No matter what our motivation may be, if we are not realistic we will not fulfill our goal.

Posted on 16 March 2014 by philosiblog

No matter what our motivation may be, if we are not realistic we will not fulfill our goal. – Dalai Lama

Because of chance or poor decision making on my part, I have always lived in the kill zone of a primary nuclear target. I'd love to see them gone, but reality says otherwise.

Because of chance or poor decision making on my part, I have always lived in the kill zone of a primary nuclear target. I’d love to see them gone, but reality says otherwise.

What does that mean?
Ah, the age old battle between reality and idealism. We all want something, and much of it is idealistic to some extent. The question is how realistic are they?

It isn’t that I am against idealism, I just recognize that it will take time to get to there. The path between where we are and where we desire to be is long, and passes through reality.

If we are unrealistic, we will hurt our cause, perhaps even make it more difficult to turn our ideals into reality.Unfortunately, that happens, and it is sad.

The quote helps us remember that idealism isn’t an end until it has been reached. It is a goal, and we must deal with reality as we work our way towards that goal.

Why is a dash of practicality with our idealism important? Continue reading →

Posted in accomplishment, calm, goals, ideals, motivation, passion | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

It is as foolish to fear death as it is to fear old age; for just as old age follows youth, thus death follows old age.

Posted on 15 March 2014 by philosiblog

It is as foolish to fear death as it is to fear old age; for just as old age follows youth, thus death follows old age. – Seneca

No matter how thin you split it, a coin still has two sides. Death is the obverse of life. You cannot have one without the other.

No matter what, a coin still has two sides. Death is the obverse of life. You cannot have one without the other. Think on death in order that you may never fear it.

What does that mean?
This is another quote shortened for use on Twitter. The full text of Section 30 (or XXX in Roman Numerals), “ON CONQUERING THE CONQUEROR,” is a worthy read.

A more complete version of today’s quote is :

“He says that it is as foolish to fear death as to fear old age; for death follows old age precisely as old age follows youth. He who does not wish to die cannot have wished to live. For life is granted to us with the reservation that we shall die; to this end our path leads.”

This is as old as life itself. If you are born, you will die. As birth is followed by youth, and youth by old age, so old age is followed by death. That’s just the way it is.

Some may divide the time between birth and death into more segments than that, but the pattern, the arc, is still the same. What you believe happens after death is independent of this quote.

Why is understanding important? Continue reading →

Posted in attitude, fear, perspective, preparation, truth, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Stressed spelled backwards is Desserts – something to think about!

Posted on 14 March 2014 by philosiblog

Stressed spelled backwards is Desserts – something to think about! – Unknown

This is my kind of stress. Everything from Apples to Chocolate, and some other stuff! YUMMY!

This is my kind of stress. Everything from Apples to Chocolate, and some other stuff! YUM!

What does that mean?
Based on the image from the confirmation site listed at the bottom of the post, this quote has been around since at least the 1950’s. However, the original author is lost to time.

What I find interesting is that your viewpoint changes the word. Read front to back, you are stressed. Read back to front, your have deserts. And I am now officially hungry.

Yes, life doesn’t reverse like that. But our attitude can. People in some of the worst places have some of the best attitudes. And our attitude is a choice.

Our attitude depends on how we view a situation. Is this stress or a dessert? Only you can decide. But how you view the situation will determine your attitude, and that will determine your emotions. Choose wisely.

Why is our viewpoint important? Continue reading →

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The universe is change; life is what thinking makes of it.

Posted on 13 March 2014 by philosiblog

The universe is change; life is what thinking makes of it. – Marcus Aurelius

Yes, 90 is quite old. But it beats the alternative. How do you think of age?

Yes, 90 is quite old. But it beats the alternative. How do you think of getting old? Is it something to be feared, or savored?

What does that mean?
This quote is about how life works, and one way of looking at it. Change happens. There is no way around it, change will happen. Get used to it.

The universe is full of change, and we are part of the universe, so we are part of that change, we are bathed in that change. All day, every day. It will never stop changing, and neither will we.

