Hearing Words and Learining Anew

“Did you learn something this morning?”

Bonita Hutchison

Hearing Words and Learning Anew

Bonita asked me if I learned something last Thursday morning.  I said no, but then stopped and said, “I need to think about it for a while.”  This is the perfect example of how I’m just beginning to learn from, and be always amazed, at the difference between hearing something new and learning something.  I used to think they’re the same; but they’re not!  Since I discovered the difference between the two, I've learned to take some time to think about what other people say before simply giving a flat "no" when asked if I learned something.  So rather than giving Bonita a flat “no” I spent time over the past few days rehearsing the presented words through my thoughts and as a result, have discovered at least two important things as a direct result of the seminar we attended.

First, the thing I love about being involved with Special Olympics is that it provides me with an active role to fulfill one of my core personal values and desires.  It allows me an avenue to stand up and be an advocate voice for others that don't have the ability to be a strong voice for themselves.  Helping other people gives my life significance.  Volunteering with nonprofit organizations such as Special Olympics Utah allows me to work with like minded people on behalf of others who may need some protection from predators and a hand up to become their best selves.  Aren't we all in a race to become the best people we can become before our time on life's stage comes to a quick end?

Second, I have known for some time that having fun is an important aspect of life.  But, I have the type of personality that drives me to work hard constantly.  It's almost an unquenchable thirst to work until I drop.  Too bad for me and others like me!  The presenter on this particular morning offered me the chance to live a better, more fulfilling life by demonstrating that at least as much, if not more, can be accomplished by breaking the shackles of being a drone-like-work –statue, to drink deeply from the fountain of friendship by having fun while enhancing relationships.  This is a trait I am thinking about more and more as I age and ponder what has meaning in my life.  Because of her words, I’m now motivated to spend more time internally so as to seek the fun person I know is hiding in there.  I'm excited to give the world a chance to meet that person soon.

No, I didn’t hear anything new during this terrific seminar, but I'm glad I went so I could once again discover that hearing old words can be an important catalyst to learn new things.   I may have allowed this opportunity to pass me by if my friend Bonita hadn’t prompted me with one of the best questions ever asked me; “Did you learn anything new this morning?”  I'm real glad to have her as a friend and wanted you to know how much I admire her.  Thanks so much for being part of my life and for making a difference in it!  Let’s all go out and make a difference in the lives of others today.

Lost in Thought

“Don’t always believe what you think!”

Bumper Sticker

Lost in Thought

I’m driving in the car and my daughter wants to play the guessing game.  We play this game while driving quite often.  The game is a focused on the identification of a selected mammal, bird, insect, reptile or even a microbe from time to time.  It’s my turn to think of a guessing target.

I clutch the steering wheel and look at the road ahead.  I’m thinking.  I’m still thinking.

She’s waiting.

She finally says, “Are you still thinking?’

I respond, “Yes.  I’m still thinking.”

The thing about this game is that sometimes the most simple selection is the most difficult one to guess.  And, sometimes the most simple selection is the simplest one to guess.  It all just depends on the thought process going on within the person who is guessing!

I’m still thinking;  I remember a bumper sticker I saw the week before. 

“Don’t always believe what you think!”

I know its good advice.  I spend lots of time imagining the worst case of everything that can happen.  I plan for responses to lots of things that never, ever happen.  I have spent my entire life thinking about the imaginary.  I’ve even made myself sick by worrying about the fictitious before.  Maybe that’s the way I’m built.  Perhaps you can relate to this.  Have you ever lost yourself to imaginary fears?

Don’t get me wrong.  Imagination is a wonderful thing.  It can be used to accomplish many great and productive things.  However, Imagination is only a tool.  

I’ve learned that tools can be used to build and tear down.  In either case, they’re very powerful and allow you to be much more productive than you otherwise would be.  But, it’s also important to use any tool correctly; or else you won’t be as productive, or worse, you could be injured or even killed.  The improper use of one’s imagination has one more possible side-effect.

Letting imagined fears rule one’s life can hamper living life itself.  And, that is tantamount to a fettered existence.  A life in chains is not the “good life.”  I want you to live the best life you can possibly live or imagine so here are the steps I’ve been taking to foster a freer mind.

Don’t wait.  If you find yourself thinking that the worst is going to happen relieve your mind by following through as soon as possible.  Doing so lets you deal with the truth rather than your imagined “truth.”

File the true experience away.  Doing so allows you to recognize that you shouldn’t always believe what you think.  A little evidence will go a long way to convincing an unruly mind.

Imagine the best case.  Walt Disney called this process “imagineering.”  He’s a great example of a person who learned to use his imagination as a productive tool.  You and I can do the same!

“Are you ready yet?” my daughter asks.

“Yes.” I respond.