You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'DO' category.
On June 29th, just two days ago at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, the Air Force successfully launched an unarmed Minuteman 3 intercontinental ballistic missile from a California base, firing it to targets in the Pacific Ocean. Lt. Raymond Geoffroy (JEFF-rey) said the ICBM was launched from VAFB at 3:01 a.m. Monday. He said it carried three unarmed re-entry vehicles that hit their targets near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, some 4,200 miles away.
Get this: the Air Force said the launch was an operational test to check the weapon system’s reliability and accuracy. Test data will be used by United States Strategic Command planners and Department of Energy laboratories to ensure that if or when Kjil “pushes the button” that we are indeed ready to eliminate the target.
Roger-that.
To learn more – link here: Minuteman
The universal need to be accepted by others can be a barrier that prevents us from being ourselves around them. When we fear that the people we encounter will perceive us as inept or unintelligent, we frequently try to flaunt our grasp of large words or clever witticisms or our professional expertise in an effort to convince them that we are smart and capable. The reasons for feeling this way can be many, and they can often stem from as far back as your childhood.
Yet overcompensating for this fear can have the opposite effect if others are driven away by what they see as an immodest attitude or sense that you are urgently trying to prove yourself. The simple desire to be judged smart by both new and old acquaintances can cause you to reject your true self and adopt an affected persona. But in trying so persistently to project an image of supreme intelligence or capability, you deny others the opportunity to become acquainted with the real and terrific individual you truly are.
The fear that others will perceive you as unintelligent can further influence your behavior, causing you to consciously avoid speaking your mind or asking questions. You may feel uncomfortable participating in activities if there is a chance that you won’t excel or taking part in discussions with others who may have more knowledge than you. In essence, you become ashamed of who you are and attempt to encase your identity in a veneer that others will find pleasing and impressive. It is, however, a common fear—one experienced by almost everyone at some point in life.
The simplest way to combat it is to make a personal commitment to being yourself in your home, your workplace, and among strangers. Ask yourself how you believe the individuals you encounter will react should you speak awkwardly, need clarification, or fail to be the best at some activity. By being yourself, you will discover that all people make mistakes and ask questions and that others will like and respect you because they recognize the goodness in your soul.
The fact that you are willing to be yourself, letting your many affirmative attributes express themselves naturally, will help you make a positive first impression on everyone you meet and earn the esteem of your family and friends. Your confidence and easygoing manner will say, “this is who I am and I am proud of the person I have become.”
The guys were out hunting this week and bagged the biggest squirrel yet. They bagged this big ‘un using rifles. It was certainly a better approach than the guy who torched his entire house trying to rid himself of the pests.
There are some people that have serious issues and take their issues out on others because they are angry. Usually it’s those people who somehow believe that “what goes around” will not come back around. LOL. Right. It’s coming, just don’t let the sledge hammer smack you too hard.
Surprisingly, it takes little time and effort to make a difference. During the day, in someone’s life, on the job, in the car, at the store, in the waiting room, at home, in your office, or even while you sleep. We all (as in everyone) have the ability. The real difference is how we use it.
Everyday take a moment to do one thing that helps another person. Do it without the expectation of a return “thanks,” a wave, acknowledgement or even a smile. According to Nike, just do it. We all have the ability to change our world and our lives. When faced with the opportunity, use it. You’ll be glad you did.
“It is incumbent on every
generation to pay its own
debts as it goes. A principle
which if acted on would
save one-half the
wars of the world.”
Thomas Jefferson
The first duty of a human being is to assume
the right functional relationship to society –
more briefly, to find your real job, and do it.
Let’s face it, every week we have good days and days that seems out-of-control. On a rare occasion, the trappings of Monday carry over to Tuesday, then Wednesday and sometimes even Thursday.
This week started off well enough, but Monday seemed to wrangle the life out the word “smile.” It’s been one of those weeks. I used the phrase, “Monday-Monday-Monday!” A colleague said, “torro, torro, torro!”
The weekend is near, so let’s figure in a little time to celebrate. My only concern is that the weekend starts with Friday the 13th.
Ok then. Homer is gone to the big house. I’m going home for the day.
Much of my teaching life centers around helping students improve their presentation skills, teaming skills and their overall ability to communicate in the “real word.” Amidst a range of skill levels, the basis for many discussions about communication (verbally or more formally in a presentation) centers on a singular topic – the thesis statement. Rather than belabor the complexities of writing a thesis I break it down into two steps. First, I deal with the basic question — what are you seeking to communicate? With the answer it’s much easier to craft a strategy statement or thesis. The thesis statement explains “how” you accomplish step one. Not from the vantage point of the device (PowerPoint or whiteboard) but from a space where the “how” is easy to communicate and much easier to digest. Simplify, reduce and then amplify the message. I firmly believe I’m learning more from the class than the students!
