Episode 22: COVID-19: Kindness in a thousand little things

(By Dayna Mason)

On TV and in social media we’ve seen grand gestures of generosity during this pandemic: restaurants preparing and donating meals for health care workers, companies converting their factories to manufacture and provide masks and ventilators, and popular musicians streaming free live entertainment. But there is another heartwarming phenomenon happening that I call “a thousand little things.”

(music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh)

©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 21: COVID-19: Why Criticizing others does more harm than good

(By Dayna Mason)

The unclear definition of “outdoor activities” and “essential” purchases in Washington state’s “Stay Home – Stay Healthy” order has led some people to define these for others. For example, is going for a drive in the mountains an acceptable outdoor activity? Or is that trip to the grocery store to buy ice cream essential?

(music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh)

©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 20: COVID-19: Why being bored is good for you

(By Dayna Mason)

Following the stay-at-home order, my 10-year-old grandson—whose technology use is normally limited by his mom to give him time to engage with the world around him—was allowed to immerse himself in the land of cartoons, Xbox games, his hoverboard and his iPad. By Day 13 the repetition of these distractions became routine. As I sat on the couch struggling with my own restlessness and lack of ideas for my upcoming column, I looked down to see my grandson had made a game of rolling himself up in the area rug.

We had both hit a wall. Boredom had arrived.

(music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh)

©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 19: COVID-19: The search for meaning in a pandemic

(By Dayna Mason)

We hear a growl in the woods. We decide a bear may be coming for us and we prepare to run. This type of meaning-making ensures our survival. But sometimes the meaning we assign is based on faulty beliefs or past trauma and not helpful to our survival or wellbeing. When we take the time to question our judgments, we can gain new understanding, and experience greater happiness and wellbeing.

(music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh)

©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 18: COVID-19: Use your imagination to dream up a better life

(By Dayna Mason)

During this pandemic, many of us have been given a rare gift. The gift of time. We can choose to stay as distracted as possible or we can use this time to engage our imaginations and dream like we did as children. We can ask ourselves, “What do I want to do with the rest of my life? What really matters to me?” Then dream up a new future.

(music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh)

©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 17: COVID-19(Coronavirus): Pursuit-of-Happiness and the Declaration of Independence

(By Dayna Mason)

Challenging times cause us to reflect on what’s most important, what we truly value. The rules for our lives are changing daily. For some, our day starts with checking the news to determine what new way our day-to-day life has changed, what new limit has been placed on our pursuit of happiness.

Thomas Jefferson contributed “pursuit of happiness” to the Declaration of Independence based on his political and spiritual beliefs. Beliefs which define happiness not as a momentary feeling of pleasure, but as an unchallengeable right to thrive, prosper and fulfill our potential—as a way of being—that we get to choose as long as it doesn’t encroach on the rights of others.

(music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh)

©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 16: COVID-19 (aka Coronavirus): How to not only cope but thrive in a climate of panic

(By Dayna Mason)

I admit that prior to being asked to write this article on the Coronavirus, I was a member of the “Oh, come on—it’s just the flu” bandwagon. And while I’m still not worried that I personally could die from the virus (I’m not in the high-risk group), I now understand why those who are responsible for the lives of all citizens are concerned. It’s a pandemic and needs to be taken seriously. The good news is that with a little effort COVID-19 is completely preventable.

(music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh)

©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 15: The importance of imagination, play, and humor in adulthood

(By Dayna Mason)

When we were children everything we did was play—activities done for the sheer pleasure of doing them, not to achieve any particular outcome. We used our imaginations and laughed easily. As adults, many of us have lost some of our ability to imagine and have become practical, goal-driven, and more concerned with playing by the rules than enjoying ourselves.

While play is vital to childhood development, it is equally essential in adulthood for wellbeing, adaptability, connection, happiness and innovation.

(music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh)

©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 14: Other-Oriented: Live longer and be happier, healthier, and more successful

(By Dayna Mason)

When we are self-oriented, we move about the world without paying much attention to the thoughts, needs and feelings of others. Over time, this orientation will prevent us from forming meaningful relationships and from realizing our full potential.

In contrast, prosocial behavior—the intent to benefit others—not only makes us feel good, but we experience more health and happiness advantages from being the giver than from being the recipient.

Being other-oriented is the conscious effort to put the thoughts, needs, and feelings of others first, without abandoning our own needs.

(music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh)

©Dayna Mason, 2020

Episode 13: The benefits of selfies and healthy narcissism

(By Dayna Mason)

Although self-portraits existed long before the term “selfie” became fashionable, the advent of smartphones and the ease of publicizing our lives via social media has resulted in a self-promotion phenomenon which has led people to regard the practice with great disdain and to label others who do it as narcissists.

While the images of people posing with “duck lips” or Instagram filters that add little animal ears and nose can be incredibly annoying (especially the obviously inauthentic shots of yourself “sleeping”), there are potential benefits to the practice of selfie taking.

(music by Fro Magnum Man, and intro by "Jingle Queen" voice artist, Emily McIntosh)

©Dayna Mason, 2020