tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39586220979728348652024-03-19T04:32:03.813-05:00Other People's WisdomA place to gain a bit of insight from the words and thoughts of others...Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-45872238553351095292020-05-25T13:18:00.001-05:002020-05-25T13:18:28.181-05:00Possibilities versus Limitations<div><i><blockquote>"Some men see things as they are and ask why. I dream of things that never were, and ask why not." --Robert Kennedy</blockquote></i></div><div>Do you see the world as a field of limitless possibilities or one of limitations and barriers? This question came to mind recently. <div><br /></div><div>I made a decision to go down the path of becoming an independent consultant and starting my own LLC (Limited Liability Company). I had hesitated to do this because of many of the unknowns, uncertainties and potential instabilities associated with owning and running a small business. But an opportunity to do some contract work came along and I felt the push to grab the work in this time of COVID. I took the leap of faith and went through the process of filing paperwork, opening bank accounts, etc. One factor was the reality that we already have the Revivify Arts business and have done the leap of faith before. Now we are untethered from the employment cycle, which itself brings risk, uncertainty and fear. And for many that can be scary.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I pondered this direction--and now that I have made the decision--I am now once again seeing the world as one of possibilities. The decision to go independent is a test not only to see if I can make this succeed, but also to see if I have the fortitude and open-mindedness to make it work. I have taken the safe road too often in my life. That road has too often led to difficulties with bosses, companies, and philosophies of limitation. Too often butting heads with "that is the way things have always been done" mind-sets. Too often fighting traditions that no one recalls why they did it in the first place. Thanks to my wife I have realized that is not me. I am a futurist and optimist. I am an explorer and discoverer and seeker of knowledge and understanding. And perhaps for too long I have not let that part of me shine through.</div><div><br /></div><div>Through my beautiful and unique partner, I have come to see that life is both a journey of discovery and an adventure or exploration. Our Revivify Arts motto last year was "Go Big or Go Home". This year we have adopted "Huzzah!!". Both speak to the endless space and possibilities in front of us. Has the journey been easy? Not at all. But that is part of what made the adventure fun and interesting. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>I am beginning to think, feel and believe we are all called upon to be bold and shout huzzah to the world. Is that a place of comfort and ease? Certainly not. Will this "road less traveled..." be a proverbial "walk in the park..."? No it will not. Will it bring excitement and some fear, stress, and worry? It will. Is that a bad thing? Well that is yet to be seen. The only way to know is to travel the path and be as best prepared as I can for what might lie ahead...</div>Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-39145455551762640932020-05-04T10:30:00.002-05:002020-05-04T10:30:38.262-05:00Leap of Faith<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I took a leap of faith. I was approached to take on some contract work for a couple of months. It comes with a potential for full-time work or other contract work following this project. Given the current situation ("shelter-in-place") and the uncertainties that come with that, I decided to take the work. There is no guarantee for post-project work. But at the moment getting back to work, being the bread winner again and ensuring some stability in this crazy time is important to me.<br />
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I have not done this kind of "self-employed" or "contractor" work for over twenty years. The times and the rules around it have both changed. In some ways it feels safer. I have created a "limited liability company (LLC)" to handle to income and other items. This option was not available twenty years ago. There were not even these basic types of options or protections for "independent contractors". Back then it was a way for a company to use and abuse you without having to hire you or give you benefits. And for us it led to a number of tax issues. I was young and naive when it came to finances. I still am naive in many ways about taxes and finances. It is a subject for which I have no interest. But I do know today things are better for "contractors". We will still have to deal with our own taxes (quarterly per the government). But with modern software it is much easier, even if it is still painful.<br />
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The other side of the coin is that this new path is somewhat scary and fearful. I have been an "employee" for so long I am neither fully comfortable nor accustomed yet to working for myself. Fortunately my brave and supportive wife is my co-pilot, navigator, snack queen and music director on this crazy adventure we call life. She is always there in these times and I am eternally grateful for her. I know this is scary and fearful for her as well, but she tries not to show that for my sake.<br />
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Will this turn out to be the path to the future? Doing contract work and being my "own man"? Perhaps. I do not know, but my hope is that this will be successful and lead to great things. I am trying to listen and be confident that this is the path the Lord has laid out for us. </div>
Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-15412507466777848322020-04-21T10:20:00.000-05:002020-04-22T11:14:08.357-05:00Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes...Turn and face the strange...Ch-ch-changes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes</i></div>
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<i>Turn and face the strange</i></div>
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<i>Ch-ch-changes</i></div>
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-David Bowie (1971)</div>
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Thus goes the opening lines of the chorus of David Bowie's "Changes" (1971). I feel a small connection to Bowie due to the fact that we share a birthday. But more importantly, I feel connected to Bowie and this song because of its subject matter--change. One thing about Bowie was he was masterful at re-inventing himself (changing). At this moment in the world, acceptance of and embracing change is not only important, it is literally a survival technique.</div>
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What do we know about change and humans? Well we know that change is the only constant in the universe. We also know that people do not "fear" change (mostly a myth). What people fear is the unknown and the surprise factor that often comes with change. People are apprehensive and uncomfortable with change, which is different than fearing it. I have always said I believe people are like water and electricity--we seek the path of "least resistance". People like positions of "comfort" and "familiarity" and seek those out above the unknown or unfamiliar. Change often times presents paths of "more resistance"--less known, less familiar and less "comfortable".</div>
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Currently this path of "more resistance" (aka change) is smacking most of the human population square in the face. What we had all known as "normal" or "status quo" or "everyday" life is no longer the case. And when we emerge from this "quarantine", we will face a changed reality. The past will go and a new and changed reality will face us. </div>
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What will this new reality look like? No one really knows (again the unknown factor that causes so much stress). Being both a historian and futurist by nature, I look at the broad sweep of things (this is called the Annales School of Historical Thought). Imagine standing on a hill overlooking a river. I watch where the river has been and where it is going. The river we now ride will take some unexpected turns, just as it has recently taken over a major set of rapids and waterfalls. The river we knew is in the past. We can only look forward and "turn to face the strange changes" as Bowie so elegantly states. </div>
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I see people wanting to go "back to the way things were... ." The truth is that is not going to happen. We cannot turn back the river, nor time. We cannot undo the current situation. We can only analyze, understand and learn from it. That is why I love history. Our past informs our future. Try not to dwell on the past and what we have "lost". Think of this period as one of "metamorphosis"--we are caterpillars turning into butterflies. A more beautiful and freeing life potentially awaits if we let it. </div>
