Most people fail in life because they major in minor things.

Posted on 2 November 2012 by philosiblog

Most people fail in life because they major in minor things. – Tony Robbins and here

“Just another second or two, I almost have him in focus…” When being charged by an angry Rhino, which is Major and which is Minor, your life or the perfect photo?

What does that mean?
This is so true. I know so many people that fit in this category in at least one portion of their life. Sometimes, although not as much now as in the past, I am this person. Sad but true.

Do you know anyone who absolutely has to be everywhere on time? Even if it means they don’t have enough time to be properly prepared? They rush a project, and get crappy results, but they get to hand it in on time. To me, that’s what the quote is about. They made a minor thing (the schedule) so important that they ruined the major thing (the project).

What about people who have trouble dealing with other people, who always have to have either the last word, or always be right (even when they aren’t)? They are putting their need to be significant above the other person’s significance, and above any possible relationship. But which is truly more important? Which is the minor thing?

Why is focusing on what is important important?  Continue reading →

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I have found the perfect paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.

Posted on 1 November 2012 by philosiblog

I have found the perfect paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. – Mother Teresa

The photo said this was taken at Ground Zero in NYC. It doesn’t state if she lost a friend or family, but it has obviously caused her some hurt and suffering.

What does that mean?
This is another heart-felt quote, one which leaves me feeling a little warm inside. It starts with an old adage of doing something until it hurts, in this case, the giving of love. Can you think of a time when you gave love until it hurt? Then what? Did you stop there, or did you press on?

The quote considers the result to be a paradox because, it notes, once you have given love to the point where it hurts, the hurt falls away, and all that is left is the love. That may seem a bit trite, but I believe it will work well, even in the general case.

To that end, I have tried to apply this saying to a few instances in my life, and found that it seems to work for me. See the sections below for more details on what I did. I would love to hear from others, especially for those instances where it seems not to work.

Why is giving until it hurts important?  Continue reading →

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You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.

Posted on 31 October 2012 by philosiblog

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. – Mohandas Gandhi

There is much which is impure in the ocean. After all, they don’t have bathrooms for the fish do they? Yet the water is still good. It is the same with humanity.

What does that mean?
To me, this is a beautiful quote. It reminds us to stay focused on the good of humanity, as it far outweighs all the terrible things humans have done.

The quote compares the entirety of humanity to the enormity of the ocean. As a few drops of dirty water has no measurable impact on the cleanliness of the ocean, neither does a few bad people taint the entirety of humanity.

Yes, it’s easy to be upset if you have been wronged, and you can easily lose faith in humanity. However, if you can keep a sense of perspective, if you can remember that the good outnumber the evil, you can start to feel better about yourself and humanity.

Until humanity can manage to move to the next level, we will continue to have people who are not exactly the kindest or nicest, right? But how we view our fellow man is our choice. If we chose to focus on the bad, we will greet each other with suspicion. If we focus on the good, we will greet each other as friends.

Why is focusing on the good important?  Continue reading →

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If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.

Posted on 30 October 2012 by philosiblog

If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need. ~ Cicero

Dude, it’s just a phone! Yes, you can keep a library on it (or on it’s cloud), but that’s not really the point of the quote, is it?

What does that mean?
Needless to say, this quote is from the days before the iPhone, computers, cars, and all that tech stuff that most of us can’t imagine living without. In that simpler time, some outdoor work, tending to growing things and a good sized stash of books for amusement and education were the pinnacle of simple living.

I imagine that there are still many who hold to that simple lifestyle, that calm and gentle life. If the garden is full of flowers, there will be birds and insects and no end of beautiful blooms. If the garden is full of food stock, there will be nearly endless supplies of fruits and vegetables for eating and preserving.

With a library full of books, both the heat of the day as well as the cool of the evenings can spent feeding the mind with the best and most interesting topics your library might contain. And if you have a friend with a library, you might even be able to swap books from time to time.

Why is living simply important?  Continue reading →

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Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.

Posted on 29 October 2012 by philosiblog

Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. – Aristotle

According to Greek legend, we started something like this, and were then split in half, destined to spend our lives searching for our “other half.”

What does that mean?
This is another neat quote, being based on mythology written about by Aristotle’s mentor, Plato (in his work, Symposium). The story goes that humans were originally made with four arms, four legs and were half male and half female. After conspiring to climb Mount Olympus, Zeus ordered them cut in half. Since that day, every human spends their life searching for their other half.

It is my presumption that this early Greek myth is the basis for this quote. It was an explanation of why humans feel alone until they find their other half. The name for their other half is frequently soul-mate, and thus the translation of the quote as listed above.

This quote is all about the feeling of wholeness and completeness that is said to be available once a soul-mate has been found. However, it doesn’t address the path to take to find one’s soul-mate. I won’t either, as it is too personal and variable, but it is something I believe is worthy of consideration.

Why is finding the person who completes you important?  Continue reading →

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Our nature is basically compassionate because we are social animals. What brings us together is love and affection.

Posted on 28 October 2012 by philosiblog

Our nature is basically compassionate because we are social animals. What brings us together is love and affection. – Dalai Lama

Which one is your least favorite? What can you do to show some compassion, some love, or some affection towards them? What can you do to be more social, even if they don’t want to be?

What does that mean?
This is another quote that is easily dismissed by the cynical. It’s easy to dismiss the idea of love for others, but that doesn’t make this statement any less true. The belief of others, or the complete lack thereof, shouldn’t impact your ability to understand and believe this quote.

It says that we are compassionate because we are social animals. But when you think of nature shows about social animals (monkeys, wolves, etc), there seems to be constant strife. That’s because you’re watching TV. How quickly would you change the channel if all they showed was cooperation and compassionate aspects of the animals?

Yet social we are, and compassion is, along with love and affection, are the cornerstone for our societies. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t rivalries or even hostilities between our social groups. But it does mean that we have the skills and the tendencies to overcome these tensions with our compassion.

Why is are compassion, love, and affection important?  Continue reading →

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He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must fall with the greatest loss.

Posted on 27 October 2012 by philosiblog

He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must fall with the greatest loss. – Niccolò Machiavelli

Lottery winners often find out that their cash ignites their ambition. But when they’ve burned through all of their new-found cash, the fall is phenomenally large.

What does that mean?
This is an interesting quote, if only for the number of requirements needed to get the stated outcome. Those who have read some of the works of Machiavelli might recognize the long, drawn out, and complex sentence structures he often uses. This matches the pattern quite well.

To start with, says the quote, you have to be blinded by ambition. You must be so intent on attaining a position or station in life, that you ignore all the warnings regarding what you are doing. Be it your methods, your path, or even your destination, others will try to warn you, but you will not see the light.

Then, you have to get to a place so high up that there is nowhere else for you to go from there. Think of a cat which climbed a telephone pole. Now what? How do you get down from there? There is only one way to go, and that is down. At least that’s according to the quote.

That one way down is to fall. And the higher you went up, the farther you have to go down. The more you had gained, the more you have to lose. Whether it’s lottery winners, politicians, or businessmen, you see them scramble to keep what they have, and then fall, often in shame and and with condemnation.

Why is not being blinded by ambition important?  Continue reading →

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Very often not getting your dream gives you your destiny.

Posted on 26 October 2012 by philosiblog

Very often not getting your dream gives you your destiny. – Tony Robbins and here

This statue of Alexander is from  Khujand, Tajikistan. It was founded at the eastern limit of his empire, on what would later become the Northern Silk Road.

What does that mean?
Well, think about it. How often do you get that of which you dream? If you have my luck, almost never. But according to this quote, that’s a good thing. If you get your dream, then what? What is the next step after you actually get there? Have you ever given that much consideration?

To me, it’s like climbing a mountain. OK, did that, now what? I gotta climb back down as well? Oh… Instead of actually getting your dream, you often fall short, and often fall into something unexpected. Sometimes it advances the dream, other times it awakens a new one. But this new opportunity leads you a step closer to your destiny.

Don’t think for a moment that I’m denigrating anyone’s dream, or dreams in general. They are powerful motivators, both for yourself and for others who share the dream. But I consider the dream as a tool, a method, a path, not a destination. You must walk the path to find your way to your destiny. You must use the new tool or the new method to build your destiny.

Why is your destiny important?  Continue reading →

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There’s no workman, whatsoever he be, That may both work well, and hastily.

Posted on 25 October 2012 by philosiblog

There’s no workman, whatsoever he be, That may both work well and hastily. – Geoffrey Chaucer

Which hammer do you need to do your work? How much worse will things be if you have to use a different one, or can you wait for the right one to arrive? You can do it quickly but not well, or well but not quickly. What is your choice?

What does that mean?
This is two of the usual saying about “pick any two” where the list of three things is “quick, good, inexpensive.” But in reality, there is a trade-off between making something as quickly as you possibly can and making something as good as you possibly can.

The quote is also reminiscent of the saying “haste makes waste,” which also addresses the time/quality trade-off. We can make things as well as we can, but that will take time. We can make things quickly, but the quality of the product may suffer to some extent.

The trick is managing the extent of the suffering. If all that is needed is something functional, so long as it functions, you can go quickly. If it also needs to be pretty, that will likely take a little more time.

Why is doing it right important?  Continue reading →

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There is a point at which the law becomes immoral and unethical. That point is reached when it becomes a cloak for the cowardice…

Posted on 24 October 2012 by philosiblog

There is a point at which the law becomes immoral and unethical. That point is reached when it becomes a cloak for the cowardice that dares not stand up against blatant violations of justice. – Kurt Huber

These two also gave their all to fight against unethical laws.

What does that mean?
This is an excerpt from one of the leaflets produced by The White Rose, a peaceful, intellectually based anti-Nazi group. The author of this was also a professor of Music and of Philosophy at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, and was executed shortly after the group was infiltrated, rounded up, and interrogated by the Gestapo in 1943.

The quote is clear and quite penetrating. The law is the law, that much is certain. But laws can be immoral. Laws can be unethical. The question is when do they cross a line, when can they no longer be tolerated, when have they invalidated themselves by becoming abhorrent to the law-abiding?

The quote answers that the point is reached when the law becomes a refuge for the scoundrels who hide behind it. Scoundrels who are afraid to stand and defend their positions using logic and reason, or who use the phrase “it’s the law” to justify violating all principles of justice.

The author got to prove his point, if posthumously. He was convicted in a show trial in a political court, defended by a junior attorney of modest ability, and quickly sentenced to death. Cold comfort, but they proved his point. As a final irony, the leaflet Kurt composed was smuggled to England, and dropped over Germany in the closing months of the war.

Why are ethical laws important?  Continue reading →

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Talent alone won’t make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: “Are your ready?”

Posted on 23 October 2012 by philosiblog

Talent alone won’t make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: “Are your ready?” – Johnny Carson

They may look the part, but even if they were in the right place at the right time, I’m not sure about their talent level, and I seriously doubt that they are ready.

What does that mean?
This is a classic statement of the true nature of success. There are plenty of talented people. There are plenty of opportunities. Even if you have both together, success still isn’t a sure thing. This quote states that there is an additional, final ingredient to the recipe for success.

The quote asks the question “Are you ready?” That’s an interesting question in show-business. Most people think they need to work until they’re good, then move to Hollywood to get a chance to be in the right place. But Johnny knew better. They also had to be ready.

I watched a bio on a (then) young comic, and all the hoops he jumped through trying to get onto Johnny’s TV show. The talent scout kept telling him that he wasn’t ready yet. Fortunately, he kept at it, and eventually, the scout said he was ready, and he made the show. Being on the show, of course, opened the door for additional work. And he had proven he was ready.

Why is being ready important?  Continue reading →

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It is my fervent wish and my greatest ambition to leave a work with a few useful instructions for the pianists after me.

Posted on 22 October 2012 by philosiblog

It is my fervent wish and my greatest ambition to leave a work with a few useful instructions for the pianists after me. – Franz Liszt

What have you learned from others? How has it made your life better, as well as easier? How can you contribute?

What does that mean?
This is a great quote, one that inspires us to leave the world a better place than when we arrived, and to assist others as best we can. That is the goal of most parents, but that is focused on a very small portion of humanity. I believe we can have an impact on a larger group than just our descendants.

Franz Liszt believed the same, and did what he could to help others. As he had learned from Frédéric Chopin, and was inspired by Niccolò Paganini, so he helped and inspired many others, including Richard Wagner, Edvard Grieg, Camille Saint-Saëns, and Hans von Bülow. If you are familiar with the poetic and romantic movements in European Symphonic music, you may recognize a few of those names.

He was also the equivalent of a rock star, and in his prime, gave nearly all his performance earnings away. He donated to churches, hospitals, and other worthy causes. He also provided funds for the Beethoven Monument, and raised funds to help the displaced from the Great Fire of Hamburg.

That’s a lot of helping of others, not only his piano students, but large chunks of north-central Europe in his day. His music and his methods are still studied today, and he continues to have influence among students of the piano and composition to this very day. “…a few useful instructions…” Yes, he did that, and so much more.

Why is preparing the way for those who follow important?  Continue reading →

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Once you have a genuine sense of concern for others, there’s no room for cheating, bullying or exploitation.

Posted on 21 October 2012 by philosiblog

Once you have a genuine sense of concern for others, there’s no room for cheating, bullying or exploitation. – Dalai Lama

Could they be this mean if they had any compassion? I believe compassion is the cure.

What does that mean?
In the last two weeks, we discussed how concern for others helped quell anger inside ourselves, and how concern for others could help us make our corner of the world a more peaceful place. Today, I would like to consider how that concern for others also translates to our sense of ethics and fair play.

The quote says it fairly simply. If you have a true and genuine sense of compassion for others, your outlook on life changes. You view other people differently, and they are more like potential friends than as potential victims. Can you come up with a better word for how you would have to view people you would cheat, bully or exploit?

Once we have developed a sufficient level of concern (and there is always room for improvement), that concern becomes a powerful reinforcement to our sense of ethics and fair play. How can you cheat someone for whom you feel compassion? Can you bully them and still be concerned for them? Can you feel compassion for them, and then turn around and exploit them? I think not.

Why are ethics important?  Continue reading →

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A prince is also respected when he is a true friend and a true enemy.

Posted on 20 October 2012 by philosiblog

A prince is also respected when he is a true friend and a true enemy. – Niccolò Machiavelli

Despite being bitter rivals, and despite being knocked out of medal contention for the first time in Olympic Hockey history, the Russians respect their Canadian rivals.

What does that mean?
In this passage, he is talking about how a Prince should conduct himself in a manner to gain renown, or a good kind of fame. He urges the Prince to set a fine example, to be great in fame and glory, and do extraordinary deeds. I believe that this can be applied, with a bit less drama, to our daily lives.

He also mentions that, while there are many advantages to remaining neutral in an event not directly impacting you, a new Prince can easily make a name for themselves by taking a bold stand with one side or another. The logic is that win or lose, everyone knows where you stand, and that you can be trusted in the darkest hours.

If you are victorious, the winner will laud you for your assistance, and if not, the other side will know what a true friend looks like, even though you be a true enemy of theirs. While this advice is more for a new Prince than a well established one, it applies to all of us today.

Why is certainty important?  Continue reading →

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Losers quit when they’re tired. Winners quit when they’ve won.

Posted on 19 October 2012 by philosiblog

Losers quit when they’re tired. Winners quit when they’ve won. – Unknown

Ok, so you crashed. Again. You’re tired, and you’re sore. You just want to go home and soak in a tub of hot water. But will you get back up? Will you try again? Are you determined to get back up and complete the course?

What does that mean?
This quote is about determination. Are you willing to persevere, are you willing to pay the price, are you willing to go to the wall, or even through it, in order to get what you want?

Often times, that is all that separates the winners from the losers. At some point, after having been knocked down for the thousandth time, the loser stays down. They are too tired, it’s just not worth it anymore, or they just gave up.

The winner doesn’t give up, they get back up and do it again and again. Until they win. However, winners also change things up. They win by trying a thousand different ways, not one way a thousand different times. They learn and adapt. And they never give up until they have won.

Why is determination important?  Continue reading →

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