The distance between your dreams and reality is called action.

Posted on 4 June 2014 by philosiblog

The distance between your dreams and reality is called action. – Unknown

"Who wants to visit another planet?" That was my dream, but I didn't act.

“Who wants to visit another planet?” That was my dream when I was young, but I didn’t act.

What does that mean?
This quote is about making your dreams a reality. We all have them, although we might call them aspirations or plans. But we all want to accomplish things.

These things start as ideas in our minds. We develop them, perhaps even go so far as to come up with a plan for how to make it happen. Sometimes the plans are detailed, and other times quite general in nature.

But to move that idea from our mind and make it happen in the real world, that will take more than our thoughts. We need something a little more concrete to get things done, to bring our dream to life.

That thing is called action. Without it, we have thoughts, ideas, plans, and intentions, but there are no results. Without action, we have nothing concrete, nothing real. There is just a dream, without substance.

Why is taking action important? Continue reading →

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We all need basic human values rooted in trust and affection.

Posted on 2 June 2014 by philosiblog

We all need basic human values rooted in trust and affection. – Dalai Lama

Friends. Do you trust them? Are you affectionate with them? Do they help you meet your basic human needs?

Friends. Do you trust them? Do they trust you? Are you affectionate with them? Are they affectionate with you?  Do they help you meet your basic human needs?

What does that mean?
This quote starts by stating that we all have needs. The basic needs are for human values. These values are rooted or based in trust an affection.

Unless you are doing far better than most of us, you probably have needs as well. And again, for most of us on the planet, those basic needs are rooted in the feelings of trust and affection.

Trust, in the dictionary, is defined as being confident, believing, or relying on someone or something to do what is expected. Imagine what a world would be like without trust.

Affection, in the dictionary, is defined as fondness, tenderness, and is one of the lesser flavors of love. Again, imagine a world without affection. That doesn’t sound like fun to me.

Why is trust and affection important? Continue reading →

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Wisdom and Folly are taking opposite sides. Which shall I join?

Posted on 30 May 2014 by philosiblog

Wisdom and Folly are taking opposite sides. Which shall I join? – Seneca

Sometimes the two camps compete for you. Which to you pick? How do you decide?

Sometimes the two camps compete for you. Which to you pick? How do you decide?

What does that mean?
In the letter from which this quote is taken, Seneca is discussing the difference between Stoics and others when it comes to defining man and friend.

To a Stoic, all of humanity is a friend, as the motivation of friendship is that of service. The other side considers a friend useful only to provide pleasure or to exploit. You can imagine which side he believes is Folly.

Yet this quote applies to more than just friendship, and has implications for the whole of our lives. Sometimes the difference between wisdom and folly are somewhat subtle and rarely considered, like in this case.

Other times it can be fairly obvious, if we take the time to examine the situation and ourselves. Whatever the topic, there are always at least two camps. Be careful which one you join!

Why is taking care when choosing sides important? Continue reading →

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Luck is probability taken personally.

Posted on 28 May 2014 by philosiblog

Luck is probability taken personally. – Penn Jillette, who attributes this quote to Chip Denman

What do you do when your luck runs out?

What do you do when your luck runs out? Are you lucky, or prepared?

What does that mean?
Think about that for a moment. Were you lucky, or did statistics simply favor you that one time? Or, perhaps, for several times in a row?

Is that really luck, or are you reading more into it than is really there? Have you ever thought about it? Do you believe in luck? Are you someone who thinks themselves to be a ‘lucky’ person?

Life is full of opportunities to claim that ‘luck’ was involved, but usually it isn’t luck but a fortunate statistical outcome. Just missed something? Just barely got something? Luck, or statistics?

The point is to not take things so personally. Unless you believe that there is something or someone looking out for you, bending the rules of probability, it’s just math.

Why is being realistic important? Continue reading →

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When you face problems in your lives, don’t resort to the use of force, try to employ dialogue to find a solution.

Posted on 26 May 2014 by philosiblog

When you face problems in your lives, don’t resort to the use of force, try to employ dialogue to find a solution. – Dalai Lama

You could force them to agree, if you're the boss, but will that result in the best outcome, or build resentment?

You could force them to agree, if you’re the boss, but will that result in the best solution?

What does that mean?
Everyone faces issues or problems at some point in their life. The question is what do you do when you find yourself in such a situation.

The quote urges us to resist using force. Obviously, if your issue is a large rock in your path, talking to it isn’t going to do much. This is a case when force is necessary to get the job done, right?

However, when we’re dealing with an issue with another person, the first tool we reach for should not be force, but dialog. Force escalates situations, and while dialog can also do so, unlike force, it can also de-escalate tensions.

The quote doesn’t explain why, but I imagine your experiences have been like mine, and you have an idea. The shortest path to a true and lasting agreement is dialog.

Why is dialog important? Continue reading →

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Disaster is Virtue’s opportunity.

Posted on 23 May 2014 by philosiblog

Disaster is Virtue’s opportunity. – Seneca

Could you help her pick up her doll? It might not be much to you, but it could be a real disaster for her.

Could you help her pick up her doll? Picking it up might not be very difficult for you, but it could be a real disaster for her if she can’t get to it. What would you do?

What does that mean?
Also translated as Calamity is Virtue’s opportunity, it is a call to us to not shrink from the unpleasant things which fall our way in life.

This quote is a call to bear what-ever happens, and to encourage others as well. Without a change in fortune, we might become dulled by having too much good fortune, and that’s not good.

When things are stirred up by a calamity or disaster, that is when heroes are found. They were always heroes inside, but until then, lacked the opportunity.

You too, can be heroic, if you choose to take the opportunity of a disaster to show your virtue. And it doesn’t need to be a tornado or earthquake, any little disaster will do.

Why is being a hero important? Continue reading →

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You can outlast those who are lucky and out-work those who are lazy.

Posted on 21 May 2014 by philosiblog

You can outlast those who are lucky and out-work those who are lazy. – Jeff Goins

You don't get there by luck or by being lazy. You must persevere.

You don’t get there by luck or by being lazy. You must persevere.

What does that mean?
This quote talks briefly about the two primary ways to get ahead in life. You can work hard, or you can get lucky. This quote gives us some ideas how to do even better than that.

It starts by implying that with perseverance, we can outlast those who got ahead by luck. They didn’t do anything to get there, so they can’t do it again, and eventually, with perseverance, we will get ahead of them.

It then implies that with perseverance, we can get past those who lack it, or who are lazy. While they are relaxing, thinking, plotting, planing, or making excuses, if we work, we will get ahead of them.

In short, it says if we keep working, and make informed choices, and learn from our mistakes, the only thing keeping us from eventually getting ahead is ourselves.

Why is perseverance important? Continue reading →

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We must design education that provides for both knowledge and a healthy mind, creating a sense of compassion that responds to all humanity.

Posted on 19 May 2014 by philosiblog

We must design education that provides for both knowledge and a healthy mind, creating a sense of compassion that responds to all humanity. – Dalai Lama

What do you teach those around you? Is your example one of compassion?

What do you teach to those around you? Is it an example of compassion or something less?

What does that mean?
Education is the term we use to describe how we instill the values of the present generation into the next generation. That is simple enough.

But how do we choose what we will try to instill in them? Tradition is a powerful force. There is also societal norms, which often changes a bit more rapidly. But what about the greater good of all humanity?

This quote urges us to make sure that knowledge is transferred, but it also reminds us to help build healthy minds, with an eye towards compassion.

If we can raise a generation of people who have a strong sense of compassion for the whole of humanity, our future would be wide open, wouldn’t it?

Why is the next generation important? Continue reading →

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Philosophy did not find Plato already a noble man; it made him one.

Posted on 16 May 2014 by philosiblog

Philosophy did not find Plato already a noble man; it made him one. – Seneca

What is your philosophy on telling the truth? Always, or are there exceptions? Why?

What is your philosophy on telling the truth? Always, or are there exceptions? Why?

What does that mean?
This is a neat quote, as it gives us a thought on what the study of Philosophy can do for a person. In this case, Plato is the subject of interest.

According to the quote, other philosophers came from lowly beginnings. Plato is quoted as saying that all rulers came from slaves, and all slaves have kings in their blood-lines. That’s something to think about, right?

The quote is about how philosophy doesn’t choose who follows it, it only helps them find the best in themselves. The light of philosophy exists to help all who will see by it.

In the quote, the study of philosophy is what sharpened Plato’s mind and helped him to become well known for his wisdom. And philosophy has no favorites, anyone can join in the fun.

Why is philosophy important? Continue reading →

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Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.

Posted on 14 May 2014 by philosiblog

Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards. – Vern Law

It helps to have a mentor when learning to walk.

It helps to have a mentor when learning to walk. It helps in other things as well.

What does that mean?
This is the testing method of the School of Hard Knocks, otherwise known as learning as you go.  Put another way, Experience is how you figure things out by trial and error.

When you don’t know what you’re doing, you take the test, and then try to learn from what life hands back to you. That is how experience works. That isn’t a lot of fun, at least I don’t think so, do you?

The test is whatever you are trying to accomplish. Either you do or you don’t. As you view the wreckage and try to pick up the pieces, you have the opportunity to learn the lesson.

In school, we usually get some hints up front, then we get the test. You tend to cover more ground that way. But experience does have the advantage of grinding the lesson in quite deeply.

Why is learning important? Continue reading →

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It is important to appreciate the contribution compassion and warm-heartedness make to happiness.

Posted on 12 May 2014 by philosiblog

It is important to appreciate the contribution compassion and warm-heartedness make to happiness. – Dalai Lama

Love or warm-heartedness plus compassion, that's a powerful combination./

Love or warm-heartedness, plus compassion. That’s a powerful combination.

What does that mean?
This quote addresses a portion of the sources of happiness. It lists compassion and warm-heartedness as significant contributors to our happiness.

If you have read any of his ‘The Art of Happiness’ books, you know that he doesn’t think the possession or acquisition of things is high on the list of happiness causing things. Or at least lasting happiness.

For that, a deeper emotional connection is required. That is where compassion and warm-heartedness come in. Compassion allows you to connect with the needs of others.

Warm-heartedness allows you to connect with the happiness and positive emotions. In each case, happiness is multiplied and sorrow divided. I don’t know about you, but that always makes me happy.

Why is sharing important? Continue reading →

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Let us train our minds to desire what the situation demands.

Posted on 9 May 2014 by philosiblog

Let us train our minds to desire what the situation demands. – Seneca

It's DiaperMan! In a nice long sleeved shirt, too.

It’s DiaperMan! I wonder if he has trained his mind to desire cleanliness, or is he miserable?

What does that mean?
This is not the best citation ever, but that’s all I have. I find this interesting due to the way it is stated, which is mostly backwards.

Reversed, the quote states “Whatever the situation demands, we should train our minds to desire.” I prefer this order, as the situation will dictate what we need to do. And how our brain is trained will dictate how we will consider the situation.

When we are young and in school, the situation demands that we apply our minds to the tasks of studying and learning. Without such training, our schooling will not go well.

Later in life, we start our work life. Whether it is in the factory, the office or at home, the situation has changed. So have the demands of life. We must adapt or suffer, right?

Why is adapting to the situation important? Continue reading →

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Reading is equivalent to thinking with someone else’s head instead of with one’s own.

Posted on 7 May 2014 by philosiblog

Reading is equivalent to thinking with someone else’s head instead of with one’s own. – Arthur Schopenhauer

Reading that book would give you an interesting tour of part of Einstein's head!

Reading that book would give you an interesting tour of part of Einstein’s head!

What does that mean?
Many of us will, from time to time, try to imagine what someone is thinking, or how they came up with an idea. If they’re nearby, you can ask.

If not, you could read a book, either by them, or about them, and try to find the answer in that manner. Many books are written in an effort to explain or persuade, and that can be quite helpful.

If you are lucky, you will find a passage which gives you insight regarding their reasons, methods, and thought process which lead them to a particular conclusion.

In that manner, you are actually seeing inside their head, and thinking with theirs, instead of yours. It doesn’t mean you have to agree with them, but you can at least better understand what they did, and perhaps even why.

Why is expanding our knowledge important? Continue reading →

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It would help if there were greater understanding that anger never helps to solve a problem.

Posted on 5 May 2014 by philosiblog

It would help if there were greater understanding that anger never helps to solve a problem. – Dalai Lama

Anger is a decision. The more you do it, the easier the decision.

Anger is a decision. The more often anger is your solution, the easier the decision to use it will become. If you use it rarely, it will become the difficult choice. Which will you choose?

What does that mean?
This quote, to me, is about the futility of anger. Anger is many things to many people, but it is rarely useful in solving problems.

More precisely, if anger is used in the solving of a problem, it will only create a larger problem. Then how does solve the new problem? Will it ever get better, or only get worse?

And the people who were on the receiving end of the anger, are they going to be satisfied with a simple solution, or will the anger of the first party be visited back on them?

There probably isn’t a single person on the planet who does not understand the futility of using anger to solve a problem. Yet somehow it continues to happen, all around the world.

Why is refusing to misuse anger important? Continue reading →

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WOO HOO! One and a Half Million Views!

Posted on 4 May 2014 by philosiblog

WOO HOO! One and a Half Million Views!

Thanks so very much for your support.

Thanks so very much for your support.

Wow! Earlier this week, I get my 1.5 millionth page view.

Thanks for the support. I look forward to more of the same in the months to come.

Photo byJeff Golden

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