Designed to be a meditative experience for the viewer, the May You Be Blessed presentation is yours to use. It is our gift to you, from our hearts to yours, and we not only encourage you to view the presentaton frequently as a reminder of all the good in your own life, but to pass it along to others, so they, too, might feel blessed.
Nov 20, 2011
Nov 18, 2011
Oct 9, 2011
Oct 8, 2011
What Is Your Rope Tied To?
You may have heard of the man who decided to repair the roof of his house. The pitch was steep, and to be safe, he tied a rope around his waist and threw the other end of it over the top of the house. He called his son and asked him to tie it to something secure. The boy fastened the safety rope to the bumper of their car parked in the driveway. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
But a little while later, his wife needed to run a few errands with the automobile. Unaware of the line securing her husband, she started the car and proceeded to drive away. The rope immediately tightened and jerked the man over the roof and into thin air. Now before you become alarmed, let me assure you that this never really happened. But I chuckle at the image of the poor guy sailing over the top of his house like Evel Knievel without a motorcycle.
This story, factual or not, points to a great truth. It is a truth about where we place our security; about those things to which we've tied our safety lines. What is your rope tied to?
Think about it. What do you depend on to keep you from disaster? Is your rope tied to a good job? Is it tied to a relationship with somebody you rely on? Is it tied to a company or an organization?
In her wise and sensitive audio LESSONS IN LIVING, writer Susan Taylor tells of discovering how unreliable some of our safety lines really are. She tells of lying in bed in the early hours of the morning when an earthquake struck. As her house shook, she tumbled out of bed and managed to stand underneath an arched door-way in her hall, watching in horror as her whole house tumbled down around her. Where her bed had once stood, she later discovered nothing but a pile of rubble. She lost everything - every button, every dish, her automobile, every stitch of clothing.
Susan huddled, scared and crying, in the darkness. In the pre-dawn morning she cried and called out for help.
As exhaustion set in, she thought that maybe she should be listening for rescuers rather than making so much commotion. So she grew still and listened. In the silence around her, the only sound she heard was the beating of her own heart. It occurred to her then that at least she was still alive and, amazingly enough, unhurt.
She thought about her situation. In the stillness, fear abandoned her and a feeling of indescribable peace and happiness flooded in, the likes of which she had never before known. It was an experience that was to permanently change her life.
In the deepest part of her being, Susan realized a remarkable truth. She realized she had nothing to fear. Amazingly, whether or not she was ever rescued, whether she even made it out alive, she sensed she had nothing to fear.
For the first time in her life she understood that her true security did not depend on those things in which she had placed her trust. It lay deep within. And also for the first time, she knew what it was to be content in all circumstances. She realized that, in an ultimate sense, whether she had plenty or hardly enough, somehow she would be all right. She just knew it.
She later wrote, "Before the quake I had all the trappings of success, but my life was out of balance. I wasn't happy because I was clinging to things in my life and always wanting more. My home, my job, my clothes, a relationship - I thought they were my security. It took an earthquake and losing everything I owned for me to discover that my security had been with me all along . . . There's a power within us that we can depend upon no matter what is happening around us."
She had tied her rope to the wrong things. It took a disaster for her to understand that those things are untrustworthy. So she let go of the rope and discovered peace. She found that her true security was a power within - dependable and sure.
What is your rope tied to? And what would happen if you found the courage to let go of it?
-- Steve Goodier
But a little while later, his wife needed to run a few errands with the automobile. Unaware of the line securing her husband, she started the car and proceeded to drive away. The rope immediately tightened and jerked the man over the roof and into thin air. Now before you become alarmed, let me assure you that this never really happened. But I chuckle at the image of the poor guy sailing over the top of his house like Evel Knievel without a motorcycle.
This story, factual or not, points to a great truth. It is a truth about where we place our security; about those things to which we've tied our safety lines. What is your rope tied to?
Think about it. What do you depend on to keep you from disaster? Is your rope tied to a good job? Is it tied to a relationship with somebody you rely on? Is it tied to a company or an organization?
In her wise and sensitive audio LESSONS IN LIVING, writer Susan Taylor tells of discovering how unreliable some of our safety lines really are. She tells of lying in bed in the early hours of the morning when an earthquake struck. As her house shook, she tumbled out of bed and managed to stand underneath an arched door-way in her hall, watching in horror as her whole house tumbled down around her. Where her bed had once stood, she later discovered nothing but a pile of rubble. She lost everything - every button, every dish, her automobile, every stitch of clothing.
