Improvement begins with I.

Posted on 2 January 2014 by philosiblog

Improvement begins with I. – Arnold H. Glasgow also seen spelled as Glasow

What must you do to improve your life this year?

What must you do to improve your life this year? Or do you intend to leave it to chance?

What does that mean?
This is just one of those obvious quotes, isn’t it? How are you going to improve? Will random chance cause a spontaneous improve-ment? Or will you have to do some work on it?

Change happens, you don’t need to do a thing. Nature is change, the Universe is change. It just keeps happening, but in what appear to be random directions.

Improvement, on the other hand, is a change with a specific outcome and a specific direction. That does not happen without some effort, and the only one who can provide that effort? I think you know the answer.

If you want change, chance will do that for you easily enough. If you want improvement, you’re going to have to get involved.

Why is improvement important?  Continue reading →

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“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?”

Posted on 1 January 2014 by philosiblog

“Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?” – Robert Burns

From time to time, we have to determine what we will keep and what we will discard.

From time to time, we have to determine what we will keep and what we will discard. What was I keeping all the burlap for again?

What does that mean?
This is a line from an old Scottish poem and song. It is a traditional ‘ending’ song, asking the rhetorical question “what if we forgot our old friends?”

The usual answer is that we won’t, we’ll remember them, and raise a glass with them another day. At least that’s the way I have always interpreted it.

But with this post the old year has ended, and we begin the new year. There are some things which we should remember, and others to which we should probably say goodbye.

The trick, of course is determining which to keep and which to discard. Do you ever think about what you want to keep, and what you will forget?

Why is cleaning up important?  Continue reading →

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The learner always begins by finding fault, but the scholar sees the positive merit in everything.

Posted on 31 December 2013 by philosiblog

The learner always begins by finding fault, but the scholar sees the positive merit in everything. – Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

The learner says it's upside-down. The scholar declares the structure to be sound, except for the attachment to the foundation. Also, time to play with a crane and right it!

The learner says it’s upside-down. The scholar declares the structure to be sound, except for the attachment to the foundation. Also, it’s time to play with a crane and right it!

What does that mean?
We begin our learning with the word “NO!” As young children, it is a word we hear a lot, usually for our own sake, for our safety, or the safety of others.

We start by learning what is wrong with what we are doing, and pointed in the desired direction. We learn to find out what is wrong, so that we can avoid it.

Similarly, as we grow older, we notice what we have been trained to notice. The thing that isn’t right. The thing which is different. In short, we have been trained to find fault, so that’s what we do.

Eventually, we realize that there is something useful or good in nearly everything and every situation. We may come to it by degrees, but eventually we get there. And that is what the quote is about.

Why is seeing the good in everything important?  Continue reading →

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One of the most important tricks for maximizing your productivity involves matching your mental state to the task.

Posted on 30 December 2013 by philosiblog

One of the most important tricks for maximizing your productivity involves matching your mental state to the task. – Scott Adams

If you aren't a morning person, what tasks can you do while working your way towards being a fully functioning human being? E-mail & Caffeine?

If you aren’t a morning person, what tasks can you do while working your way towards being a fully functioning human being? E-mail & Caffeine? When are you at your best?

What does that mean?
This is an interesting quote, as I realize I do this sometimes. On the days when everything goes well, I was using this technique.

Think about it. If you’ve got a lot of physical energy, does it make sense to try to sit down and type a blog post? If your mind is particularly sharp, it makes sense to do problem solving at that point, right?

On the other hand, the days which drag, and nothing useful happens are usually days when my energy or mental state isn’t in sync with my tasks.

So the quote is saying to us that if we want to get the most out of our day, we have to pay attention to how we are feeling, and adjust our day to match.

Why is observing ourselves important?  Continue reading →

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If you want change, create the causes.

Posted on 29 December 2013 by philosiblog

If you want change, create the causes. – Dalai Lama

This is a global charity which feeds people all over the world. Do they represent the change you wish? Question and understand, then act.

This is a global charity which feeds people all over the world. Do they represent the change you wish to see in the world? Ask your questions and understand, then act.

What does that mean?
This is another of those ‘Doh!’ kind of quotes. It is so simple and so obvious, you wonder why you didn’t think of it first. But that makes it all the better.

Change, at least the kind you actually want, rarely happens on its own. Yes, some kind of change comes unbidden, but the stuff you want, that’s going to take effort.

And that is what the quote is about. If all you do is sit at home and wish that hunger would end, you might be helping a little bit, but there are more effective ways, right?

Right now there are plenty of causes to join, and many causes have multiple groups formed to attempt to make that particular change. Some are local, some are not. Some are more effective, some are not. Choose wisely.

Why is understanding important?  Continue reading →

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Why do I not seek some real good; one which I could feel, not one which I could display?

Posted on 28 December 2013 by philosiblog

Why do I not seek some real good; one which I could feel, not one which I could display? – Seneca

It is one thing to have some glitter. It is another to pursue it to the exclusion of all else. As usual, the proper path is between the extremes.

It is one thing to have some glitter. It is another to pursue it to the exclusion of all else. As usual, I believe the proper path is between the extremes. Be of substance.

What does that mean?
This quote is kind of hard to understand on it’s own, as the context is stripped by Twitter’s 140 limit. A longer version starts with the quote and continues:

“These things that draw the eyes of men, before which they halt, which they show to one another in wonder, outwardly glitter, but are worthless within.”

The quote, then, is urging us to consider seeking those things which are intrinsically good, rather than the shiny things, which only have a pleasing appearance.

Whether it is helping others, educating ourselves, or doing any of a number of other things, we can seek real good. Actual good for ourselves, and good for others.

It is, of course, our choice. To pursue that which is good of itself, or that which is good to look at. Which is the good that you will pursue?

Why is seeking the substantial good important?  Continue reading →

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Greatness acts it doesn’t wait to see what everyone else is going to do.

Posted on 27 December 2013 by philosiblog

Greatness acts it doesn’t wait to see what everyone else is going to do. – Cornell Thomas

Virgin Galactic - the center part is carried by the rest of it, and then flies into space. Is this greatness?

Virgin Galactic – the center part is carried by the rest of it, and then rockets into space.

What does that mean?
This is a quote about following your own path. It is about the difference between leading and following. It is about knowing who you are and what you want from life.

Sheep follow the leader. They wait. They look to the leader to see what they should do. Sheep are not what most people consider great. Yes, they exist and have use, but great? Not really.

You may not know exactly what you want out of life. However, you probably know enough about it to know when you’re moving towards it, or away from it.

This quote is about breaking from the crowd when they are headed somewhere that moves you away from hat you want. It is about being great enough to take that step, and not worry about what the others are doing.

Why is independence important?  Continue reading →

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No new post tonight.

Posted on 26 December 2013 by philosiblog

No new post tonight.

I’m taking a night off to be with my family. Hope you understand. See you tomorrow. Stay safe, and stay strong.

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No amount of falls will really undo us if we keep on picking ourselves up each time.

Posted on 25 December 2013 by philosiblog

No amount of falls will really undo us if we keep on picking ourselves up each time. – C.S.Lewis

If you are fighting the temptation of smoking, have you failed when you light up, or when you give up on quitting?

If you are fighting the temptation of smoking, have you failed when you light up a cigarette, or when you give up on quitting?

What does that mean?
This is another significantly shortened quote, per the limits of Twitter. A longer version is as follows:

“I know all about the despair of overcoming chronic temptations. It is not serious provided self-offended petulance, annoyance at breaking records, impatience et cetera, doesn’t get the upper hand. No amount of falls will really undo us if we keep on picking ourselves up each time. We shall of course be very muddy and tattered children by the time we reach home. But the bathrooms are all ready, the towels put out, and the clean clothes are in the airing cupboard. The only fatal thing is to lose one’s temper and give it up.”

While I have considered a similar quote before, I wish to address this from the viewpoint of persevering in the face of temptation.

This is the holiday season, and there is typically food everywhere. There is often alcohol in abundance as well. For those with issues related to overindulging, this is a tough time.

But the only way to truly fail is to quit trying. No matter how muddy we get, no matter how tattered we feel, a warm bath and a change of clothes await us, if we persevere.

Then it’s back into the fray, to face temptations for yet another day. Yes, we will get muddy. Yes we will tear our clothes. Yes, we will, on occasion, fail. But we will persevere.

Why is perseverance important?  Continue reading →

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Only the guy who isn’t rowing has time to rock the boat.

Posted on 24 December 2013 by philosiblog

Only the guy who isn’t rowing has time to rock the boat. – Jean-Paul Sartre

One person rowing, three people goofing. This will end well.

One person rowing and three people goofing. This will probably not end well.

What does that mean?
If you have ever rowed a boat, you know it’s a pretty intense job. Even something as simple as paddling a canoe keeps you busy most of the time.

To ‘rock the boat’ is both a literal and figurative expression. Any boat small enough to row is also small enough to capsize fairly easily. Rocking the boat isn’t a good idea.

Figuratively, rocking the boat means that someone is making trouble. If you are busy rowing, you have no time or energy left over to rock the boat.

So if you are making trouble, you are in that position because you have time on your hands. The quote implies that’s because you aren’t rowing, but should be.

Why is not rocking the boat important?  Continue reading →

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The universe is not short on wake-up calls. We’re just quick to hit the snooze button.

Posted on 23 December 2013 by philosiblog

The universe is not short on wake-up calls. We’re just quick to hit the snooze button. – Brené Brown

Just like the quote, there are plenty of alarms to provide wake-up calls. Will you answer them, or just hit snooze and go back to sleep?

Just like the universe, as mentioned in the quote, there are plenty of alarms to provide wake-up calls. Will you answer them, or just hit snooze and go back to sleep?

What does that mean?
If you are the type of person who wakes before their alarm, and never goes back to bed, I envy you. Hopefully you can relate to this quote through the behavior of a friend or family member.

I believe the quote, in that the universe is full of warnings to us. Even on our tiny little planet, each of us get warnings all the time. I consider every close call to be a wake-up call.

The only question is whether we will heed it, or hit the snooze button and go on as we were before? Yes, sometimes we get a second chance. But sometimes we do not.

To me, the point of this quote is to raise our awareness of what is going on around us, and to notice those wake-up calls before it’s too late.

Why is paying attention important?  Continue reading →

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In order to derive the maximum benefit the wise thing is to take care of others.

Posted on 22 December 2013 by philosiblog

In order to derive the maximum benefit the wise thing is to take care of others. – Dalai Lama

Can you help take care of her needs? What are her needs? Can you ask with grace and tact?

Can you help take care of her needs? What are her needs? Can you ask with grace & tact?

What does that mean?
I was unable to find the context for this quote, so I will presume that the quote is about the difference, and the conflict, between selfish and selfless.

We all have wants and needs. Sometimes it can be difficult to give something to another when you feel you still have a need. I get it, that is just part of human nature.

This quote asks us to consider helping others. Not to the exclusion of our needs, but to help others when you can. There are plenty of opportunities, if we look for them, and then act on them.

The quote posits that this is the best way to attain ‘maximum benefit.’ I would add that the primary beneficiary is you, although the other person got something out of it as well.

Why is taking care of others important?  Continue reading →

Posted in caring, help, inspire, self improvement, value, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The bravest sight in the world is to see a great man struggling against adversity.

Posted on 21 December 2013 by philosiblog

The bravest sight in the world is to see a great man struggling against adversity. – Seneca

This man knew adversity. He was brave, and became great. The struggle continues; for the victory is daring to take the walk, and not the destination

This man knew adversity. He was brave, and in doing, he became great. The struggle continues; for the victory is in daring to take the walk, and not the destination.

What does that mean?
There are always troubles in our lives. We are all, at times, great. And we all have the opportunity to be brave at some point. Together, it is an awesome sight to see.

When adversity comes, as it does to all of us, we are faced with many options. We can attempt to resist, we can attempt to overcome, or we can simply do nothing, and accept our fate.

In my opinion, the simple act of defiance, the attempt to deal with adversity, raises anyone to greatness. People might not notice, but that does not make them any less great.

But to face adversity, that takes bravery. Be brave, face adversity, and become great. Because it’s not about winning, it’s about making the effort.

Why is the struggle important?  Continue reading →

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Somebody should tell us right at the start of our lives that we’re dying, and we might live life to the limit…

Posted on 20 December 2013 by philosiblog

Somebody should tell us right at the start of our lives that we’re dying, and we might live life to the limit… – Pope Paul VI

When are you going to visit that special someplace you always wanted to see? Sooner? Or later?

When are you going to visit that special someplace you always wanted to see? Will it be sooner, or will it be later (if you ever get the chance, and don’t run out of time)?

What does that mean?
This quote, like so many on Twitter, has been shortened to fit in the space allotted. A longer version is:

“Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows.”

Now remember, this is the Pope talking, so he’s not saying to just do anything you feel like doing. But he is urging us to do the things we frequently put off until a later date.

The problem with that is sometimes we don’t get to that later date. Time slips away, or events beyond our control change things. And then we are left with regrets, for all the things we wanted to do, but never did.

Why is seizing the day important?  Continue reading →

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First we make our habits, then our habits make us.

Posted on 19 December 2013 by philosiblog

First we make our habits, then our habits make us. – Charles C. Noble

Habits can turn you into a couch potato. Habits can also help you get fit. Choose wisely what you do, lest your habit make you.

Habits can turn you into a couch potato. Habits can also help you get fit. Choose wisely what you regularly do, lest your habit make you. Just a few push-ups twice a week is a start.

What does that mean?
This is another excellent chiasmus. It reminds us of the power of repeated actions, of our habits and what they can do to us, or for us.

It starts with the obvious. We do things over and over, and they become our habits. To get to the point of having a habit, we have to do it a lot of times, thus making it part of ourselves.

The quote ends by pointing out the obvious, but something we rarely think about when we start doing something which might become a habit. We become influenced by our habit, we become what we do repeatedly.

This is what so often traps us in habits which no longer serve us. We do something that seems helpful, or at least not harmful. But then it is a habit, and our lives revolve around that habit.

Why is carefully and consciously selecting our habits important?  Continue reading →

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