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The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

January 29, 2015

{a year of challenges} January is for Learning: A Review



The end of the January is for Learning Challenge is here!  How did you do?  

As far as my personal challenge goes, I am really pleased with the outcome.  Sometimes as a mother to little ones, I feel like my brain is slowly turning to mush.  This month helped me see that it doesn’t have to be that way. Below is a record of all the things I read, listened to and explored:  

BOOKS.
1. The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It
2. Joy to the World: How Christ’s Coming Changed Everything (and Still Does)
3. Orphan Train


PODCASTS.
1. Brilliant Business Mom Podcast Episode 062: Blogging, Best-Sellers & The Good Life with Ruth Soukup
2. Elise Gets Crafty Episode 39: Maintaining a Creative Habit
3. Read-Aloud Revival Episode 12: The Reading Promise: My Father and the Books We Shared
4. Fountains of Carrots Episode 6: Planned Chaos with Kelly Mantoan
5. Not technically a Podcast, but just as informative: 5 Steps to a Better Facebook Page with Holly Homer
6. Brilliant Business Moms Episode 027: On Growing an Authentic Blog with Anne Bogel of Modern Mrs. Darcy

TED TALKS. (Summaries come from the TED talk website)
1. Brene Brown: The Power of Vulnerability
Brene Brown studies human connection – our ability to empathize, belong, love.  In a poignant, funny talk, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity.  

2. David Goldstein: The Battle Between your Present and Future Self
Every day, we make decisions that have good or bad consequences for our future selves.  (Can I skip flossing just this one time?)  Danial Goldstein makes tools that help us imagine ourselves over time, so that we make smart choices for Future Us.

3. Christopher McDougall: Are We Born to Run?
Christopher McDougall explores the mysteries of the human desire to run.  How did running help early humans survive – and what urges from our ancient ancestors spur us on today?  McDougall tells the story of the marathoner with a gold, the unlikely ultra-runner, and the hidden tribe in Mexico that runs to live.  

4. Mac Barnett: Why a Good Book is a Secret Door
Childhood is surreal.  Why shouldn’t children’s books be?  In this whimsical talk, award-winning author Mac Barnett speaks about writing that escapes the page, art as a doorway to wonder – and what real kids say to a fictional whale.

5. Susan Cain: The Power of Introverts  
In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert.  But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts brings extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated.

6. Joy Sun: Should You Donate Differently?
Technology allows us to give cash directly to the poorest people on the planet.  Should we do it?  In this thought-provoking talk, veteran aid work Joy Sun explores two ways to help the poor.

7. Ken Robinson: How Schools Kill Creativity 
Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.

8. Jamie Oliver: Teach Every Child about Food 
Sharing powerful stories from his anti-obesity project in Huntington, West Virginia –and a shocking image of the sugar we eat.  TED Prize winner Jamie Oliver makes the case for an all-out assault on our ignorance of food.

9. Andie Mitchell: On Weight Loss
Andie Mitchell talks about her struggles with food, her background and her blog. She explores a topic that she claims took many years of reflection to figure out: the secret to lasting weight loss.

10. Rosie King: How Autism Freed Me to be Myself
“People are so afraid of variety that they try to fit everything into a tiny little box with a specific label,” says 16-year-old Rosie King, who is bold, brash and autistic.  She wants to know: Why is everyone so worried about being normal?  She sounds a clarion call for every kid, parent, teacher and person to celebrate uniqueness.  It’s a soaring testament to the potential of human diversity.

NEW BLOGS.
1. And Then We Saved: Saving where we can, so we can spend where we want
2. The Catholic Table (This post is great!)
3. by Regina: for the Bloggers and Entrepreneurs

Stay tuned for the new February challenge next week!

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