this is a test

this is more of a test

Principles of the 30km Speed Zone

I recently heard a tidbit on morals and ethics that intrigued me...that, as a society, as parents, we have the choice to raise our children so that different aspects are emphasized and focused on. Intelligence is highly important for many parents...they focus on giving their children every opportunity to learn, to excel, pushing them to become skilled at thinking.

But in the long run, high intelligence isn't going to take your child all that far when it relates to happiness. Happiness equates to moral values, principles, and honorable mention.

It's more important to raise children who can find their footing in principles and morals. Rather than raising a child to be a person who goes 30km in the school zone because they don't want to get a ticket for speeding, we should be raising children to become people who go 30km in the school zone because there might be children around.

Baby Einstein probably won't be as happy as Baby Morality when adulthood hits if he doesnt't strong morals to match. There is pure personal satisfaction that results when the decisions we make aren't self-serving...when our thoughts flow first to the care and consideration of others rather than into the realm of "what's in it for me" or "what is my punishment if i don't...".

I'm in no way saying that smart people aren't happy...only that it's time we learned the distinction between what's important and what's not.

Stories Are For Mystery

Quote by Robert Hellenga, from his book "The Italian Lover":

"At the corner of every good story there's a mystery that can't be explained. If you could explain it, you wouldn't need a story. Stories are for the things you can't explain. If you stick to that, everything else will take care of itself. Don't be afraid to break all the rules, and don't be afraid to follow them either."

Thinkx

Thinkx, also known as the "Productive Thinking" model, is a step by step process used to produce creative ideas or to solve problems. I've always been interested in "thinking models", used some of them for a while, but never been disciplined enough to find out how effective they might be.

There are six steps to Thinkx, which was developed by Tim Hurson, a Canadian speaker and author.

Step One: What's Going On? I think i find step one to be the most difficult. There are five mini-steps that you need to follow:

1. What's the itch? Come up with a list of opportunities or problems, then look for commonality and patterns to determine one main issue.
2. What's the impact? Take a closer look at the issue and determine how it affects me.
3. What's the information? Look at all angles of the opportunity or problem.
4. Who's involved? Me...and?
5. What's the vision? What would change if the problem were solved or the opportunity realized?

Step Two: What's the Success? This second step is all about seeing the future with everything resolved, much like the first step, only in more depth. Think of using a tool called D.R.I.V.E.

• Do - what do i want the solved problem or the realized opportunity, to do.
• Restrictions - what don't i want the solved problem or the realized opportunity, to do.
• Investment - what resources can be invested.
• Values - what values do i need to live by.
• Essential outcomes - what are they.

Step Three: What's the Question? Another challenging part of Thinkx...turn the challenge into a question. Come up with as many questions as possible about the opportunity or problem. Combine and group these questions and come up with one question, or a few, that are the most stimulating.

Step Four: Generate Answers by Brainstorming. Come up with a list of possible solutions to the problem or to make the opportunity a reality. Choose one of these solutions for further development, or a combine several.

Step Five: Forge the Solution. Once again a tool is used for this step...P.O.W.E.R.

• Positives - list what's good about the answer.
• Objections - what's bad about the answer.
• What else? - think of things the solution reminds me of.
• Enhancements - how can i make what's good about the answer, even better.
• Remedies - take the list of what's bad and find ways to make things better.

Step Six: Align Resources. Here i take the thoughtout solution to my problem or opportunity and put it into a plan of action. I need to make "to-do lists".

• Give myself timelines and milestones.
• Make lists of people i need to involve i this.
• Make lists of issues that will need more work.

Think it might work?

Golden Lucca

We're so excited about visiting Lucca...the history, the art, the beauty....and of course Giurlani Forno Alimentari, the oldest bakery in Lucca, to taste the aniseed-flavoured Buccellato...because i'm all about pastry and coffee anytime, anywhere.

Enjoy the link to the following webpage....Golden Lucca

Gelati Monastery

Several years ago i longed to go to Georgia...to wander through Tbilisi, to see the Black Sea, to take a tour through ancient monasteries. The recent military conflict with Russia has put Gerogia on the travel advisory list...but some time in the future i still want to get there, just so i can see the Gelati Monastery. The monastery is located in Western Georgia near Kutaisi...construction began in the late 10th century and was completed in 1106 when it was founded by King David the Builder.

I love its majestic lines...love the haunting aura it projects. Perhaps one day....

(photo borrowed from fotopedia)

In Admiration of the Anonymous Blog

I frequently think of the advantages and benefits of having an anonymous blog. You know, the blog no one knows you have.

I could be anyone i wanted. Perhaps with an exotic name, like Isabella.

I could write about my love life, or lack of love life...and no one would raise their eyebrows in shock or smile in sympathy.

I could complain profusely about my job, my employer, my co-workers...how underpaid i am, how overworked i am, how stressed i feel, how i long to hand in a resignation letter.

I could gossip about my friends... without speculation and wonder...they would never know if i was or wasn't writing about them.

Just think of the things i could write about. My life, yours, theirs.

And all i would be, would be just Isabella, just another anonymous blogger...there to entertain you for a little while.

But i don't have enough time in my day to keep this blog updated. I already suffer from mental deterioration on an almost daily basis.

So...my dear Isabella....another time, another place, another blog.