How can I “interest” you to explore?
How can I “interest” you to have an adventure?
How can I “interest” you in other ways to handle things which can cause you unnecessary grief and discomfort?
All this comes under the heading of “sharing experiences”.
No…it’s not to “tell” you anything! It’s just to “share”!
There is little that’s right or wrong. But to “share” experiences or explanations doesn’t mean to “tell” you anything. Think what you will but please let me share ideas with you.
Some of these ideas you may want to adopt, some you may disagree with; but please let me share with you.
“Sharing” is not threatening you in any way. You remain the same person you always were. True, you may reject or accept some new ideas. But that is always up to you. It’s always your choice!
You may accept or reject what you’ve heard on T.V., but please let me share what I’ve heard.
You may have your own ideas of what this country stands for, but please let me share what I’ve heard.
You may have your own ideas of what’s really important, but please let me share what I’ve heard.
Again, you may have your own ideas, but please let me share what I’ve heard.
Before you disagree or demonstrate try hearing different points of view. Without research or investigation you may be only partially informed. Experience can be a teacher. History can be a teacher. New information can be a teacher. Your desire to be informed may change your desires to argue all the time or to “demonstrate”. Isn’t it better to seek further understanding than it is to constantly state your own opinion? After all, you already know what your own opinion is! There’s nothing new in that!
Before you reject all this…. What, really, is a “successful alternative”?
“To learn”, “to teach”, “to share” are all ways to become more informed. It is in the “how” it’s being presented. Suppose you accept all the ways something is being “presented” as a way of “sharing”; there would be no threat, no arguments, no demonstrations! Life could be more “pleasant”!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Family - #401 - #14 - Character Counts – By Michael Josephson
“ PLANNED ABANDONMENT” ( # 280:1)
Management guru Peter Drucker advocates a practice he calls planned abandonment. He stresses how important it is that managers develop the wisdom and courage to regularly review what the organization is doing and determine whether it's worth doing. He urges executives to note and resist the systemic and emotional forces that make it difficult to abandon activities that drain resources, detract from central goals, or otherwise impede progress.
Professor Drucker's insights about abandonment seem equally applicable to the management of our lives. Many of us continue to pursue unrealistic career goals or stay in unhealthy or non constructive relationships that ought to be abandoned because they keep us from moving upward and forward toward core life goals.
It makes no sense to settle for relationships that lessen rather than enlarge us, that diminish rather than develop our values and character. Thus, we should summon the courage and integrity to abandon dead-end personal or work relationships. We need to recognize how murky notions of loyalty can blind us to simple realities and how unrealistic hopes that things will change can prevent us from achieving our higher potential.
Toxic relationships not only make us unhappy; they corrupt our attitudes and dispositions in ways that undermine healthier relationships and blur our vision of what is possible. It's never easy to change, but nothing gets better without change.
**********************************
SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF QUALITY IMPROVEMENT (280:2)
I recently met with hundreds of quality improvement specialists at the California State University system. That's right, there are people whose job it is to make things better. As I prepared, it struck me how similar quality improvement is to character development. Here are seven principles:
1. You don't have to be sick to get better. Every system or process, every person, can be improved.
2. Good enough, isn't. The "if it's not broke, don't fix it mentality" promotes mediocrity that evolves to inferiority. If you're not getting better, you're probably getting worse. Systems that do not adapt to changing circumstances not only become obsolete, often they become counter-productive.
3. There can be no improvement without change and change is scary.
4. All change involves risk, but failure to change involves greater risk.
5. No system is more powerful than the people who create or manage it. Systems, like belief patterns, are created by the human mind and they can always be modified or abandoned by choice.
6. The quality of service cannot exceed the quality of the systems through which it is delivered. Bad processes, confusing, irrational or out-of-date policies will yield bad products and services; bad values yield bad choices.
7. Changing systems even slightly can be costly; not every improvement is worth the cost.
(This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.)
