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#Post#: 19667--------------------------------------------------
Re: Life's Lessons
DIR By: Mac
Date: June 2, 2013, 6:37 pm
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Actually, some of these I find strange too...
[glow=red,2,300]13 Things That Americans Do That The Rest Of The
World Just Finds Bizarre[/glow]
A thread on Reddit asks the question: Non-Americans of reddit,
what aspect of American culture strikes you as the strangest?
Some of the answers are pretty hilarious and/or eye-opening.
Here are some of the best:
1. Driving everywhere
How big the country is and the amount of time you guys are
willing to drive. I had a friend who drove for 16 hours to visit
family for the weekend. It's baffling. -- B_Underscore
2. Being able to buy anything you want at Wal-Mart
A friend came from the UK and he said Wal-mart was the weirdest
thing, you could buy 24 rolls of toilet paper and a 12 gauge
shotgun in the same store. -- Teaching_man
I was not aware that you can buy guns in supermarkets in
America. I thought you had to go to a dedicated gun store for
that. Boy was I wrong. -- KevinDevogel
3. Price tags
That the price on things in your stores are not the actual price
but the price without tax and such -- 77-97-114-99-111
4. America's weird version of puritanism
You guys can't separate nudity from sex. -- Nionvox
...and extreme violence/gore is considered normal, and shown
regularly on TV. It's pretty infuriating to live somewhere where
something as natural and beautiful as the human body is viewed
as taboo and "corrupts" our youth, but a guy getting his head
cut off or getting beaten to death is perfectly okay for kids to
watch. We're desensitizing the wrong thing. -- Source
5. CHEESE
Amount of cheese Americans can intake at a time. -- Countsblink
Made Mac n cheese for my aussie cousins. Included 600 grams of
cheese. They were floored (and clogged probably) -- Marcvsgrippa
6. Pumpkin everything
Pumpkin flavored things, pumpkin is a vegetable yet it is always
in seasonal items in combination with sweet flavors. To me a
pumpkin spice coffee is so strange!-- TallGrass2
7. Cheerleaders
...dressing up young girls in short skirts and getting them to
dance around and cheer on young men strikes me as odd —
preparetodobattle
8. Flags
I work at a summer camp and there is nothing funnier than
watching the international counselors be totally weirded out by
the flag ceremony we have every morning/evening (5-7 camper
colorguard raises flag, salutes, 60-90 people recite pledge and
girl scout promise in unison, we turn on our heels and file out
silently in the morning, in the evening we fold the flag, sing
taps, turn on our heels and file out silently to dinner) —
izzielosthermind
9.Taking coffee everywhere
Eating/drinking coffee as you go, to me the best part of eating
is sitting down, talking, and relaxing — tallgrass2
10. Being obsessed with your alma mater.
I know this does not apply to everyone but your attachment to
your college/university AFTER you have left. The amount of older
people I saw on my trip wearing college gear was insane. As well
as supporting your college as an alumni. Coming from the UK
where a university is used to gain your degree then its a case
of thanks for the piss ups, bye! — Fenrir89
I get made fun of all the time in Russia for having an
attachment to my college. They just don't get the idea of
loyalty to the school. I think it comes from two places: sports,
and a sense of community. — Ck14
11. All the pomp and circumstance surrounding prom
I have cousins who live in the US and just hearing about the
number of hoops they had to jump through to ask someone to a
dance is hilarious. — Saysthingsfromabush
In Scotland our equivalents are ceilidhs and in school you just
go and f***ing dance. Concept of building up the courage to ask
someone to a ceilidh is simply ridiculous. "hey would you like
to come and get bruised with me doing some fast dances to
violins?" As is tradition. — Reducto_Absurdum
12. White teeth mania
Americans are obsessed with straight, white teeth. It's like
your entire concept of beauty hangs on it. Don't get me wrong,
dental hygiene is important, but not everyone needs a perfect
Hollywood smile. They look super fake. — Flashnewb
13. Being obsessed with being the best country in the world
many Chinese people do not understand how America can function
so "well" since the people here are all so different. We have
black, asians, white, hispanics, indians just to name of few and
yet we don't have massive in fighting between races or
religions. Go to many other countries and the smallest
differences in culture, language, and background will almost
automatically cause some major issues. — jdavem
#Post#: 19698--------------------------------------------------
Re: Life's Lessons
DIR By: Mac
Date: June 4, 2013, 11:42 am
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Brilliant and cruel at the same time...
