How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free—Book Takeaways

An older couple laughing with a pile of luggage between them on a plain background.

Are you planning on retiring soon? Are you worried that your golden years will be spent in boredom? How can you take full advantage of your retirement? The book How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free by Ernie Zelinski encourages you to spend your retired years redefining yourself beyond your old job title. Some methods of doing this are pursuing passions you put on hold, traveling, volunteering in your community, and more. Keep reading for a brief overview of this motivational book.

Who Was Percy Fawcett? His Upbringing and Early Expeditions

An explorer in the Amazon Rainforest in the early 1900s.

Who was Percy Fawcett? What experiences led him to become an explorer? What did he discover about indigenous tribes? Percy Fawcett, born in 1867, was a famous British geographer, explorer, cartographer, and archaeologist. He’s most famous for his expeditions to South America in search of a theorized lost civilization—and for disappearing mysteriously on one said expedition. Keep reading to learn about Fawcett’s upbringing and early expeditions, from the book The Lost City of Z by David Grann.

Percy Fawcett’s Search for a Lost Amazon Civilization

A man digging up stones looking for a lost Amazon civilization.

What is the “City of Z”? Why led Percy Fawcett to believe in its existence? How did he fund his expeditions? In the late 1800s/early 1900s, a British explorer named Percy Fawcett was convinced that there was a lost Amazon civilization, and he was determined to find it. However, he struggled to secure the funds for his expedition due to skepticism and rivals. Here’s why Fawcett believed the City of Z existed and how he funded his expeditions, according to The City of Z by David Grann.

What Happened to Percy Fawcett? A Look at His Disappearance

Three explorers wading in water in the jungle.

What happened to Percy Fawcett, his son, and Raleigh Rimell? Did anything come out of the rescue missions? Percy Fawcett was a British explorer known for his explorations into the Amazon rainforest to discover the “City of Z.” On one of those expeditions, Fawcett, along with his son and his friend, went missing. Here’s a closer look at Fawcett’s disappearance and the aftermath, as told in the book The City of Z by David Grann.

Who Is David Grann & Why Did He Obsess Over Fawcett?

A photo of David Grann

Who is David Grann? To what extent did Grann become obsessed with Percy Fawcett’s disappearance? David Grann is an American journalist and the author of the book The Lost City of Z. While he was doing research about the lost explorer, Percy Fawcett, Grann became obsessed with Fawcett’s story and followed in his footsteps. Continue learning to learn just how far Grann went to write his book.

The Lost City of Z by David Grann—Book Overview

A man alone in the Amazon rainforest wearing explorer clothes.

Who was explorer Percy Fawcett? Why did he believe the “City of Z” existed? How did he disappear? The Lost City of Z by David Grann recounts the true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett. Fawcett’s disappearance still captivates audiences today and has led to the creation of many theories. Continue reading for an overview of Percy Fawcett’s story, as told in The City of Z.

How to Teach Values to Your Child Using Instructive Discipline

A father and mother teaching values to their child, in a living room

Want to know how to teach values to your child? Why is instructive discipline more effective than punitive discipline? Rather than punishing a child for doing something wrong, the authors of The Connected Child suggest using misbehavior as a chance to instill values in children. Shifting from punitive to instructive discipline allows parents to show compassion even in moments of frustration. Here’s how to teach values using instructive discipline.

How to Bond With Your Child as an Adoptive Parent

A happy father and daughter are hugging, show how to bond with your child

Are you an adoptive parent who wants to know how to bond with your child? How can you work to build trust with an adopted child? Bonding with an adopted child can be more challenging than bonding with a biological child. The authors of The Connected Child recommend focusing on safety, trust, and sensory-rich activities. Keep reading for adoptive parenting tips from Purvis, Cross, and Sunshine.

Fetal Development & Childhood Isolation of Adopted Children

An isolated child in a crib at an orphanage

Do you have an adopted child? Are they developing in a way that seems out of the norm? The authors of The Connected Child say that adopted children often develop at different rates due to factors including toxin exposure while in the womb and childhood isolation in institutions. The authors recommend disregarding any pre-set notions and taking a holistic approach to adoptive parenting. Continue reading to learn more about the challenges adopted children face, and how to handle them.

The Importance of Parental Self-Care for Adoptive Parents

A woman relaxing in a bath, signifying the importance of parental self-care

Are you an adoptive or foster parent? Do you ever feel inadequate or frustrated? How does your mental health affect the child you’re caring for? In their book The Connected Child, the authors highlight the importance of parental self-care, especially when caring for at-risk children. It’s necessary for parents to confront their own wounds and prioritize their own mental health to be successful caregivers. Here’s why parental self-care is essential for adoptive parents.