It is best to be silent when we have nothing to say. Using compliments has conversation fillers doesn't add any value to you or the other person.
When a compliment isn't backed up by a feeling, as it is often the case when used in conversation filler, it will be perceived as flattery. The filler is therefore against you.
It is best to stay silent when we have nothing to say!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Who Are You When Nobody's Looking?
Is the real "you" the same as the "you" you tell others?
During an interview, Basketball player Kobe Bryant said that Michael Jordan gave him the advice of being himself. He said that if he was himself, the world would adapt to him.
If we adapt to the world, then what new things are we bringing to the table? We were created unique and thought how to be a carbon copy of each other!
Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Micheal Jordan (etc..) were all geniuses in their own rights and they were also themselves. They will forever be remembered for their individuality.
It is time for us to find ourselves so that we, too, can be remembered for our individuality.
To the question "Who are you when nobody's looking?" Dale Carnegie said "I'm the person I really hope and want to be."
What is your answer?
During an interview, Basketball player Kobe Bryant said that Michael Jordan gave him the advice of being himself. He said that if he was himself, the world would adapt to him.
If we adapt to the world, then what new things are we bringing to the table? We were created unique and thought how to be a carbon copy of each other!
Albert Einstein, Abraham Lincoln, Micheal Jordan (etc..) were all geniuses in their own rights and they were also themselves. They will forever be remembered for their individuality.
It is time for us to find ourselves so that we, too, can be remembered for our individuality.
To the question "Who are you when nobody's looking?" Dale Carnegie said "I'm the person I really hope and want to be."
What is your answer?
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Don't Fire the Failures!
You own a company and an employee messed up big time. What do you do? If the first thought that comes to mind is to kick that person out, you might want to consider the message you're sending to the rest of the company. Do note the failure mentioned in this case is someone who tried and failed, not someone who did nothing for too long and ended up messing up (those should get the boot).
If you make a big deal out of failures, you will rip employees of their leadership capabilities. They will not want to attempt anything on their own account due to the fear of the consequences.
There is a story of this air pilot who, once in the air, noticed that the gas tank hadn't been filled and almost crashed. Thankfully, he was able to land the plan safely. The first thing he did once on the ground was to seek out who was responsible for filling up the tank and, instead of being mad, said "from now on, I want you to be the only one filling up my airplane."
Why did he do that? Because people who make mistakes are less likely to repeat them.
The same applies here. The person you booted now has the knowledge on how not to repeat his mistake which potentially will help the next company who hires him save millions of dollars.
He who fails the most learns the most.
If you make a big deal out of failures, you will rip employees of their leadership capabilities. They will not want to attempt anything on their own account due to the fear of the consequences.
There is a story of this air pilot who, once in the air, noticed that the gas tank hadn't been filled and almost crashed. Thankfully, he was able to land the plan safely. The first thing he did once on the ground was to seek out who was responsible for filling up the tank and, instead of being mad, said "from now on, I want you to be the only one filling up my airplane."
Why did he do that? Because people who make mistakes are less likely to repeat them.
The same applies here. The person you booted now has the knowledge on how not to repeat his mistake which potentially will help the next company who hires him save millions of dollars.
He who fails the most learns the most.
Monday, July 28, 2014
Ask Questions!
"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear." -Buddhist proverb
The best way to show that you are a "ready" student is by asking questions.
Very few ask questions. Maybe they think it's a sign of weakness but in most cases it's due to pride.
Is your pride in the way of your education?
According to dictionary.com, pride is "a high inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc."
Pride most often originates from comparing ourselves to others. It is widely spread due to the presence of relative peace. Men, having nothing better to do, compare themselves to others.
Show me a man with pride and I will show you a man with limited options. Pride limits your own ability to grow. So be humble and ask questions?
The best way to show that you are a "ready" student is by asking questions.
Very few ask questions. Maybe they think it's a sign of weakness but in most cases it's due to pride.
Is your pride in the way of your education?
