Tonight there is going to
be a full moon that
will look HUGE.
Some will think that is
larger than usual
by its appearance.
If you want some more
info about the actual event,
click here.
It got me thinking about
my favorite subject,
(you guess it!)
perspective.
In one dictionary
perspective is defined as
"view or vista."
I thought it an interesting
definition to focus on in
this context. After all,
it is a literal something
that is being viewed, and
the view - the perspective -
that we will have will be
interestingly skewed.
Someone who knew nothing
about the so-called "reality"
of the moon and its size
could very likely argue
that the moon is larger
than normal tonight. Without
anything to say otherwise,
who would disagree?
That is the way perspective
is sometimes. Sometimes we
view something, and believe
that it is exactly as we
view it to be, because we
have nothing to support a
belief otherwise. Then,
one day, someone, or something
comes along, and gives us
something else to consider,
and we realize that maybe what
we considered "fact" - ie
the moon is larger than normal
sometimes - is actually an
illusion.
Interesting to note, one dictionary
definition of illusion is
"an erroneous mental representation."
I am not usually one to describe
things in a manner of
"right" or "wrong."
However, if I was going to,
it would be in the context of
what "works" or "doesn't work."
(If it doesn't work, then it would
be "wrong.")
Errors tend to, by definition be
"wrong." In this case, I would suggest
that the "erroneous mental representation"
would be that thing that is having
you feel in some way compromised.
The next time you are in the midst
of something that seems wrong,
perhaps consider that the situation
isn't as "large" as it seems to be,
and consider that maybe there are
some other facts, as yet unknown.
Become aware of the "reality" that
you are arguing for.
If you can take the effort to attempt
to realize a different perspective,
it might be worthy thing to do. In the
end you might feel a heckka of a lot
better.
Recently I was speaking with someone
who had been in a relationship. While
it was good, he was so very happy.
Then, one day, quickly and abruptly
it was over.
He didn't understand it. He knew the
few reasons she had given, and despite
my best efforts to give him a different
perspective, he clung to the conclusions
his perspective gave him - among them
that he wasn't good enough, and because
he had given all he had, and wasn't good
enough, he never would be good enough.
I attempted to explain to him that perhaps
his relationship life wasn't over. Maybe
he was 75% of the way there, and that while
he may not have been "good enough" for her
(which I question, but that is another
conversation) it was ONE person in a world
of many. At the time he was uninterested
in hearing what I had to say about it,
because he was focused on a different
perspective, one he seemed unwilling to
give up.
For some who are reading this, I am certain
you will identify. It hurts when a
relationship ends, especially when you
don't understand it, and especially when you
make it all about you, and your faults,
and inadequacies. I would never say to
point the finger at the other person without
considering your role in it, however, the
same applies in reverse. I would never
suggest that you totally point the finger
at yourself.
There are times in our lives that we must
make choices in regard to insufficient
information. He has a choice to make,
as we all do when a moment like this
appears in our life.
The choice we make will take our life in
a direction that is aligned with that choice.
Some would argue, "it's that I am being
real. I don't want to be delusional."
How do you know that you aren't being
delusional by the choice that you are making
that is having you feel miserable?
Even in the face of someone telling
you something about yourself, consider
that it is their perception which is
grounded in their perspective, their
version of reality, and it doesn't have
to be the one you choose for yourself.
Being caught up in others' realities is
something that often happens, and can be
quite difficult to release ourselves from.
However, if their "reality" doesn't work
for you, perhaps consider that in a "night
or two" you will see the same problem
in a different way. Just like when the
moon will seem to move away. And, when
that happens, you will be able to create
something different that works for YOU.
As a living, breathing human being,
perspective is like breaths we breathe...
there is always another one to be had.
And just like we consciously breathe
at times, we can consciously choose
a different perspective.
If only it was as simple as breathing
seemed to be!
Enjoy the moon tonight. It likely will
be beautiful. :-)
PS the definitions of the words,
came from www.dictionary.com.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
Highly Charged Perspective
Once again, an email is behind a post.
I received one recently about Rev. Joe Wright.
Now, before I go a step further, if you haven't
heard about him, let me tell you this topic
touches two things - politics and religion.
When those two things touch, it is always
interesting, wouldn't you say?
I am telling you this because I want you to
know ahead of time what it's about, and also
to let you know that I am not stating where
I stand in relation to the "facts" of the prayer
he gave.
I offer you his prayer, and the ultimate reaction
because I think it is an excellent example of
perspective in action. Everyone who reads what
he spoke of is likely to have a reaction to what
he says, based on where they come from.
For the purposes of this blog, I would say it's
not so much the words that are important, as
much as how he says what he does. Essentially,
he looks at things, and calls them by different
names. One name may seem more positive than
another - and therein lies some of the controversy.