Susan huddled, scared and crying, in the darkness. In the pre-dawn morning she cried and called out for help.
As exhaustion set in, she thought that maybe she should be listening for rescuers rather than making so much commotion. So she grew still and listened. In the silence around her, the only sound she heard was the beating of her own heart. It occurred to her then that at least she was still alive and, amazingly enough, unhurt.
She thought about her situation. In the stillness, fear abandoned her and a feeling of indescribable peace and happiness flooded in, the likes of which she had never before known. It was an experience that was to permanently change her life.
In the deepest part of her being, Susan realized a remarkable truth. She realized she had nothing to fear. Amazingly, whether or not she was ever rescued, whether she even made it out alive, she sensed she had nothing to fear.
For the first time in her life she understood that her true security did not depend on those things in which she had placed her trust. It lay deep within. And also for the first time, she knew what it was to be content in all circumstances. She realized that, in an ultimate sense, whether she had plenty or hardly enough, somehow she would be all right. She just knew it.
She later wrote, "Before the quake I had all the trappings of success, but my life was out of balance. I wasn't happy because I was clinging to things in my life and always wanting more. My home, my job, my clothes, a relationship - I thought they were my security. It took an earthquake and losing everything I owned for me to discover that my security had been with me all along . . . There's a power within us that we can depend upon no matter what is happening around us."
She had tied her rope to the wrong things. It took a disaster for her to understand that those things are untrustworthy. So she let go of the rope and discovered peace. She found that her true security was a power within - dependable and sure.
What is your rope tied to? And what would happen if you found the courage to let go of it?
-- Steve Goodier
Sep 22, 2011
Aug 24, 2011
Aug 7, 2011
Great Teachers
Did you know that ninety percent of the world's ice covers Antarctica? This ice also represents most of the fresh water in the world. Yet Antarctica is the driest place on the planet, with an absolute humidity lower than the Gobi desert.
If you're into biology, you may know this about the Mayfly -- after hatching, it takes up to three years to grow up, and then spends only one day as an adult. During that day it mates, lays eggs and expires. That last day must be absolutely spectacular.
Next time you dust your house, you may be interested to know that most of the dust particles you are removing are actually tiny bits of dead skin. Don't even ask how much dead skin has made its way into your favorite pillow.
Did you know that the Mona Lisa has no eyebrows?
Or that that 80% of your brain is water? Well, mine anyway.
You've heard the expression "having a lark." Those who are interested in language might want to know that group of larks is called an exaltation. A group of owls is called a parliament. A group of ravens is called a murder. (Edgar Allen Poe would have understood that one.) A group of rhinos is called a crash, which also seems to make some sense. But here's the best of all: a group of Unicorns is called a blessing.
As interesting as all of these facts are, I doubt any of them is bound to significantly change your life. The stuff we need to know in order to live happier, healthier and more meaningful lives does not usually come from tidbits of knowledge. More often it comes from people; and especially, people who mean something to us. Let me explain.
For Ross Perot, the kind of knowledge that made the greatest difference in his life was actually gleaned from his mother. The American businessman and one-time presidential candidate made billions of dollars from the technology industry. But his mother, who raised him before the phrase "computer age" was ever coined, taught him how to live. She helped shape him into the man he would eventually become.
Perot remembers the days of America's Great Depression. "Hoboes" regularly knocked on their door asking for a little food. It puzzled young Ross that his house seemed to be singled out on their street. One day he learned why. On the curb in front of their house someone had etched a white mark, indicating to fellow travelers that this house was an "easy mark." This fact disturbed the boy and he asked his mother if she wanted him to erase the signal. She told him to leave it there. It was a lesson in compassion he never forgot.
Some of the most essential life lessons and wisdom young Ross acquired did not come from a book or a classroom. They were lessons that came from those people closest to him. Many concerned themselves with the heart and spirit. They taught him about the world and the best way to live in it.
Our greatest teachers are usually those who did not volunteer for the job. They are parents and friends, spouses and children. Much great wisdom is learned best from the example of those closest to us.
And the remarkable fact is this: you are a great teacher. You teach powerful lessons every day of your life. You teach them simply by the way you live; by the way you respond to the world; and, by the little decisions you make. I wonder -- who's watching and learning?
-- Steve Goodier
If you're into biology, you may know this about the Mayfly -- after hatching, it takes up to three years to grow up, and then spends only one day as an adult. During that day it mates, lays eggs and expires. That last day must be absolutely spectacular.
Next time you dust your house, you may be interested to know that most of the dust particles you are removing are actually tiny bits of dead skin. Don't even ask how much dead skin has made its way into your favorite pillow.