The second part of the quote addresses our attitude towards change. Our lives will be what our thoughts make of the change. If we think that change is exciting, we’ll have an exciting life.

If our thoughts are that change is annoying, our lives will not be as pleasant as we might wish. But the cure for an annoying life is to change our thinking, as we will not be able to change the universe.

Why is how we think important? Continue reading →

Posted in attitude, change, obstacles, perspective, strength, thinking | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still.

Posted on 12 March 2014 by philosiblog

Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still. – Chinese Proverb

Wow! That's a lot of parts. That is just a one cylinder engine, with transmission and clutch, from a motorcycle. Just work one part at a time. Slow and steady.

Wow! That’s a lot of parts. That is just a one cylinder engine, with transmission and clutch, from a motorcycle. Just work one part at a time. Slow and steady, just don’t stand still.

What does that mean?
This is similar to a quote attributed to Confucius, where perseverance is stressed. That quote is about remembering that you need to keep going and don’t ever stop.

This quote mentions being afraid of not achieving results. Many of us are in a hurry, and want to see results, and want them yesterday. We worry that not seeing results immediately means that the attempt failed.

For many, that leads to a series of quick attempts, none of which are tried for a sufficient period of time for anything significant, or even measurable, to have happened.

In the end, they go nowhere. Because nothing seems to be working, they give up, and that is the same as standing still. They quit trying, and nothing changes in the way they desire. That’s not good.

Why is moving, regardless of pace, important? Continue reading →

Posted in doing, fear, improve, motivation, procrastination, struggle | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

It takes more than just a good looking body. You’ve got to have the heart and soul to go with it.

Posted on 11 March 2014 by philosiblog

It takes more than just a good looking body. You’ve got to have the heart and soul to go with it. – Epictetus

Tsunami damage, Solomon Islands 2007 - It's easy to care when something this devastating happens. But what about the other days of your life?

Tsunami damage, Solomon Islands 2007 – It’s easy to care when something this devastating happens. But what about all of the other days of your life? How do you show you care?

What does that mean?
He might have had an ulterior motive for this quote, presuming he actually said it, given he was lame or injured and used a crutch or walking aid of some kind.

That said, the quote has some merit. Just look at Hollywood, and all the good looking bodies. How many of them have heart? How many of them have soul? No matter how you define these terms, far too many of them are little more than a pretty face or a good looking body.

Yes, there are some who do have these qualities. But far too many lean only on their looks for their fame, and have little to no other attributes to recommend them.

This quote reminds us that there is more to life than good looks. Caring for others, and for all of humanity is part of life. Having heart and having soul also requires a little action.

Why is caring important? Continue reading →

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In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of the things not meant for you.

Posted on 10 March 2014 by philosiblog

In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of the things not meant for you. – Buddhist saying

Love, Live, & Let Go. Who are you, and for what do you stand?

Love, Live, & Let Go. Who are you, and for what do you stand?

What does that mean?
As far as anyone can tell, this is a fake quote, modified from Jack Kornfield’s “Buddha’s Little Instruction Book.” But despite the lack of pedigree, it is an interesting quote.

The first part is about how much you loved. Not like Casanova, but how much you love you had in your heart, and how much you gave freely to others. This includes all the flavors of love, all the way down to the smallest acts of kindness.

The second is about how gently you lived. Did you run around like a Monster Movie creature, leaving a path of destruction in your wake? Or were you able to leave a path of kindness behind you?

The final part is about how you reacted to that which you could not keep. How did you let go of friends or lovers? Business deals or your favorite pair of jeans? These ave all been tests. How did you fare?

Why is having character important? Continue reading →

Posted in attitude, change, character, gentle, love, struggle | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

We cannot change the past, but we can reshape the future. Young people have the opportunity to create a happier, better future.

Posted on 9 March 2014 by philosiblog

We cannot change the past, but we can reshape the future. Young people have the opportunity to create a happier, better future. – Dalai Lama

The past is behind us. Learn from it, and make better choices.

