Discovering & Nurturing Possibilities to Transform the World

The wise and awesome Kevin L. Jackson enlightened me to a crazy dilemma in my life. After some conversation Kevin explained (rightly) how I had been viewing life as a puzzle in which I had to find all the pieces. Hey, I was good at solving puzzles. Kevin suggested life is a mystery. Makes sense and has really freed up my mind to live richer.

Just read this piece in Leaders by Warren Bennis & Burt Nanus

“Managers, for the most part, deal with a mental process known as problem solving. Problem solving involves a problem, a method, and a solution that follows from the problem and method. A creative mental process occurs when neither the problem nor the method, let alone the solution, exists as a known entity. Creativity involves a “discovered problem,” one that needs to be worked out from beginning to end. The highest form of discovery always requires problem finding. This is very like identification of a new direction or vision for an organization. This is the difference we noted earlier between leaders and managers; it is the difference between routine problem solvers and problem finders.”

Thanks Kevin, I am now solving mysteries.

I believe God continually shows me the value of my life by the people He allows me to cross paths with. One of the grandest paths I have traveled is with my mentor, Dr. W.B. (Bill) Jones Jr. Always an adventure in learning with each spoken word. Bill has a heart as big as Texas.

I liken it to some other mentor pupil relationships.

Elijah mentor to Elisha

Saul mentor to David

Socrates mentor to Plato

Aristotle mentor to Alexander the Great

Dr. Jones is as fine as the mentors mentioned (but I have a long way to go to approach the pupils). One of the attributes of Bill is that he continues to actively learn. Bill is an example of the principle of receive, retain, release. This principle/cycle is in all life. Think through something as simple as eating. Receive, retain, release: break any part of the cycle and you have trouble.

Bill has received an astonishing amount of knowledge and wisdom. He retains (and uses) it wonderfully and brings it full circle by lovingly releasing what he knows in word and deed.

Delivering a prepared speech at Toastmasters one evening I opened with the question, “Who has seen the movie Apollo 13?” Everyone nodded in acknowledgment except Bill. I had to stop and ask him about this and he answered, “I was there.” See what I mean?

Socrates had it right when he stated “The unexamined life is not worth living.” I am truly blessed as I exam my life.

You reach new heights by taking on ‘rocket fuel’ in reading and blasting off in sharing.

Re-reading The Wizard of Ads by Roy H. Williams and am truly amazed how much has changed since the first reading. Roy writes in Paul’s Adopted Son; “Paul Compton is the kindest and best man I’ve ever known. Paul understands the difference between “doing” and “being,” so he never once asked, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” Paul felt he knew who I was going to be, and for Paul, that was enough.” Kinda wish I understood that last year when I first read it. Grow and learn. See how this fits with the earlier post Where are you? Taking on more rocket fuel has allowed me to reach new heights. One of the keys to growing is in (faithfully) sharing what you are learning.

Ready to blast off? Read and share.

How can we get the most out of our connections? Want to add (real) value through the connections you provide? Our awesome and authoritative Kevin Koym comes through again with this insight;

Money - is it there to ‘do it’
Authority - needed to ‘do it’
Need - what is theirs/yours
Timing - does it fit now
Competition - important when providing connections

Remember MANTC. We are always connecting. When we perceive value in providing a connection to our network it brings a new dimension when we pre-qualify our action. Sort through MANTC to answer if the timing is right for the connection. Your effectiveness will skyrocket.

Take hold of this insight and enjoy the ride. The important thing is to connect.

Which one do you have? Are you leading? Can you stay excited through oppressive circumstances? Is your bag packed for the next adventure? Have you forsaken grudges and complaining?

A great modern day philosopher, George O’Kelley (he reminds me of Will Rogers) shared this insight with me concerning people. “Some people have a starter button and some people have a pull rope.”

We can name folks in each catagory and might even reach down to find a pull rope some days. When that happens just pull it faithfully and benefit from the workout. We might even ask for assistance pulling it.

Have fun using your starter button.

My world was transformed with the (true) understanding of Mahatma Gandhi’s clear statement; “Be the change you want to see in the world.” For too long I ‘knew’ what needed to be changed and was on a crusade to bring it about. I was met with limited success but nothing close to the level of mental anguish. The wisdom & understanding have set me free to attain new heights, to enjoy like never before.

I bet Gandhi was familiar with Socrates and this morsel; “Let him that would move the world, first move himself.” Really derived pleasure when reading this recently. Couple this with another wise saying from Socrates; “Employ your time in improving yourself by other men’s writings so that you shall come easily by what others have labored hard for.”

Together we can transform the world.

