-Chinese proverb
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
daily quote
When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
"they"
So, I was listening to the radio while I was driving yesterday and heard an interesting story. A man formerly known as Andrew Wilson, of Ohio, has officially changed his name to "They" after 'they' who are often referred to in speculative comments. 'They' is often said to add credibility to a statement by alluding that 'they' are an authority on the subject. Interesting.
Another interesting phenomenon in language is using 'you' or 'people', when we are actually referring to ourselves. Such as, "you know, when people get upset when they are driving they always...." I'm curious, because no, I don't know, and who really are these people being discussed? It's you, the speaker, but by placing the responsibility of feelings and words on a general nobody, it frees the speaker to be somewhat protected or masked by the anonymity of their language. There is an interesting shift when one takes responsibility for their words and feelings simply by exchanging the words 'you', 'people' and 'they' with 'I'. Try it. It changes the everything.
Being truly authentic requires us to be somewhat vulnerable to criticism, but also compassion, and that is through open, honest communication. Owning our words is an important step, because we can really only speak for ourselves. We can really only speak to what we know and feel, and what we know and feel is valid and valuable, so why not say 'I'?
Using words like 'they' and 'you' are dis empowering because they remove ownership and accountability of our words and feelings. Why not own up to the fact that we have certain beliefs or are unsure of origins of information, or that it may feel true regardless where it came from? I invite you to own your words and say "I" instead of giving all the credit to "They" (formerly known as Andrew Wilson), I mean who is this guy anyways?
Another interesting phenomenon in language is using 'you' or 'people', when we are actually referring to ourselves. Such as, "you know, when people get upset when they are driving they always...." I'm curious, because no, I don't know, and who really are these people being discussed? It's you, the speaker, but by placing the responsibility of feelings and words on a general nobody, it frees the speaker to be somewhat protected or masked by the anonymity of their language. There is an interesting shift when one takes responsibility for their words and feelings simply by exchanging the words 'you', 'people' and 'they' with 'I'. Try it. It changes the everything.
Being truly authentic requires us to be somewhat vulnerable to criticism, but also compassion, and that is through open, honest communication. Owning our words is an important step, because we can really only speak for ourselves. We can really only speak to what we know and feel, and what we know and feel is valid and valuable, so why not say 'I'?
Using words like 'they' and 'you' are dis empowering because they remove ownership and accountability of our words and feelings. Why not own up to the fact that we have certain beliefs or are unsure of origins of information, or that it may feel true regardless where it came from? I invite you to own your words and say "I" instead of giving all the credit to "They" (formerly known as Andrew Wilson), I mean who is this guy anyways?
Monday, March 17, 2008
daily quote
Sunday, March 16, 2008
knowledge
I was walking and talking with a lovely friend of mine after yoga class, and she turned to me and thanked me. She said that she always felt that she learned so much from me when we were together. I smiled and said, what is knowledge worth if it isn't shared?
We all have interests and expertise in different areas of our lives, and we enrich the lives of those around us by sharing what we have learned. We may never know what use our knowledge may bring, but perhaps it may offer insights, tools or more information to make a more informed decision for the recipient.
I was fortunate enough to go to a huge car show yesterday with a "car guy." What a blessing it was for me, a person with limited knowledge of cars, to accompany someone with intimate knowledge of amazing high performance vehicles. I probably couldn't repeat any of the marvels of the vehicles I saw (and sat in!), but I definitely left with a sense of deep appreciation for the technology and engineering that went into making these cars so fantastic. I was fascinated by the passion my friend held for these cars, as he explained how they "burbled and tingled." Coupled with his expansive knowledge, it added so much value and fun to the experience.
I invite you to share your passions and interests with those around you. It reignites our own fires, and lights those around us. Our interests are what make us unique, and sharing them, make them our gifts.
We all have interests and expertise in different areas of our lives, and we enrich the lives of those around us by sharing what we have learned. We may never know what use our knowledge may bring, but perhaps it may offer insights, tools or more information to make a more informed decision for the recipient.
I was fortunate enough to go to a huge car show yesterday with a "car guy." What a blessing it was for me, a person with limited knowledge of cars, to accompany someone with intimate knowledge of amazing high performance vehicles. I probably couldn't repeat any of the marvels of the vehicles I saw (and sat in!), but I definitely left with a sense of deep appreciation for the technology and engineering that went into making these cars so fantastic. I was fascinated by the passion my friend held for these cars, as he explained how they "burbled and tingled." Coupled with his expansive knowledge, it added so much value and fun to the experience.
I invite you to share your passions and interests with those around you. It reignites our own fires, and lights those around us. Our interests are what make us unique, and sharing them, make them our gifts.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
daily quote
Highly developed spirits often encounter resistance from mediocre minds.
- Alber Einstien
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
gift
Yesterday, I had a deeply moving experience. I went to my yoga practice, and really didn't feel like going, at all. I went anyways, because yoga is like apples, we don't always feel like eating them but they are good for us, and we never regret it afterwards. My practice began with a lot of yucky feelings, yet they soon dissipated as I got more involved in my practice.
After class, there was a young woman in the change room, who lately has developed a regular yoga practice. I was sure I had seen her on the street the other day, so I asked her if she lived in the area. She said she did, and it turned out that we lived only a few blocks from each other. I introduced myself and reached out to shake her hand, and she gave me a gift I will be riding on for at least a week! As she introduced herself, she informed me that I was her inspiration, that she admired the way I practice and my diligence of going daily, and that's why she is coming everyday now. I was flabbergasted. How could I have inspired anyone, just by doing something I love?
