Everyone's Blog Posts - MyPeace.TV2024-03-19T01:45:24Zhttps://mypeace.tv/profiles/blog/feed?xn_auth=no300 Hours Yoga Teacher Trainingtag:mypeace.tv,2024-03-18:1992146:BlogPost:4122342024-03-18T11:47:45.000ZKranti Yogahttps://mypeace.tv/profile/KrantiYoga
<p><a href="https://www.krantiyoga.com/300-hour-yoga-teacher-training-goa-india.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in India</a>: A Transformative Journey with Kranti Yoga Tradition</p>
<p>Introduction<br></br>In the heart of Goa, India, where the rhythmic waves kiss the shore, lies a sanctuary for yogic seekers—the Kranti Yoga Tradition. With over 17 years of experience, Kranti Yoga Tradition stands as one of the oldest residential Teacher Training Course…</p>
<p><a href="https://www.krantiyoga.com/300-hour-yoga-teacher-training-goa-india.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in India</a>: A Transformative Journey with Kranti Yoga Tradition</p>
<p>Introduction<br/>In the heart of Goa, India, where the rhythmic waves kiss the shore, lies a sanctuary for yogic seekers—the Kranti Yoga Tradition. With over 17 years of experience, Kranti Yoga Tradition stands as one of the oldest residential Teacher Training Course (TTC) schools in India. Let’s delve into the transformative journey of the<a href="https://www.krantiyoga.com/300-hour-yoga-teacher-training-goa-india.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">300-Hour Yoga Teacher</a> Training (300 YTTC) offered by this vibrant community.</p>
<p>Why Choose 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training?</p>
<p>The 300-Hour YTTC is an intensive 5-week program that combines the 200-hour and 300 hour courses. Here’s why it’s worth your commitment:</p>
<p>Depth and Mastery: Beyond the basics, this course allows you to deepen your practice and gain mastery over yoga techniques.<br/>Certification: Upon completion, you’ll be a certified yoga teacher recognized by Yoga Alliance.<br/>Holistic Approach: The curriculum covers asanas, pranayama, philosophy, and more, providing a holistic understanding of yoga.<br/>Community: Join a supportive community of fellow practitioners and experienced teachers.</p>
<p>Course Outline<br/>Weeks 1-3: 200-Hour Ashtanga & Vinyasa TTC<br/>Dive into dynamic Ashtanga and Vinyasa sequences.<br/>Learn precise alignment, adjustments, and sequencing.<br/>Explore yoga philosophy and teaching methodology.</p>
<p>Weeks 4-5: 300-Hour Ashtanga & Vinyasa TTC<br/>Build upon the 200-hour foundation.<br/>Deepen your practice through advanced asanas.<br/>Study anatomy, adjustments, and sequencing.</p>
<p>Course Details<br/>Duration: 5 weeks (35 days)<br/>Language of Instruction: English<br/>Certification: RYT 500 - Yoga Alliance<br/>Venue: Kranti Yoga Tradition,Goa</p>
<p>Key Takeaways<br/>Advance and reinforce your learning & practice of yoga.<br/>Learn teaching methodology for Asana, Pranayama, and Dhyana.<br/>Study the Yog Sutras of Patañjali and Vedanta.<br/>Enhance your knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.</p>
<p>Conclusion<br/>Embark on this transformative journey with Kranti Yoga Tradition. Immerse yourself in the wisdom of yoga, feel the sand beneath your feet, and let the waves carry you toward becoming an empowered yoga teacher. 🙏🧘♀️</p>
<p>For more information and registration, visit Kranti Yoga Tradition. Namaste! 🌟</p>
<p>EMAIL: ashtangagoa@gmail.com.<br/>WEBSITE: <a href="http://www.krantiyoga.com">www.krantiyoga.com</a><br/>PHONE NO. +91 9022631900</p>
<p><br/><br/></p>200 Hours Yoga Teacher Trainingtag:mypeace.tv,2024-03-18:1992146:BlogPost:4120382024-03-18T11:45:55.000ZKranti Yogahttps://mypeace.tv/profile/KrantiYoga
<p>Join Us for a Life-Altering Journey:<a href="https://www.krantiyoga.com/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-goa-india.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course</a></p>
<p>Date: March 12th - April 2nd</p>
<p>Are you ready to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and holistic wellness? Kranti Yoga Tradition warmly invites you to our transformative…</p>
<p>Join Us for a Life-Altering Journey:<a href="https://www.krantiyoga.com/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-goa-india.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course</a></p>
<p>Date: March 12th - April 2nd</p>
<p>Are you ready to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and holistic wellness? Kranti Yoga Tradition warmly invites you to our transformative<a href="https://www.krantiyoga.com/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-goa-india.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course</a>(YTTC), commencing on March 12th and culminating on April 2nd</p>
<p>About the Course:</p>
<p>Experience an immersive exploration into the depths of yoga philosophy, asana practice, pranayama techniques, meditation, and the art of teaching. Our comprehensive curriculum, led by seasoned instructors, is designed to empower you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to embark on your own teaching journey or deepen your personal practice.</p>
<p>Location: Goa,India</p>
<p>Nestled amidst the serene beauty of Goa, our tranquil yoga shala provides the perfect sanctuary for spiritual growth and learning. Immerse yourself in the soothing embrace of nature as you delve into the profound teachings of yoga.</p>
<p>Why Choose Kranti Yoga Tradition?</p>
<p>At Kranti Yoga Tradition, we are dedicated to upholding the essence of traditional yoga while embracing modern insights. Our approach is rooted in authenticity, compassion, and integrity, ensuring an enriching and supportive environment for every student.</p>
<p>Certification:<br/>Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a globally recognized certification, accredited by Yoga Alliance. This credential not only validates your expertise but opens doors to endless opportunities in the field of yoga instruction worldwide.</p>
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<p>Secure Your Spot Today:<br/>Spaces for this life-changing journey are limited, so seize the opportunity to embark on your path to personal and professional growth with Kranti Yoga Tradition. Reserve your spot today and take the first step towards a brighter, more balanced future!</p>
<p>For inquiries and registrations, please contact us at ashtangagoa@gmail.com.<br/>or you can Visit us at <a href="https://www.krantiyoga.com/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-goa-india.html">https://www.krantiyoga.com/200-hour-yoga-teacher-training-goa-india.html</a></p>
<p>Don't miss this chance to ignite your inner light and become a beacon of inspiration in the world of yoga. We look forward to welcoming you on this transformative voyage!</p>
<p>Namaste</p>
<p>ADDRESS: Kranti Yoga Tradition, Beach Resort, House No. 135, Patnem Beach, Canacona Goa, India 403702.</p>
<p><br/>EMAIL: ashtangagoa@gmail.com.<br/>WEBSITE: <a href="http://www.krantiyoga.com">www.krantiyoga.com</a><br/>PHONE NO. +91 9022631900</p>
<p></p>100 Hours Yoga Teacher Trainingtag:mypeace.tv,2024-03-18:1992146:BlogPost:4121362024-03-18T11:34:20.000ZKranti Yogahttps://mypeace.tv/profile/KrantiYoga
<p><a href="https://www.krantiyoga.com/100-hr-adjustments-immersion.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Kranti Yoga 100-Hour Workshop</a>: A Journey to Self-Discovery and Holistic Well-Being</p>
<p>Event Overview:<br></br>Embark on a transformative journey with Kranti Yoga's <a href="https://www.krantiyoga.com/100-hr-adjustments-immersion.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">100-Hour Workshop</a>, a soul-enriching experience designed to deepen your understanding of yoga, nurture self-discovery,…</p>
<p><a href="https://www.krantiyoga.com/100-hr-adjustments-immersion.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kranti Yoga 100-Hour Workshop</a>: A Journey to Self-Discovery and Holistic Well-Being</p>
<p>Event Overview:<br/>Embark on a transformative journey with Kranti Yoga's <a href="https://www.krantiyoga.com/100-hr-adjustments-immersion.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">100-Hour Workshop</a>, a soul-enriching experience designed to deepen your understanding of yoga, nurture self-discovery, and enhance overall well-being. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a novice, this immersive workshop invites you to explore the profound teachings of yoga in a supportive and tranquil environment.</p>
<p>Date and Time:<br/>13 March 2024 - 2 April 2024</p>
<p><br/>Key Highlights:</p>
<p>Comprehensive Curriculum:<br/>Delve into a rich curriculum curated to provide a well-rounded understanding of yoga. From foundational principles to advanced techniques, our expert instructors will guide you through a diverse range of topics, including asanas, pranayama, meditation, philosophy, and anatomy.</p>
<p>Experienced Instructors:<br/>Learn from seasoned yoga instructors who bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for the practice. Our faculty is dedicated to creating a nurturing and supportive learning environment, ensuring that each participant receives personalized attention and guidance.</p>
<p>Daily Yoga Sessions:<br/>Immerse yourself in daily yoga sessions that cater to all levels of experience. Whether you're refining your practice or taking your first steps on the mat, our workshops offer a variety of classes to suit your needs, promoting physical strength, flexibility, and mental clarity.</p>
<p>Meditation and Mindfulness Practices:<br/>Cultivate inner peace and mindfulness through guided meditation sessions. Learn techniques to quiet the mind, reduce stress, and enhance your overall sense of well-being.</p>
<p>Philosophy and Wisdom Talks:<br/>Engage in thought-provoking discussions on yogic philosophy, providing insights into the ancient wisdom that underlies the practice. Explore the philosophy behind yoga and its practical applications in daily life.</p>
<p>Interactive Workshops:<br/>Participate in hands-on workshops that deepen your understanding of specific aspects of yoga. These interactive sessions encourage exploration and skill development in a supportive and collaborative setting.</p>
<p>Community Building:<br/>Connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for yoga and holistic well-being. The workshop fosters a sense of community, creating lasting connections with fellow participants and instructors.</p>
<p>Certification:<br/>Upon successful completion of the 100-hour workshop, participants will receive a certification from Kranti Yoga, acknowledging their dedication to the practice and their commitment to personal growth.</p>
<p>Don't miss this opportunity to embark on a life-changing journey of self-discovery and holistic well-being. Join us at Kranti Yoga's 100-Hour Workshop and take the first step toward a more balanced, mindful, and fulfilling life.</p>
<p>EMAIL: ashtangagoa@gmail.com.<br/>WEBSITE: <a href="http://www.krantiyoga.com">www.krantiyoga.com</a><br/>PHONE NO. +91 9022631900</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12401856868?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12401856868?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></p>Get Started in Crypto Mining: Affordable Mining Rigs for Saletag:mypeace.tv,2024-03-07:1992146:BlogPost:4118972024-03-07T20:48:04.000Zmonerominingpoolshttps://mypeace.tv/profile/monerominingpools
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cryptocurrency mining has become increasingly popular as digital currencies continue to gain traction in the financial world. Whether you're a seasoned miner or just starting out, having the right mining rig is crucial for maximizing your profits. In this article, we'll explore the world of crypto mining rigs for sale, offering affordable options for enthusiasts of all levels.</span></p>
<h2><b>Understanding Crypto Mining Rigs…</b></h2>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cryptocurrency mining has become increasingly popular as digital currencies continue to gain traction in the financial world. Whether you're a seasoned miner or just starting out, having the right mining rig is crucial for maximizing your profits. In this article, we'll explore the world of crypto mining rigs for sale, offering affordable options for enthusiasts of all levels.</span></p>
<h2><b>Understanding Crypto Mining Rigs</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before diving into the available options for purchasing a mining rig, it's essential to understand what a</span> <a href="http://www.wealthfinancementor.com/"><b>crypto mining rig for sale</b></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">is and how it functions. A mining rig is a specialized computer system designed to solve complex mathematical equations, which are necessary for validating and securing transactions on a blockchain network. In return for their computational efforts, miners are rewarded with newly minted cryptocurrencies.</span></p>
<h2><b>Factors to Consider When Buying a Mining Rig</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When looking to purchase a mining rig, several factors should be taken into account to ensure optimal performance and profitability:</span></p>
<h3><b>1. Hash Rate</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The hash rate refers to the speed at which a mining rig can solve cryptographic puzzles. A higher hash rate typically translates to more efficient mining and increased rewards.</span></p>
<h3><b>2. Energy Efficiency</b></h3>
<p><a href="http://www.wealthfinancementor.com/"><b>crypto mining rig for sale</b></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">consume a significant amount of electricity, so it's essential to choose a rig that balances performance with energy efficiency to minimize operating costs.</span></p>
<h3><b>3. Cost</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While investing in a high-end mining rig may seem appealing, it's crucial to consider your budget and the potential return on investment. Opting for a more affordable rig with decent performance can be a wise choice for beginners.</span></p>
<h3><b>4. Cooling and Maintenance</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mining rigs generate a considerable amount of heat during operation, so proper cooling mechanisms are essential to prevent overheating and ensure longevity.</span></p>
<h2><b>Affordable Mining Rigs for Sale</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now that we've covered the basics let's explore some affordable options for purchasing a mining rig:</span></p>
<h3><b>1. Antminer S9</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Antminer S9 is a popular choice among cryptocurrency miners due to its high hash rate and relatively low price point. While it may not be the most energy-efficient option, its performance makes it a compelling choice for those looking to get started in crypto mining.</span></p>
<h3><b>2. Radeon RX 580</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For GPU-based mining, the Radeon RX 580 is an excellent choice for budget-conscious miners. With its decent hash rate and relatively low power consumption, it offers a good balance between performance and affordability.</span></p>
<h3><b>3. Bitmain Antminer L3+</b></h3>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you're interested in mining Litecoin or other Scrypt-based cryptocurrencies, the Bitmain Antminer L3+ is worth considering. It offers competitive hash rates and energy efficiency, making it a cost-effective option for enthusiasts.</span></p>
<h2><b>Conclusion</b></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Investing in a crypto mining rig can be a lucrative venture for those willing to put in the time and effort. By considering factors such as hash rate, energy efficiency, cost, and maintenance, you can choose an affordable mining rig that suits your needs and budget. Whether you're a seasoned miner or just starting out, there are plenty of options available to help you get started on your crypto mining journey.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This article provides a comprehensive overview of crypto mining rigs for sale, catering to both beginners and experienced miners. It covers essential aspects of mining rigs, factors to consider when purchasing one, and highlights affordable options available in the market.</span></p>Making Waves: How to Make a Splash with Aquatic Therapy Images in Your Presentationstag:mypeace.tv,2024-02-12:1992146:BlogPost:4112902024-02-12T19:07:54.000ZOlivia Hurperhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/OliviaHurper
<p></p>
<p>Looking to make a splash in your presentations? Dive into the world of aquatic therapy images and discover how they can add depth and impact to your slides. Aquatic therapy offers a unique approach to wellness and rehabilitation, and incorporating images of this dynamic practice can elevate your presentations to new heights. Here's how you can use aquatic therapy images effectively:</p>
<p>1. **Set the Scene**: Start your presentation with a stunning…</p>
<p></p>
<p>Looking to make a splash in your presentations? Dive into the world of aquatic therapy images and discover how they can add depth and impact to your slides. Aquatic therapy offers a unique approach to wellness and rehabilitation, and incorporating images of this dynamic practice can elevate your presentations to new heights. Here's how you can use aquatic therapy images effectively:</p>
<p>1. **Set the Scene**: Start your presentation with a stunning <a href="https://depositphotos.com/photos/aquatic-therapy.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aquatic therapy images</a> to set the tone and capture your audience's attention. Choose an image that conveys the tranquility and serenity of water, whether it's a peaceful pool, a tranquil lake, or a refreshing waterfall. This will instantly immerse your audience in the therapeutic atmosphere of aquatic therapy.</p>
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<p>2. **Visual Demonstrations**: Use aquatic therapy images to visually demonstrate various exercises and techniques used in water-based rehabilitation. Whether it's aquatic aerobics, hydrotherapy exercises, or aquatic massage, these images can help illustrate the benefits and effectiveness of aquatic therapy in a clear and engaging way.</p>
<p>3. **Showcase Success Stories**: Share inspiring success stories and testimonials from individuals who have benefited from aquatic therapy. Include images of real patients participating in aquatic therapy sessions and experiencing positive outcomes. This will add credibility to your presentation and demonstrate the tangible impact of aquatic therapy on improving health and well-being.</p>
<p>4. **Highlight Benefits**: Highlight the unique benefits of aquatic therapy using compelling images. Showcase the buoyancy of water, which reduces joint stress and allows for greater freedom of movement. Illustrate how aquatic therapy can improve strength, flexibility, balance, and overall fitness levels. Use before-and-after images to visually demonstrate the transformative effects of aquatic therapy on physical health and rehabilitation.</p>
<p>5. **Create Visual Interest**: Break up text-heavy slides and create visual interest by incorporating aquatic therapy images throughout your presentation. Use them as backgrounds, borders, or focal points to complement your content and reinforce key messages. This will keep your audience engaged and enhance their understanding of the benefits of aquatic therapy.</p>
<p>In conclusion, aquatic therapy images can be a powerful tool for enhancing your presentations and effectively communicating the benefits of water-based rehabilitation. By incorporating these images creatively, you can captivate your audience, inspire action, and make a lasting impression. So dive in, make waves, and let aquatic therapy images take your presentations to the next level!</p>
<p>Do you have any questions or tips for using aquatic therapy images in presentations? Share them in the comments below! </p>Your Unique Power & Authoritytag:mypeace.tv,2024-02-03:1992146:BlogPost:4098682024-02-03T00:00:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304948254?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304948254?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He earned $4,000 during his time in Mobile, Alabama.<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> This is a considerable sum even by today’s standards, but in the early days of the 19th century, it was…</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304948254?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304948254?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He earned $4,000 during his time in Mobile, Alabama.<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> This is a considerable sum even by today’s standards, but in the early days of the 19th century, it was considered a fortune—equivalent to over $100,000.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But for Richard, it was just another day. After all, by that point he had already achieved celebrity status, touring up and down the east coast of the United States with his act, becoming the country’s wealthiest and most popular magician, ventriloquist, and hypnotist of the day.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This was no small feat; after all, he lived during a time when most people who looked like him were still enslaved. But he had an advantage that others didn’t have, and this advantage empowered Richard Potter to become the first African American born celebrity in the United States.<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2"><sup>[2]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>A Fit of Hubris</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His work wasn’t getting the recognition he knew it deserved, so after an article he wrote about the restaurant industry was rejected by all the small papers, “in a fit of hubris,” Anthony pitched it to <em>The New Yorker</em>.<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3"><sup>[3]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That article, “Don’t Eat Before Reading This,”<a href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4"><sup>[4]</sup></a> became a turning point in his life, kickstarting a television career that would span two decades. Despite the early setbacks, he had an advantage that others didn’t have, and this advantage empowered Anthony Bourdain to become a household name.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Unique Power & Authority</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Eleanor Roosevelt once said that <em>“no one can make you feel inferior without your consent,”</em> and she would certainly know. Her own mother didn’t think much of her<a href="#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5"><sup>[5]</sup></a> and when she married her husband, her mother-in-law disapproved.<a href="#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6"><sup>[6]</sup></a> Then, years into the marriage, her husband had an affair and considered leaving Eleanor.<a href="#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7"><sup>[7]</sup></a> On top of all this, in the ensuing decades, numerous family members disavowed her over her unpopular social views. Despite the detractors, Eleanor became regarded as “one of the most esteemed women in the world” and “the object of almost universal respect.”<a href="#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8"><sup>[8]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It could have been easy for Eleanor Roosevelt, Anthony Bourdain, and Richard Potter to let the opinions of others make them feel inferior, but instead of consenting to them, they boldly stepped forward, empowered with a mission far greater than their detractors.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And there is some logic to this when we consider how the word <em>empower</em> refers to power and authority, as derived from ancient words meaning “make into” and “cause to be.” Richard, Anthony, and Eleanor are prime examples of how your advantages can empower you to overcome challenges that might otherwise hold others back—allowing you to reach a higher capacity than those unaware of their unique power and authority, or those unwilling to lean into those advantages.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For Eleanor Roosevelt, her unique advantage certainly included her family’s wealth, but though wealth can open doors, to keep them open you need something more, and that something more was her dedication to truth and loyalty—her concern for strength of character rather than a mere veneer of reputation.<a href="#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9"><sup>[9]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For Anthony Bourdain, his unique advantage was certainly his knowledge and experiences of kitchen culture, but it was also his skills as a storyteller (he published three mystery novels years before landing his first television show). But we would be remiss if we forgot to mention Gladys, Anthony’s mother. It was Gladys Bourdain, a long-time copy editor for <em>The New York Times</em>, that got his article into the hands of the editor at <em>The New Yorker</em>, because she happened to be friends with his wife.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As for Richard Potter, his unique advantage was certainly his talent and skills for showmanship, but it was also his father,<a href="#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10"><sup>[10]</sup></a> Sir Charles Henry Frankland, a tax collector for the Port of Boston. Because of his father’s wealth, Richard received a high-class education in Europe before returning to the United States, leveraging his knowledge and skills (and personal connections) to embark on a career that made him both a fortune and celebrity.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When we don’t honor our unique power and authority, we become discouraged with a fixed mindset and an external locus of control—placing our experience of life at the mercy of circumstantial whims. But each and every one of us has a unique blend of knowledge, skills, experiences, connections, and temperaments, and when we lean into these unique advantages, we become empowered to excel at the very things that bring us the most joy, just like Richard, Anthony, and Eleanor.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What are your unique advantages and how are they empowering you to boldly step forward and perform?</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he helps individuals, teams, and communities experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to share your story: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>References</strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Price, D. (1985). <em>Magic: A pictorial history of conjurers in the theater</em>. Cornwall Books.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Hodgson, J.A. (2018). <em>Richard Potter: America’s first black celebrity</em>. University of Virginia Press.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> Acunzo, J. (2023, January 23). “Hidden truths in the success stories of Ira Glass and Anthony Bourdain.” <em>Jay Acunzo</em>. <a href="http://www.jayacunzo.com/blog/hidden-truths-in-the-success-stories-of-ira-glass-and-anthony-bourdain">www.jayacunzo.com/blog/hidden-truths-in-the-success-stories-of-ira-glass-and-anthony-bourdain</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4"><sup>[4]</sup></a> Bourdain, A. (1999, April 19). “Don't eat before reading this.” T<em>he New Yorker</em>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5"><sup>[5]</sup></a> Graham, H.D. (Spring 1987). “The paradox of Eleanor Roosevelt: Alcoholism's child.” <em>Virginia Quarterly Review. 63</em>(2). pp.210–230.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6"><sup>[6]</sup></a> Goodwin, D.K. (1994). <em>No Ordinary Time</em>. Simon & Schuster.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7"><sup>[7]</sup></a> Ibid.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8"><sup>[8]</sup></a> “Mrs. Roosevelt, First Lady 12 years, often called 'world's most admired woman.'" (1962, November 8). <em>The New York Times</em>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9"><sup>[9]</sup></a> Black, A (2009). “Anna Eleanor Roosevelt.” <em>National Archives</em>. whitehouse.gov.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10"><sup>[10]</sup></a> Milbourne, C (1973). <em>Illustrated history of magi</em>c. Greenwood Publishing Group.</span></p>Ink Intensity: Bold Coloring Page Stylestag:mypeace.tv,2024-01-31:1992146:BlogPost:4115512024-01-31T09:47:25.000ZArielBarneshttps://mypeace.tv/profile/ArielBarnes
