No one can arrive from being talented alone, work transforms talent into genius.

Posted on 3 December 2013 by philosiblog

No one can arrive from being talented alone, work transforms talent into genius. – Anna Pavlova

Do you have a talent for something? Getting better at it can be berry hard work.

Do you have a talent for something? Getting better at it can be berry hard work. 8)

What does that mean?
I heard versions of this quote when I was young. The basic idea is that there are plenty of people around with talent. However, some simply have some talent, nothing more.

Others have some small talent, but have learned to work it. They have learned how to use what talent they have, and use it to make things happen.

Imagine how different the world would be if Albert Einstein had decided not to put in the effort and worked his talent? What if he had decided that his work at the patent office was sufficient?

In this way, by working our talents, we can do something impressive with our lives. We can arrive, or even become recognized as a genius. It is up to us, we have a talent.

Why is working hard at our talents important? Continue reading →

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Don’t find fault, find a remedy.

Posted on 2 December 2013 by philosiblog

Don’t find fault, find a remedy. – Henry Ford

"Yeah, I know it won't work, I already tried. Have you got a better idea?" Well, do you?

“Yeah, I know it won’t work, I already tried. Have you got a better idea?”  Well, do you?

What does that mean?
As an engineer, this is my pet peeve. People bring me things, and say “It’s broken,” and walk away. That’s not very helpful, is it? I don’t think so.

The basic premise of the quote is that if you are bright enough to notice that it is broken, you probably have an idea or two about how to either fix it, or do/make it better.

Most people know this, yet still they simply dump a problem on someone else without being helpful at all. The prevalent attitude is often “Not my problem” attitude.

And this applies not just to hardware or other physical items, but mentally challenging issues or physical challenges. These are places where a little help is far more useful than saying “it won’t work.”

Why is having an idea for a possible remedy important?  Continue reading →

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Fear that makes us run from a mad dog is useful and necessary, whereas fear rooted in mistrust is unhelpful and needs to be overcome.

Posted on 1 December 2013 by philosiblog

Fear that makes us run from a mad dog is useful and necessary, whereas fear rooted in mistrust is unhelpful and needs to be overcome. – Dalai Lama

This is a reasonable fear. Fearing someone you don't know isn't quite as reasonable. Overcome that fear.

This is a reasonable fear. Fearing someone you don’t know isn’t quite as reasonable.

What does that mean?
This is an interesting quote about fear. It differentiates fear based on a real and possible danger from that which is based primarily on our emotions and our imagination.

Both kinds stimulus generate a real and true fear. However, by looking beyond the fear to the cause of it, we find out useful information.

Some fears we should listen to, and we put ourselves at risk of potential harm if we do not. This would include the mad (rabid) dog in the quote.

Other fears we should avoid or ignore, and we put ourselves at risk of doing something dangerous or stupid if we do not. This would be mistrust or other unhelpful emotions.

Why is paying attention to cause of your fear important?  Continue reading →

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It is the power of the mind to be unconquerable.

Posted on 30 November 2013 by philosiblog

It is the power of the mind to be unconquerable. – Seneca

Is your mind unconquerable?

Is your mind unconquerable? Do you have confidence in your research & data?

What does that mean?
This is an interesting quote, as anyone who as argued with someone may well have found out the hard way. Sometimes, their mind is just unconquerable.

However true that may be, I believe the quote is more of a reference to the ability of the mind to find facts and for it to remain true to logic, despite pressure to do otherwise.

In my mind, the finest example of this is when Galileo, where after being forced to recant his heliocentric solar system, quoted as saying “And yet it moves,” referring to the Earth.

His mind was unconquerable, even though his life and freedom had been placed in jeopardy. He examined the facts, and went where they took him, even if he was threatened.

Why is freedom of the mind important?  Continue reading →

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We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.

Posted on 29 November 2013 by philosiblog

We are shaped and fashioned by what we love. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Doing what you love will shape your body and your mind. Take those who take their athletics seriously.

Doing what you love will shape your body and your mind. Athletes are pretty easy to spot.

What does that mean?
While some might state that we are shaped by what we hate, I believe that not everyone is motivated primarily by hate. Hate is an ‘away’ emotion.

You don’t choose to have burgers because you hate tacos. It’s true, you may hate tacos, but you chose burgers because you like, or even love burgers.

What we push away from only moves us for a brief period of time. What we love is like gravity, constantly pulling us. In this constant pull, our path is changed.

We may make slight deviations from that path due to temporary fascinations, or from hate, but these disturbances generally lack the power to make much difference over the course of a lifetime, even if they leave a scar.

Why is following the path to what we love important?  Continue reading →

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Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.

