Various Tidbits: May 23, 2025
According to Jeffrey A. Kottler's book, "Change: What Really Leads to Lasting Personal Transformation," there is no one-size-fits-all method for achieving enduring personal change. Kottler investigates various approaches to behavior change and asserts that success often stems from a synergistic blend of factors rather than a single technique.
while researching an article on the effectiveness of therapy for our "Dying Breed" newsletter. This discovery underscores that the pathway to personal transformation is rarely simple and straightforward. Factors that contribute to success seem highly individualized, making it challenging to pinpoint a single silver bullet.
The research leaves us with a humbling reminder that even with all the psychological research and self-help wisdom available, we still have a limited understanding of what truly causes lasting behavior change. It serves to challenge our cultural pursuit of the "one right way" to fix ourselves.
Summer Soundtracks: Thelma & Louise of Surf Music
As warmer weather approaches, I've been adding a touch of seasonal music to my rotation, including surf music from the 1960s. My high school self would be thrilled to revisit this soundtrack, which I still associate with the carefree days of adolescence.
One of my favorite bands from that era is The Ventures. Their reverb-heavy instrumentals such as "Walk, Don't Run" and "Pipeline" transport you to a sunny coast with the feel of endless summer. Despite never having stood on a surfboard, their music continues to summon a sense of freedom that seems perfectly suited to the longer days and warmer temperatures.
The Guidance of a Decision Maker Coin
Among my pocket totems, one of my favorites is the Decision Maker from J.L. Lawson. I don't rely on the coin to guide my decisions but instead use it as a reminder that sometimes the choices are close, and making a decision is the only way to move forward. The coin also adds a touch of aesthetics to my pockets, making it a great conversation starter and an enjoyable gift for friends.
On our "Dying Breed" newsletter, we recently published "Sunday Firesides: You Might Be Living in a Golden Age Right Now" and "The Virtues of Re-Reading Books."
Off the Page: A Reflection on Personal Growth
In the upcoming weeks at our newsletter, we dive deeper into the complexities of personal transformation and the value of "rehearsing life" through books, reflecting on Harry A. Overstreet's insight that recreation is a fundamental aspect of a thriving democracy.
Recreation is not merely an afterthought; it plays a significant role in shaping the kind of people we become and the kind of society we cultivate.
- Overstreet
Related Reading
- "Odds & Ends: January 24, 2025"
- "Odds & Ends: August 23, 2024"
- "Odds & Ends: May 2, 2025"
- "Odds & Ends: February 7, 2025"
- "Odds & Ends: April 11, 2025"
- "Odds & Ends: April 4, 2025"
Previous Next
- Success in personal transformation, as suggested by Jeffrey A. Kottler's book, often comes from a blend of various skills, styles, and virtues, rather than relying on a single technique.
- Reading books on education-and-self-development and personal-growth can offer insights into shaping our character and contributing to our overall development, as proposed in the "Dying Breed" newsletter article, "Off the Page: A Reflection on Personal Growth."
- The use of music, such as surf music from the 1960s, can serve as a means of entertainment and provide a connection to enjoyable moments from our past, as highlighted in the article, "Summer Soundtracks: Thelma & Louise of Surf Music."
- One's character and decision-making abilities may be influenced by personal totems, like the Decision Maker coin from J.L. Lawson, as appreciated in the "Dying Breed" piece, "The Guidance of a Decision Maker Coin."
- Recreation can be a crucial aspect of personal growth and societal development, as proposed by Harry A. Overstreet, whose insights are delved into in the upcoming "Dying Breed" newsletter article, "Off the Page: A Reflection on Personal Growth."
