Quote to ponder under the apple tree
Democracy is finding proximate solutions to insoluble problems.
~ Reinhold Niebuhr (born June 21, 1892)
Resources to bite into
1. In honor of Father’s Day, quotable fathers *
The current Brain Aerobics Weekly includes an exercise in sharing what we have learned from our fathers (or another strong parental figure). As father figures go, few match Reinhold Niebuhr’s challenge to us to be better than we are. He is widely credited as the author of the Serenity Prayer, that is, the original version which asks for “the courage to change what I should.” As adapted by Alcoholics Anonymous and others, it reads “the courage to change what I can.” The Rev. Niebuhr believed in holding us morally accountable. It’s easy to say we can’t change something, but he said that didn’t mean it shouldn’t be changed and that we weren’t still liable for working to make it happen. Both John McCain and Barack Obama cited this philosopher’s influence on them in the last presidential election. Read up on him!
2. Overcoming stereotype threat *
The current issue of Brain Aerobics Weekly contains excerpts from an article by John Cloud in Time Magazine, “How Stereotypes Defeat the Stereotyped” (May, 09, 2009, http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1897009,00.html?xid=newsletter-daily). Most of us know that when little is expected of us, the prophecy is often self-fulfilling, but the article noted that the opposite was also true. Whatever your age, you are likely to perform better if you are reminded of you strengths. Therefore, Mr. Cloud suggests, telling your grandmother when you talk to her “that she's always the one who remembers the grandkids' birthdays or who recalls all the measurements in the family biscuit recipe (or, if you're from New England, the family martini recipe),” just might make it a bit easier for her to find her car keys the next time she has misplaced them.
3. Summer arrives officially on June 21 *
Summer is coming, summer is coming.
I know it, I know it, I know it.
Light again, leaf again, life again, love again,
Yes, my wild little Poet.
~ Alfred Lord Tennyson
* These items are easily adapted when working with people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Tips/ideas/insights to savor *
As noted above, stereotype threat can be overcome by voicing encouragement and high expectations that a person will succeed. However, it helps immeasurably to know what a person considers his or her strengths or what words or actions are that person’s best confidence boosters. For example, if I take pride in being a well-organized person, I would be pleased when someone recognizes me for using that strength to help an event run smoothly. Most of us are not used to bragging about ourselves, and yet self-confidence – which tends to induce confidence of others in our abilities – is a key factor in success. So give it a try. On your own or as a group exercise, fill in the blanks and share your answers:
One school subject that was always easy for me (and that I still enjoy) was _________________
One way in which I am creative is (for example, singing, dancing, playing an instrument, writing poetry, artistic) _______________________
One thing I am good at and proud of is ______________________
The thing I like best about my personality is my ____________________
I am most friendly towards others when ________________
I tend to be most confident about my appearance when I am wearing _______________________
Add whatever other questions tickle your fancy.
In addition to wanting to be known for what we are already confident of (secretly or not), it’s also nice to be praised unexpectedly:
“Wow, you handled that disgruntled customer wonderfully! I’m impressed.”
“I didn’t know you were such a good dancer.”
“Thanks for speaking up for ______; that took courage.”
Try it, and your days will be far more satisfying for yourself and others.
Democracy is finding proximate solutions to insoluble problems.
~ Reinhold Niebuhr (born June 21, 1892)
Resources to bite into
1. In honor of Father’s Day, quotable fathers *
The current Brain Aerobics Weekly includes an exercise in sharing what we have learned from our fathers (or another strong parental figure). As father figures go, few match Reinhold Niebuhr’s challenge to us to be better than we are. He is widely credited as the author of the Serenity Prayer, that is, the original version which asks for “the courage to change what I should.” As adapted by Alcoholics Anonymous and others, it reads “the courage to change what I can.” The Rev. Niebuhr believed in holding us morally accountable. It’s easy to say we can’t change something, but he said that didn’t mean it shouldn’t be changed and that we weren’t still liable for working to make it happen. Both John McCain and Barack Obama cited this philosopher’s influence on them in the last presidential election. Read up on him!
2. Overcoming stereotype threat *
The current issue of Brain Aerobics Weekly contains excerpts from an article by John Cloud in Time Magazine, “How Stereotypes Defeat the Stereotyped” (May, 09, 2009, http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1897009,00.html?xid=newsletter-daily). Most of us know that when little is expected of us, the prophecy is often self-fulfilling, but the article noted that the opposite was also true. Whatever your age, you are likely to perform better if you are reminded of you strengths. Therefore, Mr. Cloud suggests, telling your grandmother when you talk to her “that she's always the one who remembers the grandkids' birthdays or who recalls all the measurements in the family biscuit recipe (or, if you're from New England, the family martini recipe),” just might make it a bit easier for her to find her car keys the next time she has misplaced them.
3. Summer arrives officially on June 21 *
Summer is coming, summer is coming.
I know it, I know it, I know it.
Light again, leaf again, life again, love again,
Yes, my wild little Poet.
~ Alfred Lord Tennyson
* These items are easily adapted when working with people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Tips/ideas/insights to savor *
As noted above, stereotype threat can be overcome by voicing encouragement and high expectations that a person will succeed. However, it helps immeasurably to know what a person considers his or her strengths or what words or actions are that person’s best confidence boosters. For example, if I take pride in being a well-organized person, I would be pleased when someone recognizes me for using that strength to help an event run smoothly. Most of us are not used to bragging about ourselves, and yet self-confidence – which tends to induce confidence of others in our abilities – is a key factor in success. So give it a try. On your own or as a group exercise, fill in the blanks and share your answers:
One school subject that was always easy for me (and that I still enjoy) was _________________
One way in which I am creative is (for example, singing, dancing, playing an instrument, writing poetry, artistic) _______________________
One thing I am good at and proud of is ______________________
The thing I like best about my personality is my ____________________
I am most friendly towards others when ________________
I tend to be most confident about my appearance when I am wearing _______________________
Add whatever other questions tickle your fancy.
In addition to wanting to be known for what we are already confident of (secretly or not), it’s also nice to be praised unexpectedly:
“Wow, you handled that disgruntled customer wonderfully! I’m impressed.”
“I didn’t know you were such a good dancer.”
“Thanks for speaking up for ______; that took courage.”
Try it, and your days will be far more satisfying for yourself and others.
Let the ever-ripening Wiser Now website become the apple of your eye.
-- Host a workshop, purchase materials or click on the blue print to sign up for Brain Aerobics Weekly. and Wiser Now Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Tips.
-- Host a workshop, purchase materials or click on the blue print to sign up for Brain Aerobics Weekly. and Wiser Now Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Tips.
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