekends. “Hey – I might as well get something out of this too” she said.

Petersen is, however, expected to continue practicing law. A solid chocolate brain is not expected to interfere with his duties or knowledge as an attorney . . . . .

It Ain’t Perfect. . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Golf is not a Game of PerfectLeave a comment

I have heard it said that golf is 65% mental and 35% mental. Having played “at” the game for a long time, I believe it.  The game of golf doesn’t happen on the fairway or on the green.  It takes place between the ears.  

I just finished reading (for the third time) Dr. Bob Rotella’s classic work – Golf is Not a Game of Perfect.  I like to feel that I have been steeped in the mental nuance of the game to the point that I should be on the PGA Tour.  Well, maybe the Hooters Tour.  Or the Old Guys with Bad Breath Tour.  But so far, I’m in a holding pattern.  With a 16+ index and an inconsistent short game.  And long game.  And putting game. . . . .

Rotella is a master though at providing positive reinforcement.  At each reading, I have a pen in hand.  Making marginal notes.  Writing on 3″ x 5″ cards.  Scribbling Rotella’s wisdom on the blank pages fore and aft.   You would think that with such diligence, my game would be. . . . never mind.  

Dr. Bob’s mantra is to concentrate on the short game.  Pick the smallest possible target.  Visualize the ball going into the hole.  Negative thinking is almost always successful.   If I were to distill this (really wonderful) tome into one word, it would be “confidence.”   Confidence in club selection.  Setup.  Swing.  And result.  It didn’t work today.  Maybe I need to read the book again.      

So How do we Heal?

On By scottpetersenIn Jonathan Haidt, TED Talks, The Righteous Mind2 Comments

Raise your hand if you want to spend the next year as angry and as worried about politics, political parties, liberals, conservatives, global tensions, social trauma, antifa, alt right and “stuff” that you don’t like.  Come on.  Hands up?    

I don’t see any hands. . . . .

In my prior post, I spoke of Jonathan Haidt’s classic book – The Righteous Mind.  It is – in my opinion – an excellent distillation of (as the subtitle says) – why good people are divided by politics and religion.  If you don’t have the time (or will) to read it, I want you to do something.  Please.  I am asking you. . . .   Spend 20 minutes to watch a Ted Talk.  It is an interview with Jonathan Haidt, the author.   The subject is “Can a Divided America Heal.”     http://www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_haidt_can_a_divided_america_heal  

Pew Research shows that our feelings about those on the “other side” of our hardwired beliefs have now morphed from dislike into disgust.  And hatred.  And a belief that the “other side” is a threat to us and to our nation.  Each side is developing its own moral matrix of what is right (or righteous) such that the issues that divide us are now greater than ever before.

This is a Ted Talk worth watching.  Twice.  Or three times.  And worth sending on to others.  I want my grandchildren – and their grandchildren – to grow up in an America that has civil discourse.  And respectful disagreement.  I believe you do too.    

Please.  20 minutes is all I ask. . . . . 

 

I am Always Right

On By scottpetersenIn The Righteous MindLeave a comment

[A summer repeat from December 23, 2015]

I am always right. On everything.  I am never wrong. My views and opinions are always – always – correct. On politics, religion, social issues, economics, the law, ethnic issues, people, movies and golf courses. If you disagree with me. You are wrong. You may be uneducated (some of the most well-schooled people are hopelessly uneducated) or just stupid. So if you want to know the right path, the right opinion, the right way to believe — just give me a call or send me an email. Because I have a righteous mind. . . . .

The Righteous Mind is a wonderful book by Jonathan Haidt.  It is a New York Times bestseller which explores why people are fundamentally intuitive – and irrational.  The book suggests that our views (whether political, social, religious or whatever) are hardwired into us.  You were never designed to listen to reason — only to respond with your preconceived notions and (often false) beliefs.  When you ask people moral questions and time their responses, you see that they reach conclusions quickly.  And they produce reasons – later – only to justify what they have already decided.  We often acquire morality (theories on right and wrong – and “justice”) the way we acquire food preferences.  If it tastes good, we stick with it.  Interestingly this bestseller suggests that conservatives are more broad-minded than liberals since they receive a more varied diet of information.  And are more receptive to listening.    

Haidt’s comments often sound cynical and yet if you follow the narration, you learn (if you don’t have a closed mind) that Haidt is really seeking enlightenment.  He wants you to open your minds to the moral intuitions of other people.  

If you don’t want to read this book, you may be a lost soul.   But if you do, you might still have hope.  And if you want to know what’s right – and what’s wrong – just let me know.  I can tell you.  And will.  I have a righteous mind.     

John Wooden

On By scottpetersenIn John WoodenLeave a comment

Every once in a while a person comes along who cuts a wide swath. And makes a big difference in the lives of others. To me, John Wooden (1910-2010) was one of those special people.  Wooden was the winningest basketball coach (UCLA) in NCAA history – winning 10 national titles in a 12 year period. Coach Wooden was known for his short, simple inspirational messages which helped players succeed in basketball but more importantly in life.  

I’ve previously had posts on the virtue of character (e.g. 1/26/12).  The words of Coach Wooden fit right in.

Make each day your masterpiece.

Never cease trying to be the best you can be.  That is in your power.

Young people need role models, not critics.

Never mistake activity for achievement.

Today is the only day.  Yesterday is gone.

Never measure yourself by what you have accomplished – but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.

The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team.

You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.  

Seek opportunities to show you care.  The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference.   

Interestingly, Coach Wooden never mentioned “winning” to his players.  He always stressed effort.  Doing one’s best was key. . . .    

Thump my what??

On By scottpetersenIn The Best Medicine, Thump the thymus1 Comment

We all know the value of humor (see July 29, 2011 and April 3, 2014). 

Humor can be so important in the healing process that Denise — a delightful oncology nurse in Lake County, Illinois, started a “Humor Exchange” for patients.   This monthly get together is designed to encourage people who have health issues — to start laughing.   And keep laughing.  More and more studies confirm that laughter provides a smorgasbord of physiological benefits:  increases the “Natural Killer” (NK) cell and lymphocyte count (important immune responses in the fight against cancer); decreases stress hormones; increases immune cells (“T” cells); lowers blood pressure; works your abs; release endorphins; and essentially makes you smile.  And snort. . . .

At a recent conference, Denise recently learned of another healthy technique (that sounds pretty funny).  It’s called “thumping the thymus.”  The thymus gland — which is responsible for “T” cells and immunity — lies beneath the sternum.  A person pats their sternum for a few minutes and feels better.  And enlists a potential for improving immunity.  Don’t take my word for it.  There are articles galore on this subject (see e.g. http://www.facebook.com/notes/karen-nauman-eft/eft-tapping-the-thymus-gland-8-interesting-factoids-about-the-thymus/198886030151782/ ).  So go ahead.  Thump your thymus.  What’ve you got to lose?  And while your at it . . . . laugh.   

  

Orange You Wonderful?

On By scottpetersenIn Orange you wonderful?Leave a comment

Readers of “Renaissance Hombre” know that I enjoy cooking.   Sunday night, I decided, I will make a dinner for my whole family that is memorable. . . . .  I think I did.  

I toddled off to Whole Foods and wandered around.  Looking for inspiration.  There were foods of many colors.  Red.  Green.  Yellow.  And Orange.  Orange.   Hmmmm . . . .  My eyes narrowed.   What if I prepare a dinner where everything is orange – or a close facsimile.   I’m sure my granddaughters would love it.   So I seized on crab and salmon cakes and chicken strips for the main course.   Orange‘ish.  With an orange remoulade sauce.  For the accompaniment, I chose organic carrots, diced sweet potato and shaved butternut squash.  Orange.   Which I sauteed over a low heat in olive oil for about 45 minutes (and then caramelized with some Maine maple syrup).  I chopped up a cantelope and sliced a mango for “sides.”  There were orange corn chips in a bowl on the table.  Dessert was an – orange – Talenti caramel and sea salt gelato.  Though in deference to the chef, the wine was a Cannonball cabernet.  No orange juice. . . . .  

There were leftovers.  And I did the dishes.   As a result, I scored points big time.  Ding ding ding ding (see e.g. 5/16/12; 5/18/12; et al).   The best compliment was when I asked my granddaughters what they wanted for dinner tomorrow night.  They yelled “Orange!”  

