The young have aspirations that never come to pass, the old have reminiscences of what never happened.

Posted on 18 December 2013 by philosiblog

The young have aspirations that never come to pass, the old have reminiscences of what never happened. – Saki aka H.H.Munro

The touch of a butterfly is light and fleeting. If you are stuck in the past or the future, you might not even notice that it is present.

The touch of a butterfly is light and fleeting. If you are stuck in the past or the future, you might not even notice that it is present. And that would be quite a loss, wouldn’t it?

What does that mean?
While this may have been a comment about human foibles of memory and imagination, it is a very precise description of those who do not live in the present.

The young, in the quote, are busy looking to the future. The old are busy mis-remembering the past. But what isn’t mentioned? The present, or anyone being involved in it.

If this is how we live, focused on past events (regardless of accuracy) or focused on the future events which may never come, we miss out on what really matters.

Whether it is the sensation of breeze, the warmth of the sun on our skin, or the scent of our favorite food, we can easily miss it all if we are living anywhere besides the present.

Why is spending our time in the present important?  Continue reading →

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The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.

Posted on 17 December 2013 by philosiblog

The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune. – Charles Dickens (speaking as Ebenezer Scrooge)

The little things matter. Just holding someone's hand or saying hello can mean a great deal, and it costs you very little.

The little things matter. Just holding someone’s hand or saying hello can mean as much as a great fortune to them, and it costs you so very little. Be kind. Be generous.

What does that mean?
On this day in 1842, Charles Dickens published his famous book “A Christmas Carol.” This quote is by Ebenezer Scrooge, reflecting on his younger self.

He is speaking about his boss when he was an apprentice, and the longer quote explains how the small tokens the boss gave them could impact the lives and attitudes of the workers:

“He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count ’em up: what then? The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.”

The quote is about the little things in a relationship, specifically a work relationship, but I believe it applies to plenty of other relationships.

Why are the little things so important?  Continue reading →

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There aren’t shortcuts. Merely direct paths. Most people don’t take them, because they frighten us.

Posted on 16 December 2013 by philosiblog

There aren’t shortcuts. Merely direct paths. Most people don’t take them, because they frighten us. – Seth Godin

This wasn't too far off their path, but it still ate up valuable time.

This wasn’t too far off their path, but it still ate up valuable time.

What does that mean?
Here is a more complete version of the quote:
“There aren’t many actual shortcuts. There are merely direct paths…
Most people don’t take them, because they frighten us–too direct, I guess. It’s easy to avoid the things that frighten us if we wander around for a while. Stalling takes many forms, and one of them looks like a shortcut.
Things that look like shortcuts are actually detours (disguised as less work).”

This quote, to me, is about the deception of shortcuts. There are always forks in the road. The shortcut somehow manages to look like the easier path.

The direct path, of course is very scary looking. There is work involved, risk, and even the potential of failure. This contrast entices many to try the shortcut.

We are warned to not fall prey to the siren song of shortcuts, whether they be in the form of procrastination or pretending to be an easier path.

Why is doing it the right way important?   Continue reading →

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Use your human intelligence in the best way you can; transform your emotions in a positive way.

Posted on 15 December 2013 by philosiblog

Use your human intelligence in the best way you can; transform your emotions in a positive way. – Dalai Lama

This photo had no story, just the title 'gone.' Grief is natural, but why do you believe they left?

No story, just the title ‘gone.’ Grief is natural, but why do you believe they left?

What does that mean?
We all have a level of intelligence which we can use to change our nature and our attitudes. The question is how often do we think or attempt to do so?

We can also use our intelligence to change how we react to events, which is often an emotional reaction. That is what the quote is urging us to consider doing.

To transform our emotions, or emotional responses, in a positive way, we need to think about our beliefs. When something happens, was it by chance, design, or a deliberate act?

How differently would you react to something done by accident compared to something done with deliberation and malice? If you can change what you believe about the event, you can change your emotion.

Why is having positive emotions important?  Continue reading →

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Until we have begun to go without them, we fail to realize how unnecessary many things are.

Posted on 14 December 2013 by philosiblog

Until we have begun to go without them, we fail to realize how unnecessary many things are. – Seneca

When your toaster has a 'cancel' button, it may be time to simplify.

When your toaster has a ‘cancel’ button, it may be time to simplify.

What does that mean?
This is a great minimalist quote. Not in that it is as brief as some of the famous ancient quotes, but because of what it implies. So much of what we have, we don’t really need.

This is explained in the slightly longer version of the quote :

Until we have begun to go without them, we fail to realize how unnecessary many things are. We’ve been using them not because we needed them but because we had them.

Think about that for a moment. How many things have you misplaced, and somehow managed to get along without? And then when you found it again, had some of the ‘shiny’ or gotta-have-it had worn off?

It is my belief that this quote implies that we might want to consider what we really need before we go out and more stuff.

Why is asking if you really have a need important?  Continue reading →

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We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

Posted on 13 December 2013 by philosiblog

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. – Thornton Wilder

This is one way to remind yourself to be grateful each day. Can you think of another?

This is one way to remind yourself to be grateful each day. Can you think of another?

What does that mean?
That is profound. It posits that there is one time when we are truly alive, and feel the full vigor and vibrancy of the life of the world around us.

The quote says that time is not when we have great treasures, as not all of us have, or ever accumulate great treasures. But the quote implies that we all have some treasures, or something to treasure.

The quote says that we are alive when our heart is aware of what treasure we have. Without that awareness, how would we know just how great our lives truly are?

From that, we can infer that someone with great treasure, but an unconscious heart doesn’t feel as alive as someone with a small treasure, but in possession of a very aware heart.

Why is being grateful for what we have important?  Continue reading →

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Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.

Posted on 12 December 2013 by philosiblog

Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world. – Nelson Mandela and Joel A. Barker

Yes, we need down-time, but if your vision lacks action, you will lack accomplishment, right?

Yes, we need down-time, but if your vision lacks action, you will lack accomplishment.

What does that mean?
This quote apparently has some dispute regarding the proper attribution. Regardless of who said it, I believe it is an interesting quote to consider, and so we shall.

This is a form of the thrust/vector idea. Thrust, or action, without a vector, or vision, is just going around in circles. Nothing useful gets done, you’re just passing time.

Having a vector, or vision, without thrust, or action, isn’t going to get anything done. You just sit there, thinking, planning, coming up with ideas, but without action, you get nothing.

Together, thrust, or action, guided by a vector, or vision, is what gets rockets into orbit, or even to the moon. Together, vision and action, combined, has changed the face of our planet.

Why is are both action and vision important?  Continue reading →

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If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.

Posted on 11 December 2013 by philosiblog

If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. – Eldridge Cleaver

A potential solution, but it creates its own problems, right?

A potential solution, but it creates its own problems, right?

What does that mean? This quote, and variations of it, shows up attributed to a couple people, including as an African Proverb, but the longer version is his, and goes as follows:

‘There is no more neutrality in the world. You either have to be part of the solution, or you’re going to be part of the problem.’

This is one of the duality quotes where you are sorted into one of two camps. The solution camp and the problem camp, in the case of this quote.

The question is: Can you sit on the sidelines, or does not helping make you part of the problem? Not every problem requires all-hands-on-deck, but I think far too many do too little.

Why is doing something important?  Continue reading →

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There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue these.

Posted on 10 December 2013 by philosiblog

There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue these. – Michael Nolan

Can you go an entire meal without your phone catching your eye?

Can you go an entire meal without your phone catching your eye?

What does that mean?
To me, the quote is about having ADD. Everything around me is shiny. Everything around me catches my eye. If I don’t keep it together, I get side tracked and distracted.

In fact, I was just distracted by something shiny. The quote urges us to avoid chasing every shiny thing, lest we look like a cat chasing a pair of laser pointers.

The measure the quote asks us to use is our heart. If it catches the attention of our heart, then it is worthy of pursuit. That happens far less often.

You may still have to prioritize between all the things tugging at your heart, but you can at least screen out the worst of the shiny things.

Why is keeping your eye on what has captured your heart important?  Continue reading →

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The beginning is the most important part of the work.

Posted on 9 December 2013 by philosiblog

The beginning is the most important part of the work. – Plato

This tower, the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, didn't have sufficient foundations. They didn't start at the beginning, but rushed straight into building.

This tower, the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, has  a problem with the foundation. Somebody didn’t start at the beginning, but rushed straight into building.

What does that mean?
The wikiquote translation of the quote is “the beginning in every task is the chief thing” which I consider to be close enough to be the same thing.

This quote is accurate in so many ways, it’s hard to know where to start… Ah, yes. At the beginning. Because if you don’t begin, the rest of the work will never get done, right?

Another application of this quote is to actually have a beginning. The idea is to think about it and have a plan, not just jump in head first. Getting started without doing the beginning work isn’t bright.

The quote reminds us that getting started correctly is the most important part of the work, the chief thing to get done. Without it, your project is immediately placed in jeopardy.

