As you know, my teacher the Dharma Frog comes early on Wednesday for my weekly life lesson. This week, we discussed laughter. Everybody loves a good laugh. And we frogs are no different. I love jokes. I love to laugh. I post a joke on my website here every Monday. Jokes can make us feel better and get us out of a funk. But not all jokes are created equally. Humor, and the things we laugh at, varies from person to person and frog to frog.
Dharma started of my lesson today with this piece of wisdom. "Irwin, a frog shows his true character by what he laughts at." I hadn't really thought about it before, but I guess it's true. Recent theories and tests regarding what makes us laugh show that inconguity of humor can help pinpoint areas of mental flexibility or inflexibility. One researcher suggested that "since inconguity involves an unexpected shift of outlook, we may infer that what people find funny  indicates where their ideas or belief systems are flexible." So if someone finds a joke hilariously funny and you find it stupid or insensitive, it more to do with our own idiosyncracies than about the actual joke. But, as Dharma went on to explained it, humor can also be thinly-veiled meanness. There are just somethings that should never be considered funny.
I'm sure you know someone who is always telling "jokes" that are degrading. They make us feel uncomfortable.The person telling the joke can't understand why you don't think it's funny. Perhaps they've even go far as to say you're "stuck up" or think you're better than they are. I know I've had that happen to me. I simply don't see where insulting anyone is funny, nor does it make me want to laugh. But sometimes I do...just so I don't start any trouble. Dharma Frog told me that laughing, evem with a fake, insincere laugh, only encourages these folks to share more of their sick humor. Of course, he's right. These jokes usually start off with, "Did you hear the one about...." The minute those words come out of anyone's mouth, I'm pretty sure that the joke will be something I'll find disrespectful. My wise and trusted teacher told me that mean-spirited jokes happen for one of three reasons.
1. Insecurity - Usually the person telling the joke is insecure about something and they use tasteless jokes to make themselves feel better. 
2. Latent anger or fear - They know that it's wrong to disparage individuals and groups of people so, instead, they tell offensive jokes. They mask their hostility with jokes, hoping you won't notice that they're being sexist or racist. It's all in good fun...ya, right.
3. Social awkwardness - Those of us who may not be good in social situations will often tell awful jokes in hopes of trying to "fit in." It never helps and, normally, can makes things much worse for us. You just never know when the guy you're telling the "joke" to has a African-American wife...or perhaps his children suffer from obesity. Becareful what you say.....
As always, The Dharma Frog's lesson today made a big impression on me. I always try to tell cute jokes, ones that everybody can enjoy. Some are real groaners but I don't think I've ever told a joke that made anyone feel bad. At least I hope not! In the future, though, when I hear someone telling an off-color, sexist, or racial joke, instead of fake laughing at it, I will stand up for myself and say that I find it offensive. If we all do that, perhaps these folks will get the hint.
For whatever reasons these types of jokes are told, they shouldn't be. There are so many wonderful, clean, funny, and silly jokes to tell so why waste your time on telling ones that are offensive, hurtful, and just plain mean?

 Are you a hoarder? No, not a hoarder of useless stuff. I'm talking about a hoarder of useless emotions. Emotional hoarders hang on to old hurts, fears, anger, and grudges. I Know that I sometimes hang on to old baggage that weighs me down and serves no purpose other than to burden me and complicate my life. Researchers are finding out that carrying around a sense of injustice and unfairness can adversely affect our health. These feelings of being "wronged" can actually make a painful condition even worse.
A classic example is someone who is injured in an auto accident. The victim's sense of injustice won't always stem from the carelessness of the other driver. It can occur if there is injustice (perceived or real) after the fact...how they were treated by others, such as medical professionals, insurance adjusters, or unsupportive family and friends. One of the best books on this subject is by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. It's called The Body Keeps Score. And Boy Howdy! It sure does. Humans and us frogs, too, keep old hurts and fears in our body that can show up years later as various illnesses and unexplained pains.