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are you a fan of coloring pages? Do you enjoy the therapeutic and creative process of bringing images to life with colors? Whether you're a kid or an adult, coloring pages offer a delightful way to unwind, express your creativity, and explore your artistic side. In this blog, we're diving deep into the world of bold coloring page styles, exploring everything from free printable options to easy designs suitable for all ages.…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are you a fan of coloring pages? Do you enjoy the therapeutic and creative process of bringing images to life with colors? Whether you're a kid or an adult, coloring pages offer a delightful way to unwind, express your creativity, and explore your artistic side. In this blog, we're diving deep into the world of bold coloring page styles, exploring everything from free printable options to easy designs suitable for all ages.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12369236298?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12369236298?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Joy of Coloring Pages</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.liveinternet.ru/users/gbcoloring/profile" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coloring pages</strong></a> have been a beloved pastime for generations, offering a unique combination of relaxation and creativity. They are not only a fun activity but also have numerous benefits, such as reducing stress, improving focus, and enhancing fine motor skills. Whether you're a child just learning to hold a crayon or an adult seeking a calming hobby, coloring pages are a fantastic choice.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Free Printable Coloring Pages: A Treasure Trove of Creativity</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the best aspects of coloring pages is that they're accessible to everyone, and there's no shortage of free printable options available online. A simple Google search for "coloring pages printable" or "free coloring pages" will yield a plethora of results, ensuring you'll never run out of designs to explore.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Printable coloring pages come in various themes, from animals and nature to famous characters and intricate patterns. These pages are typically available in PDF format, making it easy to print them at home or save them digitally for future use. It's like having your very own coloring book library at your fingertips, ready to be enjoyed whenever you please.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bold Coloring Page Styles: Unleash Your Inner Artist</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While coloring pages come in a wide range of styles, today, we're focusing on bold coloring pages that are perfect for those looking to add a splash of intensity to their creations. These designs often feature thicker lines, larger areas to color, and a more pronounced visual impact.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are some popular bold coloring page styles that you can explore:</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mandala Madness: Mandala coloring pages are known for their intricate and symmetrical patterns. They offer a mesmerizing experience as you fill in the elaborate details with vibrant colors. Mandala coloring pages are not just visually appealing; they're also an excellent way to practice mindfulness and relaxation.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pop Culture Icons: Fans of movies, TV shows, and pop culture can find <a href="https://wakelet.com/@Coloring_Pages_GBcoloring" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coloring pages printable</strong></a> featuring their favorite characters and scenes. These pages often have bold outlines, making it easier to recreate iconic characters in your chosen hues.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Geometric Wonders: Geometric coloring pages are all about precision and symmetry. They come in a variety of styles, from simple shapes to complex tessellations. The bold lines in these designs create striking visual effects when colored in.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nature's Beauty: Bold coloring pages inspired by nature can be incredibly satisfying to work on. Imagine bringing a majestic peacock or a tropical rainforest to life with vivid colors. These pages often feature large, well-defined elements that allow you to experiment with different shades and techniques.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">See more <strong><a href="https://soundcloud.com/coloringpagesgbcoloring/coloring-pages-gbcoloring-unleash-your-creativity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coloring Pages GBColoring - Unleash Your Creativity</a></strong></span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coloring Pages for Kids: Easy and Engaging</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For young artists, especially those just starting with coloring, it's essential to have designs that are easy to work on and engaging. Coloring pages for kids often feature simple shapes, larger areas to color, and familiar subjects. These pages are designed to boost a child's confidence and provide a sense of accomplishment as they complete their artwork.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Common themes for kids' coloring pages include animals, vehicles, cartoons, and simple geometric shapes. Parents and caregivers can find a plethora of free printable options online, ensuring that children always have fresh pages to explore.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">See more coloring pages at: <strong><a href="https://gab.com/Gbcoloring/posts/110829126875223992" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://gab.com/Gbcoloring/posts/110829126875223992</a></strong></span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coloring Pages for Adults: A Relaxing Escape</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Adult coloring has gained immense popularity in recent years as a means of relaxation and stress relief. It offers a break from the daily hustle and bustle, allowing adults to immerse themselves in a creative and soothing activity.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bold coloring pages designed for adults often feature intricate patterns, abstract art, or detailed scenes. These designs can be both challenging and rewarding, as they encourage adults to focus on the process of coloring and embrace the meditative benefits of the activity.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Conclusion: Dive into the World of Bold Coloring Pages</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ink intensity comes to life on the pages of bold coloring designs. Whether you're a kid exploring the world of colors or an adult seeking a relaxing escape, <a href="https://magic.ly/gbcoloring" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coloring pages free</strong></a> offer a wealth of opportunities for creativity and self-expression. With the abundance of free printable coloring pages available online, you can embark on a colorful journey whenever the mood strikes.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, don't hesitate to grab your favorite coloring tools and start filling those pages with vibrant hues. Whether you prefer mandalas, pop culture icons, geometric wonders, or nature-inspired beauty, there's a bold coloring page style waiting for you. Let your imagination run wild, and experience the joy of bringing these bold designs to life, one stroke at a time. Happy coloring!</span></p>How to Choose the Right Fish Foodtag:mypeace.tv,2024-01-22:1992146:BlogPost:4114282024-01-22T17:10:24.000ZAquarium Desirehttps://mypeace.tv/profile/AquariumDesire609
<p>An important part of keeping fish is knowing what food to buy for them. This is true whether you're just starting out and want to know how to make your hobby successful or you're an experienced fish keeper who wants to give your fish better care. It might seem hard at first to figure out how to choose the right type of fish food, set up a feeding plan that works for your fish, and know how much food to give them, but with our help, you'll see how easy it is.</p>
<p><b>Why do fish need to…</b></p>
<p>An important part of keeping fish is knowing what food to buy for them. This is true whether you're just starting out and want to know how to make your hobby successful or you're an experienced fish keeper who wants to give your fish better care. It might seem hard at first to figure out how to choose the right type of fish food, set up a feeding plan that works for your fish, and know how much food to give them, but with our help, you'll see how easy it is.</p>
<p><b>Why do fish need to eat?</b></p>
<p>Fish need to eat, just like any other animal, whether it lives in water or not. All fish can develop and grow better when they eat a variety of healthy foods. This also adds to their overall health and happiness. Also, different fish need different kinds of food, so don't think You may think that the work you put into making your tank or pond healthy is enough to keep your aquatic friends alive, but they still need the right kind of fish food.</p>
<p><b>Different kinds of fish food</b></p>
<p>It's not as easy as just going to the pet store and picking up the first pot of fish food you see. There are many kinds of fish food, and you'll need to choose the right one for your fish to make sure they eat well. We've put together a list of three questions that will help you choose the best food for your fish.</p>
<p><b>Want to buy food for fish in a pond or aquarium?</b></p>
<p>Because pond fish and tank fish have different dietary needs, you need to make sure you buy the right fish food for where your aquatic friends live. More often than not, pond fish food is less expensive than tank fish food at most stores, and many people choose it because they want to save money.</p>
<p>Most of the time, pond fish food is less expensive because it is bought in bulk. However, the ingredients can make all the difference. <b><a href="https://aquariumdesire.com/best-aquarium-tropical-fish-food-flakes/">Aquarium fish food</a></b> costs more to make because it generally has more protein and fat. Pond fish food, on the other hand, is made to meet the specific needs of fish that live in ponds. Overall, the best thing you can do is accept that the extra cost is worth it and buy the right kind of fish food for your fish. We have pond fish food and tank fish food here at tank Desire to help you find the right kind.</p>
<p><b>Do your fish eat at the bottom or on the surface?</b></p>
<p>It's important to buy fish food that fits with how your fish normally eat on its own. Fish that eat from the bottom, like loaches and catfish, need a different kind of food than fish that eat from the middle or the top, like tetras and guppies.</p>
<p>Most likely, the most well-known type of fish food is fish food flakes. Fish that eat food near the top can get to the food before it dissolves in the water. For fish that like to eat from the bottom, food that sinks, like fish food cubes, is better. But when you buy fish pellets, you should pay attention to things like how fast they sink. Some are made to fall quickly to the bottom so that fish that live at the bottom can eat them, while others float more so that fish that are in the middle of eating can also eat them.</p>
<p>No matter what kind of feeders you have, they will still feed the animals that live in the pond. All pond food, like pond sticks and pellets, will sit on top of the water and get softer as it soaks up water. Your fish will swim to the top to eat.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Do your fish have bad taste?</b></p>
<p>Fish are picky eaters, just like other animals. They will often refuse to eat something if it fails to please them. This problem can usually be fixed by giving the fish a wider range of foods, such as a mix of different types of fish food. Even though regular dried food like fish pellets or flakes is good, adding frozen fish food and even fish treats once in a while is a great way to get picky eaters interested.</p>
<p>Not only is frozen fish food a good way to get your fish to eat, it is also a great source of nutrition because the vitamins and proteins stay intact better when frozen than when dried. To avoid this, make sure you feed your fish the right amount so there are no extras. Frozen fish food can make the water in your tank smell bad if it's left there.</p>
<p>It's not necessary to have an <b><a href="https://aquariumdesire.com/best-automatic-fish-food-feeder-for-aquarium/">automatic fish food feeder</a></b> if you never forget to feed your pond or tank fish and enjoy watching them eat. But during holidays and weekend breaks, it can be hard to find someone to feed the fish every day. It is best to use holiday fish food or weekend fish food on these days. Holiday fish food comes in different forms, like gel, blocks, and sticks. It's meant to give your fish the nutrition they need over a longer period of time, so they'll be just as healthy and happy when you get back as they were when you left.</p>
<p><b>How much fish food should I give it?</b></p>
<p>If you have different kinds of fish, you should feed them different amounts of food. Small tropical fish and sharks need a lot less food than small pond koi, so when you buy fish, ask the seller how much food they think the fish should have. Most tank fish, though, only need one or two feedings a day, and you should only give them as much food as they can eat in five minutes. If there are still pellets or flakes of fish food left over after this time, take them away if you can and feed the fish less the next time.</p>
<p>If you have pond fish, you should feed them one to three times a day, but only during eating months. If you think you might be giving them too much food or aren't sure how much to give, let them eat for about five minutes and then pour off the extra food. This will keep the pond sticks and pellets that are left over from breaking down in the water and making it less good.</p>The Meeting of Two Personalitiestag:mypeace.tv,2024-01-13:1992146:BlogPost:4098672024-01-13T00:00:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304947269?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304947269?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.”…</em></span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304947269?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304947269?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Of course, at the time, I hadn’t heard these words by Carl Jung. Even still, I could feel them somehow—and that’s how it all got started.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’ve never been the same since (and neither has my audience).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It used to be that my goal as a magician was to entertain people by creating moments of temporary wonder and delight—but by 2008, life circumstances led to the discovery that I wanted something more than entertaining distractions. I wanted lasting transformations that encouraged myself and my audience to think and behave differently as a result of the “meeting”—to help us truly come alive. As Tennessee Williams reminds us: <em>“To change is to live, to live is to change, and not to change is to die.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With this intention set, the next time I met with an audience the resulting reaction had drastically changed. Instead of mere laughter and applause, I also got words like this from people who participated in the experience:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“Your talent goes way beyond your magic. Your true talent is inspiring people and uplifting their spirits. I have recently woken up in a situation that was very emotionally unhealthy and removed myself from it—but I have secretly been questioning it. After seeing your show tonight, I now know I have made the right decision by following my heart. It’s people like you who really help people to see the light through the dark.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Learning Experience Design</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This early success revealed a limited capacity—because to truly <em>encourage</em> others to think and behave differently also requires the ability to <em>empower</em> them with relevant knowledge and skills. After all, people only change when they hurt enough that they have to change, learn enough that they know how to want to change, and receive enough that they are able to change.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To enhance this capacity to help people change in positive and constructive ways, I went to Purdue University to study <em>learning experience design</em>—the science of designing learning experiences that help people not just <em>learn</em> but to also <em>transfer</em> their new knowledge and skills outside of the theater, outside of the conference room, and outside of the classroom.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Over the years I’ve experimented with various formulas for designing learning experiences and the results have been not only empowering but also far more encouraging than anything I could have imagined.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What follows is an outline of five practical ideas collected over a decade of studying and applying learning experience design in theaters, conference rooms, and classrooms across the United States.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you are an entertainer who is looking to not just engage but to also empower and encourage your audience, then what follows will provide a useful guideline to help you get started. And if you are already a speaker or facilitator, then what follows can serve as a mirror to highlight your own practice as well as what you might wish to add to your toolbox:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What’s the desired result?</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In his “At the Table” lecture, Kostya Kimlat suggests starting with the desired effect you want your audience to perceive, and then working backwards to find a solution to create that desired effect. We can use this same idea by identifying the desired change we wish for our audience—become crystal clear about this desired result—then identify the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they will need to behave in this new way.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Norberto Jansenson does this well in his Tedx Talk, where he shared how he realized he needed to make connections with his audience to help them experience real magic:<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1"><sup>[1]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“My magic lacked magic. I had tasted magic in my daily life—in a kiss, in a sunset, in an embrace—but I couldn’t create that magical tingly feeling in my audiences.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This feeling of lack helped Norberto identify the result he wanted for his audience and he used this clarity to make changes to his presentation to cultivate that feeling. When you watch his Tedx Talk, you’ll see that just 12 minutes into the presentation his audience has been moved to tears—experiencing that “magical tingly feeling.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em> </em></span></p>
<ol start="2">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Pose questions</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Posing questions is an effective way to influence your audience to begin thinking about where they are, where they’re headed, and where they could be if they make a change. These questions can be either explicit or implicit.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Explicit</em> question may include:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“What can you do?”</em> (This encourages them to reflect on their current abilities and strengths.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“What might you do?”</em> (This encourages them to reflect on new possibilities.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“What will you do?”</em> (This encourages them to reflect on what they are willing to commit to and how they will stay accountable.)</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Implicit</em> questions are the result of making statements that inspire self-reflection, inviting the audience to discover their own insights. Magical Bones does this well in a segment on <em>Britain’s Got Talent</em>:<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2"><sup>[2]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“When I create a magic trick, I want to challenge myself. I have a genuine fear of small spaces, so I wanted to create a routine that would challenge that fear using magic to overcome it…The world can seem like a scary place, but if you free your mind, the rest will follow.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The implicit questions the audience is invited to reflect on are “<em>What am I afraid of? And how might I free my mind to overcome it?”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="3">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Know your audience</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To create a unique experience tailored for your audience, it’s important to know who they are and what their challenges, goals, and obstacles are. A good way to do this is to interview the person who booked you to gain some insights, and an even better way is to send everyone a survey with a few key questions to answer. The insights gained will help you to create a unique experience for the people you serve.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Derek Delgaudio does this elegantly in his show <em>In & of Itself</em>,<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> where he poses a one-question survey to everyone before they enter the theater: “<em>Who are you?”</em> And then he uses this information throughout the remainder of the show to tailor a unique and meaningful experience for that specific audience.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="4">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Tell stories</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The author Nick Usborne suggests that <em>“if you want people to remember something, tell them a story.”</em> This is useful advice, because people are wired to interpret the world through story, so using at least one story to illustrate your main point is a crucial addition to your presentation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">David Copperfield does this beautifully with his “Snow” illusion, sharing how after he experienced snow for the first time, he would throw confetti to create the illusion of snow—even long after winter was over:<a href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4"><sup>[4]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“It was my way of keeping that magic alive all year long. Even today I realize how important it is to keep that sense of wonder, that childlike hope—knowing if you believe and you want it enough, nothing's impossible.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By weaving his message within a poignant story, David invited his audience to see themselves within the story, creating a lasting feeling of wonder and “childlike hope” they could carry with them even long after the “meeting of two personalities” was over.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="5">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Use relevant visuals</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Visuals create perceptual interest for your audience—novelties in the environment that call attention to what is happening while also activating a natural sense of curiosity. If these novelties are relevant and meaningful, then they can also generate sustained interest and desire to learn more.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dustin Tavella does this well in a segment on <em>America’s Got Talent All-Stars</em>:<a href="#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5"><sup>[5]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“There is a magic that is far more powerful than anything these hands could ever do. Our words can literally change the course of someone's entire future.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dustin then guides Terry Crews to think of encouraging words to share with Simon Cowell, and when the words magically materialize on a piece of paper Simon is holding, the experience not only activates a sense of wonder, it also encourages the audience to consider how they can likewise use their words to build others up.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After delivering one of my Hashtag Positivity workshops at the Tennessee Williams Theater for the faculty and staff of the College of the Florida Keys, Naomi Walsh, Assistant to the Vice President, had this to say about the experience:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“In my three-decade career in education, I’ve had my share of professional development. This was shockingly different. The method of instruction was the most valuable.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Encouraging others is a call to action to think and behave differently as a result of the meeting of two personalities—a process that starts with <em>engagement</em> (generating attention, interest, and desire), and <em>empowerment</em> (providing relevant knowledge and skills) to help the people we serve move from where they are to where they most hope to be. For as Tennessee Williams suggests, that is how we truly live.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you are just beginning the process of becoming a speaker or facilitator, my hope is you found something of value here to get you started. And if you are already a seasoned pro, then it is my hope you have found something here that affirms your current practice while perhaps also challenging you with a new perspective.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wherever you are on your journey, may your next audience have a shockingly different experience as a result of the “meeting of two personalities.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>How will you encourage your audience to think and behave different in positive and constructive ways?</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he helps individuals, teams, and communities experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to share your story: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Reference</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Tedx Talks. (2014, October 27). <em>Buscando la magia perdida | Norberto Jansenson | TEDxRiodelaPlata</em>. [Video]. YouTube. <a href="https://youtu.be/k1h8TeRemkc">https://youtu.be/k1h8TeRemkc</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Britain’s Got Talent. (2022, December 18). <em>Magical Bones amazes the crowd with his card tricks | BGT: The Ultimate Magician</em>. YouTube. <a href="https://youtu.be/0O7RcpskjSQ">https://youtu.be/0O7RcpskjSQ</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> Frank Oz. (2021). <em>In and of itself</em>. [Movie]. Hulu. <a href="https://youtu.be/OR4NNuNE3Yg">https://youtu.be/OR4NNuNE3Yg</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4"><sup>[4]</sup></a> TheDavidCopperfield1. (2010, December 1). <em>David Copperfield - Snow</em>. [Video]. YouTube. <a href="https://youtu.be/JsUVFC8ozUE">https://youtu.be/JsUVFC8ozUE</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5"><sup>[5]</sup></a> Magician's Got Talent. (2023, January 17). <em>America's Got Talent WINNER Returns with an INSPIRATIONAL Audition!</em> [Video]. YouTube. <a href="https://youtu.be/7hW1Dju45oA">https://youtu.be/7hW1Dju45oA</a></span></p>Math Assignment Helptag:mypeace.tv,2024-01-12:1992146:BlogPost:4111182024-01-12T10:13:16.000ZStonis Michellhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/StonisMichell
<p>Mathematical trips might start like negotiating a maze with numbers acting independently. Don’t fear Math Assignment Help — it can guide you through difficult problems. The community effort to simplify hard mathematical problems doubles as a search and rescue operation.<br></br>#MathAssignmentHelp<br></br>Link : <a href="https://www.onlinetutorhelps.com/math-assignment-help/">https://www.onlinetutorhelps.com/math-assignment-help/</a><br></br>Reference :…</p>
<p>Mathematical trips might start like negotiating a maze with numbers acting independently. Don’t fear Math Assignment Help — it can guide you through difficult problems. The community effort to simplify hard mathematical problems doubles as a search and rescue operation.<br/>#MathAssignmentHelp<br/>Link : <a href="https://www.onlinetutorhelps.com/math-assignment-help/">https://www.onlinetutorhelps.com/math-assignment-help/</a><br/>Reference : <a href="https://medium.com/@Sophiabryn/math-assignment-help-6dee59bc105a">https://medium.com/@Sophiabryn/math-assignment-help-6dee59bc105a</a></p>Vorteq Carbon: Elevating Your Vehicle's Performancetag:mypeace.tv,2024-01-10:1992146:BlogPost:4111022024-01-10T11:56:44.000ZVorteq Carbonhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/VorteqCarbon
<p>In the ever-evolving world of automotive technology, enthusiasts and professionals alike constantly seek ways to enhance their vehicles' performance. One company that has made significant strides in this arena is Vorteq Carbon, a trailblazer in the realm of carbon fiber components designed to elevate the performance of automobiles.</p>
<p>Carbon fiber, known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, has become a staple in the automotive industry.…</p>
<p>In the ever-evolving world of automotive technology, enthusiasts and professionals alike constantly seek ways to enhance their vehicles' performance. One company that has made significant strides in this arena is Vorteq Carbon, a trailblazer in the realm of carbon fiber components designed to elevate the performance of automobiles.</p>
<p>Carbon fiber, known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, has become a staple in the automotive industry. <a href="https://www.vorteqcarbon.com/collections" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vorteq Carbon</a> takes this versatile material to new heights, leveraging its properties to craft high-performance components that not only enhance a vehicle's aesthetics but also significantly improve its overall functionality.</p>
<p>At the heart of Vorteq Carbon's success is its commitment to innovation. The company's engineers and designers work tirelessly to push the boundaries of what is possible with carbon fiber. From aerodynamic enhancements to structural components, Vorteq Carbon offers a comprehensive range of products designed to cater to the diverse needs of automotive enthusiasts.</p>
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<p>The lightweight nature of carbon fiber is a significant advantage in the pursuit of performance improvement. Vorteq Carbon's commitment to utilizing this material to its full potential results in components that not only contribute to improved aerodynamics but also reduce the overall weight of the vehicle. This weight reduction has a cascading effect on various aspects of performance, including acceleration, braking, and cornering. The result is a vehicle that not only looks sleek but also feels more responsive and agile on the road.</p>
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<p>Vorteq Carbon's reputation for excellence extends beyond the automotive aftermarket scene. The company has collaborated with leading automotive manufacturers, providing expertise in developing carbon fiber components for high-performance production vehicles. This industry recognition underscores the trust and confidence placed in Vorteq Carbon's capabilities to deliver cutting-edge solutions that meet the rigorous standards of the automotive industry.</p>
<p>In conclusion, Vorteq Carbon stands at the forefront of automotive innovation, offering a range of carbon fiber components that elevate a vehicle's performance to new heights. Through a combination of aerodynamic expertise, structural enhancements, lightweight materials, and a commitment to customization, Vorteq Carbon provides enthusiasts with the tools to transform their vehicles into precision-engineered machines. As the automotive landscape continues to evolve, Vorteq Carbon remains a beacon of innovation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible and redefining the driving experience for enthusiasts around the world.</p>In an Tan Hoa Mai - Cong ty in an dich vu in nhanh gia re nhat hien naytag:mypeace.tv,2024-01-10:1992146:BlogPost:4106962024-01-10T04:08:41.000ZChristy J. Hannonhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/ChristyJHannon
<p><strong>In ấn Tân Hoa Mai - Công ty in ấn dịch vụ in nhanh giá rẻ nhất hiện nay</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>⮩⮩⮩ <strong><a href="https://we.riseup.net/michaelcorum/xuong-in-an-gia-re-uy-tin-va-chat-luong-tai-tphcm">In ấn</a></strong> Tân Hoa Mai là một trong những <strong>công ty in ấn</strong> uy tín hàng đầu tại thành phố Hồ Chí Minh. Với hơn 10 năm kinh nghiệm, công ty đã phục vụ hàng nghìn khách hàng, từ các doanh nghiệp lớn đến các cá nhân nhỏ lẻ.</p>
<p><strong>Dịch vụ in ấn đa…</strong></p>
<p><strong>In ấn Tân Hoa Mai - Công ty in ấn dịch vụ in nhanh giá rẻ nhất hiện nay</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>⮩⮩⮩ <strong><a href="https://we.riseup.net/michaelcorum/xuong-in-an-gia-re-uy-tin-va-chat-luong-tai-tphcm">In ấn</a></strong> Tân Hoa Mai là một trong những <strong>công ty in ấn</strong> uy tín hàng đầu tại thành phố Hồ Chí Minh. Với hơn 10 năm kinh nghiệm, công ty đã phục vụ hàng nghìn khách hàng, từ các doanh nghiệp lớn đến các cá nhân nhỏ lẻ.</p>
<p><strong>Dịch vụ in ấn đa dạng</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>Công ty Tân Hoa Mai cung cấp đa dạng các dịch vụ in ấn, bao gồm:</p>
<p></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em> <img alt="Công ty in ấn Tân Hoa Mai cung cấp da dạng các dịch vụ in ấn" src="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/2c/3a/17/2c3a17c29321251e8443f059436a872f.jpg"/></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Công ty in ấn Tân Hoa Mai cung cấp da dạng các dịch vụ in ấn</em></p>
<p></p>
<ul>
<li><p>In offset: Đây là phương pháp in phổ biến nhất hiện nay, được sử dụng để in ấn các sản phẩm với số lượng lớn. In offset có ưu điểm là chất lượng in đẹp, sắc nét, màu sắc trung thực và giá thành hợp lý.</p>
