Frameworks

Unlimited Possibilities

The image above represents the boundlessness of the directions in which I can go with whatever it is I want to do.

Basically I can do whatever  I want.  Literally.

At some point, and perhaps even now, you are in the same situation.

Others, are not boundless, they have either made their directional decision, or perceive constraints that do not put them in a position of boundlessness.

Point of fact is this.  We can do whatever we want at any point and time.  No, no, don’t argue - we can.  That’s not the point of this post, so let’s not get stuck here.

The quandary of this post is about whether or not it’s best to be boundless, or bounded?

I don’t have an answer, for it is of course relative at an individual level.  I will simply say that being boundless is not easy.

It doesn’t warrant pity or sorrow.  It’s simply a statement of fact.

At the same time, being bounded is hard as well.  However, I tend to like bounded situations, because I frame constraints as the secret to creativity.

Being boundless may be hard, but being indecisive is not acceptable.

Decision time.

be good.

stephen

So, you’re not the kind of person who says I told you so. Neither am I.

I wonder if Peter Schiff is?

This post is about the economy [sorta]. The one that is on the skids right now. Another bubble burst, something no one saw coming? Wrong. Peter Schiff saw it coming. Watch the video below to see what I mean.

So what’s the point?

The point is, as the video demonstrates; being right doesn’t mean you’re in the majority position. Most of the time being right puts you in the minority position, either from being out in front of the curve, or just seeing things for what they are.

How’s that relate to you?

One word: Consciousness

If you’re just ‘doing’ by virtue of whatever popular opinion you hear, guess what - you’ll probably be worse off for it.

Black Friday tomorrow - Participating? - I’m not, not one cent. Because as Druhmil points out, you are not what you buy. This is an example of being conscious.  I know the retailers [heck the country] ‘need’ it.  I see the ads.  I hear the hype.  But you know what - we need a serious shift in this country, and so I won’t contribute to the current paradigm of buying shite we just don’t need.

So, whether it be you finances, the things you choose to eat, or how you determine what you will ‘do’ - I’m saying that whenever you turn out to be ‘right’ - I guarantee it stems from the level of your consciousness.

You’re not going to be right all the time, but that’s not the point - being conscious is.

be good.

stephen

A good synopisis of economic status, and what we need to do:  Juan Enriquez

We, as in all of us, are currently locked into living a sustainibly un-sustainible existence.  We’ve heard it all before.  That, at a macro level, our trends of consumption, regarding finite resources (water+oil etc.) cannot be supported indefinetaly.   It’s true, but you don’t need to hear that from me.  Go listen Al Gore, perhaps.

I was looking around to consider some of the things that I could do on my own.  Things I could adjust in my behaviour, my daily tasks, in order to do better.  Lower consumption, and build in habbits that will help me do my part.  I’m sharing here, cause who knows - maybe you want to to take action as well, but aren’t ready to go Monkey Wrench Gang things just yet ;).  [for the record Edward Abbey rules, STILL!!]

So here are a few ideas and resources that I came up with.

1. Ride Yo’ Bike.

Yup, take it back to when you was a young whipper snapper.  Even if it’s just to the store or something.  It’s good for you, good for the enviro, and it gave me an excuse to put a picture of my bike in the post :)

2: Change your home habits:

This is really simple, but takes a bit of thought.  Things I’m thinking here; take shorter showers, dry clothes outside when possible, shut down your devices that aren’t in use, and be conscious about usage of lights. Cloth Grocery bags.  I know - super lame, but collectively able to make an impact.   I didn’t say this would be sexy.   Here’s a link to The Green Guide.  It goes into more depth.

3: Change your work habits:

Much like number two on the list, it’s the little things.  Carpool?  Turn CPU off when you leave the office.  Ditch the Styrofoam coffee cups - vacuum sealed, stainless mugs are a much better look anyways.  Here’s a link to a list the Sierra Club came up with, just for you :)

4: Recycling is still cool, I promise.

Enough said.  This one requires a bit homework to see how things work in your local.  In case you don’t believe me you can get involved with cool sites, like Compete to Conserve, -I’m not giving the details; you’ll have to check it out for yourself though.  Go ahead, it’s just a click through.

5: Come up with your own…

Collectively we don’t need some jamoke like me to tell us how to get this done.  On an individual level we’re all capable of looking at our habits, and consumption rates - and then adjusting them.

It’s a choice.  But, we’re intricate little buggers, and we don’t do things just because we ’should’ - we’re notoriously short sighted (myself included) - so go find your own motivation.

Your kids.

Your love of the environment, ummm….

The sickening fact that the Petro states in the Middle East have us by the short hairs…

In the end, it’s green me + green you = green us.

be good.

go team.

stephen

I don’t know where I was going with the tree…

But, I do know where I am going with this post. Design.

No, this is not about ‘that’ kind of bender.  Instead,  I went on a bender of new perspective - and this morning it concerned America and the econ.

Now, I’m the first to admit that you will not get insight here on the economy; I offer only a front row seat to my meanderings about the many things I do not understand.

Today - I entered two more pieces of info into my head to klink around.

ONE: This youtube trailer of a movie called “BROKE - the new American Dream”

TWO: Nassim Taleb Link (audio) about why Portfolio theory is ‘Hogwash” (so worth the listen)

Click Here

Here are my take aways -

While I am not happy about all of the financial collapse/crisis/meltdown - (by which my retirement ‘nest egg’ go turned back into an embryo) — I am thankful that it happened during a time when I am old enough to be cognizant of the whole thing.  The last time we had financial woe’s (Internet bubble) I was in school and didn’t get it.  Before that (1980’s) I was still digging holes in the dirt with sticks, cause that’s what kids in NH do.

So - if I am smart (which the jury is still out on)  I will forever remember the following:

DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE - EVER!!!!

— the challenge now lies in masterfully applying that throughout the remainder of my breathing days.

be good

stephen

I know -  I just keep bringing the goodnes.

Tonight I impart upon you… - a visual representation of how organizations dominate.

(click image to see full size)

Simple?  Yes.

But, does your organization do this?  Hmmm… if not, get to work on implementing this pattern and your organization might just be on its way to ruling the world.

be good.

stephen

I have never been a good test taker.  Some might say it’s cause I’m a big dummy, which [at times] is true.  However I like to think it’s because I always thought tests were a bit arbitrary, especially standardized ones, and therefore I just couldn’t get behind taking, and crushing, tests.  [don't get me wrong - I wasn't a total non-conformist, I took tests, and passed.  I just didn't value them].

So, where’s that leave us?  My take-  it leaves us to acknowledge the real value of experimenting.  Experimenting is how learning and knowledge are increased.  The image above outlines one way of thinking about it.  Take a good look at it, think about your situation - make sense?  It should.

Go on now, get out of here -  you’ve got some ‘xperimentin’  ta do!

be good.

stephen

I used to walk by a window in the student union building when I was in college - and on that window was the following message:

Be the change you wish to see in the world ~ Gandhi

I totally buy into that.  There is something I have to offer, with respect to executing on becoming that change, and you probably guessed it - I offer a process.

The process is illustrated in the image above: Your thoughts turn into your words, and your words turn into your actions.   Ergo - watch your thoughts, for they are your destiny.

It takes time though - and of course most of that time is a function of the SELF restraints we place on ourselves.  [guilty as charged].

The point being - you can go set the world ablaze tomorrow if you let yourself, and that begins with allowing yourself to believe that you can.

Simple advice, tough execution, profound impact ~

be good

stephen