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We will still have choices. We can embrace the changes presented to us ala Bowie or we can fight the changes and cause ourselves more angst and grief and stress. Personally I am trying to embrace change and see the positives and the "new" it can bring. Am I afraid? Not fearful, but certainly apprehensive as is expected and normal for people. I cannot say exactly what the "new future" holds. But my apprehension and desire to know the exact future will not hold me back from "turning to face the strange changes."</div>
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Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-82374553417196064172020-04-13T11:16:00.000-05:002020-04-21T10:30:00.083-05:00In the service of others...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /><br />Part of why I decided to bring this blog back to life was based on a request from my wife. She saw that I was getting discouraged and down at times while I conducted my current job search. She wanted me to see the good in things and the positives. She is wonderful at serving and encouraging others. <br /><br /> Over the weekend we made a quick trip down to our son's house. (Yes, I know the whole stay-at-home thing and social distancing). Following a storm a week ago a large part of the tree in their front yard had fallen down. It was one of the trunks of a multi-trunk maple. People who know me, know I am addicted to collecting wood for my woodworking. So we went down to collect a truck load. (Unfortunately there was no way for me to take the whole tree!)<br /><br /> While there we spent a few minutes (at safe social distances) conversing with my son and daughter-in-law. And it was here that I realized how great it is to have people who are willing to serve others. My wife had expressed that she is feeling like she has no place to "serve" at the moment (church, a local Bible Foundation, others). And while we spoke our daughter-in-law stated the same sorrow. Her passion is rescue dogs and the shelters that love and care for them. They have two Husky mixes that serve as our "grand-puppies" both of whom came from the shelter where our daughter-in-law volunteered then worked. But now, like my wife, those places are closed to serving and volunteers. <br /><br /> So part of my gratitude is for those who are serving. Whether it be those folks battling the virus (doctors, nurses, healthcare workers), keeping society going (grocery, restaurant, postal workers, and all the rest) and even our daughter who is a Funeral Director in Wisconsin (often forgotten about in the list of "necessary" people). <br /><br /> But my gratitude is also for those who regularly serve (when society is not in the midst of chaos). Those folks who take time out of their lives to give back. Not because there is money or fame or reward, but because it needs to be done. And they love it. It fills their hearts and souls to serve others. It gives them a greater sense of purpose and belonging.<br /><br /> I have experienced the importance of serving others in my own life by watching and learning from my wife. She has one of the biggest "servant hearts" around. She taught me how important and fulfilling it is to serve others. She taught me "service" does not come with strings or conditions. It is an act we do to please the higher powers we believe in and to bring joy and happiness to others. It is one of the selfless ways all humans should act. And we need that more than ever at the moment. <br /><br />So to my wife, my daughter-in-law and all others that serve and give of themselves I am eternally grateful.</div>
Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-66326541245001671072020-04-09T11:54:00.000-05:002020-04-21T10:30:25.946-05:00Renaissance Man<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Finding a new job is hard. In a time of change, uncertainty, fear and even panic job hunting is very hard. I certainly had to adjust my expectations around the job hunt. No one is knocking down my door to hire me (how is that even not a possibility? LOL). I have had contacts and reach outs for which I am very grateful and appreciative. And I have been applying for jobs through online sources at the rate of about one per 2-3 days. But the reality at this moment is that companies are not just hiring. I understand given the current situation. I have worked to keep my hopes and outlook positive that decent employment is out there for me. My wife has helped tremendously, but even she is feeling the stress and enormity of the current world.<br /><br /> I had several interviews, some of which went well and others just okay. A hopeful opportunity did not progress because the interviewer and I did not "click". It felt like he was looking for someone to guess the answers in his head. He would ask a question, I would answer and then he would tell me the answer he was looking to hear. Pretty much a "no win" situation. I have the chops to do about anything I try. I am a Renaissance Man. But I am not good at mind-reading (no one is). That part of job hunting is the frustrating part. You have maybe 30 minutes to prove to a complete stranger how "perfect" you are for some deeply embedded ideal they have of the person they seek.<br /><br /> Back to the Renaissance Man thing. I have always thought of myself as a polymorph. I am "comb shaped" (very good at a lot of things--like fingers on a comb). Someone once said "Mike knows things... ." It is strange how things work. Before all the chaos of COVID-19, my wife took me to museum to see a travelling Leonardo da Vinci exhibit. He is one of my idols and historic favorites (along with Mr Einstein). He personifies the definition of "Renaissance Man". The way he thought and saw things. The way he explored and questioned and then learned. Da Vinci was never satisfied with what he already knew. He wanted more. I see myself in that same mode. And now we are binging on the "The Tudors" about Henry VIII and his wives (set at the beginning of the English Renaissance).<br /><br /> So when it comes to finding a new job, I find myself challenged and not a bit frustrated. Why do people not give me a chance? I can do the posted jobs if someone were to just take the small risk. I know some people see it as a big risk hiring an unknown or someone who does not fit their preconceived notions perfectly. But I see also (and have personally experienced) that people do not see it as a big risk to unload or terminate someone for whatever reasons. <br /><br /> The world is "upside down" right now (see my previous post), so I need to hope and believe that someone will take the risk and bring me on once things have steadied. I need to continue to be grateful and count my blessings for the things I have. Faith is important, especially at the moment. We all need faith, even a "polymorph" like me. </div>
Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-34766071820174612042020-04-02T16:27:00.000-05:002020-04-21T10:32:09.875-05:00"The World Turned Upside Down"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, it has been a long time since I posted on this blog. But it is time to start up again.<br /><br /> It is now April of 2020. The world is in the midst of what is arguably the most impactful situation in decades if not centuries. COVID-19 (aka Coronavirus) has come to roost. But I do not want to make this about the virus. Rather I want (and really need) to express what is going on in my head, my heart and my soul because of COVID-19 and other recent events.<br /><br /> I have been without a job since Valentine's Day 2020. It resulted from some conflict between myself and my former manager. He did not like others questioning or challenging him. Regardless, it is what it is. I have been on the hunt for several weeks. There have been good days (for which I am thankful) and tough days. Today was kind of a tough day. I had an interview the other day that went okay, but not a home run. Found out at lunchtime that it is a no go. I knew that would be the outcome (my head) but it still hit me hard (my heart and soul). I fell into kind of a funk. <br /><br />Fortunately I have with me my best friend and love of my life--my wife. She gave me hugs and said "It will be okay." She is my biggest fan and personal cheerleader. She believes in me like no one else. She sees in me what others do not. She is my rock. She is me and I am her. I am eternally grateful to the Lord for having her in my life. <br /><br /> It is hard to have a sense of being the "provider" and not being able to complete that role. I am worried and anxious and even scared. When I lost my job I thought, "I will have a new job in no time." Well 'no-time' has turned into six weeks and counting. I have some contacts and even some interviews (again grateful for those). I am keeping busy (woodworking, an online class, re-learning role playing games, etc). But my situation still weighs heavy at times. Like today. <br /><br /> The job hunt is made even harder by the ever changing situation in the world. The "normal" that pervaded for so long has gone topsy-turvey. Quarantine, businesses closed, huge unemployment, sickness, death are all quick becoming the new "norm". I am reminded of a point in the musical "Hamilton" (being the history nerd that I am). The singers mention an old British drinking song--"The World Turned Upside Down"--sung by British soldiers at the end of the Battle of Yorktown (1781). The opening stanza:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Listen to me and you shall hear, news hath not been this thousand year:</i></div>
