Word for the Day: Sunday, May 31, 2015

The Word for Today (Sunday) is Nourishment. And what could be better, than "Balanced Nourishment"? (Though there's an old joke about the old pyramid titled, "The Four Basic Food Groups": "Of course! Those four groups are Cheeseburgers, Donuts, Cigarettes and Booze").

Weekly Theme: Week of May 31 to June 6, 2015

The Theme for this Week is Balance.  See Wikipedia's "disambiguation page", which give a bunch of meanings for this Word. The meaning I like best, is "a desirable point between two or more opposite forces", an important step in [yes], developing a "balanced life". 

Word for the Day: Saturday, May 30, 2015

The Word for Today (Saturday) is Prosperity. So how does Conservation get you prosperous? Quite simple: If you consume less, you typically pay for less. That savings can go somewhere. Also, when conserving the resources of our Earth, there is more for everyone else. So we all get prosperous!

Word for the Day: Friday, May 29, 2015

The Word for Today (Friday) is Liberation. And, once again, I heartily do NOT believe that, combining this with our Theme, means "liberation from conservation". However, I'll happily go with liberation from practices, that can stand IN THE WAY of Conservation.

Word for the Day: Thursday, May 28, 2015

The Word for Today (Thursday) is Wisdom. So how does this Word work, with our Theme? In other words, does it mean that we must conserve wisdom? And sorry, but this doesn't make sense to me. However, I do like the idea of having the Wisdom to Conserve. And conservation can be easier said, than done. Just ask the people, living through the historic, and long-lasting drought, in the state of California.

Word for the Day: Wednesday, May 27, 2015

The Word for Today (Wednesday) is Impartiality. The only reason for this Word to work, at all, is the concept of, "matter of degree". Take politics, for an example. It's challenging to find very much impartiality, in the way it's reported on the news. As an Independent, I consider myself able, at least to a degree, to see a "middle ground", between the two, and I can find pluses and minuses on both sides (at least in the big picture "ideals" of both sides). But that said, one of the two doesn't even seem to WANT "impartial coverage". Yes, I have an easier time, holding a neutral conversation with Democrats, than I do with Republicans (mainly, because I can get migraine headaches, conversing with Republicans, because they seem to want to actively convert Independents to "their side").

Bottom line: Seek out Impartiality, but don't EXPECT to find much of it.

Word for the Day: Tuesday, May 26, 2015

The Word for Today (Tuesday) is Consequence. And this Word works with our Theme, in ALL directions. For example, there are consequences to Conservation (like, for example, loss of short-term profits, for companies, such as water companies, supplying the water, that people are conserving). But, on the other hand, I believe the consequences, for ignoring the issues, REQUIRING conservation, can be MUCH worse.The State of California is experiencing a drought right now, and are thus, going through these issues. (One angle I suggest people monitor, is how the Fracking companies in California, have responded to these issues so far, as well as how they continue responding, going forward).

Word for the Day: Monday, May 25, 2015

The Word for Today (Monday) is Elimination. Keeping with our Theme, I NEVER have considered this a license to "eliminate Conservation". Instead, I would eliminate behavior that stands in the way of Conservation. For example, I used to be a Pack Rat (and still have some of the issues, leading to such). But I was "forced" to move out of a Seattle apartment, so they could demolish it. Due to a "Carrot Stick" approach, by the development company, I had little time to move, but an incentive to move away from Seattle. (Lower rents, here in North Carolina, and things are simpler. The Carrot was that, if I left a month earlier than I thought I had to, "they" would waive one month's rent).

So, the punch line? A LOT of my belongings were "Eliminated", due to this move.

Word for the Day: Sunday, May 24, 2015

The Word for Today (Sunday) is Self-Reliance. This combination reminds me, of my experiences in the Boy Scouts, where we were taught to "Pack Out", whatever we "Packed In". Also, I remember one weekend Camp, where we were told to bring as much water, as we "thought" we would need. Anyone who needed extra water, from our adult leaders, got "deferments" (or "black marks"), suggesting they needed to learn to estimate better, before taking hikes as adults.

Weekly Theme: Week of May 24-30, 2015

The Theme for this Week is Conservation.  According to Wikipedia, there are a lot of meanings, for this word.   Of course, the meaning I know the best, can be described with three, well-known words: "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle".  I had my first, strong exposure to Conservation, during the 1976-1977 Marin County Drought.  (Note that the linked article is well worth reading, as we had the same Governor as now, Marin residents were asked to use much less, than the 25 percent reduction for California residents now, and penalties for using too much water were way more severe than they are, now). I consider that Drought, in the 1970's, plus some other shorter term droughts, as rehearsals, for the long-term California Drought, that is occurring now. 

