Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.

Posted on 9 March 2012 by philosiblog

Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing. – Muhammad Ali

The 4 minute mile - once it was considered impossible.

What does that mean?
This is another famously shortened-for-twitter quote. The full quote is as follows:

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” It has also been seen attributed to John Maxwell in the 2006 book The Difference Maker.

To me, this quote is about artificial limits. The term ‘impossible’ was used to describe the four minute mile. It was used for the 10 second 100 meter dash. The word was used for manned flight, space flight, supersonic flight. It’s a term that has been used so often, it’s practically a joke.

And that is what the quote is about, isn’t it? Impossible is nothing more than a challenge. It’s a goal, an obstacle to be surmounted, overcome, or destroyed. Impossible rarely stands the test of time, it is a temporary obstacle. Doing the impossible, it happens all the time. Don’t let the word intimidate you, don’t let the word scare you, don’t let the word slow you down.

Why is not stopping important?  Continue reading →

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One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.

Posted on 8 March 2012 by philosiblog

One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation. – Arthur Ashe

This is not the time for the guys in white to be discussing who has responsibility for which sections of the court, is it?

What does that mean?
This is a quote that seems so obvious, but so many people haven’t thought it out. While I have thought similar things, I was never able to put it so eloquently. It starts by saying that one of the biggest parts of being successful is to have self confidence. Yeah, that’s almost obvious on it’s own, right?

Here’s where it gets more interesting, where he couples the self confidence with preparation. There are many ways to be self confident, but preparation, and actually being ready, is probably the single best way to have true and lasting confidence, and therefore, success. Other paths to self confidence may seem quicker and easier, but preparation is practically unshakable.

Why is preparation important?  Continue reading →

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It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

Posted on 7 March 2012 by philosiblog

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. – Aristotle

"Look at what I found. I told you it's true. The LOL Cats said so!" Research, you're doing it wrong.

What does that mean?
I’m not sure ‘educated’ is the word I would use (it might be an artifact of the translation), but I would consider it as a measure of how open-minded a person is. Can you think about an idea, roll it around in your head, and consider it? Do you just accept an idea because it sounds interesting, because your friends like it, or someone you trust said it?

In my mind, that is what the quote is about. Someone exposes you to a new idea. Do you reject it out of hand, accept it blindly, or entertain the idea, exploring its strengths, weaknesses, and applicability to the situation? Do you test its merits and adopt it if the new thought works better than your prior thinking?

Why is thoughtful consideration important?  Continue reading →

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Genius is eternal patience.

Posted on 6 March 2012 by philosiblog

Genius is eternal patience. – Michelangelo

One of the most recognizable sculptures in the world, Michelangelo's David (a copy).

What does that mean?
Patience. Waiting, working, thinking, perfecting. That is the key element of genius. It’s not a quick thing. It takes as long as it takes, and genius will take the time necessary to craft the finest results the world has seen. No short cuts, no slap-dash work. Hard work and patience.

Sometimes, like Einstein’s E=mc² equation, the genius is in the simplicity. Other times, like the quote’s author’s famous Sistine Chapel ceiling, the genius is in the incredible level of detail. In each of these extremes, the patience to refine, test, adjust, observe and try again is what was made the respective projects the height of genius.

Why is patience important?  Continue reading →

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First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

Posted on 5 March 2012 by philosiblog

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. – Epictetus

If you wanted to be a great parent, where would you start? What specifically would you say to yourself? What specifically would you do?

What does that mean?
So how does one become something that they wish to be? According to the quote, the first step is to say to yourself what you wish to become. Note that it doesn’t say to think about it or to simply give consideration to what you wish to become. You will take those steps, yes, but you must actually say it. Presumably you will say it out loud.

Then, according to the quote, once you know and have said what you wish to be, all that is left is to do what has to be done. That may require a little research and planning, but that’s part of moving forward towards the accomplishment of your goal. Say what you want to become, and then start doing what it takes to become what you said.

Why is saying what you want important?  Continue reading →

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If the work is worthwhile, then whether we can complete it or not, it’s worth making the attempt. That’s why courage is important.

Posted on 4 March 2012 by philosiblog

If the work is worthwhile, then whether we can complete it or not, it’s worth making the attempt. That’s why courage is important. – Dalai Lama

Feeding the hungry is a worthwhile task, even if you won't end hunger in your lifetime.

What does that mean?
World peace. The end of Hunger. The Cure for All Diseases. Noble causes each, but each of these will take generations to achieve (at the rate we have been progressing, at least). These are all worthwhile efforts, things the quote urges us to consider taking up in an effort to make a difference.

