Savvy Thinker » Inspirational http://savvythinker.com thinking about life, playing with makeup Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:15:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Getting through the day if you are dealing with hard times http://savvythinker.com/getting-through-the-day-if-you-are-dealing-with-hard-times/ http://savvythinker.com/getting-through-the-day-if-you-are-dealing-with-hard-times/#comments Sat, 10 Dec 2011 21:56:08 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7540

Someone once said that grief is self-centered.

Having been there, done that, I have to disagree. For me, if it was self-centered, it wasn't self-imposed. I don't ever want to grieve again as deeply as I did ever ever, if I have a choice.

How do you get through? in my own words in no particular order (and you may have other ways):
- don't listen to ones who say really strange things to you in the name of trying to help
- be good to yourself every day
- hang onto the lifeline of spirituality and God
- make choices for happiness -- choose small things that make you happy
- look for any good that you can find
- recognize the smallest happiness/good and multiply it, if you can
- do this day by day, without fail, and somehow you get down the road a piece...
- don't fault yourself for grieving (you have two problems if you lay guilt on yourself)
- honor your feelings, they are valuable, even to God
- don't listen to others who tell you that their way is better/you are at fault
- use your life experiences to help others, if possible
- do something to take your mind off yourself -- visit with a friend, read a book, get out into nature, volunteer your services...

How are you getting through or how did you make your way through?
or how have you seen others make it through?
To some extent, each has to find and do what it takes to get through. Know you are not alone. And somehow, we do get through, as hard or as impossible as it seems.

Here's a book that sounds interesting:

In the book The Hidden Gifts of Helping: How the Power of Giving, Compassion, and Hope Can Get Us Through Hard Times Stephen G. Post tells how he got through a relocation crisis and how others can get through hardships or disappointments.

Be bold if life throws you a curve ball or you are forced to make changes in your life.

Throw yourself wholeheartedly into the journey...with a full heart...ready to give of yourself with compassion and forgiveness, never seeking the hidden gifts but finding them just the same. Stephen G. Post

Buy: The Hidden Gifts of Helping: How the Power of Giving, Compassion, and Hope Can Get Us Through Hard Times

Buy: (Kindle Edition) The Hidden Gifts of Helping: How the Power of Giving, Compassion, and Hope Can Get Us Through Hard Times

Karin
www.savvythinker.com



Originally posted 2011-02-08 07:14:18.

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I enjoyed this short inspirational movie about the inspiration of nature. It is filled with hopeful quotes that will uplift your day.

One way to watch it is to keep it on your screen, but pause it when it comes to a quote you like. Then restart it after doing a few emails. Stop it again. That way your inspiration is spread out a little and it doesn't take 4 minutes to watch at any one time.

Enjoy!

Karin

Originally posted 2008-11-22 08:39:30.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/the-inspiration-of-nature/feed/ 0 Review The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster http://savvythinker.com/review-the-phantom-tollbooth-by-norton-juster/ http://savvythinker.com/review-the-phantom-tollbooth-by-norton-juster/#comments Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:07:10 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7926

The Phantom Tollbooth is an adorable book. I don't know how I missed it when it first came out.

While marketed for young adults or children, it is definitely one an adult will appreciate, perhaps more than a child. It is chock full of idioms, synonyms, antonyms, and other assorted word plays. Reading it to a child would be a delight for the adult -- and one where you'd have ample opportunity to define phrases and explain why it's so clever. And the child (or adult) would pick up many (or be reminded of many) clever, clever, clever turns of phrase.

In some ways, it reminds me of the classic Half Magic.

And it's a cute story, to boot!

Anna Quinlan wrote a book report on it when she was 10 and said: "This is the best book ever."

I have to agree. I give it 5 stars out of 5 stars.

The story
Milo is a very bored young man, totally glum. Learning for him is nothing short of useless -- why would he ever need any of that information!

Ah, but he is about to receive a magic tollbooth that will take him to lands beyond where he will rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason. Along the way he will travel in such places as: Dictionopolos and Digitopolos and meet the Mathemagician, among others.

His companions are the dog Tock (who has a clock built in) and the Humbug.