I point to it as a very clear example of how
something could be called one thing by one person,
and another by someone else, and how it is viewed
(as in positive or negative) will depend on the
person's perspective.
I found the whole story at www.Snopes.com
(great site, btw, if you ever want to know if
something is true). You can see it for yourself at http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/wright.asp.
I tend to think that thinking is a good thing,
and that anything that gets us to question
may likely help us to find the answers we need,
better answers than we already have and/or
better questions.
When playing the role of observer, it is much
easier to ACT in relation to life.
When we already think we know something,
in my opinion, I think we become much
more reactive. I don't know about you,
but oftentimes I think that reaction does
us a disservice. We either are unable to
fully take in something wonderful, or
miss something in our reacting moment,
because we were too caught up in ourselves
to notice.
For example, here's an interesting
thought to consider:
how many of the people who reacted to
Rev. Wright's message potentially
missed an opportunity for
perspective that could have
empowered them as lawmakers?
As always, feel free to let me know your
thoughts, and have a GREAT week!
I received one recently about Rev. Joe Wright.
Now, before I go a step further, if you haven't
heard about him, let me tell you this topic
touches two things - politics and religion.
When those two things touch, it is always
interesting, wouldn't you say?
I am telling you this because I want you to
know ahead of time what it's about, and also
to let you know that I am not stating where
I stand in relation to the "facts" of the prayer
he gave.
I offer you his prayer, and the ultimate reaction
because I think it is an excellent example of
perspective in action. Everyone who reads what
he spoke of is likely to have a reaction to what
he says, based on where they come from.
For the purposes of this blog, I would say it's
not so much the words that are important, as
much as how he says what he does. Essentially,
he looks at things, and calls them by different
names. One name may seem more positive than
another - and therein lies some of the controversy.
I point to it as a very clear example of how
something could be called one thing by one person,
and another by someone else, and how it is viewed
(as in positive or negative) will depend on the
person's perspective.
I found the whole story at www.Snopes.com
(great site, btw, if you ever want to know if
something is true). You can see it for yourself at http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/wright.asp.
I tend to think that thinking is a good thing,
and that anything that gets us to question
may likely help us to find the answers we need,
better answers than we already have and/or
better questions.
When playing the role of observer, it is much
easier to ACT in relation to life.
When we already think we know something,
in my opinion, I think we become much
more reactive. I don't know about you,
but oftentimes I think that reaction does
us a disservice. We either are unable to
fully take in something wonderful, or
miss something in our reacting moment,
because we were too caught up in ourselves
to notice.
For example, here's an interesting
thought to consider:
how many of the people who reacted to
Rev. Wright's message potentially
missed an opportunity for
perspective that could have
empowered them as lawmakers?
As always, feel free to let me know your
thoughts, and have a GREAT week!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
In History is Perspective
I received an email with the following content today.
I tried to find out if the details are accurate,
but I am not sure of the specifics without
spending the time investigating each one.
I did find an interesting link, addressing it
as an urban legend that is constantly being
revamped. You can view it, if you like here.
If you don't do it already,
you may want to check
www.snopes.com
when you receive an email
before forwarding it on as "fact."
More than once I have found out
that something I received wasn't
telling the whole truth.
(It is said that there is some truth
in many urban legends).
What I find interesting, in principle, is
to consider how things have changed over the
last decades. It is interesting to see
how perspectives change, and was once "good"
or at the very least "acceptable" has become
something very different years later, or
vice versa. What exactly does that say?
Looking at these types of things with an open
mind (I believe) can help to transform ways of
thinking that might not necessarily be
beneficial and/or helpful to individuals,
or society, as a whole.
It's an interesting conversation
for another day. In the meantime,
I share these tidbits as fodder for thought.
Enjoy the ride.
1908 vs. 2008
***
The average life expectancy was 47 years.
Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles
Of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
The average wage in 1908 was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year,
a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year,
and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .
Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which
Were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard. '
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound, and they were actually 1 LB.
Most women only washed their hair once a month,
and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from
Entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea
hadn't been invented yet.
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, 'Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.'
Eighteen percent of households had at least
one full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE USA!
***
I tried to find out if the details are accurate,
but I am not sure of the specifics without
spending the time investigating each one.
I did find an interesting link, addressing it
as an urban legend that is constantly being
revamped. You can view it, if you like here.
If you don't do it already,
you may want to check
www.snopes.com
when you receive an email
before forwarding it on as "fact."
More than once I have found out
that something I received wasn't
telling the whole truth.
(It is said that there is some truth
in many urban legends).
