The Millennial Source

Your favorite #GIRLBOSS is coming back – here are 10 iconic quotes

From a rocket-like rise to the top to the Nasty Gal bankruptcy that wiped out her personal fortune … from a huge social media following to multiple lawsuits for trademark infringement and discrimination … Sophia Amoruso has definitely experienced her share of ups and downs.Now she’s back, with her sights on bringing down a giant. She’s taking on Linkedin with a women-focused professional networking platform, .Girlboss Collective

A bit of Good News for today to put world progress in greater perspective

Honesty about life’s darker realities can spur us to action and progress, but too much negativity leaves us feeling paralyzed and completely helpless. So here’s a bit of balance – a showcase of positive developments occurring right now around the world:

Extreme poverty is the lowest it has ever been.
New Zealand launches new “wellbeing” budget.
Large Amazonian region is now protected.
Global commitment to “No More Plastic” grows.

Go beyond the headlines with us to explore bonus facts like these…

Progress on poverty is uneven around the world. Which regions are winning and which are losing?
New Zealand isn’t the first nation to declare that measures of a state’s success should consider the happiness of its people. Learn about a US politician and a tiny Asian nation that helped lay the groundwork for New Zealand’s new policy.

How us Introverts can succeed our way

A fellow introvert shares her secrets to flourishing in a work world dominated by extroverts:

Relationship building doesn’t only happen in large groups.
Schedule alone time every day.
Find the activity that helps you unwind quickly.
Use your natural listening abilities.
Learn how to tame that socially uncomfortable voice.
Find a polite conversation ender.

Harnessing Positive Energy Like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Recently, the Netflix hit “Knock Down the House” gave us a behind-the-scenes look at AOC’s improvised political operation. One very memorable and personal scene shows Ocasio-Cortez giving herself a positive energy pep talk before a critical political debate.

The power of self-talk

By verbalizing subconscious habits of thought like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, you can exert control over your own mind. Rather than letting self-defeating thoughts run rampant, you will learn to channel your brain’s energy towards the positive outcome you want.

Tips for effective self-talk

Think about all the people who would like to see you succeed.
Refer to yourself in the third person.
Believe in what you are saying!

The Root of Taiwan – China Relations Today (PLUS what Taiwanese think)

Japan ceded control of the islands of Taiwan in 1945. Almost immediately afterward, all of China descended into civil war. By the time the San Francisco Treaty was signed in 1951, the Communist Party had assumed control of the mainland, with the prior Chinese Nationalist government fleeing to Taiwan.

Taiwan’s political status has been ambiguous ever since…

To which government did Japan actually return control of Taiwan?
Which government officially represents Taiwan?
Does one government have a legitimate claim to all of greater China?

Go beyond the headlines with us to explore bonus facts like these…

Why weren’t Taiwan and mainland China invited to sign the San Francisco Treaty?
Is there a relationship between China’s economic boom and Taiwan’s disappearing diplomatic allies?

11 Inspirational Quotes from Strong, Proud Women for Work and Life

They range from some of the world’s most famous artists and entertainers to fighters who transformed their suffering into global empires. And all of these women have a lot to say.

Here are just a few of their simple reminders that can transform our hours, days, months, and sometimes even our lives:

“Don’t play a supporting role in your own life.” – Robin Roberts (American television broadcaster)
“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” – Oprah Winfrey (media executive, actress, talk show host, television producer and philanthropist)

China and Taiwan Relations Right Now (PLUS US Role & Effects on Pacific Islands)

In recent years, mainland China has ramped up efforts to achieve its One China goal. These efforts include meddling in Taiwan’s elections and interfering with day-to-day life in Hong Kong.
Chinese loans and other aid place poorer regions like the Pacific Islands in a position of economic dependence. As a result, nations like the Solomon Islands are under tremendous pressure to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan.
The US policy of “strategic ambiguity” complicates the global response to increasingly worrisome China and Taiwan relations.

Go beyond the headlines with us to explore bonus facts like these:

Aside from the requirement of severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan, what other terms does China place on its foreign aid?
How did China manage to occupy a port in Sri Lanka for the next 99 years?
Which country now owes one-third of its GDP to the PRC powerhouse?
How has the Taiwan-China issue developed under the Trump administration?

5 Commonly Held Misconceptions About Introverts and Extroverts

Am I an introvert or an extrovert?

Even if you know the answer, do you know what these two terms really mean?

Maybe other people have told you all your life that you’re one or the other (as people love to do). However, like many popular web threads, the talk about these personality types is full of assumptions and misconceptions, such as:

You must be either one or the other.
You can’t sit somewhere in the middle.
Switching between the two modes is simple.
Introverts aren’t cut out to be speakers.
Extroverts love small talk.

Here’s how to find out how much sleep you REALLY need – and get It!

