Thrive Boldly: The Art of Asking AI - A Lesson from Einstein and Light

My daughter came home from school the other day with a math problem that stumped her. Her teacher’s advice? “Ask Google AI how to solve a polynomial.” Another teacher, in contrast, had told his students:"You be the 'I' in AI." As if adapting to new tools was somehow giving up the reins of learning (or teaching). The first approach may seem to encourage dependence on AI, while the second urges us to remain in absolute control.

It struck me that both approaches are missing something. AI isn’t something we have to surrender to, or reject. It’s a mirror. And like the mind itself, it responds to how it's approached.

Einstein famously said of light (paraphrasing the wave-particle duality of light): “It behaves like a particle when you ask it a particle question, and it behaves like a wave when you ask it a wave question.” That’s the quantum paradox. And now, we live in its metaphor.

Ask AI a cold, computational question, and it responds like a calculator -  logic and code. Pose a human’s question - something poetic, personal, or existential - and you’ll get curiosity, emotion, metaphor. AI shows up as a calculator, confidant, or co-creator depending on how it’s approached.

And like light, AI couldn’t care less if you’re impressed with it or not. It doesn’t crave validation or applause. It just is—neutral, consistent, and there in the ready - equal opportunity. Like a piano doesn’t care whether you play a Chopin nocturne or bang out “Chopsticks.” It responds to your input. It’s not the genius. You are.

The art, the insight, the soul - that’s the human. The tool is only as powerful as the hands (and mind) guiding it. Whether you use AI to create, explore, problem-solve, or express, it doesn’t define your worth or your voice. It just extends it.

What you ask defines what you receive - go deep and you may be surprised at the wisdom it reflects back. Inquiry is alchemy.

Through the Three Brain lens, this becomes a powerful invitation:

• Head Brain (Logic): Use AI to explain, compute, analyze. Ask it to break down equations, summarize studies, or plan an efficient schedule. It thrives in clarity and structure.

• Heart Brain (Emotion): Use AI to write love letters, deepen self-reflection, explore empathy or grief, and even reframe conflict. When you bring emotional intelligence to the table, it doesn’t feel robotic, it feels seen.

• Gut Brain (Intuition): Ask AI to help you trust your instincts, naming values, reframing fear, or brainstorming creative directions. Ask about courage, alignment, or a bold next step. The answers may surprise you not because they’re right, but because they resonate.

AI isn’t a replacement for intelligence.

It’s an amplifier of inquiry. The more whole and curious your question, the more layered and meaningful the response. Give it a bit of your personality and it will match you in kind. Ask it to “tell It to me straight, no holds barred” and it won’t hold back.

So maybe the new wisdom for the next generation isn’t “you be the I in AI.” It’s “learn how to ask from all your intelligence - head, heart, and gut.” Because how you ask is how you lead - and who you are.

Einstein's “Light” Lentil Soup (Pun Intended)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped

• 2 celery stalks, chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric (for anti-inflammatory benefits and a subtle warmth)

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)

• 1 bay leaf

• 4 cups vegetable broth (or water, for a lighter version)

• 1/2 cup chopped spinach or kale (optional, for added nutrients)

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to brighten the flavors)

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.

2. Add the minced garlic, turmeric, cumin, black pepper, and salt. Stir for another minute until the spices are fragrant.

3. Add the lentils, bay leaf, and vegetable broth (or water) to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 25-30 minutes, until the lentils are tender.

4. Stir in the spinach or kale (if using) and let it wilt into the soup for another 2-3 minutes.

5. Finish with lemon juice and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed.

6. Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.

This light lentil soup is deeply nourishing and easy to digest, full of protein, and rich in antioxidants. It embodies the simplicity Einstein appreciated, yet it provides the kind of fuel that sustains both the brain and body.

Drink Pairing: “Light” Lemon Ginger Green Tea

A light, cleansing, and invigorating beverage that enhances focus and digestion—perfect alongside Einstein's nourishing lentil soup.

Ingredients:

• 1 green tea bag (or 1 teaspoon loose leaf green tea)

• 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced thinly

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for a touch of sweetness)

• Hot water

Instructions:

1. Boil water and pour over the green tea bag or loose leaf tea in a cup. Let it steep for about 3 minutes.

2. Add the sliced ginger and let it steep in the hot tea for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse.

3. Remove the tea bag (if using) and add lemon juice and honey (if desired).

4. Stir and enjoy the warmth and lightness of this soothing, brain-boosting drink.

Mantra: “My questions shape my reality.”

Music pairing:

“Intro” by The xx 

In this new age of inquiry, how we ask is just as important as what we ask. AI is not a fixed entity. It's an interaction. A dance. And as Einstein once said, “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”

Get your disco ball out - light the room and dance on.