There are clear associations between holding on to perceived injustice (a grudge) and aggrivated pain. We wind up hurting twice; emotionally and physically. What's interesting, at least for me, is that the injustice doesn't need to be linked to the actual pain. In a study, participants were asked to stick their hands in ice cold water until it became painful...like holding on to a snowball. Then they had to rate the level of pain and the anxiety they felt. Afterwards, some of them were interviewed and asked to remember something unfair that happened to them in the past. These participants, once again, were asked to submerge their hand in the icy water. And guess what? When they were asked a second time about their level of pain and anxiety, it was much higher after they recalled the injustice! The link, then, seems to be between how the perceived injustice affects our thoughts and emotions. It might lead people to "ruminate" on their suffering, thus causing more physical pain and emotional distress. It can also cause anger which causes pain to be even greater. But not everyone perceive justice, or injustice, the same way. Those of us who are more passionate about justice...believing in a world where everyone gets what they deserve (both good and bad) makes them more vulnerable to the undeserved suffering that is at the heart of injustice. These folks (me included, unfortunately) tend to expirierce more physical pain than those who view the world in a more realistic way. That being said, "when these just-world believers experience pain, but are not harboring any grievances, they may actually come out better than the other groups." Why? Because their belief helps to provide meaning in their world which acts as a buffer against the pain and accompanying distress, so says JoAnna McParland in a paper she co-authored on the subject.
So how does all this help us? Well, by realizing that holding on to old hurts can affect how much pain we experience, gives us a wonderful opportunity to let go of some unnecessary baggage that we're holding on to. It also explains why some pain just can't be "cured" using tradional approaches. Until the sufferer is willing to let go, the pain will persist...even if it's masked by pills, creams, or acupuncture.  The hope, then, is that more research will be done in this area, allowing doctors and therapists to reduce the sufferers' pain and live a better quality of life. 
As for me, I know I have lots of excess baggage and, starting today, I plan on opening up those suitcases and trunks and weeding through their contents. I bet there's loads of things I no longer need. I feel lighter already.....

For many years now, we've all read and heard about mindfulness and how it can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. The dictionary defines mindfulness as "a mental state acheived by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calming acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique." For most of us, though, it simply means living in the present moment, and being OK with whatever's happening...and without being judgemental. Science has proven that mindfulness-based programs in person can be very beneficial to both frogs and humans, but what about those mindfulness apps that are springing up everywhere?
It's unclear as to they actually reap the same benefits, or not. There is one scientific study that shows effectiveness of the mindfulness app called Headspace. Participants were asked to use the app for 10 days. Those who used the app every day showed improvement in their moods and fewer symptoms of depression. Sound promising, right? Well, yes and no. Not all apps are created equal. There are many apps out there who claim scientific research to back up their claims but there isn't any factual data to prove it. Caveat Emptor. (Buyer Beware!)
Since 25% of all pageviews are now done with a smartphone, it makes sense to see which apps will work best for you on your mobile device. There are so many mind-training apps available these days, it's tough to weed through them all. Most of them will tell you that their app is based on science when, in fact, it isn't really. These companies like to prey on the consumer's fears and their desire to live a happier, helathier, more stress-free life. What these companies are relying on is the general science of mindfulness itself to prove that their apps are worthy of your time and attention. Mostly, all they do is to provide you with a link to the latest and greatest study on the benefits of mindfulness. But these studies don't have a thing to do with the efectiveness of their app! Unfortunately, many apps target vulvernable populations and end up doing these people a great disservice.
So how can you know if any of these apps are actually helpful? It's difficult. Experts in the field of mindfulness agree that when these apps are more mechanistically-based, when they can prove the science, research, and data to back up their claims, then the app will probably be useful. Otherwise, stay clear. Here are some things to look for when choosing a mindfulness app for your electronic device.
1. Get clear on its purpose. Is there a clear rationale for this app is useful? If it's for stress, say, how will it reduce stress?
2. Show me the research! Idally all claims made can be backed up with studies, scientific research and can show you the "before and after" differences.
3. ​Music doesn't help. Music is popular for relaxation apps but isn't necessarily good for mindfulness ones. The practice of mindfulness is about observing and experiencing states that arise in the mind as we find it. Music can get in the way. It can be more distracting and, thus, make it more difficult to concentrate on present-moment awareness.
It's not enough for these app companies to hitch their wagon to the current science and say that their app works for this or that, capilalizing on the latest fads. In the future, let's hope it won't be so easy for these future developers to craft their marketing materials around kywords (buzzwords) without having the actual science to back up their claims. Until then I, for one, will continue to practice mindfulness the "old-fashioned way."

Here in Land of Lily Pad, the tadpoles and froglets will soon be returning to school after their long and lazy summer break. My little brother, Quigley, Jr., has decided that this year he wants to play PeeWee Football. Mother isn't keen on the idea but Dad is thrilled that, finally, one of his sons will play his favorite sport. When I was young Quigley's age, and not much of an athlete, I preferred to play chess and participate in the Writer's Club. Just to get into the spirit of little Quigley's future games, I've decided to try a little football myself and, at the very least, learn a little bit about the history of American-style football.
