The Trouble With You
When I use the word you it is often not clear if I am talking about the actual physical you, or my perception of you, or whatever it is about me that I am projecting onto you. So you is a troublesome word.
If you are seven feet tall, and I say, “You are tall,” it is pretty obvious that I am talking about the actual physical you. But if I say something like, “You are cranky,” then things get muddled. Are you indeed cranky? Or do I perceive crankiness where there is really something else? Or am I cranky and projecting my crankiness onto you? Or am I denying my own crankiness, but still projecting it? Confusing, yes?
The Perils of Perception
This is how I see things:
I assume that you see things as I do because it is convenient for me to do so. But maybe you don’t. For example, if you are color-blind, you certainly don’t see things the way I do. I won’t know that unless you tell me or unless our difference becomes obvious in some way. If you are color-blind, I will think that you see things differently than I do, but some will think that there is something wrong with you.
Now imagine that this is how I see things:
Workshop Announcement: Is Your Genius At Work?
I will lead a workshop about genius in Chandler, AZ on May 8. It will be co-led with Vicki McKee who will also host the event. Details are in the flyer below. Please call Vicki at the number near the bottom of the flyer to register. We will limit the number of attendees, so call soon if you want to come.
The workshop is based on my book, Is Your Genius At Work? You can read Chapter 1 HERE.
7 Commandments for Peace Of Mind
1. Don’t argue with reality.
2. Don’t play God.
3. Don’t compare.
4. Don’t cling to expectations.
5. Don’t try to prove anything.
6. Don’t create or engage in drama.
7. Do follow the simple directions that are given by intuition.
I began thinking seriously about peace of mind (which sounds like a contradiction) after reading an interview with Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione in which they said that they get up every day dedicated to maintaining peace of mind. Then last week Debbie Call did a terrific blog post about a technique for fostering peace of mind. And last night the topic came up again in a dinner conversation.
Favorite Posts for February 2010
Just a few days later than usual but here they are; my favorite blog posts from last month. Enjoy!
Wandering Attention . . . Wandering Focus
from Spirit In Gear by Debbie Call
Do You Talk Beyond the Point of Contribution
from Management Craft by Lisa Haneberg
All the Beautiful Birds
from Hitting Send by Antonia Hall
Are we conditioned AGAINST risk?
from Riskful Thinking by Jodee Bock
The 3 Secrets of Being Positive
from Talking Story by Rosa Say
Oh, the brave Music of a distant Drum!
from Gallimaufry by Geetali Tare
A Brief Rant On Religiosity And Ego
The trigger that fired this diatribe was Brit Hume’s assertion that Tiger Woods must, “Turn to the Christian faith,” rather than to his own Buddhist practice. I have little doubt that Hume is sincere in his own beliefs, and no doubt that Christianity has worked and can work wonders for those who are drawn to embrace it wholeheartedly. But I am thoroughly put off by those who profess to religious wisdom (of any brand) on the one hand, while at the same time remaining oblivious to how their beliefs have become hostage to their egos.
Pitching Life
Scott Lauber writes about baseball at Delaware Online. His piece today is about lessons a young pitcher had to learn, and it seems to me that they are also lessons for the rest of us. The pitcher is Cole Hamels of the Phillies. He had a great first two season in the major leagues in 2007 and 2008, and was named most valuable player in the Phils’ World Series run. His 2009 season, however, was a huge disappointment. Last year it was obvious that he was often struggling, and he sometimes lost his composure.
A Leadership Plague Is Upon Us
It’s a plague. Leaders (or wannabes) whose hold on power depends on fear and ignorance have a vested interest in making sure that followers remain fearful and ignorant. That is how the plague takes hold and spreads. If any leader (or wannabe) attempts an appeal to fear and ignorance, run! Fast! Far! (Unless, of course, you too have some vested interest in fear and ignorance, and so want to be infected.)
I’m not mentioning names here. This is far bigger than she is; she is merely a highly visible carrier (and I don’t need Googled blog hits enough to risk infection myself). This plague is spread by a few politicians, and by certain news organizations, web sites, blogs, and even religious institutions.
