Creeds – Part 3
We've been exploring Creeds - or belief statements. After all your years on this planet, trying things and being among other people, what things do you believe most in? I think it's a good exercise to spend time on. It's good talk at the dinner table with your family members,…
Creeds – part 2
We are exploring Creeds, a personal belief/mission statement. Here is one from Jack London - "I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every…
What is your Creed?
Most of us don't have a creed written out, (otherwise known as a "Credo") which is a summary belief statement. But if you had a statement of your core beliefs/mission, what would it say? Trying to write it out can be an interesting exercise. Here are a few examples. This…
Now is the best time!
I listened to an audiobook called "Life 3.0" by Max Tegmark recently. The book is about life with Artificial Intelligence, and what it will be, or could be like for humans when we aren't the smartest things around, and when we are the beneficiaries and potential victims of machines. After…
Worry and you
What are you worried about today? I woke up this morning and I was worried about racing trucks coming by me at 85 mph, 8 hours into my next race. I decided to stop worrying about it because the worry will not help. But not everything we worry about is…
How to control the uncontrollable
You can't control the uncontrollable; but you can control your response to it. How are you responding to what you can't control?
If you didn't know it was bad, how bad is it?
If we were not exposed to all the bad news in the world, would we know about it from our own experience? Most of what is negative in the world we have never experienced ourselves. If you didn't know the world was bad, how bad would it be? How good…
A man comes out of the woods….
If you have lived in the woods your whole life and someone gives you ice cream - Wow! you say. But if you eat ice cream every night, it's not so surprising. What if you came out of the woods and someone gives you a beer? Whoa! A cigarette? Seriously? …
What do you think?
This is a very important question. Most of our thinking is stimulus-driven. In other words we think about subjects brought to us by others - email, social media, "news", etc. and our opinions about the subjects others are talking about are the opinions expressed by others. If you shut off…
What growth feels like
You aren't sure how this is going to go. You feel nervous. Anxiety. You're asking questions (a little frantically) to save your own skin. You're a little (or a lot) scared. You might second guess and want to go back or quit. Butterflies. This is what growth feels like. Stick…
Creeds – Part 3
We’ve been exploring Creeds – or belief statements. After all your years on this planet, trying things and being among other people, what things do you believe most in? I think it’s a good exercise to spend time on. It’s good talk at the dinner table with your family members, kids and friends, too.
About four years ago I got to thinking about this for me. I asked “What are the moments that you remember most where you had the best time – the high points in life?” When I answered my own question with “Doing really cool stuff; stepping up and stepping out and doing things that are exciting, fun, and memorable.” Then I thought and added that I love doing them most with other people to share the experience and memory, I clarified my personal mission statement – “An extraordinary life of shared experiences”.
A funny thing happened. Since I clarified it, I started moving in that direction even more. I decided that it’s what I believed in and what I was here for, so I go for it even more.
Think about it for yourself – what do you believe in? Why are you here?
Here is a famous Creed that you probably have seen. Let’s see if you can guess who it is. You can tell me (and find out) with the orange comment button.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory or defeat.”
I love this. Who is it?
Orange button!…
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Creeds – part 2
We are exploring Creeds, a personal belief/mission statement. Here is one from Jack London –
“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in a magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”
What kind of ideas would be in your Creed?
I like the ideas in Jack London’s Creed and the ones in Kenneth Clarks from yesterday.
I have a personal mission statement – “An extraordinary life of shared experiences”.
I don’t have a creed yet, but my Creed would include “I believe that all people have far more potential than they are using and we need others to provide examples, give encouragement and instruction, and help us believe in ourselves to unlock this potential.”
More tomorrow…
I am grateful that you can say hello to Mike Lane today.
To serve, that is the underlying current that moves my life.
“I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”
That’s Impactful!
As the Amish say: “To soon old…..To late smart”
I
Thanks so much for these words today. My father passed away Monday and I just finished speaking at his funeral about his purpose driven life. He always said, Love God, love your family, and give back any chance you can.
