Well.

Liberty is certainly not for the timid.

“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” – Benjamin Franklin

First.

The actions committed by the Boston marathon bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and his brother, Tamerlan, were cowardly, heinous and unforgivable.

Four people dead and over 150 wounded.

Second.

This is certainly not the first time that homicidal killers have attacked a major American city.

In 2002, Washington DC was terrorized by two roving snipers, who randomly shot and killed 10 people. In February, an unhappy police officer murdered four people over several days in Los Angeles.

I would also note that on the same day as the Boston tragedy I believe 30+ other people were killed in America because of some type of violence.

Now.

I say this not to diminish the Boston tragedy but rather instead to suggest we fight this battle every day.

We are constantly at war with those who attack liberty.

Liberty is certainly not for the timid.

We cannot allow ourselves to be easily and willingly cowed by the threat of terrorism.

We cannot allow fears for temporary safety permit us to be timid with liberty.

It would be easy to begin increasing restrictions, surveillance, and oversight of the citizenship under the overall <good> guise of safety.

I do believe people deserve to not actually feel safe … but also to be safe. But I say that also with an eye toward ‘we cannot always be 100% safe.’

It can easily go beyond punishing everyone for the evil transgressions of a few to punishing the foundation of liberty. We should be seeking to remain vigilant without superseding liberty.

Liberty is not for the timid.

“It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.” – George Washington

American liberty, democracy, is all about the freedom of citizens to speak their mind, choose their leaders, demand their rights, be entities in their society and be different <think and believe different thoughts>.

Now … democracy, to be truly effective, must be rooted in the hearts and souls of each individual within that citizenship.

But here is an uncomfortable <and unsafe> truth.

Within a citizenship of over 300million people not only are the roots going to vary <depth & breadth of belief> but also the simple meaning of democracy <how it is defined> will be different in each individual.

Some will abuse it.

That is a fact.

That is an unfortunate truth.

That means people will get hurt on occasion.

And that also does not mean we can deprive people of liberty because we ‘think’ they will abuse it.

Yes.

This is difficult.

And it makes you feel unsafe even thinking it.

There is risk in democracy and liberty.

Because this means we need to stop seeing ‘enemies’ everywhere … even though they may truly be everywhere.

Liberty is certainly not for the timid.

“Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.” – Alexis de Tocqueville

A democracy seeks equality in liberty.

For good or for bad. The highs and the lows <of the people making up that society>.

I do not suggest this lightly … for death is a very high price to pay.

I am certainly not suggesting senseless sacrifice of life. Nor am I suggesting losing life through the ineptitude and irresponsibility of practical monitoring of the citizenship and its safety <note: I am not suggesting that anyone did that in the Boston tragedy>.

Nor am I suggesting any perpetrators of violence should not be pursued to the full extent of the law.

I am suggesting that sacrificing life for liberty … well … that I, personally, would do.

Restraint and servitude are not characteristics of democracy and the liberty our forefathers foresaw for the country’s citizens.

Freedom means … well … freedom.

“… what we call freedom … it is necessary to determine the justice or injustice of this phrase. Try to draw a circle with the ‘free’ hand, and with a single line. You cannot do it of your hand trembles, nor if it hesitates, nor if it is unmanageable, nor if it is in the common sense of the word ‘free.’ So far from being free , it must be under control as absolute and accurate as if it were fastened to an inflexible bar of steel. And yet it must move, under this necessary control, with perfect, untormented serenity of ease.” <1905 Evolution of Expression>

The circle must be drawn with a strong hand. And, yet, it must be absolute and accurate true with its intent. The circle, drawn with intent, does not wax and wane with fear or the thought of ‘what could happen.’ It remains resolute in its space.

Restricting liberty is not, should not, be what democracy & freedom is defined by.

Will some people abuse a broad definition of liberty? Absolutely.

Should they pay the price for that abuse? Absolutely.

<unfortunately> Will others pay the price when those few abuse it? Absolutely.

Does that mean we should restrict liberty? Absolutely not.

Liberty is not for the timid.

Lastly.

The tempestuous sea.

That sea called liberty.

“Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.” - Thomas Jefferson

Every day, week, year, decade … whatever … we are buffeted on this sea of liberty. That is the challenge liberty to gives us all. We get tugged this way and that way by waves of ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ but our intent is to remain afloat … and not sink. Sink to tyranny or fear or … well … lack of liberty.

“It is of small importance to any of us whether we get liberty; but of the greatest that we deserve it. Whether we can win it, fate must determine; but that we will be worthy of it we may ourselves determine; and the sorrowfullest fate of all that we can suffer is to have it without deserving it.” <1905 Evolution of Expression>

Oh my. “… that we will be worthy of it we may ourselves determine.” Yes. We <the people> determine whether we are worthy of Liberty.

Regardless.

A mistake <to me>?

Seeking absolute calm or safety. And I fully recognize that we could end up debating what constitutes ‘absolute’ or ‘acceptable’ and what a citizenship deserves.

All I suggest is that we remember Liberty rarely equals safety or calmness.

It most often provides the turmoil of great minds and great thinking and … well … greatness.

Is it an uncomfortable greatness? Surely.

It is the greatness insured by not remaining stagnant despite the temptation to find some calmness in the tempest.

Not a mistake <to me>?

Freedom and equality.

Liberty is a choice. And with that choice comes some responsibility … and some broad boundaries … an expansive circle as it were.

And certainly some uneasiness within that wide open space … that tumultuous sea.