[glow=red,2,300]Cheating Boyfriend Finds Surprisingly Playful
Breakup Letter[/glow]
--- Quote ---
> Who doesn't love a good breakup? All that vitriol and none of
the concern for your partner's feelings.
>
> Take for instance this misleadingly upbeat breakup letter
penned to a cheating boyfriend by his scorned significant other:
Despite being littered with hearts and cheerful exclamation
points, it may just be the most vengeful, angry breakup letter
of all time.
>
> Breakups may come and go — but scavenger-hunt breakups are
forever.
--- End Quote ---
[center]
HTML http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/18pox4b4zkmq2jpg/ku-xlarge.jpg[/center]
#Post#: 20181--------------------------------------------------
Re: Life's Lessons
DIR By: Mac
Date: June 21, 2013, 7:40 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I know some of this stuff really sounds like zen or hippie
dippie ****, but instead of instantly judging it, step back and
see if it makes sense.
[glow=red,2,300]All you have to do is show up and
execute.[/glow]
I just got back from an inspiring couple hours with my friend
and Under30CEO contributor Michael Peggs. Throughout the course
of a couple beers, we got into some pretty deep, philosophical
stuff about life, business, and the future. What came of it was
this:
Whatever you believe your future to be is true. You just have
to show up.
The problem is: most people just never show up.
Lots of people have big dreams and ambitions, but it’s only the
people who execute them who are actually successful. Everyone
else quits, stops showing up, listens to the naysayers, or
throws in the towel. They never push through the struggle or
truly act upon what they want to do in life. Their dreams, stay
dreams…
It’s all about your beliefs.
In the most humble way possible, I know what I am “destined” to
be. Not in some bullsh*t way– but I know who I’m going to be
because my mind is made up. Why? Because my parents raised me
with the confidence to make it happen. My dad always told me
“whatever you want to do, you can figure out a way to do it,”
and my mom has always thought everything I’ve ever done and will
ever do is amazing. So, as a five year old kid, crushing it at
the lemonade stand, I pictured myself in the boardroom
overlooking my empire. Because of these beliefs I know I’m well
on my way.
When P. Diddy was asked if he ever doubted himself, after about
a three second pause, exuding confidence like only Diddy could,
he flat out said no. The man has never shown doubt in himself.
As Thomas Edison said, “The most certain way to succeed is
always just to try one more time.”
It’s the damn truth. You just have to show up and try one more
time. Sure, being successful takes incredible sacrifice, the
ability to go through hardship, and a high tolerance for pain….
so, if you don’t believe that you have what it takes to go
through this, then give up now. But, if you’ve always truly
believed you were going to make it big, then you are already
that person. Congrats. You might not be to the end goal yet,
but you’ve made it.
Stop Stressing
Over the last six weeks, I’ve never been more stressed in my
life launching our members-only travel platform,
Under30Experiences. When Peggs asked me why I was so stressed,
I had no answer. We came to the conclusion that I want it to be
successful so badly that I was literally working myself to the
point of insanity. If you’ve read my health and fitness content
lately, on going beast mode, or increasing productivity, you
know I believe as much as anyone that stress will kill you. I
sure as hell don’t want to grow old quicker than I have to. So
it’s time to stop stressing. Here’s how…
First, understand where stress comes from.
It’s quite simple– stress comes from thinking about things in
the future that you can’t currently control. You’re late for
work. Well, guess what– you’re already late. Sure, you can
control how late you are by blowing through traffic lights, but
guess what, it’s already been decided– you are going to be late.
You have two options at this juncture– stress about it or
don’t. TRY your hardest to chose the later. Remember, you are
already that insanely successful person if that’s what you
believe– you don’t have to stress about it.
Secondly, understand that you’re already late for work and what
is done is done.
Want to understand this concept? Educate yourself and watch the
Ghandi documentary on Netflix. There is a part where the
narrator says, “how would you look at a glass of water if you
knew the glass was already spilled?” You wouldn’t freak out
when the glass spilled; a spilled glass of water isn’t a big
deal. That’s what Ghandi believed. Just like when Neo goes to
see the Oracle in the Matrix. The Oracle already knows the vase
is broken and doesn’t care. You look at the world a whole lot
differently when you have the mindset of a person who already
knows what is going to happen- in this case– that you are
successful.
