Word for the Day: Wednesday, August 31, 2016

The Word for Today (Wednesday) is Competence. So, are you competent to preserve, or do you strive to preserve competence? Or both? One book, that describes the concept of competence in depth, is "The Peter Principle", by Lawrence Peter.

Word for the Day: Tuesday, August 30, 2016

The Word for Today (Tuesday) is Endurance. So do you Endure Preservation, or Preserve Endurance? Likely both will occasionally come up, but most likely at different times. So how does one develop, and preserve Endurance? Of course fitness clubs would enter any competent discussion of this. But I wish to point out that Yoga would be an important step also.

Word for the Day: Monday, August 29. 2016

The Word for Today (Monday) is Fertility. Obviously, this is a way to preserve our species. But we need to bring in last weeks theme, Analysis, to be selective about where people can live and be productive. Quality of life is important, too.

Word for the Day: Sunday, August 28, 2016

The Word for Today (Sunday) is Stability. A stable environment certainly makes it easier to preserve things. And, in the other direction, stability itself appears to be a great thing to preserve. (At least, unless it gets in the way of Adventure).

Weekly Theme: Week of 8/28 - 9/03/2016

The Theme for this Week is Preservation.  So what does Preservation mean?  According to Google, it means, "the action of preserving something".  Now, I would have gotten a "red mark" for that, in English Class, for "defining" a word, by using a derivative of the word in question!  Oh well.  Then what does it mean to Preserve something?  That's better!  Google says, "maintain (something) in its original or existing state".  So put your perishable food in the refrigerator or freezer!  Avoid dropping your smartphone!  Keep laptop computers away from prolonged direct sunlight!  You get the idea.

Word for the Day: Saturday, August 27, 2016

The Word for Today (Saturday) is Release. So how best to analyze a topic, like "Release"? What do you need release from? Limitations? What others think about you? The need to do too much analysis? I've said it before: If you feel stuck, look around your environment. Do you see a "release lever"? They're not always available, but it doesn't hurt to look.

Word for the Day: Friday, August 26, 2016

The Word for Today (Friday) is Aspiration. A proper "analysis" of this word includes medical meanings (for example, using chest tubes, to "aspirate" fluids from your lungs. You do NOT want to go through this experience. Trust me!)

The "preferred meaning" is best shown by its sentence usage: "I aspire to be my personal best".

Word for the Day: Thursday, August 25, 2016

The Word for Today (Thursday) is Contrast. And note that "analyzing Contrast" actually can create some Contrast of its own. But, in general, look around your environment, to find the (usually figurative, but sometimes literal) "Contrast Knob". And be careful, how you "adjust" it, as too little contrast can seem boring, yet too much can get, downright scary!

Word for the Day: Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The Word for Today (Wednesday) is Adaptability. Let's "analyze" this a bit. It's related to flexibility, where you can, say, post to Facebook and watch TV at the same time. Or prepare a meal, at the same time as I'm updating the Operating System on the computer in the other room. And it's good to be flexible, as the flexible person tends to adapt to his/her environment, while the inflexible person asks his/her environment to adapt to him/her!

Words for the Day: Tuesday, August 23, 2016

The Words for Today (Tuesday) are Agility and Grace. Agile and graceful analysis? Or taking the time to analyze how you can get more agile and/or graceful? Probably a bit of both. So how DO you develop agility and grace? I recommend Yoga.

Word for the Day: Monday, August 22, 2016

The Word for Today (Monday) is Acceleration. So, as a "public service", I analyze the way we, as a society "accelerates": Our roads would be much safer, if people accelerated, in a safer, more gradual way. And it would save people money, as they would likely get fewer traffic tickets. That said, I am all in favor of intellectual, as well as spiritual acceleration.

Words for the Day: Sunday, August 21, 2016

The Words for Today (Sunday) are Patience and Tolerance. Since Analysis can include (usually figuratively) taking something apart, patience is quite important, especially if you are (again figuratively) examining what you separate, so you can put it back together again. Now, in case your "taking something apart" was NOT figurative, you might need to "tolerate" the resulting punishment!