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<i>Since Herod, Caesar, and many more, you never heard the like before.</i></div>
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<i>Holy-dayes are despis'd, new fashions are devis'd.</i></div>
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<i>Old Christmas is kickt out of Town.</i></div>
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<i>Yet let's be content, and the times lament, you see the world turn'd upside down.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq4-iTIUk4-twUQBNs6YWC3-GY4h7kQv8uDm-uuZzLm_P7f5sFv6hn35BzdhkvQpRF0BtoOMJKLIfs1O_cnPuDuCE4M2SVSS6wlH-HSiZLbyNh7YapF0NM0dbG1t-ee5G4VSDhysP8W4/s1600/Yorktown+047.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq4-iTIUk4-twUQBNs6YWC3-GY4h7kQv8uDm-uuZzLm_P7f5sFv6hn35BzdhkvQpRF0BtoOMJKLIfs1O_cnPuDuCE4M2SVSS6wlH-HSiZLbyNh7YapF0NM0dbG1t-ee5G4VSDhysP8W4/s320/Yorktown+047.JPG" /></a></div>
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British Soldiers Surrendering at Yorktown</h3>
Like the subtle suggestion in the song, the day turned out okay in the end despite the changing world. We went for a walk and got some fresh air. We have been open and honest with each other and talking about the current situation. I am sure a lot conversations these days are about recent events. <br /><br />My wife and I spoke while having coffee this am. What will the future hold? I am not sure but I know the past will not be the future for "you see the world turn'd upside down." </div>
Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-63225194742330523822011-05-18T11:30:00.000-05:002011-05-18T11:30:35.378-05:00Who are you?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Have you ever thought about who you are? I mean really, really thought deeply about who you are? Well I have. One thing I realize is that my character is a collection of beliefs, assumptions, norms, actions, ways, means, habits, foibles, follies, fantasies, frustrations, morals, ethics, behaviors and any number of other hangups, hopes, dreams, and desires. I am a husband, father, son, brother, historian, philosopher, thinker, believer, friend, helper, judge, entertainer, worker, creator, questioner and myriads of other hats that I wear (real or imagined). <br />
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However, I also realize that these things are me not because of only me but because of others as well. Who I am (and who you are) is a product of how others have shaped, molded, driven, guided and pushed me. It is also how I reacted or accepted or rejected the influence of others. But a huge part of who I am exists because of people in my life, those I encounter, and even those to whom I read or watch or listen. It is why this on again, off again online journal (and the several others I keep offline) is devoted to and about the wisdom, knowledge, information and data of others. We not learn from others, but we are what others have made us.<br />
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A thought that has nagged at me lately is how stuck in the past we all can become and how we can all live our lives based on outdated and outmoded assumptions. This sounds odd from someone who LOVES all things history. What I mean is that I continue to encounter people who not only enjoy the past, but they live in it. They will not see the past for what it should be: lessons for the present and future. I encounter this a lot in my work and among business people. Those who continue to believe that we must continue to see the world and operate as if it were 1776. <br />
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So have you ever questioned yourself? Why you think and act and believe the way that you do? Is it because of you or because you have learned from someone else? Do accept everything everyone tells you because they tell it to you? Or do you think about, mull it over, ponder it? Does it fit both with who you are and who you want to be? <br />
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I find myself caught in a trap at times. I want to BE something, but I only play at it. I strive not just to play at a role, but to BE that role. It is hard and I make mistakes (as we all do). As a result I think we all need to try to follow a simple process more faithfully:<br />
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THINK--BE--DO<br />
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It bothers me that there is still so much desire for wealth, power and control in the world. So much fear, anger, hatred and injustice. Yes, I am only one person. But if I make an effort to change the world, and so does everyone else individually, then the total becomes greater than the sum of the parts. If we want a better world for us and future generations, then we must make it better and not just hope or assume that the "thinking that got us into this mess is the same thinking that will get us out of it"--Albert Einstein.</div>Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-56769884904776080292010-11-05T09:42:00.000-05:002010-11-05T09:42:57.511-05:00Having it All vs. Quality of LifeBonjour!<br />
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Having recently returned from a business trip to Montreal in the province of Quebec, Canada I began to experience and realize again some things that I had known since I lived in Europe during Middle School and High School.<br />
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I began to recognize again that there is a vast difference between focusing on Having it All and focusing on Quality of Life. I was not gone long. Just about four days total. But it does not take a long time to recognize that sometimes other people have it right.<br />
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Upon arrival back in the US it had hit me like a brick. People in this country seem to be mostly about "Having it All" while those in other places seem more about "Quality of Life". Let me take you on a bit of my journey of discovery. Be patient, I will make a point eventually. Anyway I need a bit of catharsis.<br />
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The journey began with an extremely early morning flight. I was very tired as I traveled out of the country for the first time in about ten years. (I had gone to Montreal for a conference in 2004). Flights were on time and the rides were smooth, but I could not seem to get rested. I was anxious and excited. I love seeing other places and traveling. (This is part of why I love what I do). It was generally a cold and dreary morning though.<br />
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I arrived at Trudeau Airport in Montreal, having watched as we flew in over the island in the St Laurence Seaway. There was snow on the rooftops. Not helping my mood. I made y way to customs and that is where my experience that this trip would be different really began. I gave my passport and customs form to the gal. She then proceeded to give me the third degree about needing a work permit for my training. I panicked slightly. Did I need a work permit? Could I not enter Canada? Would I end up like Tom Hanks in that movie where he has to live in an airport, stuck between countries? I was tired and that did not help. I had given the young lady the honest answer--I was there to do training. I was not there to steal jobs or cause a conflict between the US and Canada over economics. My client is an American company that just happens to have an office in Montreal that needs ITIL training.<br />
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I convinced her I did not need a work permit (even though she did not seem thoroughly convinced). I went and exchanged some money (and got less than I anticipated due to fees and the weak US dollar). I was now in French speaking Canada. I got a taxi and went to my hotel downtown. On the way out of the airport I saw a sign for "Avenue Cardinal". Now that was encouraging. My mood brightened slightly.<br />
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Now the Hotel St Paul is a nice hotel--if you like a hotel that was designed by Ikea and played the eighties post-modern jazz fusion group Engima incessantly. This kind of hotel is not my thing. It is trendy, and chic and hip and fashionable--and made for Europeans and twenty-somethings-of which I am neither. I checked in, got my room key and head behind the curtains where the elevators were located. Up to floor seven. The doors opened and stepped into a dimly lit hallway with stark walls and no markings that I could see (I later saw on the wall near the floor). I looked around. The doors to the rooms each had a dim red light over the entrance for ambiance and mood (my mood was tired and irritated so this was not helping). An employee helped me find my room. I entered and put the key in the box to activate the lights (again a fancy European thing). My room looked as if it had fallen out of a Paris art gallery. Everything was white and black and chrome and glass. I felt very out of sorts. I was once again tired, hungry and just feeling very discombobulated. <br />
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One of my goals in arriving early was to explore the Old City of Montreal. The Cardinal family originates form the city (we were actually some of the earliest settlers) Our name derives from the French version "Cardinault". So I pulled out my map and headed out. I first went to find my client's location since I would have to walk there each day (no rental car). It was cold and windy and a few snow flakes were falling. I found the client's locale and headed towards the history museum. <br />
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As I walked my mood headed downwards. The city was basically a ghost town. Few people or vehicles moved. The side streets are old and the buildings close together. I was feeling a bit claustrophobic, which does not effect me most of the time. Not much was open. I was not sure about going into any of the open bistros or shops, because my French is very limited. I was worn down and hungry. It was all feeling so foreign to me.<br />
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I had lived in Europe for about 4 years with my Dad, stepmother and sisters when I was a teen. I was a savvy American traveler. But that was over 25 years ago. Right now I was just very out of sorts. I went through the museum (which was quite nice, but did not have enough early history, which is what I sought). I then returned to the hotel. I went into the restaurant and the people seemed to not see me. I finally inquired about dinner and was told it would not be served until 6pm. It was only 3pm. Too tired and cold to go back outside, so I went and took a nap. I came back down at 6pm and was the only one there for dinner. Not unusual since Europeans and trendy people eat dinner late. But I was hungry. I ate a fancy meal of veal medallions. This put me even more out of sorts. I needed comfort food right now, not foo-foo food. But my world was closing in so I went back to my room. <br />
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I called Denise. Later she told me she could tell I was out of sorts. I was lonely and tired and not satisfied and even a bit scared and panicky. These are definitely NOT usual for me. <br />
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Let's skip ahead. I progressed through the week and became more and more comfortable. I began to use my limited french. I found some recommended eateries and walk through the very old city with more ease and comfort. I was beginning to fit in and settle down. Memories of living in London all those years ago came back. I was once again in my element. <br />
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I began to notice the relaxed nature of the people and the town. The politeness of the Canadians and the unhurried existence they lived. I would tell my learners to take ten minutes for a break and they would come back after 15 or 20. This was Montreal-time. No hurry, no worries, just "Quality of Life". <br />
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Through my conversations with people in class, watching Quebec-ized version of Cash Cab ("Taxi en Payant") and Deal or No Deal ("Le Bankeur"), looking at signs and newspapers and menus, I began to sense a very different attitude and pace of life. Somehow even though they had transformed American shows to French and had American things and commercialism, it did not seem to fit. It was the wrong speed for a place that is older than anywhere in the US (the French settled New France-Canada- before the British created the Colonies). Those things were fake. They were "stuff", not "quality".<br />
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I watched the American election results with dismay (yes, I really am an unapologetic Democrat). But what I really began to notice was the ferocity and killer nature of American politics and life in general. This really hit me on my way back home. I got to the airport and then had my hands swabbed by security, my bag swabbed, my bag completely searched and a small pair of scissors seized. I had carried these in the US for three years and made it to Canada with them. But they could not come back. I again got the third degree through customs (which is SO different than it was 25+ years ago). America has walled itself off from some very valuable insights to be gained from other people and places.<br />
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When I arrived in Detroit my first impression was the frenetic and frantic pace of everything and everyone. I went Wendy's for some food. The clerks were shouting and moving like ants during a rain storm. Scurry, move, quick, don't stop, go go go, and on and on. My head spun. I was glad to be going back home. But I also now longed for the slower pace and ease that I had adjusted to in Montreal. Sitting eating my burger and salad it came to me.<br />
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America is all about "Having it All" and "Having it Now". Having lived for a better portion of my life with a women who has taught me the value of focusing on comfort and quality, I was quite disappointed in my native land and brethren in citizenship. What do we gain by focusing on things and time? Nothing but stress and anxiety and worry. I had brought those things with me to Montreal, but had jettisoned them. <br />
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Even though I knew I could never be truly comfortable in the trendy, chic, fancy hotel I was in, somehow Montreal felt more like the kind of home my soul wants and needs. A place of endless time, long history and a view into the far future. Not a place of "gimme, gimme, gimme" or "mine, mine, mine". <br />
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So what is your focus? "Having it ALL, NOW" or "Quality of Life"? I think every American needs to spend time outside the US to appreciate what we lose by being in such a race to have "freedoms". Do these freedoms really bring a better quality of life, or just more stuff? We can be free without having to lose our selves in the process. <br />
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I think we can learn huge lessons from our polite, civilized neighbors to the north or overseas. Take a moment in our own lives to examine the pace at which we proceed. Stop to smell the proverbial roses. It will be a lonely, scary and challenging journey at first (as I saw in Montreal). But in the end it will do you a world of good.Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-80426714857487947922010-10-07T11:39:00.001-05:002010-10-07T11:40:47.081-05:00MotivationI watched this great video about motivation this morning. I have included the link to the blog post where it is located.<br />
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<a href="http://gotboondoggle.blogspot.com/2010/06/surprizing-truth-about-what-motivates.html">http://gotboondoggle.blogspot.com/2010/06/surprizing-truth-about-what-motivates.html</a><br />
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I have been preaching these ideas for years. It is good to see that it is backed up by hard scientific fact and so I do not have to rely only on intuition and gut-feeling (not that those are inherently bad things).<br />
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I have been following Daniel Pink (the video is his work) on Twitter, but did not really investigate his work until now. Look like I will need to get hold of some of his writings. I am always looking for interesting, enlightening, out-of-the box thinkers.<br />
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Basically the gist of his video (you really should take the ten minutes to watch. It has a great visual element) is that what we have traditionally thought motivates people is not true. Money and rewards only motivate people when it comes to basic, straightforward mechanical tasks (where thinking is not desired or involved in creating an outcome). So if you are just producing widgets in a mind-numbing, never ending, do-not-question cycle, then rewards (mostly monetary) will help. However, if <em>any</em> thinking is involved, then rewards do NOT motivate. In fact MIT has shown that the higher level of cognitive function or thinking involved in a task, that rewards result in poorer performance and may actually be detrimental to the results.<br />
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So what truly motivates people when we need to perform cognitive or thinking tasks? Dan Pink points out three things:<br />
<ul><li>Autonomy: The desire to be self-directed</li>
<li>Mastery: The desire to get better at something</li>
<li>Purpose: The desire to have a meaningful impact</li>
</ul>In class I pose a set of similar thought provoking questions to learners:<br />
<ul><li>Why do you exist? (Tied to cognitive motivations)</li>
<li>What do you do? (Tied to mechanical motivations)</li>
</ul>Most people explain their job (what they do) rather than focusing on why they exist. Dan Pink points out that when a company disconnects or unmoors the purpose motive from a profit motive then bad things begin to happen. So we need to focus people back on why they (or their organizations) exist. What is their purpose?<br />
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I completely agree with this. People have said I am anti-capitalist. That is not true. I am anti-greed. If people focused on their purpose and fulfilled the needs of other people, then profit will result. Since money has been shown scientifically NOT to be a motivator, than why are people still so driven by it? <br />
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I postulate that people are afraid to take a hard look at themselves and truly understand their needs. People do not like what they see when they look inside their own minds and souls. They are afraid they will see imperfection and abnormality. But what is perfection? What is normal? When we stop looking outside ourselves for validation of what is right, perfect and normal then we can accept that we are all normal, perfect and right in our own individual ways, just as our Creator intended. <br />
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Perhaps one day the world will put aside money as a scorecard and start seeing people as the scorecard--their happiness, needs, desires, wishes, friendship, relationships and love as the true measures of a life worth living.Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-69072767937760874462010-09-08T08:25:00.001-05:002010-09-08T08:47:22.058-05:00People are not broken; Do not try to fix themIt was 4 am. I was wide awake this morning. My wife had just come to bed. She has a much different sleeping routine than I, due to years working late nights. Soon she was sound asleep. But I was wide awake. Why? Because of some events and conversations I have recently had that were just eating away at my psyche and core being. These conversations had led me to keep mulling over in my mind a piece of wisdom that I have promoted during training and among friends for several years now:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>"People are not broken; do not try to fix them"</strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This idea comes from the works of Marcus Buckingham. He wrote a number of insightful books including my favorite called <em>First Break All The Rules</em>. The works talk about how we have traditionally focused on people's skills (learned capabilities) rather than their inherent talents (innate capabilities). Because we focus on skills we miss the boat as it were. When someone fails to accomplish something we want them to accomplish we assume they are broken and try to fix them (which Buckingham reinforces through research is just not true). What both Buckingham and others (including W. Edwards Deming--the father of quality management) show is that it is the system that is broken not the person. If a person fails at a task it is because the task has not been identified correctly or a person's talents do not align to the task or most often the process for doing the task is poorly designed. So it is not people who are broken, rather the system of managing, leading and governing people that is broken. We need to fix the system, not the people. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I have been feeling this pressure put on me lately, especially at work. A lot of it comes down to trust. Do you trust those around you? Those you work with? Those you work for? Those who work for you? I had a boss in a previous life who kept telling me "Trust but verify". If you need to verify do you really, truly <em>trust</em>? Or do you play at trusting and do not believe that people are capable of extraordinary things? I try to trust those I encounter until they show me they cannot be trusted. Does this come with risk? Yes, but life is one BIG risk. If you live in fear and paranoia all the time you are not living a full and complete life. You are hampering yourself from growth, learning, experience and self-actualization (as Abraham Maslow called it in his famous Hierarchy of Needs).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The great people of history have things in common. One of them is that they recognized that avoiding risk would get them nowhere. Another element is trust. They trusted people, events and higher powers to see them through to their desired ends. Third they lived out the belief that "people are not broken; we do not need to fix them. The situation or condition is broken; We need to fix that instead."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope my own situation will resolve itself to a good end. I trust that it will.</div><br />
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</div>Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-88144774769204372382010-09-06T12:16:00.000-05:002010-09-06T12:16:58.397-05:00Profit alone is a stupid goal<a href="http://www.goalscape.com/blog/profit-alone-stupid-goal?sms_ss=blogger">Profit alone is a stupid goal</a><br /><br />An interesting article that reflects some of my own thinking of late.Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-87152761068619501512010-09-05T10:25:00.000-05:002010-09-05T10:40:39.001-05:00Philosophy of HelpIt has been about a year since I posted to this online journal. It was not really intended to be a perfectly ongoing thing. Only a way to capture thoughts and share them with others when appropriate. Life has been busy (which is both good and bad) so some things do not get done, even when we want to do them.<br /><br />I have been capturing thoughts in my written journal as we attend church and at others times. I have even encountered Other People's Wisdom many times. But getting to write about it has not always been my priority or other's priorities for me or I have just not had the energy or a number of other excuses. But it has weighed on my mind. So now that I am writing this perhaps I will write more.<br /><br />I have encountered a number of times over the last year that my true communal and somewhat socialist leanings (some may have even thought anti-greed) have come to light. I have always known I have these leanings, but others have begun to recognize them in me. I am not by any means ashamed or guilty or worried about wanting to achieve the best for every one through equality.<br /><br />So given that I had on my heart to express how I see the world. I will call it the philosophy of help. It pretty much sums up how I see things in life and what motivates and drives me.<br /><br />So here it is:<br /><br /><ul><li>Those who can, need to help those who cannot</li><li>Those who may, need to help those who may not</li><li>Those who might, need to help those who might not</li><li>Those who shall, need to help those who shall not</li><li>Those who should, need to help those who should not</li><li>Those who will, need to help those who will not</li><li>Those who have, need to help those who have not</li><li>Those who are equal, need to help those who equal not</li><li>Those who know, need to help those who know not</li><li>Those that believe, need to help those who believe not</li></ul><p>Well that is it. My way of life. If you have others please feel free to add to the list. I am sure I already try to practice it, no matter how porrly or insufficiently.</p>Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-33130181526832530582009-09-17T10:35:00.000-05:002009-09-17T11:09:11.874-05:00Carpe DiemIt has been a long and crazy summer. Renovations ongoing at our house, almost non stop travel and training, including a 25th anniversary vacation trip for Denise and I to Boston, a garden that has underpeformed due to weather, and even more.<br /><br />I have not written anything for a while. Not that I have not wanted to but my procrastination and schedule has kept me from just sitting down and doing this. I generally do my best writing when something is bothering me or heavy on my mind. My whirlwind summer has not allowed for anything to stay long enough in my grey matter to give me impetus to blog. I have kept up on Twitter and Facebook, since these are short snippit writings.<br /><br />Now I have some time at home and some sad events have given me motivation to write. I recently found out that an former school classmate passed away from cancer. This was the latest in a recent series of deaths of people I either knew or were close to people I knew. These include the horribly tragic death of fellow teacher Joe McCauley at the hands of his son. Such a tragedy. A friend's mother, my boss's neighbor who was killed by a car in Florida while crossing the street, and several others I found out about.<br /><br />Those who know me would tell you I am not an emotional person. In fact my daughter tagged me in Facebook picture as "serious". How true! I am not emotional as others are. My emotions tend towards deep thinking and heavy contemplation. I did weep heavily at the loss of my own mother, but it took nearly two years to bubble to the surface. I have not cried or torn my hair or any other displays of emotion over the recent losses. But I have thought deeply about them.<br /><br />When I go through my own form of grieving it brings to mind a number of deep philosophical questions and challenges. Right now my own mind and heart is wrestling with "What does the future hold for me?" This is where the title of this entry comes from.