Dear #Positivity Friends,

You know how every U.S. state has a nickname? Florida is known as the “Sunshine State.” Texas is the “Lone Star State.” Missouri is the “Show Me State.” I think every month of the year should have a nickname, too. Maybe December should be called “Sparkly.” Or better yet, let’s call it “Busy! Busy! Busy!” Between holiday celebrations, family get togethers, office parties, and other fizzy festivities, it can be hard to catch your breath, never mind find a moment to actually connect with other people in a meaningful way.

Here’s a really simple but compelling challenge for you: No matter how much is happening on your calendar this month, look for one tiny opportunity every day to do something nice for someone else. I’m not talking about grand gestures, just quiet moments where you are able to make another person’s life the tiniest bit easier or more pleasant. Let the other guy have that sweet parking spot you were about to score at the grocery store. Take the time to say thank you to the UPS driver making their one millionth delivery of the day. Or just offer a smile to a stranger.

The funny thing about these little moments is not how much they mean to the other person but how much good they do for you. Each of these subtle connections brightens your outlook and even improves your physical health and well being. Hey, it turns out that the Golden Rule is good for others but it’s actually like a tonic for you, too!

As always, I hope that you are enjoying my newsletter. If you miss any edition, you can find it on my website. Pass this newsletter along and encourage your family and friends to sign up. And send me your ideas for nicknames for the rest of the months of the year—I’m thinking January might be “Hit Reset”!

With hope and positivity,

#Positivity^® Stories

It is Not Crunch Time

Video gamers have long known about a problem that white-collar Zoomers have only recently discovered—enjoying a crunchy snack while on a call using headphones is distracting and, well, just plain rude! The makers of Doritos—one of the crunchiest and noisiest snacks ever heard over a headset—have developed a “crunch cancellation” technology called Doritos Silent that allows you to snarf a bag of Flamin’ Hots or munch a handful of carrot sticks with impunity whether you’re powering through a gaming marathon or suffering through an endless Zoom meeting. Software developer and video gamer Dylan Fashbaugh of Smooth Technology admits that other players crunching chips throws him off his game, so he was on a personal mission to develop this application. He began by recording hundreds of people crunching Doritos and taught an AI model to recognize those sounds and then programmed the app to mute users when they start chomping. The app is free to download and will work with any Windows PC-based voice chat platform. Doritos’ global marketing chief Fernando Kahane is pleased with the outcome: “Instead of having to launch new Doritos, we could actually solve that pain point with a technology.”

Meet the Weed Warriors

If you’re driving in the Washington, D.C. area you may see some garden-gloved citizens working the banks of the Rock Creek Parkway. Since 1999, this roadway has been tended by “Weed Warriors” who remove invasive, non-native plants that threaten to kill trees and other native vegetation. The volunteers have racked up over 135,000 hours of clean up by participating in clearing events, weeding in their spare time, or looking after a patch of ground assigned by the Montgomery County Parks Department. Any gardener will tell you that weeding can be a dispiriting task because the work is never, ever finished. But retired schoolteacher Barbara Francisco, a 74-year-old volunteer, says preserving native plant life gives her a satisfying sense of accomplishment. It also just makes her feel better to work outside: “If I have any good mental health, it’s due to Weed Warrioring!”

Soap with a Dash of Hope

When 14-year-old Heman Bekele entered the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge, his winning presentation for Melanoma Treating Soap brought the promise of a healthier future to the hundreds of thousands of people diagnosed with melanoma every year. The soap works by stimulating the body’s immune cells to fight skin cancer. His inspiration came from his childhood in Ethiopia watching people working in the scorching sun and thinking about them needing skin protection. The soap is only an idea at this point, but within five years Bekele hopes to see his vision become a reality. When his affordable soap hits the market, he wants it to be “a symbol of hope…for a world where skin cancer treatment is within reach of all.”

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Tip of the Month

Don’t be so concerned about getting into the latest business trends. Just listen to what the customer wants, do something simple, and do that thing well over a very long period of time.

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Pockets: An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close by Hannah Carlson

Author Hannah Carlson might argue that pockets are right up there with fire and electricity when it comes to humankind’s greatest inventions. Her book walks the reader through the history of the pocket, including the social and cultural significance of how they have been used over centuries and the great divide between men and women’s clothing and when it comes to pockets. Think about it. Pockets provide us with privacy and security and have a supremely practical purpose—to keep our things close. But they can also be a source of fear to others as their contents are unknown and may even be harmful. Hands in the pockets can signal arrogance, over-confidence, or laziness, depending on the situation. Talk about a loaded message! This quirky, charming book about the meaning of pockets offers a fascinating glimpse into how we are influenced by our clothing and how it impacts the world around us.

If you like our #Positivity® Newsletter...You’ll 💕Our Podcast, Common Denominator. Each week, I have inspiring conversations with great thinkers.

New Episode!

Inside the Mind of 5x MMA Trainer of the Year Phil Daru

Phil Daru is one of the most respected MMA trainers in the world, and trains NFL players, world champion boxers, and Olympic athletes as well. He focuses on getting his clients in optimal physical shape and helps them develop warrior mindsets – that permeate throughout their lives. So, if you’re looking to attack life with a vigorous mindset, get ready to learn from the master.

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Catch up on previous episodes:

Building an 8-Figure Empire on Sleeping Better with Alex Neist
Eat Better and Workout Smarter | Pro Tips from Super Trainer Autumn Calabrese
Brain Hacks to Optimize Your Potential with Larry Olsen

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Spreading #Positivity^®

Thank you, readers, for sending us your photos with your comments. We are so excited that you are helping spread a positive message everywhere you go! Let’s keep spreading #Positivity^® together! Send us your photos and stories to info@moshepopack.com and include your name and social media handle. We will feature them in the next newsletter and on Facebook!