If you want more from your life, and want to listen to an ongoing conversation on ideas for doing it – listen to the Jocko Podcast featuring Jocko Willink, and Echo Charles. The podcast is predominantly about living and being your best through the lens of business consultant, former US Navy SEAL, and Jiu-Jitsu master Jocko Willink. A quote from the show that I feel sums a lot of the shows humor and good advice is – “When in doubt; get after it”.
As we celebrate Dr. King’s birthday: let’s remember a foundational truth that he shared with us: “We will learn to live together as brothers, or we will die as fools”. This quote is more tru today than ever. We are living in a time period where the definition of America is being changed, and the future of mankind is in the balance. The president seems determined to divide us, and lying is a regular feature of his presidency. We need to make sure that the better angels of our nature trump foolishness.
Our choices say who we are at any given time. What does it say when you can choose to make a deal, but decide that 800,000 working people won’t be paid until you get what you want? The president has had two years with a Republican Congress and did not get wall funding; suddenly everything must stop until he gets what he wants. It is appalling that our country is at this point. Everyone wants secure borders and safe streets, but we are not currently in a worse situation than we were in 10, 8, or 4 years ago – there is no crisis. So why are government employed Americans being taken economic hostage? America has become the greatest power in the world in part because we get along well with our neighbors, and don’t have a resource draining militarized border. Is the president attempting to change our relationship with our neighbors? Why?
We are living in a time when the president of the United States is openly discussed as a security risk/threat to the country he leads. How did we get here? Why are Americans so caught in partisanship that we cannot deal with major threats to the planet, our country, and our society? I think the reason is we cannot seem to agree on the truth. We have networks and media companies that tailor content to the politics of the audience. Any capable enemy would use our internal conflicts against us; especially if we perceive major parts of reality differently. Our republic will thrive on a variety of viewpoints, but will collapse if we are separated from reality. History teaches us that The best attack is the one the target is not aware of – let’s decide to keep our republic, not be victims, and unite around the truth.
We are told by scientists that we have 12 years to reduce carbon caused climate change and save our posterity from it’s worst impacts. I believe that we should all participate in every way possible in the campaign to protect and insure a livable planet for future generations. I am hopeful and believe that we can do what is required for the hope of a better life to go into the future. Every day, week, month, year and political season matter. Let’s all spread the word to vote, be alert, be active, and make a difference in maintaining a human-friendly world for those who come after us.
“Unless you’re in mortal danger, fear is a compass showing you where to go – Maston Kipp
Questions and thoughts that come to mind: How do you grow and not just become a set of habit loops? How can we become our best selves and not live a timid existence?
We need to build bridges to increase the security at our borders, and within a our society. There is a lot of fear and good reason for it when you think of the criminality that is possible without control. Border control and security is really about this core idea of having control of who is in the country and why they are here. We all want control and not chaos; the question is how do we get it? I think being more intelligent about our borders and our neighboring countries will deliver greater security. Better relations and investments in our North American neighborhood is the most effective way to improve our security both economically and societal.
The book Born to Win (by Zig Ziglar and Tom Ziglar) is a great one for anyone looking to make changes in their life. The book provides tools and insight to help you figure out who you are, what you want, and how to get there. Zig Ziglar ( who has passed on) and his Tom Ziglar provide both great life stories along with concrete tools to both motivate and support the change process. The book has 3 main focus areas; plan for success, prepare for success, and expect success, with a fourth area of tools for success. This book pairs nicely with understanding how to develop and change habits (previous review).
Charles Duhigg wrote a powerful book (The Power of Habit) that gives us tools to impact a central area of our lives – habits. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to improve their life. Here is a brief summary of the central question key points of the book. What’s the best way to release yourself from negative habits? You need to understand the habit loop; which is made up of three stages:
1.Cue – something that triggers your habit
2.Routine – the behavior that follows after you’ve triggered your habit
3.Reward – the positive reinforcement your brain identifies with the routine you use.
The key to breaking out of habit loops is to understand these three stages and little changes you can make in any one, or all of them to change your behavior. With time and discipline you can make small substitutions or choices consistently and change whatever you desire about your habits!
I wish everyone a happy new year of growth, adventure, and fun. As you think about what is to come remember to review and appreciate what went well this year, and build on it. I recently read that our brains think about 95% of the same things day after day – only 5% of our thoughts are new. Make it a point to build new experiences, thoughts, and ideas. Despite all of the bad things that happened there was a lot of good done in 2018. Let us all work together to make 2019 a better year for anyone that we can help, and for our planets ability to support all of humanity!
Ethereal Bulwark 