The quote goes on to say even if we cannot complete the task ourselves or in our lifetime, if the goal is worthy, it should be done. In the olden days, castles, palaces and other massive works took generations to complete. It took vision to see what might be, even though it would not be complete until after you were gone.

The courage comes in when we realize that we may never see the work completed. Many people are focused on the results. These people are often discouraged (did you see the word ‘courage’ in there?) when they figure out that the destination is beyond their reach. They have forgotten that the journey is the most important portion of the trip.

Why is what we focus on important?  Continue reading →

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When neither their property nor their honor is touched the marjority of men live content.

Posted on 3 March 2012 by philosiblog

When neither their property nor their honor is touched the majority of men live content. – Niccolò Machiavelli

They can all be content so long as some consideration given to their needs.

What does that mean?
This is another Twitter-friendly quote excerpt :

“It makes him hated above all things, as I have said, to be rapacious, and to be a violator of the property and women of his subjects, from both of which he must abstain. And when neither their property nor honour is touched, the majority of men live content, and he has only to contend with the ambition of a few, whom he can curb with ease in many ways.”

Historically, this is a very interesting quote. He is warning the Princes of the Italian Renaissance era city-states against excesses in their behavior. In a slightly longer version of the quote, he says that if you leave their women and fortunes alone, most men are not particularly concerned with who their governors are. The long quote finishes with mentioning that the few who do object can be handled by other means.

This quote is useful in any group dynamic, as most people tend to be fairly easy-going, unless you get into something they feel strongly about. The quote, then, is a cautionary remark to know the people you are working with (or are in authority over) and help yourself by not stirring them up. This could be applied to anything from a family dynamic, a team at work, a group of friends or the neighbors.

Why is being considerate of others important?  Continue reading →

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Don’t confuse having less with being less, having more with being more, or what you have with who you are.

Posted on 2 March 2012 by philosiblog

Don’t confuse having less with being less, having more with being more, or what you have with who you are. – Noah benShea

Does a fancy suit and a cane make you feel like you are more? Do jeans make you feel like less? Or are you more than that?

What does that mean?
This quote is fundamentally about happiness. I have seen too many people get caught in the trap that ties their self worth to their possessions. They feel like they are a second class citizen if they drive an old car, have last year’s phone, or don’t live in a great zip code.

The flip side of this is the conceited person, who feels they are more worthy than their fellows because they have more. They have a brand new truck, luxury, or sports car. They have the latest and greatest phone. They live in the most prestigious zip code. As an aside, I was once in a new employee orientation class where someone actually asked what the most prestigious zip code in the area was, so he could focus his house search there. Wow. Just wow!

After dealing with the relative nature of ‘stuff,’ the quote gets down to brass tacks and reminds us that we are more than the sum of our toys. We have to remember that what we are something completely separate from our ‘stuff’ and that we have intrinsic value, both of ourselves, and to share with others.

Why is having a self identity important?  Continue reading →

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Today, the Philosiblog is one year old!

Posted on 2 March 2012 by philosiblog

Image

Well, the blog is now a year old, and has over 360 posts up! Whew, that was a lot more work than I expected, but also a lot more fun than I expected. Onward into the second year, I hope to see you there!

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America is woven of many strands. I would recognise them and let it so remain.

Posted on 1 March 2012 by philosiblog

America is woven of many strands. I would recognise them and let it so remain. – Ralph Ellison

"He may be a bit of a clown, but when he's focused on a task, he just won't let go!" What would people say is your strength?

What does that mean?
This is another of a series of Twitter-shortened quotes. The full text is:

“America is woven of many strands; I would recognize them and let it so remain. It’s ‘winner take nothing’ that is the great truth of our country or of any country. Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat. Our fate is to become one, and yet many — This in not prophecy, but description.” – Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man, Epilogue

To me, this is a quote about the spirit of all human kind. As individuals, we are all a little different, yet as a group, we are still partly the same. America’s motto was (until Congress changed it in 1956) “e pluribus unum,” a Latin phrase meaning “Out of many, one,” which is the core of the first portion of the quote.

The quote continues by reminding us that life is not a zero-sum game, but a rich and vibrant setting. Here, everyone can play for as much as they wish to, and that in doing so, no one need be deprived for another to prosper. We wish to live our lives freely, and not have them controlled by others.

The quote finishes describing the game of life as rigged, as no one ever gets out alive. But it also states (rightly so, in my mind) that it is the playing, the effort, and the skill, that makes one a winner in that game. The quote wraps up back where it started, stating we are both one and many at the same time, and that it isn’t a prediction, but concrete fact.

Why is our uniqueness important?  Continue reading →

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Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.

Posted on 29 February 2012 by philosiblog

Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. – Muhammad Ali

While the blog text focuses on helping people you don't know, there are many people in need of differing levels of service. Tutoring might be a way you can be of service to others, whether they be strangers, friends, or family.