Did you know that the Mona Lisa has no eyebrows?
Or that that 80% of your brain is water? Well, mine anyway.
You've heard the expression "having a lark." Those who are interested in language might want to know that group of larks is called an exaltation. A group of owls is called a parliament. A group of ravens is called a murder. (Edgar Allen Poe would have understood that one.) A group of rhinos is called a crash, which also seems to make some sense. But here's the best of all: a group of Unicorns is called a blessing.
As interesting as all of these facts are, I doubt any of them is bound to significantly change your life. The stuff we need to know in order to live happier, healthier and more meaningful lives does not usually come from tidbits of knowledge. More often it comes from people; and especially, people who mean something to us. Let me explain.
For Ross Perot, the kind of knowledge that made the greatest difference in his life was actually gleaned from his mother. The American businessman and one-time presidential candidate made billions of dollars from the technology industry. But his mother, who raised him before the phrase "computer age" was ever coined, taught him how to live. She helped shape him into the man he would eventually become.
Perot remembers the days of America's Great Depression. "Hoboes" regularly knocked on their door asking for a little food. It puzzled young Ross that his house seemed to be singled out on their street. One day he learned why. On the curb in front of their house someone had etched a white mark, indicating to fellow travelers that this house was an "easy mark." This fact disturbed the boy and he asked his mother if she wanted him to erase the signal. She told him to leave it there. It was a lesson in compassion he never forgot.
Some of the most essential life lessons and wisdom young Ross acquired did not come from a book or a classroom. They were lessons that came from those people closest to him. Many concerned themselves with the heart and spirit. They taught him about the world and the best way to live in it.
Our greatest teachers are usually those who did not volunteer for the job. They are parents and friends, spouses and children. Much great wisdom is learned best from the example of those closest to us.
And the remarkable fact is this: you are a great teacher. You teach powerful lessons every day of your life. You teach them simply by the way you live; by the way you respond to the world; and, by the little decisions you make. I wonder -- who's watching and learning?
-- Steve Goodier
Aug 6, 2011
The Eight Irresistible Principles of Fun
1. Stop hiding who you really are
2. Start being intensely selfish
3. Stop following the rules
4. Start scaring yourself
5. Stop taking it all so damn seriously
6. Start getting rid of the crap
7. Stop being busy
8. Start something
2. Start being intensely selfish
3. Stop following the rules
4. Start scaring yourself
5. Stop taking it all so damn seriously
6. Start getting rid of the crap
7. Stop being busy
8. Start something
Aug 3, 2011
Jul 19, 2011
All Filled Up
I recall reading that a man from Virginia Beach (Virginia, USA) filed a law suit against his hospital. He opted to have surgery in order to lose weight. So he had his stomach stapled -- a procedure that reduced the size of his stomach so he couldn't eat as much.
A couple of days after surgery he sneaked down the hospital corridors to the kitchen. There he raided the refrigerator and ate so much that his staples burst.
The law suit? He claimed it was the hospital's fault. They should have locked the refrigerator.
And no - I don't know how the suit came out. Just the staples.
He wanted to make other people responsible for what he put into his mouth. Which raises the question: who decides what we bring into our lives?
One man told me, "I'm not a garbage truck."
"What do you mean by that?" I asked him.
"I mean that sometimes other people want to dump their garbage on me," he said. "They fill themselves up with negativity and complaints and want to dump all of that garbage on me. I'm not going to take all of their garbage. They may need to get rid of it, but not all over me."
He believes people need to be responsible for the garbage in their lives. And that's probably true for the good stuff, too. For me, that includes just about everything. It means I am responsible for everything I put into my mouth, but also for everything I choose to watch and hear. Some of it's good and some of it's garbage. It even means everything that comes into my head through my eyes and ears. It's also about everything that fills up my time. Everything.
And to be honest, I don't always do a great job with everything that comes into my life. But I am clear that what I allow in is up to me, not somebody else.
When we fill our bodies with the right foods, they perform well.
When we fill our heads with learning, they won't easily stagnate.
When we fill our minds with healthier attitudes, we will have a better outlook.
When we fill our hearts with a little more courage, we will be able to face life with confidence.
When we fill our talk with more gratitude, we will be happier.
When we fill our lives with more love, we will never be alone.
Only we can decide how to fill ourselves up.
Have you heard the story of the two wolves? A common version of it goes like this:
An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life...
"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.
"One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt and ego.
"The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.
"This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old chief simply replied, "The one you feed."
Only I can choose what should come into my life. Only I can choose which wolf to feed.
And only I can choose what to do about it today.
-- Steve Goodier
A couple of days after surgery he sneaked down the hospital corridors to the kitchen. There he raided the refrigerator and ate so much that his staples burst.
The law suit? He claimed it was the hospital's fault. They should have locked the refrigerator.
And no - I don't know how the suit came out. Just the staples.
He wanted to make other people responsible for what he put into his mouth. Which raises the question: who decides what we bring into our lives?
One man told me, "I'm not a garbage truck."
"What do you mean by that?" I asked him.
"I mean that sometimes other people want to dump their garbage on me," he said. "They fill themselves up with negativity and complaints and want to dump all of that garbage on me. I'm not going to take all of their garbage. They may need to get rid of it, but not all over me."
He believes people need to be responsible for the garbage in their lives. And that's probably true for the good stuff, too. For me, that includes just about everything. It means I am responsible for everything I put into my mouth, but also for everything I choose to watch and hear. Some of it's good and some of it's garbage. It even means everything that comes into my head through my eyes and ears. It's also about everything that fills up my time. Everything.
And to be honest, I don't always do a great job with everything that comes into my life. But I am clear that what I allow in is up to me, not somebody else.
When we fill our bodies with the right foods, they perform well.
When we fill our heads with learning, they won't easily stagnate.
When we fill our minds with healthier attitudes, we will have a better outlook.
When we fill our hearts with a little more courage, we will be able to face life with confidence.
When we fill our talk with more gratitude, we will be happier.
When we fill our lives with more love, we will never be alone.
Only we can decide how to fill ourselves up.
Have you heard the story of the two wolves? A common version of it goes like this:
An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life...
"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.
"One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt and ego.
"The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.
"This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old chief simply replied, "The one you feed."
Only I can choose what should come into my life. Only I can choose which wolf to feed.
And only I can choose what to do about it today.
-- Steve Goodier
Jul 18, 2011
Quantum Jumping
What On Earth Is Quantum Jumping?
Quantum Jumping is the process of “jumping” into parallel dimensions, and gaining skills, knowledge, wisdom and inspiration from alternate versions of yourself.
This is accomplished not with any sort of equipment, but through a powerful & time-tested combination of meditation and visualization.
Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Napoleon Hill… What Do All These Extraordinary People Have In Common?
“Discover The Shocking Mind Trick Used For Centuries By Some of The World’s Most Prolific Entrepreneurs, Artists & Inventors That Can Help YOU Master Any Skill, Achieve Any Goal, & Live A Life Of Success & Fulfillment”.
Sign Up Now For This FREE Tell-All Webinar & Find Out How You Too Can Learn
The Astonishing Technique Known As Quantum Jumping.
I googled about Burt Goldman and Quantum Jumping ...
Found this ... Make your own conclusions :)
Quantum Jumping is the process of “jumping” into parallel dimensions, and gaining skills, knowledge, wisdom and inspiration from alternate versions of yourself.
This is accomplished not with any sort of equipment, but through a powerful & time-tested combination of meditation and visualization.
Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Napoleon Hill… What Do All These Extraordinary People Have In Common?
“Discover The Shocking Mind Trick Used For Centuries By Some of The World’s Most Prolific Entrepreneurs, Artists & Inventors That Can Help YOU Master Any Skill, Achieve Any Goal, & Live A Life Of Success & Fulfillment”.
Sign Up Now For This FREE Tell-All Webinar & Find Out How You Too Can Learn
The Astonishing Technique Known As Quantum Jumping.
I googled about Burt Goldman and Quantum Jumping ...
Found this ... Make your own conclusions :)
Jun 8, 2011
To Remember Is to Understand
Does this sound familiar?
James was cleaning out the attic one day when he came across a ticket from a shoe repair shop. The date stamped on the ticket showed it was over eleven years old. He felt sure the shoes would not still be there, but decided to stop by and check anyway.
He handed the ticket to the man behind the counter, who scowled at the date. "Just a minute," said the clerk. "I'll have to look for these." He disappeared into a back room.
After a few minutes, the clerk called out, "What do you know - here they are!"
"That's terrific!" said James, hardly believing his good fortune.
The man came back to the counter, empty-handed. "They'll be ready Thursday," he said.
I hope James is the patient sort.
We should all be masters of patience; after all, we've had plenty of practice. But mustering patience with unreasonable people (including ourselves) may seem more than we can manage some days.
I heard about an elderly patient in an American hospital who was recovering from a medical procedure. He decided to take a look at his recovery-room record attached to the bed frame. He leafed through the pages, then stopped at one particular notation and furled his brow in consternation.
"I know I was in a bit of a muddle, but I didn't realize I was that bad," he said apologetically to his nurse. "I hope I didn't offend anyone."
She glanced to the spot where he pointed. "Don't worry," she said.
"SOB doesn't mean what you think. It stands for 'short of breath.'"
But I suspect that in some cases it does have a double meaning. Especially if the patient is in pain, fearful or just plain out of sorts. (And that goes for some of the hospital staff, too.)
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said, "I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end." But we don't always get our own way. And patience can be taxed beyond reason. Where does understanding come from when it feels as if there is nothing left?
It can come from the simple act of remembering. To remember is to understand. It is not about gritting one's teeth and forcing oneself to be more patient. It is actually easier than that.
Do you remember what it was like to be a child?
No parent should ever forget. And to remember is to understand.
Do you remember what it was like to be a student?
Every teacher should try to remember, and especially if they feel frustrated.
Do you remember what it is like to be a patient? Doctors and nurses
show more empathy after they have also spent time in a hospital bed.
Do you remember what it was like to be lonely? To be first? To be last? To fail? To succeed? To be afraid? To remember is to understand.
And to understand is to be patient.
-- Steve Goodier
James was cleaning out the attic one day when he came across a ticket from a shoe repair shop. The date stamped on the ticket showed it was over eleven years old. He felt sure the shoes would not still be there, but decided to stop by and check anyway.
He handed the ticket to the man behind the counter, who scowled at the date. "Just a minute," said the clerk. "I'll have to look for these." He disappeared into a back room.
After a few minutes, the clerk called out, "What do you know - here they are!"
"That's terrific!" said James, hardly believing his good fortune.
The man came back to the counter, empty-handed. "They'll be ready Thursday," he said.
I hope James is the patient sort.
We should all be masters of patience; after all, we've had plenty of practice. But mustering patience with unreasonable people (including ourselves) may seem more than we can manage some days.
I heard about an elderly patient in an American hospital who was recovering from a medical procedure. He decided to take a look at his recovery-room record attached to the bed frame. He leafed through the pages, then stopped at one particular notation and furled his brow in consternation.
"I know I was in a bit of a muddle, but I didn't realize I was that bad," he said apologetically to his nurse. "I hope I didn't offend anyone."
She glanced to the spot where he pointed. "Don't worry," she said.
"SOB doesn't mean what you think. It stands for 'short of breath.'"
But I suspect that in some cases it does have a double meaning. Especially if the patient is in pain, fearful or just plain out of sorts. (And that goes for some of the hospital staff, too.)
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher once said, "I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end." But we don't always get our own way. And patience can be taxed beyond reason. Where does understanding come from when it feels as if there is nothing left?
It can come from the simple act of remembering. To remember is to understand. It is not about gritting one's teeth and forcing oneself to be more patient. It is actually easier than that.
Do you remember what it was like to be a child?
No parent should ever forget. And to remember is to understand.
Do you remember what it was like to be a student?
Every teacher should try to remember, and especially if they feel frustrated.
Do you remember what it is like to be a patient? Doctors and nurses
show more empathy after they have also spent time in a hospital bed.
Do you remember what it was like to be lonely? To be first? To be last? To fail? To succeed? To be afraid? To remember is to understand.
And to understand is to be patient.
-- Steve Goodier
Jun 7, 2011
The Great Singapore Flood
If you still remember ... 1 year ago, Orchard Road was overwhelmed by shoppers flood waters during the Great Singapore Sale Flood
And today (1 year later), it happened again ... Why? Why?
More pictures here
Finally, someone come out and says the solutions to flooding are very, very expensive !!!!!
And today (1 year later), it happened again ... Why? Why?
More pictures here
Finally, someone come out and says the solutions to flooding are very, very expensive !!!!!
May 1, 2011
It is Election Time for Singapore
This week is Election fever ... and come May 7th, most Singaporeans get to vote for the government that they want for the next 5 years (oh well, except for Tanjong Pagar GRC - LKY's stronghold - cos the Opposition party got disqualified at the last min, for some ridiculous reasons)
This election is the One >>> 82 out of 87 seats being contested ... If the Opposition is going to get their first step in, this is the time now.
Do not fear ... Your vote is secret !! Choose and vote wisely ...
Let's enjoy some of the entertainment ...
This election is the One >>> 82 out of 87 seats being contested ... If the Opposition is going to get their first step in, this is the time now.
Do not fear ... Your vote is secret !! Choose and vote wisely ...
Let's enjoy some of the entertainment ...
Apr 9, 2011
Life Is Like a Train Ride
Life Is Like a Train Ride
We get on. We ride. We get off.
We get back on and ride some more ... until the final stop...
We get on. We ride. We get off.
We get back on and ride some more ... until the final stop...
Apr 4, 2011
Just Ask for It
A snooty millionaire took some of his upper class friends yachting. They passed a deserted island where a man with a long beard and tattered clothes stood, waving his arms and screaming in their direction.
"Who is that?" asked the friend.
"I don't know," said the host, "but every time we sail by he goes crazy."
That may be an exception to a universal rule, which is that most people are happy to help if they can. But there is another universal principle in play, which is, unless you are stranded on a deserted island, you are probably reluctant to ask for help - especially from a stranger. Thankfully, most of the time we are not coping with a mayday emergency.
I recently learned that the word "mayday" has nothing to do with the month of May. Instead, it comes from the French word "m'aidez," which means "help me." But it is used only as a last resort. The plane is nose-diving. The ship is fatally wounded. "Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!" a voice screams over the radio. If help doesn't arrive quickly, all will be lost.
We laugh at the notion that men are famously bad about asking for directions. But, in truth, most people do not easily ask for the help they need. They wait until they are hopelessly lost, or the marriage is on the brink of collapse or a simple job has become a nightmare before they seek help.
And it is also true that help is not usually too hard to get. But we have to ASK for it.
Entrepreneur Brian Tracy puts it well: "Ask for what you want. Ask for help, ask for input, ask for advice and ideas -- but never be afraid to ask." Or like one man is fond of saying, "You don't always get what you ask for, but you never get what you don't ask for (unless it's contagious)."
I once heard of a little girl who confidently approached a police officer. "Are you a cop?" she asked.
"Yes."
"My mommy said that if I ever needed help I could ask you."
"Of course you can," the officer replied. "What do you need?"
She stuck out her foot. "Can you please tie my shoe?"
Do you need help? It may be easier to get than you think. Just ask for it.
-- Steve Goodier
"Who is that?" asked the friend.
"I don't know," said the host, "but every time we sail by he goes crazy."
That may be an exception to a universal rule, which is that most people are happy to help if they can. But there is another universal principle in play, which is, unless you are stranded on a deserted island, you are probably reluctant to ask for help - especially from a stranger. Thankfully, most of the time we are not coping with a mayday emergency.
I recently learned that the word "mayday" has nothing to do with the month of May. Instead, it comes from the French word "m'aidez," which means "help me." But it is used only as a last resort. The plane is nose-diving. The ship is fatally wounded. "Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!" a voice screams over the radio. If help doesn't arrive quickly, all will be lost.
We laugh at the notion that men are famously bad about asking for directions. But, in truth, most people do not easily ask for the help they need. They wait until they are hopelessly lost, or the marriage is on the brink of collapse or a simple job has become a nightmare before they seek help.
And it is also true that help is not usually too hard to get. But we have to ASK for it.
Entrepreneur Brian Tracy puts it well: "Ask for what you want. Ask for help, ask for input, ask for advice and ideas -- but never be afraid to ask." Or like one man is fond of saying, "You don't always get what you ask for, but you never get what you don't ask for (unless it's contagious)."
I once heard of a little girl who confidently approached a police officer. "Are you a cop?" she asked.
"Yes."
"My mommy said that if I ever needed help I could ask you."
"Of course you can," the officer replied. "What do you need?"
She stuck out her foot. "Can you please tie my shoe?"
Do you need help? It may be easier to get than you think. Just ask for it.
-- Steve Goodier
Mar 24, 2011
Building a Boat
Abraham Lincoln once said, "I will prepare, and some day my chance will come." When his chance came, he was ready.
During his seminary years, one priest-in-training owned a favorite T-shirt. Across the front was emblazoned: "Expectant Father." His chance came and he, too, was ready.
When your chance comes, will you be ready?
I know that sports stories don't speak to everyone, but if you'll indulge me, I think Wayne Gretzky has something powerful to teach us about preparation. Former ice hockey superstar Gretzky knew the value of being ready. He broke almost every record imaginable and is generally thought to be the greatest hockey player of all time.
"The Great One," as he is often called, is not particularly big - he stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed about 170 pounds during his career. He never skated particularly fast, his shot was not high-powered and he often placed dead last on regular strength tests administered to his team. So what made him so great?
