The Seeds of Life

The Seeds of Life

Before I cause eyebrows to raise, I DON'T have a green thumb nor did I get into an agricultural foray because our thread today will be focused on The Seeds of Life.  Before I get doubted with plagiarism, allow me to borrow these poetic lines [from an anonymous literary piece]:  SOME SEEDS WERE SCATTERED ON THE SIDE OF THE PATH BUT WERE TRAMPLED AND EATEN BY THE BIRDS.  SOME SEEDS FELL ON ROCKY GROUND AND THEY SPROUTED BUT THE SUN CAME UP AND WITHERED THE SEEDS WHILE OTHER SEEDS FELL AMONG THE THORN BUSHES BUT THESE WERE CHOKED BY THORNS.

And the poem ended like, THE SEEDS ON GOOD SOIL, SPROUTED AND PRODUCED A RICH ABUNDANT CROP.  That was a mouthful but it is reflective of what life really is.  We are all akin to all these seeds.  We were seeds once in our life.  We got scattered across the wide expanses of fields, to each his own

Even siblings within a family, it's a rarity to hear and see all siblings of a family follow the same road towards a common destiny?  Indeed there are stories along those lines but they are few and far in between.  What is very common to see is each of the siblings explore and thread their own unique paths, some would stumble, some would get lost in the maze and some would eventually end up with the ultimate success story.  But if you had five siblings, very likely we could hear five unique stories, NOT a common one💎💎💎

EVen FAITH itself can't be left far behind.  As this poster says, FAITH IS LIKE A SEED THAT IS PLANTED TO GROW.  But hold on, for us to discuss FAITH could take us forever.   Seriously though, even when it comes to religion, sometimes it seemed to have triggered or exacerbated problems across communities and cultures rather than calming the minds and souls around this planet.  BUT simply to draw the analogy here between SEEDS and FAITH itself, lots and lots of SEEDS [of FAITH were scattered all over the planet but it seems each FAITH was fated to take its own course📌📌📌

Now, whether we are the fortunate SEEDS that get planted and nurtured day-in or day-out or we are those SEEDS that get scattered across and left to take its own course, whichever SEED you are, our insight today is WHEN and WHERE you can influence to shape up your fate, DON'T LEAVE A SINGLE STONE UNTURNED❗❗❗

Curiosity, Anyone?

Curiosity, Anyone?

One obscured fallacy that has been lingering around is that CURIOSITY is the exclusive domain of babies, toddlers and kids.  But today, while I was attending an L&D session, lo and behold, one of the TOP SKILLS for 2023 is CURIOSITY. Yet, the mother of all ironies is that, of all the SKILLS at hand, CURIOSITY is something we DON'T need to be schooled and trained.  It's for us to ENABLE and ACTIVATE it

So, WHAT's the fuss about CURIOSITY?  It's NOT because of CURIOSITY per se BUT it's because CURIOSITY is the ultimate pre-requisite for us to get into LEARNING.  LEARNING?  Yes folks, LEARNING is it because LEARNING is a lifelong process.  Throw away CURIOSITY out in the window, and you're like throwing away LEARNING as your opportunity.  BTW, let us NOT equate LEARNING with our years in school because LEARNING is a lifelong process.  I can attest to having bump with people I know first hand.  Lo and behold, they seemed to have either gotten stalled OR stagnated

As our global village constantly shifts, the speed of CHANGE creates all the constant innovations, requiring us to learn and adapt.  The person WHO knows and tells BUT lacks the humility to be CURIOUS, learn and grow will likely find themselves irrelevant and lacking critical skills and perspectives needed to thrive in this era

If there is a windows screen we're most familiar with, it is this SHUTDOWN screen but can we agree that after that SHUTDOWN occurs, everything freezes, NOTHING happens?  We'd like to compare this when our CURIOSITY shuts down, the key factors are THINKING we know everything and having that UNCHECKED EGO

So, these are the very culprits when our CURIOSITY shuts down.  WHEN we think we know all the answers and look upon ourselves as an expert.  Instead of fostering CURIOSITY, we tend to foster competition with experts we can't match at all.  Throw in a bloated EGO, we [wrongly] think we're safe and powerful enough to be CURIOUS and learn more.  Blunt question:  DOES IT MEAN this CURIOUS cat is better off than you❓❓❓

That RANDOMNESS of LIFE

That RANDOMNESS of LIFE

All scientists claim that the universe we live in, is largely governed by RANDOMNESS [and I WON'T argue on that].  However, if there is one thing we have trouble accepting, it is the UNEXPECTED.  So, in the midst of the RANDOMNESS of  LIFE, we must NEVER lose sight of our PURPOSE and learn to accept the UNEXPECTED because That RANDOMNESS of LIFE is something that will be here to stay with in our lives💎💎💎

Indeed, our life is governed by multifarious variables and factors [and one of them is, voila..... RANDOMNESS].  Despite the fact that we seem to take for granted that we have a firm hold on our REALITY, we're actually mostly in the grip of chance.  But here's our dilemma over and over again:  It seems VERY difficult for us to ACCEPT the UNEXPECTED📌📌📌

Even psychologists are all in unison to conclude that much as we live in a world that ISN'T ruled by order and predictability, we're obliged to know how to handle chaos ourselves.  BUT, of course, we need to do this without letting that chaos into our worlds.  However, even though this feeling that fate is often capricious and puts us in situations we couldn't never have foreseen, it ISNT something we often experience⏳⏳⏳

Factually, many people live pretty much without a care in the world for years, with the feeling that everything seems to be in the rightful place.  We lead normal lives, go to work, socialize [thanks GOD that pandemic is now behind us], spend time with family and friends, then chaos seems to be a long way away.  Then SUDDENLY, something happens or changes and we're suddenly face to face with change and expect the unexpected✅✅✅

These are the times when we need capacities, abilities and mental approaches that we've never used before.  Strangely, there are those who seem to be able respond perfectly.  It's AS IF they've got some sort of subroutine or code written into their genetic code or in some hidden corner of their brain, ready to be activated in the FACE OF ADVERSITY.  And they always seem to be able to respond n the best way.  If at all. more than just embracing the RANDOMNESS of LIFE, let us tweak our daily lives for our advantage, our UPSIDE❗❗❗

FEELING Grateful Versus BEING Grateful

FEELING Grateful Versus BEING Grateful

Our thread today is related NEITHER to grammar NOR semantics.  BUT it is vital that we make a distinction between FEELING Grateful Versus BEING Grateful.  True, we DON'T have total control over our emotions.  We CANNOT easily will ourselves to feel GRATEFUL, be less depressed OR be happy.  Our feelings follow from the way we look at the world, thoughts we have about the way things are, the way things should be and that distance between these two points📌📌📌

BUT being GRATEFUL is a choice, a prevailing attitude that endures and is relatively immune to the gains and losses that flow in and out of our lives.  When disaster strikes, GRATITUDE provides a perspective from which we can view life in its entirety and NOT be overwhelmed by temporary circumstances.  Yes, I would admit that this perspective is hard to achieve BUT it's worth our effort💎💎💎

In fact. the trials and tribulations we endure in life can actually refine and deepen GRATEFULNESS if we allow them to show us NOT to take things for granted.  In the United States, they have a 'THANKSGIVING' holiday that, according to Ameircan historians, was born and grew out of HARD TIMES.  Now, here's more of the stark realities in our life.  When times are good, people take prosperity for granted and begin to believe that they seem invulnerable.  In times of uncertainty, though, people realize how powerless they are to control their own destiny.  Let's look back at that pandemic❎❎❎

If we begin to see that everything we have, everything we have counted on, may be taken away from us anytime, it becomes much harder to take it for granted.  So, indeed, a crisis can make us more GRATEFUL and expert studies show that GRATITUDE also helps us cope with crisis.  Consciously cultivating an attitude of GRATITUDE builds up a sort of immune system enough to cushion us when we fall✅✅✅