This particular version of the football game, can be traced back to early versions of rugby football, played in Britain during the mid-19th century. American football came to be after several divergences from rugby and association football, most notably rule changes, that were instituted by Walter Camp who was a Yale University and Hopkins School graduate. Mr. Camp is known as the "Father of American Football." The changes that he made, to name the most important ones, were the introduction of the line of scrimmage, of the down-and-distance rules, and legalization of interference. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, gameplay developments by college coaches helped take advantage of the newly introduced forward pass. These now-famous coaches included Eddie Cochems, Amos A. Stagg, Park H. Davis, Knute Rockne, and Glenn "Pop: Warner. College football grew in popularity as it became the dominant version of the sport on college campuses. Bowl games have long been a popular tradition for both audience and college players.
Did you know that there is actually a "prehistory" of American football? There has been a form of football played since, well, antiquity. The Greeks had a version of the game, as did the Romans. Over time, many countries developed theri own version of the sport. These archaic forms of football were typically classified as "mob football" and would be played between different villages and towns; the mobs would clash "into a heaving mass of people all who were struggling to drag an inflayed pig's bladder (by any means possible) to markers on each end of the town where the "game' was being played. These antiquated games fell  into sharp decline in the 19th century when the "Highway Act of 1835" was passed. This law prohibited the playing of football on public highways. In the United States, there is some mention of Native American peoples playing a sport similar to the English game of football. And early games in America had much in common with the mob football played in England; with huge numbers of players attempting to advance the ball into their opponents goal are by any and every means available. And you thought the games of today were tough. Yikes! Can you even imagine mob football? I'm so happy that my little brother's game will be far more civilized. The violence of these mob games led to "widespread protests and a decision to abandon them. Yale, under pressure from the city of New Haven, CT, banned all forms of football in 1860."  But it wasn't long thereafter that football began returning to college campuses all over the United States.
From it's early days as a mob game, football has always been a violent sport. A Harvard-Yale game in 1894, resulted in the crippling injuries of four players. The situation came to a head in 1905 when there were 19 football fatalities nationwide in the US. Then-President Theodore Roosevelt purportedly threatened to shut down the sport unless drastic changes were made. This fact has been disputed by football historians. Although they've changed quite a bit over the years football helmets, as we know them, have been around since 1915 when padding and straps were added. In the very early days, the players would grow their hair out, believing that long hair would protect their skulls. Shoulder pads were developed by L.P. Smock, a Princeton football player, in the 1890's.
And no history of US football would be complete without mentioning the professional game. ​Professional football can be traced back to 1892, when William "Pudge" Heffelfinger signed a $500 contract to play for the Allegheny Athletic Association against the Pittsburg Athletic Association.
Football isn't the game for me, but I'm happy that my little brother has found a sport he wants to try. My whole family will support his efforts. We'll go out and watch him play at every game. Young Quigley isn't the largest froglet I've ever seen, and I'm hopeful that he waon't get injured. I'll never admit that to him, of course. He's so excited to "suit up" with his friends. Mom has reminded him that he can't play if he doesn't keep his grades up. Perhaps one day, we'll have a college or professional football player in the family. Until then, peewee football will be about all that little bro' can handle.
As for me, I'm happy sitting in the bleechers with a bag of freshly toasted bugs and a great big cup of swamp juice. I don't play football, but I sure know how to cheer on a team!
Happy Weekend everyone!

Are you a control freak? I am sometimes. I know better. Still, I do try to control things more than I should. I think that's a common problem for many humans. I know it is for us frogs. Controlling the world around us is futile and fruitless. We wind up spinning our wheels in the mud. Trying to control the uncontrolable can leave us feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and depressed. We are never in control, not really anyway. One you acknowledge this and let go, the easier it is to become "one with the universe" and feel more at peace. It isn't easy, though, to release control and trust in the universe when you're a conrol freak. But here are some ways that I found to be pretty helpful.
Embrace Helplessness. That sounds awful, doesn't it? No one likes to feel helpless or powerless. The truth is, that those moments of helplessness can be powerful and transformative. Sometimes, when we are up against something too big to face alone, the best thing to do is nothing. Surrender to it. When you can voluntarily let go, it can actually feel empowering and not at all like giving up. Try it the next time something becomes to much to bear; just give up and ask universe for help. 
