Category: Reframe your thoughts

CategoriesActionObserveReframe your thoughtsTime

Don’t Bring Scrolls To A Gun Fight

Posted on February 24, 2022

How many movies does one need to watch? How much military history does it take? Diplomacy solves a lot of issues, but it needs to be backed by the full force of something more. We need to know when to switch from tough talk to being tough.

It really is striking how, ‘It’s all the same, only the names will change.’ History repeats itself or at least rhymes.

Like the German fella, Mr Putin is a bit bitter about how his country has been treated or seen in the eyes of Cold War challengers. He may have a little chip on his shoulder, placed there by name-calling, can’t let it go’ers.

So he wants to show the world he has a winning team. He seems to want to flex and show his power pose. Clearly he’s serious.

So Russia looks like Germany in 1939. ‘Denazification’ sounds acceptable to Russians and NATO so we can allow it. Ukraine is the Poland move. Biden plays the Neville Chamberlain / appeaser character. China is Japan. His tactic is Blitzkreig and Putin has the next 80 moves mapped out. Does NATO and her Allies? What options are on the table such as cyber attacks, dirty bombs, NCB weapons or simply a war machine not seen in almost 80 years?

A fascinating game of chess is being played. Unfortunately, real people are the pieces. Will NATO accept an Iron Curtain II? Will social media play a part or will the grids be neutered?

Will anyone bring guns to this gun fight?

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CategoriesActionObserveReframe your thoughts

You Can’t Force People

Posted on February 17, 2022

Well, it is very hard to force people to do something against their will. At least, not without significant threat that is meaningful to them (not just a threat that you would respond to).

Ever try to get your children to do their homework against their will? How far do you have to take it? Do they do it on their own? Or with threat of detention at school? Perhaps you take away their phone for awhile or threaten to cancel desired play dates with friends.

What if they still won’t do it? Do you need to beg, plead and appeal to their sympathetic nature? Will bribes of candy, money, activities or other future benefits come into the frame?

This is the same for adults. If people don’t want to do something on their own, they will resist it in countless ways. Then, if you go the route of force, not friendliness, you may resort to imposing actions which could result in financial ruin, jail time, family distress, mental terror or even death.

You attract more flies with honey than vinegar. It’s an odd phrase but there seems to be sense behind it. #bekind

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CategoriesActionObserveReframe your thoughts

What If I Offend Someone?

Posted on February 15, 2022

Well, with 7.8 billion people on the planet, chances are there will be at least one person offended by anything you say.

That doesn’t mean don’t say it though. Even if your intent is good and honourable, you can’t please everyone. And if they can’t see your good intent, that is not something you can change.

Think a little more before speaking. Choose your words and their order with more care. Keep away from generalisations like everyone, always, they and never. Be mindful of your biases. You don’t have to place them in people’s faces, like a red rag to a bull.

Is it a friend you want, or a fight? Can you live with your differences, or must you force them to your point of view? Remember, force rarely works.

People say things all the time without full awareness of its impact. That’s ok. Maybe they’ll try to be more mindful next time. But until then, and even if they don’t, we can pause and respond in a pleasant way. As often as required. We can control our actions and words.

Life’s too short to be offended often. Be kind. Be patient. Be compassionate. Maybe they’re hurting. Maybe they’ll learn from you.

Good luck with being the change you want to see.

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CategoriesActionReframe your thoughts

Know When To Stop Digging

Posted on February 14, 2022

Sometimes we make a mistake. Don’t be the person that doubles down on their error. Don’t escalate things out of control. You don’t need to prove you’re right, especially by might. It’s better to do the right thing for the greater good.

Put the shovel down. Stop digging a deeper hole.

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CategoriesActionProgressReframe your thoughtsTime

Don’t Continue – Finish!

Posted on February 10, 2022

It’s great to have projects on the go. But we need to keep a clear eye on these so they don’t last forever. It sounds great to be working on something, but sometimes we have to make that super extra effort and get items finished.

I have a handful of things that seem to get carried forward each day and have been for weeks, and months in some cases! There are various reasons for that. Some aren’t urgent. Some are nice to have but not critical. Others require input from someone else. Still others take more time then they seem to be worth.

Then occasionally I will have a burst and knock a few of these items off my list. Sometimes that means getting up earlier, going to bed later or switching priorities.

It’s been harder recently with completing the book, the book launch and some other pressing matters. However, I can see a time in late February / March where I can tidy up quite a few of these things. That will feel great!

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CategoriesGratitudeHealth & FitnessObserveProgressReframe your thoughtsTime

Canadian Truckers and The UK

Posted on February 7, 2022

As a Canadian, I am pleased to see the trucker protest in Ottawa and elsewhere being held, generally, in a good natured, peaceful way. These are unlikely protestors and there would be few, if any, professional activists among their cohort.

Of course, with any large gathering, there will be a few things that go sideways and a few people who do things that both sides would prefer didn’t happen. But rather than look at the sample size of one, or two, lets look at the vast majority and the positives.

It’s peaceful. It’s almost joyous in its nature. There are lots of smiles and hugs, dances and good manners and even well spoken leaders calling for continued calm. Bear in mind it is mid-winter in Ottawa and temperatures sink to -20C (-4F) at night and might only climb to -6C (21F) during the day.

There doesn’t seem to be looting, rioting or arson, which makes it a much better experience for all affected. They are on point. They are there to be heard.

The UK has dropped the mask requirements, along with a growing number of other OECD nations. Serious Covid infections are now about 0.1% of all cases, despite cases being almost 5 times higher than this time last year. This is all good news going forward.

According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) in the UK, Covid deaths here are starting to approximate those of the flu and pneumonia. If we could live with their annual deaths and challenges for decades, perhaps it is time to make this a win for the people over Covid everywhere.

I entered a shop without a mask this past weekend. It felt so natural and so good. And those that wanted to wear a mask did. And we all shopped and went on our way. No issues. But having that choice felt so good, after two long years. I missed that great, natural feeling. It’s so good to have it back.

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CategoriesGratitudeObserveReframe your thoughts

You Are A Champion!

Posted on February 6, 2022

Never forget how good you could be. Feel like a champion everyday. Wake up and declare ‘I am a champion.’

If you aren’t the champion of you, who will be? if you don’t promote you, who will? You need to shift toward being comfortable in your own skin and promoting yourself and cheering for you.

Sure, there is always fine tuning you can do. But you’re pretty awesome as it stands right now. Enjoy that, and confidently let the world know in a pleasant way.

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