Ok then. Thesis oneth.
After dealing with a person today who decided to bully me in a business setting, I elected to do the right thing and take the high road. Not because it was easier, but because it’s the right thing to do. I hope that at some point in the future I can look back on the situation and laugh.
I also learned an important lesson (or was reminded of a lesson I already know) and it’s simple: taking the high road is harder to do than it is to espouse. Taking the high road and putting yourself above those who enjoy arguing a point just to argue or attempt to argue a point with pointless examples of mindless crap is difficult at times.
Simply stated: “take the high road” because anything less is just adding fuel to the fire.
Like most electronics devices, a television can contain a number of elements that are potentially harmful to both people and the environment, making them poor residents for landfills. The various carcinogens and neurotoxins within them can potentially leach into the water system and into the air through burning, with deadly results. Not only do these oversized devices push landfills to their capacity, but many of their more valuable materials are wasted when they are not recycled. Materials such as glass, copper, and precious metals are sacrificed when an old television is relegated to a landfill. When you stop and think about it, discarding the old TV on River Road means you’re wasting money and junking up the neighborhood. To learn more, visit this site to recycle your crappy-crap TV. Garbage keepeth.
Make each and every day count. Including today, the day-after-Christmas-day. Many folks were out shopping – looking for bargains or winter wearables for next season.
I thought about leaping ahead into next week, contemplating a “New Year’s celebration.” It was mighty easy … in fact, it was about as easy as … well … thinking about it.
I suggest that we remember today – Friday, December 26th – is a gift. We are not guaranteed a ‘next week’ nor the week after that one. For now let’s just remember that 2009 New Year’s resolutions and wonderment can wait … a few more days and we’ll be there thank-you very much.
Santa is due a break from the Holiday action. Really. He’s been taking care of bizness, holding down the toy-fort since way-back, and had his peps on the streets working since just after Halloween. Whew. That’s enough to say enough. Santa, this Bud’s for you.
Few people live an authentic life. Very few. I’m unclear at times if I’m living an authentic life. Uncertainty acts as a helper and keeps me honest. It forces me to check in with my inner self to ensure I’m doing my very best.
To live an authentic lifestyle requires re-thinking the importance of life itself. It was, and is, challenging to say the least. However, I do know that when you live an authentic life (even in short bursts), you are living in a way that resonates with your inner being. You avoid connecting yourself with destructive habits, relationships or lifestyles. You are in touch with your real self.
From minute to minute each day, you are the same “you” and people around you don’t guess who you are … they just know. At work, at play and at home you are the same person. Authentic “self” means possessing inner strength. It also means living a life void of manipulation, power plays, and hatred.
Being authentic means creating a path in front of you (and in your wake) that feels somewhat spiritual but wholly natural. Authenticity means you aren’t afraid of truth. It also means you deal with fear in a way that builds character and strengthens you rather than debilitating you. The path is hard to follow at times because life throws plenty of diversions to test us. In reality those tests are just ‘tests’ … little sign posts to guide us … if we elect to listen.
For the past year this blog site has acted as a compass of sorts – giving me some direction and enlightenment about authenticity. Sure, I’ve had plenty of moments (and days) where I was not authentic. But when those events occurred, I made course corrections to realign my thinking.
As I’ve aged I see more, but need glasses to read. I eat more, but weigh less. I ride further, but recover slower. As I’ve become more authentic, I realize how difficult it is to try. Frankly, being authentic is all about choice. It’s a choice to either do or not do. There is no “try.”
I shall doeth.
“Making dinner is really simple, but
we insist on making it complicated.”
Confucius
“It’s not what you look at that
matters, it’s what you see.”
Henry David Thoreau
Courage is not the absence
of fear, but rather the judgment
that something else is more
important than fear.
Ambrose Redmoon
Life shrinks or expands in
proportion to one’s courage.
Anais Nin
But keep the map handy.
To accomplish great things,
we must dream as well as act.
Anatole France
“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.”
Tom Bodett
Thankfully I have the BGE to love – yeah. I’m a teacher and career-minded. I hope for something greater than East Tennessee. Much bigger. But this will remain home – - just need a second home at some point. Hope will be real – Aloha.