Word for the Day: Saturday, May 23, 2015

The Word for Today (Saturday) is Expansion. I have mixed feelings about this Word. For example, I FULLY welcome spiritual expansion, as well as intellectual expansion (say, through "brain teasers", and other exercises). However, I'm not so sure about "expansion around the middle" say, through eating too much delicious food.

Words for the Day: Friday, May 22, 2015

The Words for Today (Friday) are Trust and Faith. These are both welcome, when applied correctly. For example, I trust the Universe, and have faith in my Essence (or whole self). But with other people, I am careful, because Trust must be earned, and Faith shouldn't be blind.

Word for the Day: Thursday, May 21, 2015

The Word for Today (Thursday) is Gratitude. To me, this Word is the most Welcome of all (along with Kindness, from 5 weeks ago, Friday). Yes, in my opinion, Gratitude helps the World go around. And it's universal. I've even talked to homeless people, who turned out to be self-admitted criminals. (And no, unless I think there's a "clear and present danger", it's safe to discuss things like that with me). Even them, when I bring up Gratitude, they get serious, and discuss what, in life, they are grateful for. (And usually, even in the case of criminals, it's their family). So what are YOU grateful for, folks?

Word for the Day: Wednesday, May 20, 2015

The Word for Today (Wednesday) is Equality. Now THIS Word definitely has two directions to it. I welcome Equal Opportunity. But I'm not in favor of another "flavor", which comes out mainly like "forced conformity". That's where, in an environment, everyone might need to look the same (i.e. wear uniforms), and speak the same (like the English-only movement in the United States). In other words, Equality should be a gift, not a burden.

Word for the Day: Tuesday, May 19, 2015

The Word for Today (Tuesday) is Prudence. I fully welcome the actual definition, "Discretion [or caution], with regard to practical affairs". What I have a bit of trouble with, are the connotations which, if overdone, can get someone (including me) called a Prude. (Note that, according to Wiktionary, the word Prude is NOT related to Prudent).

Word for the Day: Monday, May 18, 2015

The Word for Today (Monday) is Innocence. And who wouldn't welcome innocence, especially if in a bad situation, like a court proceeding? And I also like the other meaning of Innocence like, where I welcome the sight and sound of innocent children.

Word for the Day: Sunday, May 17, 2015

The Word for Today (Sunday) is Forgiveness. And if you feel the need to apologize for the quality of welcome, you extended to someone, think of the fact, that you DID welcome him/her. In other words, sometimes, the fact of an event (such as remembering the birthday of a friend) is more important, than the details of how you "remembered" it (such as, for example, the price tag of the birthday gift).

Weekly Theme: Week of May 17-23, 2015

The Theme for this Week is Welcome.  This can be used, in different parts of a sentence, though humorously:  "I welcome getting a cordial welcome, at cocktail parties everywhere".  I find this a tool, for being friendly and polite. 

Word for the Day: Saturday, May 16, 2015

The Word for Today (Saturday) is Authenticity. Are you in a Partnership? OK, thanks. Now, is it an Authentic partnership? Yes, in these trying times, you could easily have to "defend" any partnership you belong to, whether business, relationship, or for fun. (And yes, we're seeing this kind of foolishness, in regard to same-gender relationships).

Word for the Day: Friday, May 15, 2015

The Word for Today (Friday) is Interpretation. How would you interpret any Partnerships you are in? They could involve business, but also relationships as, for example, marriages are considered partnerships. Now, to switch subjects, I will remind people that knowing multiple languages can be lucrative, as there are good careers, out there for interpretors.

Word for the Day: Thursday, May 14, 2015

The Word for Today (Thursday) is Socialization. Do members of Partnerships socialize with each other? I SURE hope so! Does one Partnership socialize with another? THAT one depends. And I'll end with my "usual charge", where I suggest that, good as electronic socialization is, there is no substitute, for meeting in-person or, at least, on the phone.

Word for the Day: Wednesday, May 13, 2015

The Word for Today (Wednesday) is Concentration. "You get what you concentrate on". I've heard that many times. I've proven it to myself more than once, also. So what if you're having trouble concentrating?  :-)

Word for the Day: Tuesday, May 12, 2015

The Word for Today (Tuesday) is Acceptability. Are you in a Partnership? Is it acceptable, to the world? Are you acceptable to your Partners? And most important, are you acceptable to yourself? Note that this last question works, no MATTER what the Theme is. Stand in front of your mirror, stare yourself in the eyeballs, and say, if you can, "I accept myself". You might be surprised, by the results!

Word for the Day: Monday, May 11, 2015

The Word for Today (Monday) is Generosity. Like yesterday's Word, this one also has multiple facets, when connected to our Theme. For example, it's always good, for a Partner to be generous, with other Partners. But it's also good for a Partnership, as a whole, to be generous with their customers, as well as the world at large. In general, I consider generosity to be like kindness: A little goes a long way, and helps the world go around.

