Taken from Seth's Blog
People online are real people.
If you send a nasty email, there’s a real human being on the other end who gets it.
If you flame in a forum, you’re wasting real people’s time.
If you spam someone, you’re really only making yourself look bad.
If you write IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS it sounds like shouting.
If you want something to happen your way, try asking instead of demanding.
If you give, you’ll probably wind up getting, too.
If you blog just to pick fights, don’t be surprised when people don’t trust you.
If you collaborate, say thanks.
If you’re independent, say no thanks.
If you like someone, tell them.
If you don’t, walk away from the computer.
If you’re giving feedback, lead with just one good thing.
If you’re getting feedback, realize that the person must care a lot to have sent it.
If you goof, apologize.
If you apologize, mean it.
If you smile, mean that too.
If you don’t like something, don’t do it.
If you do like something, spread it.
But far far more important:Give people a break.
The break you probably deserve yourself.
People are out to do good, 99% of the time.
You probably are too.
Say thanks out loud and a lot.
Try making someone’s day.
Chances are they’ll make yours in return.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Don't give up
Don't give up.
Don't give up.
Don't give up.
What you can give up - habits that hurt you or others, in the short or long term. Goals that have lost their validity. Traits that are selfish and short sighted. Bad attitudes. Ugly language.
Don't give up - Believing in the power of the words 'its going to be ok.' Goals that you'll be happy to have achieved in ten year's time. Learning. Being open minded. Being humble. Learning from your mistakes.
Don't give up.
Don't give up.
What you can give up - habits that hurt you or others, in the short or long term. Goals that have lost their validity. Traits that are selfish and short sighted. Bad attitudes. Ugly language.
Don't give up - Believing in the power of the words 'its going to be ok.' Goals that you'll be happy to have achieved in ten year's time. Learning. Being open minded. Being humble. Learning from your mistakes.
Quieting the Mind
Quieting the Mind
The first thing I notice, is that I can see shadow. There is a flicker of light that I hadn’t noticed before.
Turning off the talk inside of your head, is like turning off a TV that is just too loud and too insistent. The immediate quiet is such a relief.
As you practice, it gets easier and easier. Then, you can just become aware of the noise (the chatterbox), and switch it off. And then,
you notice what you didn’t see before. Colour, shades, light and detail.
you feel what you didn’t feel before. Calm, relaxed, the shoulder’s release, the settling in the body.
you hear what you didn’t before. The birds, the cars outside, the people in the house, maybe even your own heart beat.
you are open, in a way you weren’t before. To other’s needs, to a wider perspective, to another point of view, to your self.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Three Rules
These three rules to a better life are from the American realist writer Nelson Algren. You might know him for his book Man with a Golden Arm.
1. Never play cards with a man called Doc.
2. Never eat in a place called Mom's.
3. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own.
I've never cared for cards or eating out. Two out of three isn't bad.
1. Never play cards with a man called Doc.
2. Never eat in a place called Mom's.
3. Never sleep with a woman whose troubles are worse than your own.
I've never cared for cards or eating out. Two out of three isn't bad.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Taking the Star Out of the Pose
Taking the Star out of the Pose.
Being an instructor, especially one that is representing a company like Les Mills who promotes a strong star quality in their elite instructors, creates a persona that can be in conflict with the very theme of the instructor’s life.
Body Balance is a fun and rewarding exercise option that introduces superficial aspects of several esoteric eastern systems. It westernizes long standing eastern concepts into easily digestible bite sizes, and entertains us while we learn.
As an instructor, Body Balance emphasises technique and performance and visual perfection above in depth understanding of the benefits and history of poses.
In October of 2007, I left instructing behind, with the intention of getting back to ‘me’. I envisioned myself training, with me as the centre, rather than my students.
The work has paid off, though, it has left me unable to go back. I have no intention of teaching Body Balance again.
Let me say again, that Body Balance has its place in exercise centres. It fills a gap, between aerobics and asana practice – for people who are curious and want to experience a hybrid option. Its uplifting and brings people together in a way they might never have had the chance to before and I continue to support the Les Mill’s team.
However, it is time for me to turn to the elements in my life that resonate clearly for me. And that is by returning to study yoga, qigong and meditation techniques.
I won’t be as employable. I won’t have as many doors open, and I won’t be shining my inner star for Body Balance any more - but I will feel true to myself, and with that, more peaceful.
Les Mills, and Body Balance, and all that you represent – thank you for the ride! Its time for me to get off here.
Being an instructor, especially one that is representing a company like Les Mills who promotes a strong star quality in their elite instructors, creates a persona that can be in conflict with the very theme of the instructor’s life.
Body Balance is a fun and rewarding exercise option that introduces superficial aspects of several esoteric eastern systems. It westernizes long standing eastern concepts into easily digestible bite sizes, and entertains us while we learn.
As an instructor, Body Balance emphasises technique and performance and visual perfection above in depth understanding of the benefits and history of poses.
In October of 2007, I left instructing behind, with the intention of getting back to ‘me’. I envisioned myself training, with me as the centre, rather than my students.
The work has paid off, though, it has left me unable to go back. I have no intention of teaching Body Balance again.
Let me say again, that Body Balance has its place in exercise centres. It fills a gap, between aerobics and asana practice – for people who are curious and want to experience a hybrid option. Its uplifting and brings people together in a way they might never have had the chance to before and I continue to support the Les Mill’s team.
However, it is time for me to turn to the elements in my life that resonate clearly for me. And that is by returning to study yoga, qigong and meditation techniques.