TEN TRUTHS FOR THE BOSS (280.3)
Why is it that most employees think their bosses are at least a little out of touch? Probably because they are. Even those who worked their way to the top lose some credibility and effectiveness because they don't recognize what I call Ten Truths for the Boss:
1. The more certain you are that "it can't happen here," the more likely it is that it will. Be careful about overconfidence and complacency.
2. There are lots of things you don't know, and lots of people who hope you don't find out. Hardly anybody tells you the whole truth anymore. Information is filtered through the fears and career aspirations of subordinates, and many employees believe you will "kill the messenger" if they deliver bad news so they tell you what they think you want to hear.
3. To those who want to please you, your whisper is a yell and your comments are commands. Be careful, people may do foolish things to please you.
4. What you allow, you encourage.
5. There's never just one bad employee; there's the employee and the manager who keeps him.
6. At least someone who works for you is "gaming" the system so they appear to reach their business objectives with smoke and mirrors rather than real achievement.
7. According to the law of big numbers, if you have lots of employees, you probably have a few crooks and psychopaths working for you.
8. Few people think as highly of your ethics as you do.
9. No matter how many good things you do, you will be judged by your last worst act.
10. No matter what your job description says, what matters most is how you manage relationships and people.
**********************************
THE CHALK BOARD (280.4)
When his son was just learning to write, Paul Halpern gave him a small chalkboard so they could write notes to each other. One evening while Paul was in the living room his son called out from the bedroom, "How do you spell 'best'?" A few minutes after Paul answered, his son yelled again: "How do you spell 'kid'?" Paul yelled back, "k-i-d" And then, for a third time his son asked, "How do you spell 'ever'?"
When Paul went into the child's room to view the board, he expected to see a note saying, "I am the best kid ever," but he was totally surprised when his son presented him a different message: "You are the best dad a kid can ever have."
Paul told his son he would have to buy him another chalkboard because he wanted to save this one. Many years later, it still hang's on Paul's wall.
Most people struggle hard for approval at work with the hope of getting acknowledgment, a raise or a promotion. And these forms of recognition can give real pleasure. Yet if you could choose between winning your child's "best dad a kid can ever have" award and being named the best employee, which would you choose?
The point is not to belittle the pursuit of recognition and success in your business life, but to remind you how much closer, more personally meaningful and easier it is to find an enduring sense of pride and pleasure in the earned appreciation of your own children.
**********************************
TAKING CHARGE OF THE BALLOON ( 280.5)
A man in a hot air balloon, realizing he was lost, lowered it to shout to a fellow on the ground: "The wind's blown me off course, can you tell me where I am?" The man replied, "Sure. You're hovering about 60 feet over this wheat field." "You must be an engineer," the balloonist yelled. "I am. How did you know?" the man replied. "Well, everything you told me is technically correct but of absolutely no use." The engineer retorted, "You're an executive, right?" " "How did you know?" the balloonist responded. "Well, you were drifting in no particular direction before you asked my help and you're still lost but now it's my fault."
The balloon is a good metaphor for our lives. At first, all we want to do is rise as high as we can in terms of money, position and prestige. Yet as we rise wind currents push us sideways. Eventually, many of us discover that we're on a very different course than we intended, a long way from the spot we took off from or hoped to end up at. So we blame the wind or anything else.
What we have to realize is that our power of choice is a steering mechanism that lets us respond to each breeze and gust. We can drift with or go against the current. Like haphazard wind currents, unplanned events beyond our control affect the direction of our lives. But, in the end, what we do and become is determined by our choices. The key is to be attentive, to look around to be sure we are going where we want to go.
**********************************
NOTE:
For an archive of commentaries, including audio files, visit:http://www.charactercounts.org/knxtoc.htm
To become a new subscriber, reply to Commentary@jiethics.org with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
Share your thoughts on any of these commentaries in the CHARACTER COUNTS! Discussion Forum:
http://www.charactercounts.org/discus/messages/board-topics.html
Please forward this e-newsletter to others and let us know if you have any problems viewing it.