<br /><br />CARPE DIEM-Latin for "Seize the day". It comes from a poem by the Latin poet Horace. He tried to express the philosophy of the Greek philosopher Epicurus--"Eat, Drink and be Merry for Tomorrow we Die".<br /><br />Our lives are finite. Death is the great equalizer. We only have so long on this earth. We better make the best of it. Carpe Diem-Seize the Day. Drain every ounce of life out of today because you do not know when it will be over. You know, Dead Poet's Society and all that!<br /><br />Ironic that we recently attended a church where the series was "One Month To Live". What would you do if you only had one month to live? Think about it. Would you Carpe Diem? Would you live life to the fullest?<br /><br />I cannot say I have been great at it, but I have certainly turned my efforts around to live life to the fullest. I try my best to focus on my family and my God and my friends. I try not to focus on my stuff or my tangibles, rather on my intangibles. I hope that all of us do this more and more as we get older.<br /><br />Did not mean for this to be a downer. These things have been on my mind and the events of the summer have made them more prevalent. So make time for those you love and even for those you hate. Your life will be more complete as a result.Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-88611894932098371062009-06-19T10:03:00.000-05:002009-06-19T11:15:19.667-05:00"Don't appreciate the things I do, appreciate me for the person I am"This quote from our friend Darcie struck a real chord with me this week. You may have recognized that we have been struggling with our place in the Church that we helped to launch just over two years ago. So, I made the decision earlier in the week that it is time that our family leaves Lifepointe Church. No need to worry about us, we will go on to seek other pastures (not necessarily 'greener').<br /><br />The issues that caused me to make this decision have been building for a while. You might say that Lifepointe Church is in its terrible twos and experiencing growing pains. It finally came to a head for me on Sunday at a "leadership" meeting. Many of the people who have volunteered and given more time and money and energy to see Lifepointe succeed felt that they were equal partners in the effort. It was made clear to us that is not the case. I was angered by the implication that I existed at Lifepointe only to serve the Pastor. (Apparently the three people who made this implication thought I went "postal" over this point. Angry yes, postal no!)<br /><br />As my wife and I spoke with others about the decision to leave (some of whom had already left out of frustration and disappointment), Darcie spoke about how she experienced something similar before. A Pastor at another Church had approached her and stated that he appreciated what she did for the Church. Darcie told the Pastor that she "did not want him to appreciate the things she did, she wanted him to appreciate her...". Thus the title of this entry. Too often as volunteers and followers we are seen as "employees" and not "partners" or "community members". This was particularly evident this week for me.<br /><br />I think that this has been a common thread throughout our time at Lifepointe. Many, including me, felt that going to Church on Sunday was a 'job'. I really have not gotten anything new or challenging or enlightening out of the sermons in two years. I accepted Christ because I had a "God shaped hole in my life" (as Pastor Roger Pryor of Heartland Community Church puts it). I needed and still need the bigger picture understanding of my existence. Will Christianity provide all of that for me? No, but it will for many. I am a much more complicated and deep person that needs to meld his solutions for life from many sources.<br /><br />I think there is often a vast disconnect and misunderstanding between people as to what each of us needs or wants out of life. The easy path is to assume (and you know what happens when you do that--ass-u-me) that we all want or need the same things. I think marketers and businesses make this mistake all the time. They assume we are some mass of consumers who will eat up whatever they shove down our throats simply because they provided it to us. They are guilty of another piece of wisdom--"Tell me want you want and I will tell you what you need". This is what I felt like at Lifepointe Church. That I was being force fed concepts and ideas that were making me (and others) gag and choke.<br /><br />The reality for me is that I do not like to be force fed. I am an intelligent person who thinks deeply and critically about things before accepting them. It is why it took me so long to go back to church in the first place. I began to see Church as a place to start getting answers to questions I had about how to make things better or my family. As I attended I also got answers to questions I had about how to put my own soul and personality at peace.<br /><br />But the answers did not all come from the Bible or the sermons. As much or more came from the people I encountered (especially in the Men's group and the Couple's group to which we belonged). These were people who "appreciated me for the person I am", not just for the fact that I volunteered and served in the Church. Or because I had memorized chapter and verse from scripture. We met and made friends with lots of people at Lifepointe that also filled that role. They appreciated me for the person I am and as a friend. But in the end as a person who served and volunteered I did not I feel that same level of appreciation and commraderie.<br /><br />I think we all need to look beyond what each of us can do, what we can contribute, what we can give or donate. We need to look at each other as "people" who have wants and needs and desires and dreams that we want to fulfill. And each of those things are going to be unique to each of us no matter how much someone thinks that one way of doing things will fulfill all needs and desires.<br /><br />I wish those who are staying at Lifepointe the best of luck in their endeavor. I will go on as I always have and the time spent at Lifepointe will be a part of my being and character. However, for now my soul is wrent and hurting and only time will heal this wound.Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-14979887762698284602009-06-14T08:02:00.001-05:002009-06-14T08:11:35.365-05:00“Leaders are people who do the right thing; managers are people who do things right.”This is a good quote. And it got me thinking about the role of leadership versus the role of management. I had a bit of an epiphany when I equated in my mind these things:<br /><br /><ul><li>Leadership=accountability=ownership=the throat to choke</li><li>Management=responsibility=doing=get 'er done</li></ul><p>I like to tell people that they call them "managers" because they just manage to get by...Leaders should the first out of the trench and the last on back into to the next trench. They MUST lead by example. Their followers have elevated them to the status of leaders exactly because they seek an example to follow. You cannot appoint someone to be a leader:</p><p>"The person at the head of the room is not always the leader; it is the<br />person that everyone turns to when they begin to speak..."--Charles <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Schwab</span></p><p>If I am going to follow someone I want them to be a leader. I am smart enough and experienced enough and can think on my feet enough to manage myself. But sometimes I just want an example (a mentor) to follow. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Someone</span> who can take me to new heights and new challenges. I know the skills to climb the mountain. But I do not always know the best route to follow. That is where a leader comes in. </p><p>Managers can take you to the top of the mountain; leaders will get you safely back down the other side...</p>Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-50378557271585694762009-05-20T11:36:00.000-05:002009-05-20T12:08:29.563-05:00Love your neighbor as you love yourselfRecently I have been reading a book called "Disciple" by Juan Carlos Ortiz (thanks to my friend Matt <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Stambaugh</span> for the loan). I have not finished it but felt compelled to at least throw some thoughts out on the blog since I have not written in a while.<br /><br /><br />One of the main points is about the Biblical statement: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself". This particularly hit me since Dee and I are struggling with our current spiritual situation. This quote seems <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">innocuous</span> enough. Love other people as you love yourself. But what does that really mean? As I read the book more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">light bulbs</span> lit and epiphanies happened. Some of what Ortiz talks about in the book is that the core of Christianity (and all religions for that matter) is "love". When we treat each other with respect and put others before ourselves than we can achieve happiness.