</li>
<li><p>In nhanh: Đây là phương pháp in nhanh chóng, thường được sử dụng để in ấn các sản phẩm với số lượng ít, cần in gấp. In nhanh có ưu điểm là thời gian in nhanh, giá thành tương đối rẻ.</p>
</li>
<li><p>In kỹ thuật số: Đây là phương pháp in hiện đại, có thể in ấn trên nhiều chất liệu khác nhau, kể cả các chất liệu khó in như thủy tinh, kim loại, da,... In kỹ thuật số có ưu điểm là chất lượng in đẹp, sắc nét, có thể in ấn nhiều màu sắc và hình ảnh phức tạp.</p>
</li>
<li><p>In tem nhãn: In ấn Tân Hoa Mai chuyên in tem nhãn các loại, bao gồm tem chống hàng giả, tem sản phẩm, tem bảo hành,...</p>
</li>
<li><p>In bao bì: In ấn Tân Hoa Mai chuyên in bao bì các loại, bao gồm bao bì giấy, bao bì nhựa, bao bì kim loại,...</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Chất lượng in ấn cao</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>In ấn Tân Hoa Mai sử dụng hệ thống máy móc in ấn hiện đại nhập khẩu từ châu Âu, cùng với đội ngũ kỹ thuật viên lành nghề, có kinh nghiệm lâu năm. Nhờ đó, các sản phẩm của ☞☞☞ <strong><a href="https://forum.positivegrid.com/topic/22522/cong-ty-in-an-tphcm-tan-hoa-mai-cong-ty-in-an-mang-den-cho-ban-nhung-san-pham-in-an-chat-luong-nhat">công ty in ấn</a></strong> luôn đạt chất lượng cao, sắc nét, màu sắc trung thực.</p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Giá thành in ấn hợp lý</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>In ấn Tân Hoa Mai cam kết mang đến cho khách hàng dịch vụ in ấn chất lượng cao với giá thành hợp lý. Công ty thường xuyên đưa ra nhiều chương trình ưu đãi, giảm giá hấp dẫn dành cho khách hàng.</p>
<p></p>
<p><em> <img alt="Giá thành sản phẩm in ấn tại công ty Tân Hoa Mai luôn cạnh tranh so với thị trường" src="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/cc/05/4f/cc054f372e10af00f098a4f34c9debe5.jpg" class="align-center"/></em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Giá thành sản phẩm in ấn tại công ty Tân Hoa Mai luôn cạnh tranh so với thị trường</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Dịch vụ khách hàng tận tâm</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>In ấn Tân Hoa Mai luôn đặt lợi ích của khách hàng lên trên hàng đầu. Công ty sở hữu một đội ngũ nhân viên tư vấn nhiệt tình, sẵn sàng giải đáp mọi thắc mắc của khách hàng. Đồng thời, công ty cũng có chính sách giao hàng tận nơi, nhanh chóng và thuận tiện.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Với hệ thống máy móc in ấn hiện đại, đội ngũ kỹ thuật viên lành nghề, cùng với chất lượng in ấn cao, giá thành hợp lý và dịch vụ khách hàng tận tâm. ⭆⭆⭆ <strong><a href="https://techplanet.today/member/inantanhoamai">Cong ty in an</a></strong> Tân Hoa Mai là lựa chọn đúng đắn cho mọi nhu cầu in ấn của bạn. </p>Xuong in an chuyen nghiep Tan Hoa Maitag:mypeace.tv,2024-01-09:1992146:BlogPost:4108472024-01-09T07:02:28.000ZGalactic Gazellehttps://mypeace.tv/profile/GalacticGazelle
<h1><span>Xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp Tân Hoa Mai</span></h1>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span>Bạn có biết rằng xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp là một trong những công cụ quảng cáo hiệu quả nhất để giới thiệu sản phẩm và dịch vụ của bạn đến khách hàng? Với sự phát triển không ngừng của thị trường, làm thế nào để tìm kiếm một xưởng in ấn vừa túi tiền lại có thể mang lại những sản phẩm tốt là điều không hề dễ dàng. Nếu bạn còn đang phân vân xưởng in ấn Tân Hoa Mai có tốt không thì tìm hiểu ngay bài…</span></p>
<h1><span>Xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp Tân Hoa Mai</span></h1>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span>Bạn có biết rằng xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp là một trong những công cụ quảng cáo hiệu quả nhất để giới thiệu sản phẩm và dịch vụ của bạn đến khách hàng? Với sự phát triển không ngừng của thị trường, làm thế nào để tìm kiếm một xưởng in ấn vừa túi tiền lại có thể mang lại những sản phẩm tốt là điều không hề dễ dàng. Nếu bạn còn đang phân vân xưởng in ấn Tân Hoa Mai có tốt không thì tìm hiểu ngay bài viết dưới đây.</span></p>
<h2><span>Điều gì làm nên một xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp?</span></h2>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span><i>Điều gì tạo nên một xưởng in chuyên nghiệp?</i></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span>Xưởng in ấn Tân Hoa Mai được biết đến là một trong những công ty ➤➤➤ <a href="https://www.besport.com/group/1253604"><b>Dịch vụ in ấn</b></a> được đánh giá cao hiện nay. Vậy làm thế nào để đánh giá một xưởng in có uy tín hay không?</span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span>Một xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp sẽ có những đặc điểm gì để giúp bạn chọn ra đơn vị phù hợp với nhu cầu của bạn? Dưới đây là những yếu tố cần xem xét khi lựa chọn một xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp:</span></p>
<ul style="font-weight: 400;">
<li><span>Thiết bị hiện đại và chất lượng: Xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp sử dụng thiết bị in ấn hiện đại và được bảo trì thường xuyên để đảm bảo chất lượng in ấn tốt nhất. Nếu xưởng in ấn của bạn không sử dụng thiết bị mới nhất, họ có thể không đáp ứng được nhu cầu in ấn của bạn.</span></li>
<li><span>Kinh nghiệm và chuyên môn: Kinh nghiệm và chuyên môn là hai yếu tố quan trọng để đánh giá một xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp. Các xưởng in ấn có kinh nghiệm và chuyên môn cao sẽ có khả năng cung cấp cho bạn những ý tưởng sáng tạo hơn, cũng như khả năng khắc phục các vấn đề nhanh chóng và hiệu quả.</span></li>
<li><span>Sản phẩm đa dạng: Một xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp cần có tính linh hoạt và khả năng đáp ứng nhu cầu đa dạng của khách hàng. Họ cần hiểu rõ nhu cầu của bạn và sẵn sàng cung cấp các giải pháp phù hợp.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span>Đây là 3 yếu tố hàng đầu giúp cho doanh nghiệp xác định được xưởng in ấn nào chuyên nghiệp và có thể đáp ứng nhu cầu của bạn không. Vậy nếu có quá nhiều xưởng uy tín thì nên lựa chọn thế nào?</span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">➤➤➤ Liên hệ ngay: Dịch vụ <strong><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/BXuAYmWvs4MKw8KT9">in ấn thiết kế</a></strong> Tân Hoa Mai</p>
<h2><span>Làm thế nào để lựa chọn xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp?</span></h2>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span><i>Làm thế nào để lựa chọn xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp?</i></span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span>Việc lựa chọn một xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp phù hợp với nhu cầu của bạn là một bước quan trọng để đảm bảo rằng các sản phẩm của bạn sẽ được in ấn với chất lượng tốt nhất. Sau đây là một số gợi ý của dịch vụ in ấn Tân Hoa Mai để giúp bạn lựa chọn đơn vị in ấn:</span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span>Tìm kiếm đánh giá từ khách hàng: Cách tốt nhất để đánh giá một xưởng in ấn chuyên nghiệp là tìm kiếm đánh giá từ khách hàng trước đó. Họ sẽ cho bạn biết những ưu điểm và nhược điểm của đơn vị in ấn đó.</span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>➤➤➤ Tham khảo thêm: <a href="https://www.abclinuxu.cz/lide/davidlazenby">Công ty in ấn</a> uy tín Tân Hoa Mai</strong></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span>Hỏi về kinh nghiệm và chuyên môn: Hãy hỏi xưởng in ấn về kinh nghiệm và chuyên môn của họ trong lĩnh vực in ấn. Những đơn vị có nhiều kinh nghiệm và chuyên môn cao hơn sẽ giúp bạn có được những sản phẩm in ấn tốt nhất.</span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span>Khả năng in ấn sản phẩm đa dạng: Điều quan trọng là kiểm tra tính linh hoạt và khả năng đáp ứng đa dạng nhu cầu của xưởng in ấn. Họ có thể đáp ứng các yêu cầu in ấn đặc biệt của bạn hay không? Họ có thể cung cấp cho bạn những sản phẩm in ấn đa dạng như áo thun, túi xách, banner, poster,... hay không?</span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;"><span>Nếu bạn vẫn chưa biết dịch vụ in ấn của xưởng in ấn nào tốt thì tôi đề xuất nhà in Tân Hoa Mai - Đây là xưởng in ấn cung cấp đa dạng sản phẩm cho bạn nhất có thể. Nếu bạn đang có nhu cầu in ấn thì liên hệ ngay Tân Hoa Mai nhé!</span></p>How to Make Someone’s Life Bettertag:mypeace.tv,2024-01-03:1992146:BlogPost:4101052024-01-03T00:00:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304947089?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304947089?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It's not that we forgot. It's that we never knew to begin with.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And it’s hard to know which poison is worse: The wrath…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304947089?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304947089?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It's not that we forgot. It's that we never knew to begin with.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And it’s hard to know which poison is worse: The wrath of oppressors, the hatred in their hearts, or the apathy of bystanders.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">From what I’ve tasted of desire, I hold with those who favor the fire of wrath; but if we had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate to say that for destruction it too is also great, and would certainly suffice.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Please send my regards to Robert Frost.)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The word <em>hubris</em> seems appropriate here—the quality of excessive pride, dangerous overconfidence, and unmerited arrogance.<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1"><sup>[1]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Arrogance</em> itself seems also fitting, which comes to us from words meaning to claim or seize without justification<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> and to attribute without reason.<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3"><sup>[3]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In this light, it may be tempting to conclude that <em>ignorance</em> is the most apt description, but even this misses the mark, because to be ignorant is to insinuate a want of knowledge—yet the hate of the oppressors do not so much <em>want</em> knowledge as they want to <em>ignore</em> and <em>overlook</em> knowledge.<a href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4"><sup>[4]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As the philosopher Amy McKiernan suggests: <em>“Arrogance leaves little room for growth, whereas ignorance—if we are brave enough to recognize and name it—invites us to search for the truth and become better versions of ourselves.”</em><a href="#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5"><sup>[5]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If it’s not ignorance, then perhaps <em>pretension</em> is the word we’re looking for—the putting forth of false claims of merit, dignity, and importance.<a href="#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6"><sup>[6]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Whatever the word we choose to use, they all point to a desire for victory rather than reconciliation.<a href="#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7"><sup>[7]</sup></a> Hate doesn’t want to win friends and influence people; it just doesn't want to lose (even if it means not necessarily winning).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Bestow the Powers of Love</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In 2007 I stumbled upon an antidote for the three poisons—tucked away in a guardian angel’s scrapbook just days after she disappeared up above:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A guardian angel flew down from above to teach me a lesson about the powers of love. She whispers to me, takes a hold of my hand:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“There are so many things I wish you to understand about the powers of love and all it can do to someone who needs to share it with you. A pat on the back, a kind smile on your face, can make someone's life a much brighter place. It doesn't take much to show someone you care, to give them the love God gave you to share, so please keep in mind all the powers you possess to grace someone's life when they're in distress. You've been put on this earth to bestow the powers of love.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And with those final words, she disappeared up above.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>It Starts with Your Neighbor</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A pat on the back and a kind smile on your face—it’s really that simple.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We can take this message to heart no matter who we are, where we are, or the role we play in the fabric of the universe. As Rihanna would remind us, you don’t have to be rich or famous to help people: <em>“It starts with your neighbor.”</em><a href="#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8"><sup>[8]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you’re not sure how to begin, the author Gary Chapman offers five suggestions for bestowing the powers of love:<a href="#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9"><sup>[9]</sup></a></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With encouraging words.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With shared time together.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With meaningful gifts.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With valued acts of service.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With affectionate touch—whether it be a handshake, hug, or kiss.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Love Loves First</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">However you choose to bestow it in your own unique way, remember that Love doesn’t discriminate. Love doesn’t care about your age, gender, race, heritage, sexual orientation, religion, political ideology, or any of that.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Love doesn’t get to know you first and then decides to love you. Love loves you first, and that’s how it gets to know you.<a href="#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10"><sup>[10]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Love starts with ignorance and ends with understanding.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Without Love, there can be no understanding—and without understanding, the three poisons are left to their (de)vices.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>All Done in Love</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As for me and my house, I know what I choose.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In 2017 I commissioned the Ukrainian graphic artist Torrie Gorbylyova to create a poster for my work as a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. The poster is a behind-the-scenes view from the stage looking out into the audience. All you can see of me is my back, but what is in full view are the smiling faces of the people being served in the audience. Inscribed in the lower right corner is a mantra reminding me of what I can do to make someone’s life better:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“All done in love.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The message is clear. Bestowing the powers of Love is not about the self; it’s about others.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Make Someone’s Life Better</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In his song “If I Had Wings,” the singer Darius Rucker asks:<a href="#_ftn11" name="_ftnref11"><sup>[11]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“Why do we hate? Why do we suffer? Why do we make our mistakes and constantly blame one another? Why is there war? And why is there killing? Have we forgotten some secret we knew back when we were just children?”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Darius poses some great questions, but I don’t think it's that we forgot anything. It's that we never knew to begin with.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Surely if we <em>knew</em> better, we would <em>do</em> better, right?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Right?</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(My goodness, I surely hope we might.)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Perhaps it’s not so much a battle between hatred and wrath afterall. Maybe Robert Frost would have done well to also consider the very real danger of apathy. As Martin Luther King reminds us: <em>“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As for me, my heart aches for Torrie, her husband Ilya, and their beautiful dog Martha. Since February 24, 2022, their lives have been in danger and this very real threat to their very existence is something I cannot be silent about.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because I Love them.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because they are me in disguise.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because if it were me, I would want someone in my corner too.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because we have been put on this earth to bestow the powers of Love.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What will you leave that will go one forever? What can you do while you’re here to make someone's life better?</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he helps individuals, teams, and communities experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to share your story: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><br/></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em> </em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Listen to this story here.</em></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It's not that we forgot.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It's that we never knew to begin with.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And it’s hard to know which poison is worse:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The wrath of oppressors, the hatred in their hearts, or the apathy of bystanders.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">From what I’ve tasted of desire, I hold with those who favor the fire of wrath; but if we had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate to say that for destruction it too is also great, and would certainly suffice.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>(Please send my regards to Robert Frost.)</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The word <em>hubris</em> seems appropriate here—the quality of excessive pride, dangerous overconfidence, and unmerited arrogance.[1]</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Arrogance</em> itself seems also fitting, which comes to us from words meaning to claim or seize without justification[2] and to attribute without reason.[3]</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In this light, it may be tempting to conclude that <em>ignorance</em> is the most apt description, but even this misses the mark, because to be ignorant is to insinuate a want of knowledge—yet the hate of the oppressors do not so much <em>want</em> knowledge as they want to <em>ignore</em> and <em>overlook</em> knowledge.[4]</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As the philosopher Amy McKiernan suggests: <em>“Arrogance leaves little room for growth, whereas ignorance—if we are brave enough to recognize and name it—invites us to search for the truth and become better versions of ourselves.”</em>[5]</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If it’s not ignorance, then perhaps <em>pretension</em> is the word we’re looking for—the putting forth of false claims of merit, dignity, and importance.[6]</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Whatever the word we choose to use, they all point to a desire for victory rather than reconciliation.[7] Hate doesn’t want to win friends and influence people; it just doesn't want to lose (even if it means not necessarily winning).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Bestow the Powers of Love</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In 2007 I stumbled upon an antidote for the three poisons—tucked away in a guardian angel’s scrapbook just days after she disappeared up above:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A guardian angel flew down from above to teach me a lesson about the powers of love. She whispers to me, takes a hold of my hand:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“There are so many things I wish you to understand about the powers of love and all it can do to someone who needs to share it with you. A pat on the back, a kind smile on your face, can make someone's life a much brighter place. It doesn't take much to show someone you care, to give them the love God gave you to share, so please keep in mind all the powers you possess to grace someone's life when they're in distress. You've been put on this earth to bestow the powers of love.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And with those final words, she disappeared up above.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>It Starts with Your Neighbor</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A pat on the back and a kind smile on your face—it’s really that simple.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We can take this message to heart no matter who we are, where we are, or the role we play in the fabric of the universe. As Rihanna would remind us, you don’t have to be rich or famous to help people: <em>“It starts with your neighbor.”</em>[8]</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you’re not sure how to begin, the author Gary Chapman offers five suggestions for bestowing the powers of love:[9]</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With encouraging words.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With shared time together.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With meaningful gifts.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With valued acts of service.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With affectionate touch—whether it be a handshake, hug, or kiss.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Love Loves First</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">However you choose to bestow it in your own unique way, remember that Love doesn’t discriminate. Love doesn’t care about your age, gender, race, heritage, sexual orientation, religion, political ideology, or any of that.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Love doesn’t get to know you first and then decides to love you. Love loves you first, and that’s how it gets to know you.[10]</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Love starts with ignorance and ends with understanding.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Without Love, there can be no understanding—and without understanding, the three poisons are left to their (de)vices.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>All Done in Love</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As for me and my house, I know what I choose.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In 2017 I commissioned the Ukrainian graphic artist Torrie Gorbylyova to create a poster for my work as a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. The poster is a behind-the-scenes view from the stage looking out into the audience. All you can see of me is my back, but what is in full view are the smiling faces of the people being served in the audience. Inscribed in the lower right corner is a mantra reminding me of what I can do to make someone’s life better:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“All done in love.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The message is clear. Bestowing the powers of Love is not about the self; it’s about others.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Make Someone’s Life Better</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In his song “If I Had Wings,” the singer Darius Rucker asks:[11]</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“Why do we hate? Why do we suffer? Why do we make our mistakes and constantly blame one another? Why is there war? And why is there killing? Have we forgotten some secret we knew back when we were just children?”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Darius poses some great questions, but I don’t think it's that we forgot anything. It's that we never knew to begin with.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Surely if we <em>knew</em> better, we would <em>do</em> better, right?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Right?</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(My goodness, I surely hope we might.)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Perhaps it’s not so much a battle between hatred and wrath afterall. Maybe Robert Frost would have done well to also consider the very real danger of apathy. As Martin Luther King reminds us: <em>“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As for me, my heart aches for Torrie, her husband Ilya, and their beautiful dog Martha. Since February 24, 2022, their lives have been in danger and this very real threat to their very existence is something I cannot be silent about.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because I Love them.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because they are me in disguise.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because if it were me, I would want someone in my corner too.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because we have been put on this earth to bestow the powers of Love.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What will you leave that will go one forever? What can you do while you’re here to make someone's life better?</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company,</em> <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/"><em>Hashtag Positivity</em></a><em>, he assists individuals, teams, and communities in “Being Well By Living Well” to experience abiding joy. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles:</em> <a href="http://mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com/"><em>jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</em></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Footnotes</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[1] “Hubris.” (n.d.). <em>Merriam-Webster</em>. <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hubris">www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hubris</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[2] Webster's new collegiate dictionary. (1976). <em>G. & C. Merriam Company.</em> p. 63</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[3] Webster's new world dictionary of the American language.(1978). <em>G. & C. Merriam Company.</em> p. 77</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[4] “Ignorance.” (n.d.). <em>Etymonline</em>. <a href="http://www.etymonline.com/word/ignorance">www.etymonline.com/word/ignorance</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[5] McKiernan, A. (2021, November). “Which is worse? Arrogance or ignorance?” <em>American University Magazine</em>. <a href="http://www.american.edu/magazine/article/which-is-worse-arrogance-or-ignorance.cfm">www.american.edu/magazine/article/which-is-worse-arrogance-or-ignorance.cfm</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[6] “Pretension.” (n.d.). <em>Etymonline</em>. <a href="http://www.etymonline.com/word/pretension">www.etymonline.com/word/pretension</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[7] Krauss, S.W. (2017, May 2). “What makes the arrogant person so arrogant?” <em>Psychology Today.</em> <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201705/what-makes-the-arrogant-person-so-arrogant">www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201705/what-makes-the-arrogant-person-so-arrogant</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[8] Rihanna. [MassLive]. (2017, March 1). Rihanna named Harvard University's Humanitarian of the Year [Video]. YouTube. MassLive.” <a href="https://youtu.be/CF7a76CnzHE">https://youtu.be/CF7a76CnzHE</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[9] Chapman, G. (1992). <em>The five love languages</em>. Northfield Publishing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[10] With my regards to David Hayward, The Naked Pastor.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">[11] Rucker, D. (2008). If I Had Wings. On <em>Learn To Live</em>. [Audio album]. Capitol Nashville.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em> </em></span></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Reference</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> “Hubris.” (n.d.). <em>Merriam-Webster</em>. <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hubris">www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hubris</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Webster's new collegiate dictionary. (1976). <em>G. & C. Merriam Company.</em> p. 63</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> Webster's new world dictionary of the American language.(1978). <em>G. & C. Merriam Company.</em> p. 77</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4"><sup>[4]</sup></a> “Ignorance.” (n.d.). <em>Etymonline</em>. <a href="http://www.etymonline.com/word/ignorance">www.etymonline.com/word/ignorance</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5"><sup>[5]</sup></a> McKiernan, A. (2021, November). “Which is worse? Arrogance or ignorance?” <em>American University Magazine</em>. <a href="http://www.american.edu/magazine/article/which-is-worse-arrogance-or-ignorance.cfm">www.american.edu/magazine/article/which-is-worse-arrogance-or-ignorance.cfm</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6"><sup>[6]</sup></a> “Pretension.” (n.d.). <em>Etymonline</em>. <a href="http://www.etymonline.com/word/pretension">www.etymonline.com/word/pretension</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7"><sup>[7]</sup></a> Krauss, S.W. (2017, May 2). “What makes the arrogant person so arrogant?” <em>Psychology Today.</em> <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201705/what-makes-the-arrogant-person-so-arrogant">www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201705/what-makes-the-arrogant-person-so-arrogant</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8"><sup>[8]</sup></a> Rihanna. [MassLive]. (2017, March 1). Rihanna named Harvard University's Humanitarian of the Year [Video]. YouTube. MassLive.” <a href="https://youtu.be/CF7a76CnzHE">https://youtu.be/CF7a76CnzHE</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9"><sup>[9]</sup></a> Chapman, G. (1992). <em>The five love languages</em>. Northfield Publishing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10"><sup>[10]</sup></a> With my regards to David Hayward, The Naked Pastor.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref11" name="_ftn11"><sup>[11]</sup></a> Rucker, D. (2008). If I Had Wings. On <em>Learn To Live</em>. [Audio album]. Capitol Nashville.</span></p>Three Motivators for Engaging Your Audiencetag:mypeace.tv,2024-01-03:1992146:BlogPost:4101022024-01-03T00:00:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942875?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942875?