What is the most important thing you can give someone who is trying to reshape their life? Validation. Not just a 'good job'. And not 'Good job. I can see how much effort you've put into this.'. Those don't move the needle honestly.

When you give feedback, be specific. 'I'm glad you are trying out XYZ, what made you choose that?' or 'Nice song. I like the chorus, it's catchy. What did you mean by lyrics XYZ?'.

The difference between superstars and beggars is the validation they received.

My latest writing on medium.

My treatise on happiness = 1 divided by your fearOfLosingHappiness. Part 1 of my series on the mathematics of human happiness, creativity, and performance.

https://medium.com/@beselfevident/how-to-be-happy-the-relationship-between-happiness-and-fear-c6cd93397367

@mcfate Anyone can write a check to the US Treasury. If Billionaires wanted to, they can contribute. And, yes, I agree on the taxes portion.

@Oma_Trisha I find that interesting. I am so sensitive to sound that my body literally moves to it uncontrollably. When I dance, etc., I normally close my eyes to only hear the sounds. I am light sensitive as well. I like it dark. Unless it's a beautiful day outside. I am definitely sensitive to people, especially negative ones. Yet I choose to be in the city because it energizes me. We have some similar needs but approach differently. What kind of creative work do you do?

@Oma_Trisha Because I deal with music, dancing, acting, I have to be in the city. My audience is skewed to the young. So if I implied being old, worn out, or not creative, my apologies.

@Oma_Trisha there you go. I go to events in town all the time. music is central to what I do. And I work with GenZ artists as well. So for me, as I approach 60, it is revitalizing. But that's me. When I do get into the rural areas, it is very nice to slow down, have no agenda, and just be. If I was at the end of my career, I think that would be what I want. But since I'm starting a new career, the city still calls to me.

Who am I? Not Jean Valjean.

https://medium.com/@beselfevident/the-man-who-didnt-know-he-was-there-682221a2602e

@LAHolloway I was Chief Technology Officer of Promethean. We had boards in 1.5 million schools across the world. We also built software that allowed for highly interactive activities between students/teachers with all their various devices. That was a fun time.

@Helical_Code Nov 1 is the start of my Christmas season. If course I think we should keep the light decorations all the time.

@mcfate https://youtu.be/BXZJF0-d_M8

I am looking for a Cognitive Psychologist or Neuroscientist -- one who is in research. I have come up with some insights into happiness, creativity, and performance that I'd like to discuss. I have evolved my ideas over the past year as I've had non-trivial conversations with 1,200 people. That's over 400 hours. I plan to publish my thoughts but would like to talk to an expert and possibly co-publish if they agree. And revise if they can show me why they don't.

@mcfate "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about." - Oscar Wilde

I joined CS a few years ago with a different email address. I've been following the founder for many years on twitter. But I wasn't living authentically at the time, so it didn't last. Now I am. And while I'll still post on other sites, I think this is where I'll make my home. I am working on a show that I think will become big, and I will send everyone here. We need a safe space to just be normal, empathetic humans. Anyone with agendas or who trade in debasement have no place in my life

@mystixa That is awesome. I love Darude. I've found that when you approach anyone authentically without trying to sell them on something, they will talk to you. They are just people and we all crave authenticity. Last night someone I admire started following me on Instagram. I'm still glowing.

@Oma_Trisha When I need to buy a retreat home, I'll look in the rural areas. But I have to be in the city because that's where all the creatives are--and those are my people.

I'm 57. I took stock my life over the past year. Quit working, ended a relationship that wasn't bringing me joy, I lost everything. But I discovered myself. Authenticity, Vulnerability, Empathy, and Community drive happiness. So that is why I am here. I am starting my life as an artist now--because over the last year my talents exploded. Singing, Dancing, Poetry, Writing. I'm starting a livestream that embodies all I value. And I'm looking to share other people's stories as well as mine

@ParadiseInside I'm working on a book called '56: The year psychedelics saved, destroyed, and reignited my life'. They are medicine, pure and simple.

@pewtergod

@Oma_Trisha That's great. I live in Atlanta. I have many friends that are houseless. Atlanta has the highest housing prices compared to median incomes in the country.