And unequivocally some fear because of its broadness.

In the end … the enemy of liberty is fear & ignorance.

Therefore to enable liberty there must remain the courage in all of us to accept it even with its imperfections.

Sadly the cost of having true liberty may be lives.

But the true tragedy would be if the cost of liberty was our freedom.

It seems to me that the biggest tragedy would be to have lost lives, which most likely embraced the full liberty America had to offer, as means to kill or restrain liberty.

Harsh words? Maybe.

But.

Liberty is certainly not for the timid.

I have met the enemy (and it is we)

April 17th, 2013

“There is no need to sally forth, for it remains true that those things which make us human are, curiously enough, always close at hand. Resolve then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving and tinny blast on tiny trumpets, we shall meet the enemy, and not only may he be ours, he may be us.” – Pogo Possum

Pogo was a cartoon strip character … an amiable, humble, philosophical, personable, everyman opossum. Pogo was “the reasonable, patient, softhearted, naive, friendly person we all think we are.” He was also the wisest (and probably sanest) resident of the cartoon swamp

Ok.

The enemy … as in … ‘we the people.’

What happened at the Boston Marathon was a tragedy … a tragedy of human kind more than anything else.

A cowardly act committed by a misguided soul <or souls … yet to be determined>.

Oh.

I would like to take a moment and remind everyone that on that exact same day:

- - The Syrian Network for Human Rights said 126 people had been killed including 37 in Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitoring group, said 130 people were killed. These figures and reports cannot be verified because media access to Syria is limited.

- - A suicide bomber in Peshawar, Pakistan killed nine people and wounded dozens more at a Pakistan election campaign rally attended by a former cabinet minister in the northwestern city of Peshawar

Next.

This event reminded me of two others.

- – 1996: The Olympics in Atlanta. Two people died and 111 were injured after pipe bombs in a rucksack exploded in the Centennial Olympic Park. Eric Rudolph, an anti-abortion extremist, was jailed for life in 2003 after pleading guilty to the bombing.

- – 2008: Marathon in Sri Lanka. A suicide bomber killed 15 people including a government minister when he targeted the start of a marathon race near Colombo in Sri Lanka. The bomb killed 15 people, including a number of runners, and injured 90 others. The Sri Lankan government claimed the militant group Tamil Tigers were responsible for the attack.

Why did I begin there?

Boston Marathon tragedy. It would not surprise me in the least if we were to find there was no foreign influence or nefarious foreign underpinnings but rather this was some wackjob misguided American<s> making some point.

That said.

The day’s events made me think several thoughts:

- - An individual with intent to harm will harm. Especially if they are cowardly. If they hide from their actions and hide what they want to do and hide how they will do it … they will find a way to harm innocent people. I don’t say that to lessen the event or to suggest we shouldn’t be outraged when it happens … just that it can, and inevitably will, happen. The best systems in the world will not stop, 100%, an individual with intent to harm.

- - Events like a marathon, or any large sporting event, is staffed and are surrounded by very capable people to minimize the effect of large ‘intent to harm’ acts <I hope misguided wackos read that>. Their intent may be to destroy people … their will as well as their bodies. But in the end they will fail. The good of the capable rise to the occasion. And while devastation is … well … devastating. In the moment the doctors, the medical people, the firemen & police … step up to the plate and accept responsibility to manage the devastation and protect citizens from future & additional harm. Not every harmful act can be deterred or stopped … but they can be managed.

- - Words. Whew. Terror, terrorism … acts of terror. Pick your poison. Who cares? This was the first news media salvo in the war on words … ‘Obama strangely avoided the use of the word “terrorism” to describe the incident in his first comments hours after the bombings, even as White House officials were quick to call it “an act of terror.” But on Tuesday morning he noted that investigators were pursuing it as an “act of terrorism.”’

While politicians make every effort to distance themselves from the politics of an event like this <initially> you can almost feel them preparing the groundwork for the moment they can shift into politicking. Their biggest weapon? Words. They wield them like little armies trying to outflank the enemy.

My words?

It was a tragedy. A tragedy of humans. It is our job, no, our responsibility, to insure it doesn’t create terror. Eliminate the terror and it is not a terrorist act but rather simply an inhuman act. Therefore we do not seek to eliminate terrorists <who claim to have some cause> but rather we seek to eliminate the inhuman <who have no cause anyone would want to stand behind>.

In the end … terror gives them exactly what they want. Let’s not give them what they want.

- - News on TV. Oh my. Rarely have I been so disappointed in American television. Flipping channels you saw a battle of who could use the word terrorism first, who could speculate <with caveats> the most extreme and who could bludgeon you with whatever they had to bludgeon you with at that moment.

If anyone could use a lesson in “less words communicate more” the news industry is it. The American president used less than 3 minutes to say “we are not sure what happened or who did it and we will tell you when we do. Do not jump to conclusions. We will hunt down who did it.” The American news television have spent 30 hours doing that. The difference? News has filled the additional 29 hours and 57 minutes with speculation.

- Where we go from here.

First.

The London Marathon official … “we will proceed … send a very clear message to those responsible we will not be deterred.” The Brits have it right. In World War 2 it was “stay calm and carry on” <as bombs dropped nightly>. America is still shocked by domestic acts of terror. It happens other places … not here. We can either become a paranoid nation driven by fear of “what’s next” or a country that remains calm and carries on. This is our choice.

Second.