Josephson Institute of Ethics
4640 Admiralty Way Suite 1001
Marina del Rey, CA 90292-6610
(310) 306-1868 / (800) 711-2670
Management guru Peter Drucker advocates a practice he calls planned abandonment. He stresses how important it is that managers develop the wisdom and courage to regularly review what the organization is doing and determine whether it's worth doing. He urges executives to note and resist the systemic and emotional forces that make it difficult to abandon activities that drain resources, detract from central goals, or otherwise impede progress.
Professor Drucker's insights about abandonment seem equally applicable to the management of our lives. Many of us continue to pursue unrealistic career goals or stay in unhealthy or non constructive relationships that ought to be abandoned because they keep us from moving upward and forward toward core life goals.
It makes no sense to settle for relationships that lessen rather than enlarge us, that diminish rather than develop our values and character. Thus, we should summon the courage and integrity to abandon dead-end personal or work relationships. We need to recognize how murky notions of loyalty can blind us to simple realities and how unrealistic hopes that things will change can prevent us from achieving our higher potential.
Toxic relationships not only make us unhappy; they corrupt our attitudes and dispositions in ways that undermine healthier relationships and blur our vision of what is possible. It's never easy to change, but nothing gets better without change.
**********************************
SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF QUALITY IMPROVEMENT (280:2)
I recently met with hundreds of quality improvement specialists at the California State University system. That's right, there are people whose job it is to make things better. As I prepared, it struck me how similar quality improvement is to character development. Here are seven principles:
1. You don't have to be sick to get better. Every system or process, every person, can be improved.
2. Good enough, isn't. The "if it's not broke, don't fix it mentality" promotes mediocrity that evolves to inferiority. If you're not getting better, you're probably getting worse. Systems that do not adapt to changing circumstances not only become obsolete, often they become counter-productive.
3. There can be no improvement without change and change is scary.
4. All change involves risk, but failure to change involves greater risk.
5. No system is more powerful than the people who create or manage it. Systems, like belief patterns, are created by the human mind and they can always be modified or abandoned by choice.
6. The quality of service cannot exceed the quality of the systems through which it is delivered. Bad processes, confusing, irrational or out-of-date policies will yield bad products and services; bad values yield bad choices.
7. Changing systems even slightly can be costly; not every improvement is worth the cost.
(This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.)
TEN TRUTHS FOR THE BOSS (280.3)
Why is it that most employees think their bosses are at least a little out of touch? Probably because they are. Even those who worked their way to the top lose some credibility and effectiveness because they don't recognize what I call Ten Truths for the Boss:
1. The more certain you are that "it can't happen here," the more likely it is that it will. Be careful about overconfidence and complacency.
2. There are lots of things you don't know, and lots of people who hope you don't find out. Hardly anybody tells you the whole truth anymore. Information is filtered through the fears and career aspirations of subordinates, and many employees believe you will "kill the messenger" if they deliver bad news so they tell you what they think you want to hear.
3. To those who want to please you, your whisper is a yell and your comments are commands. Be careful, people may do foolish things to please you.
4. What you allow, you encourage.
5. There's never just one bad employee; there's the employee and the manager who keeps him.
6. At least someone who works for you is "gaming" the system so they appear to reach their business objectives with smoke and mirrors rather than real achievement.
7. According to the law of big numbers, if you have lots of employees, you probably have a few crooks and psychopaths working for you.
8. Few people think as highly of your ethics as you do.
9. No matter how many good things you do, you will be judged by your last worst act.
10. No matter what your job description says, what matters most is how you manage relationships and people.
**********************************
THE CHALK BOARD (280.4)
When his son was just learning to write, Paul Halpern gave him a small chalkboard so they could write notes to each other. One evening while Paul was in the living room his son called out from the bedroom, "How do you spell 'best'?" A few minutes after Paul answered, his son yelled again: "How do you spell 'kid'?" Paul yelled back, "k-i-d" And then, for a third time his son asked, "How do you spell 'ever'?"
When Paul went into the child's room to view the board, he expected to see a note saying, "I am the best kid ever," but he was totally surprised when his son presented him a different message: "You are the best dad a kid can ever have."
Paul told his son he would have to buy him another chalkboard because he wanted to save this one. Many years later, it still hang's on Paul's wall.
