Music - the International Language

Music is everywhere and can mean many things to many people. We can laugh to music, and we can cry. The best description of music I could find is: an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental and or vocal tones in a structured and continual manner. I read once that the harmony and melody of music is in the gaps between the notes, or it would just be continual noise. Musical sounds are usually pleasing and soothing, but when they are not, we can turn them off, unlike the thoughts in our minds. In fact music can be a healthy escape from our thoughts. Music is found everywhere and in every country. Different cultures have different instruments so our worldwide music is very diverse. We hear music in churches to dance clubs; there are even musical sounds to wind chimes and the breeze through the trees. There are various kinds of music from classical to rock to country to jazz, and they all have interesting roots. One singer, by the name of Barry White, who died a couple of years ago, began singing gospel songs and then he became a popular soul singer eventually forming an instrumental orchestra. Some of us can identify with lyrics like these sung by Mr. White: "Let the music play, I just wanna dance the night away, right here, right now where I'm gonna stay all night long. Let the music play on, let the feeling I feel go on...misery is gone, keep the music strong, let it play on and on, let it play on and on." There are always new artists and trends. Frank Sinatra surely had no clue someone like Lady Gaga would show up. From kids to elderly people, there is also an interest in making music. There are even high school and college marching bands. Music can bring back, as well as create, memories. It is healing and relaxing and can help with depression and anxiety, not to mention stress. However, it can also be invigorating, We dance, sing, and exercise to music, as well as go to concerts, musicals, and operas. We can tune in music on the radio, the TV, and the Interent, and now almost everyone has some portable type of music player with ear phones. Music in all its forms has come a long way and will always be a part of us.

How Do You Handle Disappointment?...

.....probably not very well, no one does. Disappointment occurs when something doesn't go the way we thought it was going to go, or be what we wanted it to be. In other words, what we have speculated as an outcome was not successful; our hope or expectation has been hindered. People and places can disappoint us, and so can things. For example, when something we buy doesn't work, we wonder, "Why wasn't this tested?" Disappointments can be specific or general. Typically, if someone says they will do something, or take us somewhere, and don't, it is natural to be disappointed. And, generally, perhaps we are disappointed when we thought highly of a person only to find out he wasn't what we thought him to be. More broadly speaking, our disappointments can be directed at the the foibles of the human race. Feelings are hurt for many reasons, but especially so when we are disappointed. Disappointments lead to emotions like anger and sadness, and we may even feel rejected because usually we take disappointments personally. Almost always  what leads to disappointments are expectations. Although it makes sense to expect good things and be excited, at the same time we have to be prepared they might not happen. There has to be a balance between expectations (especially high ones) and no expectations at all. The trouble arises when we focus on the one thing(s) that we are looking forward to. Disappointments can be real or imagined, so it is important to be realistic. Robert Kiyosaki, American investor, self help author, and motivational speaker, had this to say: "The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and, how you handle disappointment along the way." Everyone suffers from disappointments, maybe even two or three times a day, unless they have had a lot of mindfulness and  living in the moment training and experience.

Our Heads are Small Spaces

Yesterday morning someone was talking about "being in his head all of the time," and then he said, "and our heads are such small spaces." I really took this to heart, enough to write about it. Sometimes we are so wrapped up in our heads that we don't learn from others, or from anywhere else for that matter. If we just continue to stay in our thoughts, with our opinions and our beliefs, we will not grow. And isn't that what life is all about? It is important to share, listen, not isolate, and to get outside of our own minds. Today I heard that "it's fine to think, but...thinking, thinking, thinking?" In other words, what good does it do to think the same thoughts over and over again leading us to be obsessed about something.  Obsessing causes us to lose our focus and distracts us. It also stresses us and uses up our psychic energy. Excessive thinking can be likened to what people call a hamster on a wheel, or a monkey on our shoulder. Another thing I have heard is, "that darn committee in my head," meaning all we are working with are the thoughts we have. That can be so frustrating.  If we stay inside our heads all the time, we don't network with others, and networking and sharing are a two way street.  By interacting with others we learn, and they learn from us as well.

