Word for the Day: Sunday, January 31, 2016

The Word for Today (Sunday) is Nourishment. And what better place to be a "Patron" to, but a top notch Restaurant, serving delicious, and nourishing food?

Weekly Theme: Week of 01/31 to 02/06/2016

The Theme for this Week is Patronage.  Another word for this would be Sponsorship.  A commonly seen usage would be, "a patron of the arts" (which might simply mean one who actually contributes to the regular fund raisers for, say, a Public Broadcast television station).  Another meaning might simply be a "regular" at a particular restaurant.  And this last one will make sense, when you see the Sunday Word.  :-)

Word for the Day: Saturday, January 30, 2016

The Word for Today (Saturday) is Prosperity. So how does this connect with our Themes? For me, it was by my putting my Principles above money, by avoiding submitting Job Applications to corporations that (1) provided weapons to the US Government (since I am against War. This included Boeing in Seattle). Also (2) avoiding applying to Nuclear Power Plants, since I'm anti-Nuclear. I still got good computer jobs.

Word for the Day: Friday, January 29, 2016

The Word for Today (Friday) is Liberation. In my opinion, you are not "liberated" from your responsibility to take responsibility in your life (i.e. through your Set of Principles, and/or Code of Ethics). Anything that appears as such would be an "illusion".

Word for the Day: Thursday, January 28, 2016

The Word for Today (Thursday) is Wisdom. And what better, than a wise "Set of Principles", as well as "Code of Ethics"? And how does one develop wisdom? Unfortunately, I can offer no shortcuts, since it comes, more with Life Experience, than it does, from Book Reading and attending Classes or Conferences.

Word for the Day: Wednesday, January 27, 2016

The Word for Today (Wednesday) is Impartiality. The way I interpret this, in combination with our Themes, is to hold to your Set of Principles, as well as Code of Ethics, without making "exceptions" for, say, family, friends, lobbyists, special interest groups, your boss, love interests, bullies, and, and, (need I go on with this? LOL!)

Word for the Day: Tuesday, January 26, 2016

The Word for Today (Tuesday) is Consequence. Please note that any "Set of Principles", as well as any "Code of Ethics" is likely to include possible consequences. However, please note that a LACK of principles and/or ethics is likely to include EVEN WORSE consequences. Be careful!

Word for the Day: Monday, January 25, 2016

The Word for Today (Monday) is Elimination. And no, I would never ask you to "eliminate your principles or ethics"! But, if you have conflicting beliefs, like for example, wanting to be rich, but thinking you don't deserve money, that kind of belief might need to be looked at, and likely eliminated. You deserve to be you.

Word for the Day: Sunday, January 24, 2016

The Word for Today (Sunday) is Self-Reliance. In my discussion of our Themes (see prior Post), I take the position that we must be in charge of our own "code of Ethics", because we must live with the results. That is one way to be Self-Reliant. Another is to take your own responsibility to prepare, for external conditions, such as the recent weather on the East Coast.

Weekly Themes, week of January 24-30, 2016

The Themes for this Week are Principles and Ethics.  According to Google's "define principle", it's "a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning".  Doing the same for Ethics gives "moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior", a definition that uses "principles", our other Theme.  So they go together.  Now, can an individual create their own "code of ethics"?  I think so, but was "argued down", by a christian minister, who suggested that "only, right moral code, or code of ethics, is in the Bible".  I still think we are in charge, because we have to live with the results.

Word for the Day: Saturday, January 23, 2016

The Word for Today (Saturday) is Expansion. Let me see: I wish to "Expand" my "personal Salvation"? Doesn't work together as well as earlier this week. I got it! If I expand too much, around the middle, due to "too much delicious food", I may need to "salvage my health", due to obesity. (Answer to that: Exercise, Yoga and "better" food choices).

Words for the Day: Friday, January 22, 2016

The Words for Today (Friday) are Trust and Faith. So where does Prudence fit in with this? All over the place, when it is Human Beings asking for your Trust and/or Faith. Because the prudent take, is that Trust must be earned and developed. And Faith better not be blind!

Word for the Day: Thursday, January 21, 2016

The Word for Today (Thursday) is Gratitude. And I am extremely grateful that I learned, in a way I could accept, even as a child, to be prudent (i.e. practical), in at least many areas of my life. For example, one lesson I learned, so early, that I believe it might have came from another life, is patience. And I will tell you that I got far, just from that one trait.

