
<p>Ponder this frog for a moment.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><img src="https://embed.filekitcdn.com/e/rEARZDxVmi4u3Bz5ejscBZ/s6BeuZLphhDS64XuVuXu2c/email" width="800"></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>This little dude Donkey Konged his way up the brick wall to this perch. Here the tree frog is safe from all but the most industrious bird. Kong Frog can see the world. And when the light is on, it draws insects.</p>



<p>The light draws dinner TO THE FROG. Pretty savvy.</p>



<p>Like this frog, we all have needs. And like this frog, we can put ourselves in a better position to meet those needs. Too often we stay right where we are, safe in our comfort zone, fretting that things are not going the way we want. Maybe we want to eat better, but we have a McDonald&#8217;s along our drive home. Maybe we love listening to music out loud, but there&#8217;s no stereo in the room where we spend most of our day.</p>



<p>We can position ourselves to better meet our own needs.</p>



<p>Do you need companionship? Where can you put yourself to find it?</p>



<p>Do you need study help? Where can you position yourself to find it?</p>



<p>Do you want to change the world? Where can you position yourself to help with the change?</p>



<p>For each of these questions, there are better answers and worse ones. But the worst answer probably is to keep doing it the same way. Time and again, there might be an electronic answer to the question. However, it is likely that there is a ;<em>better</em> ;in-person answer to the question. Your body is one of your best resources. Where can you put it so that you are better positioned to meet your goals?</p>



<p>​</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<p>Not going to lie to you, things are pretty awful out there in a lot of ways. A patchwork quilt of expiring laws are keeping millions of people from being evicted, nearly 600,000 Americans died from COVID over the past year, and crime rates soared during the pandemic.</p>



<p>But also, ;<a href="https://thebestwordsllc.com/things-really-are-better-than-you-think-lessons-from-factfulness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">things might not be as bad as you think</a>. Overall, global life expectancy continues to increase, more governments are cooperating to combat or prevent the worst effects of man-made climate change, and increased access to technology is helping creative people bring money and commerce to distant impoverished corners of the world.</p>



<p>This week I write about how ;<a href="https://thebestwordsllc.com/things-really-are-better-than-you-think-lessons-from-factfulness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">things aren&#8217;t as bad as you think</a>. We are programmed with a negativity instinct to look for the worst-case scenario in every situation. Our attention is drawn to crisis and risk as part of our instinct to stay alive. This is helpful when we are facing saber-toothed tigers, or even when refraining from ;<a href="https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2021/05/24/el-paso-zoo-spider-monkey-woman-charged-climbed-into-exhibit/7413956002/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climbing into the monkey enclosure at the zoo</a>.</p>



<p>We must be realistic about where things are bad and where they are okay. Only by engaging in Factfulness, and being driven by data, can we truly address the right problems.</p>



<p>In education, we have been told repeatedly about the failure of public schools. In fact, there are options that routinely underperform public schools: charter schools. But that is a story for a different time.</p>



<p>​</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<p>I am thankful to those of you who read this newsletter each week, and to those of you who have shared it with others. If you find it useful or interesting, I hope you will share it with others. If you find an article that might appeal to someone you know, I hope you send them the link.</p>



<p>And if you are so inclined, I&#8217;d love to hear your reaction to the article on the blog.</p>



<p>Make it a great week.</p>



<p><a href="https://preview.convertkit-mail2.com/unsubscribe" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Unsubscribe</a> ;| ;<a href="https://preview.convertkit-mail2.com/preferences" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Update your profile</a> ;| 113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><img src="https://preview.convertkit-mail2.com/open" alt=""/></figure>

2021.6.7 The Best Words Weekly Email – Things Are Better Than You Think
