Tradition of Solitude

The Holidays are in full swing.  There is always something to commemorate, someone with whom to commiserate or celebrate, or just plain "it's that time again".  Tradition is a big word for a small idea, that of routine.  A routine can be ongoing, or it can be periodic, but they always stay resident, anticipating their next turn.  Imagine a world without traditions.  It would mean there is infinite probability that NOTHING is enjoyable enough to be repeated.  Couples have their date nights, or EVERY NIGHT. Children love birthday parties, and so much so that many kids track the next  birthday in fractions, to celebrate their half birthday...more gifts.  Enjoyable.  Speaking of date nights, it's where the kids came from to begin with.

Traditions usually are a social affair involving familiar smells, sounds and familiar faces.  But for those who are alone at these times, you need not be left out of the affair.  At very least, a solitary visit to familiar places can provide for a future full of mirth and folly if one is bold enough to share the story of their solitary tradition...maybe you'll develop a following...a fan club of sorts...because after all, there really is nothing that new on the planet, such that no one else would find it worth repeating.

Be alone, but get out and do things alone.  You will not be alone for long.

The Desiderata by Max Ehrman

This is one of the most satisfying readings I have ever taken in.  It was written by Max Ehrman.  Enjoy.

The Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrman

Shy Guy

So I enjoy a great conversation, but I have difficulty having truly great ones with strangers or new interests.  Is it just me, or is it they? 

I have pondered that question for a number of weeks now and have settled upon the hypothesis that I might be shy.

Unpacking that, I reasoned that I lacked confidence when I sizing up myself to my potential conversation partner, perhaps also estimating that I am not a very well prepared or well read person, having nothing interesting to talk about.

While my perceived shortcomings may upon introspection lead to a rally from mediocrity and complacence, I discovered in my readings online the notion that shyness is about the self.  Essentially in a conversation, it is a misdirection of the focus of a potentially great conversation onto my self, not only so much as becoming the topic of conversation, but more of being an equal partner in the conversation.  The remedy was to focus on the partner, really listening, and enjoying them for their fascinating contribution.  Not caring whether I am Equal, or even whether I have anything to contribute, as long as I create a comfortable space for my partner and myself to see where our words may lead.

A Little "Light" Reading

Got my copy in the mail of the book "Aristotle - On Rhetoric...", 2nd Edition, translated by George A. Kennedy.  I started with the indexes and tables of content.  I flipped through the beginning pages and down to the end.  It looks dense but it is so well translated and marked up that I might actually learn something about logic and reason, beliefs, and persuasion.

On My Humanity

Take it to life.  Stake a claim.  Establish dominion. Be a dominant but gentle and loving soul.  Have a heart, please. Always have the best of intentions, doing either the right or wrong thing as the case may be, but always for the right reasons.  Keep pushing until a breakthrough occurs where either a goal is reached or all reasonable means have been fully exhausted and it has become obvious this goal needs to be broken into smaller objectives.  Let the little person inside come out to play in all endeavors. This, to me is the essence of being a true master of self and all grown up in my humanity. 

I'm committed to being better.  Spend time working on being better.  Dress better.  Eat better.  Perpetual motion.

What's done is done, but don't give up, things can always be spun.

So what did I learn today?  Aristotle's Rhetoric has been translated a few times and I just bought the latest copy.  I can't wait to peel back the layers of persuasion, my ethos against your logos until we spiral downwards into pathos.

To study and experience a broad variety of all disciplines, and with humility to possess this sapience whilst keeping masked the mechanics of your polymathy -- this is worth lusting for.  This is Sprezzatura.  Look it up...

You're never too old to watch animated comedy.  Today I got a reminder of the power of words from a character on an old animated show which you may search for and be as unburdened and enlightened as I was.  The quote: My vision would turn your world upside down, tear asunder your illusions and send the sanctuary of your own ignorance crashing down around you. -- This said by a child to a grown man!

Have a laugh every day and you will live long.  Learn cool lyrics and be able to sing a song.  Learn the lines from your favorite scenes and impress your own self with just how poetic life is.