The past is behind us. Learn from it, and make better choices.

What does that mean?
This is a nice, simple, honest quote. Clean and refreshing. What is done is done. That’s how it starts. The past is what it is. All we can do is learn from it.

However, the past does not require our future to be one specific path. It might be harder to go where we want because of past acts, but we can shape the future, if we put in the effort.

We, the grown-ups of this world, have messed up. Not that the past can be blamed on any one person, but collectively, we haven’t done the best possible job of it, have we?

But the future, that is up to the young people of the world. They have the opportunity to do better. To make a better, a happier future. If they will put in the effort to shape it that way.

Why is letting go of the past important? Continue reading →

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Drunkenness is nothing but voluntary madness.

Posted on 8 March 2014 by philosiblog

Drunkenness is nothing but voluntary madness. – Seneca

The person in the red shirt might be a little mad. Remind you of anyone?

The person in the red shirt might be a little mad. Does this remind you of anyone?

What does that mean?
I think this is a great topic for the weekend, don’t you? We all have our issues and our troubles in life. For those who have an issue with substance abuse, that can be real trouble.

That said, a glass of wine with a meal probably isn’t going to lead to drunkenness, unless they insist on polishing off the bottle. Same with a beer, unless they insist on finishing the six-pack.

And the fall-down drunk is, in my opinion, what (and who) this quote is about. The drunk chose to take the first drink, and to keep drinking. They did so voluntarily.

If they can’t keep their consumption and inebriation to a sane level, that is a form of madness. Together, drinking to excess is, as the quote said going mad on purpose.

Why is moderation important? Continue reading →

Posted in anger, attitude, emotion, habits, moderation, reflection | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Every problem is a gift – without problems we would not grow.

Posted on 7 March 2014 by philosiblog

Every problem is a gift – without problems we would not grow. – Tony Robbins

Is a problem still a problem if you look at it from a different direction? Can you turn it upside down and get excited about a chance to try something new? Can you be glad for a chance to grow? Think Positive!

Is a problem still a problem if you look at it from a different perspective? Can you turn that problem upside down and get excited about a chance to try something new? Can you rejoice in the chance to grow? Can you Think Positive!

What does that mean?
Life isn’t easy. There are problems, or as I prefer, obstacles, challenges, and difficulties. Or if you prefer to stand cowering beneath them, you can call them PROBLEMS!

Our problems are an impetus to grow. Most of us don’t simply grow on our own, except in the areas where we have passion. But our ‘problems’ come from all different aspects of our lives.

In this way, we are forced to adapt, to grow, to change, in order to meet these new challenges. That takes some strength, and a willingness to face the issue and resolve it.

Without this need to act, what is the chance you would change or grow in that area? Probably not very likely, is it? Objects at rest prefer to remain at rest, as I recall.

Why is staying positive important? Continue reading →

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You’ve learned the lessons well. You first learned to live on less than you earn. Next you learned to seek advice from those who are competent. Lastly, you’ve learned to make gold work for you.

Posted on 6 March 2014 by philosiblog

You’ve learned the lessons well. You first learned to live on less than you earn. Next you learned to seek advice from those who are competent. Lastly, you’ve learned to make gold work for you. – George S. Clason

For those who find trial and error a slow and painful way to learn, might I suggest a mentor?

For those who find trial & error a slow and painful way to learn, might I suggest a mentor? It is step two in this pattern, and a useful path to improvement.

What does that mean?
This, to me, is a sound basis for personal finance. But the principles apply to other areas of your life. Anything you wish to make abundant, these principles apply.

But the points are simple, if sometimes difficult to achieve. First, conserve what you wish to enjoy more of. That can be hard, because we want more right now, but it takes a little time.

Next, it helps to seek out an expert, someone who has achieved that which you seek to achieve. Learn their methods and their reasons for their choices. Then duplicate them, as appropriate to your situation.

Lastly, learn to get what you want to work for you without you having to do the work. With money, it’s the power of compound interest. With time it might be ad revenue or book sales while you sleep.

