Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.

Posted on 26 March 2013 by philosiblog

Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul. – St. Augustine of Hippo

Can you see the love, the radiance? And I don't mean the lens flare.

Can you see the love, the radiance? And I don’t mean the sun or the lens flare.

What does that mean?
To me, this quote is the explanation why pregnant women are said to glow with beauty. The same goes for brides on their wedding day. While men may also glow, I don’t think most would take such a comment as well as do the ladies.

This quote is about another kind of beauty. Have you ever met someone who was easy on the eyes, but not beautiful? As if something in them was just a little sour or otherwise rotten? The lack of love often is hard to hide, even by people who carefully craft and manage their physical beauty.

But that’s not what this quote is about. It’s about the old man or lady who smiles at you and melts your heart. It’s about the child with a runny nose, and a streak of beauty that is clearly evident, despite their disheveled appearance. This goes back to the old quote “it’s what’s inside that counts,” and I believe it. Do you?

Why is love important?  Continue reading →

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WooHoo! Half a Million Views!

Posted on 26 March 2013 by philosiblog

Some time last night, the blog had it’s 500,000th view! Thanks for the support!

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It is absurd to divide people into good or bad. People are either charming or tedious.

Posted on 25 March 2013 by philosiblog

It is absurd to divide people into good or bad. People are either charming or tedious. – Oscar Wilde

How do you divide people?

How do you divide people? Are the rules you use of your own chosing, or are they what your parents or friends think is proper?

What does that mean?
There are many ways to divide people. By the color of their skin. By the value of their character. By their level adherence to our beliefs (good vs bad). By their ethnic or national origin. By their political views.  The list is nearly endless, isn’t it?

This quote gives us yet another way to divide people. Not that I’m a big fan of dividing people, but I found that the quirkiness of this quote was simply too great to resist.

The author of the quote was, by some accounts, quite the man-about-town and quite fond of parties. He was also possessed a razor sharp wit, which he often used on others. I know not whether he is poking fun at the social class, or being funny, but it points out that we tend to divide people along the axis which is most important to us.

This quote implies that the ability to be pleasant in social company is far more important that good vs bad. To someone who liked to party, and didn’t care who they partied with, so long as they were fun, it might make sense. The question it caused me to ask myself was “What is my primary axis, the line across which I divide people?”

Why is knowing what is acceptable important?  Continue reading →

Posted in friendship, good, ideals, judgement, reflection, tolerance | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

If you are honest, truthful, and transparent, people trust you. If people trust you, you have no grounds for fear, suspicion or jealousy.

Posted on 24 March 2013 by philosiblog

If you are honest, truthful, and transparent, people trust you. If people trust you, you have no grounds for fear, suspicion or jealousy. – Dalai Lama

Untrusting Cat is keeping an eye on you. How would you like to be treated this way, all the time, every day?

Untrusting Cat is keeping an eye on you. I bet that gives you a warm feeling inside, right? How would you like to be treated this way, all the time, every day?

What does that mean?
I see this quote as being about trust, how you get it, and what having it means when dealing with other people. The quote presupposes relatively normal people, as there will always be people with very high levels of fear, suspicion, or jealousy out there. But, in my experience, they are relatively few.

The first half of the quote is about how to gain trust from others. The quote urges honesty, truthfulness, and transparency as a method to gain their trust. If they belive you are honest and truthful, and that all you reasons are clear to them, you can be trusted.

Once they trust you, the quote concludes, the usual and ordinary reasons for fear, suspicion, or jealousy are removed. Can you imagine being fearful or suspicious of someone you trust? How about being jealous of them? Perhaps a tiny little bit of envy, but that’s about as far as I can see. Do you agree?

Why is trust important?  Continue reading →

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If thou art a man, admire those who attempt great things, even though they fail.

Posted on 23 March 2013 by philosiblog

If thou art a man, admire those who attempt great things, even though they fail. – Seneca

While it's easy to laugh, at least he put some effort into it. And think how epic it would have been if it worked!

While it’s easy to laugh, at least he put some effort into it. And think how epic it would have been if it worked! Admire the ingenuity!

What does that mean?
This quote is about the human spirit, and how support from strangers can make a difference. It asks us to admire people who try to do great things. Perhaps it’s something difficult, perhaps it’s something noble. Perhaps it’s kind of dumb, but massive is scale.

As humans, we have a tendency to honor those who succeed. But what about those who do not? This quote asks us to admire them even if they fail. And many times, the definition of failure is arbitrary. If someone ran a race and turned in a personal best time, but came in second, did they truly fail?

I believe the real point of the quote is to hint to us to try things. Even if we are fairly sure that we will fail. Even if we allow others to define success and failure for us, we can still do our best. And if we show others this same encouragement and admiration, perhaps they, too, will try to do something great.

Why is admiration of all who make the attempt important?  Continue reading →

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I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies.

Posted on 22 March 2013 by philosiblog

I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies. – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Here is a butterfly, just emerging from chrysalis, the intermediate stage between caterpillar and butterfly.

