The Pale Blue Dot is a photograph of planet Earth taken in 1990 by Voyager 1 from a record distance, showing it against the vastness of space. By request of Carl Sagan, NASA commanded the Voyager 1 spacecraft, having completed its primary mission and now leaving the Solar System, to turn its camera around and to take a photograph of Earth across a great expanse of space.

In a commencement address delivered May 11, 1996, Sagan related his thoughts on a deeper meaning of the photograph:

Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every ‘superstar,’ every ‘supreme leader,’ every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there — on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.

The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.

Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.

The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.

It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.

At the Clinton Global Initiative University I attended this weekend, Roger Schank opened his speech by bellowing, “There are only two things wrong with the education system: What we teach and How we teach it.” He is a former professor at Yale, Stanford, and Northwestern, who has spent considerable time studying artificial intelligence and cognitive psychology. His basic message: The education system is broken and needs to be rethought from scratch.

The current education system was designed in 1892 by Charles Eliot, President of Harvard. He advocated uniformity and standardized testing for admission to college. During his time in the Committee of Ten, Charles pushed for one curriculum that would be taught at high schools nationwide.

The effect of this standardization: An army of students that lacked the capacity to think. The industrial revolution thirsted for mindless workers and schools were happy to supply them. Students would all know the same information and this would allow them to be easily replaceable.

This trend that started in the late 19th century has sucked the excitement for learning out of most students. At first, most six year olds can’t wait to go to school on that first day in August. This enthusiasm wears off as the reality of sitting in a desk for up to six hours a day quickly takes over. Students were not meant to be taught in this manner and scientists have long known that children learn best through experimentation and reflection. As an example to illustrate this concept, think about learning your first language. Did your parents sit you down and lecture to you? No! You were probably speaking before you ever set foot into a classroom.

So why do we do it this way? The lecture system offers the cheapest and most efficient way to teach students. It allows most teachers to focus on their research and conduct their class with minimal effort. It has unfortunately led to a curriculum that has little practical use and teachers that fail to connect with students.

At one point Roger called out to the crowd, “How many of you know the quadratic formula?” Then he asked, “Now how many of you have ever used it?”

We looked back at him sheepishly, having realized that we had spent our time memorizing a formula we would never use.

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I encourage you to read more on his thoughts for revolutionizing the school system. In the coming weeks, I will be posting some of his proposed solutions.

What do you think is wrong with the education system today? When was the last time you thought in class?

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The Alchemist picked up a book that someone in the caravan had brought. Leafing through the pages, he found a story about Narcissus. The alchemist knew the legend of Narcissus, a youth who knelt daily beside a lake to contemplate his own beauty. He was so fascinated by himself that, one morning, he fell into the lake and drowned. At the spot where he fell, a flower was born, which was called the narcissus.

But this was not how the author of the book ended the story. He said that when Narcissus died, the goddesses of the forest appeared and found the lake, which had been fresh water, transformed into a lake of salty tears.

“Why do you weep?” the goddesses asked.

“I weep for Narcissus,” the lake replied.

“Ah, it is no surprise that you weep for Narcissus,” they said, “for though we always pursued him in the forest, you alone could contemplate his beauty close at hand.”

“But…was Narcissus beautiful?” the lake asked.

“Who better than you to know that?” the goddesses said in wonder. “After all, it was by your banks that he knelt each day to contemplate himself!”

The lake was silent for some time. Finally, it said:

“I weep for Narcissus, but I never noticed that Narcissus was beautiful. I weep because, each time he knelt beside my banks, I could see, in the depths of his eyes, my own beauty reflected.”

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I believe that it is human nature to desire attention, appreciation, and approbation. I also believe that this goes one step further. In a way, it is human nature to be narcissistic, or absolutely consumed with one’s self-image and ego. But by letting ourselves become consumed with our egos, what are we missing? What beauty in the world are we overlooking? When we look back on our lives, will we be like Narcissus and the lake, too consumed with ourselves to enjoy the beauty surrounding us? Or will we appreciate the beauty of the world and people around us, using the opportunities we are presented with to establish lasting and meaningful relationships, and with those new relationships change the world?

