It is my intention to post more. I take so much information, and I often feel I am missing my purpose by not sharing what I am learning. I don’t have a lot of time, so many of my posts may be a quick observation and then a link for more. My interests revolve around living well, or the three Ws: Wellness, Wealth, and Wisdom.
My hope is to help others in their journey toward all three.
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
Benjamin Franklin, or someone before him
“We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less.” –Diogenes
Every measure of success in life stems from having successful relationships.
How is your marriage? How are your kids turning out? How successful are you in your career? Do you have close friendships and strong bonds with your parents, siblings, extended family? How well do you feel you know yourself? How much have you grown in consciousness? How connected do you feel with your creator?
For all of us, the answer to any of the above is linked to the amount and quality of our communication in that arena. Smarts, looks, creativity, wealth – none of those can take us all the way, because none of them are about how we interact with others.
Communication nourishes deep, rich, lasting personal and professional relationships. In my life, I have felt the most self-understanding and growth when I have had a regular writing practice, another form of communication. I also write to God sometimes, and like Aibileen in “The Help” it seems to be like putting the universe on speed dial. In my mind, prayer is talking and meditation is listening. As with most relationships, better to do more listening than talking.
Of course, appropriate communication is best. With babies, the Waldorf camp says to speak in rhyme and song, as they are nurtured by the sound and rhythm, not the words themselves. Warmth and truth are key components to communicating with anyone, God included. While a little sugar coating can go a long way, being false gets us nowhere.
I do not fully agree with the cliche: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.” Why? Because I believe it is always best to err on the side of communication.
If you are running behind on something at work or there is a glitch in a plan, write a note to the affected party, or better yet give them a call. This breeds trust, and it shows you care.
If you have a beef with your partner, TALK about it. Even if they do not like hashing things out, as long as your intent is to maintain harmony, they will appreciate it in the long run. It shows you care.
Ask questions. Of your colleagues, your kids, your mate, your friends, strangers, God. Listen to what they have to say. This helps you learn and grow, and it shows you care.
Write. Talk about your feelings with yourself. Keep a journal, or try a technique like Natalie Goldberg’s “Writing Down the Bones.” Your consciousness will grow like a weed.
We all go through bumps in the road. Daily. For me, whatever area of life seems to be bumpiest has to do with how much, how clearly, and how warmly I have expressed myself and how present I have been in the listening.
“What you do is of little significance, but it is very important that you do it.”
Mahatma Gandhi
“Blog” – the word – has never pleased my ears. It seems not only to sound like, but to represent, something gross and uncouth. The hubris of these hoards of people spouting off their thoughts for all the world to hear, and who is listening?
Well, if I stick with this “web log,” it will become evident that my mind is on the changeable side. On the subject of blogging, Seth Godin led me to change it.
I just discovered Seth Godin listening to one of my recent steadies – “On Being” with Krista Tippett. I prefer her unedited cuts on podcast. After researching Godin it seems I could be embarrassed to admit that I just found him. However Godin himself said in the interview that people in public rarely recognize him, happily illustrating one of his critical contributions: “Mainstream” is becoming an archaic term. We have so many choices on how to connect that we are bound to miss plenty of “big” stuff, so embrace the diversity and contribute to it if you dare.
An aside: Thank God we do not depend on the major media outlets to provide all our information anymore.
I haven’t since read all of Godin’s books, but did listen to the audio of “Poke the Box.” He says to be an initiator. Start something. Do something that makes you uncomfortable. Something that matters.
Here I am. It makes me uncomfortable sharing my private thoughts in public, whether in person or online. But my private thoughts concern universal matters that plenty of people see fit to write about. Mind, Body, and Spirit issues. Natural health. Tea. Yoga. Nature. Faith. Food. Technology. History. Freedom. Time. Money. Marketing. Parenting. Education. Creativity. Service.
I process so much information related to these matters, that perhaps I just want to have a place to catalouge my reactions to what I take in, to track the ever-evolving focus of my passions.
But it’s more than that. I live in the Bible Belt, sell for a Fortune 50 corporation, and generally fit in with the “mainstream.” Therefore I have fewer people with whom to talk about the deep stuff than I would like. So at Godin’s behest – I am not only seeking expression, but connection.
I now realize, it matters not if I reach a mass audience. It is inevitable that plenty will disagree. It is not about being “followed.” It is about contributing. If one person comes across one thing I say that helps them grow in consciousness, then I have served. If I connect with one person or idea based on this blog that helps me grow in consciousness, then good for me.
Homemade Extraordinary 