WHAT'S THE MEANING?

Words are the tools that allow us to express and share ideas. An idea can be the genesis if a new invention or the trigger that over throughs a government. In recent years there has been increasing emphasis on 'political correctness'. It is essentially a process of redefining words and restricting the use of other words. It would be well for all of us to remember that the basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words. 

INSTANT REPLAY

While watching college football games today, I was intrigued with the use of 'instant replay' by the referees to clarify what happened during a particular play in the game. This 'instant replay' allows the referees to review the same play from several different camera angles. Viewing the play from different perspectives allows the officials to determine the accuracy of a referees call on the field in disputed plays, was it a touchdown, was it a penalty? The use of 'instant replay' has reduced the level of uncertainty and inaccuracy in official play calls during games. 

We each possess an amazing ability in the function of our mind/brain. We too can replay events in our mind. All too often we replay unpleasant events in our mind from only our perspective and feel increasingly frustrated, sad, angry, etc. Consider using your mind to employ 'instant replay' in your life. Replay the event in question in your mind from several different angles / perspectives. For example, if you had an argument with someone you have probably replayed the event in your mind several times from your perspective.  Now replay it again as if you were looking over the other persons shoulder at you during the argument. See you, hear your own voice. Notice your voice tone, cadence, words, etc. Experience the event from their perspective. Then replay the event again as if you were standing to the side and can see and hear you and the other person. You could then add replaying the event from above it looking down. Create a view from several different angles if you like. The use of these 'instant replays' can make you aware of information or input you initially missed. This new information could totally change your view of the experience or event. 

6 HONEST SERVANTS

One time when I was working in a place with people who were the way we've all seen, I saw a person do that thing in exactly the place you wouldn't expect and it made everyone feel the same. It reminded me of the movie where the people were in a far off land and a disastrous event began unexpected and the other people weren't prepared so the small group was trapped and threatened by the conditions. We've all had that unpleasant experience in a special place when we were having a specific strong emotion and the same people seemed to always be involved. It caused the same thoughts and feelings very similar to what we recently felt in a similar situation. 

As you have most likely discovered by now, the preceding sentences were saying nothing. It was content free writing. We are often exposed to content free speaking and writing, by politicians, salesmen, and advertisers. Content free talk causes our mind to detect an information vacuum. The natural response of our mind is to fill the void or vacuum with our own information and experiences. Content free messages are often used to mislead, deceive or confuse. Be aware of such attempts. When listening to any message you can ensure validity and clarity by using the 6 honest servants of clear communication. With any message ask yourself ; Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. When used to present information, or to clarify information they ensure true communication takes place. We should be able to answer all six questions, if not, reassess, reevaluate, or beware. 

THE MAGIC OF ACCEPTANCE AND APPROVAL

What type of people are you going to meet on the road of life? Will they be happy people who will add to the happiness of your life, or will they be weary, rather run down miserable people who will tend to drag down your life? Would you like to have everyone that comes into your life happy and lift you up with joy? There's a simple way to do it. All it takes is to convey acceptance and a word of approval. I don't mean insincere praise, I mean real, sincere, deep down approval. This is done in action that doesn't take more than thirty seconds to accomplish. We convey acceptance by providing the universal sign of acceptance, a smile. We add to this extended eye contact. That is eye contact for three seconds or more. When two people make extended eye contact, it creates a feeling of connection and acceptance in both people. Then follow this with approval. Approval is something that must be heard. Approval is conveyed simply by making a compliment about the person that is true. The compliment could be about something in their appearance, behavior, speech, etc. 

Determine that you are going to be an instrument for good in your world by conveying acceptance and approval to everyone you encounter in your life day to day. It makes life fun and much more enjoyable. 

VOICE OR ECHO?

Are you a voice or an echo? It seems that with the vast increases in human knowledge and with the amazing inventions by which knowledge is disseminated and spread around, we're all in danger of just becoming plain parrots, the echo of someone else's opinion. From the daily news reports, movies, television, books and the Internet  come voices of other people telling us what we should think, telling us how to live or what to believe. My greatest desire for you is that you think for yourself. Take the ideas you hear, read or see, and consider them for yourself. Determine what you honestly think and even generate your own ideas. Be your own voice, not someone else's echo.

 

WHO IS HOLDING YOU BACK?

When you were younger did you have great dreams, great ambitions to write or paint, or to start a business, or to do some other creative work? Most of us did. In fact, if we are completely honest with ourselves, most of us still cherish these ambitions to this very day, but we excuse ourselves because of our job, our age, our 'situation',etc. The reality being we have created an excuse and accepted it as fact. This so called fact has kept us from pursuing our dream. What are the cherished dreams that remain unfulfilled and locked deep within you? What are the excuses you've used to prevent you from fulfilling you're dream? See those excuses for what they really are, excuses! Resolve to express your creative desire through creative activity. Don't deny the world, or yourself, the impact you could have on others or the joy you could experience. Remember, ultimately, you are the only person who can hold you back. 

INSPIRING EXAMPLES AROUND US

When I was young I lived in a very small house with my four older brothers, three older sister, my mother and my father. Life was challenging and we didn't have much in the way of material things. My father was unable to provide the full support needed for this large family. I know this must have weighed heavily upon his heart. My mother, in her forties, determined she would make a way to provide for us. This mother of eight arose to the challenge. With her faith, determination, love of her children, and great courage, she went to college and became a school teacher. She sacrificed much, worked extraordinarily hard, leaned on her parents a bit, and succeeded. All of us children will forever be grateful to her for what she did. As the years pass, I remain inspired by my mother and her story. It's been said that history repeats itself. I am witness to the truth of that statement. My youngest daughter has had a most challenging life this past year. She gave birth to a little girl one year ago. She had not planned to be a mother so soon nor was she prepared to be one. The babies father has been of little, if any help, so my daughter has navigated this new life pretty much on her own. As parents, we have been there for her, but she has not dropped the parenting of her daughter on us. I have been so impressed at the amazing mother she is to her daughter. She displays a patience, love and parenting skills I never dreamed would come from her. Realizing that she is going to have to be the one to provide a good life for her daughter, she has worked very hard and prepared the way to go to a professional school. Tomorrow she will begin her education, full time, to become a Dental Assistant. She will do this while continuing to work her daily job as a gymnastics coach. As I've watched her doing what needs to be done to move forward and provide for her little family, I've often thought of my mother. My siblings and I have all been richly blessed because of our amazing mother and her example. I am now privileged to witness once again, an amazing mother in the person of my daughter.  With sacrifice, courage, hard work, and leaning on her parents a bit, she, like my mother, will make a better life for her family. 

There are inspiring stories and examples all around us. May we all become familiar with them and draw strength and inspiration for our own lives. You never know, like me, you may find some of those within your own family.