So we have been tasked with choosing two of the four practice sessions that were most beneficial to us and discuss them. Well, let's see, the whole loving kindness mantra's didn't really float my boat. Let me show you why.
Ok, I'm thinking something right now....and it is about you! What is it? Did you enjoy that? Did it make you feel special? Seriously...I was thinking about you and I even repeated a really cool sentence about you. Please feel free to comment on how it has changed your life, especially when compared to my next statement...
Now I'm going to tell you something and this is directed straight at YOU. I want to Thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting up with me these past 8 weeks. I have learned so much more from each of you than I ever could reading the stuff from Dasher. I truly wish all of you continued success and am thrilled just knowing there are people like you out there in the world who genuinely care about others and show it...as opposed to just thinking about it. I'm a better man for knowing you.
Now, which of the two above helped you the most? Oh, my thoughts for the first "loving kindness" chant was simple...please enjoy a peanut butter and honey sandwich.
Perhaps I should focus. The two that meant the most to me were the visualization and meditation exercises. Of course I had to modify them. My visualization is tied to being a visionary leader; see it then believe it type thing. I don't meditate, I pray. I must admit, this portion of the class has taught me more about prayer and its importance than attending church this past year:) It has helped my relationship with the Creator.
Of the four practices, I plan on using the Visualization and Prayer on a regular basis moving forward. I can already see me sitting in a Barnes & Noble with two huge shelves behind me full of my best seller. After my brief presentation, I'm sitting at a table with a stack of books and my Sharpie. "Who should I make this out to?" I ask. Before they give me their names, they tear up and tell me how my words changed their life's. As a result of reading my book, they were inspired and motivated to take action that moved them closer to success and a higher quality of life. My butt is numb, my hand is sore and my shoulders are crying...but I'm the most fulfilled I have ever been. After signing my 378th book, my limo takes me back to the airport where I board my Gulfstream 550 and head home. How's that for visualization:)
I truly hope to see some of you at my first book signing:)
God's speed to all of you.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Power of Empathy
To respond to the first question regarding "Meeting Asciepius", it was interesting how they worded the question: "How can you continue to apply these practices in your life to foster greater health and wellness?" The answer is simple...I won't. I have made no attempt to hide the fact that I don't benefit from these exercises nor do I plan on using them in the future...enough said on that.
The next topic was very interesting to me. "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself'. There is an author of a concept called Love Leadership who states that one cannot be a successful leader unless they have suffered a significant lose. I totally disagree with both of these statements. In order to lead, one needs to be able to empathize. It is possible to draw correlations between experiences to find a common ground. My theory is simple...a 10 is a 10. On a scale from 1 to 10 what is your greatest pain? My 10 is my 10 and your 10 is yours. The two situations can be totally different, but they are both a 10, and that can be our common ground. I may have lost a loved one and someone else may have lost a limb. Both are different, but both can be crippling....as an example.
Remember, a 10 is a 10, let's find the common ground, then begin..(Sparks, 2010)
Thanks for stopping by.
George
The next topic was very interesting to me. "One cannot lead another where one has not gone himself'. There is an author of a concept called Love Leadership who states that one cannot be a successful leader unless they have suffered a significant lose. I totally disagree with both of these statements. In order to lead, one needs to be able to empathize. It is possible to draw correlations between experiences to find a common ground. My theory is simple...a 10 is a 10. On a scale from 1 to 10 what is your greatest pain? My 10 is my 10 and your 10 is yours. The two situations can be totally different, but they are both a 10, and that can be our common ground. I may have lost a loved one and someone else may have lost a limb. Both are different, but both can be crippling....as an example.
Remember, a 10 is a 10, let's find the common ground, then begin..(Sparks, 2010)
Thanks for stopping by.
George
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
I want to win a million dollars...I want to win a million dollars...I want to...
To all my loving and kind classmates, I bid you good day:)
Again, I apologize for the last minute post, but some new responsibilities have popped up for me which I can explain later, but first, I would like to comment on this weeks assignment.
The chanting of the universal loving kindness exercise on p. 93. I did it, but couldn't make it the full 10 minutes. My mind started to wander, then wonder... "what if this really works?". I then started chanting "I want a million dollars". That I did do for 5 minutes, then I realized that if I quit chanting and started working my chances of earning $1 million dollars would be much more likely than having it magically appear in my lap after chanting for 5 min. I will refer back to the name of my blog, commit to action! It is action, not words, that will show loving kindness. If words are to be effective, they need to be expressed to others, not repeated to oneself in a quiet place for 10 min.
The next exercise we had to conduct was actually beneficial to me. I suppose I wouldn't be being true to myself if I didn't stray a little, but the end results proved beneficial. In business there is a principle which is the foundation for many of our practices; you cannot manage that which you do not measure. I have been experimenting with different techniques to find out which helps me be more productive throughout the day. For a week I started exercising first thing in the morning before I did anything else, then I tracked how much I got accomplish that day. Then for a week I woke up early immediately started working, to see if I could get everything accomplished. Although these two approaches started the day with very important aspects of my life it wasn't until I started each day with prayer and devotional study that I started to become more productive. It goes against my grain to sit and be quiet and to believe that that will help me be more productive. But when I start each day off with reflective prayer and seeking guidance and wisdom, the rest of the day just falls in line.
Now that I have discovered what works for me, I'll consider this a best practice and move forward. I'll be clearly defining my goals, both professional and personal, and I feel much more confident that I will be able to accomplish them.
Again, I apologize for the last minute post, but some new responsibilities have popped up for me which I can explain later, but first, I would like to comment on this weeks assignment.
The chanting of the universal loving kindness exercise on p. 93. I did it, but couldn't make it the full 10 minutes. My mind started to wander, then wonder... "what if this really works?". I then started chanting "I want a million dollars". That I did do for 5 minutes, then I realized that if I quit chanting and started working my chances of earning $1 million dollars would be much more likely than having it magically appear in my lap after chanting for 5 min. I will refer back to the name of my blog, commit to action! It is action, not words, that will show loving kindness. If words are to be effective, they need to be expressed to others, not repeated to oneself in a quiet place for 10 min.
The next exercise we had to conduct was actually beneficial to me. I suppose I wouldn't be being true to myself if I didn't stray a little, but the end results proved beneficial. In business there is a principle which is the foundation for many of our practices; you cannot manage that which you do not measure. I have been experimenting with different techniques to find out which helps me be more productive throughout the day. For a week I started exercising first thing in the morning before I did anything else, then I tracked how much I got accomplish that day. Then for a week I woke up early immediately started working, to see if I could get everything accomplished. Although these two approaches started the day with very important aspects of my life it wasn't until I started each day with prayer and devotional study that I started to become more productive. It goes against my grain to sit and be quiet and to believe that that will help me be more productive. But when I start each day off with reflective prayer and seeking guidance and wisdom, the rest of the day just falls in line.
Now that I have discovered what works for me, I'll consider this a best practice and move forward. I'll be clearly defining my goals, both professional and personal, and I feel much more confident that I will be able to accomplish them.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Subtle Mind...Loving Kindness...blah blah blah
For the record, I do actually strive to be a more kind and loving person. I try to be kind to all, but tend to focus my "loving" on those closest to me, primarily my wife and children. It takes a conscious effort on my part to be kind. I have an instinctual response to help others in need and the ability to identify needs before they are articulated. Some people see this as me being kind, I just see it as my duty to help those who need help.
I understand and appreciate where these techniques are coming from and further understand that they may be beneficial to others...just not me. Many of these concepts are addressed through m spiritual faith. I recieve both education and edification from my church and through fellowship with those within my faith. I don't hold this particular author in very high regards so it is difficult for me to buy into everything he has to say. Being a professional researcher, I do admit that there may be some validity in his approach, but there are many assumptions he has made to date that are conjecture rather than supported data.
I respect this process (within the class) however, I do not agree with the author. I am thankful that these exercises allow us the opportunity and freedom to disagree without having a negative effect on our grade:) However, I am actually more concerned about learning than I am making an A...in case you can't tell:)
Thanks for stopping by.
George
I understand and appreciate where these techniques are coming from and further understand that they may be beneficial to others...just not me. Many of these concepts are addressed through m spiritual faith. I recieve both education and edification from my church and through fellowship with those within my faith. I don't hold this particular author in very high regards so it is difficult for me to buy into everything he has to say. Being a professional researcher, I do admit that there may be some validity in his approach, but there are many assumptions he has made to date that are conjecture rather than supported data.
I respect this process (within the class) however, I do not agree with the author. I am thankful that these exercises allow us the opportunity and freedom to disagree without having a negative effect on our grade:) However, I am actually more concerned about learning than I am making an A...in case you can't tell:)
Thanks for stopping by.
George
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