Most people struggle hard for approval at work with the hope of getting acknowledgment, a raise or a promotion. And these forms of recognition can give real pleasure. Yet if you could choose between winning your child's "best dad a kid can ever have" award and being named the best employee, which would you choose?
The point is not to belittle the pursuit of recognition and success in your business life, but to remind you how much closer, more personally meaningful and easier it is to find an enduring sense of pride and pleasure in the earned appreciation of your own children.
**********************************
TAKING CHARGE OF THE BALLOON ( 280.5)
A man in a hot air balloon, realizing he was lost, lowered it to shout to a fellow on the ground: "The wind's blown me off course, can you tell me where I am?" The man replied, "Sure. You're hovering about 60 feet over this wheat field." "You must be an engineer," the balloonist yelled. "I am. How did you know?" the man replied. "Well, everything you told me is technically correct but of absolutely no use." The engineer retorted, "You're an executive, right?" " "How did you know?" the balloonist responded. "Well, you were drifting in no particular direction before you asked my help and you're still lost but now it's my fault."
The balloon is a good metaphor for our lives. At first, all we want to do is rise as high as we can in terms of money, position and prestige. Yet as we rise wind currents push us sideways. Eventually, many of us discover that we're on a very different course than we intended, a long way from the spot we took off from or hoped to end up at. So we blame the wind or anything else.
What we have to realize is that our power of choice is a steering mechanism that lets us respond to each breeze and gust. We can drift with or go against the current. Like haphazard wind currents, unplanned events beyond our control affect the direction of our lives. But, in the end, what we do and become is determined by our choices. The key is to be attentive, to look around to be sure we are going where we want to go.
**********************************
NOTE:
For an archive of commentaries, including audio files, visit:http://www.charactercounts.org/knxtoc.htm
To become a new subscriber, reply to Commentary@jiethics.org with SUBSCRIBE in the subject line.
Share your thoughts on any of these commentaries in the CHARACTER COUNTS! Discussion Forum:
http://www.charactercounts.org/discus/messages/board-topics.html
Please forward this e-newsletter to others and let us know if you have any problems viewing it.
Josephson Institute of Ethics
4640 Admiralty Way Suite 1001
Marina del Rey, CA 90292-6610
(310) 306-1868 / (800) 711-2670
Family - #410 - #13 – Not interested, not motivated...
How to interest, or, to motivate someone to try a new idea, a new approach
I’m at a loss when someone is “simply not interested”, too “busy”, not motivated to understand; or, to find a “Successful Alternative”
How do you interest someone?
How do you motivate someone?
How do you make yourself “care”?
Suppose someone is having a “hard time”, or, is expressing a negative reaction? Am I supposed to disregard the obvious and “pile in”?
These questions have to do with “teens”, “schools”, “marriages”, “politics” and almost anything else!
Ah! But we have choices!! … Some choices you may not like, but they are choices!
For instance….
Suppose I ignore the obvious reactions and simply turn my back. I make no attempt to influence this present state of affairs. I may just leave the situation “as is” and go on about something I can do something about…. But, it is certainly an option!
Suppose I attempt to find a mutual set of facts or examples that attempt to show a different course of action. And suppose I am still left with that feeling that the party involved is still not motivated to understand or even acknowledge my “attempt”? What then? Do I then simply “turn my back” and leave?
….. But, it is certainly an option!
Suppose I care about the person or the issue? What then? I want to make a contribution. I want, at the very least, to express my ideas. Do I measure my personal success by the reactions of the other party? If I do, I am putting my life in another’s hands! If my personal reaction is based on the reaction of another, I am truly in jeopardy!! ….. But, it is certainly an option!
But what to do……
If you want to make a contribution, simply make it!!
Don’t look for agreement, change, or even participation. Just do the best “contributing” you can do, and satisfy yourself with a “job well done”! Your repayment is the self-analysis that you did the best you could do; and, go about your business.
Even if it is your own blood and kin… try your best and then “go about your business”!
What’s “your” successful alternative?
