Learning Challenge: Increasing Efficiency/Tech Tip: Embedded YouTube

So, this isn't exactly a learning challenge from the Learning by HEART page, but I think it fits into the principles that Learning by HEART really tries to promote. I struggle finding time to maintain my studies and work schedule, but I am fortunate enough to constantly be surrounded by people who inspire me to put in as much effort as I can to what I do each day. While I do take time to listen to music or read something unrelated to school or work, I do occasionally utilize even my most sacred relaxing time (driving to work, which takes just under 30 minutes and ensures I do nothing but drive during that time) for something that is related to work or school. This week, I chose to listen to this TED talk on my way to work. Now, I know it may seem like overkill to utilize this time for learning, but it was less of a necessity and much more of a way to keep me engaged and excited. I absolutely love what I do, but I will admit to occasionally finding myself feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything. Sometimes I take a break, maybe work on a simpler assignment for a different class, or listen to some music in Spanish to practice my listening skills, but sometimes I choose to dive a little a deeper and confront that feeling head on by getting engaged in an interesting, and perhaps more manageable part of what I am working on. This technique REALLY helps me to stay motivated and tends to attack the problem, rather than avoid it.

Here's the link to the TED talk I listened to on my way to work. It's about neural plasticity, nature, and nurture and where the field of neuroscience is headed.

Nature, nurture & neuroplasticity

big think (Web Source)

Wikipedia Trails: From Karna to Anrita

Karna
After finishing the third part of the epified version of The Mahabharata, I looked up Karna on wikipedia to learn a little more. I learned that in one of the versions of Karna's death, the goddess of Dharma was protecting him from Arjuna's arrows. This led me to the next article on Dharma.

Arjuna Killing Karna (Web Source)

Dharma
I knew already that the concept of Dharma was fairly complex, but I had thought of it as someone acting in accordance with their fate. However, there is no one word that actually can serve as a translation for the concept of Dharma. I also found a new word, Adharma.

Adharma
I found the words used to define Adharma very interesting because they were not exactly the opposite of fate. Instead, it meant something more along the lines of evil or wrong. It just reminds me that different cultures have different opinions regarding fate.

Anrita
After reading the article about Adharma, I read about Anrita, a son of the god Adharma. I found it really interesting that each of these concepts was personified as a deity. 

Growth Mindset: Diving Headfirst

I saved this meme because it is exactly what I feel like I have to do every time that I start a new week. Keeping up a delicate balancing act is hard, but as long as I can continue to stay motivated and dive into each week like the growth mindset cat, I can keep achieving my goals.

Growth Mindset Cat Dives Headfirst (Web Source)

Review: The Difference Between a Family Dinner and Cannibalism

Punctuation Saves Lives (Web Source)

I saved this announcement from Tuesday this week because it is one of my favorite grammar infographics. It humorously illustrates how important it is to use commas, a punctuation mark which I feel is highly undervalued.

Reading Notes: The Mahabharata Epified Part B

The Mahabharata Epified: Reading Notes (Part B)

Ekalavya's Story: This was my favorite story from this video series because it gave me a completely different perspective of Arjuna. I did not realize that he had exhibited such jealousy or that Drona had done anything so unfair. This could make a really story for this week's readings.

Ekalavya Cuts off his Thumb (Wikimedia)

Bibliography: The Mahabarata Epified Reading Guide (Web Source)

Reading Notes: The Mahabharata Epified (Part A)

The Mahabharata Epified: Reading Notes (Part A)

I really enjoyed this reading guide! I feel like I really retain more by watching the epified videos, and I even went to the Epified YouTube page to see what other videos they do.

When I read The Mahabharata by Narayan, I felt like this whole first section that really provides the background for the epic was passed over. I know I read about all of it, but it just didn't seem to really stick with me and watching the first nine videos of the series really helped establish that background for me.

I found it really interesting to hear about all of the secrets that kept popping up for the different characters involved, especially Satyavati. It just reminds me how complex the entire story is and that past lives come back to ensure each person receives what is truly just.

Devavrata Takes a Vow of Celibacy (Web Source)

Bibliography: The Mahabharata Epified Reading Guide (Web Source)