Word for the Day: Wednesday, January 20, 2016

The Word for Today (Wednesday) is Equality. And the "Prudent definition" is equal opportunity, rather than, say, forced conformity. Because forcing irrational policies on others, just fosters resentment.

Word for the Day: Tuesday, January 19, 2016

The Word for Today (Tuesday) is Prudence. Prudence (aka practical mindfulness) is a good tool for "personal Salvation", as it tends to keep you out of troublesome situations, where "extricating yourself from trouble" takes priority over self improvement.

Word for the Day: Monday, January 18, 2016

The Word for Today (Monday) is Innocence. When our laws are so complex that it can be difficult to determine if you are breaking one of them, where do you go, to determine how to behave? How do you remain innocent, or not even charged with a crime? And if you are in trouble already, how do you salvage what innocence, is still in you? And these are also topics in our news. The best thing, in my opinion, is to just be yourself.

Word for the Day: Sunday, January 17, 2016

The Word for Today (Sunday) is Forgiveness. How this relates to our Themes depends on which one: A person might DEFINITELY feel the need to apologize for "salvaging" property that belonged to someone else, for example. But the other direction might also be in effect, where forgiveness might be a tool, to help with "personal salvation", however you might define it.

Weekly Themes: Week of January 17-23, 2016

The Themes for this Week are Salvage and Salvation.  Both of these "sort of" mean, to "save something" "from something".  Like some might want to salvage a ship, that's not seaworthy anymore, for the metallic value.  The most "neutral" of the definitions you get, by plugging "define salvation" into Google, is "a source or means of being saved from harm, ruin, or loss".  The main difference, between these Themes is connotation.  Salvation has a religious connotation, such as [also from the Google definition]: "deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ".  What do you think?

Word for the Day: Saturday, January 16, 2016

The Word for Today (Saturday) is Authenticity. Authentic addiction, as opposed to counterfeit addiction? Goodness, what a concept! But one key to a balanced life, is to be authentic to yourself and, as best as you can be, to other people also.

Word for the Day: Friday, January 15, 2016

The Word for Today (Friday) is Interpretation. So how does one interpret Addiction, whether his/her own, or that of a friend or relative? This is important, because the "wrong" interpretation might include "unfortunate" behavior, such as, for example, either rejecting or "enabling" a friend.

In general, Interpreter makes for a great career, because (at least in my observation), people are always looking for them.

Word for the Day: Thursday, January 14, 2016

The Word for Today (Thursday) is Socialization. Do people with addictions socialize with each other? Most definitely, and they often exclude those, who might try to talk them out of the addictive behavior. (One example, that I have seen, way too often, was a "two-smoker relationship", where one part of the relationship quit. The remaining member of the relationship often doesn't want anything to do with him/her!) One answer to situations, related to this, is good communication with each other, and the suggestion, that both of them quit at the same, general time. (This also has to do with other issues, such as Alcohol where, for example, a "tool" for quitting is Alcohol Anonymous). Balance, folks!

Word for the Day: Wednesday, January 13, 2016

The Word for Today (Wednesday) is Concentration. A phrase I hear a lot is, "You get what you concentrate on". I believe that there is truth in this, but in ways that might surprise you. For example, where is your concentration right now, as you read this? On this post? The "eye candy" around it? Your surroundings? Something that occurred earlier today? What you wish to accomplish in your life (perhaps, if you win, say, a lottery)? The output from a Television? So many things in our environment ask for our attention. Wouldn't it be great to be able to just -- be --, in that moment of your day?

Word for the Day: Tuesday, January 12, 2016

The Word for Today (Tuesday) is Acceptability. Acceptable addictions? I don't think so, unless we defer to the questions I brought up, regarding (for example) "addiction" to clean air and water. In general, be acceptable to yourself, above all.

Word for the Day: Monday, January 11, 2016

The Word for Today (Monday) is Generosity. Once again, be generous with what you do to avoid addictions, rather than with addictive substances themselves! And yes, this is a tricky Theme to deal with.

Word for the Day: Sunday, January 10, 2016

The Word for Today (Sunday) is Sharing. And we are certainly free to share tools, to affirmatively deal with addictions in our lives. In other words, don't share addictive behavior, but share what works in your life.

