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I'm really sorry you didn't win, after such an impressive campaign. The school board has lost a passionate and committed and knowledgeable advocate.

All politics is tribal, but local politics is even more so: it's like the mean girls from high school are now in charge of a multi-million dollar budget, and they're already playing favourites ...

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Nov 11, 2023·edited Nov 11, 2023Author

Yes to all that. Sickening.

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More ibogaine.

Yes, I’m joking.

But thank you for making the effort.

Oh, one more thing: When you say “turn of the century” you have to be more specific these days. Hard for me, too.

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Yup. Re: Turn of the century. Thought about it, too, but let it slide. Let me fix it.

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I enjoyed reading your article. Too bad you didn't win.

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Thanks for your effort. Free advice: Soften the blow by congratulating the winners, offering any or all help or advice they could ever need, and expect they won't solicit or accept it. Be mildly persistent in following up in advance on specific issues on upcoming agendas, expect no help will be accepted, but be pleasantly surprised if, someday, something is. Give credit to the winners and force yourself to feel grateful if they make tiny use of any advice. More people must be more thoughtful in most aspects of life. Even tiny bits of regular progress add up over time.

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I publicly congratulated the winners, because that’s the classy thing to do, but that’s it. Feel grateful if they take my advice? Seriously? Lololol

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Seriously. :) Our AI overlords strongly recommend it. Be grateful for their advice before they get more power. LOL See below:

The practice of gratitude—an active appreciation for what one has—offers numerous benefits that touch upon various facets of human life, encompassing psychological, physical, social, and even academic aspects.

Psychologically, gratitude has been linked with increased levels of well-being. It acts as a natural antidepressant, stimulating the production of feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. By acknowledging the good in their lives, individuals often experience a surge in happiness and a decrease in depressive symptoms. This heightened state of positivity can also enhance one's resilience, providing a stronger psychological foundation to cope with stress and adversity.

Physically, gratitude can lead to better health outcomes. People who regularly express gratitude report fewer ailments and experience better physical health. They tend to exercise more consistently and are more likely to attend regular check-ups, which is attributed to their greater appreciation for their health. Moreover, grateful individuals often report better sleep patterns, as they are more likely to think positive thoughts before falling asleep.

Socially, gratitude can play a pivotal role in building and maintaining relationships. It encourages reciprocity—kind gestures and expressions of thanks can create and sustain a cycle of positive social interactions. Gratitude can make individuals more empathetic and less aggressive, enhancing their capacity to engage positively with those around them.

In an educational setting, gratitude can have a significant impact. Students who practice gratitude may show improved attitude towards their school and teachers. It can improve their academic self-efficacy and motivation, which in turn may lead to better academic performance. Grateful students are more engaged, less prone to burnout, and can foster a more supportive peer community.

It's also important to note that gratitude can lead to a greater sense of purpose and personal growth, as individuals who are thankful often reflect more on their experiences, which can enhance their overall life satisfaction and encourage them to pursue new challenges and opportunities.

Introducing gratitude as a practice might encourage a more mindful engagement with technology—appreciating its benefits while staying aware of its potential to distract and overwhelm.

Imagine the brain saying "thank you" every time it gets a hit of those delightful neurotransmitters—it's not only polite but also a happy brain is a healthy brain!

In exploring further, we could delve into positive psychology research, examine cross-cultural perspectives on gratitude, and even conduct personal experiments to observe how gratitude affects their daily lives. We might also consider the role of gratitude in leadership and innovation, looking at how appreciating past successes can inspire future endeavors.

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