The Alphabet of Us: W is for Wisdom … May 11th, 2015

 

  Jonathots Daily Blog

(2577)

All human beings possess a heart, soul, mind and strength. Nothing of any true significance can be achieved unless this is understood.

Wisdom does not come with years. Otherwise all the older folks would be fruitful, faithful and forgiving.

Wisdom is also not knowledge, although information does come in handy.

Wisdom is not opportunity, though an open door is appreciated.

Wisdom is not common sense–yet good answers do apply in many situations.

Wisdom is not patience. We do, however, need to wait on occasion.

Wisdom is the decision to expand your willingness and apply your repentance.

Wisdom is what we do after we make a mistake:

• Are we defensive?
• Are we worried?
• Are we going to lie?
• Are we cheaters?
• Are we prone to pretend nothing’s wrong?

Because one thing is certain–the amount of willingness I bring to any endeavor will always be challenged by Mother Nature, to see if I’m ready to give more.

If not, I will fail just as much as the ones who never tried at all.

And also, mistakes will occur to see how eager I am to repent. Making excuses, trying to share responsibility and acting as if there’s “no problem at all” only aggravates my situation and keeps me from applying wisdom.

Wisdom comes my way when I realize that I will need to expand my willingness and apply my repentance many times over.

If you are unable to achieve this status, you will always end up looking like a childish brat.

As you can see, this has nothing to do with age. It has nothing to do with gender.

It is simply being able to stare life in the face and say, “I am willing to do more…and I am prepared to repent quickly.”

 

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The Alphabet of Us: U is for Understanding …April 27, 2015

  Jonathots Daily Blog

(2574)

 

All human beings possess a heart, soul, mind and strength. Nothing of any true significance can be achieved unless this is understood.

When I was a younger man, I believed it was my function and goal to set the world on fire. But now, a bit older and having walked through a few blazes, I realize that the greatest gift I can give to my fellow humans is to put out the fires that were carelessly started by foolish schemers.

I don’t know if I’ll ever have enough time to pursue all of my heart’s desires because there is so much work to be done–clearing away the ignorance, selfishness, short-sightedness and bigotry that was here when I arrived.

This is the spirit of understanding that we must garner as people in order to be of value and continue to maintain our optimism. Otherwise, we stare at the raging fire of stupidity and wonder what we can do with out little cup of water.

Understanding requires three magnificent realizations:

1. “It’s not that bad.”

If you do not develop a kind spirit toward yourself and the world around you, you will begin to view your surroundings as unacceptable and find reasons to alienate your fellow-man instead of coming to the conclusion that peaceful coexistence is possible.

“It’s not that bad”–probably four of the most beautiful words that can fall off of anyone’s lips in the midst of a crisis. They open the door to thinking instead of frantic reacting.

2. “Let’s slow down.”

Instead of a philosophy of “pedal to the metal,” we allow the ointment of understanding to calm our spirits, which allows a realistic pace and also promotes peace of mind.

3. “We can work with this.”

Although thee is a contingency of folks who feel they show their spirit of excellence by being demanding and requiring perfect conditions, the Earth is in a constant state of evolution and therefore can never give you exactly what you want, but merely provides a portion or mutation of your desire.

Can you work with it?

Can you take a little bit and make it more?

Understanding is when we come to the conclusion that changing the world is unlikely, but improving the circumstances of even one soul is viable and necessary.

 

 

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The Alphabet of Us: P is for Passion… March 23, 2015

Jonathots Daily Blog

(2540)

All human beings possess a heart, soul, mind and strength. Nothing of any true significance can be achieved unless this is understood.

Passion is the flesh we put on the spirit of our faith. It is the visible sign that we are involved and enthusiastic about our own convictions.

It has two parts, and each unit requires the other for the passion to be real, workable and acceptable in the human tribe: perseverance and peace.

• If our passion has too much perseverance and lacks peace, we will be dissatisfied with our present conditions and greatly inhibit our progress by coming across too aggressive or too grumpy.
• If we have too much peace, we cut ourselves slack and retreat from challenge because it seems to rob us of our gentle solitude.

Passion is perseverance and peace wed in a matrimony of lust for good things.

It is expressed in this way: “I am chasing my goal and I will not give up, but will have joy with where I am while I pursue.”

In other words, “I want it, but I don’t need it; I enjoy while I seek.”

Human beings without passion begin to settle for circumstances and even ideals which are comfortable rather than transforming. Yet passion has to be grounded in the common sense that comprehends that if we do not find a sense of balance in our everyday lives which produces good cheer, we will find ourselves unworthy of opportunity knocking at our door.

Very simply, no one wants to bless someone who is cursing the world, and no one thinks to offer a new chance to an individual who appears unmotivated.

Human beings need passion.

It is when we use our perseverance to generate the peace which allows us to continue to be perseverant.

Cring & Clazzy present concert in Ocala on March 24th!

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The Alphabet of Us: O is for Opportunity … March 16, 2015

Jonathots Daily Blog

(2533)

All human beings possess a heart, soul, mind and strength. Nothing of any true significance can be achieved unless this is understood.

• Opportunity doesn’t knock. It walks by at a brisk pace, and if you’re sitting on your laurels, you’re bound to miss it.
• Opportunity has a momentum–and if you’re not in movement, you probably won’t catch up with the motion.
• Let me put it this way–opportunity is not provided; it comes to those who position themselves at the right place and patiently wait for the right time.

It appears in three forms, you know: there’s yesterday’s opportunity, today’s and that elusive tomorrow.

Successful people learn quickly that yesterday’s opportunities are a chance for us to take inventory of what we learned and what needs burned. After all, that’s life. If you’re intelligent, you learn from your opportunities, and you burn everything that didn’t work.

Today’s opportunity is a situation where we need to take our time. Don’t be in a hurry. I love the old formula: “Ready, aim, fire!”

That’s what we should do with today’s opportunity–ready ourselves, find out what our aim is and then fire off our best talent in that direction.

And for tomorrow’s opportunity? We should take no thought. Wondering, wishing and praying are ineffective ways to be fruitful on Planet Earth. So looking at the human family, what is our best approach concerning the institution of opportunity?

1. Stop chasing what you want and start working with what’s provided.

Dreams are best utilized during sleep, not wasting our time squandering the moment.

2. Don’t expect to do well. Just be glad for any chance to do.

People get too worried about what’s going to happen or how proficient they will be when opportunity arrives. Don’t sweat it. Human life is a learning curve–otherwise we would be born potty-trained.

3. Look for the next crack in the door.

We often pass over the little fish while we’re trying to capture the shark. But truthfully, in the world of the ocean, if you hang around the little fish the sharks will eventually show up because that’s what they eat.

Human beings can’t survive without opportunity … but they can be happy, joyous and fulfilled while they’re waiting for it to come their way.

Cring & Clazzy present concert in Ocala on March 24th!

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The Alphabet of Us: K is for Kind…February 16, 2015

Jonathots Daily Blog

(2505)

All human beings possess a heart, soul, mind and strength. Nothing of any true significance can be achieved unless this is understood.

Two definitions.

Kind: (1) to express a gentle mercy. (2) to be part of the same group.

I am thoroughly convinced that if human beings celebrated both definitions–expressing gentle mercy because we’re part of the same group–an abundance of problems would suddenly melt away.

There are two steps necessary to achieve this:

1. I remember what it is like to lose or get caught.
2. I understand that I will fail again and face ridicule.

In embracing these two notions, we have complete empathy with our “kind,” and when we discover those who are losing and facing ridicule, a sweetness enters our souls instead of a desire to grab the rope with the lynch mob.

It is a balance.

Even though most individuals would insist they want to forget bad times, it is essential to realize that the best thing we can do is to create distance between our bad times. They go away for a while, but they come back.

It is a great mystery in life and certainly one of the questions at the top of my list when I encounter my Creator: why can’t I be a permanent victor?

Yet this causes us to foster the emotional makeup that says, “I remember and I understand.”

We cease to look at our neighbor as a stranger, but rather, a mirror image of what we went through just short weeks or days before. It makes us relax our judgemental nature, and we choose to find commonality instead of deciding to join the mob and bully.

• Because of this, I understand bigotry.
• Because my knees don’t work very well anymore, I understand what it means to be disenfranchised by disability.
• So when I see an older person hobbling across the parking lot with a cane, I rejoice with him or her.
• I feel kindness.

But it is impossible to feel kind to anyone unless you can say, “I remember and I understand.”

And once you do that, you develop the most powerful axiom in the encyclopedia of human life: I choose to refuse to abuse.

 

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The Alphabet of Us: H is for Humility… January 26, 2015

 Jonathots Daily Blog

(2486)

 

All human beings possess a heart, soul, mind and strength. Nothing of any true significance can be achieved unless this is understood.

About every twenty years, we seem to scrounge around for the most pleasant-sounding, misguided idea to push to the forefront as the latest salvation for the human race.

The present holy commandment is “self-esteem.”

Matter of fact, if you want to get applause, all you have to do is proclaim, “I have been redeemed because now I believe in myself.”

By the way, any variation from this doctrine is viewed evil incarnate. Here’s the problem.

• Life doesn’t care what you think about yourself.
• Life is not impressed that you had a real good “talking to yourself” in the mirror this morning, and you’re prepared to take on the day.
• Life is just life–rain on us all, sunshine on us all.

So if you continue to follow the cavalcade of self-esteem, you will have many occasions when your hopes are dashed and you end up in a heap of disappointment. And I will tell you–human beings are virtually incapable of pulling themselves out of disappointment.

Humility is the answer. So first, let us clarify what humility is not:

1. It is not pretending to be inept.
2. It is not denying your gift.
3. It is not hiding in the shadows hoping that someone recognizes you.
4. It is not self-sacrifice by giving the glory to other people.
5. It is not retiring and hoping that somebody else takes the torch.

Humility is a four-step process which provides both motivation and mission, which are the ingredients that blend together to form true self-esteem:

A. Do well.

Yes, find out what is considered to be a good job, and then train yourself until you are prepared to do it. If you want to be smart, do a little more.

B. Get the prize.

May I tell you that a prize is better than praise? Praise I have to wait for. The prize is given to me because I have done well. It may be money; it may be position. It may be permission to continue to do what I like to do.

C. Deflect the praise.

Even though most human beings are secretly “praise whores,” they do dislike people who require immense amounts of praise. But since you have the prize, the praise is not really necessary.

For instance, an actor who appears in a movie and has done a great job, and the film is touching lives with its intelligence and intensity, does not need to hear what some critic in Bangor, Maine, has to say.

D. Encourage others.

Use your success, your prowess and your authority to steer other people in the discipline of abstaining from the prostitution of self-esteem and rather, embracing the power and intimacy of humility.

Our society seems to be intoxicated with the notion that merely making claims is halfway to the goal.

Beware.

Humility is a gift that we give back to life when we’re fully satisfied … and we don’t need to take anymore.

 

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The Alphabet of Us: G is for Generosity… January 19, 2015

 Jonathots Daily Blog

(2478)

All human beings possess a heart, soul, mind and strength. Nothing of any true significance can be achieved unless this is understood.

“If I had two, I’d give you one.”

I believe that means that you require twice of what you need before you become generous.

“I only have one, but we can share.”

Very nice of you, but what happens when you don’t have one?

Generosity is a virtue we attribute to the rich, always insisting that we are poor.

But generosity is not the option to give, but rather, a fuel that keeps us believing that our circumstances are improving and will continue to do so. Without it, we insulate ourselves and convince our inner being that we are always on our last dollar.

Human beings need generosity to confirm to ourselves that we possess resource, we are not alone and we will continue to go forward.

I see it working in three parts:

1. “I never get more until I appreciate what I have.”

Just as we become disgusted with a little kid who receives a present and is dissatisfied with the color, we must realize that the same attitude in us is equally as bratty.

2. “I will never be successful if I don’t believe I can give.”

When I was assisting a young, single mother with some finance, I made only one stipulation–I requested that she reciprocate by finding someone each and every week to donate to, who was less fortunate than herself.

She refused to do so.

I ceased my aid. It was not well-placed.

3. “Give and it shall be given to you.”

If I am going to be working in the mission of Mother Nature, it is important for me to understand that people will be generous to me because they see my generosity.

At that point, they confirm in their souls that I am a good investment. They have decided that I will not squander their generosity solely on myself, but instead, find great avenues for distributing the blessing.

Generosity is not something we do when we suddenly discover ourselves with excess. Generosity is part of our “daily bread activity,” as we work and love our way into solvency.

 

 

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