Emily Kitazawa, Author at Shortform Books

How to Let Go of Wanting to Control Everything

Want to know how to let go of wanting to control everything? What are the benefits of letting go of control? According to author Michael Singer, it’s pretty presumptuous of us to think we should know what life should be doing and try to control it. In The Surrender Experiment, he asks us to instead consider trusting that life knows exactly what’s supposed to happen and allowing it to naturally unfold. Read on to learn how to let go of wanting to control everything by going with the flow, according to Singer’s advice.

What Is the Monkey Mind & How to Tame It

What is the monkey mind? What causes it? How can you tame your monkey mind? Michael Singer is an American spiritual teacher, motivational speaker, and author. Through the lifelong practice of meditation and yoga, Singer recognized his unwanted mental chatter—his monkey mind—and described advice for silencing it in his book The Surrender Experiment. Keep reading to learn more about what the monkey mind is and how to tame it, according to Singer.

Razor Blades in Halloween Candy: What Is Halloween Sadism?

How worried should you be about razor blades in Halloween candy or other forms of tampering? What is Halloween sadism? From razor blades in Halloween candy to poisoned Pixy Stix to rainbow fentanyl—fear about tainted Halloween candy persists. However, before you get too worried, you should know how much of this urban legend is true. Read on to learn about the origins of razor blades in Halloween candy, Halloween sadism, and how to tell fact from fiction.

Michael Singer’s The Surrender Experiment: Overview

Looking for an overview of Michael Singer’s The Surrender Experiment? What are the key takeaways and advice from the book? In The Surrender Experiment, Michael Singer explains how to make your life exactly as the universe wants it to be. The book explains the process Singer discovered for surrendering to the opportunities life presents by trusting in the universe. Keep reading for a brief overview of Michael Singer’s The Surrender Experiment.

The Hedonic Treadmill: An Endless Pursuit of Happiness

What is the “hedonic treadmill”? Why are so many of us stuck in this emotional cycle? How can you get out of it? Much of life is a tug-of-war between various aspects of existence—we’re caught in the struggle between what we desire and life’s obstacles. Author Derren Brown argues that this struggle in modern society has trapped many of us in a destructive emotional cycle called the hedonic treadmill. Read on to learn how Brown explains the dangers of the hedonic treadmill and how to end the cycle.

U.S. Marijuana Laws Are Changing—Here’s What to Know

What’s currently happening with U.S. marijuana laws? Is the “War on Drugs” ending? What’s the future of marijuana? President Biden has just announced pardons for federal marijuana charges, which could mark the beginning of the end of the war on drugs. Additionally, if passed, a new marijuana law reform bill could mean all 50 states will soon embrace some degree of marijuana legalization. Read on to learn about the new changes to U.S. marijuana laws, including the historical context of the war on drugs.

Death Is a Natural Part of Life—And That’s a Happy Thought

Death is a natural part of life—how can this thought help you to be happier today? How can you learn to be comfortable with the idea of death? While death is a natural part of life, most of modern society is uncomfortable with the idea of death and even more uncomfortable with discussions of dying. Author Derren Brown says that by embracing mortality, we can defeat our fear of death and live happier lives in the present. Read on to learn how to be more comfortable with the idea that death is a natural part of life, according to Brown.

What to Know About OPEC+’s Oil Price Increase

Why is there going to be an oil price increase? What effect will this have on you and the economy overall? OPEC+, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, recently announced plans to cut global oil production. With this announcement comes concerns about oil price increases and how this will impact gas prices for consumers as well as the U.S. economy overall. Keep reading to learn about the impending oil price increase, including possible energy solutions we should consider.

Stoicism on Anger: Why It’s the Most Destructive Emotion

What are the opinions of Stoicism on anger? Why is anger the most destructive emotion? How can you manage your anger better? On anger, Stoicism claims it is the single most destructive emotion to happiness. According to author Derren Brown, whose book Happy explored the ancient Greek philosophy of obtaining true happiness, anger is one of the three major obstacles to living a well-balanced and fulfilling life. Read on to learn how Stoicism explains anger and strategies to defuse it, according to Brown’s book.

Reducing Errors in the Workplace: The 3 Golden Rules

What are the best ways to plan for reducing errors in the workplace? What do experts recommend? The Mythical Man-Month by Frederick P. Brooks offers guidance to managers leading large teams, especially teams coordinating detail-oriented projects with lots of moving parts. In the book, Brooks explains how to manage the inevitable errors that arise from managing teams performing complex tasks. Keep reading to learn Brooks’s three rules for reducing errors in the workplace.