Unity and the blame game. I imagine I could have just said any actions which create division among Americans. It is a separate bigger thought but philosopher Leszek Kolakowski outlined something called “the Myth of Unity.” He suggested that there is a type of unity created as the result of a crisis or shock. He also suggests that is an artificial façade of unity which cannot survive where a consciousness of moral and political crisis has seeped through and taken root. I imagine my point is that not all moments are created equal. We can use this moment as one to focus on ongoing unity or diminish it by reverting back to the divisive path we seem to be moving forward on. Once again … this is our choice.

Anyway.

As I stated earlier … I would not be surprised if this was an American tragedy … Americans harming other Americans.

Terror these days is created by those close to home. Everywhere. Libyans harming Libyans. Pakistanis harming Pakistanis. Norwegians harming Norwegians. Americans harming Americans.

The list goes on and on.

We may seek to find enemies from afar … but most of them seem to reside within the confines of our own countries borders.

“we shall meet the enemy, and not only may he be ours, he may be us.”

I apologize if anyone believes I am diminishing the tragedy by using a quote from Pogo. But we seem often to seek evil anywhere but where we are <because we believe in good and believe we are a good country>. And even while that may be so <that we are a good country> there will always reside a ‘not good’ minority seeking to find a voice – going to whatever extent they need to do so.

Anarchists called terrorism “propaganda by the deed.”

Events like this are measured by the deed <by us> and by the propaganda <by them>.

Ultimately I would like the propaganda to be focused on whatever absurd irrational attitude that drove their behavior. But I am an attitudes & behavior guy.

Anarchists, wackjobs … the cowardly … actually have some attitudes or beliefs that drive them to this act of behavior. If we attack those things maybe we can deter people from having the attitude that creates this behavior. That is called “enlightening the ignorant” in my little world.

Anyway.

I was thinking about this and just began writing.

My thoughts go out to everyone and anyone effected by this act.

let the clocks stop

April 6th, 2013

April is national poetry month. The concept of a month for poetry seems almost silly to me.

Well. I would imagine it would be silly to Plath, Browning, Longfellow and maybe even Frost.

Poetry is not a month. It is of a moment.

Time is, and always has been, the judge of poetry.

Time will sift the good stuff from the bad. Time will sift so you & I don’t have to.

You have to believe this … because in the here and now?

Writing poetry guarantees a poet one thing in Life … death by neglect.

But I believe poets write to insure feelings do not get neglected. They do one thing in Life … keep feelings alive.

Maybe better said … bring moments in Life alive.

Moments that only exist in the intangible … what you feel.

“The poet begins where the man ends.

The man’s lot is to live his human life,

the poet’s to invent what is nonexistent.” ― José Ortega y Gasset

Wystan Hugh Auden <W.H. Auden> pointed out that poetry is a way of happening.

Poetry brings out the moment within the Life moments.

But it is when I think of Auden I always remember the words … stop all the clocks … <most people will remember it from 4 Weddings & a Funeral>.

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crêpe bows round the white necks of the public
doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

—–

note: Like many of Auden’s works it is most recognized by the first line “Stop All the Clocks”. It is actually called “Funeral Blues” and is the first poem in a duo titled “Two Songs for Hedli Anderson. It was first published in its final, familiar form in 1938, but based on an earlier version published in 1936.

Well.

I imagine writing poetry is not for the faint of heart or the thin of skin.

But I also imagine that a true poet seeks not a month for recognizing poetry but rather seeks to share a moment that makes someone feel something … if but for a moment.

I write <bad amateurish> poetry.

Regardless … I, just as any poet , amateur or published, probably hopes that some words we dare to put on paper stops all the clocks if but for a moment.

the 20 things (almost)

March 13th, 2013

Well.

There is a neat thing called the “20 Things” which is a little assignment this small consulting company sometimes uses with people they are considering adding to staff: “What are the 20 things that have defined you – experiences, books, movies, people, travel, challenges, etc.”

When a friend told me about it I immediately began scribbling down ‘things.’

It was surprising how fast the important ones are noted.

And how easy it is to “fill in” to get to 20.

That said … and me being quite comfortable not following rules … I ended up with 15. They show up in no real order except number 1 and number 15. I purposefully bookended the list with the two most impactful in terms of immediate and ongoing impact. 2 thru 14 can be juggled any way you want.

- My grandfather

The greatest man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. A simple kind man who honored integrity, kindness and truth above all. He taught me more about me, life and how to live Life <without overtly teaching> than anyone I have ever known. He remains my North Star for my life. I can only hope to be half the man he ever was … but at least he gave me something to aim for.

- the pulled foul ball

Sports always came quite easily to me. And then I pulled a foul ball off a Tom Seaver fastball <before I struck out swinging on a slider which disappeared just before I was sure I had the fat part of my bat on it … hey … the guy did win 3 Cy Youngs …>. Regardless. I realized this was as good as it was going to get with me & sports. It didn’t mean I stopped sports … it just meant that I realized I needed to get going on the rest of my life.

- The Hobbit

The first “real” book I remember. I devoured Hardy Boys & Nancy Drew until there were no more … but when I heard The Hobbit read to me during reading period in elementary school I entered a world of words & imagery & imagination … and thinking of ‘what if.’ It hooked me on books and reading and thinking. The first time I read The Hobbit myself I was still too young to see anything but goblins & elves. I have read it maybe 10 times and I still see new things every time I read it.

