Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, July 7, 2018

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

BUSINESS NEWS & TRENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, July 7, 2018 

Jeff’s Book Pics By Jeff Brown

FAMILY MATTERS By Marc Garlett


Ten Arguments for Deleting Your 
Social Media Accounts Right Now 
by Jaron Lanier 

A timely call-to-arms from a Silicon 
Valley pioneer.You might have trouble 
imagining life without your social media 
accounts, but virtual reality pioneer 
Jaron Lanier insists that we’re better off 
without them. In the book, Lanier, who 
participates in no social media, offers 
powerful and personal reasons for all 
of us to leave these dangerous online 
platforms. Lanier’s reasons for freeing 
ourselves from social media’s poisonous 
grip include its tendency to bring out the 
worst in us, to make politics terrifying, 
to trick us with illusions of popularity 
and success, to twist our relationship 
with the truth, to disconnect us from 
other people even as we are more 
“connected” than ever, to rob us of our 
free will with relentless targeted ads. 
How can we remain autonomous in a 
world where we are under continual 
surveillance and are constantly being 
prodded by algorithms run by some 
of the richest corporations in history 
that have no way of making money 
other than being paid to manipulate 
our behavior? How could the benefits 
of social media possibly outweigh the 
catastrophic losses to our personal 
dignity, happiness, and freedom? 
Lanier remains a tech optimist, so while 
demonstrating the evil that rules social 
media business models today, he also 
envisions a humanistic setting for social 
networking that can direct us toward 
a richer and fuller way of living and 
connecting with our world. 

Dawn of the New Everything: 
Encounters with Reality and 
Virtual Reality by Jaron Lanier

Named one of the best books of 2017 
by The Economist, The Wall Street 
Journal, & Vox.The father of virtual 
reality explains its dazzling possibilities 
by reflecting on his own lifelong relationship with 
technology. Bridging the gap between tech mania and 
the experience of being inside the human body, the 
book gives us a look at what it means to be human at 
a moment of unprecedented technological possibility.
Through a fascinating look back over his life in 
technology, Jaron Lanier, an interdisciplinary scientist 
and father of the term “virtual reality,” exposes VR’s 
ability to illuminate and amplify our understanding of 
our species, and gives readers a new perspective on how 
the brain and body connect to the world. An inventive 
blend of autobiography, science writing, philosophy 
and advice, this book tells the wild story of his personal 
and professional life as a scientist, from his childhood 
in the UFO territory of New Mexico, to 
the loss of his mother, the founding of 
the first start-up, and finally becoming 
a world-renowned technological guru.
Understanding virtual reality as being 
both a scientific and cultural adventure, 
Lanier demonstrates it to be a humanistic 
setting for technology. 

Daring Greatly: How the Courage 
to Be Vulnerable Transforms the 
Way We Live, Love, Parent, and 
Lead by Brené Brown 

From thought leader Dr. Brené Brown, 
a transformative new vision for the way 
we lead, love, work, parent, and educate 
that teaches us the power of vulnerability. 
“It is not the critic who counts; not the 
man who points out how the strong man 
stumbles, or where the doer of deeds 
could have done them better. The credit 
belongs to the man who is actually in the 
arena, whose face is marred by dust and 
sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; 
...who at the best knows in the end the 
triumph of high achievement, and who 
at worst, if he fails, at least fails while 
daring greatly.” (Theodore Roosevelt) 
Every day we experience the uncertainty, 
risks, and emotional exposure that 
define what it means to be vulnerable 
or to dare greatly. Based on 12 years of 
pioneering research, Dr. Brown dispels 
the cultural myth that vulnerability is 
weakness and argues that it is, in truth, 
our most accurate measure of courage. 
Brown explains how vulnerability is 
both the core of difficult emotions like 
fear, grief, and disappointment, and 
the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, 
empathy, innovation, and creativity. She 
writes: “When we shut ourselves off from 
vulnerability, we distance ourselves from 
the experiences that bring purpose and 
meaning to our lives.” Daring Greatly 
is not about winning or losing. It’s 
about courage. In a world where “never 
enough” dominates and feeling afraid 
has become second nature, vulnerability is subversive. 
Uncomfortable. It’s even a little dangerous at times. 
And, without question, putting ourselves out there 
means there’s a far greater risk of getting criticized or 
feeling hurt. But when we step back and examine our 
lives, we will find that nothing is as uncomfortable, 
dangerous, and hurtful as standing on the outside 
of our lives looking in and wondering what it would 
be like if we had the courage to step into the arena - 
whether it’s a new relationship, an important meeting, 
the creative process, or a difficult family conversation. 
Daring Greatly is a practice and a powerful new vision 
for letting ourselves be seen. The 3 reviews are from 
Amazon .com

