"To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders." - Lieh Tzu

When I first read that quote, I thought it implied that I need to stop thinking. After letting it 'sit' for a while in my mind while I put away laundry, and prepped things for work tomorrow, I got it. I immediately made a decision when I read the quote. By doing that, I exemplified what Tzu was saying NOT to do. In our world of instant information, and texting, BlackBerry messaging, E-mail, and cell phones, we absorb layers and layers of information and have to perceive it and process it quickly so we can move on to the next data tidbit. Unfortunately, by doing that, we may be missing out on fully understanding the attempted communication. But the quote applies to other things. Simple things...like food. Growing up, my parents expected us to eat what ever they put in front of us. If we didn't, we had nothing to eat. Period. Now I'm not saying we starved to death (Mom, I know you are reading this), but we learned to be thankful for the food we had. We also learned there was no reason to fear food. Mom and Dad took us everywhere. We ate out at 'fancy' (fancy for Iowa in the 70s) and if we ordered something, we ate it. But, we could also try everyone else's food. As an adult, I'm shocked when I meet adults who won't try a food, or music, or an activity because they are afraid they won't like it. Think of all the life experiences they are missing. So sad.

Having a still mind is also a great way to construct a strategy. Take for example a business meeting. Typically, the agenda is announced so attendees are aware of what topics will be discussed. That also means people probably come to the meeting with a predisposed reaction to all of the topics. Now, I'm not suggesting that agendas are a bad idea or that meetings shouldn't be organized. What I am saying is that it may be better to go into the meeting with an open mind and allow yourself to absorb the data fully before you respond. I have a difficult meeting planned for tomorrow, and although I was initially instructed to come prepared essentially with a speech, I am going to enter with a completely still mind. Ohm.

All the best, m

Forgiveness

'If there is something to pardon in everything, there is also something to condemn.' - Friedrich Nietzsche

Since I think Mom is the only one reading this blog, I'd like to start with an apology that this may not be my typical cheery or at least non-negative posting. Something happened today that made me think about how I am so easy to forgive. I'd always been taught that it was 'better' from the Godly perspective, and in general I believe it is 'healthier' to forgive. I know usually when I do forgive I feel a weight lifted. So I know it's the 'right' thing to do. But what I'm starting to notice is that the same people are forgiving the same people who are doing the wrongs over, and over, and over again. Is that really 'healthy' or 'better' or 'right'? If I were a psychologist, I would say 'no'. By forgiving the same person for their same irresponsible mistakes is almost like saying 'it's okay you did this awful thing, so please do it again'.

I'm not saying that we should not forgive any mistakes, and I'm definitely not saying I don't make mistakes. But if one person continually and intentionally does things that negatively affect other people's lives...at some point....shouldn't that person 'run out' of forgiveness opportunities?

- m

Betting to live

I've heard it said that in order to win big when gambling, you have to bet enough that it will hurt if you lose. I've mostly lived my life that way...taking chances on people, places, actions, and I believe that could be my mantra. 'Bet enough that it will hurt'. I'm not saying that I always win, but that if you're not going to put your whole heart into whatever it is...why bother?

Fear and Power

Good morning!

I was reading about Salman Rushdie this morning over my twigs and rocks (whole grain cereal w/walnuts). I was in college when he released his book Satanic Verses (1988) and unfortunately was more interested in marching band and my social life than learning about someone who had real things to say about real problems.

This morning I read that in February 1989 after releasing Satanic Verses, the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwā calling for Rushdie to be killed. Due to this, Rushdie had to go into hiding for many years. Although there are days where I wish I could disappear from the rest of humanity and leave all the craziness behind, I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like to be forced into hiding because an entire culture was instructed to kill you.

Growing up in the U.S., I thought the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini of Iran was someone to fear. So it's interesting that someone with power at the global level would be afraid of the words of a single writer. I guess his power was channeled through the fear people had for him, and he really had no power without that.

Although Rushdie is no longer in hiding, every February 14th he receives a message from Iran to let him know they haven't forgotten or forgiven and the vow to kill him is still valid. Yet he continues to write and live out his passion, act in movies, and very successfully move through life. So it appears he is the one with all the power after all.

Beginnings

This is my first blog entry. I'm excited to see where this takes me. Nothing like getting back into writing by diving into the web head first. Thanks for joining me!