Why is the beginning important?  Continue reading →

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As human beings, we have a common responsibility to build a more peaceful society.

Posted on 8 December 2013 by philosiblog

As human beings, we have a common responsibility to build a more peaceful society. – Dalai Lama

"I'm Home!" - How well would your house do if it were run the way the world runs?

“I’m Home!” – How well would your house do if it were run the way the world runs?

What does that mean?
I like this quote, as it is simple common sense. We wouldn’t run a family or a business the way we run the world. That just wouldn’t make sense.

We have our own voice, and our own guiding principles. We may not be able to change the world on our own, but we can influence our family and those around us.

Looking at it from the other direction, how well would your family, business (or work), town, city, etc work if it were the world in miniature?

This block just declared war on that block because they partied too late into the night. We would make it our responsibility to call the police or otherwise try to intervene. Because that’s no way for people to behave.

Why is working together important?  Continue reading →

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The mind unlearns with difficulty what it has long learned.

Posted on 7 December 2013 by philosiblog

The mind unlearns with difficulty what it has long learned. – Seneca

Can you go there, and get everything, and skip the onion rings, or are they a habit you just can't break?

Can you get everything, and skip the onion rings, or are they a habit you just can’t break?

What does that mean?
This is the ‘old dog, new tricks’ quote. Most of us are creatures of habit. We learn something, we do it for a while, and it becomes second nature.

Then comes the day we have to change that routine. Whether the change is as simple as construction on the usual road to work, we goof up and go the usual way.

There are all kinds of theories about why this is a physical, bio-chemical, or psychological phenomenon. It suffices to say that nearly all of us have done it at some point in our lives.

This is a real thing. And what is worse is when you try to simply unlearn without having something to fill that place. A new route to work is one thing. Quitting a habit can be quite another.

Why is unlearning, and relearning important?  Continue reading →

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There is no wisdom without love.

Posted on 6 December 2013 by philosiblog

There is no wisdom without love. – Sri Ram

So many things to mention: uphill playing will lead to drainage issues, that grip will cause difficulties, and the dog will soon be joining in (which will not be appreciated by many). Is that a good start?

So many things to mention, my dear boy: uphill playing will lead to drainage issues (ahem), that grip will cause difficulties, and the dog will soon be joining in. Is that a good start?

What does that mean?
This is kind of a cryptic quote, and can be taken a number of ways. I want to focus on the difference between knowledge and wisdom.

It takes action to move from simple knowledge to wisdom. Sometime it takes a lack of action to show wisdom, such as breaking a bad habit. But what causes one to take action?

In my opinion, love is one of those reasons people take action. Not necessarily a romantic love, although it happens, but even as mild a love as caring or being interested.

In acting on their love, their knowledge becomes wisdom. Sometimes this action is seen and recognized by others. Other times the action is teaching others, which also ties back to the quote and to love.

Why is love important?  Continue reading →

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We are not trying to entertain the critics. I’ll take my chances with the public.

Posted on 5 December 2013 by philosiblog

We are not trying to entertain the critics. I’ll take my chances with the public. – Walt Disney

Are you performing for the parents, or for the kids? Who is your public?

Are you performing for the parents, or for the kids? Who is your public? Do you know?

What does that mean?
I think this is a great way to live our lives. No matter what we do, there will always be critics, people who don’t like what we are doing. So what.

The most certain way to anger just about everyone is to try to please just about everyone. Know what you want to do, and do it. Then take the consequences. Simple.

The quote is about knowing your target audience, and knowing that one doesn’t have to impress everyone in the world. In this case, Walt wanted to put the critics on notice.

He knew he wasn’t going to make money from the critics, he was going to make money with the public. He wasn’t going to worry about entertaining the critics, he was going to try to entertain the public.

Why is knowing what matters important?  Continue reading →

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Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.

Posted on 4 December 2013 by philosiblog

Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. – T. S. Eliot

Time to try your first dovetail joint. Go as far as you can, and find out if it is too far or not.

Time to try your first dovetail joint. Go as far as you can, and find out if it is too far or not.

What does that mean?
I like this quote, as it says something perfectly logical, but which few people have actually considered. That something is the answer to the question, “How far can you go?”

To find the limits of your ability, one must go to the edge. But where is the edge, and how does one find it? The usual manner is to keep going bigger until you find the limit.

In short the way you find the edge is to keep going until you fail, at which point you have gone past your limit or ability, at least at this point in time, with your present level of skill.

Yet how many people will claim they can’t do something when it is merely outside their comfort zone, rather than truly being beyond how far they can go?

Why is testing yourself important? Continue reading →

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