Who do you follow? What to do value? Do you choose or are you chosen?
I've been around leaders ... doing the things they suggest is rewarding and the burdens feel light.
I've had several bosses ... doing the things they tell me to do is occasionally rewarding but is often frustrating and sometimes painful.
I haven't known many gurus ... I'd like to know more ... I think of a guru as one who shares wisdom without giving clear direction ... I have met some who share their stories ... their lessons from life ... there isn't enough time to experience everything ourselves so it's wonderful to learn from someone else's experience.
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Do you think about the people/things in your life that draw your attention and assign tasks to you?
Did you choose them or did they 'just happen'?
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The big question... Who and what do you choose to follow? A person... an idea... a relationship... a faith/belief system...
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There is no need to answer these questions... many know that this is the way my mind works... I like to express my thoughts... the questions I ask myself... and enjoy learning from your thoughts... perhaps I should ask different questions... as I figure out my life...
Hello Everyone
I believe we have a desire to know God built into us. I wonder why we have this?
Could evolution explain it? Is there a benefit to survival that could have brought this desire into being?
Perhaps it just exists... without a cause and without a reason.
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If you are a theist (religious), did you choose the religion yourself or did you follow your family or your culture?
If you are an atheist (not religious), did you choose this yourself or did you follow your family or culture in this belief?
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I'm a theist ... I followed my family in my religion ... and now I'm learning why ... and making my own choice ... and I'm finding that my personality is leading me to remain in the faith/religion I grew up in; however, it's leading me to approach it differently than many in my family/culture.
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There is no need to answer my questions. This is a very personal matter for many people.
There is a long-standing debate in the US about whether healthcare should be provided to all citizens. There are laws that prohibit hospitals from withholding care from anyone (regardless of their ability to pay). This is an expense category that all hospitals have to deal with.
This doesn't get people the best care however. It doesn't provide for routine visits, on-going medication or follow-up.
I just posted this on FB. It's a little politically charged but I'm interested in what people think on this topic in a more practical way. What should the goal be and what should the first step be?
--- my post to FB ---
I've become convinced that universal healthcare is necessary. However, I'm not convinced that this issue is most effectively addressed by the federal government.
I also wonder... If society is going to pay the bills, shouldn't they also have the right to limit our bad habits? (yes, the cost is to give up some personal freedom)
I think a sophisticated conversation should include both sides of this. We can't have a healthier society simply by paying for more medical care.
Thoughts and critiques? It's a difficult issue... no easy answers.
Snacks anyone?
We seek happiness, wealth, love, acceptance and more. Is it our nature to always want more? How do we know when we have enough? If we have enough, what do we do next?
Do we know when we have achieved success? Do we want to know? Do we know what to do next?
Success in love... money/prosperity... happiness...
I've known many people who seem afraid to succeed. They create obstacles for themselves and forever feel that their goal cannot be achieved. They find endless reasons to stop trying.
Are they afraid? Do they feel success will be disappointing?
Are you willing to accept success? Will you recognize it when you have it? Can it feel permanent and lasting regardless of what happens next?
I wish you all prosperity and love in 2013.
Do you use Wikipedia? It is rather amazing that all this information is available for free on the internet. It's also impressive that so much of it is accurate and complete!
I have considered making a donation to their efforts before and thought it would be more fun to include the nice people here on CS.
I'm going to donate 10 USD ... plus 1 dollar for each person who adds a comment to this blog. Mention that you have used Wikipedia or just say hello ... and for each visitor to this blog, I will add $1 to my donation.
I thought this might be an enjoyable group effort.
Also - Has anyone been involved with editing Wikipedia entries? It doesn't seem that my own knowledge would be worthy of their efforts but I'm tempted to register and find out how I could be useful.
They seem to want to gather the combined intelligence of the world (support for many languages exists and is actively being improved). It's a huge effort ... it would be nice to be part of it.
I'll add up the numbers on New Year's Day. This will be a nice way to welcome 2013.
or ... I want to be alone. Stay away.
We say and do things with everyone we meet that draws them closer or pushes them away. Sometimes we know what we're doing and our actions are deliberate. Sometimes we are just being ourselves... not thinking about what others see or feel and we give off a message of "come closer" or "stay away".
With your romantic partner, are you careful about your signals? Do you try to improve your signaling skills?
Do we get tired and push them away when we just don't have the energy to be with anyone but ourselves?
Do we unintentionally push our partners away from us... just a little bit each day... until they don't come close anymore?
Should we be careful about our signals?
This was on my mind this morning. I was in a relationship where I was pushed away, little by little. She didn't want me to leave but she rarely seemed to want me to be close. It's almost like she wanted a teddy bear she could hug when she needed a hug but would stay where she left it when she didn't need it.
Relationships are complicated but much of the complication melts away when you feel your partner likes you and wants you to come closer.
or the path of greatest effort?
