Dogs & Books

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend.  Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." Groucho Marx

Understanding Zen

I had a discussion with a great master in Japan...

and we were talking about the various people who

are working to translate the Zen books into English,

and he said, "That's a waste of time.

If you really understand Zen...you can use any book.  

You could use the Bible.  

You could use Alice in Wonderland.

You could use the dictionary, because...the

sound of the rain needs no translation."

~ Alan Watts

Alan Wilson Watts was a British-born philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and populariser of Eastern philosophy for a Western audience. Wikipedia

Born: January 6, 1915, Chislehurst, London, United Kingdom

Died: November 16, 1973, Mount Tamalpais, CA

Education: Seabury-Western Theological Seminary

Introversion With Its Misunderstood Personality Traits

6 Things You Thought Wrong About Introverts

The Huffington Post  |  By Carolyn Gregoire
Posted: 07/29/2013 8:07 am EDT  |  Updated: 07/29/2013 12:49 pm EDT

If common stereotypes have anything to say on the matter, it's that introverts are socially awkward loners who abhor large crowds and just don't like people very much. An introvert may not be a particularly friendly or happy person, but hey, at least they're smarter and more creative than the average extrovert.

Despite comprising an estimated one-third of the general population, introversion may be one of the most frequently misunderstood personality traits. But the silent revolution of introverts -- catapulted into the spotlight largely by the work of Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking -- is shedding light on the experience of introverts living in a culture that tends to value extroverted qualities like assertiveness and outspokenness over solitude and quiet contemplation.

Much of the problem stems from the lack of a simple distinction between introversion and extroversion -- the difference is far more complex than being shy versus outgoing, according to Sophia Dembling, author of The Introvert's Way: Living a Quiet Life in a Noisy World. The introversion/extroversion distinction has its roots in Jungian psychology, which views extroverts as being more naturally oriented towards the outside world, and introverts more focused on their own inner world.

“The description that introverts seem to relate most strongly to is the idea that Jung presented, that introverts are drained of energy by interaction, and gain energy in solitude and quiet, whereas extroverts gain energy in social situations with interaction," Dembling tells The Huffington Post. "It seems to be most strongly an energy thing –- where you get your energy and what takes it out of you.”

If you're an introvert, you might be used to feeling misunderstood (many introvert children are criticized for not speaking up at school, and grow up being told to "come out of their shells") and having your actions (or inaction) misinterpreted. And if you're an extrovert, there's a good chance that you have a least a few misconceptions about those mysterious quiet types in your life. Scroll through the list below for six of the most common false assumptions about introverts -- and why they're wrong.

1. All introverts are shy -- and all shy people are introverts.

shy

Shyness is so often confused with introversion that the two words are frequently used interchangeably -- but in fact, they're remarkably different traits. As Susan Cain pointed out in a Psychology Today blog, Bill Gates is introverted but not shy: He's quiet and bookish, but isn't bothered by what other people think of him.

Whereas introversion, as Dembling explains, is commonly defined as recharging and gaining energy through alone time, shyness has more to do with discomfort and anxiety in situations involving social interaction. Many introverts aren't shy; they may feel confident and at ease around people, but simply require more alone time to balance out the energy they expend in social situations. Similarly, an extrovert may seek the company of others but feel insecure or uncomfortable in groups.

“The number-one misconception about introversion is that it’s about shyness,” says Dembling. “The best distinction I’ve heard comes from a neuroscientist who studies shyness. He said, 'Shyness is a behavior -– it’s being fearful in a social situation. Whereas introversion is a motivation. It’s how much you want and need to be in those interactions.’"

2. Introverts don't like to be around people.

lonely

Although introverts do generally need -- and enjoy -- more solitude than their extroverted counterparts, the idea that introverts are antisocial or don't want the company of others is completely false. They just tend to enjoy social interaction in a different way than extroverts do.

“There are a lot of negative labels placed on introverts -- socially anxious, don’t like people, judgmental (because we sit quietly)," says Dembling. "Introverts may prefer one-on-one interaction ... we might enjoy large parties but want to sit and watch the action from the sidelines. Extroverts may interpret this as not wanting to have fun, but this observation is fun for an introvert."

Introversion shouldn't be confused with misanthropy -- introverts do like people, but they typically favor quality over quantity in their relationships, choosing to focus on creating a smaller circle of close friends rather than a large network of acquaintances.

“I like to say that we may like people more than extroverts because we take the time to get to know them ... It’s just a completely different style,” says Dembling.

3. Introverts don't make good leaders or public speakers.

susan cain

Many introverts enjoy and excel in roles that involve leading others, speaking publicly, and being in the spotlight. Bill Gates, Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi and countless other leaders through history have been classified as introverts. These leaders may also foster a better team environment, as research has shown they might work better in groups than extroverts do. And according to USA Today, roughly four in 10 top executives test as introverts.

Research has found that individuals of both personality types can be well-suited to leadership and sales roles.

"The good news ... is that in some sense we are all born to sell and equipped to lead," writes author Daniel Pink in a Washington Post blog. "And that means a hidden but urgent challenge for organizations of every kind is to shatter the stereotype of who’s an effective leader."

And when it comes to public speaking, introverts aren't the shrinking violets they're often thought to be, and they might actually have the upper hand over extroverts. Because introverts focus on preparing projects and thinking things through thoroughly before acting, they can be excellent speakers, says Dembling. Susan Cain's charismatically delivered TED talk on the power of introverts, for instance, was one of the fastest TED videos ever to reach one million views -- and it's just one of countless examples.

4. Introverts have more negative personalities.

lonely

Because they actually like being alone, introverts are sometimes stereotyped as having more depressive or negative-slanting personalities. This misconception likely stems from the fact that extroverts -- who gain their energy from social interaction -- might feel sad when they don't spend enough time with people, Dembling says.

"When extroverts are in an introverted place for too long, spending time alone or being quiet, they can report feeling sad and depressed," says Dembling. “Because they feel sad when they’re alone, maybe they therefore think we feel sad when we’ve been alone. That misconception is coming from a genuine concern, but it’s more putting their feelings on us.”

Most introverts don't connect solitude with loneliness, unless it becomes excessive. That being said, although introverts do not innately have more depressive personalities, they do tend to spend more time thinking and analyzing -- and if this turns to ruminating, it could potentially lead to depression.

"There’s a definite link between rumination and depression," says Dembling. "Because introverts do like thinking and being alone, we need to keep ourselves in check.”

5. Introverts are more intellectual or creative than extroverts.

brain creativity

Many of the most celebrated artists and thinkers throughout history -- including Albert Einstein, Marcel Proust and Charles Darwin -- were thought to be quiet types. Introverts are sometimes touted as being "more intelligent, more reflective, more independent, more level-headed, more refined, and more sensitive," as Jonathan Rauch writes in an Atlantic article, "Caring For Your Introvert." But before any quite types climb atop an intellectual high horse, it's important to note being an introvert doesn't innately make you a loftier, or more innovative, thinker. Extroverts are, of course, often incredibly intelligent and creative; there's just a good chance that their best ideas happen while they're in a more reflective, or introverted, mindset.

“Creativity occurs in an introverted space … but that doesn’t mean we’ve cornered the market on it," says Dembling. "Without both introverts and extroverts, things wouldn’t get done. We’ve got one person thinking it through and one person going out and slaying the dragon.”

6. It's easy to tell whether someone is introverted or extroverted.

introvert extrovert

Many introverts could easily go out to a cocktail party and talk up everyone in the room -- and they may enjoy themselves doing it. But at the end of the day, they'll look forward to restoring their energy by coming home and reading in bed with a cup of tea. Given our culture's bias towards extroverted personality traits, many introverts have become accustomed to being the wolf in sheep's clothing -- behaving like an extrovert in social situations, and perhaps acting more outspoken and gregarious than they feel on the inside. Or they may enjoy the social interaction and attention, but later crave time alone to recover.

“Most introverts are very good at behaving like extroverts," says Dembling. "A lot of us are out there behaving as extroverts ... but then we have to shut it down. I call it my ‘dog and pony show.’ But then you have to be quiet and regain your energy for the next time. The long I’m out there putting on the show, the longer I need to recuperate.”

"Introverts really do like people and we like socializing," Dembling says. "We just like it in different ways than extroverts."

I stood by your bed last night...

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.

I could see that you were crying...you found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear.

"It's me, I haven't left you...I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea.

You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shop today, your arms were getting sore.

I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care.

I want to reassure you that I am not lying there.

I walked with you toward the house, as you fumbled for your key,

I gently put my paw on you.  I smiled and said, "It's me."

You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.

I tried so hard to let you know that I was standing there.

It's possible for me to be so near you every day.

To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...

In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

The day is over...I smile and watch you yawning

And say, "Goodnight, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,

I'll rush across to greet you and we will stand, side-by-side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out...then come home to be with me.

Author Unknown

The Eyes of an Animal

"When I look into the eyes of an animal

 I do not see an animal, I see a living being.

  I see a friend.  I feel a soul."

  

A. D. Williams

The sole purpose of human existence...

"As far as we can discern, 

the sole purpose of human existence

is to kindle a light of meaning

 in the darkness of mere being."

Carl Jung

Carl Gustav Jung (/ˈjʊŋ/; German: [ˈkarl ˈɡʊstaf ˈjʊŋ]; 26 July 1875 – 6 June 1961) was a Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist who founded analytical psychology. Jung proposed and developed the concepts of the extraverted and the introverted personality, archetypes, and the collective unconscious. His work has been influential in psychiatry and in the study of religion, literature, and related fields.

The Bee and the Dolphin

"The happiness of the bee and the dolphin is to exist.

For man, it is to know that and to wonder at it."

Jacques Cousteau

Jacques-Yves Cousteau AC (French: [ʒak iv kusto]; commonly known in English as Jacques Cousteau; 11 June 1910 – 25 June 1997).  Cousteau was a French naval officer, explorer, conservationist, filmmaker, innovator, scientist, photographer, author and researcher who studied the sea and all forms of life in water. He co-developed the Aqua-Lung, pioneered marine conservation and was a member of the Académie française.

On Proving Your Worth

"The moment you feel like you 
have to prove your worth to someone
 is the moment to absolutely
 and utterly walk away."

~Alysia Harris

Self Talk

“Of all the people on the planet,

you talk to yourself more than anyone.

Make sure you are saying the right things.”

~ Martin Rooney

* Martin Rooney is an internationally recognized fitness expert, best-selling author, and sought-after presenter.

Legend of the Dream Catcher

Dream Catcher Lore:

Native Americans believe that the night air is filled with dreams both good and bad. The dream catcher when hung over or near your bed swinging freely in the air, catches the dreams as they flow by. The good dreams know how to pass through the dream catcher, slipping through the outer holes and slide down the soft feathers so gently that many times the sleeper does not know that he/she is dreaming. The bad dreams not knowing the way get tangled in the dream catcher and perish with the first light of the new day.

  

How the Dream Catcher is made: 

Using a hoop of willow, and decorating it with findings, bits and pieces of everyday life, (feathers, arrow heads, beads, etc) the dream catcher is believed to have the power to catch all of a person's dreams, trapping the bad ones, and letting only the good dreams pass through the dream catcher.

An Albert Schweitzer Quote

"Sometimes our light goes out

but is brought into flame

by another human being.

Each of us owes deepest thanks to

those who have rekindled this light."

~Albert Schweitzer

Albert Schweitzer, (14 January 1875 – 4 September 1965) was a German—and later French—theologian, musician, philosopher, physician, and medical missionary in Africa.

Love the people...

THE ART OF MARRIAGE

A good marriage must

be created.  In marriage, the

little things are the big things.

It's never being too old to hold

hands.  It is remembering to say 

I love you at the end of each day.

It is never going to bed angry.  It is

speaking words of appreciation and

demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful

ways.  It is having the capacity to forgive

and forget.  It is giving each other a safe 

place in which to grow.  It is not only

marrying the right person, it is being

the right partner. ~ Wilferd A. Peterson

Wilferd Arlan Peterson (1900–95) was an American author who wrote for This Week magazine (a national Sunday supplement in newspapers) for many years. For twenty-five years, he wrote a monthly column for Science of Mind magazine. He published nine books starting in 1949 with The Art of Getting Along: Inspiration for Triumphant Daily Living."

An Invisible Sign We All Wear

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) by artist Mary Gibbs

“Everyone has an invisible sign

hanging from their neck saying, 

‘Make me feel important.’

Never forget this message

when working with people.”

~ Mary Kay Ash

Mary Kay Ash (May 12, 1918 – November 22, 2001) was an American businesswoman and founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc.

