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Dr. Dan's "That's How I See It!" Newsletter Vol #119


 Dr. Dan Rosin is the author of the soon to be released book, “Communication & Relationships”. The date of the launch is February 27 at 7 PM. If you can’t be at the launch, please purchase the book during “Launch Week" of February 24-March 6 at McNally Robinson, Grant Park location, or online at


What's on Tap!

 Why did I write “Communication & Relationships"?; Understanding Engineers-7 Insights; Resiliency; Study on High-Sugar Drinks; The Importance of Sleep to Weight Maintenance; Are there any limits on gifting money to adult children?; Onion Tears; Depressed Lawyers.

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 Why did I write “Communication & Relationships"?

 I certainly have told the story often enough of how the concepts for this book came about. There was a period of time in my life when it seemed that every therapy session was an opportunity for a new story or learning insight. I just wrote a brief outline on a piece of paper and threw it in my briefcase thinking maybe someday I’ll do something with these “aha!” moments. That someday came when the briefcase got so fat and I had to decide to either throw out these slips of paper, or write a book.

 Another reason I wrote the book is because I would like to introduce a more positive picture of therapy; one that is more creative, more fun, and less intimidating.

 It is also my hope the reader will recognize many of the concepts as things that occur in their own lives; that they will learn better ways of dealing with their own issues, see more possibilities for personal change and be more accepting of people and situations who see the world differently than they do.

 I would like people to stop creating so much unhappiness because they try to change others to make them think and act like they do. They don’t seem to understand that you can’t change another person. People only change when they feel safe/supported. However, some individuals do change themselves when they are confronted with a significant loss— loss of a relationship, a job, status, something that is extremely important to that person— but it is the individual who deems it important enough for them to change; we can’t make them change.

 I wrote the book in a style that is very easy to read, 1-3 page concepts/stories that both men and women find inviting (no long chapters to wade through).

 I wanted to challenge the reader to think beyond what I wrote. So one way to read the book is have both partners read the same concept and discuss it. This is a powerful way to read this book and I recommend it most highly, but it can also be read like any book.

 My cousin is an engineer, and a darn good one. I wonder what his response would be to these 7 examples of “the mind of an engineer”?

Kenn, if you’re out there …we’re waiting!

 Understanding Engineers #1 

The first engineer nodded approvingly and said, 


 There seems to be a lot in the print media these days about Emotional Resiliency, which is the ability to adapt easily, and to be flexible in stressful situations or crises. It seems that resilient people adapt to stress and life’s changes with less difficulty than those with a more rigid approach to life. Resilient people go through life without being too bothered by life’s little stressors or by catastrophic events that invite many to be overwhelmed. Resiliency is something you are born with, but it is also something you can develop. To see some of the “Characteristics of Resilient People” search: About. Com.: Stress Management, Elizabeth Scott

 Understanding Engineers #2 

To the optimist, the glass is half-full.

To the pessimist, the glass is half-empty.


 Study on High-Sugar Drinks—Alarming!

 Canadians— especially young people— are consuming excessive amounts of sugary drinks; a trend that could have future consequences for their health and the overall health-care system, new research suggests.

 The University of Waterloo study projects that sugary drink consumption will result in more than 63,000 deaths over the next 25 years, and will cost the health-care system more than $50 billion.

 “Health and economic burden from sugary drinks in Canada is alarming,” study co-author Dr. David M. Hammond said. “Cutting back on sugary drinks is one of the best ways to reduce excess calorie intake and to maintain a healthy body weight.”

 Although non-diet soft drink sales have fallen over the last 12 years, that dip has been offset by increased consumption of energy drinks, flavoured waters, sweet coffees and flavoured dairy products, the data shows.

 Over the next 25 years, the researchers predict sugary drink consumption will be responsible for obesity in more than 3 million Canadians, almost 1,000,000 cases of type II diabetes, ischemic heart disease in 300,000 people and 100,000 cases of cancer.

 Sugary drinks are the single largest contributor of sugar in the average Canadian diet. Excess sugar intake is directly linked to excess weight, which increases the risk of at least 11 different cancers. Eating a healthy diet with lots of vegetables, fruit, and fibre, but little fat and sugar, helps maintain a healthy body weight and reduces the risk of cancer.                                                                       The Canadian Press  

 Understanding Engineers #3 



 The Importance of Sleep to Weight Maintenance

 Over 13 million Canadian are overweight or obese, but for those trying to shed pounds, giving up on a full night’s sleep for a 5 a.m. gym session might do more harm than good. Lack of sleep actually increases appetite and drives people to binge on unhealthy “comfort foods,” according to Dr. Charles Samuels, medical director of the Calgary-based Centre for Sleep and Human Performance.

 It appears that those who said they got less than four or five hours of sleep a night reported the most negative health symptoms, and those who slept over 10 hours didn’t fare very well either. Lack of sleep boosts appetite, Samuels says, releasing hormones that signal hunger into the system. “The body assumes we’re under stress, and we go into survival mode”, and this drives us to eat more calorie-dense foods. As for getting too much sleep, the effects are less clear, but studies have associated this with higher mortality rates. Sleeping too long could be a sign of another underlying health problem, like depression.

 “If the goal is weight loss, the number one issue-and this is very clear-is that you’ve got to get the sleep you need,” Samuels says.

                                                                                                    Kate Lunau

 Understanding Engineers #4 

What is the difference between mechanical engineers and civil engineers?

Mechanical engineers build weapons. Civil engineers build targets. 

 Are there any limits on gifting money to adult children? (Canada)

 There are no restrictions whatsoever on the amount of cash you can give your adult kids while you're alive. And there are no tax implications because we don't have a gift tax in Canada, unlike the U.S. Therefore, I think it's one of the biggest misconceptions that somehow there would be some tax to pay, (provided securities are not involved in the gift-giving process).

 That being said, if you give money to your kids who are minors, any income or dividends [earned on the capital] are attributed back to you [and taxed in your hands]. Capital gains, however, do not attribute. That's an exception to the general rule.

 Once the children are over the age of 18, you can make a gift to them and they can earn any income they want [and pay tax at their rate], and there's no attribution back to you at that point.

 Understanding Engineers #5


 Onion Tears

 Benjamin Franklin noted, “Onions can make even heirs and widows weep.”

 “Onion tears” are caused by sulphur-containing compounds in vegetables that are liberated on cutting. These chemicals dissolve in the watery film over the eyes, creating a dilute solution of sulphuric acid that is irritating and tear-producing.

 Ancient Egyptians considered onions symbolic of eternity and buried them alongside their pharaohs. To them, eternal life was represented in the anatomy of the onion, with its concentric circles within a circle. Perhaps that is why King Ramses IV, who died in 1160 BC, was embalmed with onions in his eye sockets.

 Carl Sandberg, “Life is like an onion. You peel off one layer at a time, and sometimes you weep.” 

 Understanding Engineers #6



 Depressed lawyers

 A study by Johns Hopkins University found that attorneys are more likely to be depressed than any other professional or blue collar workers.

 The high incidence of depression has something to do with how lawyers are trained. Anticipating everything that can go wrong and preparing for attacks and counterattacks promotes pessimism.

 Others point to the pressure for billable hours, the fierce competition within law firms, and the high stakes for clients and for one’s own professional reputation in many cases.

 Studies find that while only about 3% of students enter law school depressed, about 30% graduate depressed. This may result from the stressful teaching atmosphere or the pressure on students to find jobs that pay well enough to offset their staggering student loans.

 Question: Why do they always bury lawyers 8 feet deep?  Because they are really nice – deep down.

Understanding Engineers #7 

Two engineers were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking at its top. A woman walked by and asked what they were doing. 
"We're supposed to find the height of this flagpole," said one, "but we don't have a ladder." 
The woman took a wrench from her purse, loosened a couple of bolts, and laid the pole down on the ground. Then she took a tape measure from her pocketbook, took a measurement, and announced, "Twenty-one feet, six inches," and walked away. 


 I kinda like these insights into specific occupations. If you have any trapped inside your computer, let them out, and send them to me.   

 Have a great week!