Life as We Know it

Christmas will soon be upon us. Therefore, many of you will be thinking to yourself: What present should I get for a loved one? Would it be better to give a physical gift, a thing, or perhaps an experience? Research published in the Journal of Consumer Research answers that question. The research has found that experiential gifts produce greater improvements in relationship strength than material gifts, regardless of whether the gift-giver and recipient consume the gift together. The researchers Cindy Chan and Cassie Mogilner found that the relationship improvements that recipients derive from experiential gifts stem from the intensity of emotion that is evoked when they consume the gifts, rather than when the gifts are received.  "The reason experiential gifts are more socially connecting is that they tend to be more emotionally evocative," says Chan, an expert on consumer relationships. For example, most people can relate to the experience of thinking of a particular piece...

Sunday 13 November 2022 was Remembrance Sunday, the day when we remember those men and women who fought for our country. Armistice Day is commemorated every year on 11 November to mark the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany. Although our remembrance is focused on WWI, our thoughts and feelings extend to ALL men and women of the armed forces, particularly those who have died in the line of duty. The youngest World War II veterans will now be in their late 90s. However, war is not isolated to 1914-18 and 1939-45. People who perhaps were fighting in the Gulf in 1991 may now only be in their 50s or 60s. Some of them may well have left the Services after their initial contracted time and therefore could be working in completely different sectors now, people who could be members of YOUR NETWORK. The memories of any soldier, sailor or pilot, or any of the other diverse roles that comprise war, will be utterly unique to that individual. Of course, people's li...

Not everybody of retired age is retired. Some people may have retired but have started businesses in later life, either out of economic necessity or for the mental and/or social stimulation. Other people may have been in business their whole working life. Further, some people may have been managing a business for so many years that it is ingrained within them and they have no intention of ever retiring. Although Your Biography started with the premise of interviewing people about their lives, it is in the context of the above that we are considering diversifying into interviewing people about their businesses:    

What were you doing in 1977? Maybe it was listening to Carole Bayer-Sager singing You're Moving Out Today. In 1977, it reached number 6 in the UK Singles Chart. If you'd like a reminder of this very catchy tune, see the video below: What else was happening in '77?  TOP 20 News Events from 1977 The Ford Fiesta went on sale in the UK Clive Sinclair introduced his new two-inch screen television set Fleetwood Mac's Grammy-winning album Rumours was released Queen Elizabeth II visited Tonga The first Aardman Animations character, Morph, was introduced on the BBC children's television programme Take Hart David Owen, 38, became the youngest post-Second World War Foreign Secretary Mike Leigh's comedy of manners Abigail's Party opened at the Hampstead Theatre, starring Alison Steadman Red Rum won the Grand National for the third time The Embassy World Snooker Championship moved to the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, and attracted television coverage for the first time ...

Just a brief posting for today. Here is a quotation which I read in Charlotte Brontë's novel Jane Eyre  in which Jane tells Mr. Rochester: “I do not think, sir, you have any right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have; your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.” Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre Time and experience are significant determinants of any biography; seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years.....and what we do with our time.

Here's a video which gives you a quick overview as to what Your Biography is all about: