Japanese for, "I don't understand." What I don't understand is why no one from Japan has come onto this web site. I have an affinity for Japan that would make visitor exclusion a disappointing situation. Though we are most definitely a "small band of brother's," our list of visitors from different countries isn't unimpressive:
Australia--Belarus--Brazil--Canada--China--Columbia--Finland--France--Germany--Georgia--India--Indonesia--Ireland--Israel--Kazakhstan--Kenya--Malaysia--Mexico--Netherlands--Pakistan--Philippines--Poland--Romania--Russia--Singapore--South Africa--South Korea--Sweden--Switzerland--Suriname--Tanzania--Thailand--Turkey--Ukraine--United Kingdom--United States--Venezuela.
While there are obvious shortfalls in Africa, the Middle East, and South America, not to have Japan come aboard would be inexplicable. To that end, I will blatantly court Japan with my next few posts. (I noticed to secure Australia, it was helpful to write about the lexicon and peculiarities of that country) It is just something I feel compelled to do. Wakarimasu ka?
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
Yield
Dr. Phil has a saying; "you can be happy or you can be right." This is usually in the context of couple relationships and highlights the importance we (collectively) place on being right. For most of us, being right has cost us either 1) a marriage 2) a relationship or 3) a friendship. What is it about us that we will sacrifice so much on the altar of the god "ImRight?"
Which brings us to the title of today's post; yield. What an amazing word! It contains the paradox of wildly divergent meanings. Besides the way I am intending it used, (to yield the "right of way") it also means a financial "return on investment" or an orchard yielding a "good crop." But it doesn't stop there. Yield can also mean to "give up under pressure or compulsion, surrender." The context depends entirely on how and where the word is used.
One aspect of the human condition is the view that we have the right of self-determination. Though history teaches us that oppressive regimes can, and have, subverted that right through intimidation, violence, and murder, that doesn't alter the fact that humans feel they should be able to make their own choices. If you find yourself agreeing that this is true, bring it down to the personal level. Why would you ever want to eliminate that option from someone you care about?
When you find yourself opposed by some one's insistence on doing it their way, allow for it. Yield! It is their inherent "right" to go their own "way." (path) It does not mean that they are right and you are wrong. All it means is that you understand a basic human need; the right of self-determination. Most assuredly, voice your concerns. Just don't impose your point of view. Here it is vital to make the distinction that yielding isn't in the context of surrender or capitulation. It is an awareness that your truth is yours--and theirs is theirs. (see the second to last sentence of the third paragraph in the God section)
By far the greatest teacher is experience. We learn (most often) the "hard way." Trial and error. What works, what doesn't. Is this not so? Why then, would you deprive anyone else of this knowledge? By yielding, I believe you can realize a return on investment quite unlike any previously experienced. (be it marriage, relationships, or friendships) I believe you can be both happy and right. It is simply a matter of yielding the right of way.
Which brings us to the title of today's post; yield. What an amazing word! It contains the paradox of wildly divergent meanings. Besides the way I am intending it used, (to yield the "right of way") it also means a financial "return on investment" or an orchard yielding a "good crop." But it doesn't stop there. Yield can also mean to "give up under pressure or compulsion, surrender." The context depends entirely on how and where the word is used.
One aspect of the human condition is the view that we have the right of self-determination. Though history teaches us that oppressive regimes can, and have, subverted that right through intimidation, violence, and murder, that doesn't alter the fact that humans feel they should be able to make their own choices. If you find yourself agreeing that this is true, bring it down to the personal level. Why would you ever want to eliminate that option from someone you care about?
When you find yourself opposed by some one's insistence on doing it their way, allow for it. Yield! It is their inherent "right" to go their own "way." (path) It does not mean that they are right and you are wrong. All it means is that you understand a basic human need; the right of self-determination. Most assuredly, voice your concerns. Just don't impose your point of view. Here it is vital to make the distinction that yielding isn't in the context of surrender or capitulation. It is an awareness that your truth is yours--and theirs is theirs. (see the second to last sentence of the third paragraph in the God section)
By far the greatest teacher is experience. We learn (most often) the "hard way." Trial and error. What works, what doesn't. Is this not so? Why then, would you deprive anyone else of this knowledge? By yielding, I believe you can realize a return on investment quite unlike any previously experienced. (be it marriage, relationships, or friendships) I believe you can be both happy and right. It is simply a matter of yielding the right of way.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Distinction
I bring you once again to the cutting edge of science; meet Kelly McGonigal. She received her PhD in Psychology from Stanford University. Feel free to watch the entire video--but if you only have seconds watch from the 3:10 to the 3:20 mark. She says; "when you change your mind about stress you can change your body's response to stress."
http://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend.html
The rest of the talk she references studies and health science to support her claims. Bottom line: if you can view stress as being HELPFUL, your body will respond in kind and promote a sense of wellbeing, even as it experiences stress. (see; ocytocin)
If something is helpful, isn't it a gift? (full of help, helpful; beneficial, advantageous, fortunate, favorable, supportive, cooperative, constructive) To understand the distinction between possible outcomes from EXACTLY the same stimulus is the beginning of wisdom. It is the ability to "create possibilities" within a construct where your mind is already made up. "I'm stressed out! I can't handle it! Leave me alone." Ever heard those words before? Ever spoke them?
Honor your initial reactions. If you are stressed out, you're stressed out. That's fine. What you then do with those feelings though, is paramount. If your mind locks in on the debilitating aspects of stress, you will experience a manifestation (in some form) of that thought process. If you can recalibrate your immediate reaction to include the idea that stress is a gift, (however incomprehensible) you then create an entirely new dynamic of how you respond and react to the stress. Not only does your body respond differently, (as Kelly attests) so does your mind and spirit. And that is what this web site is all about. G-G-G works if you put it to work. The results you experience reveal your path. Your path is your purpose of being. Your being is an expression of God. What could be simpler?
http://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend.html
The rest of the talk she references studies and health science to support her claims. Bottom line: if you can view stress as being HELPFUL, your body will respond in kind and promote a sense of wellbeing, even as it experiences stress. (see; ocytocin)
If something is helpful, isn't it a gift? (full of help, helpful; beneficial, advantageous, fortunate, favorable, supportive, cooperative, constructive) To understand the distinction between possible outcomes from EXACTLY the same stimulus is the beginning of wisdom. It is the ability to "create possibilities" within a construct where your mind is already made up. "I'm stressed out! I can't handle it! Leave me alone." Ever heard those words before? Ever spoke them?
Honor your initial reactions. If you are stressed out, you're stressed out. That's fine. What you then do with those feelings though, is paramount. If your mind locks in on the debilitating aspects of stress, you will experience a manifestation (in some form) of that thought process. If you can recalibrate your immediate reaction to include the idea that stress is a gift, (however incomprehensible) you then create an entirely new dynamic of how you respond and react to the stress. Not only does your body respond differently, (as Kelly attests) so does your mind and spirit. And that is what this web site is all about. G-G-G works if you put it to work. The results you experience reveal your path. Your path is your purpose of being. Your being is an expression of God. What could be simpler?
Monday, February 3, 2014
Personal Note
To honor and celebrate the opportunity and possibilities...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEsO24naqQI
...regardless of the outcome. Thank you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEsO24naqQI
...regardless of the outcome. Thank you.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Value Added
As I have shared with you, how you interpret an event dictates how you receive it. The emotional charge (positive-negative) experienced is, to a large extent, wholly dependent on the value you assign that occurrence. With that in mind, watch the following video...
http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_bloom_the_origins_of_pleasure.html
If you can perceive a situation as a "gift," what does it then become? No matter the initial response to the stimuli, try to create space (room) for another interpretation. That contrary to your immediate reaction that this is "bad," Life is actually bringing you a blessing. The dynamic that you create is self-fulfilling. It is how we are "wired." (neuroscience and the physiology of your brain--see link)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9XfCCT3ki0
If this is so, (and it is) what is preventing you from initiating G-G-G as a practice? If you resist initiating this practice in your life, ask yourself why? The answer you come up with will provide an invaluable insight on why you nurture your unhappiness.
http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_bloom_the_origins_of_pleasure.html
If you can perceive a situation as a "gift," what does it then become? No matter the initial response to the stimuli, try to create space (room) for another interpretation. That contrary to your immediate reaction that this is "bad," Life is actually bringing you a blessing. The dynamic that you create is self-fulfilling. It is how we are "wired." (neuroscience and the physiology of your brain--see link)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9XfCCT3ki0
If this is so, (and it is) what is preventing you from initiating G-G-G as a practice? If you resist initiating this practice in your life, ask yourself why? The answer you come up with will provide an invaluable insight on why you nurture your unhappiness.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
You Tell on Yourself
You tell on yourself by the friends you seek
By the very manner in which you speak
By the way you employ your leisure time
By the use you make of dollar and dime
You tell what you are by the things you wear
By the spirit in which your burdens bear
By the kind of things at which you laugh
By the records you play on your phonograph
You tell what you are by the way you walk
By the things of which you delight to talk
By the manner in which you bear defeat
By so simple a thing as how you eat
By the books you choose from a well-filled shelf
In these ways and more you tell on yourself
So there's really no particular sense
In an effort to keep up false pretense
~Author Unknown
You tell on yourself by the friends you seek
By the very manner in which you speak
By the way you employ your leisure time
By the use you make of dollar and dime
You tell what you are by the things you wear
By the spirit in which your burdens bear
By the kind of things at which you laugh
By the records you play on your phonograph
You tell what you are by the way you walk
By the things of which you delight to talk
By the manner in which you bear defeat
By so simple a thing as how you eat
By the books you choose from a well-filled shelf
In these ways and more you tell on yourself
So there's really no particular sense
In an effort to keep up false pretense
~Author Unknown
Monday, January 27, 2014
Heat Treatment
I spent over a decade in the aerospace industry. We supplied solid (and later, blind) rivets to Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Lockheed, and other aircraft manufacturers. While working with metals like monel and titanium, the vast majority of rivets we produced were made of aluminum alloy's. After cold heading a rivet, they were subject to a production process known as "heat treat." What we were doing was "annealing" the metal. This heat treatment would change the metals properties to increase its ductility. Ductility is the measure of strain a metal can withstand before rupturing. A metal with low ductility is said to be "brittle." According to my New World Dictionary, brittle is defined as; 1) easily broken or shattered because it is hard and not flexible. 2) having a sharp, hard quality 3) stiff and unbending in manner.
My question to you is this: how do you react when the "heat is on?" Heat comes from fire, fire from friction, friction from rubbing two objects against one another. In our particular case, I am speaking of the friction created by disagreement or conflict because of differences of opinion. How do you handle the "heat" in your personal relationships? Have you become the very definition of brittle?
People avoid conflict. They are reluctant to engage because often, in the "heat of battle," things are said or done that cause irreparable damage or heartbreak. I totally understand. What might not be clear to you is in the annealing process the metal is allowed to return to room temperature naturally. This cooling off period is part of the process that refines the structure of the metal while increasing its rate of diffusion. In other words, after heating up and cooling down, the metal becomes more ductile.
My challenge to you is this: when things heat up, create the image that you are being "heat treated." That Life has brought you an opportunity to go through a process that can change long held beliefs. That the situation can be exactly what you need to become more expansive, inclusive, understanding. That a situation is defined solely by your perception of it, and employing your imagination can alter the construct by which the dynamic is interpreted. Rather than having your feet "held to the fire," you can cherish the chance to enjoy a natural by-product of the heat treating process; internal stress reduction. Ductility is defined by what can be stretched, drawn, or hammered without breaking. My wish for you is that you develop the ability to bend, not break. And I just may "bring the heat" to see that it happens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIVdP8otRr0
My question to you is this: how do you react when the "heat is on?" Heat comes from fire, fire from friction, friction from rubbing two objects against one another. In our particular case, I am speaking of the friction created by disagreement or conflict because of differences of opinion. How do you handle the "heat" in your personal relationships? Have you become the very definition of brittle?
People avoid conflict. They are reluctant to engage because often, in the "heat of battle," things are said or done that cause irreparable damage or heartbreak. I totally understand. What might not be clear to you is in the annealing process the metal is allowed to return to room temperature naturally. This cooling off period is part of the process that refines the structure of the metal while increasing its rate of diffusion. In other words, after heating up and cooling down, the metal becomes more ductile.
My challenge to you is this: when things heat up, create the image that you are being "heat treated." That Life has brought you an opportunity to go through a process that can change long held beliefs. That the situation can be exactly what you need to become more expansive, inclusive, understanding. That a situation is defined solely by your perception of it, and employing your imagination can alter the construct by which the dynamic is interpreted. Rather than having your feet "held to the fire," you can cherish the chance to enjoy a natural by-product of the heat treating process; internal stress reduction. Ductility is defined by what can be stretched, drawn, or hammered without breaking. My wish for you is that you develop the ability to bend, not break. And I just may "bring the heat" to see that it happens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIVdP8otRr0
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