Isn't that the way inspiration works though? We are inspired by other people when they are passionate and doing what they love. That passion then becomes contagious, and people naturally want what an inspired person has. It's a beautiful thing to see and be a part of.
I felt so moved by this young woman for many reasons, but perhaps the biggest gift for me was that when we do something that we love, we have an obligation to do it, and do it well. We are ripping off the world by not sharing our gifts. Whether its doing a job well, or even as simple as a yoga practice. We never truly know how we impact the people around us, thus, we have a responsibility to do the best of our abilities everyday, and do it with as much grace and beauty as we can.
She may have felt that my inspiration was a gift to her, but because she took the time to share it with me, the gift was mine.
After class, there was a young woman in the change room, who lately has developed a regular yoga practice. I was sure I had seen her on the street the other day, so I asked her if she lived in the area. She said she did, and it turned out that we lived only a few blocks from each other. I introduced myself and reached out to shake her hand, and she gave me a gift I will be riding on for at least a week! As she introduced herself, she informed me that I was her inspiration, that she admired the way I practice and my diligence of going daily, and that's why she is coming everyday now. I was flabbergasted. How could I have inspired anyone, just by doing something I love?
Isn't that the way inspiration works though? We are inspired by other people when they are passionate and doing what they love. That passion then becomes contagious, and people naturally want what an inspired person has. It's a beautiful thing to see and be a part of.
I felt so moved by this young woman for many reasons, but perhaps the biggest gift for me was that when we do something that we love, we have an obligation to do it, and do it well. We are ripping off the world by not sharing our gifts. Whether its doing a job well, or even as simple as a yoga practice. We never truly know how we impact the people around us, thus, we have a responsibility to do the best of our abilities everyday, and do it with as much grace and beauty as we can.
She may have felt that my inspiration was a gift to her, but because she took the time to share it with me, the gift was mine.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
joke to ponder
Now, I've never been a fantastic at telling jokes, but this one has a message that served me today, and it might for you too...
There was a man who lost his job, so he prayed "Please God, please help me I've lost my job and I can't support my family."
No answer.
He was then about to lose his car, and he prayed again "Please God, please help me, I'm about to lose my car and I can't support my family."
Still no answer.
The man was now going to lose his house. Once again he prayed, "Please God, I'm getting really desperate, please help me."
Still no answer.
He was almost now on the street, and he was angry. "Why God? Why have you not answered my prayers, where have you been when I needed you?"
God responded "Will you just buy a lottery ticket already so I can help you?"
Really, how often do we NEED something to happen for us, yet we don't make the opportunity happen for us. Maybe we want another job, or looking for a relationship. People create their own luck, put yourself out there. You want a new job, tell everyone you know, apply for your dream job, create your dream job, it won't just fall into your lap until you seek it out.
The same goes for a relationship, is your future partner going to find you sitting on your couch watching Grey's with your girlfriends eating a tub of ice cream? Not likely. Put yourself out there. Join networking groups, take up a sport, yoga, go out with friends, talk to everyone that you know or don't know.
I like the idea of making it a game. How many resumes can you send out each day? Follow up with each day? How many networking groups can you attend, and how many people can you talk to at each one? Challenge yourself.
Finding a mate. How many new places can you go to? How many new people can you talk to? What kinds of activities have you always wanted to do, soccer, softball, basketball, but haven't? Join a co-ed league, meet-up groups, there are tons of people out there just like you. Where would you want to be found?
There are so many opportunities out there that the universe has created for us, however, opportunities are rendered useless if we don't act on them. Buy the lottery ticket.
There was a man who lost his job, so he prayed "Please God, please help me I've lost my job and I can't support my family."
No answer.
He was then about to lose his car, and he prayed again "Please God, please help me, I'm about to lose my car and I can't support my family."
Still no answer.
The man was now going to lose his house. Once again he prayed, "Please God, I'm getting really desperate, please help me."
Still no answer.
He was almost now on the street, and he was angry. "Why God? Why have you not answered my prayers, where have you been when I needed you?"
God responded "Will you just buy a lottery ticket already so I can help you?"
Really, how often do we NEED something to happen for us, yet we don't make the opportunity happen for us. Maybe we want another job, or looking for a relationship. People create their own luck, put yourself out there. You want a new job, tell everyone you know, apply for your dream job, create your dream job, it won't just fall into your lap until you seek it out.
The same goes for a relationship, is your future partner going to find you sitting on your couch watching Grey's with your girlfriends eating a tub of ice cream? Not likely. Put yourself out there. Join networking groups, take up a sport, yoga, go out with friends, talk to everyone that you know or don't know.
I like the idea of making it a game. How many resumes can you send out each day? Follow up with each day? How many networking groups can you attend, and how many people can you talk to at each one? Challenge yourself.
Finding a mate. How many new places can you go to? How many new people can you talk to? What kinds of activities have you always wanted to do, soccer, softball, basketball, but haven't? Join a co-ed league, meet-up groups, there are tons of people out there just like you. Where would you want to be found?
There are so many opportunities out there that the universe has created for us, however, opportunities are rendered useless if we don't act on them. Buy the lottery ticket.
one of my favorite pieces...
Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann c.1920
daily quote
What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?
-George Eliot
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