You may decide that you have enough energy and desire to “try again”. Just go do it!!! But remember that your satisfaction must come from the personal self-realization that you tried to do your best!
You cannot judge yourself and your success by the reaction of others!
If you are able to influence, great!! … But if you did your best and nothing….. so be it!
Does this bode well for our schools, our governmental policies, and our own peace and comfort?
I’m not so sure… But “what’s the successful alternative?” ……
Continuing to complain, feeling depressed and helpless certainly is not too constructive.
So I conclude with the simple thought of “the ol’ college try”! At least try to make your best contribution.
Try to influence the best way you know how. But don’t measure your success from the reactions of others.
It’s a way of thinking that has to be “learned”.
It’s a way that has to be continually practiced and relearned.
It’s a way of personal “survival”! …. (Just think about it. After all “What’s the successful alternative?”)
I’m at a loss when someone is “simply not interested”, too “busy”, not motivated to understand; or, to find a “Successful Alternative”
How do you interest someone?
How do you motivate someone?
How do you make yourself “care”?
Suppose someone is having a “hard time”, or, is expressing a negative reaction? Am I supposed to disregard the obvious and “pile in”?
These questions have to do with “teens”, “schools”, “marriages”, “politics” and almost anything else!
Ah! But we have choices!! … Some choices you may not like, but they are choices!
For instance….
Suppose I ignore the obvious reactions and simply turn my back. I make no attempt to influence this present state of affairs. I may just leave the situation “as is” and go on about something I can do something about…. But, it is certainly an option!
Suppose I attempt to find a mutual set of facts or examples that attempt to show a different course of action. And suppose I am still left with that feeling that the party involved is still not motivated to understand or even acknowledge my “attempt”? What then? Do I then simply “turn my back” and leave?
….. But, it is certainly an option!
Suppose I care about the person or the issue? What then? I want to make a contribution. I want, at the very least, to express my ideas. Do I measure my personal success by the reactions of the other party? If I do, I am putting my life in another’s hands! If my personal reaction is based on the reaction of another, I am truly in jeopardy!! ….. But, it is certainly an option!
But what to do……
If you want to make a contribution, simply make it!!
Don’t look for agreement, change, or even participation. Just do the best “contributing” you can do, and satisfy yourself with a “job well done”! Your repayment is the self-analysis that you did the best you could do; and, go about your business.
Even if it is your own blood and kin… try your best and then “go about your business”!
What’s “your” successful alternative?
You may decide that you have enough energy and desire to “try again”. Just go do it!!! But remember that your satisfaction must come from the personal self-realization that you tried to do your best!
You cannot judge yourself and your success by the reaction of others!
If you are able to influence, great!! … But if you did your best and nothing….. so be it!
Does this bode well for our schools, our governmental policies, and our own peace and comfort?
I’m not so sure… But “what’s the successful alternative?” ……
Continuing to complain, feeling depressed and helpless certainly is not too constructive.
So I conclude with the simple thought of “the ol’ college try”! At least try to make your best contribution.
Try to influence the best way you know how. But don’t measure your success from the reactions of others.
It’s a way of thinking that has to be “learned”.
It’s a way that has to be continually practiced and relearned.
It’s a way of personal “survival”! …. (Just think about it. After all “What’s the successful alternative?”)
Family - #401 - #12 – What are “public” schools supposed to teach?
What’s more important? …..
1. How to get a job? …What is “money” and how to use it wisely …
2. What is good health?
3. What is lawful? .. i.e. “right vs. wrong” … private property …. violence and physical harm…..
4. Reading
5. Writing
6. Arithmetic
7. History?…. Ethnic history? … European and Global history? … American history? …. Etc.
8. Self esteem and confidence … (whatever these mean!)
9. Family, marriage, children, and sex
10. Anti discrimination, and, moral values
11.Logic and Reason
12. What is America? . .. What it is supposed to stand for? …. What is unique?… What is patriotism?
So, what’s your choice? …. How many do you choose?
What is your “priority” of choice?
Where do you find the qualified “teachers” of these choices?
What do you expect the result to be? … How do we “measure” success?