Weekly Theme: Week of August 21-27, 2016

The Theme for this Week is Analysis.  According to Google, Analysis is the "detailed examination of the elements or structure of something, typically as the basis for discussion or interpretation".  There is also something about "separating something into its constituent elements".  In other words, when I hear somebody talking about analyzing something, they might say they are "taking it apart".  As a child, I chanced upon one of my father's older watches, and took it apart.  Of course, putting it back together was easier said than done, and so I got into trouble!  (But I understood watches better than I used to.  All those gears!)  So, folks, have fun analyzing what's in your environment, but keep out of trouble.

Word for the Day: Saturday, August 20, 2016

The Word for Today (Saturday) is Acknowledgement. And the "usual" (though ending today) line, about "acknowledging your Archives (or Public Libraries, if you wish) definitely follows. One more thing: It takes Knowledge to Acknowledge. Think about that!

Word for the Day: Friday, August 19, 2016

The Word for Today (Friday) is Kindness. And be kind to all of the people you meet, in those Archives you visit, whether the Public Library (including, in my home town, a "Cybrary"), or even in online archives. If you download a lot of material, it's kind to contribute back, in kind, whether with your own exciting contributions, or with money. And don't think that something, that's "openly available" is actually "public domain". This is a controversy, that causes some to be "UnKind". Let's play fair.

Word for the Day: Thursday, August 18, 2016

The Word for Today (Thursday) is Encouragement. And I absolutely recommend encouraging your "local Archives" (more than just your Public Library, but also, can include a well-run Used Bookstore). In the case of the Used Bookstore, it may need even MORE "tender, loving care", because "brick and mortar stores" suffer, greatly, due to corporations, such as Amazon!

Word for the Day: Wednesday, August 17, 2016

The Word for Today (Wednesday) is Thoughtfulness. And yes, if you are in an "Archive" (Public Library), be thoughtful of people around you. Keep your voice down, and avoid disturbing those, around you. And being thoughtful also builds on yesterday's Word, when thinking of what organizations might need financial support.

Word for the Day: Tuesday, August 16, 2016

The Word for Today (Tuesday) is Support. And what does it mean to "Support your Archives"? Simple! Does your local public library have a Foundation? Besides getting a Library Card, can you "become a member" of your local library? Who determines what type of books you will purchase? When the library is open? Investigate!

Word for the Day: Monday, August 15, 2016

The Word for Today (Monday) is Comfort. And places I've often found quite comfortable, are public libraries (one use, of our theme, Archives). They are also, often, one of the few places people, who are "housing challenged" can go, sit down and, of course, get comfortable.

Word for the Day: Sunday, August 14, 2016

The Word for Today (Sunday) is Nourishment. Now, unless you are a Silverfish, paper documents are not likely to be, literally nourishing. However, a book can be "intellectually nourishing", depending on its quality, of course!

Weekly Theme: Week of August 14-20, 2016

The Theme for this Week is Archives.  This is a lesser-known word, unless you work in, either the Information Technology field (where you use computer tools, to archive your important files), or a Public Library (where Archive is a synonym).  One website I like, is archive.org, which is taking on the task of making public domain items (documents, audio files, and videos) available.

Word for the Day: Saturday, August 13, 2016

The Word for Today (Saturday) is Prosperity. So! Just HOW would one create a "Strategy", for Prosperity? First off, by avoiding the majority of those "Get Rich" books, that are out there! (If they actually "worked", why would the [garden variety] author share their secrets? Wouldn't he [yes, mainly "he"] just use the technique(s) himself, rather than "giving them away"?) In my opinion, one of the most important strategies, is to avoid actions that stand in the way of prosperity (such as misuse of credit cards).

Word for the Day: Friday, August 12, 2016

The Word for Today is Liberation. Liberation from Strategy? I don't THINK so! But a Strategy of Liberation, or Liberation from barriers, to creating a good strategy sound good to me. Look for issues in your life, that you might like to be liberated from. Then create a strategy. Simple as that!