All you need is LOVE. The Beetles are famous for saying this in one of their most popular songs. It's really true, though. "Love is the force that moves the entire world." I read that recently and I believe it. Lifestyle coach, Leo Carver, tells us that in order to tap into the power of love, we must first understand how it works. He says, "Love is grace. Love is helping. Love is caring and sharing. Love is disciplining when destructive behaviors arise. Love is tolerance and understanding. Love is always there if you just tap into it." I know I need to try to be more of a loving influence on the frogs, and humans, in my life. How about you? Are you a loving influence on all those you encounter? When we become that loving influence, we can watch our life fall into place...easily, and all without any control or influence from ourselves...It works just like magic.
Release what you cannot hold. If you're like me, you probably live your life from a place of reaction. Our sense of control depends largely on how much 'of a handle we think we have on things.' Enlightenment follows when you release your sense of control. Many teachers have told me this...over and over...but I've been too stubborn to listen. I think that I am now starting to get it, though. Better late than never, as they say. I find that I am far less controlling than I used to be. I am learning that the unknown is more favorable than my own tight control I have on life. It feels pretty awesome, really, to pass that power on to someone/something else. Power and perfectionism can be exhausting work! But the universe has broad shoulders and can handle it.
Observe nature. Lao Tzu once said, "Nature doesn't hurry, yet everything is accomplished." Just look at how rich and bountiful nature is. Nature doesn't struggle to make it so. It just is. We may feel like strangers here on earth, but "you and your life are no accident. The entire universe has conspired to give you experience," Mr. Carver reminds us. We are part of the universe and it helps and guides us...just as it does nature. So why not let it do its job? Quit interferring!
Show gratitude. I don't need to say much on this subject. By now, I think we all are aware that gratitude is transformative. The more you're grateful for, the more you receive. It's that's simple.
Increase your self-awareness. Watch your thoughts. Observe them, but don't necessarily listen to them. Our minds can make us do crazy things. By observing our thoughts, and not acting on them, we can grow beyond our limiting beliefs. Our minds can, and do, trap us. Learn to move beyond your restrictive thoughts. When we move beyond our thoughts and let go of the details, it paves the way for universe to step in and take over. Trust that everything is OK. Because it is.
Listen to your intuition. Your intuition is your personal GPS.  If you listen to it, it'll guide you effortlessly to where you want, and need, to go. It's available 24/7. To access it, we simply need to be still and let it speak. And don't let your thoughts interrupt! They can be very rude sometimes.
Acknowledge life's grace. Everyone has suffering. It can't be avoid. To live, is to suffer at some point. Don't try to avoid suffering, because you can't. What you can do, when times are painful, is look at how you handle your "lumps." Do you want to whine and complain? We already know that doesn't help. So, isn't it better to move through your pain with elegance and refinement..with your head held high? How we handle life's disappointments, pain, and difficulties can either make or break us. Shouldering our burdens makes us strong. We can serve to be an inspiration to others. Or we can become defeated and cave in. We always have options. I know which one I'd choose....
Seek oneness. Take a real interest in getting to know who you are, what you do, what you stand for, how you live your life. Put some effort into living your live with intention. Don't sit passively and watch it go by. Unifying your inner and outer life builds strength and character. We can feel disjointed when the two aren't in sync; when we do one thing, but say something else. A life divided doesn't instill in us either faith, or confidence, that we are wonderful just as we are...imperfections and all. We don't need to be perfect. We don't need to control everything. If we're fine, just the way we are, then isn't everyone else fine, just the way THEY are, too? Sure they are!

Fear and control arise from uncertainty of the unknown. Embracing change and learning to trust something greater than ourselves can give us the security that we desire. But without the hassle, frustration, and disappointment that inevitably happens when we try to control the uncontrolable.

Sometimes, if we're lucky, we have someone come along who has a profound influence on us. Perhaps they're a relative; a kindly grandfather, for instance. Or maybe they're a friend or, perhaps, a church pastor. For me, it's my friend and teacher, Kim. I haven't known Ms. Kim very long, about six months. But in that time she has shown me honesty, gentleness, safety, great patience and, dare I say, love. She has opened up a new world; one that had been previously unknown to me with many of my other professional relationships. Kim has been kind not only to me, but to my entire family. 
Last week, my dear mentor told me that she was hopping back home. She's decided to go back to school and pursue new challenges. While I'm thrilled to death for her, part of me is deeply saddened. I already feel her loss, even though she's not leaving for a few months. I didn't know what to do with my sorrow; how to deal with the pain I was feeling...and, OK, maybe even a little anger, so I waited for the wise Dharma Frog to appear for my Wednesday lesson. I was sure he would know just what to do.
Soon he appeared on my lily pad, right on schedule. As I greeted him and poured our tea, I told him about the deep feelings of loss I was experiencing. "Dharma, can you help me with this? I feel just awful. Part of me is sad because my friend is leaving. Part of me is happy for her, and part of me feels like I'm being abandoned. I'm all mixed up and I don't know what to do!"
Dharma thought for a moment then replied, "I understand Tadpole. Loss, whether it's from death or someone simply moves away like your teacher, can cause us great pain and discomfort. It's never easy to feel left behind. It is very painful, I know. But you can, and will, get through this. And on the other side you'll feel happier, and you'll realize what a gift she has given you; not only in being your friend and teacher, but also by her leaving. It's hard to believe now, but it will be so. We can learn a great deal from our pain, Irwin, even more than we can from our joy. I will be here to help you all I can." And with that, my wise teacher began my lesson in accepting and dealing with loss.
He told me that it's easy for us to replay old messages; that we can't count on anyone...that everyone leaves us. And while that may, or may not, be true in the past we must learn to live in the present and to recognize each situation for what it is. We can't, and shouldn't, judge it based solely on our past experiences.
"Remember, little one, that you may experience feelings of insignificance, as well. If they cared, how could they just up and leave? But that's not true. They do care. Learning to be okay with the fact that we'll probably never see or hear from them again isn't easy. Finding someone who truly 'gets us' is a rare and wonderful experience. We need to be grateful for their friendship, even when it's time for them to go."  I sponded in a flash, "But, Dharma, it HURTS to let go!"
"I know, Irwin. I know."
He explained that talking about my feelings, telling my friend Kim what she has meant to me, will help with the healing process. Talking openly and honestly about the feelings of loss and separation can help to ease endings, and opens the door to new beginnings. Professional and personal relationships only work when everyone is truthful. Honesty is part and parcel of trust. And trust is what true relationships build and grow on. Kim has always been honest with me, so I had to ask myself if I was ready to be honest with her...to tell her what she means to me; and I think I am.
"Irwin, only when you learn to accept loss as part of life can you truly appreciate your relationships. That is why, my young student, we must always have gratitude for what we have, here and now. A frog's true friend is his best possession. But nothing lasts forever. Life is transient. Everything is in transition...always. Water moves. Air moves. Frogs move. Nothing flourshes with stagnation." And, of course, I knew he was right. I can always count on Dharma to help me see things more clearly. He paused for quite awhile then finally said, "When you see Kim as the gift she is and are ready to share that gift with the world then, Tadpole, you'll be able to say goodbye and know with complete certainty that she won't truly be gone. Her lessons, her love, and her friendship will forever be a part of you. She'll be right here, in your heart, whenever you need her. Be happy for her, my boy. She's going out into the world and trying new things. You could learn from that, Irwin. Maybe it's time you, too, went out into the world and experienced new things and new places...expanding your own horizons might be the best thing for you. You won't know if you don't try."
As my wise teacher hopped away, I wiped a tear from my eye. Losing someone we love and value is one of life's toughest lessons. It's one most of us would rather not learn. But it happens to each and every one of, frogs and humans alike. 
I thought about what Dharma had said. I know that my friend Kim won't forget me. I know that I'll always be a part of her, just as she will always be a part of me. We may never again cross paths, but the lessons she's taught me will last forever. I am happy for her. I know she'll be awesome at whatever she does. Somewhere out there, there's another frog just like me who'll need and benefit her wisdom, too. She'll come along at the perfect time for them, just as she did for me.
It makes feel good to know that she'll be teaching and helping others for many years to come. And when you have something wonderful, it's always great to be able to share it. And that's how I'm looking at this. I'm not really losing Kim. I'm simply sharing her awesomeness with others. And awesomeness is definitely a gift to share!

It's often said that music is good for the soul. Reasearch is now finding that it's good for the brain, too. But not just any music will do, it has to be classical. Okay, so many of you are thinking that classical music is long-hair stuff; boring and, perhaps, unhip. I thought that, too, for a long time. Just as there are many different kinds of popular music, there are different kinds of classical music, as well. You simply ned to listen to a few composers to find the one you enjoy the most.