Have you read it?
The author has also collaborated on a musical score and a libretto for an opera that is performed in schools and theaters:

And he has written a number of other books that I will be looking into. One, The Dot and the Line, was made into an Academy-Award winning film.

I got mine from the library, but bought it for my Kindle too.

Here's something about the movie from 1970:

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

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The Third Man Factor is an interesting concept. Evidently it should be The Fourth Man Factor, but

It was [Sir Ernest] Shackleton’s experience that inspired the term “Third Man factor†(although for his group it was actually a “fourth man†— T.S. Eliot misremembered the number when he wrote his poem The Waste Land, which popularized the idea). Geiger

The new book out by John Geiger sounds like a fascinating read.

Plus you can get this book for your Kindle.

The Third Man Factor is an extraordinary account of how people at the very edge of death experience the sense of an unseen presence beside them who encourages them to make one final effort to survive. This incorporeal being offered them a feeling of hope, protection, and guidance, and left the person convinced he or she was not alone. There is a name for this phenomenon: It's called the Third Man Factor.

If only a handful of people had ever encountered the Third Man, it might be dismissed as an unusual delusion shared by a few overstressed minds. But over the years, the experience has occurred again and again, to 9/11 survivors, mountaineers, divers, polar explorers, prisoners of war, sailors, shipwreck survivors, aviators, and astronauts. All have escaped traumatic events only to tell strikingly similar stories of having sensed the close presence of a helper or guardian. The force has been explained as everything from hallucination to divine intervention. Recent neurological research suggests something else. Amazon

You can read a long excerpt from his book here. One of the stories he relates is of Ron DiFrancesco who was the last person to make it out of the South Tower alive. He felt such a presence. It came to him as a voice, telling him what to do, encouraging him to survive, changing the direction in which he headed.

One of the interesting things to me was to learn this phenomena has existed in many places. I suppose I would prefer to think of the man as an angel or of Christ. It reminds me of the Biblical story of the three men thrown in the fiery furnace, but witnesses saw a fourth man walking.

He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Dan 3:25

Do you find this interesting?
Do you find it as interesting as I do to have a kind of substantiation of the Bible story by modern day experiences? I take things on faith, but it is good to have proofs of a sort anyway, not that all the proofs in the world would change someone's mind that is already made up.

I can't say I've ever felt a presence per se, but I have had words come to me as thoughts. I have never been in any extreme survival situation.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-10-19 21:31:14.

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I appreciated the title and subtitle of this book for its cleverness: Forced to Be Family: A Guide for Living with Sinister Sisters, Drama Mamas, and Infuriating In-Laws. The author has also written a number of other books.

I enjoyed looking through this book, reading whatever caught my eye. It has some good strategies, most of which are common sense, and a lot of stories from real life.

If you've lived any of these scenarios, you know there isn't a one size fits all for the subject at hand. You may have already found a path that works for you, but if you would like other insights, this book might be an interesting place to start.

Karin

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Originally posted 2008-05-19 08:36:55.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/forced-to-be-family/feed/ 0 Living in the land of opportunity or the land of penguins http://savvythinker.com/living-in-the-land-of-opportunity-or-the-land-of-penguins/ http://savvythinker.com/living-in-the-land-of-opportunity-or-the-land-of-penguins/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:19:23 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=1124

This short movie from Simple Truths has richness in it.

I enjoyed the illustrations immensely. They captured the nuances of emotions and made me laugh.

This is really apropos for today's times.

Karin

Originally posted 2008-09-30 08:21:51.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/living-in-the-land-of-opportunity-or-the-land-of-penguins/feed/ 5 Review: The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon http://savvythinker.com/review-the-energy-bus-by-jon-gordon/ http://savvythinker.com/review-the-energy-bus-by-jon-gordon/#comments Sat, 01 Oct 2011 09:05:22 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=5882

I was surprised to see I had not written about this book on my blog yet. I've spoken about it and emailed about it, so it seemed like I had done it.

The Energy Bus is a business parable. The basic story is a middle aged man who is failing at life -- his job, his family, his marriage. It's all breaking down. So it's no wonder his car is the next thing to break down. And it won't be fixed for days. One more thing to have to deal with. Who wants to ride the bus! Certainly, not him.

But this is no ordinary bus. The bus driver takes stock of his defeatism in a moment, and she and the other passengers turn his life around. Every day she gives him a new assignment to put into practice at work and in his life.

And, you know, when one area of life starts to turn around, they all do. (Isn't there a rule for this?)

One of his major problems is that the staff he manages are not with him. They think he's incompetent or worse. Can he remotivate them? Can he become the kind of manager they need, so they become the kind of employees he needs to get his own life back on track again?

Through the story, each chapter deals with another means of living a successful life.

The rules are recapped later:

1. You're the driver of your bus
2. Desire, vision, and focus move your bus in the right direction
3. Fuel your ride with positive energy (negative energy is friction)
4. Invite people on your bus and share your vision for the road ahead
5. Don't waste your energy on those who don't get on your bus
6. Post a sign that says no energy vampires allowed on your bus (get rid of the malcontents)
7. Enthusiasm attracts more passengers and energizes them for the ride
8. Love your passengers by giving them your time, listening, recognition, service - work to bring out the best in them
9. Drive with purpose
10. Have fun and enjoy the ride

My take
This book was given to me by a friend, and I in turn passed it to a friend who used it as the focus for a number of her employee motivational meetings. Her staff was excited about it. They posted signs up in the staff room and tried to implement the ideas. (The book is now back in my possession.)

Yes, the story is a little bit didactic, but who cares. It reminds me of what I can remember from Jonathan Living Seagull in some respects. It's easier to swallow life lessons when they are in little sound bites and couched as parable.

I give it 2* for where the story falls apart (you have to suspend reality, but again, who cares) and a 4* for sharing a worthwhile message in a way that you will always remember some of the ideas.

Notice how it syncs with some of the ideas in First, break all the rules
Invite people on your bus; love your passengers; bring out the best in them; focus your energies where it matters.

Have you read the book?

Gordon has written a number of other books. I have not read them, but I'm beginning by ordering free samples of each of the books for my Kindle. That way they are in my q for when I have time; I won't forget them; and I can decide if I want to own them or not.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-11-30 15:43:28.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/review-the-energy-bus-by-jon-gordon/feed/ 0 Hand feeding hummingbirds (and finances) http://savvythinker.com/hand-feeding-hummingbirds-and-finances/ http://savvythinker.com/hand-feeding-hummingbirds-and-finances/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:10:57 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=1114

Just when it seems like a bit of good news would be exceedingly welcomed, comes this true story (I've checked it with Snopes) about a woman hand feeding hummingbirds.

Isn't it great that with the Internet we have a way to easily share these experiences that we might never hear about otherwise?!

Thanks to Cathy for sharing with me in the first place!

It's a reminder to me that "God's in his heaven; all's right with the world."

from "Pippa Passes"

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hill-side's dew-pearled
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his Heaven -
All's right with the world!

Robert Browning (1812-1889)

Is it possible that in these difficult times we could trust more deeply that God will feed and clothe us, as he does the birds and the lilies? Whether we are literally in need of food, shelter, clothing, water, health, employment or any of a myriad of other needs, the most basic need is for the ideas that will lead us in the right direction and out of limitation.

Ideas are always limitless! (This goes along with the short movie I posted earlier.)

Not too long ago while pondering how I should schedule my day, though my first inclination the night before had been to get on down the road and back home, I felt it was all right to meander a bit. In doing so, I had a number of interesting conversations with strangers, some welcome time with a friend, and a bit of fashion enjoyment, including some time with perfumes.

After I'd been back on the highway for a while, an electronic sign informed me of an accident 26 miles down the road. One lane was closed. (I learned later that it had only cleared about an hour before I got there.) If I had hurried my way home, I would have been stuck for hours while they cleared the road. I was able to get past it without any lost time.

Sometimes we do not know what we or others are protected from, but this time it was apparent. And it could have been far worse, but thankfully wasn't. On this busy stretch of road, many more could have been involved in this accident but were not.

That's just a small example of how ideas will clear our day for us. Expect ideas today and always that will help you!

Karin

Originally posted 2008-09-26 09:26:43.

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A friend sent me this youtube video today. It seems appropriate to post at this time of year, Thanksgiving in America where I live, and while it is directed at thanking the military men and women who serve us, it is not political, for as the video states, it is about service. It made me think also of firefighters, policemen, and emergency medical services and of those who help after disasters. The average person can hardly envision some of what they face every day.

When is the last time you thanked anyone?
I had a recent occasion when I went back to express my gratitude for service that was exemplary. I don't think many people return to give thanks, and my family member was puzzled by my desire to do so. Yet the service I had received had been exceptional. Later the same day, while I was out, there was a follow up call from the individual who had helped me. He had not known that I had been in to express my gratitude, even though I had specified that it be passed along. I so appreciated the call, even if I wasn't there to take it. It's rare in this life to get a follow up call!

I don't hesitate to tell someone I appreciate what they are doing
And at the same time, I will gently complain (register comments) if there is need for improvement. I figure they'd rather know why you might never come back, rather than just lose your business.

Our gratitude is riches, complaint is poverty. Vivian Burnett

Oh boy, I so dislike it, when I get in complaint-mode. I try to turn it around pretty fast.

And when I'm with someone who is a constant complainer, I have to fight not to be dragged down by their attitude. Complaint only accentuates the negative, unless it is used to ask for a solution.

For example, bitching about traffic to those in your car, accomplishes nothing but complaint. The other drivers don't know you are cussing them out. But everyone in your car is tied up in knots.

We really are richer for our gratitude. Appreciation goes a long way to lifting other people's burdens that we might not even realize are there.

An on-going gratitude list
I keep a couple of on-going gratitude lists. I don't add to them daily, just whenever there is something significant or different. I decided to update my main list last night, reorganizing it by topic ideas, after reading a few lists others had written -- and I even added some of their ideas to mine. It's surprising how much there is to be grateful for, once you get started thinking about it.

Right at the top are relationships and friendships; family; health; spirituality; love and kindness; supportive people; prayer; the Bible; the online community; nature (trees and sunsets; rain and wind; sunrise; birds...) -- and so much more.

If you get in a funk, what do you do to get out of it?
Does it bother you if you feel like you are constantly complaining, even if you don't express it aloud?

How do you deal with difficult or irregular people in your life? Or are you the difficult person? (ouch) And if you are, how can you change?

Do you try to dwell on the positives of life? What is the latest thing you are grateful for?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2009-11-29 12:57:16.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/the-thank-you-campaign/feed/ 2 Review: have a little faith by Mitch Albom http://savvythinker.com/review-have-a-little-faith-by-mitch-albom/ http://savvythinker.com/review-have-a-little-faith-by-mitch-albom/#comments Fri, 22 Jul 2011 20:55:55 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=7151

I thoroughly enjoyed have a little faith ... a true story. A friend loaned me her copy yesterday, saying I would love it. She was right.

Albom also wrote Tuesdays with Morrie and other books.

Albom was raised in the Jewish faith. But he had drifted away, making more and more time for work and less and less for any sense of religion, except he would go back home and sit with his parents in his seat in the synagogue for High Holy days. He never joined a temple where he lived.

During one of his visits, the only rabbi he ever knew as his rabbi, the one from his childhood, asks him if he would write the eulogy for his funeral, not that he is dying, but he is in his 80s.

And so begins the true story of a return to faith.

Albom feels he must get to know the rabbi better, so he begins to fly in on weekends and ask him questions, the large questions of faith, interviewing him. Do you believe? Why do you believe? How did you survive the loss of your 5 year old daughter? How did you reconcile it to your faith? Do you believe in heaven? What about forgiveness? What comes after this life? Will we meet again?

And about the same time he meets a Detroit pastor, ministering to the poorest of the poor, who himself had been a convict, drug user and who-knows-what-all-else. For a long time Albom doesn't trust that the man is real. His before-story seems so beyond belief, to come from that into this.

The book is written not quite in alternating chapters, but close. One chapter will be the story of the rabbi (Albert Lewis) as it unfolds. Then a chapter will be of Henry Covington. And occasionally there will be excerpts from Lewis' sermons.

I felt it was a privilege to walk the path of faith with these three men. After all, each of our faith walks is different, but all of value to God.

Have you read this book?
I give it 4 stars out of 4 stars.

It is also available for Kindle:

Karin

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Originally posted 2010-08-25 15:24:56.

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