What I find interesting, in principle, is
to consider how things have changed over the
last decades. It is interesting to see
how perspectives change, and was once "good"
or at the very least "acceptable" has become
something very different years later, or
vice versa. What exactly does that say?
Looking at these types of things with an open
mind (I believe) can help to transform ways of
thinking that might not necessarily be
beneficial and/or helpful to individuals,
or society, as a whole.
It's an interesting conversation
for another day. In the meantime,
I share these tidbits as fodder for thought.
Enjoy the ride.
1908 vs. 2008
***
The average life expectancy was 47 years.
Only 14 percent of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles
Of paved roads.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
The average wage in 1908 was 22 cents per hour.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,
A dentist $2,500 per year,
a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year,
and a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME .
Ninety percent of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION!
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which
Were condemned in the press AND the government as 'substandard. '
Sugar cost four cents a pound.
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.
Coffee was fifteen cents a pound, and they were actually 1 LB.
Most women only washed their hair once a month,
and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from
Entering into their country for any reason.
Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars.
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!!
Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea
hadn't been invented yet.
There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Two out of every 10 adults couldn't read or write.
Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacists said, 'Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.'
Eighteen percent of households had at least
one full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE USA!
***
Sunday, June 1, 2008
What does it mean?
Yesterday I caught part of the movie called The Rookie. It stars Dennis Quaid in the role of a man who was the oldest baseball rookie in "30 years," (so it said in the movie). It is based on a true story. It is a very cool story for many reasons. The one in particular that I am writing to mention is a line in the movie that is said twice, once my the father of Dennis Quaid in the movie, and once by Quaid's character himself.
Interestingly, to me, it seems like the inherent meaning in the words (in the movie context atleast) is one that is designed to limit one's options. Funny thing, though, when I heard it, I heard it quite differently.
I want to quote it directly, however, have been unable to find it on the net, and wasn't able to write it down exactly. So, in order to share it with you, I will do the best version I could get, and later (when I get the movie for myself) I will come back and give the correct version.
The quote is "It's OK to think about what you want to do - until it's time to do what you are meant to do." What I heard with that quote is that you can THINK all you want about things in your life, however, when it is time to step up and BE all that you can be, you'll know it, and you'll stop THINKING about all of the what ifs/coulds/shoulds, and ACT.
To me, it was the epitome of allowing life to flow naturally. To me, it meant that when you are doing what you are meant to do, there is very little (if any) thinking involved. It also felt like "meant" equaled something in the Bigger Picture (perhaps yet unknown).
The movie, several hours later, was followed by Wayne Dyer on PBS, talking about the Power of Intention, and how we can choose to work with Source. He spoke to how it's our free will to choose to work with Source, which knows only positive and good stuff, or not. He spoke of how we tend to get in our own way.
So, then today, I revisited a TED talk with Jill Bolte Taylor. She is a scientist who studies brains, and also had a stroke.
What she speaks of is how she got to experience first hand the roles of the two sides of our brain, and the choice we have as to which part we work from. She provides my favorite word, PERSPECTIVE. It's a beautiful thing. When we are able to see the parts of what drive us, and how and why they do, we are able to interact with them differently than when they are a indiscernible part of our life.
The video is less than 20 minutes, and if you have the time, I think you will find it worth the time to "visit" with her. I have placed a link at the end of this post. She is a great, and even humorous, speaker. In her sharing, I think she actually is a representation of my interpretation of the first quote I mentioned.
She was a brain scientist, thinking about how things worked, until she was given the "gift" of her stroke, until she did what she was "meant" to do. What she has shared is an incredible gift to us all, and without her consciously unintended experience, we wouldn't have received such an amazing perspective of someone so grounded in the body and mind, and yet have a perspective that is so large it goes into the world of things some would call "flaky."
If you are reading this, maybe these pieces will fit into where your thoughts have been recently, or perhaps will begin the chain. Either way, consider that as difficult as change may sometimes seem, it might just be as "simple" as doing something differently, or viewing something in a different light.
Change might be as simple as making a different choice - and doing what you are meant to do could be as simple as making a choice to get out of your own way.
Have a great week!
Jill Bolte Taylor TED Talk
Interestingly, to me, it seems like the inherent meaning in the words (in the movie context atleast) is one that is designed to limit one's options. Funny thing, though, when I heard it, I heard it quite differently.
I want to quote it directly, however, have been unable to find it on the net, and wasn't able to write it down exactly. So, in order to share it with you, I will do the best version I could get, and later (when I get the movie for myself) I will come back and give the correct version.
The quote is "It's OK to think about what you want to do - until it's time to do what you are meant to do." What I heard with that quote is that you can THINK all you want about things in your life, however, when it is time to step up and BE all that you can be, you'll know it, and you'll stop THINKING about all of the what ifs/coulds/shoulds, and ACT.
To me, it was the epitome of allowing life to flow naturally. To me, it meant that when you are doing what you are meant to do, there is very little (if any) thinking involved. It also felt like "meant" equaled something in the Bigger Picture (perhaps yet unknown).
The movie, several hours later, was followed by Wayne Dyer on PBS, talking about the Power of Intention, and how we can choose to work with Source. He spoke to how it's our free will to choose to work with Source, which knows only positive and good stuff, or not. He spoke of how we tend to get in our own way.
So, then today, I revisited a TED talk with Jill Bolte Taylor. She is a scientist who studies brains, and also had a stroke.
What she speaks of is how she got to experience first hand the roles of the two sides of our brain, and the choice we have as to which part we work from. She provides my favorite word, PERSPECTIVE. It's a beautiful thing. When we are able to see the parts of what drive us, and how and why they do, we are able to interact with them differently than when they are a indiscernible part of our life.
The video is less than 20 minutes, and if you have the time, I think you will find it worth the time to "visit" with her. I have placed a link at the end of this post. She is a great, and even humorous, speaker. In her sharing, I think she actually is a representation of my interpretation of the first quote I mentioned.
She was a brain scientist, thinking about how things worked, until she was given the "gift" of her stroke, until she did what she was "meant" to do. What she has shared is an incredible gift to us all, and without her consciously unintended experience, we wouldn't have received such an amazing perspective of someone so grounded in the body and mind, and yet have a perspective that is so large it goes into the world of things some would call "flaky."
If you are reading this, maybe these pieces will fit into where your thoughts have been recently, or perhaps will begin the chain. Either way, consider that as difficult as change may sometimes seem, it might just be as "simple" as doing something differently, or viewing something in a different light.
Change might be as simple as making a different choice - and doing what you are meant to do could be as simple as making a choice to get out of your own way.
Have a great week!
Jill Bolte Taylor TED Talk
Friday, March 14, 2008
WHO knew.
Before embarking on this entry, I wanted to let you know that the show I referred to in the last post needed to be rescheduled. In a way, I would say that was good, as it might give you more of an opportunity to catch it live. When I get more information, I will share.
In the meantime, I just saw a video teaser from the new movie Horton Hears a Who - Living on a Speck. I didn't remember if I ever read the story, so I went looking for a summary. If you're interested, here is what Wikipedia has to say about it.
I mention it because I think the clip/story is a perfect example of perspective. Have you ever seen a show at a planetarium? I have gone to several shows, and have sat there, amazed by what they show. They essentially show earth - even our solar system - as a speck in the scheme of things. If the solar system is a speck, what the heck are we? Smile.
I am looking forward to seeing that movie. Who knows what the author may have known when he wrote the story. Apparently, there is a piece that shows how when the "whole" pulls together, it can make all the difference in the world.
Since I can't really speak fully to the movie/story at the moment, what I will speak to is what the clip pointed to for me: with a limited perspective, we are likely to discount the things outside of our realm of experience.
Have you ever heard that there are
things we know
things we think we know
things we know we don't know
things we don't know we don't know.
In each of those ideas there is a perspective that propels us forward.
The things we know can be a building block for other things, or it can be a stumbling block to learning new things.
The things we think we know come from the interpretations we have made about a given circumstance or conversation. Ever come to the "wrong" conclusion about something? Then you know what I am referring to. The result can end relationships, create arguments, and create problems. On the positive side, sometimes when we act on what we think we know, we uncover something amazing - by "accident."
The things we know we don't know are the things we may go learn more about, or may potentially stay away from - knowing that our lack of knowledge could get us into trouble. Perhaps there are things we don't even care to know, preferring, instead to leave it up to others to learn. Without an awareness, there may be some cases that perspective could leave us at the mercy of another's conclusions.
The things we don't know we don't know could be the most interesting of the bunch. If you don't know what you don't know, how do you know what questions to ask? How do you even know there is a question to ask? For me, this category is the most challenging. However, when something that I didn't know that I didn't know surfaces, it is like a beautiful gem. Some of the greatest insights I have ever had about myself have come from this category.
I would suppose the beauty of life is to wake up to the possibilities excited, rather than thinking we just entered a nightmare. I know that sounds extreme, but I'd say that many people are uncomfortable without being able to predict what's next. A step in a different direction, is a step out their comfort zone.
I would guess that comfort zones are never meant to last very long. Maybe they're just a rest stop along the way. However, it would seem some people would try to take up residence there, because they like the scenery, and lose what could be coming next, as they'll never want to go there, being so focused on maintaining the moment.