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What is your Creed?
Most of us don’t have a creed written out, (otherwise known as a “Credo”) which is a summary belief statement.
But if you had a statement of your core beliefs/mission, what would it say? Trying to write it out can be an interesting exercise.
Here are a few examples. This first one is from Kenneth Clark, 1903-1983
“I believe that order is better than chaos, creation is better than destruction. I prefer gentleness to violence, forgiveness to vendetta. On the whole, I think that knowledge is preferable to ignorance, and I am sure that human sympathy is more valuable than ideology.
I believe that in spite of the recent triumphs of science, men haven’t changed much in the last two thousand years; and in consequence, we must still try to learn from history.
I believe in courtesy, the ritual by which we avoid hurting other people’s feelings by satisfying our own egos. And it think we should remember we are part of a great whole, which for convenience we call nature. All living things are our brothers and sisters. Above all, I believe in the God given genius of certain individuals, and I value a society that makes their existence possible.”
We’ll look at a few more in the coming days.
This is great. Never knew anyone who had s personal Creed other than the church’s Creed.
Very nice Larry. Creeds are are sort of a covenant you make with yourself and others. Something that defines the why.
Everything needs to start with why. Don’t you agree
Thank you for sharing this Larry. Very meaningful and motivating. I look forward to more.
Love that
I can’t believe how much this matches my own beliefs! I can’t wait to see other ones. I know they at times will seem opposing in views as it is with our world.
Looking forward to hearing some more on this. Thanks, Larry.
That was a great credo! If more of us lived by that credo, we would all be better for it!
Very good!!
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Now is the best time!
I listened to an audiobook called “Life 3.0” by Max Tegmark recently. The book is about life with Artificial Intelligence, and what it will be, or could be like for humans when we aren’t the smartest things around, and when we are the beneficiaries and potential victims of machines.
After listening for hours to various scenarios, I have decided that I like now the best. While I am an optimist and believe things will always be better (indeed the things that shock the public these days are small by historical standards), I think this is a great time in history to be alive.
I’m staying, and making the most of my chance!
How about you?
This is a great time in history to be alive – that is for sure.
Reading “The Rational Optimist” and really enjoying it. Pretty interesting perspective from what I’ve read so far – but only about 40 pages in.
Our country’s current situation is concerning but this too shall pass. See? that’s an optimistic attitude. Have a great Monday!
Larry, I am grateful for you too! Learning, teaching and growing are some of our shared passions. Take care and know we will shake hands again once we beat this virus!
I’m staying and I like the way it is now as well.
I read that book. fascinating. many of those changes will start in the next 10 years. How will we adapt to those changes as they come.
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Worry and you
What are you worried about today?
I woke up this morning and I was worried about racing trucks coming by me at 85 mph, 8 hours into my next race. I decided to stop worrying about it because the worry will not help.
But not everything we worry about is life-threatening. Maybe we are worried about running out of milk, or if it will rain on Tuesday when we were hoping to go to the park with the kids.
Worry is suffering in advance. It comes from a word meaning “to choke or strangle”. It is to torment oneself with disturbing thoughts. Why do that to ourselves?
Stop predicting the future, control the controllables, do what you can do, and keep a positive attitude.
Thank You, needed this today! I have been worrying a lot the past two weeks maybe more about a real estate deal and it is very stressful, and what I just read that you posted and exactly what I needed to hear!! Thank you again.
Love it..
This is great! “Worry is suffering in advance” that really is a perfect description. Back in college my grandfather once told me, “Never borrow sorrow from tomorrow”.
I agree with Jim. That’s an extremely powerful and accurate way of putting it.
This is great advice and an important reminder to pick our battles and keep a positive attitude.
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How to control the uncontrollable
You can’t control the uncontrollable; but you can control your response to it.
How are you responding to what you can’t control?
Power was out for 2 days, had a new client with a big job, needed to meet the due date, I couldnt do it so I had a partner printer run it for me, met the due date and made the client happy, bought a generator but then no internet service, run to ATT got a hot spot set up, get back to the shop and power and internet was back on , crazy day, pivot, pivot, pivot, 🙂
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If you didn't know it was bad, how bad is it?
If we were not exposed to all the bad news in the world, would we know about it from our own experience?
Most of what is negative in the world we have never experienced ourselves.
If you didn’t know the world was bad, how bad would it be?
How good is it? How good can you make it?
It wouldn’t be bad at all if we weren’t exposed to TV, radio and social media! But we are. Or I am at least. Thanks for all the thought-provoking posts, Larry.
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A man comes out of the woods….
If you have lived in the woods your whole life and someone gives you ice cream – Wow! you say.
But if you eat ice cream every night, it’s not so surprising.
What if you came out of the woods and someone gives you a beer? Whoa!
A cigarette? Seriously? People like this?
I don’t watch the news. Recently I was exposed to a little. Whoa! I am convinced that modern news is poison to people. It’s designed to divide us and is grossly irresponsible to the mental health of the people. It’s designed to create fear and keep you coming back. It’s doesn’t just report events, and it doesn’t just give opinions on them, it actually CAUSES events by dividing people.
This is my opinion. I have decided that if I am to live a healthy high-performance life, I must stay away from what is bad for me. News is at the top of the list.
How about you?
I agree Larry.
#cancel cable
AMEN!!
Totally agree! It’s mostly garbage now. So are newspapers! Left wing biased crap written by disgruntled 3rd graders edited and published by old marxists that could never get a real job. Sad!
Completely agree
I couldn’t agree more! The news is just toxic these days.
Absolutely correct.
I agree 100%. The news fills the mind with negativity and fear. What we need to fill our minds with is positivity and faith! Negativity feeds fear, Positivity feeds faith. Faith and fear are on the same spectrum moving in opposite directions.
Agreed 100%!
I agree and I needed to hear this. I’ve allowed myself to get sucked in and it’s no place to be.
I couldn’t agree more I’ve believed this for over 20 years now! My family has had first-hand experience unhealthy till the non-truths.
Again, I completely agree. I wish the media was ONLY allowed to report facts. Opinions are nice, but there is no place for that in the news, especially when people are taking these opinions and views as facts. My heart goes out to the people who have mental health issues. They need stability in most cases and if you watch the tv or social media, there is nothing stable in our country right now except for the turmoil. Prayers for those who are hurting and need peace.
I have enjoyed a news blackout for nearly 4 years. I get a sighting or a snippet from time to time and must agree that the news is toxic and harmful.
I agree!
several days ago a producer at MSNBC quit. In a scathing public letter, she decried the outlet’s determination for what was put on the air: ratings. only. nothing else matters. Not truth. not news. ratings. Senior management’s creed: People don’t come here for news. They come here for entertainment. Scary.
Larry, I couldn`t agree more on this subject. Yes the news is poison. Most of it has NO journalism anymore, just agenda drivin like you had commented. Its terrible.
Yes, turn off the radio and choose what you listen to, choose what you hear.
I actually went to school for journalism – I wanted to be Walter Cronkite. Then in classes and other such involvement, I saw it was more opinions and politics than truth/facts. I changed majors because I wanted truth and facts to rely on, to be able to do my own research and not be censored in one form or another due to what I’d found. Best choice I’ve made! I can’t even watch the news now.
I agree 100%..
Yes your thoughts are in alignment with mine I do tune in occasionally to understand how our potential customers may be reacting to it
I feel the same way, I refuse to watch it.
Couldn’t agree more. To me it’s like a bad sitcom.
Thank you! I like reading your thoughts and opinions daily. Keep up the the good fight
I’m not sure why most people are so drawn into the news. I find myself catching some it every now and then, because my wife seems to be one of those drawn to it. I have flaws and admit that, but certainly don’t want to be exposed to some else garbage and outside of the weather forecast, the news is nonstop negative crap that I don’t need. We were just talking about the media last night and how it has adversely affected our country. Just maybe they should try broadcasting just happy news for a few months and see what happens!