Remaining Childlike

There is something to be said about remaining childlike even when we grow up and assume adult responsibilities.  We have watched children who do one thing at a time and are fully absorbed in it with pure, unadulterated, joy.  Children totally live in the moment and just do things spontaneously.  Each moment is fresh and they are wide-eyed and learning from each experience. They are also willing to explore without thoughts of failure or worries about criticism. Children come into the world pure and simple, innocent, naïve, and trusting, with a lack of wordily experience and no set barriers. They don’t come into the world with fear and anxiety, and living in the present like they do, there is no concern of the past or the future.  Fear, anxiety, and distrust are learned behavior from their observations and experiences. They only learn to be fearful and anxious when they are treated mean or are hurt mentally or physically.  Psychologists use a common phrase, “take care of your inner child,” meaning in childhood the one who was hurt and could not fight back.  We can learn a lot from children.  There is an eternal and unchanging child inside each of us who knows nothing of judgment or hatred. There is nothing to judge, no one to hate because the eternal child doesn’t see appearances, he or she only knows how to look with love on everything and allow everyone to be as who, and as, they are because they know no different.   It is often hard to grow up, absolve ourselves of our ideals and fantasies, assume adult responsibilities, and face the real world. Sometimes too, if we are sheltered too much, we are unprepared to grow up and become adults, “he remained childlike in practical matters as long as he lived.”  There is a difference between being childlike and childish.  Childishness is lack of maturity, a dependence, and undisciplined and uneducated in the ways of life.  Adults who have learned to retain the positive qualities of children are nonjudgmental, accepting, loving, and for the most part are able to live in the here and now.  Wayne Dyer, in his book Wisdom of the Ages, quotes Heraclitus: “Man is most nearly himself when he achieves the seriousness of a child at play.”  It would behoove us to make it a goal to be more childlike as children have the attitude and perception that they will live forever, and are full of wonder at the least little blade of grass! 

Curious as a Cat

Being curious can be a good thing, or a negative thing in some ways.  Yes, we hear “curious as a cat,” but there is also a proverb that states, “Curiosity killed the cat.”  A proverb in this sense as a simple and contrite saying populary known and repeated and usually has some truth to it.  The saying reflects the dangers of unnecessary investigation or experimentation.  Therefore, there is such a thing as being overcurious.  For the most part being curious is a very good thing.  It is how we learn and accomplish things. We are being curious when we really want to know something, we are eager to find answers, we want to explore and learn.  A questioning, wondering, and inquisitive mind is healthy.  We live in the age of technology and social media and it is possible to communicate in ways once thought impossible.  And there still are all the ways we learn by reading novels and the newspaper, watching TV and going to movies, furthering our education, and working on self improvement.  The Internet has been a major step up for those who are curious.  We can find almost any answer to any question, and learn almost everything we desire.  New information can be interesting and fascinating.  The bad part is when we seek and/or use this information in a bad way.  We also can be curious in a bad way by prying and checking up on when it is none of our business.  Then we have people who are incurious which means they show a lack of intellectual natural inquisitiveness.  A couple quotes about curiosity:  “An understanding of the natural world and what’s in it is a source of not only a great curiosity but great fulfillment,” Sir David Frederick Attenborough (face and voice of the natural history programs on the BBC), and…..“Curiosity about life in all its aspects, I think, is still the secret of most great creative people.” Leo Burnett an advertising executive among the most creative men in the advertising business during his lifetime (October 21, 1891 – June 7, 1971). 

Are You Stressed Out?

Stress has many symptoms and sometimes we take the symptoms for granted thinking they are "just part" of life.  Any way you look at it, stress over certain incidents, or as a life style, affect our thinking, emotions, behaviors, abilities, and physical health.  Stress is about being under pressure and being tense, and it takes its toll physically and mentally causing worry and anxiety.  Right now there are oppressive conditions of physical, mental, social, and economic distress; so many of us are in a state of adversity of danger, affliction, or need.   Some people thrive under stress and for others it becomes a process, or point, at which a person breaks down. We hear that some stress is good for us, implying it keeps us away from danger as it is the body’s reaction to harmful situations whether real or in our imagination. There are stressors that are more major than other ones:  a death, a move, changes in health, and the break up of a relationship.  When people feel pressure that leads to stress, they often try to find ways to escape from it and most often these escapes are not healthy.  People, places, and things may stress us out, but we also can create our own stress by the way we think and feel. Sometimes the best thing do, if we can’t do anything about a person, place, or thing, is to accept the situation, let go of it, and move on. And, not be so hard on ourselves.  A good remedy is to look for things to be thankful for and express gratitude.  Stress can also be from pain in the past that becomes a trigger in the present. Food for thought is what Alan Cohen wrote this morning as his Daily Inspiration:, “If you fear pain in the future, it is only because you are projecting it from the past. But past pain was due only to beliefs in illusions.  Withdraw that belief and the future becomes new and wondrous.”  In other words, live in the moment as the past over, and you don‘t have to bring it’s pain into the future.  We always have a choice as to what to think. 