I recently heard that a shopping center that I used to work at in Columbus, Ohio has been mostly vacated. I couldn't believe it. Of course, when I was there was several years ago, and things do change, but I found it kind of sad. I guess no one ever likes to think that things can and do change, to the point of going away, or changing beyond recognition.
However, I am not the same person as I was then, so why would I think that other things would stay the same? It seems to be a reminder to me that things are always changing, and sometimes we just need some perspective to recognize it. Had I still lived in Columbus all of these years, I may never have thought about it the way that I am thinking about it now. It may have happened with a lot less thought on my part, as I, like many others likely did, acted within the framework of the awareness of a Columbus resident, and found a different place to work, to eat, to shop...
I suspect that is why being aware is so powerful. It gives you opportunities to create along the way. And, yet, there is a different type of awareness that one has at a distance. I can see what happened, and yet never had the opportunity to interact with it.
Is one more powerful than the other? I would think not. I would think what is key is more likely how I interact with whatever my awareness presents to me at any given time, rather than what actually happened.
Your feedback and thoughts, as always, are appreciated.
Thanks for listening.
Have a great weekend!
In the meantime, I just saw a video teaser from the new movie Horton Hears a Who - Living on a Speck. I didn't remember if I ever read the story, so I went looking for a summary. If you're interested, here is what Wikipedia has to say about it.
I mention it because I think the clip/story is a perfect example of perspective. Have you ever seen a show at a planetarium? I have gone to several shows, and have sat there, amazed by what they show. They essentially show earth - even our solar system - as a speck in the scheme of things. If the solar system is a speck, what the heck are we? Smile.
I am looking forward to seeing that movie. Who knows what the author may have known when he wrote the story. Apparently, there is a piece that shows how when the "whole" pulls together, it can make all the difference in the world.
Since I can't really speak fully to the movie/story at the moment, what I will speak to is what the clip pointed to for me: with a limited perspective, we are likely to discount the things outside of our realm of experience.
Have you ever heard that there are
things we know
things we think we know
things we know we don't know
things we don't know we don't know.
In each of those ideas there is a perspective that propels us forward.
The things we know can be a building block for other things, or it can be a stumbling block to learning new things.
The things we think we know come from the interpretations we have made about a given circumstance or conversation. Ever come to the "wrong" conclusion about something? Then you know what I am referring to. The result can end relationships, create arguments, and create problems. On the positive side, sometimes when we act on what we think we know, we uncover something amazing - by "accident."
The things we know we don't know are the things we may go learn more about, or may potentially stay away from - knowing that our lack of knowledge could get us into trouble. Perhaps there are things we don't even care to know, preferring, instead to leave it up to others to learn. Without an awareness, there may be some cases that perspective could leave us at the mercy of another's conclusions.
The things we don't know we don't know could be the most interesting of the bunch. If you don't know what you don't know, how do you know what questions to ask? How do you even know there is a question to ask? For me, this category is the most challenging. However, when something that I didn't know that I didn't know surfaces, it is like a beautiful gem. Some of the greatest insights I have ever had about myself have come from this category.
I would suppose the beauty of life is to wake up to the possibilities excited, rather than thinking we just entered a nightmare. I know that sounds extreme, but I'd say that many people are uncomfortable without being able to predict what's next. A step in a different direction, is a step out their comfort zone.
I would guess that comfort zones are never meant to last very long. Maybe they're just a rest stop along the way. However, it would seem some people would try to take up residence there, because they like the scenery, and lose what could be coming next, as they'll never want to go there, being so focused on maintaining the moment.
I recently heard that a shopping center that I used to work at in Columbus, Ohio has been mostly vacated. I couldn't believe it. Of course, when I was there was several years ago, and things do change, but I found it kind of sad. I guess no one ever likes to think that things can and do change, to the point of going away, or changing beyond recognition.
However, I am not the same person as I was then, so why would I think that other things would stay the same? It seems to be a reminder to me that things are always changing, and sometimes we just need some perspective to recognize it. Had I still lived in Columbus all of these years, I may never have thought about it the way that I am thinking about it now. It may have happened with a lot less thought on my part, as I, like many others likely did, acted within the framework of the awareness of a Columbus resident, and found a different place to work, to eat, to shop...
I suspect that is why being aware is so powerful. It gives you opportunities to create along the way. And, yet, there is a different type of awareness that one has at a distance. I can see what happened, and yet never had the opportunity to interact with it.
Is one more powerful than the other? I would think not. I would think what is key is more likely how I interact with whatever my awareness presents to me at any given time, rather than what actually happened.
Your feedback and thoughts, as always, are appreciated.
Thanks for listening.
Have a great weekend!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Take a Deep Breath and...
Improve blood circulation and relieve congestion.
Relieve tension, including anxiety and depression.
Balance your nervous system.
