In a previous post I wrote of the importance of having clear values. Clear values help us to stay on course and to get back on course when we have strayed. I have seen this in my own life and watched people use values as a strong part of their recovery from many difficulties. Of course, it is helpful if your spouse, partner, family, community, country and the worldwide community share your values. Shared values help us a lot but we won't always have that luxury and at times we may have to stand alone.
I want to share just a little of what seems to be a critical value at this time: Peacefulness.
Today the worldwide community and our country isn't particularly focused on peaceful ways. It would be good if we could move more in that direction.
Some of the concepts that support peacefulness include the following:
Open communication, negotiation, understanding multiple points of view, forgiveness, politeness, caring about others and ourselves, mindfulness, simplifying and being honest.
On the other hand, peacefulness is undermined by anger, war, reprisal, arguing, being aggressive or passive-aggressive.
Let's see what each of us can do this week to move towards more peacefulness. The results could be mind boggling.
Stan the Man
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Car-less in New York City
For the first time in 50 years I don't own a car. I gave my white 1997 Jeep Cherokee to my son, sold my elderly mother's Honda, sold my beloved Miata convertible and moved from Seattle to New York City. Everyone said I wouldn't need a car in in New York. "Nobody has cars there", they said. This hasn't proven to be at all true. It is mind boggling how many cars there really are. Cars are everywhere along with trucks, buses and 13,000 yellow cabs. They will run you down if given half a chance. They honk their horns incessantly. I wonder how they all keep running. I've only seen one gas station in all of Manhattan. Of course, I haven't been searching since I don't need fuel.
Recently I was reminded of how long old habits can persist. I walked out of my apartment building, saw a white 1997 Jeep Cherokee across the street. Without thinking, I automatically started walking towards it as I began fishing in my pockets to find the ignition key. Just in time, a man hops in the Jeep and drives away. Oh yeah, I am car-less in NYC.
Living car-less does have advantages. I have no car payments, no insurance payments, no gas credit card bills. It's no longer necessary to remember the last time I had the oil changed or when the 60,000 mile servicing is due. I'm also lucky I don't have to pay big bucks to park. Then there are the deductibles to pay after each fender-bender. They have disappeared. It's mind boggling how being car-less in New York City simplifies one's life.
There are complications though. I've had to learn the ways of the mysterious underground world of New York that they call the subway. Where I come from a subway is a sandwich. It's downright scary to be lost in that underground labyrinth of routes. schedules and mobs of people who seem to know where they are going. Then there are the buses, ferries, and the trains. I've also had to learn the intricacies of hailing and tipping cabs. Being car-less makes you more dependent on other forms of transportation and you wear out your shoe leather a lot quicker. By the way, I'm not alone. Judging by the others doing the same things I'm doing, there are millions of people here without cars.
No longer sleep-less in Seattle.
Recently I was reminded of how long old habits can persist. I walked out of my apartment building, saw a white 1997 Jeep Cherokee across the street. Without thinking, I automatically started walking towards it as I began fishing in my pockets to find the ignition key. Just in time, a man hops in the Jeep and drives away. Oh yeah, I am car-less in NYC.
Living car-less does have advantages. I have no car payments, no insurance payments, no gas credit card bills. It's no longer necessary to remember the last time I had the oil changed or when the 60,000 mile servicing is due. I'm also lucky I don't have to pay big bucks to park. Then there are the deductibles to pay after each fender-bender. They have disappeared. It's mind boggling how being car-less in New York City simplifies one's life.
There are complications though. I've had to learn the ways of the mysterious underground world of New York that they call the subway. Where I come from a subway is a sandwich. It's downright scary to be lost in that underground labyrinth of routes. schedules and mobs of people who seem to know where they are going. Then there are the buses, ferries, and the trains. I've also had to learn the intricacies of hailing and tipping cabs. Being car-less makes you more dependent on other forms of transportation and you wear out your shoe leather a lot quicker. By the way, I'm not alone. Judging by the others doing the same things I'm doing, there are millions of people here without cars.
No longer sleep-less in Seattle.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
War or Peace?
The Associated Press and the Metro newspaper in NYC reported last week that the U.S. would be selling $60 billion worth of advanced military weaponry to Saudi Arabia. This was reported to Congress by State Department and Pentagon officials.The sale includes fighter jets, attack helicopters and a wide array of missiles, bombs and delivery systems. The deal is being described as necessary to keep the peace in that region. It is mind boggling that we never learn that military build-ups usually lead to more conflict and eventually war rather than peace. This does not look like a peaceful move to me. Congress apparently has 30 days to stop the sale but no opposition is expected. My questions would be:
1. How does introducing more weapons lead to peaceful resolutions?
2. How many additional military personell will we send with the weapons to "train" the Saudis?
3. Is this really all about protecting our access to oil in the Middle East?
4. What do Israel and others in the region really feel about this?
5. When will we stop thinking of weapons to resolve issues rather than peaceful, humane approaches?
Again, it is mind boggling to me. What do you think?
1. How does introducing more weapons lead to peaceful resolutions?
2. How many additional military personell will we send with the weapons to "train" the Saudis?
3. Is this really all about protecting our access to oil in the Middle East?
4. What do Israel and others in the region really feel about this?
5. When will we stop thinking of weapons to resolve issues rather than peaceful, humane approaches?
Again, it is mind boggling to me. What do you think?
Monday, October 25, 2010
Obesity: Whats the Problem?
We see these mind-boggling reports often. A current publication from CME Resource indicates that "nearly 65% of adults are overweight or obese and 16% of children." They call this an epidemic in the United States.
It is, without question, mind boggling but the definition of an epidemic according to my dictionary is a disease that spreads from one person to another in a locale where the disease is not prevalent. Does obesity really spread from person to person? You can catch it? Well maybe. I have seen evidence to support that. How many times do we see families that all have pretty much the same body type. Yes, genetics are involved to some degree but it could be that some families are more physically active and eat right and are thin while others lead more sedentary lives, survive on fast food and are obese. By the way, couldn't we just call it fat...maybe it would be more impactful.
It really shouldn't be mind boggling why fat people (or obese if you prefer) should lose weight and get in shape. It is downright dangerous to be fat. Being fat has become the second most common underlying cause of death behind tobacco use. It is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease (that means heart attacks), type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, cancer and stroke.
Now in addition, a recent feature on NBC's Today Show, indicates there is a new "epidemic". Arthritis and joint pain is becoming an increasingly major problem for younger people. They are predominately overweight people. The mind boggling thing is that when they lose weight the pain often goes away. What a surprise.
Now, I have struggled with extra fat from time to time but I feel like I have found the answer for me. It boils down to eating better and regular exercise along with stress reduction. Its mind boggling how easy it can be with a little discipline! More about my struggles and successes with fat in future posts.
Resources: http://www.realage.com/
http://www.obesity.org/
http://www.netce.com/
It is, without question, mind boggling but the definition of an epidemic according to my dictionary is a disease that spreads from one person to another in a locale where the disease is not prevalent. Does obesity really spread from person to person? You can catch it? Well maybe. I have seen evidence to support that. How many times do we see families that all have pretty much the same body type. Yes, genetics are involved to some degree but it could be that some families are more physically active and eat right and are thin while others lead more sedentary lives, survive on fast food and are obese. By the way, couldn't we just call it fat...maybe it would be more impactful.
It really shouldn't be mind boggling why fat people (or obese if you prefer) should lose weight and get in shape. It is downright dangerous to be fat. Being fat has become the second most common underlying cause of death behind tobacco use. It is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease (that means heart attacks), type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, cancer and stroke.
Now in addition, a recent feature on NBC's Today Show, indicates there is a new "epidemic". Arthritis and joint pain is becoming an increasingly major problem for younger people. They are predominately overweight people. The mind boggling thing is that when they lose weight the pain often goes away. What a surprise.
Now, I have struggled with extra fat from time to time but I feel like I have found the answer for me. It boils down to eating better and regular exercise along with stress reduction. Its mind boggling how easy it can be with a little discipline! More about my struggles and successes with fat in future posts.
Resources: http://www.realage.com/
http://www.obesity.org/
http://www.netce.com/
Friday, October 22, 2010
The power of values
Over many years of working with people and observing their successes and failures, as well as my own, I have seen the mind-boggling power of having clear values and living by those. This doesn't mean that its possible to always live consistent with your values. It does mean that when you get off track and things aren't going well, your values can provide a positive goal to move towards. Without clear values it becomes much more difficult to know who you are or where you want to be in your life. Clearly stated values make it easier to live your life instead of finding yourself living someone else's life. What are your values? It is helpful to think about and identify them. I like to have them in writing for myself. Five values I have identified to be particularly important for myself and those I've worked with are:
1.Peacefullness
2.Attentiveness
3.Contribution
4.Resilience
5 Acceptance
More about each of these values as well as additional identified values in future posts.
1.Peacefullness
2.Attentiveness
3.Contribution
4.Resilience
5 Acceptance
More about each of these values as well as additional identified values in future posts.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Physical objects gone wild.
Today I find the physical world mind-boggling. Because of the actions of objects that I thought I had control over, I am in mourning and experiencing a real sense of loss.
I have been a life-long fly-fishing enthusiast. Several years ago I found a beautiful rug which reflected that passion and I became attached. This rug has a white background with designs of colorful trout, assorted flies and fly rods. It has been my pride and joy, always taking its position in strategic locations wherever we lived. In our current apartment the ideal spot was in the small kitchen.
Last week I innocently opened the refrigerator door to grab a bottle of barbecue sauce to aid in the preparation of a steak for dinner. Now these bottles always have instructions that say "shake well before use". I did that. The bottle had already unscrewed its top so I was screwed. One good shake, the top came off and that messy brown stuff was all over my beautiful fly-fishing rug. How and why that bottle unscrewed its top is a mind-boggling question.
My rug maintained its position in the kitchen in-spite of the new dark brown spill obliterating one of the trout and part of the white background. Today I thought a nice glass of milk would taste good. Upon opening the refrigerator door, a nearly full bottle of raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing leaped out of the door, smashed its lid off on the tile floor and sprayed its entire bright red cargo all over my already soiled rug.