I could not agree more with this perspective. I am watching the news in the AM only for the weather report.
Thanks Larry- Couldn’t agree with you more. I’ve been saying foR some time that the news is mind poison and to stay away for your own mental health.
Amen! I couldn’t agree more!
There’s an excellent book on the subject. “The Science of Fear” by Daniel Gardner. The media is trash playing your emotions, not truth.
I couldn’t agree more. This nation is lead around by the nose by the people that control the information. It’s disgusting how easy it is to manipulate people and that it is so big in our culture.
I’m with you Larry. News is poison and when I do have it in my face (like when we go to a restaurant), it’s ridiculous how biased reporters and stations are. I also choose to remove it from my day; but have been told by doing that I’m an ostrich with my head in the sand. Most of what I see or hear, I can’t fix or do anything about…so I’m happy to be an ostrich.
“Trust Me, I’m Lying” by Ryan Holiday is a great book that outlines the current state of online journalism and its influence on people.
A man comes out of the woods…….
Love what you posted, I agree
I was working in my yard the other day when a lady was going by walking her dog, i said hello and she stopped to chat. Within thirty seconds she said I hope i don`t offend you but the country is in big trouble and so and so has to go because what i read in the paper and see on TV. I said okay well I am kind of busy, then she said she hopes the southern part of the united states falls into the ocean because the are a bunch of inbred racist. When I informed her that I was born in fort Lee Virginia she oh that`s okay because Virginia is not part of the south. I told her i have work to do and walked away. I felt bad that this person has so much hatred in her heart and it is all programmed in from the media.
Same…..sometimes I tell someone that and they scorn me because “im not aware what’s going on around me, Its my duty to keep up on current events”….then I look at them and they look like crap, just haggard and stressed…No thanks, im going to keep skipping the news. I love your comments and insights on here, Please keep up the good work.
Yes, waste of time. Read a book or write your own instead.
True, so how do we fix it? The news is now a tool to corrupt the minds of the future generations to further the leftist agenda. Ignoring its there wont right the wrong.
Completely agree. Amazing things happen when you focus on things that are good for your well being.
I agree and try to avoid the national evening news programs, that usually start at 6:30 pm on major television networks. I feel awful about humanity and my country if I watch that program. Funny how they depress you with the news for 29 minutes, and in the final minute they say “finally we have a good story to share….” and they end the program on a good note. How about starting the program on a good note? I will pass thanks.
I quit watching the news a long time ago. It’s driven by money which means the more “clicks” they can generate the more money they make. Again the emphasis is on money and that’s the agenda that drives it, so the truth is first casualty of this system.
You might enjoy a 1951 Kirk Douglas movie “Ace in the Hole” about a cynical reporter exploiting another man’s misery for profit. There is a good quote where Kirk gives a young reporter his view of what makes for news. It goes something like this: Good news is always bad news and “Bad” news is good news. Meaning bad news makes money and good news doesn’t.
i don’t remember the last time i watched the news, it’s all SHIT FOR THE BRAIN
I totally agree. I talk to my neighbors who come out of their house talking about all the violence and racial issues on tv. I then ask, “do you experience this in your life?” They say no. So I then say, “why do you watch tv?”
I couldn’t agree more. It’s impossible to leave with a positive experience when everything that is made “news” is portrayed through a negative perspective against someone else. It’s unhealthy for a persons mental state.
Copy that Mang! …. Get Ready, prepare, and be aware of this new reality that evolves at this very moment ……… it may very well be time to seriously get set. NO?
I agree the news is skewed, I avoid when I can, not seeking it out, scanning a
headline or tuning in to 1010 WINS is OK. I lived in North Georgetown for almost 10 years on Wisconsin Avenue, The CATO think tank was around the corner from me on Massachusetts Avenue, funny, I flew to Laguna Beach from Reagan National and Dana Point for a little R & R ahead of a business trip once, and CATO Institute had a little junket themselves, they were booked into my hotel on the Pacific Ocean.
Larry, I just marked 1 year in the employ of your company August 5, happy to be a contributing member of the team.
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What do you think?
This is a very important question. Most of our thinking is stimulus-driven. In other words we think about subjects brought to us by others – email, social media, “news”, etc. and our opinions about the subjects others are talking about are the opinions expressed by others.
If you shut off all outside stimulus long enough, what would YOU think?
What ideas and desires would YOU generate on your own.
This is the real you. Find yourself.
Best “Think Daily” in a while! So simple, yet so true. Good reminder.
I recently had to rediscover myself. I was so caught up in the things that have taken place lately that I could not get MY thoughts out or My actions put into place. Basically, I had forgotten to do what I do best because I was skewed by thoughts that weren’t mine. Disappointed that I lost focus for a bit, but really happy that I remembered who I am!
Shutting down outside stimulus-driven thoughts by others is an ART that I am still perfecting. I am a roller coaster right now but still a good
6 out of 10 and working on becoming that steady train. Good song “Cheapest Flight”
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What growth feels like
You aren’t sure how this is going to go. You feel nervous. Anxiety. You’re asking questions (a little frantically) to save your own skin. You’re a little (or a lot) scared. You might second guess and want to go back or quit. Butterflies.
This is what growth feels like. Stick with it. You’ll be proud of yourself soon.
We’re all happy for Katherine
Yes, it is that gut feeling of “what if” that eats away at you.
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T Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt!
I am unsure but I’ll take a guess and say an educated Roman warrior. Marcus (?)
President Theodore Roosevelt. Also my favorite quote ever.
Thomas Edison
Teddy “Rough Rider” Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt. This and Henry V’s “Band of brothers” are two of my favorite speeches of all time!
Vince Lombardi
Theodore Roosevelt
Unfortunately, saw the answer before I could answer. But one heck of a quote from one heck of a man
Theodore Roosevelt.
Teddy Roosevelt
Love that quote; it really says a lot.
Teddy
I was going to say Vince Lombardi but saw that is Teddy Roosevelt and that makes me happy because he is one of my favorite people.
Teddy Roosevelt….Great quote Larry!
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ― Theodore Roosevelt.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or …
“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” ― Theodore Roosevelt.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” ― Theodore Roosevelt.
Thanks Larry. Good motivational words
Theodore Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt – one of my favs
Teddy Roosevelt for sure
Teddy Roosevelt was a good one. This is an encouraging quote for all who strive.
Vince Lombardi – on my wall to see everyday!
Teddy Roosevelt
As a former Scoutmaster i have used this great quote often.
Teddy Roosevelt
The man in the arena
Teddy!
Teddy Roosevelt in a speech
Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States
Teddy Roosevelt?
Theodore Roosevelt. We have had this quote framed and hanging in our office for over 35 years.
TEDDY ROOSEVELT
This would be the great adventurer – Mr. Teddy Roosevelt. This is a powerful statement we used when we taught our Scouts the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge.
This reminds me of a quote President Reagan used in his speech to recap one of his Soviet Summits, pointing out how the news reporters did not accurately report on the progress made. Forgive the subject matter of the quote.
From noted bullfighter Domingo Ortega:
“Bullfight critics ranked in rows, crowd the enormous Plaza full;
but he’s the only one who knows – he’s the one who fights the bull.”
Patton
I was going to say Ernest Hemingway, Very inspirational.
I am grateful for Denise Coogan as well
Theodore Roosevelt. This has been hanging in my office for 5 years now…
Roosevelt or Lombardi
Vince Lombardi
Love it. Teddy Roosevelt!
Teddy Roosevelt
Here’s one that I made for myself many years ago, “Think into the future so that you will do well in the present and not live to regret the past.”
Thanks again Larry for challenging us to think and improve on a daily basis!
Teddy Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt