Nothing taught by force stays in the soul

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Barry

“Nothing taught by force stays in the soul.”

—Plato, ancient Greek philosopher

Image from Unsplash by Christopher Ryan

Who were the teachers, mentors, coaches, and family members who had the most positive influence on you while growing up?

How did their lessons and good examples open up your soul to their wisdom, to become an integral part of your personality and character?

How did their kindness and care for your best interest help you remain an open book to guide your current pursuits and project?

EXERCISE:

How often do an open mind and open heart accompany each other?

Where and how can this idea open the souls and minds of others you intend to support and serve?

Deep roots are not reached by the frost

Posted on July 12, 2023 by Barry

“Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”

—J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of The Rings

Image from Unsplash by Ross Stone

Over the last month, much attention has focused on the many wildfires in Canada and their significant impact on the air quality in many North American cities.

Canada has 28% of the world’s Boreal Zones, which represents 552 million hectares (a hectare is about 2.5 acres or 10,000 square meters). About 75% of this area is forest and woodlands.

Forest fires have a renewal capacity to keep these relatively young forests spanning the earth in other countries including the United States, Norway, Sweden, Russia, and China.

Some additional good news to counter the carbon releasing aspects of these fires is that their roots go deep enough to keep these trees alive through the often-bitter cold winters experienced in these regions. Many bird species and animals—such as caribou—count on this deeply rooted ecosystem to thrive.

EXERCISE:

Where in your life are you deeply rooted?

How does this capacity help you survive and thrive during the burning and frigid aspects of life?

In this short life that only lasts an hour

Posted on July 11, 2023 by Barry

“In this short life that only lasts an hour, how much-how-little is within our power?”

—Emily Dickenson, 19th Century American Poet

Image from The Kids Should See This Blog

I often read the blog The Kids Should See This in hopes of finding fascinating items to share with my daughter and our two grandchildren. A few weeks ago, I watched a video to help visualize man’s role on earth compared to the age of the universe. Here are some things I learned:

Our universe is estimated to be about 13.8 billion years old.
Our solar system is estimated to be about 4.5 billion years old.
The earliest forms of life on Earth appeared 3.7 billion years ago.
550,000 to 750,000 years ago was the beginning of homo sapiens lineage.
100,000 to 210,000 years ago we see fossils of homo sapiens living outside of Africa.
15,000 to 40,000 years ago genetics and fossils show homo sapiens became the only surviving human species.

EXERCISE:

Do a bit of math to calculate the time each generation—including our own—has to spend on our beautiful blue world. How will you use your power to make sure many more future generations can continue doing this exercise?

Check out this to scale/time video that visualizes 13.8 billion years—It’s definitely worth 10 minutes of your time!

The plateaus of life are simply part of our journey

Posted on July 10, 2023 by Barry

The plateaus of life are simply part of our journey. Learn to love them and keep moving forward.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Rob Wingate

I recently watched the Netflix series on the Tour De France. I haven’t ridden a bike in years, and was surprised how this event captured my spirit of adventure and ongoing desire for excellence.

The twenty-one days over which this event is held is one of the greatest tests of grit and endurance I’ve ever seen.

The 170+ riders face grueling mountain climbs, bumpy cobblestone roads, and downhill runs where speeds of over 80 miles per hour have been clocked. Of course, there are plenty of flat parts where the peloton pushes forward at a pace that has the riders wiz by, cheering fans in a blur.

EXERCISE:

What races are your running these days?

How hard do you push yourself on difficult uphill climbs? How fast do you go when the grade of life is downhill?

What is your approach to the plateaus of your journey on your way to your own yellow jersey?

Friday Review: Self-Determination

Posted on July 7, 2023 by Barry

Friday Review: Self-Determination

How much of your current life has been self-determined? Here are a few related quotes you may have missed.

“I am the me I choose to be.”

“How are you tending to the emerging story of your life?”

“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are an entire ocean in a drop.”

When you step on the brakes your life is in your foot’s hands

Posted on July 6, 2023 by Barry

“When you step on the brakes your life is in your foot’s hands.”

—George Carlin, American comedian, actor, author, and social critic

Where in your life are you going along for the ride?

Where in your personal or professional world are you accepting things as they are without voicing your opinion that is not in step with the status quo?

On what issues is it time to put your foot down and take a stand for what you value and believe?

EXERCISE:

Select an important topic in which you have been going along to get along.

How can and will you step on the brakes regarding this issue and take more of your life into your own hands?

“Learning and laughter work nicely together.”

Posted on July 5, 2023 by Barry

“Learning and laughter work nicely together.”

—Author Unknown

Image from Unsplash by Lucas Lenzi

We’ve all heard the phrase, Laughter is the best medicine. I’ve found that there is considerable support that humor and laughter enhance our ability to learn.

Cognitively, laughter stimulates the brain regions important for complex and abstract thinking, increases attention, improves memory, and increases conceptual understanding.

Even a few chuckles activate brain growth hormones and increase our reward centers via dopamine.

Emotionally, laughter provides a sense of empowerment and control, improves self-esteem, restores hope and boosts energy. It also reduces many stress-related conditions that often make learning difficult.

Psychologically, laughter improves respiration and mental functioning through increased levels of catecholamine.

It is no surprise that many highly successful and popular educators are blending a bit of stand-up comedy, engaging storytelling, and performing arts into their teaching styles.

EXERCISE:

Where and how can the inclusion of more humor support learning for you and others in you communities? My grandkids will tell you When you make things fun, stuff gets done.

247 Years Ago Today…

Posted on July 4, 2023 by Barry

247 Years Ago Today…

Image from Unsplash by Tom Dahl

I wonder if the founders of this country gave thought to how their vision might change over the decades and centuries. I wonder—if traveling into the future—they would recognize their ideals at work, or wonder themselves at the dramatic changes in every aspect of life since their time.

What does independence mean to you? What does freedom mean to you?

How have you benefited from the foresight of men like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and other leaders of this land?

Today, my family and I wish you all a happy and healthy Independence Day, and hope that before the BBQ, the beach, and/or the fireworks, you will take some time to consider what it means to YOU to be free to make choices for yourself.

What would you do with yourself if there were no problems to solve

Posted on July 3, 2023 by Barry

What would you do with yourself if there were no problems to solve? How often do we make up problems to give us something to do?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Jonathan Maybe

Imagine you are a business owner or executive working 80+ hours a week.

What if you are a homemaker or caregiver putting in just as many or more hours?

What would happen if you were given a golden ticket which suddenly takes all of the responsibilities and other burdens off your shoulders? What might you do with your own mini-sabbatical?

Consider the following activities and the problems you might create: