ENC: Poor excuse
Writings: Putting the ‘happy’ in the new year
These are days of miracle & wonder – this has been a year of change & transformation & transition & letting go for so many people around me.
I treasure that we have shared so much as we’ve walked together – and as everyone says “Happy New Year” tonight, I hope you know that the joy & happiness in your heart today is there for you to share tomorrow & through the new days ahead.
It’s not the New Year that will make you happy, but you who will bring happiness to these days we share.
Here’s a bit from Elliot:
For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
~ T. S. Eliot.
Light & love surround you, dear heart –
Brother Ian
Writings: The Story of a River, with Thich Nhat Hanh
Born on the top of a mountain, the little spring dances her way down. The stream of water sings as she travels. She wants to go fast. She is unable to go slowly. Running, rushing, is the only way, maybe even flying. She wants to arrive. Arrive where? Arrive at the ocean. She has heard of the deep, blue , beautiful ocean. To become one with the ocean, that is what she wants.
Coming down to the plains, she grows into a young river. Winding her way through the beautiful meadows, she has to slow down. ” Why can’t I run the way I could when I was a creek? I want to reach the deep, blue ocean. If I continue this slowly, how will I ever arrive there at all?”
As a creek, she was not happy with what she was, she really wanted to grow into a river.
But, as a river, she does not feel happy either. She cannot bear to slow down.
Then, as she slows down, the young river begins to notice the beautiful clouds reflected in her water. Read more “Writings: The Story of a River, with Thich Nhat Hanh”
Doing Business: Does your company really want to hang out with me?
Does your company really want to hang out with me?
by Derek Sivers
Imagine you have a crush on a girl at the bank.
Every time you talk, it’s only business.
But one day she says, “Here’s my cellphone number. Call anytime.”
Wow! She likes you!
You call her and ask her out. She says OK.
You meet up for dinner and after talking for 15 minutes she says, “Could I interest you in a home equity loan?”
Arrgh! That’s worse than if she had never given you her number in the first place!
The fact that she only wants to talk about her business proves that not only is she not interested in you, but she was trying to trick you.
Now you’re insulted and will never go to that bank again, or at least never believe it when they pretend to care about you.
This is what’s happening with most companies’ “Social Media Strategy”.
They’re acting like they want to connect directly with you, get to know you, or hang out where you hang out.
But unless they learn how to stop selling, listen, and be real – they’re just permanently alienating potential crushes.
Shared with permission/original, and Derek’s other essays: http://sivers.org/sms
Writings: Thay & freedom
Freedom is not given to us by anyone; we have to cultivate it ourselves. It is a daily practice… No one can prevent you from being aware of each step you take or each breath in and breath out.
Thich Nhat Hanh
About Brother Ian
Over the centuries, Brother Ian has been collecting stories & information & discourses for the purpose of elevating the human condition as needed, dissecting it when necessary, and building the case for hope.
In the spirit of noting that organized crime, organized baseball, organized labour, and organized religion tend to engender controversy & occasional discord, I promise to be neither organized or critical of those who are.