Although we spend more money on “Education” (whatever that means!) than any other single budget item except National Defense, what should we be teaching? What is included in “Education”?
What do we do with students that are….
1. not interested
2. not disciplined
3. not motivated
4. don’t speak the English language
5. medically, mentally not equipped to enter a “regular” school. (what part of the financial budget is reserved for these “special cases” and what does it take away from the operations and activities of the “regular “ schools? (What do they have to give up?)
These are enough questions. What’s the answers to at least these questions? To whom do we look give us answers? Why are we willing to expend so much of our hard earned “treasure” if we can’t get the answers? …. What are “public schools” supposed to teach?
1. How to get a job? …What is “money” and how to use it wisely …
2. What is good health?
3. What is lawful? .. i.e. “right vs. wrong” … private property …. violence and physical harm…..
4. Reading
5. Writing
6. Arithmetic
7. History?…. Ethnic history? … European and Global history? … American history? …. Etc.
8. Self esteem and confidence … (whatever these mean!)
9. Family, marriage, children, and sex
10. Anti discrimination, and, moral values
11.Logic and Reason
12. What is America? . .. What it is supposed to stand for? …. What is unique?… What is patriotism?
So, what’s your choice? …. How many do you choose?
What is your “priority” of choice?
Where do you find the qualified “teachers” of these choices?
What do you expect the result to be? … How do we “measure” success?
Although we spend more money on “Education” (whatever that means!) than any other single budget item except National Defense, what should we be teaching? What is included in “Education”?
What do we do with students that are….
1. not interested
2. not disciplined
3. not motivated
4. don’t speak the English language
5. medically, mentally not equipped to enter a “regular” school. (what part of the financial budget is reserved for these “special cases” and what does it take away from the operations and activities of the “regular “ schools? (What do they have to give up?)
These are enough questions. What’s the answers to at least these questions? To whom do we look give us answers? Why are we willing to expend so much of our hard earned “treasure” if we can’t get the answers? …. What are “public schools” supposed to teach?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Definition - #301 – #56 - McCain's “change” or Obama’s “change”
Well, which do you want?
After all, the candidates talk about their “change”. “Change” of what?....How do you “change”?… How much does “it” cost?.... Who does it benefit?....etc.
“Change” is a word that is bandied about. It is without specifics. It is the basis of the election.
Who cannot be for “change”?
Osama’s “change” or Obama’s “change”?
Is “change” without specifics, without definition, to be the basis of a candidates choice?
Poor America! It is running around blind! It is without thought! It is without reason!
Forget about “whose” change!
“Change” is supposed to have a meaning, a definition!
America (including the media and the pundits) has adopted this word without a “mutual meaning”. Each person has his own “definition”…. Isn’t that one of the jobs of the “contenders”?
An individual who is advocating “change” has an obligation to define what he means. To advocate a foreign policy that needs “more foreign policy advocates” means that you are aware of the strides that are taking place, (the present program that the operating Administration has ongoing), and this is what you feel is inadequate, the need to “change”.. How exactly would you “change” it? ….(Or do you just want to “change” the foreign policy of the U.S.?)
Osama’s “change” or Obama’s “change”?
Any individual who wants “change” must be aware and state what are the present actions being taken and what they are going to do to make the “change”. Anything else will lead us to obscurity!
Do you want the election based on a misunderstanding, or worse, no understanding at all?
After all, the candidates talk about their “change”. “Change” of what?....How do you “change”?… How much does “it” cost?.... Who does it benefit?....etc.
“Change” is a word that is bandied about. It is without specifics. It is the basis of the election.
Who cannot be for “change”?
Osama’s “change” or Obama’s “change”?
Is “change” without specifics, without definition, to be the basis of a candidates choice?
Poor America! It is running around blind! It is without thought! It is without reason!
Forget about “whose” change!
“Change” is supposed to have a meaning, a definition!
America (including the media and the pundits) has adopted this word without a “mutual meaning”. Each person has his own “definition”…. Isn’t that one of the jobs of the “contenders”?
An individual who is advocating “change” has an obligation to define what he means. To advocate a foreign policy that needs “more foreign policy advocates” means that you are aware of the strides that are taking place, (the present program that the operating Administration has ongoing), and this is what you feel is inadequate, the need to “change”.. How exactly would you “change” it? ….(Or do you just want to “change” the foreign policy of the U.S.?)
Osama’s “change” or Obama’s “change”?
Any individual who wants “change” must be aware and state what are the present actions being taken and what they are going to do to make the “change”. Anything else will lead us to obscurity!
Do you want the election based on a misunderstanding, or worse, no understanding at all?
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Personal - #501 - #74 -Leadership and Policy are two different things!
Do you think that the general American people should make the policy?
Uninformed, lack of geography, lack of history, lack of every vestige of long term anything; the average American is the least likely group to look for “policy, long term policy”!
What should the “long term policy” for the U.S. be?
Should it be the long term policy of a “democratic” government? This has already made enemies of almost every dictator or authoritarian government in existence today!
Should it be “inclusion”? That is, we undertake every meeting with all kinds of people, democratic or not. But different people, representing different thoughts, as though we stand for that!
Should our sworn enemies be included? After all, if we want “change”, shouldn’t our behavior change?
Is going against our policy be a national thing or a reasoned discussion among only the “informed” people who will then pass the policies to the government for leadership? By leadership, I mean, such things as the economy, welfare, schools, medi-care, etc.; the “social” issues of today. The leadership of the government can handle the social issues of today. It might be tortuous and slow, but the general public or the government for “policy”?
The dialogue necessary for policy is a reasoned affair without parties, without rancor, without one person trying to influence another for advantage…. in other words for ideas, long term ideas.
It is up to this group to discus “policy”. No to other group has the experience, geographical, or historical background necessary. Nor do they have the discipline required in such a conversation. It is sad but true!
The wheels of a democratic institution are slow and cumbersome but the have to realize there is a change in the world. America has got to stand for something! The public must be educated to this reality but that will take time (which we don’t have!). There is nothing to look forward too if America doesn’t even exist!
Why are we hated so? Why does everyone want to come to America?(with all our faults!) When did it start? Whose to blame? Etc., etc.
This cannot be a part of the long term “policy” discussion. These are much more important than that. Let the media and the pundits roll around in the mud! They think that what they’re talking about makes sense and is important. It will be the education of the general public that will bring “change” to the public at large…. Nothing more!
Are Leadership and Policy two different things?
Uninformed, lack of geography, lack of history, lack of every vestige of long term anything; the average American is the least likely group to look for “policy, long term policy”!
What should the “long term policy” for the U.S. be?
Should it be the long term policy of a “democratic” government? This has already made enemies of almost every dictator or authoritarian government in existence today!
Should it be “inclusion”? That is, we undertake every meeting with all kinds of people, democratic or not. But different people, representing different thoughts, as though we stand for that!
Should our sworn enemies be included? After all, if we want “change”, shouldn’t our behavior change?
Is going against our policy be a national thing or a reasoned discussion among only the “informed” people who will then pass the policies to the government for leadership? By leadership, I mean, such things as the economy, welfare, schools, medi-care, etc.; the “social” issues of today. The leadership of the government can handle the social issues of today. It might be tortuous and slow, but the general public or the government for “policy”?
The dialogue necessary for policy is a reasoned affair without parties, without rancor, without one person trying to influence another for advantage…. in other words for ideas, long term ideas.
It is up to this group to discus “policy”. No to other group has the experience, geographical, or historical background necessary. Nor do they have the discipline required in such a conversation. It is sad but true!
The wheels of a democratic institution are slow and cumbersome but the have to realize there is a change in the world. America has got to stand for something! The public must be educated to this reality but that will take time (which we don’t have!). There is nothing to look forward too if America doesn’t even exist!
Why are we hated so? Why does everyone want to come to America?(with all our faults!) When did it start? Whose to blame? Etc., etc.
This cannot be a part of the long term “policy” discussion. These are much more important than that. Let the media and the pundits roll around in the mud! They think that what they’re talking about makes sense and is important. It will be the education of the general public that will bring “change” to the public at large…. Nothing more!
Are Leadership and Policy two different things?
Friday, September 19, 2008
Definition - #301 - #37 -The “formula” for success?
Many people look for a “success formula”!
But they don’t know what they’re looking for!
“Success” can mean in money, in marriage, in friendships, in every way!
But what if I can’t find a formula for “success”?
Do I continue to have anxieties?
Do I continue to have unresolved fears?
Do I continue to have unresolved problems?
But what if I can’t find a formula for “success”?
Sometimes I feel that I don’t have the information to judge, to have new ideas.
Sometimes I feel that the world has become too complicated.
Sometimes I feel that there are too many issues to cope with.
Do I have to make a difference?
Suppose I just “drop out”?
Suppose I just don’t “give a damn” anymore?
Suppose I just pay attention to what is in front of me, my family, my business, my well being?
Do I have to make a difference?
Well, what do I do?
Is there a “successful alternative” for me to gain control?
If I just feel uncomfortable, what’s the “successful alternative”?
Do I have to make a difference?
Can I find a “formula for success”? ……..
If I feel uncomfortable, if I feel disconcerted; there must be a “plan of personal action”. The plan must be one of self initiation. Nobody will tell you what to do. If I look for a reaction to what I am saying or the policies I have generated, I am doomed to failure. To look for a reaction from others is a sure sign of failure. This must be an independent plan, a self generated plan, “a plan of personal action”.
Obviously if I feel disconnected, disconcerted, depressed I must do something!
To expect a reaction from others is already self defeating. Any requirement that depends on “others” for success is doomed! Again, this must be “a plan of personal action”.
Try to be “constructive” in your conversation with others. They have heard all the negatives before. Try to find out the source of their ideas and opinions. (Don’t be surprised if there isn’t any!) Try to find “mutual definitions”. (It’s more important than any “revelations”!)
Above all, don’t give up any definite plan or hope for yourself. Don’t let these ideas change any hopes for yourself…..(if they are without consequences to others!) Any plan you presently have for the future is better than no plan!
In essence, try to make a “meaningful contribution”. That’s the best you can do…..
But they don’t know what they’re looking for!
“Success” can mean in money, in marriage, in friendships, in every way!
But what if I can’t find a formula for “success”?
Do I continue to have anxieties?
Do I continue to have unresolved fears?
Do I continue to have unresolved problems?
But what if I can’t find a formula for “success”?
Sometimes I feel that I don’t have the information to judge, to have new ideas.
Sometimes I feel that the world has become too complicated.
Sometimes I feel that there are too many issues to cope with.
Do I have to make a difference?
Suppose I just “drop out”?
Suppose I just don’t “give a damn” anymore?
Suppose I just pay attention to what is in front of me, my family, my business, my well being?
Do I have to make a difference?
Well, what do I do?
Is there a “successful alternative” for me to gain control?
If I just feel uncomfortable, what’s the “successful alternative”?
Do I have to make a difference?
Can I find a “formula for success”? ……..
If I feel uncomfortable, if I feel disconcerted; there must be a “plan of personal action”. The plan must be one of self initiation. Nobody will tell you what to do. If I look for a reaction to what I am saying or the policies I have generated, I am doomed to failure. To look for a reaction from others is a sure sign of failure. This must be an independent plan, a self generated plan, “a plan of personal action”.
Obviously if I feel disconnected, disconcerted, depressed I must do something!
To expect a reaction from others is already self defeating. Any requirement that depends on “others” for success is doomed! Again, this must be “a plan of personal action”.
Try to be “constructive” in your conversation with others. They have heard all the negatives before. Try to find out the source of their ideas and opinions. (Don’t be surprised if there isn’t any!) Try to find “mutual definitions”. (It’s more important than any “revelations”!)
Above all, don’t give up any definite plan or hope for yourself. Don’t let these ideas change any hopes for yourself…..(if they are without consequences to others!) Any plan you presently have for the future is better than no plan!
In essence, try to make a “meaningful contribution”. That’s the best you can do…..
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