Lastly, understand the concept of being present.
I used to think this hippie term was some esoteric thing, until
I read Leo Babauta’s post via Zen Habits on being mindful. It’s
all about focusing your thoughts and energy into the present
time. Instead of thinking about how your boss is going to yell
at you, suck it up, and enjoy the ride you are on at the present
time. Appreciate the fact your car is working, and that you are
blessed to even have a job. If you are present, then you’ll
again remember– you are on your way of becoming that successful
person and this is just a bump in the road. Enjoy the journey.
Imagine a world where you believe you are successful.
All you have to do is show up and execute.
#Post#: 20354--------------------------------------------------
Re: Life's Lessons
DIR By: Mac
Date: June 27, 2013, 12:05 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[glow=red,2,300]Is Smartphone Photography Killing Our Memories
and Experiences?[/glow]
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMVBkawC1Hc
--- Quote ---
>
> Is Smartphone Photography Killing Our Memories and
Experiences?
>
> If you’ve gone to a concert or public event or even certain
art openings recently, you’ll notice that something is amiss. In
the past, people would look, enjoy and try their best to
experience the moment when they attended such things. Now, many
of them are doing their best to craft the most likeable
smartphone photo.
>
> The BBC’s Newsnight is troubled by this trend, and so they set
out to discover if the smartphone photography movement is doing
more harm than good.
>
> One of the examples Newsnight’s Stephen Smith uses to
illustrate the point is this viral comparison photo from earlier
this year. At the top we have the view at the Vatican as people
bid farewell to Pope John Paul II in 2005, and at the bottom the
same ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI in 2013. Which crowd do you
think remembers their experience best?
--- End Quote ---
HTML http://cdn.petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2013/03/comparison1.jpg
--- Quote ---
> It could be that the 2013 crowd with their pictures and videos
will remember the moment best simply because they have a record
of it. But it’s also possible that they only actually
experienced the moment on their smartphone or tablet screen at
the time, not truly engaging with it.
>
> It’s an interesting question that the report takes on from
several angles — enlisting the help of curators, musicians and
even a psychologist specializing in narcissism — and we’d like
your input as well. What’s your take? Is smartphone photography
killing our memories and experiences, or just helping us
preserve them?
--- End Quote ---
#Post#: 20498--------------------------------------------------
Re: Life's Lessons
DIR By: Mac
Date: July 2, 2013, 9:13 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[glow=red,2,300]9 Negative Social Habits to Quit Today[/glow]
--- Quote ---
> There’s something to be said for slow and steady progress.
But there’s also something to be said for strong, decisive,
sweeping action. When it comes to bad, self-defeating habits,
there’s no time like today to quit cold turkey. For some reason
I’ve been more aware lately of the annoying social habits of
other people. Worse than that, I’ve then been noticing many of
the same behaviors in myself. Cutting out these negative habits
makes it simpler to foster good relationships by getting to the
heart of productive communication, so why not start today?
--- End Quote ---
1. Seeking attention by complaining.
I spoke to someone yesterday who all but refused to talk about
the positive aspects of their life. After listening to their
troubles, I asked about some of the cool projects they have
going on. Within two sentences, they were back to complaining
about trivial things. We all need to share our troubles with
friends or strangers from time to time, but don’t fall into the
habit of turning conversations into your own personal dumping
ground 100 percent of the time. It’s an easy way to get
attention, but it’s a poor way to keep it; and it’s a poor way
to view your life.
2. Focusing on your inner monologue instead of the dialogue in
front of you.
“Holy crap! That’s a great idea. Wow. What can I say that
will sound smart and clever? I really hope they think I’m
intelligent. I could touch on symbolism or make a reference to
post-modernism. Wait – what did they just ask me?” Stay
focused on the other person’s words and points. People rarely
mind when you say, “Hmm. Let me think about that for a second.”
Quite the opposite, since it shows that you’re taking the
conversation seriously. If you compose your answers while
someone else is speaking, you’re really only having half a
conversation. Read Just Listen .
3. Multi-tasking while you chat.
Even if you are a professional multi-tasker, if you’re talking
to someone, talk to them, and that’s it. Don’t browse online,
don’t watch TV, don’t update your to-do list, and please, don’t
eat while you’re on the phone. Whether they say so or not, it
really annoys the person you’re talking to. If you really don’t
have the time to talk, be honest and find another time, or cut
it short.