APPOINT A GUARDIAN 
TO KEEP YOUR KIDS IN 
SAFE HANDS AT ALL 
TIMES

 

Putting politics aside, I imagine every parent who 
has watched the news lately has been troubled 
over what’s happening to families at the US-
Mexican border. As you likely know, more than 
2,300 children have been separated from their 
parents at the border recently.

 Again, regardless of your political views, I’m 
sure you don’t relish the thought of children being 
taken from their parents. What’s more, perhaps 
these events have got you thinking about how it 
would be for your children to be taken into the 
custody of strangers. And if not, let this be the 
moment you willingly feel that fear on a personal 
level and decide to ensure your child’s well-being 
and care by only the people you want no matter 
what happens.

 

It can happen to your family

Even though most people think that something 
like that could never happen to their family, they’re 
just plain wrong. While your kids almost certainly 
won’t be taken into custody by U.S. border 
agents, your children could be taken into the 
care of strangers if something happens to you—
even if your family or friends are on the scene. 
Understand the risk

While it may seem like a long shot, the 
consequences are serious enough that you must 
consider the real possibility of what could happen 
and ensure you’ve taken right actions to protect 
your loved ones. Let’s say you and your spouse 
have gone out to dinner together and left the kids 
with a babysitter. But on the way home, you’re in 
a car accident. The police will get to your house, 
find your children home with a babysitter, and 
have no choice but to take your kids into the care 
of the authorities (strangers) until they can figure 
out what to do.

 This is the case even if you have friends or 
family living nearby. If you haven’t left proper 
legal documentation, the authorities may have no 
option but to call child protective services—that 
is, unless you’ve legally given them an alternative.

 
Know your options and your responsibility 

The sad thing is, this all can be completely (and 
very easily) prevented. However, to ensure your 
children are never taken into the care of strangers 
you must take action now. Please do not leave 
this to chance. You have the right – and the 
responsibility – to guarantee your children are 
never taken into the care of strangers. 

 And if you think you’ve already done the right 
thing because you’ve “asked” someone to look 
after your children if something happens to you, 
or you have a will that names legal guardians 
for your children, think again. We’ve found that 
in most cases, even parents who worked with 
a lawyer to name legal guardians have made at 
least one of six common mistakes that leave their 
children at risk. 

 These mistakes are made because unfortunately, 
most lawyers do not know what’s necessary for 
planning and ensuring the well-being and care of 
minor children.

 
Here’s how to get started

If you’ve already created a will, we can help you 
identify whether you’ve made any of the six 
common mistakes that could leave your children 
at risk. If you have not yet taken any action, we 
can help you take the first steps and make the very 
best decisions for the people you love. 

 Whatever your situation, you should act now to 
make certain your children are never taken into 
the care of strangers. Call us and mention this 
article to receive a complimentary consultation.

 Dedicated to empowering your family, building 
your wealth and defining your legacy,

A local attorney and father, Marc Garlett is on a 
mission to help parents protect what they love most. 
His office is located at 55 Auburn Avenue, Sierra 
Madre, CA 91024. Schedule an appointment to 
sit down and talk about ensuring a legacy of love 
and financial security for your family by calling 
626.587.3058 or visit www.GarlettLaw.com for 
more information.


All Things By Jeff Brown

GET BREAKING 

NEWS ONLINE AT: 

www.mountainviewsnews.com

THOMAS JEFFERSON ON LIBERTY & GOVERNMENT

On the purpose of government: “The care of human 
life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the 
first and only object of good government.”

 On government and tyranny: “Whereas it appeareth 
that however certain forms of government are better 
calculated than others to protect individuals in the 
free exercise of their natural rights, and are at the same 
time themselves better guarded against degeneracy, 
yet experience hath shewn, that even under the best 
forms, those entrusted with power have, in time, and 
by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny . . . ”

 On limiting government: If we can but prevent the 
government from wasting the labours of the people, 
under the pretence of taking care of them, they must 
become happy.”

 On resisting government intrusion: “The spirit of 
resistance to government is so valuable on certain 
occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will 
often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not 
to be exercised at all.”

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

THE MISSING PAGE

Real Life Tips from LIfe's Instruction Manual

YOGIC WISDOM FOR EVERYDAY LIFE 


Happy Summer! 
Well, I guess we were 
due for a serious 
heat wave. Enjoy the 
sunshine but don’t 
overheat. The heat 
of summer almost 
demands relaxation 
and summer is a 
chance to spread 
your wings and 
explore a bit. Yoga 
and Ayurveda have 
great ancient advice when it comes to addressing 
the heat. Favor cooling foods such as cilantro, 
avocado, mango, and coconut. Spices such as 
coriander and fennel are wonderful! And don’t 
forget to refresh with cucumber and watermelon as 
they contain water. In general, you’ll receive some 
nourishing energy eating fruits and vegetables that 
are in season. 

 I’d love to share a revitalizing summer recipe 
from one of my favorite cookbooks, The Everyday 
Ayurveda Cookbook. 

Refreshing Cardamom Limeade: 

24 oz. of water 

Add the juice of 2-3 limes 

1 Tbsp. coconut sugar dissolved in hot water 

1/2 tsp. cardamom powder 

Serve over 2-3 cubes of ice 

 Take a balanced approach to your yoga practice. 
A pace that’s steady, slow and focused with an 
emphasis on breath works well. Keeping the mind 
calm and cool will not only help your body stay 
cool, but you may steer clear of excess irritation 
and hot emotions. 

 Please contact me to attend class, learn more 
about the sister science to yoga or to reshape your 
life through a private, individualized approach to 
yoga and meditation. Keely@keelytotten.com or 
www.keelytotten.com. 

Namaste, (my light salutes your light) 

Keely Totten, E-RYT 500, Yoga & Meditation 
Teacher, Summer Lover 

Keely Totten 

E-RYT 500, Yoga & Meditation Teacher 

Reiki Master Practitioner 

(626)841-2050 cell 

www.keelytotten.com 

Hatha Yoga • Ayurveda • Tantra • Reiki Healing 

keely@keelytotten.com


Lori A. Harris

BORN WORTHY

Grace: a state of unmerited favor. There is nothing 
more that we can do to be more worthy, that is the true 
state of our being. As the writer, James Baldwin said, 
‘’Our crown has already been bought and paid for. All 
we have to do is wear it.’’

 Most people love babies and love watching them 
grow; babies are excellent examples and guides. They 
live from a principle that we aspire to live, they ask for 
what they want, and expect to receive it. They exit 
a universe where every need was met instantly and 
operate in their new environment the same way. Just 
as life in utero supplied our every need, life is here for 
you. 

 This week we celebrated independence and freedom 
in the United States. I believe that we all deserve to 
live lives we love living. That’s 
why I do this work. I want you 
to experience more life, love, 
creativity, and freedom. I want 
you to be free.

 What would your life look 
like if you were free? What does 
freedom mean to you? What 
are the ties that are binding 
you? This week I’m posing a 
question to you, and I would love it if you wrote me 
back. If you could be, do, or have anything what would 
it be? What are you doing with your freedom?

 Write me at Lori@loriaharris.com. Tell me what 
freedom looks like for you.


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