A Drop of Happy

Curiosity Unleashed: Why Wonder, Not Doubt, Fuels True Knowledge

Curiosity Unleashed: Why Wonder, Not Doubt, Fuels True Knowledge
Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge.
To wonder is to be curious but also to be in awe. I think we can sit back and be in awe of things and admire them and appreciate them while still maintaining a sense of self. Having states of awe, I believe, inspires ingenuity and curiosity. It makes sense to me why then you can be in wonder of something and also wonder about something. Wonder opens our minds to exploration.
Articles
Eight Reasons Why Awe Makes Your Life Better
Awe may improve your mood and make you more satisfied with your life.
Awe may be good for your health.
Awe may help you think more critically.
Awe may decrease materialism.
Awe makes you feel smaller and more humble.
Awe can make you feel like you have more time.
Awe can make you more generous and cooperative.
Awe can make you feel more connected to other people and humanity.
The Mental Benefits of Seeking Awe
Why You Nee to Protect Your Sense of Wonder- Especially Now

The Beyoncé Bowl: A Celebration of Power, Performance, and Unstoppable Inspiration

Christmas Day football game and Beyoncé Bowel performance inspired me
Netflix to release a stand-alone special
Blue Ivy
Post Malone
Netflix IT made sure there were no glitches
Shaboozy
What is happening 1.14.25
CMAs made her get up out her seat with this special: My House
Black Bird: Tanner Adell, Brittany Spencer, Tierra Kennedy and Reyna Roberts
Homage to Black Cowboy Rodeo
Ashley Everett
Ja'Dayia Kursh: First Black Rodeo Queen
Let's review Harvard Business Review: Why Inspiration Matters

Losing You The Art of Letting and Finding Yourself Again

Losing You: The Art of Letting Go and Finding Yourself Again Be forewarned.
I sing on this podcast and it is bad but the song is so good.
Tell me the truth boy am I losing you for good? We used to kiss all night but now there’s just no use. I don’t know how I fight it, clearly we are through. Tell me the truth, boy, am I losing you for good?
In 2012 Solange Knowles, yes that Solange, released an album called True. I don’t even know if it was a real album release because it only had seven tracks but when I tell you, I loved that album. No. I love that album. It is an in-your-feelings album with the first track, Losing You, and it is a vibe. The entire album is a moody vibe and Losing You is a great way to kick it off.
Have you been in a relationship you know is over or feel is about to be? This song really captures the essence of being in that ambiguous space because maybe you still want to fight for the relationship but you only end up fighting alone. You end up wondering if is it really worth it if you are the only one willing to fight, willing to put in the work to continue.
“I know you’re waiting for the worst that you can get from me. Just treat me good and daby I’ll give you the rest of me. Im not the one that you should be making your enemy.” “There’s nothing more, I know you’re taking it away from me. I gave you everything and now there’s nothing left of me. I’m not the one you should be making your enemy.”
How do you manage a situation like that? It is more than you are in an argument and need to get past it by one of you apologizing and moving on. This is one where you know the other party has checked out but for whatever reason you are not ready to let go. It is a devastating experience if you have had the misfortune to go through it. Unfortunately, you do have to reach a point when you have to let go.
The emotional turmoil is even more challenging if you still love the person, but their behavior towards you makes it clear that the relationship is over. While letting go is never easy because there are so many doubts and questions about the future, it is an essential step towards healing and rediscovering your sense of self. That new plane and exploration can also be scary in itself.
Here are seven steps to how you can start on that path:
Acknowledge the reality of the situation
Allow yourself to feel your emotions
Set clear boundaries
Focus on self-care and discovery
Challenge false beliefs about love and loss
Seek professional support if needed
Visualize a better future