Pinal Dave, SQL server evangelist, Microsoft - Uncut & Unedited

Today I spotted this video because I was drilling around in relation to a purchase I made on Amazon.com of some Rick Morelan training books/dvds on my career subject area, which is Microsoft SQL Server.  I recently discovered Rick Morelan who worked with the interviewee, Pinal Dave (pronounced DAA-VEE), on one (or more) of his (Rick's) Joes2Pros books. Pinal gave such a great idea around the 6:00 mark of the video, to learn ONE thing each day, and write it down somewhere. He has done this for years on his blog SQLAuthority.com. I have done numerous web searches in the past on SQL technical questions and found answers from Pinal, who works for Microsoft India in Bangalore at the time of this video. 

So I have had my blog site here since 2008 and presently have several LESS posts than I was just inspired to create while watching this video, but no worries because I have so many things I want to learn in so many seemingly non-cohesive areas (is that a word?), that if I just try to learn ONE thing in each of them daily, I will have many posts for many years to come.  The cohesion will take care of itself even if it will only be apparent to me.  Cheers

It's Important to Say Something

Step One: Even though no one is listening, say something.  It will at least confirm that you are a humble person, and you might just hear yourself and come to life.

Step Two: If only one person is listening, say something. Or you could just sit idly whilst life passes stealthily and you remain anonymous, or worse, you have your listening population go back down to ONE..and by that I mean you go back to step one and become your audience.

Step Three: If you are still with me at this point, and you have an audience of two or more, say something.  You are beginning to become relevant.

The bottom line is that there are words stored as impulses inside your head.  They may not make everyone's day, but when you look in the mirror you will know that someone heard you, even if only you.

Well look at the time.  It's almost the end of 2012.  Time for my annual post.  There.  It is done.

The Child Awakens as Giant

The question was asked of me: Are leaders born or are they created?

I responded: Leaders emerge. They follow first, always observant of the masters before them, but they wait for their opportunity to innovate and share that innovation freely.

Burn Misery as Fuel for Abundance

Misery loves company but scarce receives it. It is the one who, without excuse defies the self to thrive under the lonely discipline of daily gut wrenching work that will attract many admirers.

How to Defeat Procrastination and Begin to Succeed Today

Challenge yourself already! Out of pure childlike curiosity, do that, and see how uncomfortable you can be without permanent injury. Then out of curiosity, do it again.

The sport metaphor in relations

Which came first, the shot, or the rebound? Obviously the shot comes first, then if unsuccessful, the rebound. There are two kinds of rebounds in sport. Offensive, being performed by the shot-taking entity, and Defensive, being performed by the competition.

So in relationships most people I know, speak generally of a rebound as something that is either negative, unfortunately flawed, or doomed itself to fail.

I disagree. I see a rebound as a neutral opportunity to take another shot, especially if it is an offensive rebound. The perfection of the metaphor ends though, because with relationships, it is the shot-taker that rebounds, and not the competition. The competition may rebound with your previous partner, but that has nothing to do with you, the shot-taking entity.

So let's just agree that Offense is the only way to live, OK? Fine. When you grab that rebound, there is so much you can do with it, like shoot it right back up, dribble it, pass it within your shot-taking entity, or just hold it and call a time out. Either way, the end goal is to put that shot up again.

So, doesn't everyone rebound? Is there really any other way to take another shot?

Misery Loves the Status Quo

I suffer on in the spirit of Loud Silence. Pained that her Pains will yield Pains of well deserved ridicule, or worse still, of Unwelcome Exhortation, tormenting me to "escape" the drab but comforting Hell of a Loner's Discipline, to enter the disconcerting Heaven of openness, "refreshing" honesty, integrity and heart shaped shirtsleeves.

Up late

I've been up late for some interesting reasons. While it's probably better to be early to bed and early to rise, I am looking for better reasons to be up late than the ones that have gotten me nowhere but frustrated. If you're going to be up late, make it count. Get something done.

It's Been Too Long

It's been too long, is that OK?
The year's been great in several ways...
There are some things I'd want to hide
If I knew you'd take a peek inside
So you won't see that I'm a man
More average than superb I think
Some things I've done have made me proud
And others they might draw a wink
But some of them hang over head
Like steam or smoke or even a shroud.
But all in all, I think I've found
I have some things I'd like to say
And so I'll cut myself some slack
And quickly and quietly come back,
I'll make no promises to print,
Besides, it's my blog anyway...