Studies show that GRATEFUL people are more resilient to stress, whether its minor daily hassles or major personal upheavals.  The study in contrast between SUFFERING and REDEMPTION serves as the basis for us to to practice GRATITUDE.  Remember your worst 'DOWN MOMENTS' then look where you are now, that should push you to be both FEELING GRATEFUL and BEING GRATEFUL all rolled into one❗❗❗

When QUID PRO QUO Does Not Happen

When QUID PRO QUO Does Not Happen    

The Latin phrase QUID PRO QUO has been part of our daily lives since time immemorial.  Such that, while it has become a default norm [and even way of life], some stretch it out, exploiting it to unimaginable proportions.  And that's our thread today, When QUID PRO QUO Does Not Happen💊💊💊

When does QUID PRO QUO not happen but instead other types of harassment come in?  While QUID PRO QUO harassment is a type of workplace harassment that involves an unwelcome sexual advance or request for sexual favors in exchange for 'employment-related benefits', what sets it apart from other types of harassment such as hostile work environment, is the clear and direct link between the harasser's behavior and the victim's employment status💎💎💎

While in QUID PRO QUO cases there is often power dynamic at play where the person making the overture [commonly known as 'advances'] holds some form of authority over the victim.  This can be a supervisor, manager or even someone higher up in the corporate hierarchy.  The harasser may use his authority to pressure their victim into engaging in unwanted sexual acts or behaviors📌📌📌

Another key aspect of QUID PRO QUO harassment is that it must involve something tangible being offered or withheld based on whether or NOT the victim complies with the harasser's demands.  This could include anything from promotions, raises, favorable assignments or shifts to threats regarding demotion or worst, even termination✅✅✅

It is important to note that even witnessing ongoing harassment can contribute to create a hostile work environment for some.  If you feel like being subjected to any form of harassment or hostility within the workplace and find it hard to cope with such situations, then SPEAK UP.  You have the natural and legal rights [under your country's laws] that protects you, so take action if you experience discriminatory behaviors because that's an instance when QUID PRO QUO does NOT happen❗❗❗

To Poke Lots Of Holes Is To Challenge Yourself

To Poke Lots Of Holes Is To Challenge Yourself

Who buys this very debatable statement?  To Poke Lots Of Holes Is To Challenge Yourself.  Let me walk years back in my life.  During my school days in the university, my most awaited day is the first day of classes when we'll submit our 'class card' to our academic professor/instructor for the first time and within that first day, I had a small notebook where I will scribble down the name of my academic subject and my targeted FINAL RATING📌📌📌

Fast forward, when I was then part of the job market, when I searched jobs, I would tend to scrutinize opportunities like going through the eye of a needle.  I did this on the basis that an employment is a two-way relationship wherein it's NOT just me needing the job [I want] but expectedly, the prospective employer must be rigorous enough to need and want me as well💊💊💊

And whilst they say we should NOT be over-sensitive with criticism [about YOU], your BEST CRITIC should be, GUESS WHO, yessssirr you are your BEST CRITIC and NO one else can be a better CRITIC than yourself.  BUT here's the caveat.  DON'T be so soft to yourself.  On the other hand, you got to be damn hard to yourself because you can be most effective in flipping your own thought process as you go through with the challenges in life.  Try being soft to yourself and you loose✅✅✅

Everything now boils down to our mental toughness.  HOW resilient are you?  Some people seem to quickly bounce back from personal failures and setbacks whilst others find it much more difficult.  WHEN life knocks you down, are you quick to pick yourself up and adapt to the circumstances at hand?  OR do you find yourself completely overwhelmed with little confidence in your ability to deal with challenges?  Think about it, not bad TO POKE LOTS of HOLES because that is the best way to challenge yourself❗❗❗

At the end of the day, it is ONLY yourself who can either MAKE or BREAK your own self.  As our resilience is often tested when life circumstances change unexpectedly and for the worse [such as death of a loved one, the loss of a job or the fatal end of a relationship], we got to realize that such challenges present that singular opportunity for you to rise above and come back even stronger than you were before.  And never cease to constantly POKE LOTS of HOLES because that will dictate as to how far you can go on in life💎💎💎

Hanging On When You're 'ON THE EDGE'