Weekly Theme: Week of January 10-16, 2016

The Theme for this Week is Addiction.  What does it mean to be addicted?  That you feel you need something so much, that you will do anything to get it?  In effect, you feel you can't "survive" without it?  Does that mean, for example, that all of humanity is addicted to clean water and clean air?  Wikipedia has an article on this.  (I am truly curious!)  Because, on the one hand, you find people doing anything to get something they have developed addiction to (i.e. Heroin) yet, on the other hand, you have two places in the state of Michigan, in the USA, one of which (Detroit), a lot of people, in poverty, have had their water cut off, for failure to pay their bill, and the other of which (Flint), tap water is not safe to drink, due to high lead content.

Words for the Day: Saturday, January 9, 2016

The Words for Today (Saturday) are Overview and Perspective. And what simplifies knowledge of a topic better, than the Big Picture (or Executive Summary) view of it? In fact, I firmly believe that people can't deal effectively with the details in their life, or career, without some knowledge of where it all fits in.

Word for the Day: Friday, January 8, 2015

The Word for Today (Friday) is Reflection. What does it mean to reflect? First off, it takes clarity, which is why mirrors are made of transparent substances, such as glass. And why a clear lake can be like a mirror. The opposite of transparent is opaque, by the way, which is why a lump of coal would make a poor mirror. But the same substance, perfected, is a diamond, and I remember the concept of Diamond Mirrors, at museums.

Word for the Day: Thursday, January 7, 2016

The Word for Today (Thursday) is Study. So how does one simplify study? First off, only study what you want to. (I know that can be hard, if you can't pick all your topics in school). Also, avoid getting sidetracked. For example, if you are studying North Carolina politics (like I am), it's easy to find articles, about how it relates to the political situation in other states (such as, for example, Texas). Spend as little time as practical, on the "tangent", and then get back to what you really want to learn.

Word for the Day: Wednesday, January 6, 2016

The Word for Today (Wednesday) is Absorption. This can, actually be a "simple" way to learn. For example, one way to learn another language is called, "Immersion Training", where the only language spoken, during class is the one being learned. Of course, I also like the Science Fiction accounts of Absorption, where you take a pill before going to bed, and a speaker, in your pillow teaches you things, while you sleep.

Word for the Day: Tuesday, January 5, 2016

The Word for Today (Tuesday) is Review. Simplified Review? It's certainly more likely to be performed, if simple! I keep referring back to a Chemistry class I took, third year of High School. Why? It surely wasn't an easy class, in any way, but reviews, often of a Lab Experiment from the prior day, only referred to what was done in the experiment itself. (This is in contrast to some classes, which would mix in things, from the prior week's Home Work, often in a confusing mixture. By the way: I hated homework. LOL!)

Word for the Day: Monday, January 4, 2016

The Word for Today (Monday) is Experimentation. Simplified Experimentation? Making it easy to understand the directions for the Experiment? Certainly, and as the experiment progresses, the results can perhaps be seen also. The way I look at this, there is a balance between simplicity and complexity, something often difficult to find, if you are a teacher.

Word for the Day: Sunday, January 3, 2016

The Word for Today (Sunday) is Recognition. One obvious thing to recognize, is how complex, or simple your life is. If it is too simple, you are likely looking outside of yourself, for additional adventure, or at least entertainment. If it is more on the complex side, you might be concerned, with how you can "possibly" complete tasks you have taken on. The obvious answer is balance.

Weekly Theme: Week of January 3-9, 2016

The Theme for this Week is Simplification.  Otherwise known as decreasing complexity.  It occurs to me, that actions like this should be limited, because too simple can get boring, while too complex can be confusing.  One other point:  Things can seem complex, just because you haven't taken a class on the subject yet.

Word for the Day: Saturday, January 2, 2016

The Word for Today (Saturday) is Resolve. It's that time again: New Years Resolutions. And my favorite? "I resolve to keep my resolve". :-)

And don't let our Theme intimidate you: Not all resolutions need to include sacrifice.

Word for the Day: Friday, January 1, 2016

The Word for Today (Friday) is Courage. Sacrifice our Courage? Please, no! But having the courage to sacrifice other things, in our lives, when needed? Yes. In fact, especially if someone "dares you", it often takes more courage to say "No!"