(1) I suppose it's natural to want the greatest satisfaction for the least amount of effort... to want to make the best decision with the least amount of thought... to do more in less time... to get something for (nearly) nothing when you can.
(2) It might also be normal to see others making 'least effort' choices and determine to be different from them... to never make a decision rashly or without a minute or more of consideration. There is some satisfaction in feeling that each choice was a smart choice and being ready to explain your decision any time you might need to.
I believe that most people navigate through their lives using option (1). Nearly all decisions are made quickly, with little consideration. I believe these people will give a decision more thought only when someone confronts them about their rapid choice. They put consideration into their relationships and other significant decisions because they are taught that these decisions require it. Even if they don't really put effort into it, they will act like they did. They will tell you they thought about it for a long time.
A small minority will give consideration to every choice. They follow option (2) because they want to be correct more often or they fear making mistakes.
Would you consider yourself to be more like option (1) or more like option (2)? Do you believe you're balanced in your approach? Are you trying to be more like the other option?
For myself: I'm too much like option (2). I've been learning some lessons though and am working towards a better balance. I do believe that life's decisions should require some thought but many things in life are simple and trivial (of little meaning) so it's best to take care of them quickly. Mistakes should not be feared but effort should be applied to avoid those that are difficult to recover from.
Don't reveal anything you don't wish to talk about. I'm just sharing what's on my mind, not looking for anyone to talk about something they aren't comfortable with.
I hope your weekend is going well.
All the parents who have food to feed their children.
Everyone who has a warm, comfortable place to sleep.
Every home where everyone feels safe.
Each minute of peace in places where peace is a daily struggle.
People of faith, whose religion guides them towards greater good.
Prosperity that grows over time and reduces the harshness of life for so many.
My friends on CS.
Does your country have a national day of thankfulness? Canada celebrates a day like this in October. In the US, tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. That's what my calendar says.
I'm thankful for the good in the world and hopeful that it will continue to spread.
He/She is fun, smart, loving ... everything you could ask for.
But how about on the bad days? Will they be supportive and caring when life has beaten you down?
Is this something you think about? Do you look for indications of loyalty, commitment and nurturing/caring in the people you meet?
We all know that life isn't easy. There will be times when it's quite painful and stressful. When those times come around... do you think your special someone will be there with you? Are you going to be there with them?
One final thought. When this happens, how will you handle it? What will give you enough strength?
Deep topics tonight ...
Are there things ... things about you ... thoughts, interests, experiences ... things that you will never share with another person?
I have a few.
There are things many cannot (or will not) understand. I'll talk about them with the right person, but not with everyone and not in casual conversation.
Can you be trusted?
Are you able to understand and keep things in perspective?
Until I believe this, I'm not going to talk about it. Nope. I've got a secret. I'm not telling you.
What would you want your home built out of?
Wood is a very common building/framing material here. The main support beam is usually steel. Brick or stone might be used in a decorative way but not to support the structure. Concrete is used for the foundation.
Overall I feel safe in these homes. The buildings are strong enough for any weather events short of a tornado. An earthquake is very rare here but knowing the house would 'bend before breaking' feels comforting.
Apartment buildings are often brick over a steel framework (very common in commercial construction).
I've been watching "House Hunters International" on TV... lots of old stone construction in one town in Italy... Concrete over steel (I think) for newer apartments in Paris... and in Norway I'm seeing wood-frame construction, much like here.
What sort of construction material is common where you are? Do you have a preference? Do tall buildings comfort you or scare you? With wood construction... the house might make a creaking sound during a storm... would this worry you?
Your home, your castle ... what do want holding it up?
Greetings All!
When you would like someone to do something for you, do you welcome discussion or do you try to assign the task quickly? I've often been disappointed in the way people assign tasks/projects to others.
Example: (at work)
Boss: I need a report of our sales from last month.
Employee: From our store, our web site, or everything?
Boss: Everything.
Employee: Just the total amount or by product?
Boss: Both, of course.
Employee: Do you want it sorted by quantity sold or by sales amount?
Boss: Why do you have to argue? Just give me what I want!
Employee: Whatever.... (I wasn't arguing, btw)
There's a communication trap with asking questions. If you want a certain result, you will need to discuss what the result should look like, don't you? ... But if you ask too many questions; if you try to determine the specific result being asked for, this can make the person assigning the task to you uncomfortable (as they likely haven't thought it through themselves so can't answer many of the questions).
Some people complain often. When I expect complaints, I ask lots of questions before doing my work ... and I get complaints about asking too many questions.
How do you ask enough questions to have confidence that you understand what is needed without making the other person feel you are questioning their competence and intelligence?
Questions can trigger defensiveness... not asking them can lead to complaints... so it's a lose - lose situation. You can't win... but you can do nothing... sometimes I feel that's the best answer.
Your advice is welcome.
Richard_D Blog (36)