I lost the battle with two physical objects that I thought had no life or power of their own.Has anybody else ever experienced this type of phenomenon?
My rug is now rolled up, sitting in the hall waiting for garbage pick-up and transportation to its final resting place.I am grieving this mind-boggling loss.
I will be getting more serious soon but a humorous view of things around us can never hurt.
I have been a life-long fly-fishing enthusiast. Several years ago I found a beautiful rug which reflected that passion and I became attached. This rug has a white background with designs of colorful trout, assorted flies and fly rods. It has been my pride and joy, always taking its position in strategic locations wherever we lived. In our current apartment the ideal spot was in the small kitchen.
Last week I innocently opened the refrigerator door to grab a bottle of barbecue sauce to aid in the preparation of a steak for dinner. Now these bottles always have instructions that say "shake well before use". I did that. The bottle had already unscrewed its top so I was screwed. One good shake, the top came off and that messy brown stuff was all over my beautiful fly-fishing rug. How and why that bottle unscrewed its top is a mind-boggling question.
My rug maintained its position in the kitchen in-spite of the new dark brown spill obliterating one of the trout and part of the white background. Today I thought a nice glass of milk would taste good. Upon opening the refrigerator door, a nearly full bottle of raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing leaped out of the door, smashed its lid off on the tile floor and sprayed its entire bright red cargo all over my already soiled rug.
I lost the battle with two physical objects that I thought had no life or power of their own.Has anybody else ever experienced this type of phenomenon?
My rug is now rolled up, sitting in the hall waiting for garbage pick-up and transportation to its final resting place.I am grieving this mind-boggling loss.
I will be getting more serious soon but a humorous view of things around us can never hurt.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
New York Pedestrian Radar
This is my very first post. It is a trial and not earth shaking and a little silly. Stick in there with me for improvement. The blog design will improve as I keep moving ahead as well.
I arrived in New York City as a refugee from the West Coast recently. On the West Coast everybody drives. To see someone walking is an oddity. Not so in New York City. It is a mind-boggling experience to navigate successfully as a pedestrian in NYC and to see how smoothly the masses of people move along the sidewalks. It is culture shock.
I am reminded of seeing the flocks of swallows return to Capistrano. They fly around in what appears to be chaos that will surely result in catastrophic collisions. Collisions do not happen. Swallows have some kind built in radar or sonar which keeps them flying in formation without colliding.
The sidewalks in NYC, Manhattan to be specific can be the same way. New Yorkers must have the same kind of radar. Is it genetic or can you acquire it through the learning process? I felt clumsy and awkward. I was constantly dodging and weaving to avoid oncoming pedestrians. I surprised others with my quick movements and was disturbing the system. I was overwhelmed by the experience of walking anywhere.
It took some study of the crowd dynamics but one day I had a "ah ha" experience. One needs to plan ahead.
It's similar to driving 75 miles per hour on a freeway in Los Angeles or Seattle. You can't just watch the car directly in front of you but instead must be watching those a half mile ahead since things happen so fast.
Applying this theory to sidewalk travel in Manhattan has made such a difference and maybe I'm learning the radar system. I watch 15 to 30 feet in front of me to identify the creases in the crowd and enter those as they present themselves.
What remains mindboggling to me are those pedestrians who walk the sidewalks while texting, never bothering to look up from their BlackBerry. I haven't yet seen one involved in a collision. It is truly a mind-boggling, techno-cultural phenomenon.
I arrived in New York City as a refugee from the West Coast recently. On the West Coast everybody drives. To see someone walking is an oddity. Not so in New York City. It is a mind-boggling experience to navigate successfully as a pedestrian in NYC and to see how smoothly the masses of people move along the sidewalks. It is culture shock.
I am reminded of seeing the flocks of swallows return to Capistrano. They fly around in what appears to be chaos that will surely result in catastrophic collisions. Collisions do not happen. Swallows have some kind built in radar or sonar which keeps them flying in formation without colliding.
The sidewalks in NYC, Manhattan to be specific can be the same way. New Yorkers must have the same kind of radar. Is it genetic or can you acquire it through the learning process? I felt clumsy and awkward. I was constantly dodging and weaving to avoid oncoming pedestrians. I surprised others with my quick movements and was disturbing the system. I was overwhelmed by the experience of walking anywhere.
It took some study of the crowd dynamics but one day I had a "ah ha" experience. One needs to plan ahead.
It's similar to driving 75 miles per hour on a freeway in Los Angeles or Seattle. You can't just watch the car directly in front of you but instead must be watching those a half mile ahead since things happen so fast.
Applying this theory to sidewalk travel in Manhattan has made such a difference and maybe I'm learning the radar system. I watch 15 to 30 feet in front of me to identify the creases in the crowd and enter those as they present themselves.
What remains mindboggling to me are those pedestrians who walk the sidewalks while texting, never bothering to look up from their BlackBerry. I haven't yet seen one involved in a collision. It is truly a mind-boggling, techno-cultural phenomenon.
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