 

Act Your Age. . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Act Your Age, Bernard BaruchLeave a comment

[A summer repeat from July 20, 2013]

Every once in awhile, I hear the admonition “act your age.”  Or sometimes it’s “how old are you?”  So I take the lampshade off my head or take out my novelty buck teeth and act contrite.  

ÜberBukk Teef

I just finished (for the second time) Bob Rotella’s classic book – Golf is Not a Game of Perfect.   Among other things, Dr. Bob talks about golf and age.   He mentions Paul Runyan (1908-2002), the great PGA champ and master golf instructor.  Paul was active in golf (and other things) well into his 80’s.  According to Rotella, Paul and his wife Bernice embodied the old Satchel Paige aphorism about age.  Someone once asked Satchel (who was in his 40’s before segregation ended and he made it to the Major Leagues) if he could still pitch at his “advanced age.” Paige replied “How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you was?”  Wow. . . . .    

I’d seen that quote before but this time when I read it, it resonated a wee bit more.  I don’t feel my age.   I don’t feel much different than I did when I was 25 or so.  Apart from a few aches and pains.  For many, age is a state of mind.  As Bernard Baruch, the great financier, once wrote — “I will never be an old man.  To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am.”  Amen. . . .

    

The Quran

On By scottpetersenIn Gabriel, Quran1 Comment

[A third – natural – segue.  This from June 21, 2015]

I previously described my journeys through the Old Testament (6/11/12) and New Testament (11/10/13).   Given our trip to the Middle East, I read the Quran.  All 114 suras (chapters).  The Quran is intended to be read in Arabic (26:195) but my copy was in English.  Whew. . . .  

The Quran has an Old Testament attitude (some is pretty dark) with frequent repetition of theme.  Yet there are numerous theological similarities with Judeo-Christian texts.  The cast of characters, the prophets and the stories are similar.  The commands (believe, do good works, charity, pray) are comparable.  There are parallels in God’s (or Allah’s) warning to his people (re heaven/hell).  Jesus (Isa) plays a prominent role as a Messiah.  Mary (Maryam) is the only woman mentioned by name in the Quran (she has her own sura – 19).  At the risk of oversimplification, I discerned three fundamental areas of disagreement between Islam and Christianity.  First, the Quran denies that God had a son (Jesus).  Hence the repudiation of the Trinity.  He simply said “Be” and Jesus was conceived (19:35).   Second, there is the overarching theme that Mohammed wrote the Quran over 23 years after receiving the Word of God through the Archangel Gabriel (see 1/30/12 and 3/26/12).  Third, the Quran – and thus Muslims – consider Islam to be a “perfection” of Judaism and Christianity.  Islam is deemed the true religion . . . .   

Notwithstanding, Jews, Christians and Sabians are considered “People of the Book” — and thus related in the Faith.  Whether you call Him God, Jehovah or Allah; whether you worship on Friday, Saturday or Sunday; whether you say “Pax vobiscum” “Peace be with you” “Shalom” or “As-Salamu alaikum” the three Abrahamic religions have similar roots and much in common.  So I have to wonder — why all the misunderstanding, strife, violence and hatred?      

The New Testament

On By scottpetersenIn I Corinthians 3, New TestamentLeave a comment

[A logical segue – a summer repeat from November 11, 2013]

In my post of June 11, 2012, I talked about reading the Old Testament.  I referenced some favorite verses therein (especially a quote from my father of the bride speech at Lauren’s wedding).  I just finished reading the New Testament.  Again.  Quite a trip.  The Gospels are interesting and inspiring as they have been forever.  But there are some verses which I just had to write down.  Because sometimes one needs “special” inspiration.   

I Timothy 5:23 gives sage counsel:  “Drink no longer water but a little wine for thy stomach’s sake. . . .”    So who doesn’t feel obliged to have a nice cab now and then? 

I Timothy 4:8 admonishes that “. . . bodily training is of some value.”  So I (sigh) feel the push to go to the fitness center a few times a week.

Which leads to the whole reason for a personal trainer.  I mean it’s right there in Hebrews 12:12 “Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees. . . .” 

But seriously, there is one chapter I discovered on a gray day in 1969.  I Corinthians 3.  For me, much of Christianity seems to distill in these 23 verses.  The words are old friends.  I find peace.  Calm.  And faith.