- Diplomacy <by Henry Kissinger>

I wish I had found this book earlier in my life. On the other hand … I may not have understood it earlier. Kissinger writes about diplomacy but he is really discussing problem solving. I will suffice it to say one thing … “studying history is not analogous but contextual.” More people should heed this lesson. I certainly have learned this lesson.

- Supertramp <my first concert, and more specifically, their encore song “crime of the century”>

I grew up in a house with music. But it all changed at my first concert and especially the encore. Maybe 10 plus minutes of music and film with a growing image of hands on prison bars in space … and I walked out of there in a thoughtful excited daze. I had words & notes & imagery imprinted in my brain from that point on as a powerful tool to inspire me to think in different & creative ways. Music has never left my life <and I have forgiven Supertramp for doing Breakfast in America>. Music and imagery is at the core of how I think and like to express myself <when it is possible and relevant to do so>.

- Spike Lee

I was in my early 30’s in the audience when I heard Spike Lee say these words about his films … “I recognize everything I do impacts how people think … and even what they do … I have a responsibility every time I create anything.” It changed how I viewed what I did and actually how I did it moving forward. Basically … I began assuming responsibility for everything I created.

- Choose the Right Word <by Hayakawa>

It was a professional gift. I cannot remember from whom <although I owe that person a huge debt> but when I received the book “Choose the Right Word” by Hayakawa my writing & speaking took on a different hue. A richer hue I believe.

- St. Chappelle

I grew up in a home where we were expected to understand religious choices but was, in general, ambivalent to religion. I was always indifferently interested in religion. I imagine I just took a pragmatic view on life in which God didn’t really enter into the equation. And then I visited St. Chappelle in Paris <across the street from Notre Dame>. As I entered the petit chapel and the sunlight filtered through the floor to ceiling stained glass it is the closest I have ever felt to not only believing in God but actually believing I was in the presence of God. I am still not religious but I respect religion and I imagine, in some small way, I better understand how God can positively affect someone’s life.

- Madman Across the Water

The first time I heard Elton John’s Madman Across the Water album I think I immediately stole the lyrics from the album sleeve. The words made me think. The words made me create images in my head. The words inspired me to try and create words of my own that made others think & create images. That album made me a “words guy.” Plus. Every song on that album was just darn good.

- Suicide

I believe anyone who has been impacted by someone close to them committing suicide is never the same again. She was beautiful, kind and a friend. And she left with an entire life ahead of her. I imagine I felt like I did not do my part to show her what great things lay ahead of her. I vowed to never make that mistake again.

- “I do not really care”

Graduate school. Case study. “Mr. McTague … what would you do?” Me? “Well … I do not really care.” Flippant careless response. It ended up on the front board for the remainder of the semester. And I should have been hung out to dry. I was technically correct … the point <of which I seemed to have grasped fairly early in business life> is that there are several ‘right’ or even ‘best’ solutions to a challenge … but I should have realized that words … and how you articulate an idea & thought … are almost as important as the idea itself. I vowed to never make that mistake ever again. A good thought can die if it is not articulated well.

- “do not go gentle into that good night”

I have a love/hate relationship with poetry. I am fascinated with how words can be put together in ways that make you feel something inside … but all the rules of ‘effective and proper’ poetry drove me nuts. It was so constricting for something that should be so free. And then I came across Dylan Thomas’ “do not go gentle.” Whew. I found my anthem. Some call it ‘bull in a china shop living’ I simply point to ‘do not go gentle into the good night.’ It isn’t about dying it is about living. Rage, rage against the dying of the light. It was a great lesson.

- Polly

My first boss. A woman in a man’s industry <advertising> who was in a senior position … and did it her way. But with the flexibility to permit the next generation to flourish. She didn’t know shit about these new fangled computers that all the young people were talking about <this was in the 80’s> but she put one on every one of our desks. She could do the same thing by hand faster than we could do it on the computer but she kept sending us back to our computers. She mentored the youngest, guided the more experienced and managed everyone. She permitted individuality and built a team. Oh. And she set me up with her daughter. Anyway. She taught me how to be a boss and I was straight out of school.

- Kiev war museum <although I could have put the Holocaust Museum here>

Perspective. Nothing provides perspective in life than viewing death. And not just ordinary death but death in the extreme. I cried in both of these places. I could pound out some horrible numbers on my keyboard that would make your head hurt to express this learning tangibly … but why?

Simply. I cried. Humans can be very cruel if they are not careful.
- To Kill a Mockingbird

My bookshelves are strewn with books I value and love. It is tempting to list the best of the best because they all made a positive impact and have been reread time and time again. But when one book is simply ‘the one’ why invest energy overthinking. To Kill a Mockingbird is my ‘one.’ I fell in love with Scout … her words and thoughts and questions. I still ask the same questions looking at today’s world and think of Scout’s thoughts daily. Harper Lee showed us that sometimes a child can see clearer than the most brilliant adults in the world. Listening to the young reminds us of things we have forgotten and they can actually teach us many things through the simplicity of youth. Regardless. Everyone should read this book.

That’s it.

I had a bunch fighting for the 16 thru 20 slots but, frankly, they were just at a different level than 1 thru 15. I believe lists like this should be about quality and not quantity.

Now.

I reserve the right to add something if I simply overlooked it.

This is a worthwhile exercise for everyone. Everyone’s list will look different … and some people may actually have 20 worthwhile events/learning moments instead of just 15 … but who cares. It isn’t a competition. It is simply reflecting upon who you are as a person.

This exercise reminded me we are all architects of our own Life. While many things are out of our control … many things are ours to do … or not do.

Is my list done? Gosh. I hope not. “This I am today … that I will be tomorrow.“

leaf without a tree

March 4th, 2013

So.

Studying history, and using what you have learned, is a tricky challenge. Often we study history, and the past, so that we can “not make the same mistakes.” Well. The attempt is one of valor <and good intentions> but most actions using historical learning are misused <as they are misguided>.

“If you don’t know history, you don’t know anything. You’re a leaf that doesn’t know it’s part of a tree.” – Michael Crichton

—-

“History is not, of course, a cookbook offering pretested recipes. It teaches by analogy, not by maxims.” - Henry Kissinger

—–

Henry <or Hank to his friends> also said …

“The study of history offers no manual of instructions that can be applied automatically: history teaches by analogy, shedding light on likely consequences of comparable situations. But each generation must determine for itself which circumstances are in fact comparable.”

Now.

Studying history is always good <that is a Bruce postulate>.

How you use what you learned studying history is always a challenge <that is a Life truth and an ongoing Life debate>.

Too often people want to use historical “learning” as a literal guide for what to do now <or in the future>.

You cannot.

Sorry.

But you can’t.

I do not care if we are talking about business, life or economics.

You cannot <I apologize for repeating myself>.

Hank, discussing Foreign Policy, actually walks us through a nice way to think about this.

Intellectuals analyze systems & situations while statesmen build them.

And therein lays a vast difference between the analyst and the statesman. The analyst can choose what problem he wishes to study whereas the statesman’s problems are imposed upon him. The analyst can allot whatever time is necessary to come to a clear conclusion while the overwhelming challenge of a statesman is time. The analysts runs no, or little, risk. If the conclusions prove wrong he can rewrite and reanalyze. The statesman is permitted only one guess and his mistakes are irretrievable.

Sure. Typically the future is simply a version of the past. But what makes it challenging is that what appear to be superficial changes, that sometimes make it easily recognizable, are the things that transform situations into unrecognizable changed situations. In addition … we tend to ignore the ‘collection of people’ variable <I will explain later>.

In the end? We wonder what happened <and why we didn’t learn from history>.

Well.

As Kissinger states … history teaches by analogy, not identity.

Unfortunately this means that the lessons of history are never automatic.

That they can be apprehended only by a standard which admits the significance of a range of experience, that the answers we obtain will never be better than the questions we pose.

Now.

I do believe no significant decisions are possible without at least an awareness of the historical context.

For everything exists in time more than they do in a moment in time. What I mean by that is an explanation of ‘context.’ You may not be able to completely replicate the exact time, place, situation and experiences of any & all affecting what you are studying <or even replicate a majority of those variables> however you can gain a sense of choices that were available and choices made. This is contextual learning.

Because people forget that what they are studying is a given moment which is simply a situation where it is not only a reflection of a collection of individuals <and their experiences> but that situation also achieves a unique identity through the consciousness of a common history <those individuals are studying that particular moment colored by,or driven, by perceptions of beliefs of that time>.

The only possibility of learning is studying history within the collective memory.

It is not often that we actually learn something from the past. And it is even rarer that we draw the correct conclusions from it.

Why?

The lessons of history <and Life experiences also> are contingent.

That means they teach the consequences of certain actions … but they cannot force a recognition of comparable situations.

Well.

That is a BIG thought right there.

One that many of us should think about more often.

Let me translate <for my own pea like brain>.

History is contingent upon a series of factors … and to make it exponentially more difficult … contingent upon a continuum <horizontally> as well as simultaneously <vertically>.

Yikes.

That means exactly replicating the situation in which you are ‘learning from’ is … well … pretty much impossible.

The variations and variables almost seem limitless <try pointing that out in your next business meeting when someone says “what did we learn from past experience”>.

And … well … gosh … doesn’t that kind of make you rethink every business book you have ever read?

Regardless.

History is just that … history. A series of factors & variables all aligned for one moment in time <vertically & horizontally>.

Therefore … change is not only the constant but it also possibly represents the only legitimate path to progress.

I say that to suggest that change may actually freedom from the past.

And to suggest that history, when one decides to live it and not learn from it, can cage you.

I know.

Learning to break free from the history that holds no value <or decreases value> is difficult. It is easier to simply use it as a handbook of ‘what to do.’

If we truly seek to learn <and teach> we cannot be subjugated to history.

If we truly seek to be better than what we already are … we cannot do simply as history ‘dictates.’

But all we really feel most comfortable with is remaking things in the image of historical learning.

Well.

I guess that means to remake things better we have to be … oops … uncomfortable.

I believe what I just wrote will make a boatload of people very uncomfortable <assuming anyone understands what I wrote>. Why? Well. This kind of thinking can drive you crazy … particularly if you want to simply study and create conclusions <rather than hypotheses>.

So. The how do most people, and businesses, get around this type of thinking?

They suggest that they have isolated the most important variables … and can draw a correlation to the current situation … draw some conclusive conclusions … and isolate the best plan of action.

Well. They are nuts <if not crackpots or liars>. I do not doubt 99% of the intent of these people but they are still wrong. History provides context not analogy. Now people <in general> do not like that. It makes them feel uncomfortable. They want to know unequivocally that they will not be ‘making the mistakes of the past.’ Sorry. Can’t happen. You may be able to reduce the odds but cannot unequivocally guarantee it. Oops. Big trouble in the working world if you say shit like that.

But it is Truth. Truth in a business world. Truth in Life.

Another truth? <and something that most people will also feel uncomfortable with>

Studying history will make the in-the-moment decision better. I did not say “using history to make the decision” but rather “people who have studied history will better be able to CREATE a unique decision in the moment.” Yup. I used the dreaded ‘unique’ word. Most decisions are discreet <unique to the moment>. That makes people feel very very <very> uncomfortable.

Regardless. It is a Life truth.

In the end?

“Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the men of old; seek what they sought.” – Basho

Well.

That is a nice uncomfortable thought to end on.

this world which could never fully quench me

January 25th, 2013

“I had hoped to be disliked by most, not by way of rebellion, but by way of excellence, disdain for the habitual, and the common man’s inability to grasp this. The act of being scorned? I saw it as a victory, my irreverent boast against this world which could never fully quench me.” ― Coco J. Ginger

Well.

I don’t know who Coco is but this description on her blog is fabulous. And ‘my irreverent boast against this world which could never fully quench me’ may be one of the best thoughts I have read in years.

Regardless. While this is certainly a Life thought … her thought inevitably should resonate with writers & bloggers everywhere.

Writers have to live with the words they write.

Once shared they can never be erased.

Why is that so important? Well. Couple of thoughts.

First.

Most of us play it safe.

It isn’t really political correctness … it is simply because most of us are … well … common. That’s not any kind of criticism against anyone … it just simply ‘is.’ Most of us are pretty common in our beliefs and shared thoughts.

Second.

The passionate people, and people under stress I imagine, say things now … they regret later.

Because maybe that is only how they feel in the moment. And that is okay.

Because we change moment to moment, circumstance to circumstance, and having the ability to articulate that moment is a gift.

And these people don’t say what they say to be rebellious … they simply say it because they feel it at that moment. The great ones say it in a way that spans generations.

But words, once inscribed, never change.

Sharing words that showing disdain for the habitual?

Sharing words that show irreverent boast against a world that can never fully quench me?

I can only dream of doing so myself … but … whew … what a horizon to aim for.

I wish I had written this thought.

It is spectacular.

But I imagine I couldn’t.

For she also wrote this about herself:

“I am torn open, unabridged, hot and a bit crazy inside. This is the feeling which belongs to me, she has always been mine.” ― Coco J. Ginger

I chuckled.

She is as Kerouac said “… the ones mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time.”

We need people like Coco to stretch us all.

We may dislike her … but only because she has chosen an excellent path in Life … one that many of us not only didn’t choose to walk … but we also could not walk it.

If you would like to visit her blog here is the link <courting madness is the name of her blog>. I haven’t figured out if I like the blog … it reminds me of how I think about the tv show The Simpsons.

I want to like The Simpsons. I should like The Simpsons. And one out of every three or 4 episodes is absolutely brilliant. It’s just the other 2 or 3 episodes I wish I didn’t have to endure. But I keep going back hoping to catch that one brilliant episode.

Her poetry is interesting. Her writing has flashes of brilliance. And, for the most part, she is sparing with words but never sparing on thought.

http://courtingmadness.wordpress.com/

indifference

December 28th, 2012

“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it’s indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it’s indifference.” ― Elie Wiesel

Ok.

While I believe life, in general, is indifferent to our fate in life … I believe we should not be indifferent to our fate.

In other words … because Life is indifferent to us … it is up to us to actually make something happen … to not be indifferent.

In other words …

If you do nothing … you will gain nothing.

Well.

Actually. If you do nothing you will get less than nothing. Mostly because life is … well … indifferent. It will not pay attention to you unless you pay attention to it.

I say that because I think some people believe if they knew there would be no consequences for their actions they would lead a fuller life. They would have the courage to do more and take some chances.

Maybe have the courage to let themselves go forward. Maybe take some more risks <risks sometimes simply being things that move you even slightly out of your comfort zone … not big hairy audacious actions>.

And those people do nothing because they fear the consequences.

They have forgotten that Life is indifferent.

Here is the tricky thing about life.

It is kind of a trap.

Doing more, taking some chances, means more responsibility for actions.

It is simple math.

The more you ‘do’ the more shit you can be blamed for … or … given credit for <that is a Life formula I believe>.

Life is built to be stimulated. If you do not stimulate it … it is indifferent to you.

By the way.

Elie didn’t mean that when he said this.

While I may have made some valid life points … he was speaking about standing off to the side in Life and allowing bad to succeed over good.

And while being indifferent with regard to ourselves is a shame. In general it is harmless to anyone excepting ourselves.

But. If we are indifferent to life outside of us … and what is happening … you should be aware that bad, or evil, is not indifferent.

It is always active.

It is always opportunistic.

And in the end maybe that last point really is the big point about our Life.

Indifference permits that which is bad, which is always active, to win.

If you are indifferent hate, ugliness, heresy and despair … it will run your life. It will win.

Doing nothing means you lose.

That means that doing nothing, being indifferent, is not really taking the safe path … although it may feel so at the time. By being indifferent you permit all that is ‘not good’ to surround you … and smother you.

My point?
If we all did this, be indifferent, evil wins.

Heck.

If the majority of us did that, bad wins <in the bigger scheme of things>.

Frankly, I believe many of us think we are not indifferent … and yet we are.

Ok. Maybe selectively indifferent … but indifferent nonetheless.

I know I am <when I don’t pay attention>.

We should all pay a little more attention to indifference.

I know … I know. It can be difficult. Rightfully so we tend to focus on our lives and what is happening day to day. And I am not suggesting we shouldn’t. Because most of that is important.