Why is learning methods of work important? Continue reading →

Posted in advice, goals, learning, money, time, work | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Be like the promontory against which the waves continually break, but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it.

Posted on 5 March 2014 by philosiblog

Be like the promontory against which the waves continually break, but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it. – Marcus Aurelius

Some people are about to get wet. But they won't be swept away, sheltered by the strength of the promontory.

Some people are about to get wet. Yep, there are seven people on the rocks (really not recommended) But they won’t be swept away, sheltered by the strength of the promontory.

What does that mean?
This is about being the rock in the storm. It is about being stable and strong while the world goes crazy around you.

It is easy to go with the flow. Sometimes, the swirling water seems to be unstoppable. But it can be done. We see people doing it all the time. We look up to them as if they were special.

Yes, they are special, but you can be special as well. All you need to do is find your center, and sand up to the storm. Yeah, that makes it sound easy, and can be, if you are committed.

This quote is urging us to be the example, rather than the victim. Be the stones against which the waves hurl themselves, and stand firm. Be there that others may take shelter in your strength.

Why is being strong important? Continue reading →

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You don’t have to try, you just have to be.

Posted on 4 March 2014 by philosiblog

You don’t have to try, you just have to be. – David Viscott

Perhaps a deserted beach isn't for you. Where would you relax, and just enjoy the moment?

Perhaps a deserted beach isn’t for you. Where would you relax, and just enjoy the moment?

What does that mean?
To me, this quote is about the age-old struggle. On one hand, we feel a need to excel, to do something, to be someone, to be important, or to matter in some way, shape or form.

Yet it is not necessary. We are all of these things, just by being ourselves. While this isn’t exactly a rallying cry to sloth, it is a reminder of our own inner selves. Sometimes doing less really is more.

The point is most of us try too hard. We try to be the best at something. We try to impress others. We try to become famous, influential, or important. And often in so doing, we lose ourselves.

Many of us have even forgotten the value of relaxing. We ‘relax’ by reading a thrilling book, or watching a violent movie, or getting wound up over a sports game. We so rarely simply are.

Why is taking time to truly relax important? Continue reading →

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If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires.

Posted on 3 March 2014 by philosiblog

If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires. – Epicurus

Does happiness come in a box? Which will bring more happiness, more riches or less desire?

Does happiness come in a box? Which will bring you greater happiness, adding to your riches or reducing your desire?

What does that mean?
This is a description of an age old battle. Do we become happy by adding to our riches, or by reducing our desires? It appears in our nature to choose the former.

But many philosophers, both of the East and of the West, have come to the opposite conclusion. The path to happiness isn’t having more stuff, but having fewer desires.

The basic premise is that happiness does not come from the things we have. Pride, both the useful and the un-useful kind, may come from our possessions, but not true happiness.

Once you realize how useless things are for the attainment of happiness, you also come to the conclusion that reducing our desires is the simplest and quickest path towards happiness.

Why is curbing our desires important? Continue reading →

Posted in choice, desire, happiness, improve, judgement, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

All beings want to live in peace and happiness, undisturbed. Therefore the concept of human rights is universal.

Posted on 2 March 2014 by philosiblog

All beings want to live in peace and happiness, undisturbed. Therefore the concept of human rights is universal. – Dalai Lama

She might find peace and happiness caring for her cats. (yes, that's cat food)

She might find peace & happiness caring for her cats. All of them.

What does that mean?
Unfortunately, the “all” needs the usual caveat about the people who aren’t quite normal, and don’t want these things. But the vast majority of all human beings do want to live in peace.

We also want to have happiness and be as undisturbed as possible. And while these two are primarily internal values, there are external forces which can make being so a bit of a challenge.

This quote is based on the concept of the similarities we possess as humans runs so much more deeply than our superficial differences as to completely overshadow them.

And that is why the quote ends with the statement that human rights are universal. They aren’t just for me, or for my friends, or the countries with which I get along. Everyone.

Why is the concept of universal important? Continue reading →

Posted in dignity, freedom, happiness, peace, reflection | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment