Hello friends,
I might be moving… But I’m not entirely sure where to just yet. It could be 10 feet over, 25 miles East, or to another continent (literally). I’ll likely move 10 feet over prior to either moving 25 miles away or to anther country entirely, so I have made some progress. Small steps.
I’ve been doing a lot of research on where I might end up, so this week’s update is slightly shorter that usual. Any recommendations on your favorite countries or cities (outside of the US)? I would love your suggestions. Please reply to this email with any recommendations and/or tips. I’m open to anywhere, really. My job is remote and the world (almost) my oyster.
On to the update.
Read
The Profile Dossier Classic: Leymah Gbowee, The Peace Activist Who Ended a 14-Year Civil War - Another great profile on a young peace activist who never took no for an answer. “‘Peace is a process, it's not an event,’ Gbowee said at the time. ‘When the guns are put down, we have to continue to build the peace. We believed that until we had elected democracy, Liberia would not know true peace.’”
I’m a very slow thinker - I’ve written a few pieces on active listening, debate, argument. This is a short article, which stems from Derek Sivers’s book “Hell Yeah Or No”, which, at is core means if you’re answer to something isn’t a “Hell Yeah!”, then it should be “No.” “People say that your first reaction is the most honest, but I disagree. Your first reaction is usually outdated. Either it’s an answer you came up with long ago and now use instead of thinking, or it’s a knee-jerk emotional response to something in your past.”
The Ultimate Travel Superpower - About a week before COVID hit, I had canceled my US health insurance and bought expat (travel) insurance. I was going to hit the road; starting in Madrid, then Lisbon, then wherever my desires took me after that until I felt like coming home (or found a new home). I’m currently thinking about doing that again, and stumbled across this article in my research. It’s a good read regardless of whether or not you’d like to become an expat. If you enjoy travel (and don’t have enough money to do it whenever like yours truly), this might interest you.
A Brief History of All the Women Who Have Won the Nobel Prize - Only seventeen women have received the Nobel Prize since its inception in 1901 (out of 119 total). This is a great read on what it meant to her: “I do not regard as an individual victory the Nobel prize that has been awarded me. It is neither from pride nor modesty that I see it, in some sense, as a collective victory.”
Watch
Beginners - I have a friend that’s been bugging me to watch this for what feels like a year (at least). Every time we sit to watch a film, she recommends it. I watch the trailer, then say something like “Eh, I don’t think I’m in the mood for this right now…” A couple of days ago I finally gave in. It’s good. I’m including it here, which I think she’ll appreciate. :)
Listen
A fun poppy-dance track a friend of mine played for me the other night.
Ever wonder there the word “bonafides” comes from? Me neither. This is a fun podcast on language and linguistics. People call in and ask questions, gain clarification, or discuss anything language related. It’s fun, conversational, and very educational.
Until next week!
Iceland, Denmark and the Netherlands are the countries best positioned to survive climate change. The US would be first, but there is no will in the right places. I think climate change will be the #1 issue in 10 years. Check out places that have good healthcare and retirement set up. I think Canada has a good set up. I encourage you to leave the US if you can find the place that's right for you! You will know it when you find it! I don't recommend Italy. The mafia is highly infiltrated, you have to bribe police to give you protection and there is no Social Security, or many social services, so if you don't have a lot of money and things go wrong, you are on the streets. Also, if you do end up in the hospital your "family" is expected to provide sheets, etc and administer medications, etc.. There are volunteer organizations that take care of people in hospitals who don't have family... Anyhow, Italy is one of the best countries to visit and live in if you have lots and lots of money. Otherwise, I don't recommend living there. Costa Rica is inexpensive, but again lacking in social services. According to Google, India is the country least able to cope with climate change. I think Oklahoma will eventually be flooded and burned like the other states, but not as soon. Hope that gives you some perspectives and ideas.