Author Archives: Allen Astin
Long Term Perseverance
When I saw this video it had a profound effect on me, on my teaching, and on my parenting. I have watched this many times and I still think that it is very important. She touches on so many important … Continue reading
Some days teaching are just super cool.
(This is from late Spring 2014) Today our science class let go the butterflies that the students have been nurturing since they were caterpillars. We all went outside to a nice shaded grove and let them go one by one. … Continue reading
Our Brains Need Our Attention
This quote is from the Johns Hopkins School of Education and is based on brain research, not philosophy. “There are thousands of people who are born with the potential or circumstances to be quite smart who do not live up … Continue reading
Untying the Rope from the Dock
People often dismiss belief, their own included, as being intangible and without potency. Yet it is belief that differentiates the trajectory of our lives. Will we live and die without tasting the nectar of the almighty, who knocks on our … Continue reading
The Diversity of this World is Rich and Beautiful
One day I was eating breakfast with my daughters in a crowded restaurant and I asked them to look around. I asked them, “How many of these people look like Barbie or Ken?” They looked around…then had blank looks on … Continue reading
Savory (Sour) Cereal Recipe
Click here to go straight to a PDF of the recipe or see below. This post is primarily for those who, at some point in their lives have ventured into the world of Siddha Yoga and have had the good … Continue reading
The Sky is Falling!
I remember growing up in Los Angeles with terrible smog. The smog was so bad that you couldn’t see more than a few miles on a clear day, our eyes burned, and our lungs hurt while breathing deep. The state … Continue reading
The First Prescription
I don’t know much about the subject of depression, but I do know that yesterday I took an elderly relative (who’s showing signs of mild depression) to her doctor. Without even asking about the social and environmental aspects of her … Continue reading
Who cooks your news?
A fellow parent in my neighborhood was telling me that she relies on Fox for most of her news and information. I said “What the *#@&!?” We had a cordial discussion and the following day she sent me an email … Continue reading
Redefining Wealth
Imagine if a person’s personal bank account was directly correlated to the level of life fulfillment they felt. Imagine living in a world where the only way that you could increase your material wealth was to increase your sense of … Continue reading