Thursday, December 4, 2008

Spelling

Has anyone out there noticed that with all this blogging going on, spelling seems to be a lost art? Perfectly wonderful writers are not immune to the errors. I know the information is being posted faster than any editor can read it. That makes the information really raw and timely...but I'm concerned that writers are trying to get their point posted too quickly and forgetting to hit the spellcheck button.

Jsut oen grils oppinoin!

Exercises for your Brain

I was reading my old standby, The Huffington Post and ran across this great article.

12 Exercises for your brain:


  1. Spend an hour each day without saying anything except in answer to direct questions, in the midst of the usual group, without creating the impression that you're sulking or ill. Be as ordinary as possible. But do not volunteer remarks or try to draw out information.

  2. Think for 30 minutes a day about one subject exclusively. Start with five minutes.

  3. Write a letter without using the words I, me, mine, my.

  4. Talk for 15 minutes a day without using I, me, my, mine.

  5. Write a letter in a "successful" or placid tone. No misstatements, no lying. Look for aspects or activities that can be honestly reported that way.

  6. Pause on the threshold of any crowded room and size it up.

  7. Keep a new acquaintance talking about himself or herself without allowing him to become conscious of it. Turn back any courteous reciprocal questions in a way that your auditor doesn't feel rebuffed.

  8. Talk exclusively about yourself and your interests without complaining, boasting, or boring your companions.

  9. Cut "I mean" or "As a matter of fact" or any other verbal mannerism out of your conversation.

  10. Plan two hours of a day and stick to the plan.

  11. Set yourself twelve tasks at random: e.g., go twenty miles from home using ordinary conveyance; go 12 hours without food; go eat a meal in the unlikeliest place you can find; say nothing all day except in answer to questions; stay up all night and work.

  12. From time to time, give yourself a day when you answer "yes" to any reasonable request.

If you'd like to read a more lengthy explanation of the twelve disciplines, or about Brande's explanation for these exercises, go here and search for Chapter 11 - Twelve Disciplines.