On Working

Working can mean many things. We all have specific talents that we use in our work.  A car mechanic works in one way and a ballet dancer in another.  Work gives us purpose and creates the world we live in.  Because of our working we are productive not only with our hands or our minds, but by our creativity and imagination.  Work is much more than collecting a paycheck.  Volunteers are considered workers, and what about the stay at home moms and dads.  We hear mothers say, “Don’t anyone tell me I don’t work.”  The art of work consists of what we think and feel about our work. There is a lot of volunteer work being done and other paid and unpaid work in service to others. We can strive to find a work we love and do it with all our hearts.  In order to work we have to study and learn, acquire skill or knowledge, and cause to come about.  Work is proceeding toward a goal or plan, and working through every problem or task to perform as we expect to perform. The word work is described as something someone does to accomplish a goal.  For example, Michael Phelps, in an interview last night, was talking about doing things he didn’t necessarily want to do in preparation for his races.  The goal of work no matter what we do is to turn it into a mission.  It is doing our present work so well that it will open doors to new opportunities, blessings in disguise. Work with enthusiasm no matter what you do because it will ultimately influence and have an effect upon others. If we are employees, our present work may be fulfilling and we are happy working, or we are miserable and may feel trapped.  Perhaps it is time to look for a new job, or perhaps our unhappiness shows and we are let go.  We can remember “when one door closes, another opens.” There is a healing power in work and being productive can help if we are lonely, frustrated, fearful, worried, discouraged, or defeated. We should try and find to do what we really love, pour our spirit into it, and put the stamp of our unique personality on whatever we do.  It is through our work that we can express ourselves and make contributions to human progress physically and/or mentally.  We have a sense of personal achievement and accomplishment; have meaning and purpose in our lives, and perhaps even leave something of significance behind.  I read somewhere, don’t work for a living, create for a life,” however that very creation is a form of work.

Team Spirit

Team spirit encompasses the very being and working together of the participants in the Olympics, or any sport made up of teams for that matter. And without it teams aren't very effective. Spirit is the vital principle or animating force within all living things, the immaterial part of a person, often called the soul. We hear the phrase, "he played with all his heart and soul." It is also the overall disposition or mood of a  person, his temperament and energy which enlivens him.This spiritedness, or the quality of being active, alive, and vigorous is what helps contestants perform the activities of their sport. But more than this, it is the state of a person's emotions, a fundamental or activating principle determining one's moral and ethical actions and reactions that happen when people work together toward an end goal. These actions account for the ability to work together, cheer each other on, and be good sports. Shawn Johnson, a four time Olympic gymnast winner is an example of someone who showed spirit at the Olympic Games this year. Earlier this year she had this to say, "In 2008 I didn't take it all in enough. I was so wrapped up in the competition that I missed what was going on around me. If I am given that opportunity again to go to the Olympics and be an athlete I want to take it all in because I feel this is my last shot at it and I want to feel the team spirit. I want to really live and breathe the USA." Shawn Johnson did not have that last shot in the way she envisioned. She was forced to retire in June of this year before the Olympics because of knee surgery due to a skiing accident. Her knee couldn't take the rigorous training. However, Shawn showed team spirit in practice, and after she retired she was determined to support and help others make the team. About the 2012 Olympic team, Shawn said, "I have had the honor to train and complete with them, and am excited to join the gymnastics family and fans in cheering on my girls and the USA. So, in a way, she had her last shot at the Olympics, however, as a spectator and fan rather than a contestant.