Word for the Day: Thursday, August 11, 2016

The Word for Today (Thursday) is Wisdom. Strategy of wisdom? Or a Wise Strategy? In this case, it works in both directions. So how do we best gain wisdom? Sorry, folks but, no matter how helpful books or "Weekend Conferences" can be (though PLEASE be selective, because it "takes all kinds", to make a world, fill bookstores, or take your hard-earned money, to "confine" you in a crowded room, usually with uncomfortable chairs, very few refreshments and, finally NEVER enough restroom breaks), you need real, Life Experience, to build true Wisdom!

Word for the Day: Wednesday, August 10, 2016

The Word for Today (Wednesday) is Impartiality. If you want to become a news correspondent, you are "supposed" to be "impartial". But that's easier said than done! Even news Networks have fallen on their faces, regarding the fact that people wish for, at least "lip service" to impartiality. But my life, in the Eye Blink Universe, has to be, as close to impartial as possible, for reasons that nobody "cares about" on Planet Earth. Just like Vulcans [Star Trek] have emotions, news anchors have opinions. All we look for is balance.

Word for the Day: Tuesday, August 9, 2016

The Word for Today (Tuesday) is Consequence. I'll agree that any Strategy is likely to have consequences. But think about this: Wouldn't a "lack of strategy" likely include a special set of consequences?

Word for the Day: Monday, August 8, 2016

The Word for Today (Monday) is Elimination. Eliminate strategy? I don't THINK so! But, once we create our "Life Strategy", we can certainly take steps to eliminate, what stands in the way of it.

Word for the Day: Sunday, August 7, 2016

The Word for Today (Sunday) is Self-Reliance. Self-Reliance makes a good strategy of life as, in my opinion, it's not always possible to rely on others. In other words, interdependence is good, but we should also know how to be independent, when needed.

Weekly Theme: Week of August 7-13, 2016

The Theme for this Week is Strategy.  According to Google, Strategy is "a plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall aim".  This term is popular, in the context of both the military, as well as some games, such as Chess.  So what is your strategy, for living your life?  Will you concentrate on family or career?  Work, or play?  Travel, or staying put in one place?  Stability or adventure?  It is all up to you!

Word for the Day: Saturday, August 6, 2016

The Word for Today (Saturday) is Expansion. Now this is simple: Spiritual, or intellectual expansion is quite useful. But physical (say, around the middle, when lots of "delicious food" is consumed), less so. Be selective!

Words for the Day: Friday, August 5, 2016

The Words for Today (Friday) are Trust and Faith. To connect these with our Theme (Usefulness), it's probably easier to see when these Words are NOT Useful. Misplaced Trust is not useful (because Trust, especially in a person, must be earned and developed -- NOT demanded!) Likewise, Blind Faith is less than useful. In my opinion, faith needs to be coupled with verification.

Word for the Day: Thursday, August 4, 2016

The Word for Today (Thursday) is Gratitude. I find it VERY useful, to show my Gratitude, for things that help me. And, in general, other people tend to appreciate it. Try it: You'll like it!

Word for the Day: Wednesday, August 3, 2016

The Word for Today (Wednesday) is Equality. And how can Equality be Useful? When it is about equal opportunity. On the other hand, I don't consider "forced conformity" (the flip side of "equality", often seen in some private schools with, among other things, school uniforms) very useful.

Word for the Day: Tuesday, August 2, 2016

The Word for Today (Tuesday) is Prudence. Practical? Everyday Affairs? What could be useful about this? Perhaps, it's more what the antonym (or opposite) is? Foolish? Wasteful? When you put it that way, things make more sense.

Word for the Day: Monday, August 1, 2016

The Word for Today (Monday) is Innocence. How useful is it to be innocent? Ask the people, in Jail, waiting for their trials! Seriously! (Of course, I know that many in Jail, statistically, are guilty, but NOT ALL!) One organization I've been following, for a number of years, is the Innocence Project, which uses DNA, to either exonerate someone in Prison, or confirm their guilt.