<br /><br /><br />For some that might mean eternal life in heaven, for others Nirvana and oneness with the universe, for others inner peace and joy, for others the conquering of inner and outer demons, trials and tribulations. For me, having studied and taught many philosophies and religions these points all come from the same place. It's not about us. It's about something bigger than us. Call that God, Allah, Brahman, Grand Unified <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Theory</span> or any of the other million names of the power of the universe; it does not really matter in the end. What matters is that we stop looking at ourselves and start seeing the world around us. It is a beautiful place even with the ugliness, evil, darkness, etc. I explain to my students that you cannot have good without the presence of evil, beauty without ugliness, light without darkness. The opposite of good is not 'evil', it is 'not good'. The opposite of 'light' is not 'dark' it is 'not light'. Light and dark are '<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">complementary</span>' not opposite. They are two parts of a greater whole ("love" or "balance").<br /><br /><br />The Chinese have explained these things through the concept of Yin and Yang. These two form a dichotomy; two halves of a greater whole. They serve as balance to each other. Sometimes Yin (female, cold, dark) is greater than Yang ( male, hot, light). Sometimes the other way. But one cannot exist without the other and they form a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">continuous</span> example of balance. So while reading the Ortiz book I made the connection again that 'love' as described in the Bible, 'submission' in Islam, the Middle Path in Buddhism, Yin-Yang in Taoism all represent a goal we should all seek--balance.<br /><br /><br />Unfortunately I do not always see people seeking to exhibit 'love' or 'balance'. Too often I see people in the extremes. Too hot; too cold; too light; too dark; too me; too you...Not enough "us" as a whole. This is where I am at in my spiritual and philosophical journey. I am being pulled back to the center point of balance. I see people around me wanting to make things about them and not about the greater balance of the universe and life.<br /><br /><br />I told my wife last night as the celebration of our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary came to a close that of all people I see her as one of the greatest examples of balance I know. For my companion of all these years it is not about her...it is about everyone else. She is a true servant.<br /><br /><br />That is another point in the "Disciple" book. If we are to achieve "love" or "balance" as I always think of it, we must stop living in the extreme of our own desires and wants and give freely to others so that we can maintain the proper balance of the universe.<br /><br /><br />One fact about the great philosophers and spiritual leaders of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">history</span> is that they were all "Servants" to a greater whole. Can we truly emulate them and be "servants" as well?Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-7895393814416899782009-04-17T10:01:00.001-05:002009-04-17T10:11:41.165-05:00Chief Services Officer SM (CSO)I have been using this term for quite a long time (at least 5 years or more). I thought I should probably put it down in writing officially so that I have some claim to it in the future. I have found 1 company on the internet that uses this term but not sure of others. Just in case...also I am not sure if you can Trademark, Service Mark or Copyright a job title, but what the heck..<br /><br />I came up with this term in relationship to the work I do. Many organizations have CIOs, CFOs, COOs, CEOs, etc. But I have never seen someone called a Chief Service Officer. Yet in this day and age when many companies are shifting to being service providers, wouldn't it make sense to have someone in charge of providing, managing and guiding those services? I thought so! So here it for all posterity!Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-59426145449100054282009-03-06T11:23:00.000-06:002009-03-06T11:37:00.986-06:00If you don't run your own life, somebody else will.I found this quote from a man named John Atkinson in my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">RSS</span> feeds. I thought it was appropriate given the current state of the renovations going on with our home. Some of you who may read this know we are getting extensive renovations done on our home. At least that is the plan. So far very little overall work has actually gotten completed. Excuses and unfilled promises by our contractor have left us stressed and wondering if the work will get done by the deadline (May 10). After meeting with the FHA inspector yesterday, I decided I had enough of being run and controlled by the contractor. I was letting the contractor convince me that the work would get done. He has been running my life. Well it is time to take my life back.<br /><br />I don't generally like to play hardball with people. I like when people affirm me as a person, and I like to affirm them back. But sometimes you have got to put a stake in the ground and take control. The title of this entry says it all. You have got to take control (even if that is tough and results in being a bit mean to other people). In our current situation the stress is getting too much.<br /><br />One thing I do not understand is how people feel they can get away with such a terrible work ethic. My kids know I do not "promise" things. In the last 25 years I have said that to my children and wife and everyone else less than a dozen times. When I make a promise it means I am 100% committed to fulfilling that promise. A contract to do work is a promise. You MUST come through. You cannot jack people around when you make such <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">commitments</span>. It is not just a legal thing, it is an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ethical</span> and moral thing. It is just not the right way to act or behave. Because I am not perfect, I do not feel I can make such <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">commitments</span> lightly. Things happen; life gets in the way. We all know that. But a contract or a promise is an agreement to put life aside while you fulfill your promise.<br /><br />I really do hope this all works out with our contractor. He is a young guy trying to build a business. Unfortunately for him, this is no way to go about achieving success. I cannot recommend him to others when he has failed to even come close to our expectations. Ans that is what it is all about. Setting expectations, meeting them and managing everything that goes on around meeting those expectations and obligations.<br /><br />But if you let others run your life, you will never be able to have those expectations met. Nor will you be able to look others in the face with honesty and integrity and be the person they expect you to be.Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-27468033968494728022009-02-10T17:11:00.000-06:002009-02-10T17:39:07.138-06:00Christ was not a Christian; Buddha was not a Buddhist and Confucius was not a ConfucianRecently we have been going through some team storming while helping to launch a young church. The church spun off from our home church and has been "under construction" for the last two years. As with any team, the period of forming is beyond us and we are well into the "storming" phase. This will eventually pass and we will move into "norming" and "performing". In the meantime though there has arisen issues around accountability, communications, commitment, inclusiveness and falling into the status quo approach to church.<br /><br />The more I thought about these things, the more the statement "Christ was not a Christian, Buddha was not a Buddhist and Confucius was not a Confucian" becomes important. I heard this while watching an unnamed program about religion on our local PBS station (one of my favorite stations). The show had some very insighful comments from religious leaders (including the Dalai Lama, priests, ministers, Muslim clerics, and others). This one stuck with me so I wrote it down. I wondered how I might use it for good. With the events I mentioned above weighing on my mind, and adding pages on Evernote (<a href="http://www.evernote.com/">www.evernote.com</a>) I once again came across this wisdom from other people.<br /><br />Why is this statement important? Well, I believe it helps keep things in perspective. Even in faith we must remember that it was not Jesus, Buddha or Confucius who founded the respective religions associated with their names. It was others. These individuals simply taught what they each believed were important and life-changing lessons. It was those that came afterward that took those lessons and elevated those individuals to higher positions within a hierarchy or organized faith or philosophy. It was later generations that either correctly interpreted the wisdom or royally screwed it up. Too often people in today's world want to associate the world's screw-ups and human foibles to these wise men and not accept accountability or responsibility for themselves.