A butterfly, just emerging from chrysalis, the stage between caterpillar and butterfly. In what parts of your life are you a butterfly, and what parts are you still a caterpillar?

What does that mean?
This is another version of the Ugly Duckling story. Caterpillars aren’t usually all that cute or interesting. Neither are ugly ducklings. However, that’s where butterflies and swans start out.

If you want to have some of one, you have to put up with the other. The same thing goes for people. No one is born a butterfly. Even the people we consider butterflies today had a caterpillar stage at some point.

The important point is to realize that as long as we keep growing, the butterfly stage is available to each of us, eventually. We can get there if we keep working at it. Eventually, we will get better and better, and then one day, we’ll realize we have become the butterfly we wanted to be.

The same goes for our friends and family. You may have watched in envy as an older sibling emerged from the change and flew off as a butterfly while you were still a caterpillar. Or perhaps you watched a younger sibling, friend, or relative make the transformation.

Why is patience important?  Continue reading →

Posted in confidence, emotion, improve, observation, patience, struggle | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

What orators lack in depth they make up for in length.

Posted on 21 March 2013 by philosiblog

What orators lack in depth they make up for in length. – Montesquieu

If you see someone doing this, it might be a hint, right?

If you see someone doing this, it might be a hint, right?

What does that mean?
This is the unfortunate reality for many college and university students. And for many of the rest of us, during the political season. People with little useful to say, often take the longest time to get around to saying it. But we would never do such a thing, would we?

For those who escaped High School or a College or University, how entertaining and useful were the commencement addresses? How much can you remember? Or is your only recollection an interminable wait, while some dignitary or another droned on?

In politics, you have probably heard more than a few of these sources of wit and wisdom drone on and on and on. There have been times when I have wanted to find any possible way to sneak out of a building and escape. I frequently turn off the TV or radio when the long-winded speakers get started.

Why is brevity important?  Continue reading →

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There is a difference between knowing the path & walking the path.

Posted on 20 March 2013 by philosiblog

There is a difference between knowing the path & walking the path. – Morpheus

If we don't watch where we're going, it would be easy to end up off the path, right?

If we don’t watch where we’re going, it would be easy to end up off the path, right?

What does that mean?
This is a modern version of a very old quote. The basics of the quote is twofold. It is one thing to know the path to take. It is another thing to actually walk that path.

How many people know that it generally isn’t proper to lie, cheat, or steal? Yet nearly every day, the news on TV, radio and in newspapers is full of people who knew the path, but did not walk it. That doesn’t sound very bright to you, does it?

Why do they chose not to walk the path? Any number of reasons. They won’t be caught. The rules don’t apply to them. It’s not an important rule. Everyone ignores that rule. Even if I get caught, the punishment isn’t that serious or scary. You can probably add a few of your own, right?

Why is having integrity important?  Continue reading →

Posted in action, integrity, knowledge, observation, reflection, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.

Posted on 19 March 2013 by philosiblog

When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves. – Confucius

To help focus, some people like to have a visual reference. Some chose picturesque settings, others like the flicker of a fire or candle. Take a pose, if it helps. Then look deep inside.

To help focus, some people like to have a visual reference. Some chose picturesque settings, others like the flicker of a fire or candle. Take a pose, if it helps. Then look deep inside. Ask questions, then question the answers, until you are satisfied.

What does that mean?
This is an interesting quote about trying to master yourself by interaction with other people. It is the second half of a longer quote, often stated as:

“When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.”

An alternate translation makes this point a little more clear: “When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.”

So, the longer version of the quote urges us to consider how to become better any time we find someone who is better than we are. This would likely include those doing better financially, spiritually, emotionally, or having a better set of physical skills.

The second half of the longer quote urges us to turn inward when we find someone who is not doing as well as we are. This would include the same categories, but a different method. It also specifically mentions introspection, or self examination as the way to consider our weaknesses.

Why is self-examination important?  Continue reading →

Posted in action, belief, contemplation, discovery, inspire, personal growth, question, reflection, weakness | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight.

Posted on 18 March 2013 by philosiblog

You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight. – Jim Rohn

Yep, if you don't like where you are, change direction and start heading somewhere else, right?

Yep, if you don’t like where you are, change direction and start heading somewhere else, right? That’s what the quote is all about.

What does that mean?
This quote is about the power of time. If you’re going in an undesired direction, you’re going to end up where you don’t want to be. While changing where you are isn’t going to be instant, you can change the direction you are moving, and you can do so instantly.

If you don’t like the way your life is headed, can you instantly go somewhere else? Usually the answer is no. However, once you have come to the conclusion that you are headed in the wrong direction, you can change your heading, and steer away from what you don’t want, and towards that which you do want.

Each day, every day, we move in the direction we are headed. If we find ourselves somewhere we decide we don’t want to be, we can change our direction. It will take some time to leave the area and begin to close on our next destination, but where will you end up if you don’t?

Why is plotting your course important?  Continue reading →

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We forget that despite the superficial differences between us, people are equal in their basic wish for peace and happiness.