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The look on the woman’s face said it all—but if there was any doubt, it was resolved when she opened her mouth.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> …</span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942875?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942875?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The look on the woman’s face said it all—but if there was any doubt, it was resolved when she opened her mouth.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“How long is this going to take?”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">These words punched me in the gut. I had just walked in the door of the senior center ready to perform my magic act, but the entire community of seniors were engrossed in a game of bingo. When the staff stopped the game to begin the performance, the stern woman confronted me to make it clear she wasn’t happy about the state of affairs, adding, <em>“I hope it’s a quick show.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This experience became a valuable reminder that not everyone will care about what we have to say or what we can do, and even for those who do care, as servant leaders we have the responsibility to honor that excitement by providing an all-around engaging experience.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Motivators to A.I.D. Engagement</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As a performer, facilitator, and coach there are three key motivators I use to engage clients: <em>Attention</em>, <em>Interest</em>, and <em>Desire</em>. Whether in a classroom, boardroom, theatre, or wherever your work takes you, you can use these same motivators to A.I.D. engagement with your own audiences—and in so doing, making stronger connections with the people you serve.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When initiating these strategies, it’s recommended to approach them linearly—starting with attention, then interest, and building to desire. Once all three are activated, you can then use them together iteratively, weaving back and forth to reinforce deeper engagement. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What follows is a brief explanation for why these engagement motivators are important and suggestions for implementing them:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Attention</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">You may have something wonderful to share, but if no one is paying attention then it simply won’t matter. Gaining attention activates a temporary state of curiosity through external stimuli, motivating people to respond with <em>perceptual curiosity</em>—the tendency to investigate novelties in the environment.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How do we apply this to our work? Any sudden change in the environment can be sufficient for generating attention, such as:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">the appearance of a peculiar object,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">change in body movements,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">altered speech pattern (tempo, tone, or inflection),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">music, sound effects, or vocal cues,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">change in scented aroma,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">temperature change,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and so forth.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Attention, however, wanes quickly, which is why we must transition efficiently from mere attention to interest. And that’s the key to this motivator: attention unlocks the potential to foster interest in experiencing more, inspiring your audience to sustain their attention.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="2">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Interest</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Whereas attention tends to be fleeting, interest can be longer-lasting because it relies on what people already intrinsically care about, motivating them to respond with <em>epistemic curiosity</em>—the tendency to investigate unanswered questions and develop deeper understandings. By connecting a message to what your audience cares about, you motivate a deeper level of curiosity, inviting people to engage more meaningfully in the experience.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How do we apply this to our work? Crafting a message in a way that speaks to emotions and strongly held beliefs can work well here. Topics and themes such as love, money, health, happiness, power, anger, sadness, revenge, and so forth, can all work well. These are just a few samples to help get you started thinking about what is inherently motivating for your audience.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In addition, it’s worth noting the valuable role stories can play in unlocking interest. Humans are wired to understand life through metaphor, and a well-crafted story employed at just the right time can do wonders for motivating a deeper level of interest. As the saying suggests: <em>"You can't help anybody if you can’t tell the right story.”</em> What stories will you share with others?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="3">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Desire</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When genuine interest is activated, it can become fuel to drive your audience to get involved, motivating your audience to respond with <em>social curiosity</em>—the tendency for people to value what they help create. This final engagement motivator is where you invite your audience to follow your lead and become cocreators of the experience.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How do we apply this to our work? Musicians do this effectively with the chorus of their songs. How often have you found yourself suddenly singing along while listening to music, without even realizing right away that you had join? Such can be the magnetic pull to get involved when an empowered communicator activates all three engagement motivators.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Musicians also do this with “call-and-response” sections. Educators use the “repeat-after-me” method. Trainers use the “do-as-I-do” method. And role models use their own behaviors and results as fuel to lead the way and motivate desire in others to get involved.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another valuable way to activate desire is your ability to demonstrate authenticity, likeability, and trust—the dance between who you are, what you do as an expression of who you are, and the attitude you express towards your relationship with the people you serve. Simply put, if people like you then they will want to engage with you, and if they don’t then they won’t.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>How might you generate attention?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>How can you foster interest?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>How will you inspire desire?</em></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As social beings who thrive in relationship with others, it is imperative to build bridges that connect our messages and ideas in ways that are relevant and meaningful, and taking this to heart will reward us with stronger connections with the people we serve. As the comedian Steve Martin reminds us: <em>“Be so good that they can’t help but pay attention to you.”</em> For our purposes, we qualify the term <em>good</em> to mean be as effective as you can in connecting with others.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Using these same engagement motivators all those years ago at that senior center, when my magic act interrupted a game of bingo, I was able to win over the heart of even that stern woman who was hoping for a quick performance. Throughout the show, I watched her scowl turn into a smile and listened to glee spill from her heart in fits of laughter! And by the end of the act she even willingly volunteered to participate in the grand finale, becoming an engaged cocreator of a valued experience. When the show ended, she once again approached me, this time with a transformed heart, saying: <em>“I thought I didn’t like magic. But I like you!”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em> </em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Such can be the power of directing attention, speaking to inherent interests, and inspiring desire for what you have to share through authenticity, likeability, and trust. Whether in a classroom, boardroom, theatre, or wherever your work takes you, you can use these same motivators to A.I.D. engagement with your own audiences.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he engages, empowers, and encourages individuals, teams, and communities to experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>FURTHER READING</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The following sources provide relevant research to support the strategies suggested here. You may wish to explore them for further independent research:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Berlyne D. E. (1950). Novelty and curiosity as determinants of exploratory behaviour. British Journal of Psychology, 4, 68-80.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Keller, J.M. & Deimann, M. (2014). Motivation, volition, and performance. In Reiser, R.A. & Dempsey, J.V. (Eds.), Trends and issues in instructional design and technology (78-86). Pearson.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Krathwohl, D.R., Bloom, B.S., and Masia, B.B. (1964). Taxonomy of educational objectives: Handbook II: Affective domain. David McKay Co.</span></li>
</ul>This Too Shall Passtag:mypeace.tv,2024-01-02:1992146:BlogPost:4101012024-01-02T00:00:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942483?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942483?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>The Magic Ring</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A powerful king instructed a council of sages to create a magic ring with the power to make him happy when he is…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942483?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942483?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>The Magic Ring</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A powerful king instructed a council of sages to create a magic ring with the power to make him happy when he is sad.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After some deliberation, the sages presented a ring engraved with four simple words: <em>"This too shall pass."</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The king was delighted, for it was an encouraging reminder that momentary troubles are only temporary.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">However, the magic ring also became a discouraging curse for the king, for it reminded him that all of the wealth, wisdom, and power he enjoyed were also temporary.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>This Too Shall Pass</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">While preparing an assembly program for a group of 2500 Arizona high school students, I invited them to respond to a brief survey, and their responses were used to create a presentation relevant to their specific needs. This survey included two questions:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be and why?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What challenges are you currently facing that might get in the way of making this positive change?</em></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I received hundreds of thoughtful responses from these students—responses that talked about anxiety and stress, insecurity and a lack of confidence, fear of failure, a poor outlook on life, lack of discipline, social justice concerns, and so forth. But by far the most common response was this: <em>“I wouldn't change anything about my life.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At first, the prevalence of this response made me very happy for these students—thrilled to hear their lives are going so well. But then I became concerned, because I thought about the four simple words engraved on that magic ring: <em>“This too shall pass.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Flowing Current</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The story of the magic ring is a cautionary tale for anyone who doesn’t welcome change—because whether they want it or not, change is coming.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said: <em>“No man ever steps in the same river twice—for it is not the same river and he is not the same man.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is an apt analogy considering the nature of a river’s current, which etymologically refers to "that which flows"—as in, <em>a flowing current</em>. However, we also use the word <em>current</em> as a reference to “the present time”—as in, <em>currently happening</em>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In other words, we are in a state of constant flow, and when we do not welcome change and instead fight the current—whether through acts of omission or commission—this resistance damns growth, sowing seeds of ruin.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So while I am thrilled for those students who believe they are perfect just as they are, I do wonder what they will do when change flows their way. What will they do when they leave high school and everything is different? What will they do 10, 30, or 50 years from now when <em>“this too shall pass?”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Initiating & Managing Change</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There are two strategies to use when addressing change and the strategy we use will depend on the category of change we are facing:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Default Changes</em> are the changes we <em>don’t</em> want to have happen, but they happen anyway. Changes within this category are <strong>managed:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">we assess abrupt changes to our current state of affairs,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">take stock of our knowledge, skills, resources, and support,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">create a plan for moving forward by shoring up our disadvantages,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and then take consistent and reflective action.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Design Changes</em> are the changes we <em>want</em> to have happen, and we make them happen. Changes within this category are <strong>initiated</strong> and <strong>managed:</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">we assess the current state of affairs,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">look for opportunities,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">take stock of our knowledge, skills, resources, and support,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">make calculated predictions,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">create a plan for moving forward by taking advantage of our opportunities,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and then take consistent and reflective action.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Notice how both strategies look strikingly similar. The key difference is that design changes are initiated <em>before</em> they need to happen—by taking advantage of opportunities (acts of commission)—and default changes are managed in reaction to what happened because we <em>have to</em> (often due to woeful acts of omission).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To promote growth and enhance the chances of success, encouraging leaders engage in acts of <em>commission</em>—by taking advantage of opportunities that lead the way for positive change. By contrast, discouraging leaders engage in acts of <em>omission</em>—failing to be proactive by resisting the current of change, damning their growth, and sowing the seeds of potential ruin.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Up until now, how have you been resisting the current of change?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What can you do to initiate positive change in your life?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>How will you manage the changes you face, whether you want them to happen or not?</em></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em> </em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s okay to enjoy and celebrate life just as it is, like those students at that Arizona high school. But even <em>“this too shall pass,”</em> for we are in a state of constant flow, and when we do not welcome change and instead fight the current in favor of stagnation, this resistance damns our potential and prevents positive growth.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To avoid the pitfalls of discouraging leadership, I encourage you to initiate and manage positive change by assessing the flow of your current state of affairs, looking for opportunities, and then engaging in consistent and reflective action to row, row, row your boat gently down the stream—merrily leading the way to individual, team, and community growth.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he engages, empowers, and encourages individuals, teams, and communities to experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Master the Moment: Life in Transitiontag:mypeace.tv,2023-12-18:1992146:BlogPost:4101002023-12-18T23:30:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942097?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942097?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“Not in his goals but in his transitions man is great.”</em> — <a href="https://www.bartleby.com/90/1201.html">Ralph Waldo Emerson</a><a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]…</a></span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942097?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942097?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“Not in his goals but in his transitions man is great.”</em> — <a href="https://www.bartleby.com/90/1201.html">Ralph Waldo Emerson</a><a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Walking through the parking lot, I put a smile on my face. After all, you never know who might be watching from the windows—and setting the tone for arrival doesn’t just have to start at “hello.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Stepping into the building, I was greeted by Kelsea Trefethen, the alternative education teacher who invited me to work with her campus community. It was quite early in the morning and students were still having breakfast in the cafeteria, so I suggested it would be nice to go in and say hello.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Taking time to greet them beforehand is a primary practice, demonstrating that I’m not merely there to deliver a presentation by speaking <em>at</em> them. Rather, I’m there to speak <em>with</em> them—learning with and from each other, to help them feel seen, heard, and valued.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the bell rang and students filed through the halls, that was the cue to make my way to the gymnasium and get to work. In just under an hour, the entire school would be meeting in the gym to hear my keynote address to kick off their Teen Issues Day, and there was much to prepare to ensure the room was ready for their arrival.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the day was over, Kelsea had this to say about our collaboration:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“From the moment you arrived, to the moment you left, your positive energy was felt throughout the building. You arrived composed and ready to meet everyone and anyone—a true testament to your preparation and genuine care for others.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This vignette is a valuable reminder that how we show up for the people we serve can have a direct impact on the constructiveness and success of the experience.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Cycle of Influence</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How often have you responded to a smile with a smile? Anger with anger? Kindness with kindness? Or gossip with gossip?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Attitudes and behaviors have a cyclical influence, where your attitude influences your behavior, and your behavior in turn influences the attitude and behavior of others—which then circle back to either reinforce or redirect your attitude and behavior.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When we’re grounded in positivity, we tend to exhibit constructive and encouraging behaviors—offering kindness and compassion with a welcoming smile. Yet, when we’re instead grounded in negativity, we tend to exhibit destructive and discouraging behaviors—offering complaints and criticisms with a shunning scowl.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If our aim is to foster constructive and encouraging experiences, rather than destructive and discouraging experiences, then we become called to be mindful of both our attitude and behavior—giving ourselves the best chance to show up as a force for good for the people we serve, even in the midst of <a href="https://hellopoetry.com/poem/1823607/abiding-change/">abiding change</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Life In Transition</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The psychological process that helps us adapt to change is called <em>transition</em>,<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">[2]</a> and life can be thought of as a series of transitions. As we move from moment to moment, we may find ourselves transitioning between thoughts, conversations, activities, rooms, buildings, roads, relationships, and beyond. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How elegantly we manage the challenges and stress that can come with constant change is determined by how we choose to navigate the transitional waters mentally, emotionally, and behaviorally. What follows are three simple ideas to consider for fostering constructive and encouraging experiences that can help you show up as a force for good for the people you serve.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Decide how you will show up.</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Moments of transition can be used as an anchor to remind yourself of how you want to show up to where you’re going. Perhaps it’s while driving the car, walking through a parking lot, walking in a hallway, or anywhere else you may find yourself on the move through transition. When in these moments, ask yourself: <em>“How do I want to show up?”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Personally, my primary anchors are parking lots and hallways, so when I find myself in these places, they serve as reminders to stand up <a href="http://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2016.1225003">straight</a><a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">[3]</a> and put on a <a href="http://doi.org/10.1145/2030112.2030114">smile</a>.<a href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4">[4]</a> I chose these two practices because of research demonstrating how improved posture and smiling can enhance positive emotions while also helping to recover from negative mood states. What’s more, an upright posture also helps to signal <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-shameless-psychiatrist/202103/body-language-using-your-body-communicate">confidence</a><a href="#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5">[5]</a> and a smile works to activate <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/eyes-the-brain/201102/i-feel-your-smile-i-feel-your-pain">mirror neurons</a><a href="#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6">[6]</a> in other people—helping to foster positive emotion within the people we meet along the way.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="2">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Remember to breathe</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKLVAeI7MU8">Chuck Noland</a><a href="#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7">[7]</a> returned home after spending four years on a deserted island, he offered some poignant advice about survival:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“I know what I have to do now. I’ve got to keep breathing, because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide might bring?"</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Even though this is a fictitious story, it does point to the truth.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">First of all, remembering to breathe literally keeps you alive—safely taking you from one moment to the next. This is especially important when you find yourself in times of struggle, stress, and anxiety—moments when you might consider giving up. By focusing on breathing, this practice can help to alleviate or erase destructive thought patterns and negative rumination—even if only temporarily. After all, no matter how hard we try, we can never control the future; but what we can do is learn to master the moment that’s right in front of us—one breath at a time.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Breathing also activates the <a href="https://www.originsrecovery.com/stress-management-activating-the-parasympathetic-nervous-system/">parasympathetic nervous system</a>,<a href="#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8">[8]</a> the body’s natural process for calming down from stressful situations. The body can do this naturally on its own, but if you find your mind and emotions racing together on a crash course, you can activate your parasympathetic nervous system consciously by design.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There are a number of ways to do this, but perhaps the most practical practice for activating the parasympathetic nervous system in a moment of difficulty is through big, deep, long breaths. This works because the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for returning the lungs to their normal resting state; so by consciously making them larger through big, deep, long breaths, you’re giving your parasympathetic nervous system a job to do, and once activated, you’ll soon experience an increase in feelings of calm and relaxation.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Personally, I use this practice several times every day—such as when walking into a meeting, before answering the phone, while driving home from work, or any other time where I want to show up calm and confident.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="3">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Pour out stress</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Perhaps the best time to prepare for abiding change is during the in-between times, a call to engage in daily stress-relieving practices that provide the best chance for remaining calm when it matters most. Any activity that you enjoy can be used here—so long as it’s something you find intrinsically interesting and from which you derive pleasure from.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For example, I personally choose to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1728280">read</a><a href="#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9">[9]</a> a book or magazine, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.11.5.338">write</a><a href="#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10">[10]</a> in a <a href="http://doi.org/10.2196/11290">journal</a>,<a href="#_ftn11" name="_ftnref11">[11]</a> <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858">meditate</a>,<a href="#_ftn12" name="_ftnref12">[12]</a> play the <a href="https://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/how-making-music-reduces-stress">ukulele</a>,<a href="#_ftn13" name="_ftnref13">[13]</a> pet my <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2332858419852592">cat</a>,<a href="#_ftn14" name="_ftnref14">[14]</a> listen to <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456">stand-up comedy</a>,<a href="#_ftn15" name="_ftnref15">[15]</a> spend time with <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217264">friends and family</a>,<a href="#_ftn16" name="_ftnref16">[16]</a> and get some form of daily <a href="https://www.apa.org/topics/exercise-fitness/stress">physical activity</a><a href="#_ftn17" name="_ftnref17">[17]</a>—whether it’s a walk through a park, a jog around the neighborhood, or a hike up a mountain. These are activities I enjoy merely for the pleasure of engaging in them, however they also have the added benefit of pouring out stress, enhancing cognitive function, and promoting positive emotion, among other health benefits—all valuable ingredients for facing life with greater clarity, confidence, and courage.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>How do you want to show up to where you’re going?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>How will you practice conscious breath in your daily life?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What activities will you engage in to pour out stress on a regular basis?</em></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How we show up for the people we serve has a direct impact on our success, and if our aim is to foster constructive and encouraging experiences, then we are called to learn how to master the moment and transition well. After all, it is not in the aim but in the transition that our significance can be found—helping us to show up as a force for good for the people we serve.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“So keep on smiling, ‘cause when you’re smiling the whole world</em> <a href="https://youtu.be/0x7xl4mvdLM"><em>smiles</em></a> <em>with you.”</em><a href="#_ftn18" name="_ftnref18">[18]</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he engages, empowers, and encourages individuals, teams, and communities to experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>References</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a> Emerson, R.W. (1904). <em>The Complete Works, Vol. XII:</em> <em>Natural History of Intellect and Other Papers.</em> The Riverside Press. <a href="http://www.bartleby.com/90/1201.html">www.bartleby.com/90/1201.html</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">[2]</a> Bridges, W. & Bridges S. (2019). Transitions: Making sense of life's changes. Da Capo Lifelong Books.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">[3]</a> Veenstra, L.; Schneider, I.K. & Koole, S.L. (2017). “Embodied mood regulation: the impact of body posture on mood recovery, negative thoughts, and mood-congruent recall.” <em>Cognition and Emotion</em>, <em>31</em>(7), pp. 1361-1376. doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2016.1225003</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4">[4]</a> Tsujita, H. & Rekimoto, J. (2011). “Smiling makes us happier: enhancing positive mood and communication with smile-encouraging digital appliances.” <em>UbiComp '11: Proceedings of the 13th international conference on Ubiquitous computing.</em> pp. 1–10. doi.org/10.1145/2030112.2030114</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5">[5]</a> Lis, L. (2011, March 23). “Body language: Using your body to communicate.” <em>Psychology Today</em>. <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-shameless-psychiatrist/202103/body-language-using-your-body-communicate">www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-shameless-psychiatrist/202103/body-language-using-your-body-communicate</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6">[6]</a> Barry, S. (2011, February 7). “I feel your smile, I feel your pain: Can we ever really feel another person’s happiness or pain?” <em>Psychology Today</em>. <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/eyes-the-brain/201102/i-feel-your-smile-i-feel-your-pain">www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/eyes-the-brain/201102/i-feel-your-smile-i-feel-your-pain</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7">[7]</a> Zemeckis, R. (Director). (2000). <em>Castaway</em> [Film]. 20th Century Fox</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8">[8]</a> Stress management: Activating the parasympathetic nervous system. (2019, August 2). <em>Origin Recovery</em>. <a href="http://www.originsrecovery.com/stress-management-activating-the-parasympathetic-nervous-system/">www.originsrecovery.com/stress-management-activating-the-parasympathetic-nervous-system/</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9">[9]</a> Levine, S.L.; Cherrier, S. Holding, A.C.; Koestner, R. (2020). “For the love of reading: Recreational reading reduces psychological distress in college students and autonomous motivation is the key.” <em>Journal of American College Health, 70</em>(1). pp 158-164. doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1728280</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10">[10]</a> Baikie, K.A. & Wilhelm, K. (2005). “Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing.” <em>Advances in Psychiatric Treatment</em>, <em>11</em>(5). pp. 338-346. doi.org/10.1192/apt.11.5.338</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref11" name="_ftn11">[11]</a> Smyth, J.M.; Johnson, J.A.; Auer, B.J.; Lehman, E.; Talamo, G.; Sciamanna, C.N. (2018). “Online positive affect journaling in the improvement of mental distress and well-being in general medical patients with elevated anxiety symptoms: A preliminary randomized controlled trial.” <em>JMIR Ment Health</em>, <em>5</em>(4). doi.org/10.2196/11290</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref12" name="_ftn12">[12]</a> “Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress.” (n.d.). <em>Mayo Clinic</em>. <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858">www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref13" name="_ftn13">[13]</a> Kuchinskas, S. (2010). “How making music reduces stress: Playing some tunes is just what the doctor ordered to fight the ill effects of chronic stress.” <em>WebMD.</em> <a href="http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/how-making-music-reduces-stress">www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/how-making-music-reduces-stress</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref14" name="_ftn14">[14]</a> Pendry, P. & L. Vandagriff, J.L. (2019). “Animal visitation program reduces cortisol levels of university students: A randomized controlled trial.” <em>AERA Open</em>, <em>5</em>(2). journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2332858419852592</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref15" name="_ftn15">[15]</a> “Stress relief from laughter? It's no joke: When it comes to relieving stress, more giggles and guffaws are just what the doctor ordered.” (n.d.). <em>Mayo Clinic.</em> <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456">www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref16" name="_ftn16">[16]</a> Lin, S.; Faust, L.; Robles-Granda, P.; Kajdanowicz, T. & Nitesh V. Chawla. (2019, June 6). “Social network structure is predictive of health and wellness.” <em>Plos One.</em> doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217264</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref17" name="_ftn17">[17]</a> Rod K. Dishman, R.K.; Sothmann, M.; Praag, H.; Molitor, N.; Ducharme, E.; Anthony C.; Hackney, A.C. & Hillman, C. (2020, March 4). “Working out boosts brain health.” <em>American Psychological Society</em>. <a href="http://www.apa.org/topics/exercise-fitness/stress">www.apa.org/topics/exercise-fitness/stress</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref18" name="_ftn18">[18]</a> Shay, L., Fisher, M. & Goodwin, J. (1928). "When You're Smiling." <em>Mills Music</em>.</span></p>Growth By Designtag:mypeace.tv,2023-12-15:1992146:BlogPost:4099552023-12-15T23:30:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942072?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942072?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How often have we marveled at the beauty of a butterfly while also failing to acknowledge the changes it went through to achieve it? Such willful blindness is of course natural when we remember how painful change can be, yet <em>few things are as painful as staying…</em></span></p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942072?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304942072?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How often have we marveled at the beauty of a butterfly while also failing to acknowledge the changes it went through to achieve it? Such willful blindness is of course natural when we remember how painful change can be, yet <em>few things are as painful as staying stuck where we don’t belong.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The way we choose to live our lives is a direct reflection of the stories we tell ourselves, and these stories reveal our fears just as much as our values. We will resist change every time we <em>overvalue</em> what we already have and <em>undervalue</em> what we stand to gain, if only we are willing to let go.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Perhaps the most powerful force that can keep anyone from initiating positive change for their life is the fear of failure. And this is certainly understandable, because everyone has their own personal experience with failure, but these failures can only become roadblocks and setbacks when we allow the fear of striking out keep us out of the game. In such moments of despair, it can be encouraging to remember that yesterday’s strike outs cannot lose today’s game—but negative rumination will.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What you nurture will grow, so why spend time fertilizing weeds? Instead, tend to the causes of your growth, let go of what no longer serves you, bloom where you’re planted, and let your light shine.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Like a stained-glass window, it’s easy to sparkle in the light of day, but when darkness sets in, your true beauty is only revealed when you allow your inner light to shine. So put your light on a stand so all who come into your house can clearly see, focus on your values rather than fear, and whatever makes you truly come alive, go after it! Your story has not ended! Go after whatever sparks your joy with the same determination you would exert to demand a gasp of air after being under water for too long.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A caterpillar is not meant to die a caterpillar, and neither are you.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Desire Isn’t Enough</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The value of seeking positive change has been endorsed by countless leaders in their field and the message you just heard is a synthesis of encouraging words from the likes of <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/quotes/category/maya-angelou">Maya Angelou</a>, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/quotes/category/james-belasco">James Belasco</a>, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/quotes/category/les-brown">Les Brown</a>, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/quotes/category/thomas-carlyle">Thomas Carlyle</a>, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/quotes/category/elisabeth-kublerross">Elizabeth Kubler-Rose</a>, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/quotes/category/n-r-narayana-murthy">N. R. Narayana Murthy</a><strong>,</strong> <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/quotes/category/howard-thurman">Howard Thurman</a>, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/quotes/category/babe-ruth">Babe Ruth</a>, and <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/quotes/category/norman-vincent-peale">Norman Vincent Peale</a>. This unified message calls attention to the notion that truly no one will make changes in their life until they hurt enough that they want to change—like experiencing the painful desire for air while under water.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That said, it’s one thing to experience enough pain to desire change, and it’s quite another to learn enough that you know how to change and receive enough that you are able to change. You may want to come up for air, but if there are obstacles and forces keeping you down, you’re never going to make it to the surface. Merely wanting to change isn’t enough—you also have to learn and receive the required drivers that enable those changes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you’re getting ready to make some positive changes for yourself, your team, or your organization—or even if you’re just <em>thinking about</em> thinking about it—then I encourage you to take some time for honest reflection on the desired results you’re looking for, why they’re important, and what you’ll need to enable you to follow through. Such clarity provides a clear path so even the most difficult of challenges won’t be able to stop you—yet without this clarity, even the smoothest of roads can hold you back.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Required Drivers for Positive Change</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What follows is a list of five questions to help you get started. These are the same questions I ask all my <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a> clients during the intake process to understand their challenges, goals, and obstacles and paint a clear picture for how we’ll work together to achieve their desired results for individual, team, and organizational growth by design.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After reflecting on these questions, I encourage you to <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/connect.html">connect</a> with me to discuss your key insights:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>The Desire Question</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This question asks, <em>“What do you want to do?”</em> State your desire in specific terms by including these supporting details:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How does your desire express who you are? You are more than what you do—you are a human being, not a human doing—so a complete response to the desire question will need to include how your desire supports your place in the fabric of the universe. It might help here to consider your values and virtues. You might not necessarily include these in your answer, but it may help you to sculpt your answer.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why is your desire important? What do you stand to lose if you don’t fulfill your mission? And what do you stand to gain if you do? What’s motivating you?</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="2">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>The Ability Question</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This question asks, <em>“What can you do?”</em> Describe what you’re currently capable of doing. In other words, how will the knowledge, skills, resources, support, and opportunities gained from your prior experiences help you achieve your desired results?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="3">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>The Responsibility Question</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This question asks, <em>“What must you do?”</em> List the responsibilities that you must tend to. These may be voluntary responsibilities you choose to accept or they may be responsibilities imposed by your role, organization, sponsor, and so forth. Being honest about your responsibilities will help you create a growth plan that doesn’t include conflicts of interest.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="4">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>The Commitment Question</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This question asks, <em>“What will you do?”</em> Explain how committed you are to achieving your desired results. What are you willing to give up in order to grow up? What changes are you willing to make along the way?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="5">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>The Requirement Question</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This question asks, <em>“What do you need?”</em> Describe the gap in your knowledge, skills, resources, support, and opportunities that will need to be filled in to enable your success. As you list these required drivers, consider any challenges and obstacles that might get in your way and indicate what you will need to stay the course, follow through, and achieve your desired results.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>This question is often overlooked, yet it’s a key element that will enable your critical behaviors. It’s not enough to want to change and know how to change; you also have to be able to change, which can only happen when you receive the needed wind for your sails.</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What do you want to do?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What can you do?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What must you do?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What will you do?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What do you need?</em></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How often have we marveled at the beauty of a butterfly while also failing to recognize the changes it had to experience to get there? We will fail to make our own positive changes every time we overvalue what we already have and undervalue what we stand to gain if only we are willing to let go. You can experience your own transformation when you remind yourself that a caterpillar is not meant to die a caterpillar, and neither are you. By engaging in the five reflection questions provided here, you’ll be empowered and encouraged to initiate positive change for lifelong growth by design.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he engages, empowers, and encourages individuals, teams, and communities to experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>How to Develop Clarity of Purposetag:mypeace.tv,2023-12-10:1992146:BlogPost:4099542023-12-10T23:30:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304941482?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304941482?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">During a recent virtual event hosted by <a href="https://events.techsoup.org/netsquared-adelaide/">NetSquared of Adelaide</a>,<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a> I facilitated a workshop…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304941482?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304941482?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">During a recent virtual event hosted by <a href="https://events.techsoup.org/netsquared-adelaide/">NetSquared of Adelaide</a>,<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a> I facilitated a workshop on <em>The Three Pillars of Positivity</em>: Mindset, Purpose, and Relationships. The most pressing question that arose from this discussion was how to identify your purpose.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is a valuable question, because having a sense of purpose in life can provide the direction we need to enjoy where we are on our path while also looking forward to where we’re going with anticipation and excitement. Having a clear sense of direction can mean the difference between waking up every day excited rather than regrettably.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Yet, this is also a challenging question to answer, because no two people are alike so there is no clear-cut objective answer to this question. However, there are questions you can ask to coach yourself to find a clear answer that’s specific and meaningful for you.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Three Positivity Coaching Questions to Identify Purpose</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What follows are three specific questions that I ask clients when working in a one-on-one <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/coaching.html">coaching</a> session or as part of a small-group coaching <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/workshops.html">workshop</a> to support them in uncovering their own clarity of purpose. I encourage you to reflect on your answers to these question and, when you’re ready, schedule a complimentary <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/contact.html">Positivity Consultation</a><a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2">[2]</a> to explore your specific needs:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What Are Your Talents?</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There are two approaches to personal and professional growth: focusing on your weaknesses (fixing the holes in your boat) and focusing on your strengths (setting the sails). Certainly both are valuable, however <a href="https://www.gallup.com/workplace/236297/strengths-based-employee-development-business-results.aspx">research</a><a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">[3]</a> shows that performance and productivity are enhanced most by setting the sails on our strengths. In other words, you may be able to plug up the holes of your weaknesses so you don’t sink, but your significance and success will only be found when you instead lean into your strengths.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For example, Luciano Pavarotti spent two year as an elementary school teacher and, though he was good enough, he quickly decided to instead focus on his natural talent for music, and he went on to become one of the most acclaimed operatic tenors of all time. Imagine how Pavarotti’s life would have been different if he had focused on his weaknesses rather than his strengths!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="2">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>What Are Your Interests?</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://doi.org/10.1177/2372732216655542">Interest</a> can be seen as a psychological state that increases your tendency for attention and effort towards a particular activity, object, or topic, and can be thought of as a momentary experience of captivation, or as a more long-lasting feeling, giving you the sense that something is enjoyable and worth further exploration.<a href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4">[4]</a> Being genuinely interested in something empowers you with valuable mental resources to promote attention, recall, persistence, and overall effort, so by taking time to identify and reflect on your natural interests—what I like to refer to as the things that you often think about even when you should be thinking about other things—you’ll give yourself the best chance to chart a course for life that will genuinely make you happier and more resilient.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For example, the political leader Condoleezza Rice has made a career out of civil service, highlighting a clear interest in politics, yet she has also dedicated her life to studying music as a valued pastime. This is a sound reminder that even when interests conflict, you can still make space for them in your life by setting boundaries on what interests you want to engage in for money and what interests you want to engage in for creativity. They don’t have to be mutually exclusive, but it’s certainly okay if they are.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="3">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>How Does What You Do Reflect Who You Are?</em></strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s said that we are human beings, not human doings, and this suggests that we actually have two purposes in life: an inner primary purpose that concerns who we are, and a secondary outer purpose that concerns what we do with who we are. The challenge is we often spend so much time thinking about what we do that we forget to ask the even more important question of who we actually are. At its core, your inner purpose is a matter of values. What are your values? And how do your actions express these values?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The following is a list of values as suggest by the psychologist <a href="https://archive.org/details/natureofhumanval00roke/mode/2up">Milton Rokeach</a>.<a href="#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5">[5]</a> You may wish to use this list as a resource to help you get started thinking about what matters most to who you are, and as you do I encourage you to write down the ones that resonate with you while also adding values that are perhaps not on this list but which are deeply meaningful to you:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Friendship</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Love</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Self-Respect</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Happiness</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Harmony</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Equality</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Freedom</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pleasure</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Recognition</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wisdom</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Salvation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Security</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Patriotism</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Accomplishment</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Beauty</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Peace</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Comfort</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Excitement</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For example, my own personal core values include Responsibility, Responsiveness, Freedom, Stability, Love, Thoughtfulness, and Peace. Your own list may have an overlap with these lists, or they may look completely different. I encourage you to take this list that you’ve created and write down a few words about why these values are important to you and how your actions and goals express these values, along with how you might use your natural talents and interests to support them.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What do you do better than the average person with little to no effort?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What do you think about even when you should be thinking about other things?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>How do your actions today and your plans for tomorrow reflect who you are?</em></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A sense of purpose can provide the direction you need to enjoy where you are on your path while also looking forward to where you’re going with anticipation and excitement and can mean the difference between waking up every day excited rather than regrettably. By engaging in the three questions provided here you’ll be empowered and encouraged to discover a clear sense of purpose that’s specific and meaningful for you.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he engages, empowers, and encourages individuals, teams, and communities to experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><strong>References</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a> Australia NetSquared Adelaide. (n.d.). TechSoup. events.techsoup.org/netsquared-adelaide</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">[2]</a> <em>Contact</em> (n.d.). Hashtag Positivity. <a href="http://www.hashtagpositivity.com/contact">www.hashtagpositivity.com/contact</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">[3]</a> Rigoni, B. & Asplund, J. (2016, July 7). <em>Strengths-based employee development: The business results</em>. Gallup. <a href="http://www.gallup.com/workplace/236297/strengths-based-employee-development-business-results.aspx">www.gallup.com/workplace/236297/strengths-based-employee-development-business-results.aspx</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4">[4]</a> Harackiewicz,J.M., Jessi L. Smith, J.L., Stacy J. & Priniski, S.J. (2016, June 30). Interest matters: The importance of promoting interest in education. Policy Insight from the <em>Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3</em>(2), 220-227. doi.org/10.1177/2372732216655542</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5">[5]</a> Rokeach, M. (1973). <em>The Nature of Human Values</em>. The Free Press.</span></p>Remember Who You Aretag:mypeace.tv,2023-12-09:1992146:BlogPost:4099592023-12-09T00:00:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304946497?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304946497?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He knew <em>where</em> he was and <em>why</em> he was there, but what he didn’t know was <em>who</em> he was.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">While…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304946497?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304946497?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He knew <em>where</em> he was and <em>why</em> he was there, but what he didn’t know was <em>who</em> he was.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">While fighting in the first World War, he was severely wounded and wound up in the hospital to recuperate, but the only problem was he had lost both his dog tags and memory. The hospital staff didn’t know who he was and he had no way to tell them who he was, because he had nothing to remind himself of who he was.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He was in a tough spot, but he found solace whenever a musician who would come by to sing and play popular songs on the piano. The music served as a welcome respite from the challenge he faced on his healing journey.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For this wounded soldier, though, the music served as more than just a distraction. It served as a reminder.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One day during his visit, the musician began to sing “My Melancholy Baby,” a popular song that everyone from that time knew and could sing along to.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The unknown soldier sat straight up in bed in shock and delight. He not only remembered the song but also who wrote it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“That's my song!”</em> he exclaimed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The soldier was none other than Ernie Burnett, a composer who had achieved fame with his signature tune.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hearing his song reminded Ernie of who he was, helping him to fully regain his memory.<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Authenticity Reminders</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It can be easy to forget who we are while responding to the demands of the world around us. This can be true whether we’re fighting a literal war or fighting the day-to-day battles of everyday life.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Whatever the challenges you face, an empowering practice is to bring your authentic self to every moment—remembering who you really are in all you do.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For Ernie Burnett, this meant sending his music out into the world, instead of diminishing himself and hiding his talent—and when it came back to him, the reflection was literal music to his ears, a reminder of who he really is.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When we show up to every moment as our authentic selves, we become empowered to face and overcome challenges without losing ourselves in the process.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As Ernie’s song suggests: <em>“Every cloud must have a silver lining; wait until the sun shines through.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What do you do to remind yourself of who you really are?</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he helps individuals, teams, and communities experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to share your story: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><strong>Reference</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a> <sup> </sup>Furia, P. & Lasser, M, (2006). America's Songs: The stories behind the songs of Broadway, Hollywood, and Tin Pan Alley. Routledge.</span></p>The Three Drivers of Changetag:mypeace.tv,2023-12-07:1992146:BlogPost:4100112023-12-07T23:30:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A friend recently told me how much money his company had spent on a presenter for an all-company virtual meeting—to the tune of $100,000.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304941855?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304941855?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This friend was part of the planning committee tasked with…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A friend recently told me how much money his company had spent on a presenter for an all-company virtual meeting—to the tune of $100,000.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304941855?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304941855?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This friend was part of the planning committee tasked with collecting bios, presentation topics, and fees of various speakers. When asked what they got in exchange for their investment, he reiterated that they got a virtual presentation. I pressed him a bit more, to clarify what kind of resources and support they received to ensure the material in the presentation was implemented, but he explained that the company’s leadership didn’t want to spend additional time on such support—they just wanted to give their people something nice to feel good about.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t feel too good about spending $100,000 without a reasonable expectation of return.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But maybe that’s just me.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Perhaps.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>The Problem With Poorly Planned Meetings</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Encouragement without empowerment is a waste of time; yet empowerment without engagement is impossible.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In other words, telling people <em>“You can do it!”</em> without also providing them with the knowledge skills, resources, support, and opportunities to “do it” is a recipe for false hope and wishful thinking—a so-called “good-lie” that offers a false sense of security and lulled complacency before inevitable disaster strikes.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the same time, unless we understand what’s at stake, no amount of knowledge, skills, resources, support, and opportunities will suffice, because no one is listening because no one cares, and therefore nothing is retained and nothing can be transferred.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>The Three Drivers of Change</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ultimately, no one makes changes in their life until three drivers move them: <em>pain</em>, <em>knowledge</em>, and <em>support</em>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Pain.</em></strong> People will often go to greater lengths to avoid pain than to obtain pleasure, which is what makes pain perhaps one of the greatest motivators of all. In other words: No one will change until they <em>hurt</em> enough that they want to change.</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<ol start="2">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Knowledge.</em></strong> Mere desire is never enough without the support of relevant knowledge and skills, making it a critical asset for those wishing to make positive changes. In other words: No one will change until they <em>learn</em> enough that they know how to change.</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em> </em></strong></span></p>
<ol start="3">
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><em>Support.</em></strong> What you know and what you can do is meaningless without the support of relevant resources and opportunities to transfer your knowledge and skills. In other words: No one will change until they <em>receive</em> enough that they are able to change.</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As for my friend and the company he works for, they had plenty of pain and plenty of knowledge, but a woeful lack of support.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They had knowledge, because they had a $100,000 speaker deliver a slick presentation on boosting employee morale.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They had pain, because in the days following the presentation, entire teams and departments were eliminated, effectively making the content of the presentation irrelevant because the cornerstone of morale—trust—had been violated.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And they had a woeful lack of support, because without follow-up, no one was held accountable for applying and transferring what they learned beyond the meeting, making the investment meaningless.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Well, that is except for the people who were let go. They learned how to apply for new positions and transfer to new companies—perhaps companies that actually care about the people who make it all possible.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Perhaps.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What’s moving you today? Pain, knowledge, or support?</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he engages, empowers, and encourages individuals, teams, and communities to experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>A message from former Israeli soldiers - 12/7/23tag:mypeace.tv,2023-12-07:1992146:BlogPost:4100742023-12-07T18:30:00.000ZMyPeace Mediahttps://mypeace.tv/profile/Team
<p></p>
<p>“Since October 7th, Israeli politicians, journalists and commentators have been doubling down on their claim to the Israeli public that “there are no innocents in Gaza.” They willingly ignore the fact that Gaza’s population stands at 2.3 million, with 40% of them under age 15.</p>
<p>"There are no innocents in Gaza” is not only an inhumane claim, but a dangerous one. The only way to interpret it is as a blank check to justify the extensive killing of the men, women, and children in…</p>
<p></p>
<p>“Since October 7th, Israeli politicians, journalists and commentators have been doubling down on their claim to the Israeli public that “there are no innocents in Gaza.” They willingly ignore the fact that Gaza’s population stands at 2.3 million, with 40% of them under age 15.</p>
<p>"There are no innocents in Gaza” is not only an inhumane claim, but a dangerous one. The only way to interpret it is as a blank check to justify the extensive killing of the men, women, and children in Gaza whose only crime is living on the other side of the fence.</p>
<p>“They voted for Hamas,” many keep saying in Israel and around the world, referring to elections that took place 18 years ago. Most of those living in Gaza today weren’t even born then, including the over 6,000 children estimated to have been killed in the past weeks.</p>
<p>There’s no way to measure how this rhetoric affects IDF operations, but the numbers are horrifying. Israeli officials claim 5,000 of over 16,000 Palestinians killed so far were Hamas operatives. Even if true, the number of civilian deaths per every Hamas operative is staggering.</p>
<p>Former IDF soldiers who took part in the fighting in Gaza during operation “Protective Edge” in 2014 testified themselves on encountering innocent civilians who remained in the areas the IDF deemed as “sterile” following its warnings to evacuate.</p>
<p>The October 7th massacre was unthinkable. Over 1,200 dead, 240 hostages. Almost every Israeli knows someone who was kidnapped, murdered, raped. Yet despicable claims like “there are no innocents in Gaza” also knowingly endanger the 138 Israelis still held hostage in Gaza.</p>
<p>Returned hostages Emily Hand and Hila Shoshani - both children - were rushed from house to house under the *Israeli* bombardment. We endangered and continue to endanger the lives of the hostages, just like the lives of countless Palestinian children, women, elderly.</p>
<p>Gazans are trapped between Hamas, which operates from within the civilian population and infrastructure, and the daily reality of Israeli occupation and siege that turned Gaza into an open-air prison. This isn’t a reason to ignore or be indifferent to their fate. On the contrary.</p>
<p>Those saying “there are no innocents in Gaza” are enabling, consciously or not, criminal plans of ethnic cleansing by way of forcible-transfer, as well as extensive killing of innocent civilians. Words that policy makers speak become policy. As Israelis, we must not stay silent.”</p>
<p><br/> -<a href="https://www.breakingthesilence.org.il/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Breaking the Silence</a><br/> (An organization of Israeli veterans who served in the IDF since 2000)</p>Loa Bluetooth Cabasse The Pearl Akoya chat luong voi am thanh dinh caotag:mypeace.tv,2023-12-07:1992146:BlogPost:4100702023-12-07T07:00:00.000Zbillierioshttps://mypeace.tv/profile/billierios
<div><strong>Loa Bluetooth Cabasse The Pearl Akoya chất lượng với âm thanh đỉnh cao<br></br><br></br></strong></div>
<div><strong>Loa Bluetooth Cabasse The Pearl Akoya có thiết kế độc đáo cùng chất âm thanh ấn tượng. Loa giúp nâng cấp không gian giải trí lên tầm cao mới và tạo nên những bữa tiệc âm nhạc hoành tráng ở mọi nơi. Hãy cùng 2momart khám phá rõ hơn về dòng sản phẩm này qua nội dung dưới đây.<br></br></strong><br></br><strong>1. Giới thiệu loa Bluetooth Cabasse The Pearl…</strong></div>
<div><strong>Loa Bluetooth Cabasse The Pearl Akoya chất lượng với âm thanh đỉnh cao<br/><br/></strong></div>
<div><strong>Loa Bluetooth Cabasse The Pearl Akoya có thiết kế độc đáo cùng chất âm thanh ấn tượng. Loa giúp nâng cấp không gian giải trí lên tầm cao mới và tạo nên những bữa tiệc âm nhạc hoành tráng ở mọi nơi. Hãy cùng 2momart khám phá rõ hơn về dòng sản phẩm này qua nội dung dưới đây.<br/></strong><br/><strong>1. Giới thiệu loa Bluetooth Cabasse The Pearl Akoya<br/><br/></strong></div>
<div><a href="https://forum.enscape3d.com/wcf/index.php?user/44387-nobuzlata/" rel="dofollow"><strong>Loa Bluetooth cao cap</strong></a> <img src="https://i.imgur.com/wwc81Wr.gif"/> Cabasse The Pearl Akoya có thiết kế ấn tượng, độc đáo giống như viên ngọc trai sang trọng, đẳng cấp. Vì thế, gây thiện cảm với mọi người ngay từ lần đầu tiên.<br/><br/></div>
<div>Sản phẩm có trọng lượng 6 kg cùng kích thước khá nhỏ gọn chỉ 22 x 22 x 22 (cm) tương ứng với chiều dài x chiều rộng x chiều cao. Vì thế, người dùng dễ dàng bài trí ở mọi không gian hoặc mang theo đi bất kỳ đâu để thỏa mãn nhu cầu giải trí của mình.<br/><br/></div>
<div><img src="https://i.imgur.com/K5zDgUg.jpg"/></div>
<div><em><br/>Loa Bluetooth Cabasse The Pearl Akoya có thiết kế độc đáo, ấn tượng<br/><br/></em></div>
<div><strong>2. Loa Bluetooth Cabasse The Pearl Akoya sở hữu chất âm đỉnh cao<br/><br/></strong></div>
<div>Cabasse The Pearl Akoya là dòng loa Bluetooth của Pháp sở hữu chất âm đỉnh cao. Sản phẩm có thiết kế âm thanh hoàn hảo với nhiều tính năng vượt trội. Bao gồm:<br/><br/></div>
<div>Một củ loa Woofer có động cơ được làm từ sợi cacbon dệt và thiết kế theo công nghệ Held. Điều này đem đến chất lượng âm thanh bùng nổ, chân thực.<br/><br/></div>
<div>Việc tích hợp mạch xử lý cao cấp nên ngay cả khi mở với âm lượng lớn, loa không hề bị méo tiếng hay biến dạng.<br/><br/></div>
<div>Củ loa Tweeter và Mid được thiết kế đồng trục theo công nghệ độc quyền BCI, giúp âm thanh phát ra được chi tiết và rõ ràng hơn.<br/><br/></div>
<div><img src="https://i.imgur.com/4C9vbvp.jpg"/><br/><br/></div>
<div><em>Loa Bluetooth Cabasse The Pearl Akoya sở hữu chất âm đỉnh cao<br/><br/></em></div>
<div><strong>3. Một số đặc điểm nổi bật của loa Bluetooth Cabasse The Pearl Akoya<br/><br/></strong></div>
<div>Khác với những dòng <img src="https://i.imgur.com/SbXsr5y.gif"/> <a href="https://vietstock.vn/2022/07/loa-bluetooth-chinh-hang-gia-re-nao-dang-mua-hien-nay-4511-978424.htm" rel="dofollow"><strong>loa Bluetooth giá rẻ</strong></a>, sản phẩm cao cấp Cabasse The Pearl Akoya ghi điểm tuyệt đối về vẻ ngoài và chất lượng bên trong. Sản phẩm sở hữu nhiều đặc điểm nổi bật như:<br/><br/></div>
<div>Sản phẩm tuy nhỏ gọn nhưng có công suất cực lớn lên tới 1.050W.<br/><br/></div>
<div>Kết nối đa dạng và dễ dàng qua Bluetooth, wifi, Optical, USB micro…<br/><br/></div>
<div>Điều khiển bằng giọng nói hoặc thông qua bộ điều khiển đi kèm.<br/><br/></div>
<div>Stream nhạc trực tuyến qua các nền tảng: Web radio, spotify, tidal…<br/><br/></div>
<div>Có hai màu sắc là đen và trắng, thích hợp cho mọi không gian sống.<br/><br/></div>
<div>Khả năng tùy chỉnh tự động, mang đến sự tiện lợi cho người dùng.<br/><br/></div>
<div>Trình nghe nhạc cực hay với dải tần rộng từ 30 Hz – 27.000 Hz.<br/><br/></div>
<div>Khoảng cách kết nối khá rộng lên đến 20 – 35 mét.<br/><br/></div>
<div>Khả năng kết nối 2 loa Cabasse The Pearl Akoya thông qua công nghệ Cabasse Stream Control.<br/><br/></div>
<div>XEM THÊM Về loa Bluetooth: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/toploabluetoothchinhhang/" rel="dofollow"><strong>https://www.facebook.com/toploabluetoothchinhhang/</strong></a></div>
<div><br/>Cabasse The Pearl Akoya là loa Bluetooth tiên tiến được tích hợp nhiều công nghệ nâng cao, thỏa mãn niềm đam mê âm nhạc của mọi người. Hiện nay, dòng sản phẩm này đang rất được ưa chuộng. Các bạn hãy cùng tìm hiểu và cân nhắc để đưa ra lựa chọn phù hợp.</div>How to Move a Mountaintag:mypeace.tv,2023-12-05:1992146:BlogPost:4101082023-12-05T00:00:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304949272?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304949272?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When it was too tough to break by hand, he would burn firewood over the rock and then pour water over the hot surface. The thermal stress would crack the rock into manageable pieces that could then be carried…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304949272?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304949272?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When it was too tough to break by hand, he would burn firewood over the rock and then pour water over the hot surface. The thermal stress would crack the rock into manageable pieces that could then be carried away from the mountain.<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1">[1]</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But most of the time, he just used a hammer and chisel.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dashrath would wake up early in the morning to spend a few hours chipping away at the mountain before heading to work in the fields. After plowing the fields all day, he would then return to the mountain to chip away some more until sunset.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His neighbors in Gehlaur, a small village in northern India, thought he had gone mad—which was partially true.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dashrath <em>was</em> mad.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Angry</em>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Furious</em>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In 1959 his wife, Phaguni, was seriously injured and needed medical care, but the nearest hospital was in Wazirganj, more than 56 miles away on the other side of the mountain—a journey they would have to take on foot. But before Phaguni could get the help she needed, she passed away in her loving husband’s arms.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That day, Dashrath resolved to ensure no one had to ever again endure his wife’s fate. <em>“If it took all my life,”</em> he said, <em>“I would carve us a road through the mountain.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>The Origin of Passion Also Gave Us Patience</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones,”</em> says Confucius. For most people, this is just a metaphor, but for Dashrath Manjhi, it was instruction.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“When I started hammering the hill, people called me a lunatic,”</em> he said, then added, <em>“But that steeled my resolve.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel once said: <em>“Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion,”</em> and when we look at the origin of this word <em>passion</em>—derived from words meaning “to suffer, bear, and endure,”—we can appreciate the implication of this statement, for the origin of passion also gave us the word <em>patience</em>—an apt description of a man who hoped to move a mountain.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s been said that Hope has two beautiful daughters: Anger and Courage. <em>Anger</em> at the way things are and <em>Courage</em> to step up and make a difference.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Yes, Dashrath <em>was</em> mad.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Angry</em>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Furious</em>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But he also had the courage to do what no one else was willing to do: step up and make a difference. Dashrath entered willingly into his passion—patiently carrying small stones away from the mountain, every day, for weeks, months, years, and decades. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Follow Your Blisters</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Though Joseph Campbell’s popular adage is <em>“Follow Your Bliss,”</em> even he recognized that anything worthwhile takes work, prompting him to remark years later: <em>“Maybe I should have said ‘Follow Your Blisters.’”<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2"><strong>[2]</strong></a></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dashrath’s story is a reminder that following your bliss isn’t an easy path, for it welcomes great trials, enduring suffering, and the ultimate death of who you were before the fires of passion consumed you. As Brianna Wiest reminds us: <em>“Your new life is going to cost you your old one,”</em> but this letting go is not in vain, for <em>“all you’re going to lose is what was built for a person you no longer are.”</em> After all, a caterpillar isn’t meant to die a caterpillar.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Change can be painful, yet few things are as painful as staying stuck where you don’t belong, and it is the passion for what you stand to gain that empowers you to let go. As Dashrath once said, <em>“I started this work out of love for my wife, but continued it for my people. If I did not, no one would.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His passion was the very thing he couldn’t <em>not</em> do—for what started as an expression of love for his wife had transformed into a gift to the people of his community so others would not have to suffer the same fate.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When Dashrath followed his bliss, he entered willingly into his passion—patiently carrying stones away from the mountain and collecting blisters along the way.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Breaking Through to the Other Side</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In 1982, after 22 years of patiently chipping away at the mountain, Dashrath finally broke through to the other side, creating a 360-foot long road that served as a shortcut to Wazirganj—now only 3 miles away.<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">[3]</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To move a mountain, you begin by carrying away small stones—and for Dashrath, all he needed was a hammer and chisel and the burning fire of passion.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What’s your passion? How are you following your blisters?</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he helps individuals, teams, and communities experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to share your story: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Refereces</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a> Be Amazed. (2021, December 2). He spent 22 years digging through a mountain with a hammer and chisel [Video]. YouTube. youtu.be/UUkIBdJ4r2w</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">[2]</a> Gethin, W. (2018, March & April). “Follow your bliss or follow your blisters?” <em>Resurgence Magazine</em>. <a href="http://www.resurgence.org/magazine/article5073-follow-your-bliss-or-follow-your-blisters.html%C2%A0">www.resurgence.org/magazine/article5073-follow-your-bliss-or-follow-your-blisters.html </a>;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">[3]</a> Mascarenhas, J.A. ( 2018, October 9). “The man who moved a mountain.” The <em>Better India</em>. <a href="http://www.thebetterindia.com/18326/the-man-who-moved-a-mountain-milaap-dashrath-manjhi/">www.thebetterindia.com/18326/the-man-who-moved-a-mountain-milaap-dashrath-manjhi/</a></span></p>Haters or Helpers?tag:mypeace.tv,2023-12-05:1992146:BlogPost:4100192023-12-05T00:00:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304946261?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304946261?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The umpire wasn’t happy, and didn’t hesitate to let the player know how he felt. Looking up into the stands, he yelled, <em>“You’re done!”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> …</span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304946261?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304946261?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The umpire wasn’t happy, and didn’t hesitate to let the player know how he felt. Looking up into the stands, he yelled, <em>“You’re done!”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At first, the crowd didn’t realize what had just happened, because ejecting <em>this</em> player had never occurred to them.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After the umpire made a few questionable calls, the organist, Derek Dye, began playing <em>Three Blind Mice</em>, and the umpire, Mario Seneca, didn’t want to hear it, and threw him out of the game.<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1"><sup>[1]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The <em>organ</em> player.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This wasn’t without precedent, though. In 1985, the umpire Kevin O'Connor threw organist Wilbur Snapp out of a game for playing the same song.<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2"><sup>[2]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Some people just don’t know how to take a little constructive criticism.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Intellectual Arrogance</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Friedrich Nietzsche suggests: <em>“Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.”<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3"><sup><strong>[3]</strong></sup></a></em> And this bears repeating:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.”</em> — Friedrich Nietzsche</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When we blindly hold to our convictions without reasoned reflection—refusing to even consider alternative perspectives and possibilities—this intellectual arrogance can limit our success, because no one has a monopoly on the truth.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Or as Voltaire would remind us: <em>“Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.”<a href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4"><sup><strong>[4]</strong></sup></a></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Haters vs Helpers</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If you get the chance (and I sincerely hope you do), just ask Captain Donald Lawson.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On a mission to break the world record for sailing solo around the world, his sure passion has all the appearances of a man destined for success, but there is something missing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“He drove himself into a corner by ignoring everyone that didn’t support him 100%,”</em> said Rob Macfarlane, an experienced long-distance sailor who had a chance meeting with Captain Lawson at a port in Acapulco. <em>“The moment you doubted what he could do, you were instantly shifted over into what he called haters.</em>”<a href="#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5"><sup>[5]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And there are a lot of haters, including navigator Artie Means, who said it’s <em>“obvious to myself and nearly all of the sailing community”</em> that Captain Lawson doesn’t have the knowledge and training to handle a boat like that.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And then there’s sailor Ronnie Simpson, who tried to encourage Captain Lawson to shift his focus to breaking course records for a while, to give him an opportunity to level up and hone his skills.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All of these haters only told him what he <em>didn’t</em> want to hear—but there is a qualitative difference between being a “hater” and being a “helper.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em> </em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Haters</em> don’t have your best interest in mind. They only care about what they stand to gain if you fail (or what they stand to lose if you succeed.)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Helpers</em>, on the other hand, do have your best interest in mind. They want to see you succeed (or at the very least, they don’t want to see you fail).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It can sometimes be hard to tell haters and helpers apart, because both may tell you things you don’t want to hear. When this happens, you have a choice: You can choose to attribute their words to malice, to ignorance, or to reason.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Do they have ulterior motives? Are they inexperienced? Or does their unique lived experience offer them reasoned knowledge and skills?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How are we to know for certain beyond a reasonable doubt?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Intellectual Humility</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">No one likes to be wrong. And people especially don’t like to be <em>perceived</em> as wrong by others. But in our search for certainty, we would do well to calibrate our certainty to <em>actual</em> knowledge and skills, rather than mere wishful thinking.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This calibration is what psychologists call <em>intellectual humility</em>—a willingness to stay curious, accept doubt, and consider the possibility we might be wrong.<a href="#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6"><sup>[6]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Certainty</em> is about being right, whereas <em>curiosity</em> is about exploration. Beyond right or wrong, the curiosity that comes with intellectual humility helps us collect information to make informed decisions, while also making the people around you feel seen, heard, and valued.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And studies support this call of self-skepticism, demonstrating that people with intellectual humility are more effective decision makers, form stronger relationships, and live overall happier lives.<a href="#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7"><sup>[7]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As the philosopher and skeptic, Francis Bacon, reminds us: <em>“If we begin with certainties, we shall end in doubts; but if we begin with doubts, and are patient in them, we shall end in certainties.”<a href="#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8"><sup><strong>[8]</strong></sup></a></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>A Radical Decision</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To practice intellectual humility, the psychologist Daryl Van Tongeren suggests: <em>“Whomever you meet, it’s a good idea to assume there is something to be learned from them.”<a href="#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9"><sup><strong>[9]</strong></sup></a></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And that’s just what Wade LeBlanc did. In 2011, he was a major league pitcher for the San Diego Padres, but after a particularly bad game against the Red Sox, he was sent back to the minor league. When a cab picked him up at Fenway to drive him to the airport, the cabbie recognized him from the game, and had a few pointers for him.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“You know, you’ve got some good stuff,”</em> he started, <em>“But I think there’s some things you should think about trying, some things that might make a difference. I don’t know, I’m not a player. Maybe something like going over your head in your windup.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wade could have been forgiven for choosing to ignore the cabbie’s suggestions. After all, the guy wasn’t even a baseball player! As Theodore Roosevelt reminds us: <em>“It is not the critic who counts…”</em> Rather, <em>“...the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…”<a href="#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10"><sup><strong>[10]</strong></sup></a></em> But at that point, Wade was desperate, and didn’t know if he’d have another shot in the big leagues—so he made a radical decision.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He listened.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When he landed back in the minors, he tried out the cabbie’s suggestion—and it worked. The trick gave him more control of the ball and in the very next game he only allowed one run and no walks, and he continued to use this technique for the rest of his career.<a href="#_ftn11" name="_ftnref11"><sup>[11]</sup></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wade could have ignored the hater, but instead chose to stay curious and assumed there was something to be learned from the helper.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Daring Greatly</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As for Captain Lawson, for now, this is where his story ends.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On July 24, 2023, his sailboat, <em>Defiant</em>, was found capsized in the Pacific—and the Captain nowhere to be found.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Haters are going to hate no matter what—and they can say what they want about Captain Lawson—but as for the helpers, we know the truth: “<em>His place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”<a href="#_ftn12" name="_ftnref12"><sup><strong>[12]</strong></sup></a></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Did you ever see such a sight in your life as three blind mice?</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he helps individuals, teams, and communities experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to share your story: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Daytona Cubs. (2012, August 2). <em>Umpire ejects Daytona Cubs music man Derek Dye</em> [Video]. YouTube. <a href="https://youtu.be/hS0GrJoBBzs">https://youtu.be/hS0GrJoBBzs</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> The Associated Press. (2003, September 10). “Wilbur Snapp, 83, Organist Ejected by Ump.” <em>The New York Times</em>. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/10/sports/wilbur-snapp-83-organist-ejected-by-ump.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/10/sports/wilbur-snapp-83-organist-ejected-by-ump.html</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> Nietzsche, F. (1908). <em>Human, all too human.</em> Ernst Schmeitzner</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4"><sup>[4]</sup></a> <em>“Le doute n'est pas une état bien agréable, mais l'assurance est un état ridicule.”</em> Voltaire. (1779, November 28). Letter to Frederick William II, Prince of Prussia.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5"><sup>[5]</sup></a> Kugiya, H. (2023, August 31). “The making of Baltimore sailor Donald Lawson and the quixotic quest that may have doomed him.” <em>The Baltimore Banner</em>. <a href="https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/investigation/donald-lawson-missing-baltimore-sailor-final-months-WISUGW6Q2NBW5JOYCR53JHFBY4/">https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/investigation/donald-lawson-missing-baltimore-sailor-final-months-WISUGW6Q2NBW5JOYCR53JHFBY4/</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6"><sup>[6]</sup></a> Grierson, B. (2023, July 5). “The certainty trap.” <em>Psychology Today</em>. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/202307/certainty-is-a-psychological-trap-and-its-time-to-escape">https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/202307/certainty-is-a-psychological-trap-and-its-time-to-escape</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7"><sup>[7]</sup></a> Leary, M. (2021, November 3). “What does intellectual humility look like?” <em>Greater Good Magazine</em>. <a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_does_intellectual_humility_look_like">https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/what_does_intellectual_humility_look_like</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8"><sup>[8]</sup></a> Bacon, S. (1605). <em>The advancement of learning</em>. P. F. Collier.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9"><sup>[9]</sup></a> Grierson, B. (2023, July 5). “The certainty trap.” <em>Psychology Today</em>. <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/202307/certainty-is-a-psychological-trap-and-its-time-to-escape">https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/202307/certainty-is-a-psychological-trap-and-its-time-to-escape</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10"><sup>[10]</sup></a> Roosevelt, T. (1910, April 23). <em>Citizenship in a Republic</em>. [Speech]. University of Paris.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref11" name="_ftn11"><sup>[11]</sup></a> Brock, C. (2018, April 27). “How advice from a cab driver helped save Wade LeBlanc's career.” <em>The Athletic</em>. <a href="https://theathletic.com/332525/2018/04/27/how-advice-from-a-cab-driver-helped-save-wade-leblancs-career/">https://theathletic.com/332525/2018/04/27/how-advice-from-a-cab-driver-helped-save-wade-leblancs-career/</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref12" name="_ftn12"><sup>[12]</sup></a> Roosevelt, T. (1910, April 23). <em>Citizenship in a Republic</em>. [Speech]. University of Paris.</span></p>How to Get Your Priorities Straighttag:mypeace.tv,2023-12-03:1992146:BlogPost:4100992023-12-03T23:30:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304940884?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304940884?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This week is very different from every other week for the past seven years, and moving forward, things are going to be very different.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> …</span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304940884?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304940884?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This week is very different from every other week for the past seven years, and moving forward, things are going to be very different.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It didn’t hit me until Tuesday morning when I looked at my schedule for the day, where I saw a task I’ve been doing every week for over seven years. And even though it’s scheduled in my calendar, it’s a task I will never do again.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>How to Stay on Track</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">While in graduate school at Purdue University, I began a process to help me prioritize tasks and stay on track for balancing school, work, and other life responsibilities. The process worked so well that I’ve continued to use this same process ever since.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the start of the month I plan the whole month ahead by looking at the major projects that need to be completed, breaking down each project into logical and manageable steps, and then scheduling them out across the days and weeks ahead.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For example: instead of writing in the schedule, “Read <em>Educational Game Design Fundamentals</em>,” I would instead write, “Read Chapter 1 of <em>Educational Game Design Fundamentals</em>.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s unrealistic to read an entire book in one day when you have other tasks to complete—and even if you know you mean you’ll actually only be reading one chapter that day, it’s far more encouraging to cross that item off your schedule at the end of the day rather than letting it hang as a seemingly unfinished task.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another example: instead of writing, “Write proposal for Blue Buffalo,” I would instead write, “Schedule call with Braden to discuss training objectives.” And then each subsequent task would be scheduled for the ensuing days before finally leading up to “Submit proposal to Braden.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When you’re balancing several projects with competing tasks all vying for conflicting space in your schedule, you won’t always be able to sit with a project from start to finish in a single day, especially if other people are involved. Breaking these projects into manageable pieces, and leaving some breathing room in the calendar, can help to ensure valuable projects get done on time without unneeded whirlwind or burnout.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>3 Categories of Tasks</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another key element to this process is the inclusion of three categories of tasks. These categories align with The Three Pillars of Positivity: Mindset, Purpose, and Relationships.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mindset tasks are the ones that help you keep an open mind while remaining calm, balanced, and centered.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Purpose tasks are the ones that help you move forward with your mission, vision, and values.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Relationship tasks are the ones that help you stay connected with the important people in your life.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The happiest, most positive, and most resilient people all share these three characteristics in common, so scheduling at least one task from each category every day will ensure that you will not only get your meaningful projects in on time, but you will also remain balanced, fulfilled, and supported along the way.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For example, my schedule will often include things like running, meditation, and music, because these things help with my Mindset.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It will also include things this reading, writing, and sales calls, because these things help with my Purpose.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For Relationships, the number one thing in my schedule is to send birthday greetings to my family and friends who are celebrating that day, helping to make a meaningful human connection with at least one person.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Meaningful Work</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One task in particular in my schedule is one that for the past seven years has covered all three of these categories, helping me to keep an open mind, lean into my mission, and make a genuine human connection.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since 2014 I’ve been helping care for Dr. Mednick, an elderly gentleman with no living family. My sister-in-law, Shanna, who works as a CNA, met Dr. Mednick when she worked for his wife, and when the wife died Shanna stayed on to help the Doctor. But in the evenings he would often get lonely, and soon asked Shanna to find someone to be with him at night. And from June 2014 on, I’d been with him ever since.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It started off as a night here and a night there, but eventually he wanted me there four nights a week, and I’d stay with him from 6pm until 10am the next morning. I’d help him with his nightly routine, make myself available if he needed anything in the middle of the night, and then help get him up in the morning.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For the better part of seven years, I spent 64 hours a week with Dr. Mednick, and during that time I got know him. Truly know him. Inside and out. Literally and figuratively. We laughed together, got on each other’s nerves, and shared a bond unlike any other I thought I would ever forge with another person.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In his 88 years of life, Dr. Mednick has been many things. A son, a friend, a sports fan, a soldier, a student, a world traveler, a husband, a doctor, a colleague, a cat lover, an animal impersonator, and even a singer. (He could make up a song about anything right on the spot. He truly could have had a whole other career writing jingles!) And though I’ve only known him for the last seven years of his long life, to me, he will always be Doctor. Whenever he calls for me, my standard reply is always: <em>"Yes, Doctor, how may I help you? Ah yes, coming right up."</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He is a consistent man. He knows what he likes and surrounds himself with those things—whether it’s a specific brand of T-shirt, oyster crackers, or people. If he likes it and if he likes you, he surrounds himself with these good things.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And this is certainly true for movies. He has the tenacity to watch the same movie on repeat day after day. I’ve sat with him for hours on end, day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year, watching <em>Titanic</em>, <em>The God Father</em>, <em>Pearl Harbor</em>, <em>Patton</em>, and <em>The Sound of Music</em>. It’s truly fascinating how he can sit through these movies over and over again! Yet as I think of it now, it makes perfect sense that he would watch and rewatch these films, because they likely remind him of various meaningful aspects of his life.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Titanic</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Though Dr. Mednick grew up in New York, he went to medical school in Switzerland, but because he doesn’t like to fly he would always take a ship across the ocean. Because of this, I imagine, the movie <em>Titanic</em> likely reminds him of all the time he spent traveling across the ocean. Thankfully, though, he never encountered any icebergs like Jack and Rose!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>The God Father</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">From the stories the Doctor shared with us about his childhood, it sounds like his father was in the mafia. I don’t know if this is true, but if there’s even a sliver of truth to this then perhaps watching the New York gangsters in <em>The God Father</em> provided comforting memories from his childhood. Perhaps.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Pearl Harbor & Patton</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just before Dr. Mednick was to begin medical school, he was drafted into the army. He tried to get an education exemption, but he was told the university would still be there when he got out. So even though he didn’t necessarily want to be in the military, I’m sure that movies like <em>Pearl Harbor</em> and <em>Patton</em> likely reminded him of his time in the service and spoke to his sense of duty in serve to others. And he was certainly of a valuable service to countless people in the community, having served for decades as the county’s Chief Medical Examiner, helping to solve cases that put murderers behind bars. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>The Sound of Music</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And then there’s <em>The Sound of Music</em>, a movie that will forever have a place in my heart because of Dr. Mednick. As we’d watch the film together, he would point out all the places he'd been to, excited to share with me the adventures he had when he was a younger man.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For all of these reasons, it makes sense that he can watch these movies on repeat, because they remind him of important aspects of his life and because of the joy it brings him to share these memories with the people he loves. And ultimately, every story is a love story—in one way or another—and true to his nature, Dr. Mednick is many things, and he is certainly a man with a big heart.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Chosen Family</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One day a number of years ago I was at a doctor's appointment with him, and the nurse asked him who he lives with, if he has any family or children at home. He said no, but then added, <em>“I have a Shanna and a Jonas.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hearing him say those words melted my heart. And the memory of this alone fills my heart with joy. Even though we’re not related, we relate to each other in a meaningful way unlike any other relationship I have ever had. Though he never had any children, we are his chosen family, and he is our chosen family.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Task Complete</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When I plan my schedule, I automatically put Dr. Mednick in the calendar. My work with him helps me maintain an open mind, lean into my mission of being of service to others, and helps me maintain a valuable human connection. My work with Dr. Mednick is some of the most important work I do with my days, regardless of what else is going on in my life.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So when I looked at the calendar this week and saw his name on Tuesday, my heart became heavy. Because my work with Dr. Mednick is now done. We knew the end was nearing for him. It wasn’t a matter of if, but when.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Last week, on my last evening with him, I sat in the chair by his bedside and said everything that needed to be said. He hadn’t opened his eyes all day, so I’ll never know if he actually heard me speak. But I like to believe he did.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I then took out my ukulele and tried to sing songs for him, but they were choppy and jumbled because of the fits of tears that could not be held back. Having grieved for many people over the years, I often wondered if I would be able to cry again. But Dr. Mednick had one last story to share—the story that says there’s always a tear, a smile, and laughter available for someone who cares.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After gathering my things to leave that day, I went to his bedside to say goodbye. But he was already gone. And now for the first time in seven years, my weekly schedule looks very different. I am forever grateful to Dr. Mednick for sharing the final years of his fascinating life with me, and I will forever be a better person for having made my relationship with him a priority.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>How are you prioritizing your tasks?</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em> </em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he engages, empowers, and encourages individuals, teams, and communities to experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em> </em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em> </em></span></p>Tending the Causestag:mypeace.tv,2023-12-02:1992146:BlogPost:4098602023-12-02T23:30:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304940056?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304940056?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A gust of wind burst in when he opened the door and told me to stick my legs out. At first, instinct refused to comply, but I reminded myself that Dean had done this thousands of times. He knew what he was…</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304940056?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304940056?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-center"/></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A gust of wind burst in when he opened the door and told me to stick my legs out. At first, instinct refused to comply, but I reminded myself that Dean had done this thousands of times. He knew what he was doing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sitting on the edge, I looked across the horizon. Cotton ball clouds floated in midair, suspended in the sky like a photograph. I was in suspense myself, literally on the edge of my seat in the airplane awaiting the inevitable.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The next thing I knew, Dean pushed us out the door and we immediately began free falling 10,000 feet towards the earth. I don’t think this is what my doctor had in mind when she said I needed to make some changes to my lifestyle, but it certainly helped me get there.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>The Trying</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Quartets">T.S. Eliot</a> once suggested: “<em>For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business.”<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1"><strong>[1]</strong></a></em> This sounds great—but I doubt the poet ever went skydiving. When you’re plummeting towards the earth, the “rest” is certainly your business.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Perhaps in this context it’s better to listen to the sage words of <a href="https://www.starwars.com/video/do-or-do-not">Yoda</a>: <em>“Do. Or do not. There is no try.”<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2"><strong>[2]</strong></a></em> You either land safely on the ground, or you don’t. There’s no in-between when it comes to skydiving, so be careful who you let pack your parachute—and it might be a good idea to also look before you leap.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Ask the Right Question</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What compelled me to jump out of an airplane in the first place? It all started with a visit to the doctor’s office where I was given an uncomfortable diagnosis. The doctor said I had two options: take medication for the rest of my life to manage Type 2 diabetes, or make significant changes to my lifestyle.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At first, I leaned into the medication option, because that was the expedient choice. But it didn’t take long before I gave more serious thought to the lifestyle changes that could lead to sounder health. After all, there are things I want to do with my life, and the only way to do them is alive.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“Can I get healthy?”</em> Up until then, the answer had been no. At least, that’s the answer given all the choices I had made up until that moment—and the same actions that got me to that point weren’t going to get out of the predicament.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>“Can I get healthy”</em> is the wrong question. The higher quality question is <em>“How can I get healthy?”</em> Now that’s something to work with, because it presumes there is a way and I only have to find it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Tend to the Causes</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The psychologist <a href="https://www.rickhanson.net/tend-to-the-causes/">Dr. Rick Hanson</a> reminds us that even the most powerful person in the world cannot force an apple tree to hand over an apple, because we can’t control results. All we can do is tend to the causes that promote results.<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3">[3]</a> We can plant good seeds in fertile soil, provide sunlight, and plenty of water. For the gardener, there is only the trying. The rest is none of their business.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is true whether your goal is to grow a tree, start a successful business, create a compassionate learning environment, or reverse a medical diagnosis—or truly anything else. Consider the valued result you’re looking for, then ask yourself: <em>“How can I tend to the causes that promote this result?”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Process Goals</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tending to the causes is a call to create <em>process goals</em> rather than mere <em>outcome goals</em>.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Outcome goals</strong> are the desired results—results that, despite our best efforts, are never truly within our control.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Process goals</strong> are the causes that promote the desired results—the behaviors and activities that are fully within our control.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We might think of this as the relationship between a Mission Statement and Core Values: the Mission Statement is where we’re headed, and the Core Values are how we get there.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Top 5 List</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Where do you want to go? What do you want to achieve? What’s your desired result?</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Do you want to create a compassionate working environment for your team and the people you serve?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Do you want to prepare students to be skilled, thoughtful, and engaged citizens?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Do you want to live a long and healthy life?</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Whatever your desired result, make it the guiding light that informs your every decision by reflecting on the process you can engage in to achieve it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and my goal became to live a long and healthy life, the causes and systems I put in place included:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">physical exercise,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">eating healthy food (and not keeping unhealthy food in my apartment),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">consuming uplifting media (books, articles, podcasts, movies, etc...),</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">meditation,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and keeping a journal to reflect on my progress, challenges, and opportunities.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This is just a sample of the type of essential element causes that I scheduled in my days to engage in the process—all of which can easily be tracked and measured. No single element will guarantee a long and healthy life, but tending to these causes do provide the best chance to get there.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For your own goals, consider the behaviors, activities, resources, and systems you can tend to—all working together to equip, enable, and promote the results you’re looking for. Then, put these essential element causes into your schedule. I use a <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/uploads/2/1/6/1/21616136/weekly_action_steps.pdf">one-sheet weekly planner</a> to schedule these tasks and keep it on my desk, creating a daily reminder of where I’m going and how I’m getting there. Feel free to use this sheet, or use whatever system works for you.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Fun Secondary Goals</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When it comes to process goals, Yoda is certainly right. We either engage in the process, or we don’t. And there are certainly plenty of people who stop the process before they really even get started.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Maybe they don’t have an effective accountability system in place. Maybe they don’t enjoy the daily causes that need tending. Or perhaps they don’t sincerely want the outcome they’re working towards.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Whatever the case, an effective practice to overcome these obstacles is to create <em>fun secondary goals</em>. A fun secondary goal is any activity you find enjoyable and that, by engaging in it, you are also tending to the causes of your primary goal.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For example, when I learned there was a weight limit for skydiving—and that I was <em>over</em> the weight limit—it provided the perfect opportunity for a fun secondary goal. While preparing to go skydiving, I also tended to the causes of my primary goal of a long and healthy life. (That is, so long as the parachute opens on time.)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Stacking relevant primary and secondary goals can provide valuable fuel to continue tending to the causes that promote desired results.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The free fall ended with a sudden jolt when the parachute opened, and we gracefully glided gently to the ground. There was a lot of trust involved in this activity:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Trust in the parachute (and the person who packed it!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Trust in the harnesses (their material and the manufacturer who made them).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Trust in the safety of the airplane and the expertise of the pilot.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And trust in Dean as a worthy guide who had made this same jump thousands of times before.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There’s a lot of trust involved in an activity like skydiving, and isn’t this also true of everything we do? The decision to keep living each day comes with it the trust that things will be okay, even without any guarantee that anything will work out.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After all, for us there is only the trying. The rest is none of our business.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Where are you going?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>How are you getting there?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>What system is in place to ensure follow through?</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Are there any fun secondary goals to help you stay focused?</em></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he engages, empowers, and encourages individuals, teams, and communities to experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><b>References</b></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1">[1]</a> Eliot, T.S. (1943). “East Coker.” <em>Four Quartets</em>. Harcourt.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2">[2]</a> Kurtz, G. (Producer), & Kershner, I. (Director). (1980). The empire strikes back. [Motion picture]. United States: Lucasfilm Ltd. & 20th Century Fox.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3">[3]</a> Hanson, R. (n.d.). “Are you watering the fruit tree?” <em>Rick Hanson</em>. <a href="http://www.rickhanson.net/tend-to-the-causes">www.rickhanson.net/tend-to-the-causes</a></span></p>One Thing at Once: A Case for Consolidated Efforttag:mypeace.tv,2023-11-30:1992146:BlogPost:4097932023-11-30T23:30:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
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<p> </p>
<p>I was invited to two Super Bowl Parties that year. Not wanting to disappoint anyone, I accepted the invitation to both. Even though everyone was happy to see me, I didn’t get to enjoy myself—because I wasn’t <em>really</em> present at either gathering.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With the first, I kept thinking about when and…</p>
<p></p>
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<p> </p>
<p>I was invited to two Super Bowl Parties that year. Not wanting to disappoint anyone, I accepted the invitation to both. Even though everyone was happy to see me, I didn’t get to enjoy myself—because I wasn’t <em>really</em> present at either gathering.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With the first, I kept thinking about when and how to take my leave; with the other, I kept thinking about all I had missed by leaving early and arriving late. On top of it all, divided between two parties, I didn’t even get to see the Half Time Show—my favorite part of the whole event!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In practice, saying <em>yes</em> to both commitments was the same as saying <em>no</em> to both.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Two Rabbits</strong></p>
<p>A classic proverb reminds, <em>“If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.”<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1"><span><strong>[1]</strong></span></a></em> By pursuing two conflicting goals, neither can be fulfilled—for it is only with consolidated effort that meaningful goals can be achieved.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Two Masters</strong></p>
<p>Put another way, it has also been said that no one can serve two masters—for you will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other.”<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2"><span>[2]</span></a> This can be just as true for moonlighting as it can for social engagements and love affairs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>One Thing At Once</strong></p>
<p>Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, reminds us that <em>“there is time enough for everything in the course of the day, if you do but one thing at once; but there is not time enough in the year if you will do two things at a time.”<a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3"><span><strong>[3]</strong></span></a></em> Centuries later, social science research has confirmed these claims as a reminder that multitasking wastes more time than it saves.<a href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4"><span>[4]</span></a></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>Perhaps we have all experienced this truth at one time or another, when a to-do list becomes a half-started list—with projects begun but only half-done and nothing meaningful to show for our efforts at the end of the day, week, month, or year. (Or perhaps worse of all, we end up missing the Half Time Show).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>A House Divided</strong></p>
<p>In 1858, Abraham Lincoln reminded a divided nation of an eternal truth—while hinting to a solution as a way forward: <em>“A house divided against itself cannot stand<a href="#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5"><span><strong>[5]</strong></span></a>…this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free…I do not expect the house to fall, but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.”<a href="#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6"><span><strong>[6]</strong></span></a></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>In this light, perhaps the solution to a division between parties—whether they be political parties or Super Bowl parties—is to become all one thing or all the other.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Perhaps.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Reflection</strong></p>
<p><em>Are you chasing two rabbits? Are you serving two masters? Are you doing two things at once? Is your house divided? What might becoming “all one thing or all the other” look and feel like? How will you consolidate your efforts to do one thing at once?</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Want More?</strong></p>
<p>Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he engages, empowers, and encourages individuals, teams, and communities to experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>References</strong></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1"><span>[1]</span></a> Erasmus, D. (1500). Collectanea Adagiorum.</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2"><span>[2]</span></a> Matthew 6:24</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3"><span>[3]</span></a> Stanhope, P. (1747, April 14). “Letters to his son on the art of becoming a man of the world and a gentleman.”</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4"><span>[4]</span></a> Flatow, I. (2013, May 10). “The myth of multitasking.” <em>Talk of the Nation</em>. <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182861382/the-myth-of-multitasking">www.npr.org/2013/05/10/182861382/the-myth-of-multitasking</a></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5"><span>[5]</span></a> Matthew 12:25</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6"><span>[6]</span></a> Lincoln, A. (1858, June 16). “The House Divided Speech.” Illinois State Capitol.</p>Being Well By Living Welltag:mypeace.tv,2023-11-30:1992146:BlogPost:4098592023-11-30T00:30:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Eleanor Roosevelt once suggested that <em>“Happiness is not a goal…it’s the byproduct of a life well lived.”</em> Accepting this axiom as a functional truth, the question becomes, how do we live well?</span><br></br> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> …</span><br></br></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Eleanor Roosevelt once suggested that <em>“Happiness is not a goal…it’s the byproduct of a life well lived.”</em> Accepting this axiom as a functional truth, the question becomes, how do we live well?</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Positive Psychology movement seeks to answer this question, though it is a relatively new field of study. Up until recently, the focus of psychology has been to study what is wrong with people—the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that get people into trouble.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">That is, however, until in 1998 when the president of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Martin Seligman, called for the study of what enables humans to live life fully at our best, on what promotes joy, happiness, meaning, and fulfillment—factors that can help make life worth living.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">A sloppy criticism of this movement is the suggestion that it may be a call to “sweep” problems under the proverbial rug in favor of only focusing on the good, rather than on the bad and the ugly. This is sloppy criticism because, as <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Positive-Psychology-Your-Heros-Journey/dp/1983486604/ref=asc_df_1983486604/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312674999652&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7436378486707491206&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001661&hvtargid=pla-569653337486&psc=1"><strong>Dr. Bruce W. Smith</strong></a> points out, Positive Psychology isn’t about avoiding or denying the dark side; rather, it’s about bringing the power of science to find joy and happiness in the midst of (and perhaps even in spite of) the dark side.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">In other words, psychology already knows a lot about what’s wrong with people, now the study has turned to what we can do right to promote positivity, defined here as being well by living well—living in social harmony with meaning and fulfillment.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>The Three Pillars of Positivity</strong></span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">In my own study of the research that has come out of this movement, I’ve categorized the findings under three core competencies: <em>The Three Pillars Positivity</em>. This name has been chosen because these categories work together to support the structure of living-being and being well. Each pillar contains a series of essential element principles and practices, as supported by Positive Psychology research. The information in this article outlines the research that informs the ongoing honing of this model of positivity.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">A primary motivator for distilling the research into concise categories is the simplicity and memorability of fewer categories: It’s not enough to have accurate information—to initiate and manage positive change we also have to be able to <em>access</em> and <em>use</em> the information. By making the research accessible (digestible, memorable, and manageable), it brings the research to life—out of the reports, scientific journals, and books and into the lives of people who can actually use and benefit from the material.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Carol Ryff: Dimensions of Well-Being</strong></span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ten years before the birth of the Positive Psychology movement, the Dr. Carol Ryff outlined six components of well-being in an article in <a href="https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Happiness-is-everything%2C-or-is-it-Explorations-on-Ryff/0b7cbc0e7b5946b39778784a2167019eebd53e52"><strong><em>The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology</em></strong></a>. Based on the works of researchers like Carl Jung, Gordon Allport, Erik Erickson, and Carl Rogers, she created an assessment of well-being using these six dimensions:</span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>1. Self-Acceptance:</strong> Possess a positive attitude toward the self; acknowledges and accepts multiple aspects of self, including good and bad qualities; feels positive about past life.</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Without self-acceptance, you tend to feel dissatisfied with yourself; disappointed with what has occurred in past life; troubled about certain personal qualities; and wish to be different than you are.</em></span></li>
</ul>
<ol start="2">
<li><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Positive Relations with Others:</strong>Has warm satisfying, trusting relationships with others; is concerned about the welfare of others; capable of strong empathy, affection, and intimacy; understands give and take of human relationships.</span></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Without positive relationships, you’ll tend to have few close trusting relationships with others; find it difficult to be warm, open, and concerned about others; you’ll feel isolated and frustrated in interpersonal relationships; and you will not be willing to make compromises to sustain important ties with others.</em></span></li>
</ul>
<ol start="3">
<li><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Autonomy:</strong>Self-determining and independent; able to resist social pressures to think and act in certain ways; regulates behavior from within; evaluates self by personal standards.</span></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Without autonomy, you’ll tend to be concerned about the expectations and evaluations of others; rely on judgements of others to make important decisions; and you’ll tend to conform to social pressures to think and act in certain ways.</em></span></li>
</ul>
<ol start="4">
<li><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Environmental Mastery:</strong>Has a sense of mastery and competence in managing the environment; controls complex array of external activities; makes effective use of surrounding opportunities; able to choose and create contexts suitable to personal needs and values.</span></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Without environmental mastery, you’ll tend to have difficulty managing everyday affairs; feel unable to change or improve surrounding contexts; you’ll be unaware of surrounding opportunities; and you’ll lack a sense of control over the external world.</em></span></li>
</ul>
<ol start="5">
<li><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Purpose in Life:</strong>Has goals in life and a sense of directedness; feels there is meaning to present and past life; holds belief that give life purpose; has aims and objectives for living. </span></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Without purpose in life, you’ll tend to lack a sense of meaning in life; have few goals or aims in life without a sense of direction; you’ll be unable to see any meaningful reason for your past; and you’ll have no outlook or belief that life has meaning.</em></span></li>
</ul>
<ol start="6">
<li><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Personal Growth:</strong>Has a feeling of continual development; sees self as growing and expanding; is open to new experiences; has sense of realizing one’s potential; sees improvement in self and behavior over time; is changing in ways that reflect more self-knowledge and effectiveness. </span></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Without personal growth, you’ll tend to have a sense of personal stagnation; lacking sense of improvement or expansion over time; you’ll feel bored and uninterested with life; and you’ll feel unable to develop new attitudes or behaviors.</em></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>Connection with The Three Pillars of Positivity. </strong></em>These “dimensions of well-being” have been categorized into The Three Pillars of Positivity in the following manner. You’ll notice that the dimensions of Autonomy, Environmental Mastery, and Personal Growth have overlaps within more than one pillar, highlighting the value of categorizing and discussing them within the separate contexts:</span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Mindset:</strong> <em>Self-Acceptance, Autonomy, Environmental Mastery, </em>and<em> Personal Growth</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Purpose:</strong> <em>Autonomy, Environmental Mastery, Purpose in Life, </em>and<em> Personal Growth</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Relationships:</strong> <em>Positive Relations with Others</em></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Martin Seligman: Elements of Well-Being (PERMA)</strong></span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">In 2002, Dr. Seligman published a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Happiness-Psychology-Potential-Fulfillment/dp/0743222970/ref=asc_df_0743222970/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312069250960&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14132607239484979813&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001661&hvtargid=pla-493002847165&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=61316180599&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312069250960&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14132607239484979813&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001661&hvtargid=pla-493002847165"><strong>book</strong></a> outlining five elements that contribute to well-being, using the acronym PERMA:</span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Positive Emotion:</strong> “The pleasant life,” defined as feelings of joy, love, interest, and contentment. (Related to the study of <em>elevation</em> by Jonathan Haidt and the study of <em>broaden-and-build</em> by Barbara Fredrickson.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Engagement:</strong> Fully interest and absorbed in an intrinsically valuable activity. (Related to the study of <em>flow state </em>by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Relationships:</strong> Positive, healthy relationships, where you feel loved, supported, and valued. (Related to the work on relationships by Carol Ryff, Ed Diener, Christopher Peterson, and Robin Dunbar.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Meaning:</strong> Belonging to and serving something bigger than you—whether a religious faith, charity, or a personally meaningful goal. (Closely related to Carol Ryff’s work on <em>purpose in life</em>.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Accomplishment:</strong> Making progress towards and achieving goals and keeping up with daily responsibilities. Related to Carol Ryff’s work on <em>environmental mastery</em> and Robert White’s <em>effective motivation</em>.)</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>Connection with The Three Pillars of Positivity. </strong></em>These “elements of well-being” have been categorized into The Three Pillars of Positivity in the following manner. You’ll notice that Accomplishment is listed under both the Mindset and Purpose pillars. While it’s mostly related to Purpose, there is value to discussing how a sense of Accomplishment can contribute to Mindset:</span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Mindset:</strong> <em>Positive Emotion, Accomplishment</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Purpose:</strong> <em>Engagement, Meaning, </em>and<em> Accomplishment</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Relationships:</strong> <em>Relationships</em></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Christopher Peterson & Martin Seligman: Character Strengths and Virtues</strong></span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">In 2004, Dr. Christopher Peterson and Dr. Martin Seligman <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Character-Strengths-Virtues-Handbook-Classification/dp/0195167015/ref=asc_df_0195167015/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312669563714&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13315828732656240959&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001661&hvtargid=pla-453010265736&psc=1"><strong>published</strong></a> a comprehensive categorization of character strength and virtues in what can perhaps be best thought of as a handbook for well-being. In this volume they use six categories of strengths and virtues:</span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Wisdom:</strong> Cognitive strengths that entail the acquisition and use of knowledge including creativity, curiosity, open-mindedness, love of learning, and perspective.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Courage:</strong> Emotional strengths that involve the exercise of will to accomplish goals in the face of opposition, external or internal including bravery, persistence, integrity, and vitality.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Humanity:</strong> Interpersonal strengths that involve tending and befriending others including love, kindness, and social intelligence.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Justice:</strong> Civic strengths that underlie healthy community life including fairness, citizenships, and leadership.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Temperance:</strong> Strengths that protect against excess including forgiveness and mercy, humility or modesty, prudence, and self-control.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Transcendence:</strong> Strengths that forge connections to the larger universe and provide meaning including the appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, optimism, hope, humor, and meaning, purpose, and spirituality.</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em><strong>Connection with The Three Pillars of Positivity.</strong></em> These “character strengths and virtues” have been categorized into The Three Pillars of Positivity in the following manner. Again, you will find some overlap in this compartmentalization due to the value of discussing these strengths within separate contexts:</span></p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Mindset:</strong> <em>Wisdom, Temperance, Transcendence, </em>and<em> Courage</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Purpose:</strong> <em>Wisdom, Courage, Justice, </em>and<em> Transcendence</em></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Relationships:</strong> <em>Humanity, Justice, </em>and<em> Temperance</em></span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em></em></span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">The purpose of this article has been to suggest a model of positivity that is equally accurate, accessible, and actionable. By offering three essential element competencies—Mindset, Purpose, and Relationships—that point to a deep tradition of research, it is hoped that the findings become more approachable for the average person, more digestible, more meaningful, and therefore more readily applied to their everyday lives.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s important to note that any model of positivity, well-being, happiness, and joy is just that: only a model. There is no definitive formula—and everything we have now is merely a functional working model that can help us move closer to refining our understanding of what it means to live well and be well. After all, as Mrs. Roosevelt reminds us: <em>“Happiness is not a goal…it’s the byproduct of a life well lived.” </em>As inspiring and motivating as this statement may be, it also begs a lot of questions, leaving room for a world of subjective experiences.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">As we continue to discover what it means to live well and apply these findings to our personal and professional lives, it’s important to keep an open mind—allowing ourselves to be wrong in our assumptions, amazed at new discoveries, and humbled by deeper understandings. For insights into my own research and application of this material, you can check out my blog and vlog:</span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Blog:</strong> <a href="http://www.hashtagpositivity.com/blog"><strong>www.hashtagpositivity.com/blog</strong></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Vlog:</strong> <a href="http://www.hashtagpositivity.com/vlog"><strong>www.hashtagpositivity.com/vlog</strong></a></span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Looking through the archives on these webpages, you’ll see how my own understanding of this research has evolved over time—and you are encouraged to similarly look back on your own beliefs to challenge yourself to learn and grow from them in the spirit of discovery. Enjoy!</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Want More?</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he engages, empowers, and encourages individuals, teams, and communities to experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><br/> <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>References</strong></span></p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Peterson, C. & Seligman, M. (2004). <em>Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. </em>Oxford University Press.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ryff, C. (1989). <em>“Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being.”</em> <em>Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57</em>(6). p. 1069-1081</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Seligman, M. (2002). <em>Authentic Happiness</em>. Atria Books.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Smith, B.W. (2018). <em>Positive Psychology for your hero’s journey</em>. Bruce W. Smith. </span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>Finding Your Musetag:mypeace.tv,2023-11-29:1992146:BlogPost:4097922023-11-29T23:30:00.000ZJonas Cainhttps://mypeace.tv/profile/JonasCain
<p></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304936065?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/12304936065?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>There’s something blatantly arrogant about the song “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better,” because it can never be universally true. Everyone has their strengths and everyone has their weaknesses.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But of course, sometimes it <em>is</em> true.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Sometimes</em>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And if…</p>
<p></p>
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<p>There’s something blatantly arrogant about the song “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better,” because it can never be universally true. Everyone has their strengths and everyone has their weaknesses.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But of course, sometimes it <em>is</em> true.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Sometimes</em>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And if anyone could be so bold as to attempt such a claim, it was certainly Woody.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And you could hardly blame him. Everywhere he turned he couldn't get away from <em>that</em> song (that sappy, blindly patriotic song cut off from the reality of a nation in the wake of the Great Depression).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I’m of course talking about Irving Berlin’s hit song “God Bless America.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>By February of 1940, Woody had enough of it and decided to fight music with music by writing the words to a song that would capture the hearts of a nation: “This Land is Your Land.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Creative Inspiration</strong></p>
<p>If you’re looking for it, creative inspiration can come from anywhere, and for Woody Guthrie he found it in trying to beat Irving Berlin at his own game—and in so doing, created a song that has become an anthem of the American spirit.<a href="#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1"><sup>[1]</sup></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>As for Irving Berlin, his muse came in the form of gratitude for a nation that allowed a Russian immigrant raised in poverty to rise up and become one of the most successful songwriters of all time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>“To me, ‘God Bless America' was not just a song but an expression of my feeling toward the country to which I owe what I have and what I am.”</em> — Irving Berlin<a href="#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2"><sup>[2]</sup></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>And he is certainly a success story. During his career, Irving wrote over 1,500 songs and by the time he was just 30 years old he had already become a legend, compelling composer George Gershwin to hail him as <em>“the greatest songwriter that has ever lived.”</em><a href="#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3"><sup>[3]</sup></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is no mere hyperbole. After all, we all know his songs—songs like “Blue Skies,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” “There's No Business Like Show Business,” and “Puttin' on the Ritz.” And even though he died more than three decades ago, one of his songs still holds the record for the best-selling single of all time: “White Christmas.”<a href="#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4"><sup>[4]</sup></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>This success certainly adds perspective to just how bold Woody was to suggest “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better.” Heck, even <em>that</em> is in Irving’s portfolio—a song he wrote in only a matter of hours for the musical <em>Annie Get Your Gun</em>.<a href="#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5"><sup>[5]</sup></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Finding Your Muse</strong></p>
<p>With such an impressive portfolio of creative work, the natural question is <em>how?</em> How did Irving Berlin succeed in creating so much in his lifetime? This is a compelling question— not just for songwriters, but for anyone involved in creative work.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Whether you’re a teacher creating lesson plans, a salesperson creating pitches, a storyteller creating stories, a family creating a home, or a creator of truly any kind, being able to find and harness your muse is an essential element of success.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What follows are snapshots of Irving Berlin’s creative life that may offer insight for finding your muse:</p>
<p> </p>
<ol>
<li><strong><em>Reduce the Cognitive Load</em></strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Irving composed all of his songs in the key of F# so he could stay on the black keys of the keyboard,<a href="#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6"><sup>[6]</sup></a> a strategy that was as practical as much as it was functional. He wasn’t a skilled piano player, so reducing the cognitive load helped him to maintain focus on creating.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Reflection: How might you promote creativity by reducing the cognitive load?</em></p>
<p> </p>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong><em>Focus on Simplicity</em></strong></li>
</ol>
<p>The composer Garrison Hintz once commented that though Irving’s hit “White Christmas” only contains eight sentences, he was able to communicate all that was necessary to capture the hearts of his audience.<a href="#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7"><sup>[7]</sup></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Reflection: How might you promote creativity through simplicity?</em></p>
<p> </p>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong><em>Create Something Every Day</em></strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Irving didn't believe in inspiration; rather, he believed his successful compositions were the result of simply doing the work every day—and sweating blood if necessary.<a href="#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8"><sup>[8]</sup></a> In fact, Saul Bornstein, Irving's Publishing Manager, said <em>"It was a ritual for Berlin to write a complete song, words and music, every day.”</em><a href="#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9"><sup>[9]</sup></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Reflection: What might you do to create something every day?</em></p>
<p> </p>
<ol start="4">
<li><strong><em>Know Your Audience</em></strong></li>
</ol>
<p>The music critic Stephen Holden notes how Irving’s lyrics flowed <em>“straight out of the rhythms and inflections of everyday speech,”</em><a href="#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10"><sup>[10]</sup></a> and the music historian Gary Giddins suggests this lyrical style made him an obsessive <em>“commentator on the passing scene.”</em><a href="#_ftn11" name="_ftnref11"><sup>[11]</sup></a> Irving knew his audience, he spoke their language, and he created songs that spoke to what mattered to them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Reflection: How well do you know your audience? And how are you speaking to them?</em></p>
<p> </p>
<ol start="5">
<li><strong><em>Sharpen Your Skills, Maintain Your Edge</em></strong></li>
</ol>
<p>For a time, Irving considered formally studying music composition, and when his friend and fellow composer, Victor Herbert, heard this, he advised: <em>“You have a natural gift for words and music. Learning theory might help you a little, but it could cramp your style.”</em> Irving took this advice and never lost sight of his vision.<a href="#_ftn12" name="_ftnref12"><sup>[12]</sup></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Reflection: How might you sharpen your creative skills while still maintaining your edge?</em></p>
<p> </p>
<ol start="6">
<li><strong><em>Turn Pain Into Passion</em></strong></li>
</ol>
<p>In February of 1912, Irving married Dorothy Goetz, and during their honeymoon in Havana, Dorothy contracted typhoid fever and died six months later. The ensuing grief left Irving with writer's block and he wondered whether he could ever write again. Months later, he returned to songwriting to express his grief and the result was “When I Lost You,” his first ballad, and it was an immediate hit selling more than a million copies.<a href="#_ftn13" name="_ftnref13"><sup>[13]</sup></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Reflection: How might you use your creativity to turn pain into passion?</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></p>
<p>There’s something beautifully poetic about Lady Gaga’s 2017 Super Bowl halftime show performance, where she elegantly blended “God Bless America” with “This Land is your Land”—a stunt that likely would have inspired Woody to write another song in protest.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Aside from the call for unity in the midst of a divided nation, what I most appreciate about this performance was how Gaga created something new from songs written over a half a century ago—holding up a mirror for the composers, their sentiments, and their audience to see themselves reflected.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you’re looking for it, creative inspiration can come from anywhere—and for Lady Gaga, she found it in Irving and Woody.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What’s your muse?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Want More?</strong></p>
<p>Jonas Cain, M.Ed. is a storyteller, magician, musician, and facilitator of fascination. Through his company, <a href="https://www.hashtagpositivity.com/">Hashtag Positivity</a>, he engages, empowers, and encourages individuals, teams, and communities to experience abiding joy—at work, at home, and wherever life takes you. Connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: <a href="mailto:jonas@hashtagpositivity.com">jonas@hashtagpositivity.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>References</strong></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> Peithman, S. (2014, July 4). “America’s five national anthems.” <em>Capradio</em>. <a href="http://www.capradio.org/music/classical/2014/07/04/americas-five-national-anthems-1/">www.capradio.org/music/classical/2014/07/04/americas-five-national-anthems-1/</a></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> Galewitz, H. (2001). <em>Music: A Book of Quotations</em>. Courier Dover Publications. p. 4</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> Wyatt, R. & Johnson, J.A. (2004). <em>The George Gershwin Reader</em>. Oxford University Press.</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4"><sup>[4]</sup></a> “Best-selling single.” <em>Guinness World Records</em>.</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5"><sup>[5]</sup></a> Holden, S. (1995, January 20). “Books of the Times: Recalling the somber man behind so many happy songs.” <em>The New York Times</em>. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/20/books/books-of-the-times-recalling-the-somber-man-behind-so-many-happy-songs.html">www.nytimes.com/1995/01/20/books/books-of-the-times-recalling-the-somber-man-behind-so-many-happy-songs.html</a></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6"><sup>[6]</sup></a> Adams, C. (2006, July 28). “If Irving Berlin couldn't read or write music, how did he compose?” <em>The Straight Dope</em>. <a href="http://www.straightdope.com/21343780/if-irving-berlin-couldn-t-read-or-write-music-how-did-he-compose">www.straightdope.com/21343780/if-irving-berlin-couldn-t-read-or-write-music-how-did-he-compose</a></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7"><sup>[7]</sup></a> (1989, December). “Tribute to Irving Berlin.” <em>Ascap Magazine</em>.</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8"><sup>[8]</sup></a> Holden, S. (1995, January 20). “Books of the Times: Recalling the somber man behind so many happy songs.” <em>The New York Times</em>. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/20/books/books-of-the-times-recalling-the-somber-man-behind-so-many-happy-songs.html">www.nytimes.com/1995/01/20/books/books-of-the-times-recalling-the-somber-man-behind-so-many-happy-songs.html</a></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9"><sup>[9]</sup></a> Wilder, A. (1972). “American popular song: The great innovators, 1900–1950, Oxford University Press.</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10"><sup>[10]</sup></a> Holden, S. (1987, May 10). “Pop View; Irving Berlin's American Landscape.” <em>The New York Times</em>. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1987/05/10/arts/pop-view-irving-berlin-s-american-landscape.html">www.nytimes.com/1987/05/10/arts/pop-view-irving-berlin-s-american-landscape.html</a></p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref11" name="_ftn11"><sup>[11]</sup></a> Giddins, G (2004). <em>Weather bird: Jazz at the dawn of its second century</em>. Oxford University Press.</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref12" name="_ftn12"><sup>[12]</sup></a> Berger, M. (1989, September 23). “Irving Berlin, nation's songwriter, dies.” <em>The New York Times</em>.</p>
<p><a href="#_ftnref13" name="_ftn13"><sup>[13]</sup></a> Ibid.</p>