Stop and meditate for a moment. Which life are you living?

In today’s increasingly connected world, people are finding information about you through the internet as opposed to more traditional means. Have you ever Googled yourself? Try it now and see what pops up. You’ll probably notice you don’t control most of the sites on the first page. While some may find this scary, take it an opportunity to instead direct these people to a site created by you. Since the first three listings get over 79% of the traffic, make it your goal to reach the top three spots on Google for your name.

1. See if your name is available as a URL. Click here to check the availability. If it is not, try adding your middle initial or some slight variation. It helps to have your full name within the URL as Google will boost up the page on the search rankings.

2. Buy hosting and register the domain. I use Bluehost and I know a lot of people who also consider it the best hosting service. This should cost you about $4-$7 a month depending on the length of the plan you purchase. It includes free domain registration which is a plus.

3. Install Wordpress on the host site. For bluehost, they conveniently do it for you in under 5 minutes. Click here for help.

4. Pick a business card theme. There are a variety of business card themes in a variety of price ranges. Here are my top 2 free ones: Digital Business Card by Human 3rror, Ipseity by Human 3rror. Click here for help uploading the themes.

5. Customize the theme with your info. Go through the Wordpress theme options on the left toolbar and input your personal information. Most of the themes make it as simple as adding the URL of your different pages in the specified boxes.

Congratulations! You now have your own personal website. Comment on any problems you have and let me know if there are other themes you have found!

What do Flash Mobs have to do with life lessons then? I believe if you asked most people why they go to work, they would respond, “Because everyone else does it.” They are stuck in a routine and are awaiting the “glory” days of retirement. The fire and motivation is gone. What is the cure to this? Can it really be a random dance with strangers?

Watch the video below and observe not only the dancers but also the people who gather to watch. It won’t be tangible but you’ll feel the happiness bubbling up inside of them. The man in the suit is not thinking of his impending deadline as he’s dancing. The smiling and clapping audience members have forgotten everything in their lives for those five minutes. Most of us live each day with a checklist mentality. We need to accomplish certain goals and cannot rest until we get there.

As these dancers in Antwerp taught me, sometimes you just have to let go of everything and dance, even if only for 5 minutes in a train station.

The real question now is: Who wants to organize the next one?

Nickelback’s hit song (If Today Was Your Last Day – shown below) got me thinking about that old success quote the song is titled after. I think many of you would agree the principle carries a lot of truth. You shouldn’t spend time doing something that disinterests you or leads to a monotonous routine.

As I’m sure many of you have realized, there is a slight flaw in this idea. If we lived each day as if it were truly our last day, we probably would skirt some of our important responsibilities. This would not have an immediate impact but would directly affect us in the future. Wouldn’t you skip a test or a few extra hours at work if you knew you had one day left?

Instead, look at each individual day as a game of Russian roulette, except you do not know the odds. The possibility of death is ever present and yet completely intangible. Pause for a moment and reflect on the last two sentences. Isn’t that what life really is?  Plan with uncertainty and you will be pushed to make the best decisions for the short and the potential long run.

You’re playing a game with Death. What’s your next move?

After a while, another monkey makes an attempt with the same result – again all the monkeys are sprayed with cold water. This continues until pretty soon whenever another monkey tries to climb the stairs all the other monkeys will try to prevent it from doing so.

Now put away the cold water. Remove one of the monkeys from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey will see the banana and will attempt to climb the stairs. To his surprise and horror all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt, and attack, he knows that if he climbs the stairs he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm! Likewise replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth and then a fifth one. Every time a new monkey goes to the stairs it is attacked. The monkeys that are beating him up have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.

After replacing all of the original monkeys none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for the bananas. Why not? Because as far as they know that’s the way we’ve always done it around here. We call this TTWWADI.
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This brings up the important question you need to ask yourself: What are you doing because you are expected to? This can be anything from your study habits to the way you exercise. Chances are you learned it from someone, who learned it from someone else…who learned it from yet another person. Innovation has ceased a long time ago and you have been left with an unimproved method or way of doing things.

Here is my challenge to you:

1. Spend one day writing down every important action you take
2. Sit down at the end of the day and analyze why you did certain things and who taught you to do them that way
3. Ask yourself if there is potentially a better way to do something
4. Think! Take at least 30 minutes to just sit by yourself and explore the different alternatives and limitless possibilities
5. Enjoy your newfound effectiveness and happiness

For a deeper reflection ask yourself where your current scholastic or career path is leading you. Are you heading down that path because you chose it as the optimal path to happiness? Or did you pick it because you are blindly following in the footsteps of someone else? Do not let society dictate your actions.

As Steve Jobs said, “Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world….are usually the ones that do.”

On Being Realistic:

“Being realistic is the most commonly traveled road to mediocrity. Why would you be realistic? I’m going to do it. It’s already done. The second I decide it’s done, it’s already done. Now I just have to wait for all of you to see.”

“It’s unrealistic to walk in a room, flip the switch, and watch the lights come on. Fortunately, Edison didn’t think so.”

On Work Ethic:

“I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be outworked. You may be more talented than me. You might be smarter than me. And you may be better looking than me. But if we get on a treadmill together, you are going to get off first or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple. I’m not going to be outworked.”

On Talent vs Skill:

“I’ve never really viewed myself as particularly talented. I’ve viewed myself as slightly above average in talent. And where I excel is ridiculous, sickening, work ethic. You know, while the other guy’s sleeping? I’m working. While the other guy’s eatin’? I’m working. While the other guy’s making love, I mean, I’m making love, too. But I’m working really hard at it.”

On Having a Plan B:

“There is no reason to have a plan B because it distracts from plan A.”

On Doing the Impossible

One summer, his dad tore down a brick wall in the front of his business and told 12-year-old Will and his 9-year-old brother to rebuild it, a job they said was impossible. It took them a year and a half, but they did it.

“And he said, ‘Now, don’t you ever tell me there’s somethin’ that you can’t do.’ And walked right through that door, went inside. And me and my brother stood here and looked. And said, ‘Daddy crazy as hell, ain’t he?’” Smith recalls, laughing.

The wall is still there, and so is the lesson he learned from building it. “I just put my head down and lay the first brick,” Smith explains.

On the Universe:

“Make a choice. Just decide what it’s going to be, who you’re going to be, how you’re going to do it. Just DECIDE! And then from that point the universe is going to get out of your way.”

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41% of people check their email before they do anything else in the morning. This can be attributed to the task dominant lifestyle we tend to lead. In a strange way, we look for new tasks we need to perform without considering the fact that there are plenty of important tasks left undone. This leads to increased stress as our pile of work grows the second we wake up. This habit sets the tone for the rest of the day. If you do this every day (as most do), then you are setting that tone for the rest of your life.

Here is a simple plan to get off this habit:

1. Gather your inspirational resources

iPhone and iTouch users – Download the Solace and Courage Iphone App by Ajnaware. For those of you who are not familiar with this app, I consider it to be one of the best applications out there and easily the most inspirational.

Non iPhone or iTouch users – Print quotes from either Third Minds or another website with inspirational quotes. On a side note, we promise to keep updating our quotes section!

2. Read at least 3 quotes on either the app or the paper the second you wake up. Then pause for exactly one minute and think about them.

If you follow this habit I guarantee you will find yourself leading happier days and sleeping better. What has been your experience doing this? Any other tips you use to start the day off successfully?

Excellent story taken from 4 Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss.
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An American businessman was standing at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.

“How long did it take you to catch them?” The American asked.

“Only a little while.” The Mexican replied.

“Why don’t you stay out longer and catch more fish?” The American then asked.

“I have enough to support my family’s immediate needs.” The Mexican said.

“But,” The American then asked, “What do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take a siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life, senor.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds you buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats.”

“Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the consumers, eventually opening your own can factory. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senor, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then, senor?”

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO (Initial Public Offering) and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.”

“Millions, senor? Then what?”

The American said slowly, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take a siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos…”
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Stop and think for a second. Which path are you taking?