Mindfulness Tips From Albert Einstein

Melanie Harth, Ph.D., LMHC

Melanie Harth, Ph.D., LMHC Communication Strategist for Entrepreneurs, Mindful Awareness Meditation Teacher, Coach/Consultant, Professional Blogger, Writer

Fishes and Trees: 12 Timely Mindfulness Tips From Albert Einstein

Posted: 07/17/2013 5:03 pm

Everybody is a genius. But, if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it'll spend its whole life believing that it is stupid. -- Albert Einstein

Billions of fish try to climb trees every day. Just look around the office, or at those poor souls who so valiantly strive their entire lives in going-absolutely-nowhere work mode.

An astonishing 70 percent of the American workforce is disengaged, according to a recent Gallup poll.

Fishes Trying to Climb Trees

Where does mindfulness enter the picture? First, are you listening to yourself about what's going on? Are you telling yourself the truth?

Trying to climb a tree with fins?

Gotta start right where we are. We learn to do that by slowing down, settling into ourselves, beginning to hear what's actually going on in the universe of our little minds and egos.

Then, notice what's actually going on in the world around us. I feel this. I notice that. I like/don't want to do X. I wish X.

12 Tips on Mindfulness From Albert Einstein

 1. I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious. Use your passionate curiosity! How to begin? Use mindfulness. Settle into yourself, hear those whispered truths.

 2. Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves. Are you trying to drive and kiss? Trying to work a "job" and hold your dreams 'till some future whenever? Stop that. Start kissing.

 3. Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value.** Fish who are paying attention, being mindful, know that trying to climb a tree is a waste of a life. Smart fish go for the water, that place from which one happily thrives.

 4. The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious -- the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Is there any room in your life for the mysterious? If not... bummer. That's the space wherein fish understand that trying to climb a tree is pretty stupid. Mindful awareness can help you see the mysterious body of water that's right in front of you.

 5. Any fool can know. The point is to understand. Any fool fish intellectually knows that climbing a tree just isn't going to happen. But. To understand the ramifications, and make a different choice, well... that's where mindfulness comes in handy.

 6. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. Cultivating a mindful awareness practice helps us manage those inevitable difficult times. It helps us get in the water rather than trying to climb trees.

 7. Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts. If all the fish around us are crazily trying to climb, it's more challenging to see with our own eyes that it's a no-win effort. Feeling our way with our hearts is the minority position. (70 percent disengagement in the workforce?) Mindfulness goes a long way toward giving us the courage to do what needs doin'.

 8. The measure of intelligence is the ability to change. Yes, you'll need to do something different in order to swim in your own little pond (or big fat ocean). What can help you make the necessary changes? That's right... mindfulness.

 9. The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. Mindful awareness helps develop the ability to drop into the gift of your intuitive mind. If more fish cultivated this practice... well, just imagine the results!

10. I believe in intuitions and inspirations...I sometimes FEEL that I am right. I do not KNOW that I am. Most fish aren't stopping long enough to know how they feel about anything. Mindfulness helps us feel into what is true. When we understand that, we can begin making better choices for ourselves and the people we love.

11. Imagination is the highest form of research. Imagination? Feeling into your heart? Intuition? None of these concepts is high on the list of most organizations. What might be wrong with this picture? Start asking yourself what you need to know. Do it through mindful awareness. Align with Einstein.

12. The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives. How much of you is dying inside while you're madly trying to climb a tree when you really belong in the water? Develop your mindfulness muscle. Start living.

Mindfulness isn't a cure-all for everything on the planet. But it sure does help. With almost everything.

It's Alchemical and Experiential

There's an alchemical process that takes place when one cultivates a regular practice of paying attention to the reality that lies below the surface of what appears to be normal.

It's experiential. Not intellectual. You can't grok it by thinking about it. Until you try it, really give it a go, you're still a fish trying to climb that tree.

**We know he meant women, too. Even Einstein made mistakes.

*Melanie Harth is a psychologist-trained communication strategist for entrepreneurs, writer/editor, and professional blogger.



Designing innovative business communication strategies is her specialty.



Dr. Harth has a graduate degree in clinical psychology, and an interdisciplinary doctorate with a special focus on the psychology of creative process.

She has been a meditator for many years, studying Tibetan Buddhism with Dr. Reginald Ray, earth-based practices with Dr. Bill Plotkin’s Animas Valley Institute, and has completed the training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. For more, go to www.melanieharth.com.

The Health Benefits of Eating Nuts

Eating Nuts Can Lower Your Risk

 Of Dying From Heart Disease, Cancer

Posted: 07/16/2013 1:05 pm EDT  |  Updated: 07/16/2013 5:28 pm EDT

The health benefits of nuts are many -- studies have attributed it to increasing weight loss, reducing stress and improving sperm quality. A new study has found another benefit to add to the list: adding years to your life.

Researchers found that those who ate nuts had a 39 percent lower mortality risk than those who didn't. And those who ate walnuts had an even lower mortality risk -- 45 percent. The risk of dying from heart disease and cancer saw a decline in those who ate three servings of nuts a week -- by 55 percent and 40 percent respectively (eating walnuts in this case didn't offer additional benefits).

The study, published in BioMed Central's journal, was based on a nutritional trial in Spain. Researchers looked at 7,000 people between the ages of 55 and 90 who were randomly placed on a Mediterranean diet supplemented with either olive oil or nuts, while a control group were put on a low-fat diet, according to a press release.

Those on the nut diet practiced far more healthier habits than those who rarely ate nuts, the study found. They were more physically active, less likely to smoke, had a lower body mass index, smaller waist and a healthier diet overall. People who ate the most nuts in the study were also less likely to have type 2 diabetes -- the most common form of the disease -- and were less likely to be on meds for hypertension.

These findings may be great news for nut lovers, but remember: don't get too nutty with your diet. While nuts are healthy, they can pack a high caloric punch. High in fat and low in water, "eating unlimited amounts can easily add an extra several hundred calories a day to your diet, which could lead to weight gain and increased cholesterol levels," according to diet expert Dr. Melina Jampolis.

Our Economy of Influence

  “ [The U.S. has] an economy of influence — an economy with lobbyists at the center, which feeds on polarization. It feeds on dysfunction. The worse that it is for us, the better that it is for this fundraising." 

~ Lawrence Lessig
Website:  lessig.org

Lawrence "Larry" Lessig (born June 3, 1961) is an American academic and political activist. He is a proponent of reduced legal restrictions on copyright, trademark, and radio frequency spectrum, particularly in technology applications, and he has called for state-based activism to promote substantive reform of government with a Second Constitutional Convention.[1]

He is director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University and the Roy L. Furman Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. Previously, he was a professor of law at Stanford Law School and founder of the Center for Internet and Society. Lessig is a founding board member of Creative Commons and the founder of Rootstrikers, and is on the board of MapLight.[2] He is on the advisory boards of the Democracy Café,[3] Sunlight Foundation[4] and Americans Elect.[5] He is a former board member of the Free Software Foundation, Software Freedom Law Center and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.[6]

In the Words of Will Rogers...

"Everything is changing.

People are taking their

 comedians seriously

 and the 

politicians as a joke."

~ Will Rogers

William Penn Adair "Will" Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was an American cowboy, vaudeville performer, humorist, social commentator and motion picture actor. He was one of the world's best-known celebrities in the 1920s and 1930s.

Trees

Lone Cypress At Monterey Bay by Balogh

"I like trees because they seem more resigned to
 the way they have to live than other things do."

~ Willa Cather

Willa Sibert Cather (December 7, 1873[1] – April 24, 1947) was an American author who achieved recognition for her novels of frontier life on the Great Plains, in works such as O Pioneers!, My Ántonia, and The Song of the Lark. In 1923 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for One of Ours (1922), a novel set during World War I.

Counselling: A Means for Better Understanding

Cephalanthus occidentalis species of flowering plant in the coffee family.
Common name:  Buttonbrush

"Counsel woven into the fabric

 of real life is wisdom."  

Walter Benjamin

Walter Benjamin (1892-1940), was born in Berlin on July 15, 1892. He was an unusual figure in 20th century thought, considering himself a "Man of Letters" and a literary critic rather than taking the more illustrious title of philosopher.

In Searching...

“You will never be happy

if you continue to search

 for what happiness consists of.

You will never live

if you are looking

 for the meaning of life.”

~ Albert Camus

Albert Camus (7 November 1913 - 4 January 1960 (age 46) A French author, journalist, and key philosopher of the 20th century. Camus was awarded the 1957 Nobel Prize for Literature, the second-youngest recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, after Rudyard Kipling, and the first African-born writer to receive the award…

The Value of Being Positive

"Keep your thoughts positive

because your thoughts become 

your words.

Keep your words positive 

because your words become 

your behavior.

Keep your behavior positive 

because your behavior becomes 

your habits.

Keep your habits positive 

because your habits become

your values.

Keep your values positive

because your values become

your destiny."

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Someday...

"You will lose someone you can't live without,

and your heart will be badly broken, and the

bad news is that you never completely get

over the loss of your beloved.  But this is

also the good news.  They live forever in your

broken heart that doesn't seal back up.  And

you come through.  It's like having a broken leg

 that never heals perfectly - that still hurts

 when the weather gets cold, but you learn to dance with the limp."

~ Anne Lamott

Advice I Would Give To My Granddaughter

Find someone who isn't afraid to admit that

they miss you.  Someone who knows that you're not

perfect, but treats you as if you are.  Someone

who's biggest fear is losing you.  One who gives their

heart completely.  Someone who says I love you and

means it.  Last but not least, find someone who

wouldn't mind waking up with you in the morning,

seeing you in wrinkles and your gray hair,

but still falls for you all over again.

The Safest Seats on the Plane

Sara Keagle Flight attendant & founder of TheFlyingPinto.com          

The Safest Seats on the Plane              
Posted: 07/08/2013 2:18 pm

Something you may not know about this past weekend's airplane crash is that as Asiana flight 214 came in for a landing at San Francisco's International Airport, the flight attendants were conducting what's known as a 30 second review. A 30 second review is a silent review of emergency procedures anytime a flight attendant occupies his or her jumpseat. Flight attendants are trained to get passengers off of an aircraft within 90 seconds after the plane comes to a complete stop. Sara Nelson, Vice President of the Association of Flight Attendants, says in an evacuation every second counts, "That entire fuselage can burn up in 90 seconds so if you have wasted 10 or 15 seconds as everyone else is getting off the plane, you're potentially putting a fourth of the airplane in jeopardy of losing their lives in that scenario. That's how serious this is."

I know you've heard it before: "Flying is one of the safest things you can do." And this past weekend's crash with 305 of the 307 passengers surviving helps to prove that. According to an article by Discovery.com, you have a one in 1.2 million chance of being involved in a plane crash. If you did happen to be on that one in 1.2 million flight, you have a 95.7 percent chance of surviving it. Amazing, right? Flight attendants go through approximately six weeks of initial training, depending on the airline and 90 percent of their training is based on the safety aspects of flying. Everything from emergency evacuations to emergency medical care is covered and there is yearly training to keep flight attendants up to date and refreshed.

Surviving a plane crash comes down to surviving the initial impact and getting out fast. With this in mind, what can you do to up the odds of survival and is there a "safer" place to sit on a flight?

Coach Class: Discovery Channel staged a real plane crash in the Sonoran Desert, complete with pilots parachuting out in the last minutes! According to Discovery Channel's "Curiosity Plane Crash," rows one through seven are the "fatal" seats. I think we've all heard this before -- that it is safer in cattle class -- but I'm not giving up a first class seat if offered. One in 1.2 million? I'm a gambling girl!

Exit row seating: This one may seem obvious. Sitting at the exit row may ensure a quicker exit as long as your exit doesn't become blocked due to fire, smoke or water directly outside your viewing window. Also remember agreeing to sit here isn't just for the perk of extra leg room. You must be willing to assist in case of emergency.

The aisle seats: Sitting on the aisle seat is good if you have claustrophobia and/or you want to make sure you get off of an aircraft in a timely manner. Like the exit row, sitting on the aisle seat can mean a faster escape. Aisle seats are great for those who stay calm under pressure, too; if you are stuck at the window because someone is panicking on the aisle, it doesn't help anyone. Just be sure to help the panicky person at the window by taking them with you!

Of course, flying being as safe as it is, I still say worry less about the seat you choose, or are given, and pay more attention the flight attendant's safety demonstration. Know where your exits are located and always follow your crew members' instructions. I commend the flight attendants of Asiana flight 214 for a job well done!

  Sara Keagle Flight attendant & founder of TheFlyingPinto.com   
This article appeared in HUFFPOST's,  THE BLOG.

Legends About Flying That Aren't True

10 Urban Legends About Flying That Aren't True

Posted: 07/08/2013 2:38 pm, by Caroline Morse

From terrifying tales about airplane bathrooms to mid-flight door-opening fears, there are a lot of myths about air travel flying around out there. Here are 10 urban legends that just aren't true.

Airlines Dump Waste In-Flight

Apparently, so many people believe that airlines jettison sewage in-flight that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had to release a fact sheet titled "It Came from the Sky: Human Waste, Blue Ice, and Aviation" to dispute the myths. The sheet dispels the legend of "blue ice" (or frozen airplane toilet water, which sometimes has a blue chemical added to it), explaining that aircraft waste is stored in a holding tank until landing, that it is not possible for airplane crew to dump waste in-flight (due to the mechanics of the system), and that the most likely explanation for being hit by something blue and disgusting from the sky is that "bird migration also occurs during a time when fruit trees are ripening. As the fruit goes through a bird's digestive system it loses none of its color, which means if it was blue going in, it will be blue coming out."

Personal Electronics Make Planes Crash

If you don't turn off your cell phone before takeoff, are you dooming yourself to a fiery crash? Probably not, or we highly doubt that electronics would be allowed on planes at all. Truth is, there's no real evidence that electronics pose a safety hazard during flight--pilots are even allowed to bring iPads into the cockpit. In fact, earlier this year, the FAA revealed that it's rethinking the ban on device use. So, soon you may not have to stop reading your Kindle during takeoff and landing after all.

Recirculated Air Makes You Sick

Do you get sick every time you fly? It's not the recirculated air that's making you ill. The air inside the cabin is pressurized fresh air that has been filtered to remove more than 99 percent of bacteria and viruses. The more likely culprit for that virus you caught on vacation is something you touched onboard the plane--tray tables, blankets, and bathrooms are germ hotbeds.

Airplane Food Tastes Bad

No one fondly reminisces about all the great airplane meals they've eaten on their travels. But is the food itself really to blame? According to a study conducted by University of Manchester researchers, it could be the loud noise from the plane's engines that makes flyers think their in-flight meals taste bad. The study found that background noise (which is constant on airplanes) can distract eaters and change their perceptions of how the food tastes.

You Can Open the Aircraft Doors In-Flight

News stories abound of disgruntled passengers attempting to pry open airplane doors during flight. No need to worry--it is physically impossible for a person to pry open an airplane door when the cabin is pressurized, because the difference in air pressure is too great.

Brace-Position Conspiracies

Google "brace position" and you'll be treated to pages of results from people who believe that, in the event of a crash, it is not safer to sit in the brace position than sit normally -- and, in fact, that it's encouraged only to preserve passengers' teeth (thereby making body identification easier). Another theory is that the position is designed to break flyers' necks and kill them quickly, because it is cheaper for an airline to pay for a wrongful death settlement than injury compensation. That's just simply not true. Studies of airline crashes have shown that the brace position, when done correctly, saves lives. By placing your head on the seat in front of you, you will significantly reduce the risk of head trauma in a crash.

Autopilot (Not Pilots) Fly Planes These Days

Technology is so advanced that the pilot can just press a button and cruise on autopilot for the entire flight, right? Not quite. Autopilot is rarely used during takeoff and landing. It's primarily used when the plane is cruising. Even then, the pilot keeps a close eye on it and makes adjustments as needed.

You Can Get Stuck to the Airplane Toilet

It's a myth that sounds so plausible even the BBC believed it: In 2002, the news agency ran a reportabout a woman who got stuck to an airplane toilet after she flushed while remaining seated. The story claimed that the flush had created a vacuum seal that trapped the passenger to the toilet and that the woman had to be freed by airport technicians after landing.

The BBC had to run a retraction after the story was proven to be just an urban legend. In fact, it's not possible for anyone to get stuck to an airplane toilet seat--the person sitting would have to create an airtight seal around the toilet (not likely), and even if that did happen, as soon as the toilet stopped flushing, the seal would be broken.

You Get Drunk More Quickly on a Plane

We'd like to think that pricey in-flight drinks give you more bang for your buck by getting you more intoxicated, but it's not true. Studies have shown that drinkers' blood-alcohol levels aren't higher in the air than on the ground. However, both alcohol and air travel can dehydrate you, so your hangover may be worse after a few drinks in the sky than a few at the bar.

The Oxygen in Masks Gets You High

If you prefer to get your scientific facts from Hollywood, you may believe that the oxygen in airplane masks is there to get flyers high. As Tyler Durden said in Fight Club, "You know why they put oxygen masks on planes? Oxygen gets you high. In a catastrophic emergency, you're taking giant panicked breaths. Suddenly you become euphoric, docile. You accept your fate." Of course, the truth is that oxygen masks are there so that you can breathe in the event that the cabin pressure is lost. Oxygen won't get you high--no matter what "oxygen bars" or movies try to tell you.

--By Caroline Morse a HuffPost Contributor

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/