independent thought

Learning to rest in peace before you are dead

2012-02-13T20:40:00.000-08:00

Scott Kalechstein speaks his Dr Suess inspired poem on the ego and finding peace in life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8J_eHrxyrA&feature=share

In true Dr Suess fashion the words cut to the chase about what we do in the name of ego and how sometimes we escape it and 'rest in peace before we are dead'.

Happiness that lasts

2012-01-27T08:33:00.001-08:00

I'm no baseball fan but this article makes some great points about the ideas behind happiness not as we think it should be but as we can experience it for real.

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/How-to-Find-Lasting-Happiness-Finding-Joy-That-Lasts/1

Happiness as an experience vs happiness as a memory

2012-01-23T12:26:00.000-08:00

Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman talks about our perceptions of happiness in his TED talk.
http://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_kahneman_the_riddle_of_experience_vs_memory.html

"When I acknowledge I'm not the center of the universe, life seems a whole lot easier. " Diablo Cody

2012-01-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

Having a hard time getting past something? Or letting go or a negative thought? Or getting going? Piggy back on Diablo Cody's thought for a while...

Stop asking "why me", consider "why not me" and take the pressure off with a drop of acknowledgment "... I'm not the center of the universe, life seems a whole lot easier. "

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Diablo-Cody-Interview-Dealing-with-Loss-and-Pain#ixzz1ihICcplp

4 tips to support your calm self

2012-01-06T07:35:00.000-08:00

This morning as I got out of shower I planted my feet firmly on the floor and realized how supported I felt. A thought "I must do this more often, it feels good" fleeted across my mind.

Then, as I sat at my desk, I came across an short article by Christa Martin ( Oprah's website ) about Buddist Pamela Weiss's 4 clear tips for the same thing - great advice for keeping yourself together.

Find your footing: Next time you're feeling overwhelmed, press your feet against the floor. "By establishing a strong physical foundation, you bring a sense of balance to the body," says Weiss.

Become a beginner: If you find yourself in an argument, don't argue—instead, start asking questions. "By being inquisitive, you uncover new ways of seeing," explains Weiss. "That helps you get past roadblocks."

Name your mood: Work can leave you frazzled—but there's a way to put your feelings in perspective. Every hour write down one word summarizing your state of mind. "At the end of the day, review your list," suggests Weiss. "You'll see that even the worst feelings don't last."

Let it go: Before leaving the office, imagine a box. Place the day's events inside, then visualize it floating away. Says Weiss, "Releasing these thoughts lets you engage wholeheartedly at home."

The rest of the article is at http://www.oprah.com/spirit/How-to-Be-Calmer-at-Work-Well-Being-in-the-Workplace#ixzz1igyc5D3m

Reflection is worth the risk

2012-01-05T07:10:00.000-08:00

Inspiration on why reflection is worth the risk. Thank you gratefulness.org

Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.

James Baldwin

getting a view on the bigger picture

2011-12-15T07:43:00.001-08:00

Although not an inspirational post per se but it does link into the we are all connected post I made recently.

This article is a wonder description of a global economy simplified so that the main points come across easily... I'm not going to explain it as I can do justice to it in 3 sentences - just spend 5 minutes reading and thinking about it. We are all part of this system (apart from those who have opted out and that is very hard and uncomfortable option). http://www.businessinsider.com/millionaires-island-2011-12

One thing that I think is missing form this article is giving consideration to the questions why would we want to re-create the same system, with all its flaws as well as benefits. I wonder if there might be room for focussing on doing the basics really well, perhaps redefining what the basics are: remote communication is important for us as social human network; personal accountability could be encouraged and we could stop hiding behind legal systems. The possibilities are endless. Just a thought.

we are all connected

2011-12-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

A gem from gratefulness.org - thank you.

The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another.

Thomas Merton

Like it or not human beings have organized themselves to live in an interconnected network that we call society. I love the idea about that compassion could help us make it much easier.

are you following the instructions or living the experience?

2011-11-21T12:52:00.000-08:00

TED Talk by Evelyn Glennie

As a musician I "do everything that is not on the music." And so it is for the rest of us, as we gain mastery we bring so much more to the conversation. I love that she differentiates following the instructions and living the experience.