Team Spirit

Team spirit encompasses the very being and working together of the participants in the Olympics, or any sport made up of teams for that matter.  And without it teams aren’t very effective.  Sprit is the vital principle or animating force within all living things, the immaterial part of a person, often called the soul.  We hear the phrase, “he played with all his heart and soul.”  It is also the overall disposition or mood of a person, his temperament, and energy which enlivens him.  This spiritedness, or the quality of being active, alive, and vigorous, is what helps contestants perform the activities of their sport.   But more than this, it is the state of a person’s emotions, a fundamental or activating principle determining one’s character or the inherent complex of attributes that determines a person’s moral and ethical actions and reactions that come out when people work together toward and end goal.  These actions account for the ability to work together, cheer each other on, and be good sports.  Shawn Johnson, a four time Olympic gymnast winner, is an example of someone who showed spirit at the Olympic Games this year.  Earlier this year she had this to say, “In 2008 I didn’t take it all in enough.  I was so wrapped up in the competition that I missed what was going on around me.  If I am give that opportunity again to go to the Olympics and be an athlete I want to take it all in because I feel this is my last shot at it I want to feel the team spirit.  I want to really live and breathe the USA.”  Shawn Johnson did not have that last shot in the way she envisioned.  She was forced to retire in June of this year before the Olympics because of knee surgery due to a skiing accident.  Her knee couldn’t take the rigorous training.  However, Shawn showed team spirit I without being on the team.  Her spirit was an intention to help the others make the team.  She was determined to support them.  About the 2012 Olympic team Shawn said, “I have had the honor to train and compete with them, and am excited to join the gymnastics family and fans in cheering them on to victory.”   I will be there with every ounce of pride and energy to cheer on my girls and the USA.  So in a way she had her last shot at the Olympics, however, as a spectator and fan rather than a contestant.

Team Spirit

Team spirit encompasses the very being and working together of the participants in the Olympics, or any sport made up of teams for that matter.  And without it teams aren’t very effective.  Sprit is the vital principle or animating force within all living things, the immaterial part of a person, often called the soul.  We hear the phrase, “he played with all his heart and soul.”  It is also the overall disposition or mood of a person, his temperament, and energy which enlivens him.  This spiritedness, or the quality of being active, alive, and vigorous, is what helps contestants perform the activities of their sport.   But more than this, it is the state of a person’s emotions, a fundamental or activating principle determining one’s character or the inherent complex of attributes that determines a person’s moral and ethical actions and reactions that happen when people work together toward an end goal.  These actions account for the ability to work together, cheer each other on, and be good sports.  Shawn Johnson, a four time Olympic gymnast winner, is an example of someone who showed spirit at the 2012 Olympic Games.  Earlier this year she had this to say, “In 2008 I didn’t take it all in enough.  I was so wrapped up in the competition that I missed what was going on around me.  If I am give that opportunity again to go to the Olympics and be an athlete I want to take it all in because I feel this is my last shot at it I want to feel the team spirit.  I want to really live and breathe the USA.”  Shawn Johnson did not have that last shot in the way she envisioned.  She was forced to retire in June before the Olympics because of knee surgery due to a skiing accident.  Her knee couldn’t take the rigorous training.  However, Shawn showed team spirit during the practicing, and when she retired, she was determined to support the others and help them make the team.  She was determined to support them.  About the 2012 Olympic team Shawn said, “I have had the honor to train and compete with them, and am excited to join the gymnastics family and fans in cheering them on to victory.”   I will be there with every ounce of pride and energy to cheer on my girls and the USA.  So in a way she had her last shot at the Olympics, however, as a spectator and fan rather than a contestant.

Working with Others

The Olympics take an enormous amount of people working together, from the country preparing for the Games and the volunteers, to the news coverage, and most importantly to the contestants themselves.  The Olympics is about individual efforts, team efforts, and an overall effort to win.   Either way there is a common goal or objective and members are counted on to perform their roles to the best of thier ability.  Once a player makes the team it is his responsibility to demonstrate his value and pursue excellence under pressure.  Also, it takes a lot more to being a team member than common goals and purpose. There is training, practice, hard work, clear and effective communication, and, most of all, trust in each other.  Working together, team participants create an environment where everyone can go beyond their limitations and talent to achieve their true potential and that of the team.  Organization, coordination, and cooperation allow each member to maximize their strengths and minimize weaknesses.  Unity and common bonds are formed with shared values of accountability, integrity, respect, and commitment.  It is also important to not only have a good attitude and be “good sports,” but cheer each other on with a joint action to be victorious in the Games.  Further, the highest Olympic vision is one that places the needs and interests of the each country first.