Philosophy

Unless you’re about to win the lotto, or have been discovered by “America’s Got Talent” your work day is probably going to be predictable and with that sometimes boring. It’s important that you add some excitement to that job so it becomes a position instead. A position where you can demonstrate your creativity and talents. Here are just a few ways to do it.

(1) Win the lottery- (Okay that’s not too realistic)

(2) Suggest a new product, service or even a different way to sweep the floor. Changing things up can boost productivity and make your job more interesting.

(3) Try some variety for lunch break. Maybe read a different book, meditate, or even try that Indian dish you always wanted but make sure you have some mints after.

(4) Start up a conversation with that “weird person” in your office. You might find some new insight that you can bring to your job or life.

(5) Spend extra time listening not just to the conversations in the office but all the sounds surrounding the office. Write those sounds down in your head or piece of paper that you can utilize to write a story after work.

I’d like to apologize in advance for anyone offended by the use of “Bitch” in this blog but let’s face it they can scare even the toughest guy or woman. Sometimes those people who are “nice” get taken advantage of and this individual would assure that this doesn’t become a habit. They know when to say “no” and their no is heard loud and clear. When they say “yes” you know you’ve earned it and when will work hard to make sure you don’t lose it. So count me in because I’ve reserved a special corner in my office wherever that office may end up.

We all have a protective bubble around us to secure us from the pain and horror we see around us. We sometimes allow others like family and close friends to penetrate this bubble to share in their grief and sorrow but not everyone can come in because we’d be overwhelmed. Imagine if we cried at every obituary announcement or shed a tear every time a baby in Haiti goes hungry, we would never have a moment of happiness. Some of the bubbles of “great leaders” are so hard that this enables them to climb ahead by stepping on others as they move up. Yet one step too far can lead these individuals to fall down further and further without a hand to grasp. To keep from building your bubble too strong it’s important to take a moment and think about those less fortunate on a daily basis, to prayer for there eventual success, and to find at least a small way to help. We must remember that there will be times that we want others to invite us in there bubble so shouldn’t we?

I wonder why we are drawn to a man like Jordan Belfort, the man behind “The Wolf of Wall Street”. We want to hate him for all the pain and hurt he has brought to the innocent and not so innocent but for some reason we are still captivated by the man. Here is a man who’s income was founded on basically selling crap for gold to the poor and the rich alike, who betrayed his wives and many loved one, who flew a helicopter on drugs yet we still like him. It is not his opulence that keeps our interest although the white Lamborghini is very hot. It is not his use of drugs or crookedness because that can be found in any two bit prostitute or street peddler. It is the same elements that draw us in like we see in the gangster movies. Here are a few reasons I believe we are drawn to such a character.

(1) CHARISMA- Jordan Belfort had the charisma to take ordinary people and make them work and believe in his vision no matter how crooked that vision was.

(2) PASSION- He has a passion for life in excess!

(3) TOP OF THE GAME- Yes we can call him a …hole but he is the best one out there. We wonder how he was able to achieve what others couldn’t even if it was mostly wrong.

(4) HONESTY NOW- He shows his life for the world to see even through all the acts that surely would embarrass friends, family and associates.

(5) SURVIVAL- Just like Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones he survived all the excesses where most would have died or faded away in a nursing home.

HOW MANY MASKS DO YOU WEAR? We have masks we wear at work, at formal gatherings, at religious events, even with our young children; sometimes I wonder if we truly ever get to take them off? With so many masks do we really know who we truly are? Our masks are worn to protect us from saying the “wrong word(s)” that could offend or get us fired, from making us more desirable to those of the opposite sex or those that do the hiring, to enable us to look more confident then we truly are, or to take control when we’ve lost it inside. Masks are needed but can you pull yours off and still survive? Would you even know who you were looking at if that occurred?

What if you found out tomorrow that those who share a different religious, political or philosophical view of yours were right would you be able to accept it? Can we actually listen to the points of those that we disagree with enough to accept that they could be right or is it something that would hurt our own ego? Would you cling to any evidence no matter how small or insignificant to support your incorrect theory? Would you get in a discussion of what is truly wrong and right? It’s a tough question for us with strong opinions to answer. We might be willing to admit we’re wrong about a particular restaurant or music (although many will go to the grave saying the Grateful Dead are great without drugs) but when it comes to matters of the heart can we change. Today there are still people who believe the earth is flat (see link below) would we fall into that category if our theories fell?

In my own experiences I have held out the values and faith that I have known but I believe have modified based on the conditions and truth that have become apparent. I say I believe because I know others might see my changes differently. Here are just a few examples of my modifications based on the truths that I have seen.

Click for link on those that still support the flat earth theory

(1) I consider myself more of a Tea Party Conservative then a Republican

(2) I have become more Sabbath observant.

(3) My food habits have been filled with more green varieties then meat varieties

(4) I’m for legalization of marijuana with conditions.

(5) I have accepted that some individuals truly can’t help themselves because of mental health issues and/or disabilities.