According to dictionary.com, pride is "a high inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc."
Pride most often originates from comparing ourselves to others. It is widely spread due to the presence of relative peace. Men, having nothing better to do, compare themselves to others.
Show me a man with pride and I will show you a man with limited options. Pride limits your own ability to grow. So be humble and ask questions?
Friday, July 25, 2014
Knowledge Over Ignorance - A James Madison Quote
"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
-James Madison
-James Madison
Thursday, July 24, 2014
We're Not Born with Knowledge
Harold H. Titus and Marilyn S. Smith mentioned in their book "Living Issues In Philosophy - Sixth Edition" that every child is born starting at zero. He doesn't know anything and can be shaped in any way.
It is said that the Romans would take the children of kings in conquered lands and teach them how to be Romans by bringing them to Rome. This is one of the ways used to assimilate the conquered countries into the Roman empire.
This strategy is pretty interesting to me. If people age 4+ would all die out and only children would be left, and somehow manage to survive, the world would be a vastly different place. It would make a good introduction to a novel wouldn't you think?
It is said that the Romans would take the children of kings in conquered lands and teach them how to be Romans by bringing them to Rome. This is one of the ways used to assimilate the conquered countries into the Roman empire.
This strategy is pretty interesting to me. If people age 4+ would all die out and only children would be left, and somehow manage to survive, the world would be a vastly different place. It would make a good introduction to a novel wouldn't you think?
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
When Did Humans become Aware of themselves?
What is Self-Awareness?
According to http://www.yourdictionary.com/, self-awareness is a person's knowledge of themselves and their worth as a person.
When did we first inherited it?
According to the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve became "aware" after eating from the Tree of Knowledge - which is fine but I would like a more scientific side of it based on the theory of evolution.
The man of today is very different than the monkey counterpart in terms of mind and thinking. At which point, of the evolutionary process, did man start to be aware of himself? The popular belief is that it developed over time once our ancestors started using tools while others believe it was when we started to have the desire to communicate with each other.
What have you heard on the origin of Self-Awareness?
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Back To Basics
"I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times." - Bruce Lee
Today, I realize that the basics in anything is everything. The martial artist master who breaks a brick with his fist used the same type of punch that was thought to the beginner. The only difference is that the master practiced it more - he understands it better.
It's only after you've "punched" thousands of times that you start paying attention to what you're doing. You start realizing how it works and how complex a "simple punch" actually is. That "Eureka" moment is when true learning begins. It's at that moment that you see what it takes to be a master and whether or not you want to pay the price in order to be one.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Science Could Be Destroying our Civilization
The focus on science instead of the inner self is making cowards of men and potentially destroying our civilization.
Nothing great was ever achieved without confidence and confidence comes from looking inside of us and not through the studies of facts.
Nothing great was ever achieved without confidence and confidence comes from looking inside of us and not through the studies of facts.
Friday, July 18, 2014
Big city cars. Big nonsense? - The new "Smart Car" ad
I don't have cable (but of course you knew that already didn't you?) and am therefor not up-to-date when it comes to ads, current events or tv series that's currently playing. Somehow, I still manage to learn about them through word of mouth or through internet blogs. Today, I stumble across this Smart Car ad that's just hilarious! It's an obvious hoax that's targeted to those who doesn't like the smart car because it's "too small". Check it out here:
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Religions and The Many Sins
According to the Bible, same sex relationship is a sin... but so is divorce, adultery, lying, stealing (etc)… Before pointing out the leaks in someone else's boat, you might want to look at your own first.
“...He that is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7 KJV) – I know of no man that is without sin. No stones should ever be thrown at anybody accused of a sin. Do not point out someone else's sin since you are not responsible for their judgment. You're responsible for your own judgment; focus on your own issues.
If you claim to be a man of God then “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Golden Rule – Luke 6:31) and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31 NIV).
Be the example that you want to see in the world instead of pointing out what others are doing wrong (by attempting to force your morals on them). There should be no hate for our neighbors, only love.
“...He that is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at her.” (John 8:7 KJV) – I know of no man that is without sin. No stones should ever be thrown at anybody accused of a sin. Do not point out someone else's sin since you are not responsible for their judgment. You're responsible for your own judgment; focus on your own issues.
If you claim to be a man of God then “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Golden Rule – Luke 6:31) and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31 NIV).
Be the example that you want to see in the world instead of pointing out what others are doing wrong (by attempting to force your morals on them). There should be no hate for our neighbors, only love.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Learning To Be Free
“If a man acts as he does merely because of custom or tradition or law, he is not genuinely free. When asked what good his philosophy did him, Aristotle remarked that it enabled him to do willingly what other men did merely because of fear of the law. That man is free who is the author of the principles and laws by which he lives. In an ideal society, each person would agree with every law or, if he did not like the law, would criticize it and agitate for change. He would do this on the basis of facts and principles which were consistent.”
-P. 13 of “Living Issues In Philosophy Sixth Edition” book by Harold H. Titus & Marilyn S. Smith
Education allows people to lead themselves. Some world leaders are keeping their population stupid, on purpose, to keep the populace under control. They do so by controlling the media that's fed to them but it's becoming increasingly difficult now that the internet is so widely accessible (although some countries do try to control that as well).
The only way for society to move forward is through knowledge. The more people that learns how to think, the further the steps forward. Any type of government that doesn't allow free thinking is telling the world that it doesn't want to be part in the world of tomorrow.
What's worse than a society that wants to learn but can't? A society that is allowed to but doesn't care for it. Ray Bradbury said “You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.”
Be the change that is needed of us to get ahead.
-P. 13 of “Living Issues In Philosophy Sixth Edition” book by Harold H. Titus & Marilyn S. Smith
Education allows people to lead themselves. Some world leaders are keeping their population stupid, on purpose, to keep the populace under control. They do so by controlling the media that's fed to them but it's becoming increasingly difficult now that the internet is so widely accessible (although some countries do try to control that as well).
The only way for society to move forward is through knowledge. The more people that learns how to think, the further the steps forward. Any type of government that doesn't allow free thinking is telling the world that it doesn't want to be part in the world of tomorrow.
What's worse than a society that wants to learn but can't? A society that is allowed to but doesn't care for it. Ray Bradbury said “You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.”
Be the change that is needed of us to get ahead.
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
We're all Philosophers
“The word philosophy is derived from the Greek words philos (“loving”) and sophia (“wisdom”) and means “the love of knowledge and wisdom.”
-P.8 of “Living Issues In Philosophy – Sixth Edition” by authors Harold H. Titus & Marilyn S. Smith
Everybody is a philosopher whether they actively know about it or not. We all live with a set of predetermined rules that we consider “right” and we sometime argue with others in an attempt to convert them to our way of thinking.
Let's own our Philosopher's way to live our life the best way we possibly can.
-P.8 of “Living Issues In Philosophy – Sixth Edition” by authors Harold H. Titus & Marilyn S. Smith
Everybody is a philosopher whether they actively know about it or not. We all live with a set of predetermined rules that we consider “right” and we sometime argue with others in an attempt to convert them to our way of thinking.
Let's own our Philosopher's way to live our life the best way we possibly can.
Monday, July 14, 2014
Finances & Self Confidence
I recently dusted off an old copy of success magazine (subscribe here) and found a wonderful reminder of why it's important to have control over our finances.
“It's been said that if you want to know how people feel about themselves, look at their bank account. Money is an outcome, a reflection of one's mindset and self-confidence. And money doesn't lie. It's unemotional and unsympathetically revealing. It's a rigid measurement of value that's easily counted.” -P.6 of “Success Magazine – February 2009” article written by Dale Hardy
Debt is bad for various reasons - including how we perceive ourselves. It's hard to feel like a winner when we're going further behind in our finances every month.
While some argue that there are such a thing as a “good debt”, none of them feels good to me.
“It's been said that if you want to know how people feel about themselves, look at their bank account. Money is an outcome, a reflection of one's mindset and self-confidence. And money doesn't lie. It's unemotional and unsympathetically revealing. It's a rigid measurement of value that's easily counted.” -P.6 of “Success Magazine – February 2009” article written by Dale Hardy
Debt is bad for various reasons - including how we perceive ourselves. It's hard to feel like a winner when we're going further behind in our finances every month.
While some argue that there are such a thing as a “good debt”, none of them feels good to me.
Friday, July 11, 2014
The Human Experience
“You are not a human being in search of a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being immersed in a human experience.” -Teilhard de Chardin
When we think in terms of spirit, there's no racism or gender superiority/differences. When we think in terms of human beings, we start to see the physical differences between people and that is where racism, sexism, bullying, stereotypes (etc...) comes from.
Let's try to see things for what they are rather than what they appear to be. We are spirits trapped in a human body having a human experience. On that basis, we should be able to find common grounds and get along.
*This post can also be found on Men 2.0
When we think in terms of spirit, there's no racism or gender superiority/differences. When we think in terms of human beings, we start to see the physical differences between people and that is where racism, sexism, bullying, stereotypes (etc...) comes from.
Let's try to see things for what they are rather than what they appear to be. We are spirits trapped in a human body having a human experience. On that basis, we should be able to find common grounds and get along.
*This post can also be found on Men 2.0
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Living Issues In Philosophy
"Living Issues In Philosophy - Sixth Edition" is a philosophy book from Harold H. Titus & Marilyn S. Smith that came out more than 30 years ago. I usually don't read old works as I fear it may no longer be relevant today but some classics, like this one, still rings true.
I've only just began to read it and am pleasantly surprised at how fresh it all feels. See below:
"Knowledge seems divorced from values; it is possible to have great power without Insight."
-Harold H. Titus & Marilyn S. Smith
"Man has rapidly extended the range and quantity of his knowledge, but he has moved no closer to the age-old ideals of individuality and self-realizations. He has devised numerous plans and organizations for gaining greater security and comfort; at the same time, he feels insecure and anxious because he is uncertain about the meaning of life and of which direction he should take in life."
-P.7 of "Living Issues in Philosophy - Sixth Edition" book by Harold H. Titus & Marilyn S. Smith
This book was written before the internet and smartphones. If anything, the situation explained above is worse today than it was then.
Let's hope the information will be this interesting throughout!
I've only just began to read it and am pleasantly surprised at how fresh it all feels. See below:
"Knowledge seems divorced from values; it is possible to have great power without Insight."
-Harold H. Titus & Marilyn S. Smith
"Man has rapidly extended the range and quantity of his knowledge, but he has moved no closer to the age-old ideals of individuality and self-realizations. He has devised numerous plans and organizations for gaining greater security and comfort; at the same time, he feels insecure and anxious because he is uncertain about the meaning of life and of which direction he should take in life."
-P.7 of "Living Issues in Philosophy - Sixth Edition" book by Harold H. Titus & Marilyn S. Smith
This book was written before the internet and smartphones. If anything, the situation explained above is worse today than it was then.
Let's hope the information will be this interesting throughout!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
The Pink Bracelet
Again, this is a bracelet for BREAST cancer... That's probably the least "gay" thing I could wear! I'm practically telling the world that "I love breast".
Funny what people can say sometimes...
Monday, July 7, 2014
Learning and Telling People What to Do
Nobody likes to be told they're wrong. Reading may give some insight on a situation but sharing that information won't do any good because someone might get offended.
It is always best to listen and help with their thinking on a situation rather than give them an answer.
It is always best to listen and help with their thinking on a situation rather than give them an answer.
Friday, July 4, 2014
Never Done Growing
Nobody is ever done growing but do we ever get ahead? Do we ever come to a point where we can say "I've mastered it all" and for it to be true rather than to sound arrogant?
The more I read, the more I realize how little I know. There's just no ending in sight and the thought is both scary and motivating. I wish there was a way to learn it all!
The more I read, the more I realize how little I know. There's just no ending in sight and the thought is both scary and motivating. I wish there was a way to learn it all!
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Where Did The Time Go?
I'm writing this at my parents house back in the bedroom I grew up in. I stayed in this small room until I was about 15, then I moved in the basement until I was 21 to then move out on my own. They've since renovated the basement for my sister who couldn't wait to move in.
When I look around this old room of mine, I can still picture the posters on the walls, playing with the cat or playing Golden Eye on the N64 with my dad. What happened after that is pretty much a big blur-a chain of events that brought me back where it all started.
I've had many rooms since but none felt quite like home. They were just spaces in a house that I would fill while attempting to make a name for myself in the business world.
Where did the time go?
I heard a leadership cd today about how life tend to just drift off when you don't thrive for a big goal. He said that one day you wake up wondering where the last 5 years have gone-you're never really sure since nothing was planned.
That's a bit how I feel right now, will I wake up in another 5 years wondering where the time as gone again?
When I look around this old room of mine, I can still picture the posters on the walls, playing with the cat or playing Golden Eye on the N64 with my dad. What happened after that is pretty much a big blur-a chain of events that brought me back where it all started.
I've had many rooms since but none felt quite like home. They were just spaces in a house that I would fill while attempting to make a name for myself in the business world.
Where did the time go?
I heard a leadership cd today about how life tend to just drift off when you don't thrive for a big goal. He said that one day you wake up wondering where the last 5 years have gone-you're never really sure since nothing was planned.
That's a bit how I feel right now, will I wake up in another 5 years wondering where the time as gone again?
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
-Good/Right Vs Bad/Wrong-
"If what you say and do is of God, it doesn't make any difference if every other person on the face of the earth criticizes you. Likewise, if what you are doing is not of God, nothing other people say will make it right." -John Mason
Whether you believe there's a God or not doesn't change the fact that we should all do good. When I was younger, I used to stupidly tell my friends that I will be one of those people that will be remembered-in a good or bad way.
Growing up, I realize that it's harder said then done to be good but that doesn't make "bad" any more attractive. Now that I know more about the world and see evil for what it is, there's no way anyone can purposely want to be remembered for the bad things they've done-not ever Hitler.
"Get to know the right, then you would know the people of right. Right is not measured by its men, but men are measured by their right." -Ali
We all have a deep desire to be good but that's often clouded with layers of dirt and the only way to remove it is to turn to a source of good and follow the examples. For some people, the dirt is so thick that they're blinded to the hurt they're doing to themselves and those around them making "looking for good" a critical step in changing their life around.
If our goal is truly to become better people then we must have a deep understanding of Right and Wrong. We must do what's right and run away from what is wrong. Plug in to the right sources.
*This post can also be found on Men 2.0
Whether you believe there's a God or not doesn't change the fact that we should all do good. When I was younger, I used to stupidly tell my friends that I will be one of those people that will be remembered-in a good or bad way.
Growing up, I realize that it's harder said then done to be good but that doesn't make "bad" any more attractive. Now that I know more about the world and see evil for what it is, there's no way anyone can purposely want to be remembered for the bad things they've done-not ever Hitler.
"Get to know the right, then you would know the people of right. Right is not measured by its men, but men are measured by their right." -Ali
We all have a deep desire to be good but that's often clouded with layers of dirt and the only way to remove it is to turn to a source of good and follow the examples. For some people, the dirt is so thick that they're blinded to the hurt they're doing to themselves and those around them making "looking for good" a critical step in changing their life around.
If our goal is truly to become better people then we must have a deep understanding of Right and Wrong. We must do what's right and run away from what is wrong. Plug in to the right sources.
*This post can also be found on Men 2.0