I program my social media, for example, with “Reels”. If you click on something you like or give it a thumbs up you program the social media so what you like or your interests randomly pop up. If you see images, music or authors you like, to name a few things, then my experience is, you will feel better inside - because you are engaged cognitively. Especially, if you feel down or at odds - randomness can be awesome as a contribution to fantasy, learning, inquisitiveness and creativity. With a screen that I like, I will look at it, appreciate the beauty and excellence and saviour before the next reel. Often, I will mentally pause between screens with a meditation vignette and recall how much I enjoyed what I just saw. All these vignettes grow into memory as experiences because they are things I like. Professor Laurie Santos says that buying experiences can make one happy. You buy these experiences, even indirectly, by subscriptions, pop ups or or even paywalls. An experience is worth paying for if you like it and it contributes to entertainment or positive content and mental imagery on a learning journey. After all, it’s liked content. This changes my inner world to a positive journey in contrast to the horrible news content and psycho politics we are all exposed to. This entertainment and learning from these reels contributes to my positive mindset. Learn to change the dialogue and as Steven C. Hayes says in a “Liberated Mind” - Pivot ……. in this case from toxic to positive interests…….
For example in my real life, I would never eat more than 3 - 6 ounces of steak. Being of limited financial means and having self control not to eat huge quantities when I eat beef, I would engage in fantasy by watching reels of steakhouses in New York City, Texas, Las Vegas and Toronto and any other place that may pop up in my programmed reel. - [fantasy is different from acting out”] - Reels are just so entertaining and in real life the cost to participate would be a minimum of $150USD……… So subconsciously, being frugal, I saviour my great experience and appreciate enjoying the feast in fantasy and I can mentally put $150 in my piggy bank. This brings me joy and happiness. A friend once said “ Malcolm is not “Cheap”, he is “Frugal” and everyone including me had a great laugh…….
Another topic I’m obsessed with in my reels, is commercial shipping and gigantic marine diesel engines from my childhood experience of travelling on “Canada Steamship Lines” ships with my father, a former career chief engineer. If I want a dizzying experience of terror, I watch a ship navigate the North Atlantic or the North Sea in the fall. These are some of the most treacherous seas in the world. Then on to the beauty of the “Blue Ridge Parkway”, “The Smokey Mountains”, and then my favourite entertainer Louis Armstrong pops up. Then next is “Katz”s Deli” in New York or Schwartz’s in Montreal. And what do you know “New River Beach” in New Brunswick pops up…. All of these interests have meaning to me. Its the segue and the randomness which is so fascinating to me…… (Even now at 5:15 AM in the morning as I write this) - Next, it will be a coffee, watching a part of PBS “Create Channel” just to see whats on…….. Next, it will be on to re-reading Professor Paul Bloom’s latest SubStack “Small Potatoes” entitled “19 Pieces of Teaching Advice”……Segue and on to picking up my new computer which a friend un-expectantly bought me for my 75 birthday. Thank you “Parker Technologies”…. I wonder what else will pop up today? I wonder how my friend Steve’s Day will go as he installs garage doors? My friend Brenda has a busy day …..And how Captain Steve and his wife are doing? They were working in Kingston, Ontario at their “Fine Food Emporium” when a scoundrel stole their newish Ford Escape while they were working cooking and serving customers……… A feeling of devastation comes to mind…..
https://schwartzsdeli.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorjXSxt314VmdBDrVbfZS_Di23MGvHN2cy-EBhGgm9m0H5De-2U
Every night when I came home from high school, I would play “ Hello Dolly” with Louis Armstrong…….. on my dad’s high fi….. an LP….
Reliving a positive childhood experience sailing on CSL freighters……… I used to do industrial arts in the engine room machine shop and because I was going to be on the ship for two weeks, I thought of my stomach and befriended the “Chief Cook” and I also helped in the galley too…. I was fully engaged….. These experiences might not be allowed today because of rules and regulations….. What a shame…….
Malcolm - Peace and Tranquility a few days ago in Kingston, Ontario, Canada…..
https://photos.app.goo.gl/gf69UH5pk1fFfne3A
Stay tuned…….
Apologies - some problems with the links I will have to look into later...... Help - SubStack doesn't seem to talk to YouTube? I think the links are all legal???