Tag: Words to ponder

Words to ponder

Opinion, Words to ponder

Truth is first line of defense for the Republic

There is a lot going on with our Congress and whether or not our representatives get a chance to review the facts of the Mueller Report. Will the executive branch get away with demanding that it control all of the evidence gathered about Russian influence in the 2016 elections, and the Trump campaign? If they get away with it; what will the executive branch be able to do in the future and avoid congressional oversight? Our Constitution is a plan of government that first describes the legislative branch, (Congress) because this branch through the House of Representatives being elected every two years is closest to the people. We don’t have a republic if our elected representatives are denied access to the facts collected by civil servants that we have paid for.

Opinion

All the smoke of Trump

We are living in interesting times as the old Chinese saying, or curse (May you live in interesting times) goes. It is easy to be worn out by the endless absurdities and conflicts that are broadcast in our media daily. The issues are incredibly important and our republic is at stake, but more important is that we the citizens get the facts and control what we can using all of our rights. “Keep calm and carry on” is a very real message and mindset for our times. We have to remain assertively patient while the facts come out, and we cannot count on some other person or group (Robert Mueller, House of Representatives, or Congress as a whole) to save us; to paraphrase former President Barrack Obama: we need to be the change we have been waiting for.

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Words to Ponder from Goethe

To think is easy. To act is hard. But the hardest thing in the world is to act in accordance with your thinking.”

― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

This quote provokes many questions and thoughts about the nature of discipline and translating thoughts into action. You have to first assume about this quote that Goethe is not referring to negative or evil thinking. Obviously it is wonderful that we do not act on our lowest thoughts. Goethe is likely referring to our highest thinking and ideas for ourselves and others and why we so often fail to follow up. Part of the quote’s genesis could be concern about fear or social pressure (hardest thing…act in accordance with your thinking) as well as individual weakness. What do you think?

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Words to Ponder – “Communication creates Clarity” – unknown

The words or quote “Communication creates Clarity” came to me as I listened to a Jocko Podcast. I imagine that someone has uttered these words at some point in the past, but I don’t know who. In his book “Extreme Ownership”, and on his podcast Jocko Willink talks a lot about the importance of communication amongst human beings who are trying to achieve a goal. My experience is that this is very true. If we can focus and understand the desired outcome of our efforts; we can synthesize our behaviors to achieve them. Distractions come in all forms and we struggle with our individual egos and perceptions as we go through life, but if we can see benefit for ourselves and others we can not just cooperate, but create synergy. The Bible says without a vision the people perish. Maybe the vision is the clarity that we seek in life.

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Words to Ponder

“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” – Scott Hamilton

This quote provokes a lot of thought. Everyone finds things to feel bad about, and constantly feeling bad can be considered disabling. Questions: Is our attitude totally a choice? How do we teach attitude? What factors determine attitude? When is our attitude aptitude most in development? What can we all do to help create more positive attitudes?

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Words to ponder

Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better take things as they come along with patience and equanimity. – Carl Jung

This quote raises many interesting questions. Do we have to know pain to appreciate happiness? How do we learn to have patience and balance in the face of threatening events? What causes some people to be very emotional and others more reserved; are these inherited traits? Do we have to balance happiness with sadness; can’t we just move from the ground floor to the upper floors without a journey to the basement?

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Words to ponder

When you blame others, you give up your power to change. – Robert Anthony

This quote has profound questions implied in it. Does power only come from ownership, or is it the recognition of our power in situations that leads us to understand our impact? Does our view of power lead to different behavior? Do we blame others for success? Does blame represent fear? Is blame always inaccurate? Does blame always have to be negative, and if not how do we flip it into a building block?

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Words to ponder from Marcus Aurelius

“The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.” – Marcus Aurelius

Some questions to consider: Do we need to force ourselves to think deeply about topics that do not initially interest us? Should we be fearful of our thoughts, or do we balance our thinking by gathering more information and countering ideas? Which comes first our souls or the ideas we focus on? How do we train ourselves and those we care about to think both deeply and broadly? Is it our duty to be caring about everyone to some extent?

Opinion, Words to ponder

Is the President worth it?

Is it worth it to the country to impeach a president when he is clearly guilty of felony behavior on issues from national security, to emoluments, to tax evasion? Do we say no this time and then pursue the next guy? Do American leaders tell us that major criminal behavior does not matter if you gain the highest office? What do we say to all of those facing legal jeopardy or risking their lives to enforcing our laws when it is obvious that the law does not apply to all? When does the specter of moral and legal system decay become too much for citizens and leadership to ignore?

Self improvement, Words to ponder

Words to ponder

“Discipline = Freedom” – Jocko Willink

The idea that discipline equals freedom has been stated in different ways I think. The phrase “There are no rights without responsibility ” comes to mind, but “discipline equals freedom” is a stronger statement that casts a wider net. Everyone I know loves to eat, but most of us know that if you don’t balance meals with activity there will be problems. The same balance (or discipline) applies to everything we enjoy….too much of it is a bad thing. The quote applies to what we want, what we look like, how we interact with others, and where we want to go in life – without discipline we cannot make things happen for ourselves. Implied in the quote is that we own our experience of life. The quote is profound.