Posted on 17 March 2013 by philosiblog

We forget that despite the superficial differences between us, people are equal in their basic wish for peace and happiness. – Dalai Lama

These girls know about the happiness of each-other. Do they extend it to all of humanity?

These girls know about the happiness of each-other. Do they extend it to all of humanity?

What does that mean?
This is an interesting way of wording this sentiment. If we remember that today’s quote is not from a native English speaker, it makes a little more sense. We can restate this quote as “We are all the same, in that we all want peace and we all want happiness.”

Well, at least nearly all of us. There are some people who are suffering from various physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional maladies who are not all that interested in peace, or who have an interest in causing suffering in others. But I believe the rest of us are.

But regardless of the color of our skin, hair, or clothes, we are the same inside. We have the same basic wants and needs. We may chose different paths in our attempts to achieve these goals, but we’re trying to get to the same place.

Why are the similarities between all of us important?  Continue reading →

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It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing.

Posted on 16 March 2013 by philosiblog

It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing. – Seneca

"I know nothing. I can do nothing. You must do it for me." How long will it take for that to get old?

“I know nothing. I can do nothing. You must do it for me.” How long will it take for that to get old? Whether an employee, a team-mate or a friend, who wants to have to deal with that? Have you the time or energy?

What does that mean?
That is my mantra! I know more useless stuff than just about anyone else out there! But why would that be better than knowing nothing? To me, that’s a very interesting question. Take a moment to consider how would you answer it.

What has to happen for someone to know nothing? To me, that means they either have a mental defect or deficiency which makes it very difficult for them to learn. The other is that they have a discipline defect or deficiency which causes them to not put forth any effort towards learning.

Someone who knows useless things, on the other hand, is trainable or teachable. They have shown they can learn, and they have shown some interest in learning something, even if it’s usefulness is dubious.

To me, that is the basis of this quote. Knowing useless things means there is hope for eventually learning more and better things. Those who know nothing are not as likely to be as useful now or in the future.

Why is being able to learn important?  Continue reading →

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We feel most small, we feel most challenged when we’re only focusing on ourselves.

Posted on 15 March 2013 by philosiblog

We feel most small, we feel most challenged when we’re only focusing on ourselves. – Tony Robbins and here

Someone who is hosting a Pity Party isn't in the best frame of mind to find a solution to a challenge, right?

Someone who is hosting a Pity Party isn’t in the best frame of mind to find a solution to a challenge, right? Break free, change focus.

What does that mean?
This quote caught my attention as it reminded me of some of the discussions on one of my other posts. Some of them were feeling very sorry for themselves, and that was a big part of why they were feeling so small and vulnerable.

Interestingly, my advice was to focus on improving themselves, and not on what had gone wrong. Most of the people who followed the advice have since added comments letting me know that they were doing better, and that things were looking up for them.

That’s what this quote is about. When we make everything about us, and focus inwards on ourselves, we get all wrapped up in ourselves, and move ourselves into a type of learned helplessness. This just helps to make us feel even more helpless and small. Everything becomes a massive challenge.

Why is not focusing on ourselves, but on others important?  Continue reading →

Posted in confidence, emotion, focus, help, motivation, weakness | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.

Posted on 14 March 2013 by philosiblog

A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. – Albert Einstein

The guy who built this flaming wreck was seen in another picture cheering! That's one way to address a failure.

The guy who built this flaming wreck was seen in another picture cheering! That’s one way to address a mistake. Next time, I bet he’ll try something different!

What does that mean?
How often do you make mistakes when you are doing something which you have mastered? When was the last time you fell down while walking? When was the last time you stabbed yourself in the face with a fork while trying to eat?

Excluding times of severe inebriation, most of us mastered those skills many years ago. We rarely make a mistake while walking or eating. We rarely make mistakes doing tasks or things which we have tried enough times to have mastered. And that’s what this quote is about.

If all you ever do are things you have already mastered, you will rarely, if ever, make mistakes. But that’s going to be a very boring life to live, won’t it? We make the most mistakes when we try something new. The less like anything else we’ve tried, the more likely we are to make mistakes.

Why is it important to learn from the mistakes we make??  Continue reading →

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To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.

Posted on 13 March 2013 by philosiblog

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do you have to win the trophy to be a success, or can you be a success just for having finished, or even to have started?

Do you have to win the trophy to be a success, or can you be a success just for having finished, or even to have started? Do you even have a definition of success?

What does that mean?
This is an interesting quote, as I have been discussing the definition of success with someone recently. This quote has a very simple and easy to measure definition of success. What is your definition of success, and how do you measure it?

If you don’t know what it is, and with a fair amount of specificity, how will you chart a course from where you are to your definition of success? And if you cannot measure it, once you are there, how do you know if you have enough of it?

Today’s quote is both precise in destination, and elegant in measure. It defines success as having helped one person because you lived. Even those providing an example of what not to do in life can be a successful person, by this definition. That is a very powerful idea.

Why is knowing how you define success important?  Continue reading →

Posted in contribution, help, hope, improve, reflection, success | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments