Wednesday, January 29, 2014
I'm not a fearful apocalyptic person, but . . .
I'm not a fearful apocalyptic person who thinks "the sky is falling" or the imminent Second Coming is nigh upon us.
While I do have serious concerns about how humans steward resources (environmental concerns) and I do think issues like solar, renewable energies must be diligently pursued over limited, finite resources (fossil fuels) - I don't think environmental collapse around the Globe is necessarily the future. (Though, I think current scientific projections are more accurate than flawed.)
What really scares me is the "incompetence" and "lack of foresight" and "poor judgment" of "the masses" - especially stirred by (in)adequate media - from legitmate news sources to random persons using one-or-another-form of social media! People who "freak out" about so-called "Snowpocalpse" situations or the a winter stormed labeled a "Polar vortex" - these people cause me to worry.
When an entire city like Atlanta is in something like apocalyptic chaos in traffic, over a mere few inches of snow, and I remember past events like Hurricane Katrina before people were too connected to media and internet "instant" hype . . . I do fear for how societies will "freak out" in future ideas with instant access to "frenzia" and "hysteria."
What concerns me, is unwise, irrational, scared people.
While I do have serious concerns about how humans steward resources (environmental concerns) and I do think issues like solar, renewable energies must be diligently pursued over limited, finite resources (fossil fuels) - I don't think environmental collapse around the Globe is necessarily the future. (Though, I think current scientific projections are more accurate than flawed.)
What really scares me is the "incompetence" and "lack of foresight" and "poor judgment" of "the masses" - especially stirred by (in)adequate media - from legitmate news sources to random persons using one-or-another-form of social media! People who "freak out" about so-called "Snowpocalpse" situations or the a winter stormed labeled a "Polar vortex" - these people cause me to worry.
When an entire city like Atlanta is in something like apocalyptic chaos in traffic, over a mere few inches of snow, and I remember past events like Hurricane Katrina before people were too connected to media and internet "instant" hype . . . I do fear for how societies will "freak out" in future ideas with instant access to "frenzia" and "hysteria."
What concerns me, is unwise, irrational, scared people.
Biomimicry and New Technology
I love new technology!
I love how humans look to Creation to discern what is already there - in Creation! Our "new" technology was Created long ago it seems! Too cool!
I love how humans look to Creation to discern what is already there - in Creation! Our "new" technology was Created long ago it seems! Too cool!
Scientists
have successfully taken inspiration from the mechanics of natural structures like seashells in order to significantly increase the
toughness of glass.
The article notes, "Observing the natural world can clearly lead to improved man-made designs."
I might say instead, observing the Creators work in Creation, leads to us imaging God in improved ways already designed!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Wisdom from my Grandparents.
"When dating a young lady, be mindful of how she maintains her bedroom. How she maintains her bedroom is a reflection of how she'll maintain her home." ~ Maternal Grandmother
"Date the daughter. Court the mother." ~ Maternal Grandmother
On women and make-up and hair: "If the barn needs painting, paint it." ~ Paternal Grandfather.
"Date the daughter. Court the mother." ~ Maternal Grandmother
On women and make-up and hair: "If the barn needs painting, paint it." ~ Paternal Grandfather.
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
Accomplishing your major academic (or project specific) goal
I have a former student working toward a major academic goal in her life. I shared this insight with her and wanted to archive and share it here.
When I was "stuck" - not writing my Ph.D. Dissertation - these things helped me. While personal to my situation, I hope there is pragmatic experience here that might help others achieve their academic or project specific goals!
Four insights and practices from my life that helped me finish my academic goals - specifically writing my dissertation.
First,
it was really helpful to me, after learning from Tony Robbins when I
was stuck in my dissertation work, to think about The Christmas Story in
order to succeed. Yes, Charles Dickens, Ebenezer Scrooge, Christmas
Story. Here is Tony Robbin's insight, that's perfectly clear in the
story, that helped me. In the three night visitors that Scrooge had,
he was able to see the possibility of his future, in light of his past.
And, most specifically, when Scrooge saw the pain that would come in
the future, from his own choices and actions, Scrooge was able to chart
a new course in life. As Robbins points out, when we associate enough
pain with a certain future - and/or - enough pain with a certain other
future - the "pain/pleasure" of the possible future can motivate us to
move on. When I was desperately stuck in my dissertation work, on many
occasions I used the "pain of not finishing my dissertation" and/or the
"pleasure of finishing my dissertation" to motivate me. I actually had
the pain issues written down - and knew I did not want them - as well
as the pleasure issues - and knew I wanted them!I hope these tidbits of my unique experience have some helpful resonance for you as you plan toward your successful goals in life!
Immediate Access to Great "Business" Books
I've been focused on "Taking the Next Action" from the "Getting Things Done" (GTD) work-philosophy for the past several years. I routinely think in terms of the "Naction" or "Next Action" I need to take.
One time last year I was searching "action items" and "action lists" and "actionable" ideas related to taking the next action and I found the website actionablebooks.com
At their site, they provide quality, focused "five-minute-length" reviews of great books related to leadership, communication, innovative thinking, team-building and self-management. They call them: "Business book summaries with personality. Insights you can apply in five minutes."
The summaries I have read for books I had previously read in their entirety, were each excellent. And, for books I have not read entirely, I've gleaned insight from the short review provided at the website.
I imagine the "next action" you should take is to click into the summaries yourself and make it a "next action" practice of your life to glean from these summaries for your own leadership and development!
I hope this is a great source of vibrant learning for your life!
One time last year I was searching "action items" and "action lists" and "actionable" ideas related to taking the next action and I found the website actionablebooks.com
At their site, they provide quality, focused "five-minute-length" reviews of great books related to leadership, communication, innovative thinking, team-building and self-management. They call them: "Business book summaries with personality. Insights you can apply in five minutes."
The summaries I have read for books I had previously read in their entirety, were each excellent. And, for books I have not read entirely, I've gleaned insight from the short review provided at the website.
I imagine the "next action" you should take is to click into the summaries yourself and make it a "next action" practice of your life to glean from these summaries for your own leadership and development!
I hope this is a great source of vibrant learning for your life!
On Pursuing Life's Passions - Your passion!
I will share these articles with young people from now on. I share them here for that purpose for the future!
Life is complex. Pursuing the passions and dreams of "your" heart are important for meaning in life's meaninglessness!
I wish for each person the ability to live life to the fullest - with the greatest meaning and joy!
Two articles, and really the second one that follows the first, help people consider what it means to identify their passion.
Life is complex. Pursuing the passions and dreams of "your" heart are important for meaning in life's meaninglessness!
I wish for each person the ability to live life to the fullest - with the greatest meaning and joy!
Two articles, and really the second one that follows the first, help people consider what it means to identify their passion.
You are Going to Spend a Lot of Time Figuring Stuff out
- and -
25 Questions That Will Guide You To Find and Follow Your Passion
Blessings to all - for 2014 and beyond!
I can't sing, yet this is my hope
for extending Blessing to family, friends, strangers, persons who
consider me an enemy, and people of every language, tribe, nationality
and people group for 2014.
The LORD's Blessing from the Torah.
My hope for all!
The LORD's Blessing from the Torah.
My hope for all!
Solutions in 2014!
I'm not a resolution kind of person.
I think most of the "solutions" don't need to be "re-solutions" or discovered afresh - the old solutions just need to be lived out!
More Justice.
More Kindness.
More Grace.
More Patience.
More Generosity.
Less self-centered-ness.
Less greed.
Less apathy.
The solutions are there for us to embody & enact in our lives!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)