Many families follow the old etiquette teaching: Three things civilized people don’t talk about – Politics, Religion, and Money. How dull! Not to mention how dumb! Our home has never been like that. The Stephenson Family has always been both opinionated and vocal.
For brevity’s sake, this is continued. If it is your first time be sure to read the rest. Continue reading
Ever think about how often you are an example? Every day.
Each and every day you are in a leadership role, but you never think of it. Maybe you should? Watch this 6 minute video from TED, I think you will find it motivational – to say the least.
So, who will you inspire tomorrow? And who has inspired you today?
We recently had the pleasure of having Pastor Josh Kimes as a guest speaker at our church service. Josh is a passionate speaker and touched many of us that morning. But as often happens, there was one specific thing he said that made all the difference for me.
He said, “I would rather be known for what I am for than for what I am against.” That single thought captured my mind and made me want to re-evaluate a lot of what I have written here on the blog.
No, I am probably not going to stop ‘crusading’ against things that i see as just plain wrong. Mainly because I feel that’s something we all need to do, and if more people took that action, that world around us would change. It could not help but do so.
But my thoughts have been more and more focused on exposing the positives around us and the positive things that I personally strive to attain. In a terrific article titled We The People in the recent Achievers Magazine the author laid out these principles that I find are the same exact ones that have the most meaning to me.
1. Learning: This is a lifelong never-ending commitment
I have always felt that when you stop learning, you stop living. People who know me best know a sure conversation starter is: what are you reading?
2. Integrity: Above all else.
Stand for truth, but that is not enough. Integrity is more than just honesty, it is accountability, personal responsibility and a commitment to ‘do the right thing.’
3. Excellence: We will not accept less than the best.
My years have taught me that personal excellence is a goal often reached for and only occasionally hit. That makes many give up on it, but for myself – it makes it a goal worth fighting for.
4. Respect: In every circle of life.
Everyone has built in favorites and dislikes: another word for these is prejudices. The only thing that makes our world work, even with all of us having our likes, etc, is respect. Respect for each other greases the wheels of society, and respect for ourselves is the beginning of respect for others.
5. Improving Our Society: Guidance, assistance and leadership.
I believe that the best way to change another is to focus on changing yourself. By becoming the very best you can be, you influence those around you to work at doing the same. Improve yourself, thereby improve your circle of influence, and in doing so improve the world. But it is a mistake to only work on self improvement, because while doing that to exclusion to all else we can let the world burn.
6. Positivity: Always believe in better.
There simply is no doubt about the truth of these words: “If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.” – Henry Ford. Belief in a better outcome will not cause it to be, rather will allow it to be, while belief in a negative outcome will increase it’s probability.
Sorry for how long this post is, but I wanted to get it all included in one shot. In the upcoming days and weeks I will be posting articles on each of the six principles. And I look forward to feedback from any & all of you out there.
I am not a fan of Leno (I was too invested in Johnny to like any of the new guys!) but I stumbled across this wonderful video the other day and it filled me with such a sense of fun I had to share it.
If only we all could be so relaxed, self confident and so un-self conscious, the world would be a lot more fun every single day. So allow me to offer: for your viewing pleasure:
Now, don’t you feel better?
We live in a most amazing time of change and discovery. That really came home to me when I viewed the new series of videos put out by Google Earth in conjunction with Time and NASA.
There are, in total, nine videos. Eight of them are close-ups focused on individual areas, and the one I have included for you here is an overview & explanation of what went into the making of these outstanding video records of our Earth. I do not agree 100% with all the conclusions mentioned, but some are certainly not arguable. We change the places we live. Is all change for the better? Of course not, but is all change to the detriment of the planet? To that, I also say – Of course not.
We are to be stewards of the Earth, just as we are to be stewards of our finances and of our families. And frankly, we are falling down in more areas than not. To me it all starts with the concept of Individual/Personal Responsibility. You are responsible for your health, or lack thereof. The Government is not and should not try to force it on you, and McDonald’s is not, as they are not the only choice available to you.
As I am fond of quoting: “Your Life is yours alone…Rise up and live it!” – Terry Goodkind, Faith of the Fallen
To watch the additional 8 short videos go here.
Many of you may agree with me when I state that Religion (particularly Christianity) is under duress, even attack in the USA today.
Some of you may disagree vehemently with the statement. I believe the difference lies in where you are looking and, as in everything else, with your personal ‘worldview.’
There is a tremendous article in this month’s Imprimis newsletter, out out by Hillsdale College. It is a long article taken directly from a speech and I recommend it to all. Please allow me to quote 2 paragraphs from the piece to spark your interest. And if they do not make you want to know more, then please do not bother with the link to the full post.
For-profit companies are not religious in the way that Notre Dame University is religious. Nonetheless, the religious beliefs of those who own and run businesses in America should be accorded some protection. This idea the Obama administration flatly rejects. By their progressive way of thinking, economic life should be under the full and unlimited control of the federal government.
Evoking the principle of fairness, Leiter argues that everybody’s conscience should be accorded the same legal protections. Thus he proposes to replace religious liberty with a plenary “liberty of conscience.”………Let me give an example. The urban high school my son attended strictly prohibits hats and headgear. It does so in order to keep gang-related symbols and regalia out of the school. However, the school recognizes a special right of religious freedom, and my son, whose mother is Jewish and who was raised as a Jew, was permitted to wear a yarmulke. Leiter’s argument prohibits this special right, but his alternative is unworkable. The gang members could claim that their deep commitments of loyalty to each other create a conscientious duty to wear gang regalia. If everybody’s conscience must be respected, then nobody’s will be, for order and safety must be preserved.
Turned off? Okay then forget it. But if you are intrigued or upset by this type of thinking it behooves you to read the article in it’s entirety. Go HERE to do that.
Regardless of the side you stand on, stand there in full knowledge rather than in ignorance.