4. Not paying attention to the people you care about most.
Pretending to listen while your mind wanders to your work day,
etc. Do you really think your loved ones can’t tell? They can.
And even more importantly, they need you to listen sincerely
and thoughtfully. There is no greater gift of love and no
greater expression of caring that you can offer the special
people in your life, than your undivided time and attention.
You need to remember that ‘love’ is listening, and everyone
wants to be heard. Read The 5 Love Languages .
5. Constantly fishing for compliments.
“Oh, I look terrible today.” – after someone compliments you.
“I just threw it together at the last minute.” – when you
obviously dressed up. “I’m really not good at things like
this.” – when the people you’re with know you are. Please.
Stop. It’s not flattering. Read Changing Behavior .
6. De-emphasizing compliments with self-effacing remarks.
It’s okay to say “thank you” when you’re complimented. By
making a self-effacing comment, you nearly force the other
person to repeat their compliment, which is not a gracious thing
to do. Acknowledging a compliment isn’t snobby – like you’re
admitting that you think you’re just grand – it’s a simple
courtesy. Besides, you earned it. Saying “thank you” not only
makes the other person feel good, it’s a healthy reminder that
you’re responsible for some really good things in your life.
7. Cutting people off mid-sentence.
The only time this is okay is when you’re in an intense
brainstorming session. Or you’ve got an urgent situation to
attend to. Or you haven’t seen your best friend in months.
Okay, so this habit is kind of elastic, but you get the gist.
Most of the time, interrupting just means that you’re missing
the best parts of the conversation. Plus, you’re showing your
chat partner that you value your own thoughts over theirs.
8. An unsupportive attitude.
The greatest compliment you can give to someone is to believe in
them and let them know you care. When you see something true,
good and beautiful in someone, don’t hesitate to express your
appreciation. When you see something that is not true, good and
beautiful in someone, don’t neglect to give them your
wholehearted blessings and best wishes.
9. Trying to please everyone.
This one is about keeping your sanity. No matter how loud their
opinions are, others cannot choose who you are. The question
should not be, “Why don’t they like me when I’m being me?” it
should be, “Why am I wasting all my time and energy worrying
what they think of me?” If you are not hurting anyone with your
actions, keep moving forward with your life. Be happy. Be
yourself. If others don’t like it, let them be. Life isn’t
about pleasing everybody. (Marc and I discuss this in more
detail in the Relationships chapter of 1,000 Little Things
Happy, Successful People Do Differently.)
Afterthoughts and Questions
Obviously we all slip up sometimes, so don’t berate yourself
when you do. On occasion, I too have been guilty of every
single one of these negative social habits.
So with that said, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Any bad
habits you’d like to add to the list? Any exceptions that
matter? Please continue the conversation by leaving a comment
below.
#Post#: 21586--------------------------------------------------
Re: Life's Lessons
DIR By: Mac
Date: August 1, 2013, 4:24 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[glow=red,2,300]How to Quit Your Job Like Sherwood Anderson: The
Best Resignation Letter Ever Written[/glow]
“He is a nice fellow. We will let him down easy but let’s can
him.”
Like a number of celebrated creators — including Dr. Seuss, F.
Scott Fitzgerald, and Wendy MacNaughton — Sherwood Anderson
started out in advertising to make ends meet, first as an
advertising solicitor, then as an ad salesman and copywriter for
farming equipment, and eventually as a copywriter in
Chicago-based advertising agency Taylor Critchfield Co. until he
became a successful novelist at the age of 41. Though he was man
of timeless, profound insight on the creative life and the
originator of some of history’s finest fatherly advice, he was
also a man of masterful humor and remarkable wit. In 1918, when
the time came to free himself from the shackles of the corporate
world and plunge wholeheartedly into his craft, Anderson wrote
what’s possibly the best letter of resignation ever penned.
Dear Barton:
You have a man in your employ that I have thought for a long
time should be fired. I refer to Sherwood Anderson. He is a
fellow of a good deal of ability, but for a long time I have
been convinced that his heart is not in his work.
There is no question but that this man Anderson has in some
ways been an ornament to our organization. His hair, for one
thing, being long and messy gives an artistic carelessness to
his personal appearance that somewhat impresses such men as
Frank Lloyd Wright and Mr. Curtiniez of Kalamazoo when they come
into the office.
