CategoriesActionObserveThink About It

Slogans

Make America Great Again and Build Back Better are the recent slogans of the US Republican (conservative party) and Democrat (liberal party) political sides.

You may have been a little uncomfortable or bothered by one or both of those slogans as you read them here. Attached to them are all your feelings about the leaders, their parties, policies, media opinion and your personal beliefs, values and affiliations. So they can pack a punch!

Though, it’s not the slogans per se though that have the impact. It is your perception of the slogan, what the words mean to you, and the order the words are in. Additionally, how you feel about everything related to the words, their different meanings, your feelings and who stands behind the slogans is really what’s at play here.

If you had seen them written on a wall 10 years ago without knowing who wrote them or why, they very likely would have made a different impact on you.

Remarkably similar, they both seem quite positive. Also, they both have an action word at the start. And this is what attracts many people to both slogans.

If you felt jobs had gone overseas, the superpower status was diminishing or people weren’t as kind as before, you might want to return America to a kinder, gentler, more powerful and prosperous time.

If you thought the past wasn’t great, was rife with issues and problems, such as poverty, race relations and involvement in wars, then you might feel it needs to be better and not great again.

What could every American unite behind? Perhaps forget about the past and focus only on a glorious proud future.

What about “Building A Great America”? Or perhaps, “Make America Great!”? Or, the snappy, “Building The Best America”? Which do you prefer? Do you have one that could be even better?

0
CategoriesActionThink About It

Your Free Week

If you could have an entirely free week, with no commitments, responsibilities or costs and no prep before, or catch up after, what would you do with it?

How would you spend those seven days? Would you go somewhere you’ve never been or somewhere familiar? Are you thinking you would spend it alone or with someone special or a group of people?

0
CategoriesActionObserveThink About ItTime

Find Your Tribe

Find people who think the way you want to think. Look to join others who know or have what you would like to know or acquire.

It may feel uncomfortable at first. But learn their lingo, culture, norms and preferences. Spend time with them. Get comfortable in their presence. Find your tribe and immerse yourself in it.

0
CategoriesObserveReframe your thoughtsThink About ItTime

You Won’t Get Out Alive!

We have a strange fascination / avoidance thing going on with The End. Many people find it hard to accept that they, or others, will reach The End.

Once you accept that it is a natural, and inevitable, part of life, you can be more free.

This is also a reminder to treat people like it’s their last day on Earth. Because it could be.

Same for you. It could be your last day. Make sure you have tied up those loose ends, made the calls, given the hugs and had some fun. At some point it will no longer be possible. 

0
CategoriesActionGratitudeThink About ItTime

Lazy River Fun

Yesterday we took the opportunity to float down a lazy river with mild, intermittent rapids. It was calm, gorgeous, fun, cooling (in 36C heat) and hugely enjoyable.

Sometimes taking an hour or two to float through life is a wonderful thing.

We met a man standing waist deep in water just before a set of light rapids. He had a beverage in his hand and a friendly demeanour but tough looks.

As I was being pulled straight toward him by the flow of the river I said I didn’t know which side of him I’d end up on. He said not to worry and that the river would decide. Very zen.

Don’t fight the current. Go with the flow.

Lazy river fun and philosophy.

0
CategoriesActionThink About ItTime

Travel Days

These can be short or long, dull or exciting. However, they should always bring some new element of adventure to your life.

Learn to enjoy them all and live through the exhausting ones. They often leave you with the best stories.

0
CategoriesActionObserveReframe your thoughtsThink About It

Learning From Anyone

If you value learning, do you appreciate learning from anyone? Or must they have certain qualifications or thoughts before you rate them as acceptable to learn from?

I believe people can learn from all types of other people, including those that are older, younger, well schooled, dropouts, mothers, doctors, plumbers and politicians.

Every experience can be an opportunity to reflect and reconsider your thoughts. If you want it to be. If you prefer to stick with your people and their thoughts, you’re likely to have a very narrow life.

Whether you learned from Yoda or Jung, “do or do not, there is no try” is a very powerful statement – if you understand it and and embrace it.

Learn from others, whoever they are. Listen and reflect and it will add to your store of knowledge.

0
CategoriesActionObserveReframe your thoughtsThink About ItTime

Don’t Drive Tired

Accidents can happen. You can avoid many of them. Notice when you’re fading, head dipping, missing mili-moments or are straining to stay awake. Find a safe place to pull over and catch 20 winks. Then you can be safely on your way again.

Arriving late is far superior to arriving doa.

Don’t drive tired. Take a rest stop asap.

1+