But that may mean we become indifferent to other, pretty important things, swirling around us.

And maybe we do so assuming someone else is not indifferent.

And that is where I believe “bad” <ugliness, heresy, evil, etc.> is crafty. I believe they whisper in our selective indifferent ears suggesting “don’t worry, you don’t have time but someone else is not indifferent … THEY will make time.”

Bad is good at this. Bad is good at convincing us to let some responsibility slip to others.

Evil is everywhere and sly and relentless.

Sure.

It may seem tiring to know you cannot be indifferent … but for what is right, what is good, to win … we cannot let down our guard and be indifferent.

Even if you are indifferent personally you need to recognize Life needs people who are actively involved.

being better

December 18th, 2012

ok.

This is a follow-up to my stomach ache post. And it took me a little bit to gather my thoughts.

I received a number of emails from people wanting me to discuss gun control because of the elementary school tragedy.

I won’t <well … maybe I will at the very end>.

But I will give my thoughts on what I see as the real issue … people control.

And I got lucky as I thought about this … I sat next to 2 South Africans today and talked to them about this <just to get some perspective on my thoughts>.

Regardless.

That heinous act was not because of gun control or more effective school security systems or even better mental health initiatives … it is about us being better as people.

What I mean is … taking responsibility for the actions of others.

Especially adults with regard to children.

Yup. I meant what I typed.

Taking responsibility for the actions of others <even if we do not know them well>.

Sorry about that folks … but I believe it in my soul if we ever want to be ‘better’ we have to assume responsibility rather than blame or point fingers or wonder what systems we can create to resolve these things … all of it to become better people and a better country.

Oh.

And there is an additional level to my thinking.

We need to be the best we can be … particularly when it comes to children.

And I fully understand I am suggesting different standards for children versus adults <which I am sure someone will take affront to> and even high school students. My standards are driven by innocent versus those who can actually protect themselves. Fair? I don’t know but it is my site and my opinion.

Also.

I fully understand there are bad people out there. And we cannot stop them from doing bad things all the time <yes … unfortunately … sometimes bad people win>. And sometimes I believe they, the bad people, are out there to remind the good people why ‘good is better than bad.’

Regardless.

Keep in mind … bad is a minority. Evil people are fewer than non evil people.

So when evil actually wins?

All that really means is that good people failed. Evil is never … and I mean NEVER … better than good.

To me? The only way evil ever wins is when good is not at its best.

This sets an exceptionally high bar for good people.

I recognize this thought … is it fair to think, let alone, type that? Heck. I don’t know. I am simply putting a burden on good.

By the way.

I could think of worse things to do.

Look.

I will use me as a hypothetical example.

Why? Because I cannot even faith in any scenario I would ever harm a child. But, frankly, I cannot fathom how anyone purposefully harm a child. So let’s assume I have hit the point … something has put me over the edge … and I am gonna go do something … something evil. In other words I am going to an elementary school and kill defenseless children.

Here is what I expect.

I expect when I open the door to be facing someone I know.

Kevin or Jim or David. Scott, Gary, Don or Donald, or someone else is I know, friend or acquaintance, facing me that morning.

And they say “stop.”

They say “no.”

They say “let’s get help.”

They say ..” it will not happen.’

And if I balk or be a lunatic … they are willing to sacrifice themselves if need be.

Maybe not for other adults <in which they may pause and think about it> but for the sake of children.

Oh.

And I expect this and many of them are parents in their own right.

I expect them to stop me.

I expect one of them to say “how many bullets do you have? Okay. Use them all on me. You will not harm one child.”

I expect to have to run a gauntlet of adults before I get to one child.

I expect even my new neighbor, who I don’t know well and has three beautiful children his own, to say “no … you go no further than me.”

Yeah.

I expect a lot of my friends.

Shit.

I expect a lot of adults when it comes to children.

Look.

I cried on that Friday.

I am sure I cried for the lost lives of children aged 5 to 7 but I think I may have also cried more because I expect better of us when it comes to children.

The big people need to take care of the little people.

That is the responsibility of adults.

A responsibility calling for any and all costs.

And I expect all adults to accept this responsibility and burden,

Oh.

I have a reporter friend who has told me that we will be amazed when we hear some of the details with regard to what teachers did to protect the children.

I will not be amazed.

I expect it.

I expect us all to be better when it comes to children.

I do not want to diminish anything that anyone did there that day … and I will here and now apologize to all the teachers families … but … with due respect … were they heroes?

Did they do something exceptional?

Shit. I don’t know.

In my pea like brain they were not.

They did what was right.

They did what was needed.

They fulfilled the responsibility that all ‘big people’ have with regard to ‘little people’.

And, honestly, I do not like the suggestion that what they did was exceptional … I would rather it was suggested that is was ordinary.

I am fine to suggest they are heroes for ‘doing what was right.’

I struggle a little because the moment it is suggested it is exceptional .. and well … then ordinary people feel the pressure to be exceptional. And with children? It is not an exceptional act <in my eyes> but rather the ordinary responsibility of ‘big people.’ Heroes for doing what is right? Yes. Heroes for exceptional actions? I hesitate. I am willing to call them heroes to honor their actions. That is it.

Yes. I know what I just wrote may be controversial and may piss some people off. Sorry. But I do not believe it is an exceptional act to offer your life, as an adult, for a child’s life.

The lifetime value is unequal. Unless I am exceptional <which I am not> than I see no reason my value is any higher than the future value <the possible exceptional> of a child.