<br /><br />When faced with issues of faith and trust, it is important to keep perspective. It is flawed humans who make choices and decisions. Choices are in our hands--even choosing not to choose is still choosing (maybe a future blog post on that one?). In our current situation with our church I have this underlying sense that some people want me to believe that choices are not in my hands. I guess that is not really my conception of how the Creator/God works. The movie "Evin Almighty" had a great line about this. Does God give us success or the opportunity to succeed? Does the Creator give us forgiveness or the opportunity to forgive? I truly believe the latter is true. Whether you call the grand force of the unoverse God, Creator, Allah, or whatever, I truly believe we must make the choice to do something with what has been presented to us. We must make the most of things in life. Issues will not fix themselves. Ignoring them won't make them go away.<br /><br />The issues our team of church leaders is facing were created by us. We are accountable and responsible for recognizing that and taking steps to either live with the crap we have served ourselves or doing something different and getting better. (Here is where Einstein's definition of insanity comes in--doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results). I hope those involved in the issues with our church and anyone who happens to read this journal can work towards understanding that you must fix the issues you created in yourself before you can fix the issues in others.Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-17151272886249272852009-01-06T15:32:00.000-06:002009-01-06T16:05:41.873-06:00Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.While watching the movie <em></em>Ghost Town<em></em> with my family, I saw this quote on a poster in the office of the main character. It is from Albert Einstein (one of my personal idols) and speaks to thoughts I have had of late. Given that we have just passed through the (Judeo-Christian) holiday season, it comes to mind the importance of living your life not for yourself, but for others.<br /><br />With the world in a financial mess pretty much due to personal and corporate greed and unwavering belief that capitalism is the answer to everything, I have to stop and take a moment to shake my head. I do this, as my wife says, as a sign of contempt. We found out that rolling one's eyes is a sign of contempt, and the more a couple rolls their eyes at each other, the liklier they are to divorce. So Denise says I do not roll my eyes, rather shake my head in the same sort of gesture. In this case I am showing my contempt for those who got the world into the mess we are in by focusing on themselves, rather than others. <br /><br />As is the focus of this blog, it is a case of not listening to the wisdom of people like Einstein. He in turn was simply restating the age old wisdom of spiritual leaders like Jesus and the Buddha. It might not be patently clear, but humans do not exist for themselves. We have survived and triumphed in the world because we have learned to put aside our own needs and focus on the needs of others before our own. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (the French Enlightenment philosopher) called this the social contract. Pretty simple--giving up your indivdual rights for the greater good. That is what it is all about.<br /><br />As I told my wife, I hope no one ever tries to accuse us of not giving of our time, talent and/or treasure. We are in fact probably over generous. It may not be in the way, shape, form or time that people want, but it is in the spirit of what Einstein stated. To me that is the most important thing. That you live with a focus outward towards others, rather than inward towards oneself.<br /><br />If you get a chance check out <em></em>Ghost Town<em></em>. It is a cute movie with a good message, and has some good laughs to boot.Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-31051870963585651362008-12-12T16:50:00.001-06:002008-12-12T17:24:30.045-06:00To Thine Own Self Be True (Part 1)The words of William Shakespeare ring true through the ages:<br /><br /><div align="center"><em>This above all: to thine own self be true, </em></div><div align="center"><em>And it must follow, as the night the day,</em></div><div align="center"><em>Thou canst not then be false to any man.</em></div><div align="center"><em>--Hamlet</em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="justify"><p>Those who know me know that I am extremely confident (to the point of arrogance or so people tell me). I have told people in the past that 95% of the time what I predict might happen comes to be in some form or another. Maybe not literally, but generally or figuratively. How can I be this self-assured (or maybe arrogant)? It is because of what Bill Shakespeare said above: "To thine own self be true." If you can be true to yourself, no one else can tell you anything you do not already know. For example, I am a big person. I way about 300 lbs. If someone calls me "fat" or "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">stocky</span>" or any other term, I am not offended. This is because I am true to myself and know I am a large person, that I weigh too much and that it is not good for my health. Because I practice the words of Shakespeare, I am pretty much not offended by or sensitive about anything. Any words or jokes or statements someone tells to me cannot hurt me, because I am my own worst critic. My confidence comes from that fact.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><p>Now, this has often gotten me into trouble in the past. Because I come across as confident (or arrogant) to some I threaten them or offend them in some way. It is not because what I did or said was really offensive or insensitive. It is because they have not been true to themselves. I had a boss who kept saying: "You cannot call a person's baby ugly". What he meant was that you should not criticize other people's work because they might get offended. But why? I realized it was because they were not true to themselves. It is not being dishonest if it is true. If the baby is ugly, the parents should be the first to accept that fact. Then they can go about life in truth, rather than living in some ideal, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Utopian</span>, world of denial. If a person's work is less than stellar or incorrect they should be the first to recognize that. Then they can make the correct efforts to improve their work. If they continue to feel their baby is beautiful or their work is superb, they are generally settings things up for disaster--a lifetime of ridicule or failure to move ahead in the world.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><p>Being ugly or poor at your job is not a crime. It is a fact or reality. Facts are neither good nor bad. They just are. When you are true to yourself and accept the facts about you, then the only person who can offend or truly criticize you is you. The "offensive" or "insensitive" words hold no meaning anymore. They are empty. And because the words are empty they cannot fill you with anger or destructive forces. Truth and confidence in yourself is a shield no one can break. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><p>Let's say you have a major project for work or school. You are putting in a lot of effort to do the work. You turn it in. Your supervisor or teacher looks it over and informs you it is not what they wanted or not good enough or poorly done. Many people take offense at that and then begin to get angry or hate or resent their "idiot" boss or their "stupid" teacher. If the person were to accept that they had not met the goal or "cut the mustard", and that they needed to go back and do better next time, things would work out a lot better for everyone. Overtime they might even realize that they need to do it right the first time, every time. When you are confident that you will only do your best and that you are right, there is no need to worry about whether you have done what is expected.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><p>Take some time and google the following concept: <em>COMPLETED STAFF WORK</em>. I think it will help to further cement what Bill Shakespeare so eloquently put into Hamlet.</div><div align="justify"></div>Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3958622097972834865.post-40964086053439911802008-12-12T09:40:00.000-06:002008-12-12T09:45:57.602-06:00Welcome to Other People's WisdomWelcome to Other People's Wisdom!<br /><br />This is a sometimes rant, sometimes rave about the importance of looking for lessons in how smart and wise people have seen the world and the wisdom they have provided over the ages and how we can use that wisdom today. By focusing on other people's wisdom, I am not claiming to be wise myself, only to show the world that some very smart and wise people people have left us a treasure trove of data, information, knowledge and wisdom. That way we do not have to re-invent the wheel. This blog is my way of de-stressing about things in the world that aggravate me. By writing them down I have a tendancy not to say them out loud and thus piss off sensitive people as I have done repeatedly in the past. It also helps me capture the voices in my head for all time.<br /><br />Whomever may end up reading this, I hope you enjoy.Michael Cardinalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16191200983286704407noreply@blogger.com0