In the 1980’s, the company name Xerox became a verb because of the machine’s ability to make paper copies. Everyone knew what you meant when you said, “Xerox it!” Today Google is an example of the same phenomenon. Just as people got carried away with xeroxing — remember copies of butt cheeks? — it’s time to consider whether googling everything is a good idea. It’s no surprise Google compromises our privacy by selling or sharing all the data it acquires about us. Here’s an article I found about what NOT to Google and why. Later I’ll share an option that offers privacy and anonymity.

Recently I discovered the joy of napping and I invite you to join me in this decadent pleasure. A friend schedules a brief “interlude” on her calendar every afternoon at 3:00 PM. I was a skeptic, worrying that an afternoon nap would interrupt my momentum — until recently when a heavy head cold flattened my productivity. I was surprised by how much rest my immune system demanded to perform its healing role. I learned firsthand how refreshing and revitalizing a few-minute break can be. So what used to be a clear “nope” to napping is now an enthusiastic “yup!”

I recently heard myself ask the question, “How can I help?” It stuck in my mind because it’s not what I meant. The real question was “How may I serve?” Serving is different from helping. Helping is based on inequality. Helping is when we use our strengths to assist those of lesser strength. When we’re attentive to what's happening inside of us, we’re always helping someone who's not as strong as we are – someone needier than we are. Helping is valuable, but people feel the inequality. Serving accomplishes the same goal, but it’s a relationship between equals.

Having patience is not my strength, but it’s not exactly a weakness either. I lack patience when I’m learning new things and I’m extremely impatient when I’m waiting for anyone who is even a few minutes late. Impatience feels awful. It’s frustrating when our intentions are thwarted, but it doesn’t work to blame others or get snarky and mean-spirited. Try curiosity instead. Impatience fades into the background when we’re curious about solving the problem that’s the source of our irritation – and it’s a way to entertain ourselves while we wait.