Yes. I put that in business terms, in MBA like terms to make a point.

In the end.

I could talk about gun control and systems and mental health programs but they are all kind of irrelevant because in my head … unrealistic as this may sound … that asshole should have never gotten to those defenseless children.

Is that unrealistic? Am I being unfair to someone? Your call on that but I don’t think so.

I am a pragmatic person and I know you cannot protect against every single situation and scenario … but … when it comes to protecting our children?

We should be unrealistic.

We should be willing to sacrifice all. Everything and all.

And I do not mean crazy security processes but being the best we can day on and day out to protect our children.

The Connecticut guy.

Jerry Sandusky.

Others.

They will always exist. And no process or procedure will ever stop them from existing. It is only us … yup … us … to stop them.

We need to be better.

Because if we are not … then we will end up failing our children.

And I cannot think that is anything that anyone wants on their tombstone.

“I failed our children.’

With that said … that means it is not an exceptional act but rather a normal act … an expected act to do what must, and should, be done.

Well.

Because I didn’t want to end on that <albeit a good thought for us all to ponder>.

The south africans.

We had a good conversation on responsibility and heroes. One suggested I was way too harsh … that any person who decided to offer their life to another human went beyond the normal and could constitute a hero.

The other agreed the rules, or guidelines, are different when you get to children.

Regardless.

What they did agree with is automatic weapons.

Yeah. This is gun control. And I happen to agree with their thought on this.

First.

You cannot stop a person who wants to do something bad. If they have it in their head they will do it.

Second.

If I could have figured out how to have this lunatic have only a hand gun and not an automatic weapon the deaths could have been lower. Now. Notice I said “could.” But that is an important ‘could,’ because we are talking about 5 to 7 year olds. If I ‘could’ have done something that limited the number it is a good idea.

Third.

People are people. And if they have access to the weapons they desire to do bad … they will do badder than bad. This is about limiting. Does that mean I am okay with 5 dead 5 to 7 year olds? Nope. But I like it better than 20 dead 5 to 7 year olds.

I just say that to make people think. I am not a gun control advocate nor am I card holding NRA guy. I kinda think this just may e be common sense.

But.

What do I know?

no one is innocent

December 12th, 2012

“No one is innocent … Life is more about how you bear the guilt.” – Silette <a fictional book character>

When I read this quote in a book I was reading I had to stop and reread it.

No one is innocent.

That means everyone carries some burden of guilt.

Well.

There is the big Life thought.

Your life can be defined by how you bear that guilt.

Do you ignore it?

Do you make excuses?

Do you deny it?

Do you worry about it?

Do you keep it secret?

Do you use it to motivate?

There are a variety of ways people bear the guilt.

Oh.

The one that is probably most important?

Do you even recognize you are not innocent?

Yup.

That is why I wrote his one down.

I imagine there are many more people who don’t even know they are ‘not innocent’ of something … than those who bear the guilt.

While those who bear the guilt can sometimes be eaten away from the inside as they think about it … there are many more being eaten by the unseen shadow of guilt dogging each step.

That means that shit happens to them and they scratch their head and wonder why.

Some of these people think fate is against them.

Many of these people think Life isn’t fair.

Many of these people never look at themselves, or to themselves, as the issue … just everything else.

And that is sad to me.

Mostly because their burden of guilt is most likely something manageable if they would only take the time to face it. Face the guilt and eliminate that weightless, but diminishing, shadow following them and choose to carry it instead.

We all have guilt for something. The something could be big … it could be very small. But that is the funny thing about guilt … its size doesn’t matter. Normal laws of space & weight do not apply to guilt. A sliver of guilt can bear the same weight as a mountain of guilt.

All that matters is how we choose to bear that weight.

i have never understood the absurd

August 23rd, 2012

Well. This is about a poem.

Oh.

The ‘the words of life I have never understood’ line alone probably makes this worthwhile to share. But the entire <short> poem is a good insightful read.

Here is the poem:

In my voice

there is at least a sign

of living geometry

the words of life

I have never understood

the absurd

difference that runs

between death and the illusion

of the heart’s beating.

- salvatore quasimodo

The geometry of what I have never understood.

That summarizes pretty much what all of us think about life. There is a formulaic aspect of life … or … well … at least it feels likes there is … and yet we struggle to make the formula work.

Why?

The absurd differences that run between life and death. The absurdity of life as it were. The absurdity that geometry has no formula for. It is difficult to make sense of the absurd. It is difficult to understand the living geometry <in its constant changing shapes and sizes>.

Life is a living geometry in which we are constantly seeing, and learning, new angles and edges and shapes.

And sometimes it appears absurd only because we have never seen the shapes before … or maybe we were never taught that particular geometry.

I imagine, in the end, we would like to believe that life has nothing really new & original to throw at us and we can be <even if we aren’t actually> prepared for the odd geometric shapes life share with us.

And that belief is false.

Life is absurd.

It is a living geometry and you can drive yourself absolutely nuts if you think you ‘should have known’ or ‘been prepared’ or ‘could have learned’ whatever it is that you are being approached by that is throwing you a curve ball. Absolutely frickin’ nuts.

Life is the ‘absurd that runs between death and illusion.’

Accept it … or … well … go nuts.

Enlightened Conflict

Tag Archives: enlightened life

the price of the tempestuous sea of liberty

I have met the enemy (and it is we)

the 20 things (almost)

indifference

being better

no one is innocent

i have never understood the absurd

Enlightened Conflict