Archive for August, 2009
Lao Tzu Quotes
In ancient China there was a dead tortoise shell kept in the palace as a symbol of the emperor. When Lao Tzu was asked about politics like his rival Confucius focused on he replied that it was better to be a turtle dragging its tail in the mud, than a dead one in a great palace. One of my favorite movies is Kung Fu Panda, and one of the coolest characters, Oogway (pictured above) is heavily based off of the philosophy given by Lao Tzu in the Tao Te Ching. Lao Tzu taught to be satisfied with things as they are, to let go of the strife of trying to control things that we have no power over, to seek knowledge of yourself, to live with kindness, and to enjoy life in the present while you have it, because that is all there is. Much of the beauty seen in the eastern culture has been greatly influenced by this man. Here are just some of the great quotes from Lao Tzu. (more…)
Add comment August 16, 2009
Power of Self-Imaging
Have you ever heard of how powerful your self-image is? I had, but I was skeptical, so I put together an experiment to test this… (more…)
2 comments August 14, 2009
10 Ways to Celebrate Besides Food
Every major holiday here in America makes a huge deal about food. When we see our family and friends one of our first instincts to celebrate is to go out for food. When somebody has a birthday, we usually celebrate with some form of food, and than we wonder why we have the fattest country in the world. Enough already. There has to be some way to celebrate besides food. This has really been on my mind a lot since I’m trying to get in to better shape. Here’s a list of things that I’ve come up with.
1. Look up the local sights and go visit them. You don’t have to wait till someone comes to visit. Got a birthday? Meeting up with friends? Have at it.
2. Go feed ducks/ fish at the park/zoo My little siblings were visiting me around Christmas time and I had a loaf of bread that had gone stale, so we took it to the park, and we had a blast feeding the ducks.
3. Play a game. I don’t care if its a card game, board game, dominoes, or video game. They’re all great chances to spend time with the people you care about.
4. Go to a movie There should be a dollar theater somewhere in your area, its not that expensive to go in that case.
5. Put in a movie Ok, so you don’t have to go out to see a movie. Between the library, rental stores and your own collection there should be something good that not everyone has seen.
6. Walk around a historic downtown district. These are usually loaded with lots of unique shops to go look through and can be tone of fun!
7. Go to a car show. Depending on where you are you may not need to even pay to get into one, and there are a lot of really really nice cars at these things. I’m not even a car person and I have a blast at these things!
8. Go to a concert A lot of colleges concerts on campus that are either free or low cost, it can be a lot of fun to go and see them.
9. Hike a trail! Most places have at least a park with some nice scenic hiking trails. Just going for a walk on one can be a lot of fun, and a good chance for everyone to visit.
10. Get a group picture! Load up in the vehicle or walk around and look for the best places to get good group pictures!
What ideas do you have for celebrating that doesn’t have to involve food?
Add comment August 12, 2009
Compliments
Our views of ourselves in America have gotten completely skewed. One minute we are told that we should buy things for ourselves because we deserve them, the next we get the message that we are not on the same status of others because of what we don’t own. We are sold messages all day of what we are supposed to look like, how we are supposed to dress, and a whole slew of marketing ideas hitting our senses, and changing the ways that we think about the world and ourselves.
Its even gotten to the point where if someone gets complimented we usually have two gut reaction one is to be suspicious that we are being sold something and the other is to attempt to deny it entirely. Neither one is good. So what are we to do about it?
First off, what you own does not define you! What does define you is how you treat others, and what actions you choose to take. Second off, no one is born without some good quality. Do not take it for granted when someone compliments you. The best thing you can do is say thank you, as turning down a compliment is essentially calling someone a liar. Thirdly, people need more compliments! If you like how someone looks let them know. If somebody demonstrates good character let them know. The fact is that they may not know that they have that good thing going for them. Heck we don’t always know when we have something like that going for us!
With women complimenting clothing is fine. Men complimenting other men’s clothes doesn’t always come across how its meant, so it’s usually better to stick with compliments of character.
What about you? Has someone ever made your day with a compliment? What did they say? What would be something that if somebody told you would really make a difference to your day? Do you think you could make someone else’s day in the same way?
4 comments August 10, 2009
Confucius Say
Confucius set out to conquer the world through a beautiful example. When China was conquered (as it has been many times) the culture was so powerful and inspiring that conquerors would start to change their ways. This would continue until the original culture influenced heavily by Confucius would come out on top. My favorite story of Confucius is that he was once asked by a tyrant how he would govern. Confucius almost lost his head over the answer when he replied “I would first learn to govern myself”. These are some of my favorite Confucius quotes, enjoy!
What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes.
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.
Respect yourself and others will respect you.
To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.
By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart.
The man who asks a question is a fool for a moment, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.
2 comments August 9, 2009
Jail Break!
The worst kind of prison to be in is the kind that you create for yourself. It can follow you everywhere, and the walls seem impenetrable, but there is good news. Most of the time when we find ourselves in this kind of a prison, we are the ones holding the keys.
I had put myself in a prison of excuses. There was something in me that I would have been forced to face in order to venture outside of that. I couldn’t get a car, I couldn’t start school, I couldn’t move to Virginia and be with my love, and I thought that a job where I was not using my full capability was the best thing going for me. I did said job to the fullest of my ability and got a lot of good things out of it, but I should be capable of more. I chalked it up to practicality, to security, to lack of finances. I called it everything but what it was, I was afraid, I did not believe in myself, and I was refusing to take responsibility for my own potential. They were all excuses, and if I didn’t do something about them they would have destroyed everything I could become. If I was to stand any chance at all to move forward I would have to make a break for it, and so I have.
I made a commitment to my awesome girlfriend that I would be there. I put in my resignation to work, and I hit the road. I’ve been on that road for the last two months, and now I’m here. Now I have a LOT of work left to do! I have to find a new job, and I still need a car, but I wouldn’t undo this decision for anything. It has made me a better person, and now I’m going to get to find out what I’m really made of! I am still scared as all hell, and I’m flying by the seat of my pants. This is worth it. I am proving to myself that I don’t have to be bound up by unfounded insecurities, or excuses.
What about you? Are there excuses and fears that are keeping you from moving forward? What do you want to do about them? How long will you let these things take your life away from you? What will it take for you to start taking responsibility for your own potential? What prisons do you want to break out of?
Add comment August 9, 2009