I won’t be as employable. I won’t have as many doors open, and I won’t be shining my inner star for Body Balance any more - but I will feel true to myself, and with that, more peaceful.
Les Mills, and Body Balance, and all that you represent – thank you for the ride! Its time for me to get off here.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
If I told you once ..........
An advice blog is a dangerous thing to wave in front of my tired old eyes. I love to give good advice as does any old person, it makes up for our inability to set a bad example. I must admit that I have never been good at taking advice. Especially from those that need it so badly themselves.
When asked for my dollop of wisdom I usually rely on the Truman ploy. He expressed it like this, “I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it. Good old Harry S Truman. I think I will ask my inner child what I want and then give it to me. My inner child says don’t call me an old person. Yeah. I’m going to go with that thought. Like the ancient Greek said, “Whom the Gods love die young.” A lot of people use that sentence to mean struck down in youth. I don‘t believe they meant that for a minute. I think they meant that if the Gods love you the spirit of youth is with you to the end of your days. It's nice to know that one can sit in the twilight and be silly about it. The Greeks chronology was of a more infinite kind not measured by watches.
Karl von Knebel once said, “He who can take advice is sometimes superior to him who can give it.” So I guess if you listen to yourself it is not such a bad idea. So my advice is turn off all the noise and listen. That thought is for all of us here… not just me beside myself. My advice for the whole world is: turn the volume down a couple of clicks.
When asked for my dollop of wisdom I usually rely on the Truman ploy. He expressed it like this, “I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it. Good old Harry S Truman. I think I will ask my inner child what I want and then give it to me. My inner child says don’t call me an old person. Yeah. I’m going to go with that thought. Like the ancient Greek said, “Whom the Gods love die young.” A lot of people use that sentence to mean struck down in youth. I don‘t believe they meant that for a minute. I think they meant that if the Gods love you the spirit of youth is with you to the end of your days. It's nice to know that one can sit in the twilight and be silly about it. The Greeks chronology was of a more infinite kind not measured by watches.
Karl von Knebel once said, “He who can take advice is sometimes superior to him who can give it.” So I guess if you listen to yourself it is not such a bad idea. So my advice is turn off all the noise and listen. That thought is for all of us here… not just me beside myself. My advice for the whole world is: turn the volume down a couple of clicks.
Where Lies the Freedom of Rules?
Where is the freedom of rules?
“Think not that we have revealed unto you a mere code of laws.”
Baha’u’ llaha
When we start out, and begin looking at religions, trying to find what resonates, we come up against laws.
We, as Seekers, based in the West and looking eastward, are stifled by the Church, by the good and bad morality, by the judgement and the guilt. We’re looking for more than material gain and a suffocating marriage where we smile with the mouth only.
We question the rules we have been taught. We question the ten commandments – and we come to some agreement with some of them, while others make us feel pressured, as though we were going against our own self.
Be careful.
Step warily.
Once you have chosen the seekers path, there are many ways leading into the darkness of the self. The self that twists and turns like wind in a storm. Be careful not to become the shadow of a rock, for fear. Be aware of the ego and the demands of this selfish child.
Search, discover, stand firm.
The laws – the guidelines - the rules, they are there, for a reason. Some need to be questioned – and some will reveal their treasure to you.
You are not the first. You are not the last. We are all together. Some have less awareness, others have more. You and I are in the middle of it all, together, taking this journey.
Stay humble. Watch your ego. Listen to nature. Let your heart sing.
Remember that in a storm, the strong and unbending oak is torn up by its roots.
But the bamboo, its roots stay firm, while it allows itself to bend gently this way and that, and when the storm resides, its roots are firmly in place. Be like the bamboo. Find your strength and let the winds come. The winds do come. There is no denying it. They are but winds, and you will endure.
“Think not that we have revealed unto you a mere code of laws.”
Baha’u’ llaha
When we start out, and begin looking at religions, trying to find what resonates, we come up against laws.
We, as Seekers, based in the West and looking eastward, are stifled by the Church, by the good and bad morality, by the judgement and the guilt. We’re looking for more than material gain and a suffocating marriage where we smile with the mouth only.
We question the rules we have been taught. We question the ten commandments – and we come to some agreement with some of them, while others make us feel pressured, as though we were going against our own self.
Be careful.
Step warily.
Once you have chosen the seekers path, there are many ways leading into the darkness of the self. The self that twists and turns like wind in a storm. Be careful not to become the shadow of a rock, for fear. Be aware of the ego and the demands of this selfish child.
Search, discover, stand firm.
The laws – the guidelines - the rules, they are there, for a reason. Some need to be questioned – and some will reveal their treasure to you.
You are not the first. You are not the last. We are all together. Some have less awareness, others have more. You and I are in the middle of it all, together, taking this journey.
Stay humble. Watch your ego. Listen to nature. Let your heart sing.
Remember that in a storm, the strong and unbending oak is torn up by its roots.
But the bamboo, its roots stay firm, while it allows itself to bend gently this way and that, and when the storm resides, its roots are firmly in place. Be like the bamboo. Find your strength and let the winds come. The winds do come. There is no denying it. They are but winds, and you will endure.
Thus Far
Guidelines Thus Far
Self Knowledge
Explore
Open Mind
Open Heart
Acceptance
Love – of self, of others, Love – of all
Non judgement
Kindness
Self Knowledge
Explore
Open Mind
Open Heart
Acceptance
Love – of self, of others, Love – of all
Non judgement
Kindness
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)