Help combat insomnia.
Promote weight loss.
Enhance your intuition.
And of course, exhale...smile.
Ever think about how something so automatic and taken for granted can make such a significant impact on you and you physical and emotional well being?
If not, if breathing can do all of the above, and more, maybe it's worth taking the time to assess the perspective for yourself, and a place to start is with the following radio show with Mimi Bazan as a guest this Sunday, March 9, at 10:00 am EST (you can call in with your own questions if you listen live, or listen afterwards via podcast):
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/askmichele
Relieve tension, including anxiety and depression.
Balance your nervous system.
Help combat insomnia.
Promote weight loss.
Enhance your intuition.
And of course, exhale...smile.
Ever think about how something so automatic and taken for granted can make such a significant impact on you and you physical and emotional well being?
If not, if breathing can do all of the above, and more, maybe it's worth taking the time to assess the perspective for yourself, and a place to start is with the following radio show with Mimi Bazan as a guest this Sunday, March 9, at 10:00 am EST (you can call in with your own questions if you listen live, or listen afterwards via podcast):
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/askmichele
Sunday, March 2, 2008
An Artful Perspective
Oblinski. Have you ever heard of him?
I saw some of his art several months ago, and loved it. There was one piece in particular that stood out to me. It must have been what I was going through at the time. There was a man and a woman in the picture. There were to two mountains(?) separating the man and the woman. There was also a high wire stretched between the two. The man, blindfolded, was making his way across to the side the woman was on.
I thought about it, and considered what it could mean:
Love is blind
Love sometimes means taking chances
You don't know what is coming up next, but you gotta take a chance
You can step into something, not knowing how it will turn out
There may have been a few others, but that gives you an idea. I was looking to find that image to share, but since I never figured out what it was called, I have had difficulty finding it again. If you know what I am referring to, please let me know. I would love to find a print of it.
As always, I am sharing because of the perspective that this artist provides. If you are unfamiliar with him, he has the most unique - and yet "real" - perspective of any artist I have ever seen.
There is one image in which a woman is pulling aside half of her face, as if a curtain (I promise it's not as morbid as it may sound) and behind the curtain you see a woman in a cage. When I look at that piece it makes me think of the many people who are "imprisoned" in their world, or in the thoughts in their mind. There is always something going on behind the scenes, and in my experience many people are different inside their heads than they are with others. Sadly, often, the "behind the scenes" version is sad, lonely, depressed, maybe even feeling guilt.
I wonder what it would take for us to have a world in which who we were inside could be freely expressed on the outside. I think it would have a lot to do with being able to accept ourselves, as oftentimes I think it is the judgement of another that may prevent us from being who we truly are. If we love and accept ourselves, does it really matter what another person thinks?
Probably there also has to be the reality that a person that we interact with really does care about us/what is going on with us. How often has someone asked you how you were today, and you knew all they wanted was the cursory, "I am fine." He or she probably didn't really want to know, and you knew it. Of course, the reverse likely holds true. How did you feel when you asked the question, and got a list of things that were wrong for the person? Did you really want to know? Did you really care?
A few years ago, I started to realize that I was "intuitive." I would practically whisper it to people, if I mentioned it all. What would people think? I was already considered unusual by most who knew me. After a while, I loosened up, in part, because I noticed that when I spoke with people about this, many times they were open to what I was saying. Open AND interested. It helped to give me the freedom to be able to express this part of myself.
Now not everyone would be open and/or interested, however now I accept that and move on, instead of allowing what they think to become a judgement of who I am. I also find that occasionally there are people who WANT to be interested, and maybe just don't know how to express interest, because they have been told that they shouldn't be interested. In those case, I have found if I approach it in a different way, in a way that relates to how they are intuitive (and I believe everyone is), there is a whole different conversation to be had.
One of my biggest sayings these days is "Be True to Yourself." There is no greater freedom and joy than when you are true to who you are in the face of (seeming) opposition. You are unique. Embrace it. Cherish it. Nurture it. I think we are all meant to be different, and yet we spend so much time and energy trying to be the SAME. It takes a lot of energy to conform to something that doesn't fit, don'tja think?
If you agree, consider what it would take to start to be who you truly are. Consider what it would be like to be the same outside as you are inside. When there is alignment between the two oftentimes people find peace. As always, do a test drive for yourself and see what happens. You might just be amazed.
For your reference, here are several links that show Oblinski's art. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.
http://www.starat.narod.ru/pictures/surreal/oblinski/main.htm
http://www.jibjab.com/view/162990
allposters.com
http://artikons.com/rafal-olbinski/
http://hachillama.livejournal.com/161653.html
http://alldesignblog.com/
(2-14 oblinski - but other interesting designs/perspective)
I saw some of his art several months ago, and loved it. There was one piece in particular that stood out to me. It must have been what I was going through at the time. There was a man and a woman in the picture. There were to two mountains(?) separating the man and the woman. There was also a high wire stretched between the two. The man, blindfolded, was making his way across to the side the woman was on.
I thought about it, and considered what it could mean:
Love is blind
Love sometimes means taking chances
You don't know what is coming up next, but you gotta take a chance
You can step into something, not knowing how it will turn out
There may have been a few others, but that gives you an idea. I was looking to find that image to share, but since I never figured out what it was called, I have had difficulty finding it again. If you know what I am referring to, please let me know. I would love to find a print of it.
As always, I am sharing because of the perspective that this artist provides. If you are unfamiliar with him, he has the most unique - and yet "real" - perspective of any artist I have ever seen.
There is one image in which a woman is pulling aside half of her face, as if a curtain (I promise it's not as morbid as it may sound) and behind the curtain you see a woman in a cage. When I look at that piece it makes me think of the many people who are "imprisoned" in their world, or in the thoughts in their mind. There is always something going on behind the scenes, and in my experience many people are different inside their heads than they are with others. Sadly, often, the "behind the scenes" version is sad, lonely, depressed, maybe even feeling guilt.
I wonder what it would take for us to have a world in which who we were inside could be freely expressed on the outside. I think it would have a lot to do with being able to accept ourselves, as oftentimes I think it is the judgement of another that may prevent us from being who we truly are. If we love and accept ourselves, does it really matter what another person thinks?
Probably there also has to be the reality that a person that we interact with really does care about us/what is going on with us. How often has someone asked you how you were today, and you knew all they wanted was the cursory, "I am fine." He or she probably didn't really want to know, and you knew it. Of course, the reverse likely holds true. How did you feel when you asked the question, and got a list of things that were wrong for the person? Did you really want to know? Did you really care?
A few years ago, I started to realize that I was "intuitive." I would practically whisper it to people, if I mentioned it all. What would people think? I was already considered unusual by most who knew me. After a while, I loosened up, in part, because I noticed that when I spoke with people about this, many times they were open to what I was saying. Open AND interested. It helped to give me the freedom to be able to express this part of myself.
Now not everyone would be open and/or interested, however now I accept that and move on, instead of allowing what they think to become a judgement of who I am. I also find that occasionally there are people who WANT to be interested, and maybe just don't know how to express interest, because they have been told that they shouldn't be interested. In those case, I have found if I approach it in a different way, in a way that relates to how they are intuitive (and I believe everyone is), there is a whole different conversation to be had.
One of my biggest sayings these days is "Be True to Yourself." There is no greater freedom and joy than when you are true to who you are in the face of (seeming) opposition. You are unique. Embrace it. Cherish it. Nurture it. I think we are all meant to be different, and yet we spend so much time and energy trying to be the SAME. It takes a lot of energy to conform to something that doesn't fit, don'tja think?
If you agree, consider what it would take to start to be who you truly are. Consider what it would be like to be the same outside as you are inside. When there is alignment between the two oftentimes people find peace. As always, do a test drive for yourself and see what happens. You might just be amazed.
For your reference, here are several links that show Oblinski's art. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.
http://www.starat.narod.ru/pictures/surreal/oblinski/main.htm
http://www.jibjab.com/view/162990
allposters.com
http://artikons.com/rafal-olbinski/
http://hachillama.livejournal.com/161653.html
http://alldesignblog.com/
(2-14 oblinski - but other interesting designs/perspective)
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Perspective of Peace
I just read a short tale of a king who offers a prize for the best picture of peace.To see it click here. It is a great little diddy on perspective, and I thought it worth sharing.
It says a lot about what "should" be obvious. I really believe that there should be no shoulds (smile), because they often lead to pain, confusion, and guilt. I find that shoulds often come from the mind of someone else, or something else (like "society"). However, in a case where a should can be empowering, I make an exception.
How can anyone acknowledge strength, if he did not have weakness to compare it to? Or acknowledge peace without knowing what turbulence was like? How do we often know something? Usually it's in the absence of its counterpart.
What is really fascinating to consider, though, is that within everything is everything else. Within strength, there IS a point of weakness. Within peace, there IS some turbulence. The parts of the weakness and turbulence may be tiny, but they are there. The only reason we don't see it or acknowledge it in that moment is because we focused on the more positive attributes, but those parts are there.
I say this because the same thing applies in reverse. The times that we are our most upset, our most frustrated, there is a seed of peace within. In order to find it, it may take everything we have, and maybe sometimes it's a battle that seems unable to be won - or a battle you are unwilling to fight.
I know how it can be. I have my moments. As much as I "know better" at this point in the game of my life, I still go to places that aren't productively creating outcomes that I want. However, the times that I can redirect my energies, it is almost magical.
The next time you are stressed, if you want to get out of it, take a couple of moments to do the following, and you may be surprised.
Take a deep breath in to the count of 3. Then exhale to the count of 6.
Take another deep breath in to the count of 3, and exhale to the count of 6.
Do it one more time. Breath in to the count of 3, and exhale to the count of 6.
You will likely notice that your body has relaxed. It couldn't help itself. And it took a minute, or two, to do. The key is to CONSCIOUSLY change your focus. Before I was aware of the things that I am now, I would feel like anything that I felt was being true to myself, and any attempt to alter it would be potentially seen as a deception.
While there are reasons to be willing to allow myself to feel what I am feeling, there is a point that it can become counterproductive, and feed the very energy that is uncomfortable (the energy that I am holding onto to be "true to myself"). In my work as a coach, I tell people that even if you are fooling yourself - so what? If the focus you have is not getting you anywhere but depressed, why not fool yourself?
There are people that believe that whatever you focus on you get more of. If that is true, then changing the focus if it's something you'd rather be without would make sense, don'tja think? If it isn't true, then what do you have to lose, really?
The next time you go looking for some quality, consider that you already have it and that you just need to awaken your awareness to it. The amazing thing is that a little "water" (thought power) can go a long way.
But don't take my word for it. Try it for yourself, and see what happens. One word of warning though. The first times you do this, you may find that you go back where you were fairly easily. It's the comfortable and familiar after all. If that happens, it just means you'll have to do some considerable redirection. After awhile, though, you'll be surprised. You'll do less, and what you do do will get easier.
For this reason, you won't want to abandon ship quickly, and say it doesn't work. In my opinion, you will be doing yourself, and your life, an injustice.
Have a great weekend!
It says a lot about what "should" be obvious. I really believe that there should be no shoulds (smile), because they often lead to pain, confusion, and guilt. I find that shoulds often come from the mind of someone else, or something else (like "society"). However, in a case where a should can be empowering, I make an exception.
How can anyone acknowledge strength, if he did not have weakness to compare it to? Or acknowledge peace without knowing what turbulence was like? How do we often know something? Usually it's in the absence of its counterpart.
What is really fascinating to consider, though, is that within everything is everything else. Within strength, there IS a point of weakness. Within peace, there IS some turbulence. The parts of the weakness and turbulence may be tiny, but they are there. The only reason we don't see it or acknowledge it in that moment is because we focused on the more positive attributes, but those parts are there.
I say this because the same thing applies in reverse. The times that we are our most upset, our most frustrated, there is a seed of peace within. In order to find it, it may take everything we have, and maybe sometimes it's a battle that seems unable to be won - or a battle you are unwilling to fight.
I know how it can be. I have my moments. As much as I "know better" at this point in the game of my life, I still go to places that aren't productively creating outcomes that I want. However, the times that I can redirect my energies, it is almost magical.
The next time you are stressed, if you want to get out of it, take a couple of moments to do the following, and you may be surprised.
Take a deep breath in to the count of 3. Then exhale to the count of 6.
Take another deep breath in to the count of 3, and exhale to the count of 6.
Do it one more time. Breath in to the count of 3, and exhale to the count of 6.
You will likely notice that your body has relaxed. It couldn't help itself. And it took a minute, or two, to do. The key is to CONSCIOUSLY change your focus. Before I was aware of the things that I am now, I would feel like anything that I felt was being true to myself, and any attempt to alter it would be potentially seen as a deception.
While there are reasons to be willing to allow myself to feel what I am feeling, there is a point that it can become counterproductive, and feed the very energy that is uncomfortable (the energy that I am holding onto to be "true to myself"). In my work as a coach, I tell people that even if you are fooling yourself - so what? If the focus you have is not getting you anywhere but depressed, why not fool yourself?
There are people that believe that whatever you focus on you get more of. If that is true, then changing the focus if it's something you'd rather be without would make sense, don'tja think? If it isn't true, then what do you have to lose, really?
The next time you go looking for some quality, consider that you already have it and that you just need to awaken your awareness to it. The amazing thing is that a little "water" (thought power) can go a long way.
But don't take my word for it. Try it for yourself, and see what happens. One word of warning though. The first times you do this, you may find that you go back where you were fairly easily. It's the comfortable and familiar after all. If that happens, it just means you'll have to do some considerable redirection. After awhile, though, you'll be surprised. You'll do less, and what you do do will get easier.
For this reason, you won't want to abandon ship quickly, and say it doesn't work. In my opinion, you will be doing yourself, and your life, an injustice.
Have a great weekend!
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