What does that mean?
Service to others is a great idea. I’m not talking about “Would you like fries with that?” but actually doing something that helps other people with their lives. Helping someone learn to read. Helping someone kick a bad habit. Helping someone find a ray of hope in their world. Helping someone find shelter when they are cold or a meal when they are hungry.

The quote says that service is how you pay the bills here on earth. I like the way that is worded. It gently reminds us that life is accompanied by responsibilities. It’s not all fun and games, right? This quote urges us to help others in order to pay our way through life. Pay it forward. Karma. Good deeds. Good Turn. The concept is familiar to many people through many different sources. An idea that good can’t be all bad, right?

Why is kindness important? Continue reading →

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What the world really needs is more love and less paper work.

Posted on 28 February 2012 by philosiblog

What the world really needs is more love and less paper work. – Pearl Bailey

Paperwork! UGH! Welcome to the DMV. What I need is some compassion and understanding, not more paperwork. I feel like a number and not a person.

What does that mean?
To me, this quote is a bit tongue-in-cheek, but still worth the effort to examine. With the advent of the computer and the so-called “paperless society,” we seem to have more and more paperwork everywhere we go. The paperwork is usually provided and returned to a clerk or other bureaucrat, who is usually just a streaming beacon of sunshine, right? At least that’s been my experience.

The opposite of that poor working stiff behind the counter would be someone overflowing with true compassion and love. This quote is saying we need a little more love in the world and not so much of the bureaucrat and the accompanying paperwork. Or, if we must be stuck with some paperwork still, at least we should endeavor to put as much love and good cheer into the process as we can manage.

Why is love important?  Continue reading →

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The minute a person whose word means a great deal to others dare to take the open-hearted and courageous way, many others follow.

Posted on 27 February 2012 by philosiblog

The minute a person whose word means a great deal to others dare to take the open-hearted and courageous way, many others follow. – Marian Anderson

The author of the quote, a truly great and gifted singer, only belatedly recognized in her home country because some people couldn't see past the color of her skin. But her voice was not silenced. FDR used his influence to help bring her to the masses for an open air performance at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939.

What does that mean?
This quote is about influence, and the courage to use it. It says that the moment a person of influence takes a stand, people will listen. Sometimes they are people who are famous before they take a stand, other times they become famous because they take a stand. Some people are known to whole countries or even to the world. Others are known only to their friends or their family.

But when someone can no longer be silent at a perceived wrong and speaks out, others hear them. Many of these people have been thinking the same thing, but have not had the courage to step out and say it themselves. However, once that line has been crossed by one, many others feel more confident in expressing themselves. This can be a great power for good, or for ill, depending on what the topic is.

Why is personal influence important?  Continue reading →

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The capacity to devote yourself to the welfare of others yields otherwise unobtainable power and potential for good.

Posted on 26 February 2012 by philosiblog

The capacity to devote yourself to the welfare of others yields otherwise unobtainable power and potential for good. – Dalai Lama

Altruism can be on an international scale, or it could be in your neighborhood.

What does that mean?
This quote is about one of the most powerful forces on the planet, the human capacity for love. Isn’t that a good definition for why people will put effort into the welfare of others? The quote talks about the results of this effort, this devotion of self towards the welfare of others.

It says that in doing so, you can gain power unobtainable by other means. There are those who help others for altruistic reasons (potential for good), and others who do it for their own gain. The gangsters of Chicago were notorious for running food kitchens and hospitals for the people in their territory, as it was an easy way to obtain their loyalty. In that manner, they didn’t have to worry about people telling the police or their rivals.

Why is altruism important?  Continue reading →

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Before all else, be armed.

Posted on 25 February 2012 by philosiblog

Before all else, be armed. – Niccolò Machiavelli

It's almost time for the conference with the customer. Are you armed with facts, alternate ideas, and potential workarounds? Are you truly prepared?

What does that mean?
In it’s original form, this quote was intended as advice to a ruler of a city-state. It meant to urge them to be prepared for armed conflict with another city-state, or to defend themselves from roving gangs of brigands. Without arms (a generic term of the era, meaning weapons), it is very difficult, even in a walled city, to protect yourself.

Arms, therefore, were a high priority in order to keep what they had and prevent the enemy (or opportunists) from taking it away from you. The presence or absence of arms could easily be detected by the many merchant/spies that worked the trade routes. The information would be available to anyone with sufficient desire and sufficient coin. An armed presence was a definite deterrent, but not a guarantee. Lack of arms, however, was pretty much a guarantee of an attack, if not sooner, then most certainly later.

Why is preparation (or being prepared) important? 

Continue reading →

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