I just read about this new book called “Emotional Equations” by Chip Conley, the premise of which is that certain emotional truths can be reduced to simple equations. For instance, Conley suggests that Joy = Love – Fear. It’s a pretty cool concept, one that appeals to both my emotional and logical sides. I ordered the book.

Having done so, I found a link on Facebook to a contest in which the winner is flown to San Francisco to have dinner with Conley. Having come up with an equation years ago that I use with PSCS students to help them not compare themselves to others, I entered. Here’s my equation and entry explanation:

Me/Me = You/You
As the director of an innovative middle & high school I often try to help my students not compare themselves to others but to themselves. For instance, I see a student interested in learning the guitar get disillusioned when he compares himself to a friend who has played for years. As a result, he gives up. But if he saw his ability compared to his ability is the same as his friend’s ability compared to his friend’s ability, he may have the motivation to practice.

Today’s photo comes from a wedding ceremony I performed a few years back. Now a wedding, that’s a pretty good emotional equation, right? Although maybe not in the form Conley uses…

Today’s Question: What’s your emotional equation?