We constantly ask our friends, our doctors and above all our bot overlords, “How much sleep do I need, actually?”
The problem is that no one else really knows how your body and mind feel. Fortunately, we can learn how to decide for ourselves how many zzz’s we need!

If your energy is low and you get hungry a lot, you might not be sleeping enough. However, if you wake up with little energy even after sleeping longer than you usually do, you might be sleeping too much for your body.
How much sleep we need is influenced by all kinds of factors, including our lifestyle habits, what we’re already accustomed to and even genetics. So don’t rely on online sleep quizzes and calculators.
The sleep habits of well-known entrepreneurs, celebrities and CEOs vary just as much as everyone else’s. There’s no magic sleep formula for success.
The best way to figure out how much sleep you need is to track your sleep and mood over a few weeks (BTW we have a sleep tracker for you!)

4 Positive News Stories to Put World Development in Perspective

A Chinese entrepreneur sends thousands of bikes to children in rural Myanmar.
Animals thought to be extinct have been rediscovered in the jungles of Honduras.
Renewable energy now accounts for one-third of global power capacity.
A South Korean school gives illiterate older women the chance to read.

Go beyond the headlines with us to explore bonus facts like these…

Which region of the world is taking the lead in renewable energy growth?
What are the dreams and ambitions of South Korean women learning to read at age 60+?

Everything you need to know about the current unrest in Hong Kong (PLUS what it says about Taiwan)

One way to evaluate the “One Country, Two Systems” approach that Beijing is insisting on for Taiwan is to look at the relationship between Hong Kong and China. Hong Kong has been operating under this arrangement for over 20 years.
From the abduction of Hong Kong citizens in 2015 to recent protests that brought the entire city to a standstill, unrest has been on the rise in Hong Kong in recent years.
Mainland China points to Macau as proof of how well “one country, two systems” can work. However, Macau’s one-dimensional economy centered on gambling makes it an unsuitable comparison for Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Go beyond the headlines with us to explore bonus facts like these…

How much longer can Hong Kong keep its political and economic status quo?
What are the language, political and population differences between Taiwan, Hong Kong, mainland China and Macau?
With the Chinese cyberworld heavily monitored and censored, what do mainland China citizens know about the tensions in Hong Kong?

4 Morning Routine Must-Do’s to Overcome Anxiety (PLUS Bonus Tips from Successful People)

Waking up anxious doesn’t just take the fun out of our morning routines. The stresses invading your mind can derail your hopes for the day before it even begins.

We can’t completely stop the angst that comes with taking on new challenges, but we can keep it from hijacking our mornings. Here are four ways to keep the anxiety that wakes you up at bay:

Put yourself together – even if you really don’t feel like it.
Play the right type of music.
Visualize yourself overcoming the stresses.
And lastly … Don’t touch your phone. Really.

US & New Zealand Leaders React to Mass Shootings – Blame Laying vs They Are Us

The US, plagued by an epidemic of mass shootings for decades, remains stuck in a bog of political paralysis. – – Meanwhile, New Zealand, shocked by this modern evil’s arrival on its shores, springs to action.
Why does the global threat of mass violence so inspiringly unify one country, and so hopelessly divide the other?
National leaders are, for better or worse, the faces of their nations in the eyes of the world. In times of crisis, their words and actions matter.

Go beyond the headlines with us…

What were the themes of Prime Minister Ardern’s and President Trump’s responses to the mass shootings?
How did the youth of the two nations respond?

China attempts to reunify with Taiwan by pressuring global companies

Consumers will soon start seeing “Taiwan, China”, or a similar phrase, on the websites and marketing materials of most major global corporations.
These companies are being coerced to use this language, fearing harm to their bottom lines if they do not comply.
An Air New Zealand flight bound for Shanghai was forced to turn back because airline documents seemed to refer to Taiwan as a separate country from mainland China.

Go beyond the headlines with us…

What is the economic significance of mainland’s China’s policy toward businesses?
What happened to Palau when it refused to sever diplomatic ties with Taiwan?
Which American companies have been targeted by the mainland Chinese government for suggesting that Taiwan and China are separate countries?
What does mainland China hope to achieve through these efforts?

6 Ways to unwind when you’re suffering burnout (PLUS how to test yourself)

In May 2019, the World Health Organization officially listed workplace burnout as a medical syndrome. The health risks are real, so it’s critical to learn how to get your mind back in balance:

Meditate
Get organized
Get some fresh air, rehydrate and breathe deeply
Arrange time to talk with a family member, friend or therapist
Exercise, stretch or do some yoga
Take a mental health day

Responses of NZ & US Youth to Mass Shootings – Myths and National Identity

After horrendous acts of violence, the youth of both countries took to the streets in different ways – the haka dances of New Zealand students and the angry protests of US teenagers.
A vacuum created by the absence of decisive leadership sucked the youth into the most bitter realms of American politics.
Both forms of public demonstration are rooted in debates over national identity that reach back long before the great grandparents of today’s youth were born.

Go beyond the headlines with us…

How have national myths divided one society and unified the other?
How have haka dances and other Maori traditions evolved to embody New Zealand’s national identity and shared strength in the wake of tragedy?
How do American ideas of freedom feed the strife over gun laws?

5 Common Misbeliefs About Gender Identity (PLUS Why They Matter)

Gender identity debates and campaigns get a lot of attention from news outlets these days. LBGTQ activists passionately voice their demands for recognition and rights across social media platforms, and critics respond with equal passion.

Sadly, just like with every other current debate, misconceptions abound. Here is our attempt to puncture the most rapidly spreading gender identity myths before they grow any larger.

The gender of all human newborns is easy to identify
Gender fluidity and non-binary gender are new ideas
Gender is a simple matter of XX or XY chromosomes
Gender identity is connected to sexual preference
Only tomboys and effeminate males resist traditional gender identities

8 Jeff Bezos quotes – The world’s richest man speaks on creativity & success

You might love Amazon for giving you 24-hour delivery of the toilet paper your roommate was supposed to buy last week, or hate it for driving your cute local supermarket out of business. Either way, the flagship company of Jeff Bezos has in some way influenced your day-to-day life.

Here’s a brief look at the surprising history of Amazon, along with a peek inside the mind of the man behind the empire:

“The common question that gets asked in business is, ‘why?’ That’s a good question, but an equally valid question is, ‘why not?’”
“We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It’s our job every day to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little bit better.”

Let’s look at that press briefing on Hong Kong protests

Some see Spokesperson Yang’s use of the phrase “cost upon society” when describing the possible consequences of the ongoing demonstrations in Hong Kong as a threat. However, from a purely economic standpoint, it must be acknowledged that negative effects can already be witnessed in the financial hub:

Property prices fall for the first time
Retail sales suffering
Broader economic impacts

Why I’m not scared of the #metoo movement, and I’m a man

In September 2018, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford testified to the US Senate that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh had sexually assaulted her when they were teenagers. Responding to her testimony and to the #MeToo movement, President Donald Trump stated that it is “a very scary time for young men in America.”

Well, I am an American cisgender, heterosexual male, and I am not afraid. Here’s why:

I have seen how women are pressured to remain silent.
I understand that women are people. Completely. Really.
I keep things in perspective.
I want my life to matter.

Mass Shootings in Context – NZ Weapons Ban vs US 2nd Amendment & “Gun Culture”

After leading her country out of a deep darkness following the Christchurch Mosque Shootings, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern looked across the Pacific and was mystified:
“Australia experienced a massacre and changed its laws. New Zealand has had its experience and changed its laws. To be honest with you, I don’t understand the United States.”
Most of the world finds the intensity of US “gun culture” bewildering. At the root of it all is a lone sentence in the world’s oldest constitution still in use.

Go beyond the headlines with us…

What are some of the key facts and misconceptions about gun ownership in the US?
What further context could James Madison have given when he wrote the Second Amendment – The Right to Bear Arms?
How do most Americans view the Second Amendment today?

4 gift ideas for that type A friend

We all have that friend who is always just so on top of life. Every single event is recorded in her calendar, and she’s always 15 minutes early to everything, always put together, just always “on”.
They amaze us, but these friends also cause us mini panic attacks when it comes time to buy them gifts. Finding something that will meet their expectations and that they’ll actually like seems a little … daunting, to put it mildly.
So when it’s time to get a gift for that friend, here are a few ideas to make her day without driving yourself crazy!

This is why everyone wants a piece of the 5G pie

Headlines about the global “5G Race” are everywhere these days. We were told that China and South Korea jumped out to a big lead in 2018, but the US is now surging to the front of the pack. But is 5G really such a big deal? Is it really worth a cutthroat worldwide race?
In two words, yes and yes. Here’s why.

Go beyond the headlines with us…

What exactly is 5G, again?
What are the Economic benefits for businesses, governments and regional economies during the 5G rollout phase?
What are the benefits for the actual winners of this race?

Faces in the Cages – How US Policies Shaped the US-Mexico Border Crisis

Images of the children, separated from their parents and huddled in detention center cages at the US-Mexico border, have shocked the world. Verified reports of these children being denied basic necessities like blankets, soap and toothbrushes, have escalated the global outcry. And detained adults are not doing any better.
The current humanitarian emergency at the US southern border is a complex problem with many causes. Sadly, some of those causes are rooted in US policies of the past.

Go beyond the headlines with us…

Who are the people being held at detention facilities today?
Who were these detention facilities initially built for?
How does the US spending $78 billion a year on a so-called War on Drugs relate to the central American violence causing so many to flee north?
How did the “Banana Republic” era and the Cold War shape the situation we see today?