But Anderson is not really productive. As I have said his
heart is not in his work. I think he should be fired and if you
will not do the job I should like permission to fire him myself.
I therefore suggest that Anderson be asked to sever his
connections with the company on [the first of next week]. He is
a nice fellow. We will let him down easy but let’s can him.
Respectfully submitted,
Sherwood Anderson
#Post#: 22013--------------------------------------------------
Re: Life's Lessons
DIR By: Mac
Date: August 15, 2013, 12:32 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[glow=red,2,300]45 Things I Know at 45 (That I Didn’t Know at
25)[/glow]
45 things I wish I’d known a lot sooner. And as your birthday
gift to me, all I ask is that you consider putting some of them
to good use.
1. It’s not all about you.
2. Life is a boomerang. What you put out there eventually comes
back to you.
3. You’re only as bad-ass as you allow yourself to be. Stop
waiting for permission.
4. Living someone else’s dream will surely kill your chance of
living yours. Don’t do it.
5. Dimming your light to make others feel more comfortable
doesn’t serve you. Or them.
6. Don’t worry so much about what other people think about you.
They’re usually thinking about themselves, anyway.
7. Feelings are temporary and always changing. Wait 24 hours
before you make the call or hit “send.”
8. Fast friendships are usually fleeting. Lifelong friendships
take years to build.
9. People and relationships are in our lives for a reason.
Either a lesson or a blessing.
10. Another person will never complete you. Only you can do
that.
11. Boyfriends and husbands are lovely. Close girlfriends are
gold.
12. Chocolate makes everything better.
13. Minimize or eliminate time with people who drain you.
Instead, spend time with those who love, support and care for
you.
14. You must use your voice, speak up and speak out. No one will
do it for you.
15. You’ll never change a narcissist or a hater, so direct your
energy elsewhere.
16. People do things for their reasons, not yours. Don’t take it
personally. (Thanks, Dad.)
17. Stop comparing yourself to others. It’s more than ok to be
an original. In fact, it’s preferable.
18. No amount of designer handbags or shoes is going to make you
happy in the long run.
19. The same goes for chocolate chip cookies.
20. Get over yourself. The next time you find yourself having a
pity party, ask, “how can I be of service to someone in need?”
21. Use the good china.
22. Never trust anyone who is unkind to animals. Or rude to the
waiter.
23. Good skin is one part genetics and two parts preventative
care, so wear sunscreen. Daily.
24. If diets worked, we wouldn’t have an obesity epidemic. Focus
on your health and you’ll never have to worry about your weight.
25. Get some physical exercise every day. See #24.
26. Your mind and body are the same: what you put in is what
comes out.
27. Nobody really loves you for the size of your waistline.
28. Worrying about something that might happen is wasted energy.
29. Black and white is an illusion. Life is gray.
30. Forgiveness is hard work, but it’s the only path to peace.
31. Go within. Your spiritual muscles need exercise as much as
your physical ones do.
32. You can’t completely eliminate fear, but you can learn to
manage it.
33. 95% of the time, fear is a sign post for growth.
34. The joy of mastery resides on the other side of fear.
35. It hurts more NOT to do it.
36. Money likes to be paid attention to. If you’re not paying
attention, it will wreak havoc in your life.
37. A family isn’t just something you’re born into, it’s
something you create.
38. Don’t just take their word for it. Question authority, do
your research and know your rights.
39. Don’t believe everything you think.
40. Small minds focus on problems. Big thinkers focus on
solutions.
41. Doing epic shit is hard work.
42. It’s easy to be mediocre. Extraordinary takes balls.
43. 98% of people are on the path of least resistance. Forging
your own path is revolutionary.
44. You don’t know until you know.
45. Love is the answer.
#Post#: 22709--------------------------------------------------
Re: Life's Lessons
DIR By: Chiprocks1
Date: September 14, 2013, 9:49 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Dad Wears Short Shorts to Teach Daughter a Lesson
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2i2yVbz5EY
If you are willing to take the brunt of the snickering just to
make a point, this is a great way to get it across without
having to publicly shame another person to do it.
#Post#: 22713--------------------------------------------------
Re: Life's Lessons
DIR By: Mac
Date: September 14, 2013, 5:46 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Awesome, Dad
#Post#: 24107--------------------------------------------------
Re: Life's Lessons
DIR By: Chiprocks1
Date: November 28, 2013, 12:06 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Woman writes love letters that change lives
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L5T85l78og
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