Gretzky attributes his stardom to practice and preparation. He practiced stick handling in the off-season with a tennis ball, as the ball was harder to control than a puck. In practice he innovated. He practiced bouncing the puck off the sideboards to his teammates until that technique became a regular part of his play.
Then he worked on bouncing the puck off the net. He became so accomplished at these maneuvers that he sometimes said, "People say there's only six men on the ice, but really, if you use the angle of deflection of the board, there's seven. If you count the net, that's eight. From the opening face-off, I always figure we have 'em eight-on-six."
The Great One was so great because, when his chance came to make an impact, he was ready. And because he was ready, chances came again and again.
I've learned this: it doesn't matter what awaits me just across the sea if I haven't built a boat.
Many years ago a friend and I were talking about a speaking engagement I had accepted in Los Angeles. "I'd love to go places and speak or lead seminars," she said.
I asked her, "What would you speak about? What do you want to teach?"
"I don't know. I've always wanted to write a book and lead seminars," she said, "but I've never gotten around to it."
I've heard her speak - she has a great ability to relate to people. She has a charismatic personality. She is intelligent and articulate. I have no doubt she could excel in such a field.
We talked about her need to develop expertise in an area about which she is passionate. We talked about how she might look for opportunities to lead local seminars and teach courses. And we talked about steps she might take toward writing her book, something she had wanted to do for years.
But after a number of years, she has still done none of those things. If her chance comes, she will not be ready. And more likely, since she is not ready, her chance will probably never come.
I often hear people say, "If only I had a chance." Maybe it's a chance at a new position, a bigger challenge or to do something different. Perhaps they are waiting for a chance to prove themselves or a chance to really make a difference.
But I wonder -- if I were offered that new challenge today, would I be ready to meet it? Am I prepared to take full advantage?
It's not enough for me to dream about exotic, new places. I need to build a boat.
-- Steve Goodier
During his seminary years, one priest-in-training owned a favorite T-shirt. Across the front was emblazoned: "Expectant Father." His chance came and he, too, was ready.
When your chance comes, will you be ready?
I know that sports stories don't speak to everyone, but if you'll indulge me, I think Wayne Gretzky has something powerful to teach us about preparation. Former ice hockey superstar Gretzky knew the value of being ready. He broke almost every record imaginable and is generally thought to be the greatest hockey player of all time.
"The Great One," as he is often called, is not particularly big - he stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed about 170 pounds during his career. He never skated particularly fast, his shot was not high-powered and he often placed dead last on regular strength tests administered to his team. So what made him so great?
Gretzky attributes his stardom to practice and preparation. He practiced stick handling in the off-season with a tennis ball, as the ball was harder to control than a puck. In practice he innovated. He practiced bouncing the puck off the sideboards to his teammates until that technique became a regular part of his play.
Then he worked on bouncing the puck off the net. He became so accomplished at these maneuvers that he sometimes said, "People say there's only six men on the ice, but really, if you use the angle of deflection of the board, there's seven. If you count the net, that's eight. From the opening face-off, I always figure we have 'em eight-on-six."
The Great One was so great because, when his chance came to make an impact, he was ready. And because he was ready, chances came again and again.
I've learned this: it doesn't matter what awaits me just across the sea if I haven't built a boat.
Many years ago a friend and I were talking about a speaking engagement I had accepted in Los Angeles. "I'd love to go places and speak or lead seminars," she said.
I asked her, "What would you speak about? What do you want to teach?"
"I don't know. I've always wanted to write a book and lead seminars," she said, "but I've never gotten around to it."
I've heard her speak - she has a great ability to relate to people. She has a charismatic personality. She is intelligent and articulate. I have no doubt she could excel in such a field.
We talked about her need to develop expertise in an area about which she is passionate. We talked about how she might look for opportunities to lead local seminars and teach courses. And we talked about steps she might take toward writing her book, something she had wanted to do for years.
But after a number of years, she has still done none of those things. If her chance comes, she will not be ready. And more likely, since she is not ready, her chance will probably never come.
I often hear people say, "If only I had a chance." Maybe it's a chance at a new position, a bigger challenge or to do something different. Perhaps they are waiting for a chance to prove themselves or a chance to really make a difference.
But I wonder -- if I were offered that new challenge today, would I be ready to meet it? Am I prepared to take full advantage?
It's not enough for me to dream about exotic, new places. I need to build a boat.
-- Steve Goodier
Mar 23, 2011
Project HOME
We are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have 10 years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth's climate.
The stakes are high for us and our children. Everyone should take part in the effort, and HOME has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being.
For this purpose, HOME needs to be free. A patron, the PPR Group, made this possible. EuropaCorp, the distributor, also pledged not to make any profit because Home is a non-profit film.
HOME has been made for you : share it! And act for the planet.
Yann Arthus-Bertrand
HOME official website
http://www.home-2009.com
The stakes are high for us and our children. Everyone should take part in the effort, and HOME has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being.
For this purpose, HOME needs to be free. A patron, the PPR Group, made this possible. EuropaCorp, the distributor, also pledged not to make any profit because Home is a non-profit film.
HOME has been made for you : share it! And act for the planet.
Yann Arthus-Bertrand
HOME official website
http://www.home-2009.com
Mar 18, 2011
Warm Worms
You may have heard the old story about the world's most dedicated fisherman. He had out-fished his companion all morning long. They used the same live bait, the same equipment and fished together in the same mountain stream. But he had almost caught his limit of fish while his friend had yet to catch even one.
"What's your secret?" asked the friend. "I haven't even gotten a bite!"
The angler mumbled an unintelligible answer, causing his companion to ask again.
The successful fisherman emptied the contents of his mouth into a cupped hand and replied: "I said, 'You have to keep your worms warm.'"
Talk about dedication. But did you know there are at least three types of fresh water fishermen (or fisherwomen, if that fits better)?
First, there are those who fish for sport. They like to "catch and release," quickly throwing their catch back into the water. For these anglers, it's all about recreation.
Then there are those who fish because they like the taste of fish. They are selective. They only keep the fish they will someday eat.
Finally, there are those who fish because they are hungry. If they don't catch, they don't eat. It is important for this group to succeed, and they are fully dedicated to what they do.
Whether or not we fish or even eat fish, there is a lesson to be learned here. We are most likely to succeed when we approach a task fully dedicated. Especially if the task before us is difficult or there seems little likelihood of success. Whether we want to patch a relationship, build a new business, write that first novel, kick a drug habit, or go back to school, we should see how willing we are to do what it takes - even if it means keeping the worms warm.
There are two important questions I ask myself to see just how dedicated I am.
Question number one: "How much do I want this?" When some people fish, if they don't catch, they don't eat. Some things are too important for me to risk failure. So how much do I want to succeed at this relationship, this career or this dream?
The other question I ask is similar: "How hard am I willing to work?" If 'success' only comes before 'work' in the dictionary, I may have to work harder than I've ever worked before. But if I want it enough, the hard work will be worth it.
"Always bear in mind," said Abraham Lincoln, "that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing." And that is where it always begins: with a whole-hearted resolution to succeed - in a task, in a calling, in a life.
How much do I want this? And, how hard am I willing to work? Start there, and great things can happen.
-- Steve Goodier
"What's your secret?" asked the friend. "I haven't even gotten a bite!"
The angler mumbled an unintelligible answer, causing his companion to ask again.
The successful fisherman emptied the contents of his mouth into a cupped hand and replied: "I said, 'You have to keep your worms warm.'"
Talk about dedication. But did you know there are at least three types of fresh water fishermen (or fisherwomen, if that fits better)?
First, there are those who fish for sport. They like to "catch and release," quickly throwing their catch back into the water. For these anglers, it's all about recreation.
Then there are those who fish because they like the taste of fish. They are selective. They only keep the fish they will someday eat.
Finally, there are those who fish because they are hungry. If they don't catch, they don't eat. It is important for this group to succeed, and they are fully dedicated to what they do.
Whether or not we fish or even eat fish, there is a lesson to be learned here. We are most likely to succeed when we approach a task fully dedicated. Especially if the task before us is difficult or there seems little likelihood of success. Whether we want to patch a relationship, build a new business, write that first novel, kick a drug habit, or go back to school, we should see how willing we are to do what it takes - even if it means keeping the worms warm.
There are two important questions I ask myself to see just how dedicated I am.
Question number one: "How much do I want this?" When some people fish, if they don't catch, they don't eat. Some things are too important for me to risk failure. So how much do I want to succeed at this relationship, this career or this dream?
The other question I ask is similar: "How hard am I willing to work?" If 'success' only comes before 'work' in the dictionary, I may have to work harder than I've ever worked before. But if I want it enough, the hard work will be worth it.
"Always bear in mind," said Abraham Lincoln, "that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing." And that is where it always begins: with a whole-hearted resolution to succeed - in a task, in a calling, in a life.
How much do I want this? And, how hard am I willing to work? Start there, and great things can happen.
-- Steve Goodier
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