Posted on 28 November 2013 by philosiblog

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. – W. T. Purkiser

How do you show that you are thankful for a gift? Use it, of course. Teach someone what you have been taught.

How do you show that you are thankful for a gift? Use it, of course. One way would be to teach someone what you have been taught. What other ways can you show thankfulness?

What does that mean?
In the USA, this will post on Thanksgiving day. Initially it was the celebration of actually having survived the year, with enough food to last the winter.

Since then it has become, among other things, the starting gun for the shopping season, a day of gluttony, of family gatherings, and sports. Sometimes more than one of the above.

But what other blessings or bounties have we had during the year? Is there a specific day remember, and be thankful for these? But the quote implies that there is a little more to it than that.

The quote says that what is truly important is what we do with our blessings, our bounties, our gifts, or whatever you wish to call them. If we are truly thankful, we should put them to good use.

Why is being thankful important?  Continue reading →

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Arrogance requires advertising. Confidence speaks for itself.

Posted on 27 November 2013 by philosiblog

Arrogance requires advertising. Confidence speaks for itself. – Dr. Farrah Gray

This is one way to develop confidence, by starting in a safe environment, with a safety net and a mentor. Well done.

This is one way to develop confidence, by starting in a safe environment, with a safety net and a mentor. Well done, kid, well done.

What does that mean?
This one, while hard to source, is worth some thought. Think of arrogance, and then think of confidence. Which one needs help, and which stands alone?

While most people fall somewhere between those extremes, we have all known a few of those people, at either end. And what a difference it makes, which end they are on.

Would you have know the arrogant people thought they were good at something if they hadn’t told you that they were? But the confident ones, they simply do what they do, and you notice, or you don’t, but usually you do.

I believe that is what this quote is about. Not bragging, but simply doing. You know what you can do, so do it with the confidence. No need to brag, the people will notice. And if they don’t, so what.

Why is confidence important?  Continue reading →

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It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.

Posted on 26 November 2013 by philosiblog

It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages. – Nietzsche

They are hiking, and taking photos of each-other. They have a few things in common.

They are hiking, and taking photos of each-other. They have a few things in common.

What does that mean?
This quote is about nothing less than the curious situation where there is love, even passion, but nothing deeper to hold a pair of people together.

Friends are often friends for life, or at least for significant portions of it. The ones who drift away are usually distant and rarely seen. That is not what should be happening in a marriage.

The constant interaction should keep the bond of friendship strong and fresh. Yet that isn’t always the case. Those who marry without first being strong friends can easily fall prey.

This quote is a warning to all who would enter into a relationship. It warns them to become friends first, and then see what develops. If not, the road ahead may be a bit bumpy.

Why is friendship important?  Continue reading →

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Be kind to unkind people. They need it the most.

Posted on 25 November 2013 by philosiblog

Be kind to unkind people. They need it the most. – Ashleigh Brilliant

Those who need it most, seem to get it least. Be kind to all, but especially to the unkind.

Those who need it most, seem to get it least. Be kind to all, but especially to the unkind.

What does that mean?
This quote is beautiful in the simplicity of it. We tend to be kind to those who are kind to us. That’s nice, but does it help those who are most in need of kindness?

But the people most in need of some kindness are those who seem strangers to it. The unkind are the ones most in need of kindness. Isn’t that your experience as well?

Whether it is to thaw their cold heart, or to provide an example of how it is to be done, the unkind need acts of kindness more so than those who are already kind.

That is the brutal and honest simplicity of the quote. We so rarely go out of our way to be kind to those most in need of our kindness, the unkind people of our world.

Why is being kind important?  Continue reading →

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Forgiveness is how we put a stop to anger, ill-will and a desire for revenge.

Posted on 24 November 2013 by philosiblog

Forgiveness is how we put a stop to anger, ill-will and a desire for revenge. – Dalai Lama

Do you forgive them to let them feel better, or to allow yourself to feel better?

Do you forgive them to let them feel better, or to allow yourself to feel better, or both?

What does that mean?
This quote, as you might imagine is about forgiveness and the power that one simple act has to change our lives, and to change the lives of others.

The quote mentions just a few of the less-helpful states of mind which it can help us overcome. How many others have you quelled with a little bit of forgiveness?

With our use of forgiveness, we can better manage not only the states of mind and emotions listed in the quote, but all those which derive from them. The feeling of hurt isn’t listed, but it often comes from anger.

In short, forgiveness is an emotional reset button. When you can forgive, you can help drain the emotional swamp of the anger, the feelings of ill-will and the desire for revenge. I believe that makes it worth the effort.

Why is true and deep forgiveness important?  Continue reading →

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Light troubles speak; the weighty are struck dumb.

Posted on 23 November 2013 by philosiblog

Light troubles speak; the weighty are struck dumb. – Seneca

Do you think all is fine with them, or do they have a weighty issue between them, which has struck them both dumb?

Do you think all is fine with them, or do they have a weighty issue between them, which has struck them both dumb? Between their posture and eye contact, I’d say they needed to talk.

What does that mean?
In the play, the speaker has a great desire, but cannot bring themselves to speak of it. It is in this pained situation that the quote was born.

We have all been there at some point in time. We want to say something, it really means a lot to us, but for some reason, we simply cannot speak of it, which is what being ‘struck dumb’ actually means.

In life, as in the play, we often are struck dumb by the fear of rejection. This is most painful with the weighty things which trouble us, which is why we often hesitate to speak.

When things are lighter, or not as significant, the consequences of rejection are much less, and we often find it easier to speak of what is troubling us.

Why is speaking your mind important?  Continue reading →

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By changing nothing, nothing changes.

Posted on 22 November 2013 by philosiblog

By changing nothing, nothing changes. – Tony Robbins

"Postponed? Seriously?" A year from now what will you wish you had started today?

“Postponed? Seriously?” A year from now what will you wish you’d started today?

What does that mean?
This quote is about procrastination, and what results from doing nothing. I imagine every one of us have something we wish we’d started last year.

A diet, started last year, could mean everything from better health to a new wardrobe by now. A savings plan, started last year, could mean having the cash for a nice vacation.

Everyone has good intentions. We want to start working on something, we want to get better at something, we want to start accumulating something, but somehow, it just doesn’t get started.

If we don’t change something, start something, or somehow break free from procrastination, nothing will happen. That is simply how the world works. Do it, or it simply will not get done.

Why is avoiding procrastination important?  Continue reading →

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Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.

Posted on 21 November 2013 by philosiblog

Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell. – Unknown

Ohhhhh! Can you resist pushing the button? Will it ring the doorbell, or will you end up all wet?

Oooh! Can you resist pushing the button? Will it ring the doorbell, or will you end up wet?

What does that mean?
I like this quote; it is so sassy! I could have sworn this was a quote from Mae West or one of her contem-poraries. But all the sourcing I have seen says that it is unknown.

For those who don’t know, leaning on the doorbell means exactly what it says. It presumes that you didn’t see the electrical switch for the bell, and leaned up against it, causing the doorbell to ring continuously.

Knocking, on the other hand, is a brief, and often more quiet way of announcing your presence at the door. The quote uses these different methods to show a relationship between the two.

This quote, then, is about how we react to things. Opportunity is usually seen as fleeting, a once-in-a-lifetime event. Temptation, on the other hand, is usually seen as pervasive and always there.

Why is seeing both opportunity and temptation important?  Continue reading →

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Talent is God given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be grateful. Conceit is self-given; be careful.

Posted on 20 November 2013 by philosiblog

Talent is God given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be grateful. Conceit is self-given; be careful. – John Wooden

Conceit is not pretty.

Conceit is not pretty. A quote from Johnny Marr, of the band The Smiths.

What does that mean?
This is a caution against ego, from a coach who knew a few players who had one.

It starts by saying that whatever talents you may have, they are a gift. It asks you to be humble and remember that you did nothing to deserve or earn your natural talents.

It continues to say that fame is given to you by your fellow humans, and implies that they can take it away just as easily. Be grateful for what they give you, and give them no reason to take it back.

It ends with a warning for those who have trouble understanding or abiding by the first parts: if you let your ego get to you, you will need to be very careful. Too many people get to that point and then implode. Be warned.

Why is humility and gratefulness important?  Continue reading →

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Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.

Posted on 19 November 2013 by philosiblog

Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours. – John Locke

When he said we have to chew them to get nourishment, that's not what he meant...

Yes, he said that we have to “chew them” to get nourishment, but somehow I just don’t think that is what he meant…

What does that mean?
The longer, twitter unfriendly version is as follows:

This is that which I think great readers are apt to be mistaken in; those who have read of everything, are thought to understand everything too; but it is not always so. Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours. We are of the ruminating kind, and it is not enough to cram ourselves with a great load of collections ; unless we chew them over again, they will not give us strength and nourishment.

To me, this quote is about the difference between knowing something and understanding it. Reading is fairly easy. You can even memorize facts and whole documents.

But until you actually think about it, until you cut it up, chew on it, and thoroughly digest that information, you don’t really know it. You probably remember memorizing things in grade school. Why? Who knows. We just did as we were told.

And that is what the quote is warning us against. Without taking the time to consider the context, what might or might not be relevant, and so many other details, they are just facts or words.

Why is thinking important?  Continue reading →

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