How To Cultivate The Inner Life, Acts of Kindness, And The 80/20 Rule

Here are ten hand-picked and carefully curated recommendations to give you an uplifting dose of monthly wisdom, and inspiration.

I.

A thoughtful quote I came across this month from journalist David Brooks about how to cultivate the inner life:

II.

In 2016, I made a road trip from the south of Vietnam all the way to the north. What I loved most about this motorcycle trip, was how we passed places far away from highways and traffic signs. At times, we lost roads entirely as Google Maps didn’t seem to know what to do with it at all. We visited small villages where the greatest wealth people had was each other, where playing soccer was the greatest form of pastime, and where the people we met had never seen a foreigner in person before. In the Q&A of this month, I answered a reader’s question about certain acts of kindness that I’ve received during this trip that I will never forget.

III.

Wild Wild Country describes the Bhagwan in its glorious times, as well as the beginnings of this cult and its downfall. It’s “wild” what this group of people set out to do in such a short period of time, and it touches upon some interesting themes, for example, how humanity tends to deal with so-called “outsiders”. Maclain and Chapman Way did a pretty good job in making this documentary series, and if you’re interested in topics like these, I highly recommend this one.

IV.

If you’re just starting out with Spanish, learning the 100 most common words first is a total no-brainer. Personally, I’m all about the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle. If you haven’t heard of it, the basic idea is that 80% of your results come from just 20% of your input. It means that a relatively small portion of your vocabulary (around 20%) is used most frequently in conversations (about 80% of the time). I’m working on a list with the 100 most used words to share with you later.

V.

One of the latest reviews I received from a reader for the book Tell Me Who I Am:

VI.

A book I recommended earlier: Educated. Tara Westover’s story is on my personal reading list and it’s the ultimate example of how complex family ties can be sometimes. But the story is also about how powerful faith and education can be – the ability to see life as it is and then imagine a different life.

VII.

I love ‘fun facts’. They are perfect to spice up any conversation. Did you know that wombat poop is cube-shaped? These are the only animals known to produce such feces. This unique shape prevents the poop from rolling away and helps mark their territory. This is especially useful in their rocky habitats.

VIII.

Bill Gates uses his personal blog Gatesnotes to update readers on his latest ventures. Gates not only uses the platform to share his knowledge about clean energy and global health, but he also shares his book recommendations and the latest news about The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is always thought-provoking and fun to read.

IX.

One of the best online courses I’ve taken in recent years: Public speaking and Communication by Richard Greene, a renowned expert in the field. Richard has coached numerous public figures and corporate executives, including Princess Diana and Joaquin Phoenix, helping them to enhance their communication skills. Given that public speaking is considered the world’s number one phobia, this course is incredibly valuable. From dealing with pre-speech nerves to keeping your audience engaged—Richard shares in 26 lessons what he has learned over the years. (Note: I am not affiliated with them.)

X.

In the spotlight this month:

Balinese girl, 2010, acrylic on linen, 30 x 40 cm,
by Neel Korteweg

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Lisanne