Word for the Day: Sunday, May 10, 2015

The Word for Today (Sunday) is Sharing. This could work both ways, because partners SHOULD share with each other (or why are they together at all?) The other side, is that the fruits of a partnership can be shared with the world at large.

Weekly Theme: Week of May 10-16, 2015

The Theme for this Week is Partnership.  I was amused, when Googling "Define Partnership", to get "the state of being a partner or partners" as the first definition. So I couldn't resist Googling "Define Partner", wondering if I'd get something like "a person who takes part in a partnership".  However, it is better than that:  "a person who takes part in an undertaking with another or others, especially in a business or company with shared risks and profits".

Fortunately, Wikipedia does a better job.  The main idea, is to share both the profits, and the risks, which is not the case with a corporation.

So how will this work, with the Words, this week?  We shall see.

Words for the Day: Saturday, May 9, 2015

The Words for Today (Saturday) are Overview and Perspective. These are great tools for learning, often even showing WHY the topic needs to be learned. They are personally important to me because, as a manager, I always want the big picture, even when, say, a company I was working for didn't want me to.

Word for the Day: Friday, May 8, 2015

The Word for Today (Friday) is Reflection. There are multiple definitions, of this Word, including what you see in a mirror (or what you experience, from your friends and enemies, when they reflect you, back to yourself). But the meaning, closest to our Theme is, "careful consideration", which can help you retain what you learn. And note that I thought of a related theme, "soul searching". The interesting thing? Reflection came up, as a synonym of soul searching, but soul searching was missing, from the list of synonyms of reflection, in thesaurus.com.

Word for the Day: Thursday, May 7, 2015

The Word for Today (Thursday) is Study. And remember, no matter WHAT the "others" say, you DO pick your own Majors and Minors in life, and SHOULD be the last authority, in college, also. As for our Theme, consider the mentors, in our life, to be mainly tutors, helping us to "narrow the field". Guidance Counselors are also helpful, in this area.

Word for the Day: Wednesday, May 6, 2015

The Word for Today (Wednesday) is Absorption. Where this fits, with our Themes, would be if you were with a language tutor, that uses the "immersion method", where the only language spoken, is the one you're learning. According to Wikipedia, this is most effective, if other topics are part of the subject matter such as, for example, math and science.

Word for the Day: Tuesday, May 5, 2015

The Word for Today (Tuesday) is Review. This is highly important, in many regards, not just in educational environments. For example, reviewing a shopping list, while still in a store, could eliminate the need for an emergency follow-up shopping trip. And in the context of this project (Michael Transits), there is a special flavor of Review, the "Life Review", where the entire life is examined, to see what went well, and what might need improvement (say, in another lifetime).

Word for the Day: Monday, April 4, 2015

The Word for Today (Monday) is Experimentation. This is, of course, a big part of the learning environment (something that can occur, with both parts of our Theme). In my opinion, it's the most fun way to learn, as it was in my High School Chemistry class. The teacher of that class, when signing my yearbook, pointed out what made me notorious in that class: "Have fun in College, but don't break the glassware!"

Word for the Day: Sunday, May 3, 2015

The Word for Today (Sunday) is Recognition. And I MOST CERTAINLY recognize those who have mentored me through all the situations, where I required guidance, in this life. And there have been MANY situations. Oooohh Boy! (A near-photographic memory can be a blessing, or a curse. Curse? How about a criminal, who has just grown a conscience? And THAT makes me happy, that I live a law-abiding life).

Weekly Themes: Week of May 3-9, 2015

The Themes for this Week are Guidance and Mentor.  These are two sides of the same concept.  Guidance is the (according to Google) "advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty". Mentor is then (also by Google), the "experienced and trusted adviser", that provides the "advice or information".

As a Theme, I see at least three sides of this:  You're either the mentor him/herself, you're the one receiving the guidance, or you might be a third party, observing and/or providing support.

Word for the Day: Saturday, May 2, 2015

The Word for Today (Saturday) is Resolve. This Word can be, both a noun and a verb. For example, "I resolve to keep my resolve". And with our Theme? How about, "I resolve to be the most effective [mother/father/child/sibling/aunt/uncle/nephew/niece]? And note that resolutions can easily be made, other than at New Years time.

Word for the Day: Friday, May 1, 2015

The Word for Today (Friday) is Courage. And how would you show courage, in a domestic (i.e. home) situation? First off, it takes courage to allow others to be themselves. If married, allow your spouse to live their own life, because he/she is the only one who CAN. If you have children, give them the space to learn how to make decisions. This means that they (as well as you), will make mistakes at times. Learn from them, rather than repressing them.