Research has shown that listening to just 20 minutes of classical music a day can modulate genes that are responsible for brain functioning. Scientists have known for quite awhile that listening to music, any music as long as it's one you enjoy, results in neuronal and physiological changes. Recently, a study was conducted where participants were asked to listen to Mozart's violin concerto No. 3 G-Major, K216, a piece that lasts 20 minutes. Some participants were musically experienced, while others were not. The researchers found that listening to music affected the activity of up-regulated genes involved in dopamine secretion and transport, synaptic function, larning and memory...in a positive way. Interestingly enough, one of those up-regulated genes (synuclein-alpha or SNCA) is most often associated with Parkinson's Disease, and is also responsible for how birds learn their songs. Pretty cool, eh?
The up-regulation of genes associated with birds learning and singing their songs suggests that there is "a shared evolutionary background of sound perception between vocalizing birds and humans" reported Dr. Irma Jarvela, an expert in evolutionary biology from the University of Helsinki in Finland. More importantly, studies show that listening to music 'down-regulated genes associated with neurodegenerative diseases helps' to keep the brain healthy. The effects were only visible in participants who regularly listened to classical music, however. This study suggests that it is important, then, to  be familiar with and regularly experience, classical music.
Music-therapy has been in use for quite awhile, now, but these new studies can improve upon what we already know and may thus be able to help more humans who suffer from degenerative diseases. Need more reasons to listen to classical music? How about these?
Classical music can help you sleep better. Research shows that listening to soothing, music is better than verbal stimuli (like audio books or talking) in helping the body and mind relax before going to sleep. Classical music can calm you down while driving. And who among us can't use more of that!  It's a well-known fact that many accidents are caused by aggressive driving and road rage and if classical music can mellow us out a bit, why not try it? And did you know that there is no word in German for road rage? Germany, of course, is home to such classical composers as Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, and Handel, to name a few. Classical music calms post-operative and chronic pain, too...much nicer than taking a pill. Listening to classical music seems to tune-out pain by increasing the brain's reward center, thereby alleviating the sensation of pain. It can help reduce depression, as well.  Classical music reduces blood pressure. It helps us express our emotions more easily...humans communicate more honestly and openly about their emotions while listening to this music. And, finally, it can help you with your diet! Yep. Playing soft, relaxing music and dimming the lights in your dining room or kitchen, can actually help you to chew your food more slowly so you tend to eat less. Classical music makes us eat with more intention. Sounds good to me!
I love music. All kinds of music. But after reading all these great reasons why it's good to listen to classical music, I know I will head to the iTunes store this morning and download a few tunes. How about you? We can all use better brain funtionality, to be calmer, and to sleep better. And what better way to accomplish all of these things than by listening to some of the world's most beautiful music!

I am a writer; it's what I do. But writing isn't just my occupation, it's my advocation, as well. Since I recently wrote my first storybook (and may I say it was really hard!) I decided to do some research on storytelling. Stories have been shared by every culture as a means of entertainment, for educational and historical preservation, as well as for instilling moral values. Scheherzade saved her life by telling her new husband a story that went on for a 1001 nights, making her the queen of storytelling! (I felt lucky to complete just one!) For without storytelling, there would be no storybooks.
Storytelling is the oral presentation of a story and predates the written word. Stories were often told combining gestures and facial expressions as a visual means of  getting the story's point across. Little has changd today. What parent hasn't "huffed and puffed" as they told the story of the Three Little Pigs to their child...just as their parents and done for them? Australian aboriginal peoples painted symbols from their stories on the walls of caves to help the storytellers remember the details. That way, each time the story was told, the same information, more or less, could be passed on. They would then combine their oral presentations with music, rock art, and dance to bring the story to life. Other peoples have used carvings on live trees and ephemeral media (lasting only a short itme) such as sand and leaves to record stories in pictures...with or without words.
Folklorists often will divide storytelling into two groups. Märchen which loosely translated from German means fairy tale(s) and take place in the "once upon a time" realm and nowhere-in-particular and in an indeterminant time in the past. They are not intended to be taken as truth. The characters are flat and have no interior life. But these stories comprise well-defined incidents and people. Supernatural events are common in these stores and are explained in a matter-of-fact sort of way. Blood-curddling events can be told, but they elicit very little emotional response from the listener. Sagen, or legends, are stories of things that supposedly did, in fact, happen at a very specific time and place. Sagens draw their power from these facts. Here, however, when the supernatural happens (as it often does) it does so in an emotionally-fraught manner. Lover's leap, ghost stories, and UFO stories come under this category.
Storytelling is a means of sharing and interpreting experiences. Human life, I've often read, is deeply-rooted in narratives. "Humans construct their lives and shape their world into homes in terms of these momories and groundings," so says author Peter L. Berger, an Austrian sociologist. Stories are universal. They can bridge culture, linguistic, and age divides. Storytelling can be adapted to all ages. Storytelling can be used to teach ethics, values, and cultural norms and differences. Stories, then, are a tool for passing on knowledge.
Stories have three parts. 1. The hero's world before his adventure begins. 2. The confrontation when the hero's world is turned upside down and 3. The resolution where the hero conquers the villian, or overcomes his challenges. But this isn't enough. The hero, or his world, must be transformed by the event. Storytelling is a wonderful educational tool. Listeners become engaged and will remember what they learn. If you're like me, you've had teachers could make even the dullest subjects seem fascinating. You couldn't wait for their class each day. And I bet you can still rememer most of what they taught you! That is the art, and effect, of good storytelling.
I could go on and on about storytelling; it's an endlessly fascinating subject full of rich examples and wonderful tidbits of information that explore the growth of society and how man has developed throughout the ages. I am grateful for storytellers. Without them, I would never have the opportunity to write stories for my young friends. Storywriting allows me to teach young kids about things that interest me; things that I hope might stir their interests as well. My new storybook, Twig Toad's Terrible Trouble
teaches children a valuable lesson that I hope will help to keep them safe.
I don't know if I'll ever write another story, but I do know that my little little story has a long and powerful lineage. Stories, whether wtitten or spoken, will be around for as long as there are humans (and, hopefully, frogs). Stories are life and without the earliest of them, humans may not have survived. Stories keep people safe. They educate. They entertain. I am proud to be an author. I am helping to shape young minds in a positive way. And it doesn't get any better than that!

The 20th of August each year is a day set aside to honor the invention of the radio. In the late 19th century it became clear that wireless communication was possible. To make radio a reality, several inventions and discoveries were needed; transmission and reception methods to name but two. So, no one person can truly be called the inventor of the radio.
In the 1920's, the first radio broadcast stations began airing programs; news and world events. By 1932, radio entertainment included soap operas. The earliest of these programs included Judy and Jane (1932-1935), Just Plain Bill (1932-1955), and Pepper Young's Family (1932-1959) One of the the most famous radio soap operas was Ma Perkins which ran from 1933 through 1960! The Guiding Light, a long-running TV soap opera, actually started on radio. It ran from 1937 to 1956.
From the 1930's and throughout much of the 1950's, is referred to as the Golden Age of Radio. Radio ownership grew quickly; from two out of five homes in 1933 to four out of five homes by 1938. Radio made the world smaller. Almost everyone had access to news, sports, and popular music of the day. By 1942, 82 out of 100 Americans were radio listeners. Most radio programs were broadcast live in these early days. In addition to the radio "soaps" other programming popular during the Golden Age included; quiz shows, variety hours, talent shows, situation comedies, and children's shows. The programs of the early 1920's were largely unsponsored and stations were a service designed to sell radio receivers. But that all changed in the late 1920's. Radio had gown so in populatity that it had reached critical mass and had saturated the marketplace. This necessitated a change in the way business was conducted. The sponsored musical feature became a popular format. Most early sponsorships came in the form of naming rights to the various programs (The A & P Gypsies, King Biscuit Time, and Champion Spark Plug Hour...to name a few). Commercials, as we know them today were uncommon and considered intrusive (ahh...the good ol' days, right?) During the 1930's and 1940's the Big Bands of the day were often heard via remote broadcasts. Radio attracted top comedy acts from Vaudville and Hollywood for many years; Jack Benny, Fred Allen, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, and Groucho Marx were only a few of the big names that could be heard on the radio. Many of these early radio stars transitioned to TV in the 1950's, thus extending their careers by decades.
Some radio programs originated as stage productions, while others began life as comic strips. (Blondie, Gasoline Alley, Li'l Abner, and Popeye the Sailor, etc) Conversely, some radio programs gave birth to comis strips, such as My Friend Irma. And what discussion of radio would be complete without a mention of Orson Welles Mercury Theater production of War of the Worlds that aired on October 30th, 1938. This was a realistic radio dramatisation of a Martian invasion of Earth that sent most of the country into panic!
By the end of 2012, there were over 15,000 licensed broadcast radio stations in the US, according to the FCC (Federal Communication Commission).  Radio has undergone many changes in it's long and proud history. And radio continues to change with the modern times. It's almost a right-of-passage to listen to pop tunes while driving in the car on the way to school, out on a date, or just hangin' out with friends. 
Most of us can remember hearing about major national events, first, on the radio, before seeing it later on the evening news. Radio impacts us daily. We always have the radio on...in the car, on our computers, and even on our cell phones. Although radio may no longer be in it's Golden Age, we rely on it for entertainment and news, just as we did back in the 1920's.
Saturday is National Radio Day. What better way to celebrate than by listening to your favorite radio station. Got a favorite DJ? Give him, or her, a shout out on social media using #NationalRadioDay.
From the pocket transitor radios of the late 1950's to the giant boombox of today, the latest music, weather, news, sports, and talk is just a click of a button away.

I've often written about awe and why awe is good for us. I recently read an article about awe that I found too interesting not to share with you. The article discussed awe and how it varies from culture to culture. Those of us living in Lily Pad may not experience it same way as those of you who live in Brazil, or China, or in the US. But, there are some similaries, too. And those similaries may have significant meaning in evolutionary terms...affecting everyone across all cultures.
Scientists debate whether or not awe can be considered an emotion. For that to be true, awe must be experienced by everyone...even if the way it is experienced varies from one place to another. The first example science offers us that demonstrates awe as a universal emotion, comes from language. Many different laguages from Frogulan to Hebrew, to Chinese, to Hindi and Russian. These are only a few of the languages that have a word meaning awe. And what modern study wouldn't take social media into account when determining their findings? On Facebook alone, there have been posting regarding awe in over 122 countries. Sometimes these posts use words; other times they may use an image or symbol...like the emoticon.
Additional evidence is that all humans have facial expressions for awe. Scientists have studied the amazing facial muscles that humans have and how they reliably work together to form the look that universally is recognized as awe; raised head and eyebrows, widened eyes, and open mouth. Not only do humans have a certain "look" that indicates awe, but they also have vocalizations known as vocal bursts...not really words, but sounds that indicate a human's inner state. Oohs and ahhs, gasps, etc. all come under the heading of vocal bursts. To test the theory that awe is truly universal, and not a byproduct of media hyped worldwide via movies and magazines, a group of researchers visited a remote village in Bhutan. After showing them an image of the worlds largest waterfall, they played three different vocalizations and asked the villagers to match the correct "burst' with the image. Guess what? They matched the correct sound for awe to the photo! And these villagers have never seen a film or read a western magazine.
Ok, so we now know that people in various cultures have words and vocalizations for awe, but what about the things that illicit awe? Are they the same, too? This time, the intrepid band of researchers went to a small village of Himba in Namibia. One villager spoke of the first time he saw an ostrich. The words and expressions he used, to convey his excitement at seeing this most unusual bird, was definitely awe.
Awe is that sense of novelty, something that challenges what you see in your everyday world. Awe also tends to make us feel small; not in a bad way, of course, but awe does tend to make us see ourselves in perspective to the phenomenoms of nature...the majesty of mountains, of waterfalls, of the vastness of the night sky. Awe makes us feel a sense of humility; we no longer feel that we are the center of the universe. Awe gives us a sense of connectedness, too; not only to others in our immediate village or community but, on a larger scale, to the global world, as well. These feelings all tend to be universal when we are faced with awe.
So what is actually different about awe across cultures? Researchers found that the single biggest difference is meaning of the word. In the western world, we tend to think of awe as wonderment. But in other places, China for example, awe means fear, threat, or a sense of low status.  If we look at Merriam-Webster's definition of awe it says, "a strong feeling of fear or respect and also wonder." It further explains that awe is "an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by nature or by the sacred or sublime." This probably a little different version of awe than what you think of, but it fits in with those definitions of awe found in many countries that include fear, threat, and respect. The early, Biblical origins of awe lean more towards the powerful and dangerous. The question, then, becomes how did awe become more positive in western culture? Although we may not know the complete answer, awe in the East tends to be something more social in nature; workers are in awe of their superiors; it is generally coupled with feelings of respect and, perhaps, even fear...whereas in the West, awe is usually found in nature, and is more solitary. Awe illicits positive feelings for westerners.
When students in both the US and China were shown the same video clip of Planet Earth, the Chinese students reported fear and surprise, along with awe; while the American students felt a sense of happiness and merriment, coupled with the awe. Not only were the emotional affects of awe different between these cultures, but so was their physiology. In China, the students had elevated heart rates, usually associated with fear; while the American students had decreased heart rates...usually associated with a more pleasurable state, like joy and gratitude.
We cannot assume that just because an emotion is felt by everyone, that everyone will feel it in exactly the same way. Awe is universal and there is no right or wrong way to experience. It's simply one more way that humans, and us frogs, are the same...yet different. Embracing these differences can be awe-inspiring in itself...wouldn't you say?