Netflix’s The Recruit Review Season 2 Ready

Ready to watch The Recruit Season 2 on January 30, 2025
The Recruit is an espionage drama series that follows the chaotic life of Owen Hendricks, and a headstrong lawyer who just started working for the CIA. Played by Noah Centineo, Owen is thrust into the deep end of international intrigue when he stumbles upon a threatening letter from Max Meladze, a former CIA asset currently in prison, demanding the agency clear her name or face the exposure of classified secrets.
What starts as a simple legal investigation quickly spirals out of control, pulling Owen into a world of high-stakes deception, deadly conspiracies, and global danger. With no field training and little experience, Owen must navigate ruthless criminals, foreign operatives, and dangerous CIA politics—all while trying to survive his first year on the job.
Listen at your own risk because this is full of spoilers
Owen
Max
Amelia
Lester and Violet
Terrance
Hannah
Dawn
Season 2 release date January 30, 2025

Tackle Procrastination and Find More Time and Less Stress

Tackle Procrastination and Find More Time and Less Stress
10 Steps
Acknowledge where you are and where you want to go (SMART goals)
Break down into smaller steps
Create accountability
Set deadlines and reassess
Access resources and ask for help
Create a time management plan
Reward yourself along the journey
Engage in healthy mind, body, and soul habits
Commit yourself by committing to yourself

Alex Cross and The Journey Through Grief: Finding Strength After Loss

Alex Cross Episode 4 Tid Bits
A look into grieving the loss of a spouse, partner, or significant other
Widows and widowers trigger warnings
Everyone handles things their own way
Family intervention
Faking the funk
Don't force your expectations on a grieving person
Dating
Top stressors
Eight steps to healing after the death of your spouse or partner

Meet Me Next Christmas Review and Recap

Meet Me Next Christmas
Review and recap
It is that time for holiday movies and I am here for it. Netflix has so many that I do not even know where to begin but my first watch was Meet Me Next Christmas and I enjoyed it more than I expected. Meet Me Next Christmas stars Christina Milian, Devale Ellis, Kofi Siriboe, Kalen Allen and The Pentatonix. First of all you had me at Pentatonix because I love them.
Now Meet Me Next Christmas is about two star crossed lovers that happen to meet each other on Christmas eve and hit it off but Layla, played by Christina, is currently in a relationship. Before leaving her the James, played by Kofi Siriboe, proposes that if they are both single next year that they meet up at the annual Pentatonix concert. I will not spoil it with the recaps just yet. But suffice to say, Layla ends up being single and goes on a little journey with Teddy, played by Devale, to meet with James at the concert the following year.
It was a fun, cutesy watch. Christina Milian had really good chemistry with her male costars. Kalen Allen who played a cousin was a hilarious addition. I enjoyed Pentatonix role in the movie as well. They were also in Candy Cane Lane, I think last year, and they were fun but was more like a cameo where as in Meet Me Next Christmas they had a larger role and it was fun to see them interacting with each other. All in all it was a cute, wholesome movie to brighten your day.
This rating is a Christmas RomCom rating.
Meet Me Next Christmas: listen
Spoilers, recaps and discussion ... listen for more

I Need a Moment: How to Adjust to Disappointment and Find Your Way Forward

I needed a moment so I wrote a couple of poems and recorded a podcast show because I just needed a moment to be. 
 
AdjustBreathe inknow that it isyour time to feel what youneed to feel, your time to have amomentWanda Toby @Litevi
 
I Need a Moment
Ya’ll gonna give me a moment 
A moment to feel what I feel To sit in this pocket of disappointment To let the letdown flow over me and settle in the unsettled pits of my stomachTo bubble and gurgle and seethe Just need a moment to adjust or readjust to the dimming of hope that was ignited a glow that dared to burn too bright in a time when darkness ralliedYa’ll gonna give me a moment A moment to feel what I feelTo get it together and figure it outAm I going to fight or watch it burnA moment to acknowledge my exhaustionTo cry at the loss of humanity at the choking hands of hubrisJust need these few minutes beforeI gotta go to work
- Wanda Toby
Article
A Psychologist’s Advice on How to Deal with Disappointment