Hanging On When You're 'ON THE EDGE'

Before I get harangued with today's thread, allow me to be clear.  There's simply NOTHING wrong for us to be ON THE EDGE. No one, NOT even Elon Musk is immune OR exempt from being ON THE EDGE. I myself, I've BEEN THERE, DONE THAT [many times [and I thought I WON'T survive]].  At the veru least, though, we must be aware enough if ever we're  'ON THE EDGE'💎💎💎

The least we can do now is to increase awareness as to when we're ON THE EDGE.  Some low-hanging tell-tale signs which may help us pre-empt things:

• WHEN you see, to keep worrying
• WHEN your self-criticism is peaking
• WHEN you seem constantly drained, exhausted
• WHEN you're working non-stop, with no breaks
• WHEN you're eating gets distracted, irregular
• WHEN you're becoming more cynical, negative

Digging up for the more common root cause of these manifestations, many studies have traced this to situations of getting overworked and/or constantly stressed out.  The unfortunate common end-result of these ON THE EDGE circumstances initially lead to INEFFICACY, which means, experiencing diminished personal accomplishment, a perceived decline in competence or productivity, and expending energy at work without seeing any results📌📌📌

That's NOT the end of our 'horror' story, though.  Much as we DON'T want it to happen, physical illness may creep in.  Initially, the physical symptoms can surface in a subtle manner.  You may experience headaches, a recurring, persistent cold, a stomach bug or an upset stomach or even a weak immune system in general.  Then, if we tend to ignore these early signs, your body may HIT A WALL and later end up with a more serious diagnosis.  Lesson here is we should NEVER look the other way around and ignore even seemingly subtle tell-tale signs in our daily life because WHEN THINGS TURN SOUTH, when things turn for the worse, you might likely end up grappling with a situation requiring twice or more of the effort to fix things✅✅✅

Our insight for today is that we should prepare ourselves way ahead even before being ON THE EDGE happens.  Tough to say this but we got to embrace it as one of the harshest realities which, by deftly handling our situation, we can, at the very least, influence the situation from turning it from the harshest one to a less harsh situation.  Softening up the situation by pushing you a bit OFF THE CLIFF when you're ON THE EDGE may mean a world of difference between a situation bordering between failure versus survival.  That's being ON THE EDGE❗❗❗

It is NOT Enough To Be CLEAN

It is NOT Enough To Be CLEAN

Oooops, please don't get mixed up.  Our thread today is NEITHER about health nor hygiene but instead we'd like to zoom in the way we constantly LIVE LIFE because It is NOT Enough 'To Be CLEAN'.  To give the context for being NOT Enough 'To Be CLEAN', we refer to the persona, the character, the integrity, the personal record and credibility of a person.  But here's the caveat, 'To be CLEAN' does NOT mean being factually 'CLEAN'💎💎💎

So, the 'WILD CARD' in this equation is PERCEPTION.  A word of caution, however.  PERCEPTION is NOT reality.  Just because one thinks something is reality DOESN'T make it reality.  Unfortunately, we hear it a zillion times, within marriages, within the corporate world and even in the political arena that whenever there is a conflict, PERCEPTION IS REALITY.  Not true⏳⏳⏳

The aphorism that PERCEPTION IS REALITY is often used to justify a perception that may be objectively unjustifiable or just plain out of touch with REALITY.  It is often employed as a cudgel to beat others into accepting someone's preferred so-called REALITY.  This also seems to create a sense of relativism in circumstances that are more likely absolute📌📌📌

To put PERCEPTION and REALITY on the same page, let us take a lift from its definitions whereas PERCEPTION is the 'way of regarding, understanding or interpreting something' whereas REALITY is that 'state of things as they actually exist', an existence that is absolute, self-sufficient or objective and NOT subject to human decisions or conventions.  Clearly, PERCEPTION and REALITY have very different meanings.  The former occurs entirely in the mind in which 'mental gymnastics' can turn any belief into REALITY whereas the latter exists completely outside of the mind and CAN'T be easily manipulated✅✅✅

To clear up things, let's think of this way.  PERCEPTION acts as a 'lens' through which we view reality.  Our PERCEPTIONS influence how we focus on, process, remember, interpret, understand and act on REALITY.  Going back to being CLEAN, it is NOT sufficient to be CLEAN because you got to be perceived of being CLEAN.  Not to badmouth politicians, but BTW, what's your PERCEPTION of politicians❓❓❓

Defying Gravity

Defying Gravity

Morning folks.  Our thread today is NOT an attempt to discuss science or even get into the turf of Minecraft because either way, that's foreign to me.  Instead, we'd like to discuss Defying Gravity in our life.  This is NOT an attempt as well to get into any discussion related to astronomy but it is WHEN and HOW are we Defying Gravity when we face life's challenges💎💎💎

Indeed, Defying Gravity is quite unthinkable.  Imagine as it involves an uphill battle, requiring us to move upstream, cut against the grain, then take that narrow way as opposed to the easy way.  That is a clear definition when we are Defying Gravity.  I remember several decades back, I was just wrapping my first university year in our province when I told myself I will NOT be one to be left out rotting in the province.  I told myself I deserve more than the situation I was in, at that time, simply because I was cocksure of my potentials, albeit undiscovered yet💊💊💊

At that point in time, if someone asked me my probability to succeed when I plunge into that glitzy, alluring yet cruel capital city, I would admit that I'll peg my chances by 5% at best.  Indeed, at that point, I clearly knew that I was courting or breaching Defying Gravity.  But whether I was optimistic, I covered that shortfall of optimism with my stubborn gung-ho intestinal fortitude📌📌📌

This Defying Gravity challenge is akin to the Wizard of Oz which is essentially about a journey of discovering what you already have.  By facing their fears, the character named Dorothy and her three comrades came to find that they already had what they thought they lacked, e.g. home, brains, heart and courage.  So, essentially we are into our journey in life✅✅✅

Do, our journey in life is really about getting to know, accept and work with the person we already are.  Indeed, this is the kind of change in itself.  BUT the emphasis is on putting one step in front of the other as you follow the path that is laid out before you, paving your way to be Defying Gravity in life❗❗❗

Expectation Versus Reality

Expectation Versus Reality

Despite the seemingly predictiveness in life, bedlam and confusion continues to be sowed, all because of the disconnect with Expectation Versus Reality.  With social media playing the dual roles both as harbinger and catalyst of things, common outcomes are EXPECTATIONS being either inflated, stretched and sometimes hyped-up and in such instances, studies show that 80% of the time, the actual EXPECTATION does NOT get aligned with the actual REALITY📌📌📌

EXPECTATIONS are what we think will happen while REALITY is what actually transpires.  While we hope that these two will match up, often they DON'T.  This common disparity between EXPECTATION versus REALITY can often lead to feelings of discontentment, frustration and unhappiness.  So, we should be focused how to fix and mitigate the risk of EXPECTATIONS that can lead to feelings of disappointment when REALITY does NOT measure up💎💎💎

So, how can we handle EXPECTATIONS, those beliefs that will hold about the outcomes of events.  And while these EXPECTATIONS can play an important role in determining what happens and may contribute to goal-directed behavior, they can also lead to disappointment when REALITY does NOT match up to WHAT we had hoped to happen💊💊💊

Now let's pause for a while and identify the tell-tale signs that we are having EXPECTATIONS.  WHEN you anticipate a certain outcome.  WHEN you hold a vision in your mind of how things will play out.  WHEN having a set idea of what you want or need from a situation.  Problem is, sometimes, we end up so attached to our EXPECTATIONS that we are unable to to see the reality of our situation up front✅✅✅

To quote William Shakespeare, the famous English playwright, 'EXPECTATION IS THE ROOT OF ALL HEARTACHE'.  Where Shakespeare is coming from, it's because many EXPECTATIONS are NOT realistic enough to cause undue stress when EXPECTATIONS do NOT match with REALITY.  To recap, our EXPECTATIONS in life may be unrealistic and skewed based on what we think others have.  We need to realize the gap between EXPECTATION and REALITY because our perspective of others is limited and biased❗❗❗