Weekender April 6, 2002
Volume 4, Issue 14
Service
Quote: Not one day in anyone's life... is an uneventful
day, no day without profound meaning, no matter
how dull and boring it might seem, no matter
whether you are a seamstress or a queen, a
shoeshine boy or a movie star, a renowned
philosopher or a Down's syndrome child. Because
in every day of your life, there are opportunities
to perform little kindnesses for others, both by
conscious acts of will and unconscious example.
Each smallest act of kindness -- even just words
of hope when they are needed, the remembrance of
a birthday, a compliment that engenders a smile --
reverberates across great distances and spans of
time, affecting lives unknown to the one whose
generous spirit was the source of this good echo,
because kindness is passed on and grows each time
it's passed, until a simple courtesy becomes an
act of selfless courage years later and far away.
Dean Koontz is the author of many works of fiction.
Source: From the Corner of His Eye
by Dean Koontz
UK
Communication
Quote: When people express themselves verbally, they
want feedback that they've been heard, and
they also want to be understood. This is true
even when they don't understand themselves,
as is the case when an upset person tries to
describe their feelings and thoughts. But
when two or more people want to be heard and
understood at the same time, and no one is
willing to listen and understand, an argument
or exit is almost inevitable. For this reason,
a masterful communicator makes it his or her
goal to listen and understand first, before
attempting to be heard or understood.
Rick Brinkman and Rick Kirschner are noted
speakers on the topic of interpersonal
communications.
Source: Dealing With People You Can't Stand: How to Bring Out the Best in People at Their Worst
by Rick Brinkman
and Rick Kirschner
UK
Self-Awareness
Quote: "Know thyself" was the inscription over the Oracle at Delphi. And it is still the most
difficult task any of us faces. But until you truly know yourself, strengths and
weaknesses, know what you want to do and why you want to do it, you cannot succeed
in any but the most superficial sense of the word. The leader never lies to himself,
especially about himself, knows his flaws as well as his assets, and deals with them
directly. You are your own raw material. When you know what you consist of and why
you want to make of it, then you can invent yourself.
Warren Bennis is Distinguished Professor of
Business Administration at USC. He has authored
several books on leadership.
Source: Thoughts on Leadership: A Treasury of Quotations
compiled by William D. Hitt
UK
Change
Quote: If you want things to be different, perhaps
the answer is to become different yourself.
Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993) was a
controversial preacher who burst into public
consciousness with his best-selling book, The
Power of Positive Thinking and his magazine,
"Guideposts."
Source: Positive Thinking Every Day: An Inspiration for Each Day of the Year
by Norman Vincent Peale
UK
Mentoring
Quote: We need not cling anxiously to our own
sensitivity, will, and desire; instead we
can place our trust in the beings around us
who demonstrate many alternative ways to be
a contributing, outstanding individual.
Thomas Moore is one of today's most prominent
writers on spirituality. He has degrees in
theology, musicology, and philosophy.
Source: The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life
by Thomas Moore
UK
Bonus Reading on Self-Improvement
by Vered (Tanmayo) Neta
As a child, I remember my father, sitting in his room, surrounded by his books, writing. His work was his love. Later in his life, when most people have retired, he was up early in the morning, busy with his work. It gave him, both a meaning to life and kept him young. My mother never liked her teaching job, although she was very successful. She retired early and kept searching for satisfaction, without success. She became bitter and sad. Even today I cherish the lesson I learned from them: "Find a job that is your hobby, your art." As children we all wanted to be somebody. A fireman, a pilot, an artist. As we grew up, we realized that our job must also pay our financial and social bills, so we sold our passion and love for stability and security. We rationalize by saying that 'work is work', and pleasure will come later. But does it? When was the last time you found the time and energy to do the things that you really care for? What if your work could follow your heart's desire? What if you could really do what you love to do? Finding it might be difficult, as we have lost touch with what we enjoy most. It has been too long since we have given ourselves the chance to connect to it. So, how about taking some time off and instead of complaining about your job, start searching what it is that you love doing.
Once you have created a framework for those activities, talents and abilities, in which you excel (as well as those values that you wish to express in your work), start investigating what sort of work expresses them to their fullest potential. Allow yourself to be creative; don't dwell in the area of "sensibilities". Allow yourself to be open; as opposed to reasoning everything. Communicate to the world the type of work you wish to have. You will be surprised at how much support you will receive, once you clarify your wishes. When you do the work you love, it becomes easy and effortless, because work becomes a source of energy rather than a drain. You continuously grow and develop while creating for yourself a space of love and friendship. You tap into your creativity therefore remaining young and alive. So how about making your hobby your work?!
© 2002 All Rights Reserved Worldwide Vered (Tanmayo) Neta |