The first thing Maya noticed about Millbrook wasn't the quaint Main Street or the way corn fields stretched endlessly in every direction. It was the weather app on her phone, which had been stuck on the same forecast for three days straight: Conditions variable. Check local atmospheric readings. "What kind of forecast is that?" she … Continue reading The Barometer of Hearts
Emotion
Question of the Week #457
When was the last time you felt real excitement and passion in your work? What about your life in general? How important is passion to you? This week's question from Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions arrives loaded with cultural baggage about what passion is supposed to look like, when it's supposed to strike, and … Continue reading Question of the Week #457
A Bitter Taste
Chicago, 1954 Eleanor Blackwood knew something was wrong the moment she bit into the apple pie. The crust was perfect—golden and flaky, just as Mrs. Winters' pies always were at the corner bakery—but beneath the sweetness of cinnamon and sugar lurked something acrid and suffocating. It scratched at the back of her throat like fingernails, … Continue reading A Bitter Taste
Exploring the Use of Color Symbolism in Disney Animation
From the pristine snow of a fairy tale kingdom to the vibrant streets of Colombia, Disney's use of color has been far more than decorative—it has been a powerful storytelling tool that shapes our emotional connection to characters, conveys cultural meaning, and guides viewers through narrative journeys. Color in Disney animation isn't simply aesthetic; it's … Continue reading Exploring the Use of Color Symbolism in Disney Animation
Question of the Week #427
Ever since reading Gregory Stock's thought-provoking book The Book of Questions, I've found myself wrestling with philosophical dilemmas that challenge my assumptions about life, morality, and human nature. This week's question hits particularly close to home, as it deals with something we all pursue in one way or another: happiness. The question is deceptively simple: … Continue reading Question of the Week #427
The Psychological Impact of Pixels and Quests
Today, we're taking a deep dive into the fascinating world of gaming psychology. That's right, we're going to explore how those pixelated adventures and virtual quests can actually impact our emotions and behavior in the real world. So, grab your controller, put on your thinking cap, and let's level up our understanding of this captivating … Continue reading The Psychological Impact of Pixels and Quests
Question of the Week #397
From Gregory Stock’s The Book of Questions: Do you think kids should be sheltered from unhappiness? What experiences from your own childhood have proved most valuable? What were the most difficult to overcome? Were they happy or unhappy experiences? Note: I answer this question not as a parent, but as an outsider who has worked with … Continue reading Question of the Week #397
A Little Mood Music
You've probably noticed how listening to certain songs can instantly shift your emotions. A nostalgic tune takes you back in time, a pump-up jam gets you energized for a workout, and a sad melody makes you reach for the tissues. Music has an unparalleled ability to influence our feelings. Scientists have found that music impacts … Continue reading A Little Mood Music
The Healing Power of Art Therapy
Today, we're diving into a realm where creativity meets catharsis, where colors wield their magic, and where self-expression becomes a powerful tool for healing - yes, you guessed it - Art Therapy! Because the title of this post wasn't enough to give it away... Now, before you start picturing a Freudian psychoanalyst analyzing your doodles, … Continue reading The Healing Power of Art Therapy
Reflection
Our Sunday Scribblings prompt for this week is Reflection. If you decide to write a post based on this week’s prompt, be sure to share your link so everyone can see how you interpreted things! Here’s what I did with it… Once upon a time, in a world not entirely different from our own, there was … Continue reading Reflection
The Confusing Middle 