Pablo Picasso (Spanish Artist and Painter. 1881-1973) had something there we should learn from. Compare what he declared with this statement from Anatole France (French Writer, member of the French Academy and Nobel Prize for Literature in 1921, 1844-1924) “When a thing has been said and well said, have no scruple; take it and copy it.”

We reach new heights by building. Build on Anthony Robbins’ proclamation; “If you want to be successful, find someone who has achieved the results you want and copy what they do and you’ll achieve the same results.”

Really opens up a lot of new growth. The clock is ticking.

Poke it in Wikipedia and wander through some of the variances. We overlook value but it is in all we do. Maybe not really overlook it but do not pay it much mind. What do you value? Your family? See, we value things greatly but maybe not say ‘value.’

I would lay down my life for my family, that is the price I am willing to pay. That is the value I place on my family.

That is one level. How about the chili you eat? What brand do you pick? This is another level along with everything in between each day.

Make yourself more valuable by appreciating the value around you.

Maddie (Madeleine) is a great wife. Check out her new blog and enjoy her handy work.

She also does a bang-up job on web stuff for our business. Her incredible talent and a heart to serve = awesome results.

I am truly blessed.

Decided to poke my head in to the thrift store around the corner this evening for some reading material (my Daily Drucker was packed today while I was not looking). Picked up A.L.Williams’ All You Can Do is All You Can Do. After two chapters there are no limits we can not over come.

Two ‘Unwritten Laws’
1. Life will give you whatever you’ll accept.
2. Life will turn out the way you see it turning out.

I’ll bet we can do a lot more by the end of the book.

Relocating (very) soon and needed to coordinate a matter with the postal service at the new location. I have a lifetime of experience moving and call on 48th years of tricks to assist. Imagine my surprise when the new phone book does not list a number for the local post office. Only a “General Information For All Locations” (6 in the area) listing. The gatekeeper grilled us and only reluctantly gave the local number when we persevered. When we spoke with the woman at the local post office she went out of her way to help and was super nice.

The positive part is to learn; try not to enable foolish practices.

We can positively make a difference.

Making a promise to myself (& you) to seek the positive and share it.

That said, here is an observation from this morning that we can use to learn ‘what it is not’. Bounded into the local library while on errands. Stopped in my tracks at how all the folks behind the counter worked so diligently to not look up or acknowledge a new customer. Four people in plain sight behind the counter taking great pains to not be the first to speak/acknowledge me/anyone.

What can we take away from this? If you are going to show up then contribute.

We know ‘working to avoid’ uses (way) more energy than setting out to accomplish something. Have any memories of the time you didn’t want to do something and went to great lengths to get out of it? Not fond memories for me either. Want to make memories today to replace those?

Look up. “Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the stars.” Les Brown

The most amazing day awaits your our curious minds.  Remind me to talk about curiosity.

I had folded in my mind; not going to get to attend the next days grand event featuring Zig Ziglar. Things were in place when my day started. Work & leisure combined with my wonderful wife and pick up the ticket sandwiched in there.  Crumble, crumble in the details led me to the miserable realization of no way the plan would go. Just as this thought was gaining entrance Chris rang me to ask if I needed a ticket to see Zig Ziglar!

Stuff happens.  You We may not (always) get what you we need/deserve. You We are not screwed up, stuff happens (or doesn’t). Everyday is a gift to open. Eat your cake and go past the stuff. Dwell on the good.

So there I am going in to claim my seat to learn & enjoy this amazing day. Thousands of people and I am seated front row dead center. Please remember there is only one seat front row dead center and this auditorium is filled along with three overflow locations. I picked up my ticket at ‘will call’ just moments before walking in.

Truly an amazing day.

You We deserve many amazing days & are assured more with a curious mind. I am glad you brought up curiosity again.  Al said it best; “The important thing is to not stop questioning. Curiosity  has its own reason for existing.” Albert Einstein, 20th century physicist, creator of the theory of relativity

I am curious about your amazing day. Won’t you share it?

Are you where you expected to be today/in life? I have a huge relief since reading a post by Dan Pink on his Johnny Bunko blog.

Dan suggest we rephrase the age-old questions: “What’s your passion?” and “What do you want to do with your life?” ALL my life I struggled with these questions. Dan’s suggestions for rephrasing the questions is an ‘ah ha’ moment in my life. On one level it is liberating because I am reminded it is ‘and’ not ‘or.’ “What’s your passion now? And now? And now? And now? For a life time. “What do you want to do next?” And next? And next? And next?

You catch my drift. I do the thing now and grow/move on. I do not have to chose one thing over something else.

I am living my calling, now.