Awesome photo in Fort Lauderdale today with rapper, Jefe Dinero and model, Sweetkayy
Great meeting these cool folks in hot Florida!
We're rocking the day away. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Dossy Blumenthal)
Showing posts with label Human Relations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Human Relations. Show all posts
February 15, 2021
Hanging Out with Jefe Dinero and Sweetkayy
Awesome photo in Fort Lauderdale today with rapper, Jefe Dinero and model, Sweetkayy
February 11, 2021
Hmm, Different Is Necessary
One of these is that it's okay for us to be different; in fact, it's necessary!
We each have our own personality, experiences, and journey in life.
What works or is right for me in my life, may not work for you or be right in yours, and vice versa.
Celebrate the differences, because we are all here to learn and grow.
Let us each follow his/her own path as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else.
Now that makes a lot more sense then everyone do it my way! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 4, 2021
Children (and Fruit) of G-d
Interesting quote I heard on diversity:
It might be apples and oranges, but it's all fruit!
The way towards mutual respect, teamwork, brotherhood, and peace:
- Recognize that our similarities are much greater than our differences.
And ultimately, we are all children (and fruit) of G-d. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 9, 2020
The Sound of Silence
November 22, 2020
There's Someone For Everyone
I'm sitting resting on Shabbat, minding my own business, and reading the Favorite Tales of Sholom Aleichem, but then my wife tells me a story circulating in the news that seemed like it could even be one better. At least my exaggerated version of it did as a tall tale in the making.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 22, 2020
Swingers Swinging!
August 28, 2020
Better Than Hand Sanitizer LOL
Just use this bottle of Social Belonging!
Better than dish detergent or hand sanitizer.
Good for attaining love, friends, societal and other belonging needs.
22 fluid ounces!
That's enough to get you through the Coronavirus quarantine's loneliness and then some. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 25, 2020
Happy Days
This smiley face in the yard in front of the house was a perfect real estate addition.
As my father used to sing so beautifully:
When you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you!
It really is a beautiful and positively contagious thing! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 21, 2019
OFNR Communications Model
This is a useful 4-part communications process (developed by Dr. Marshall Rosenberg):
1. Observations: Tell the other person the behavior you observe from them that is making you uncomfortable.
When I Observe...
2. Feelings: Explain how the person's behavior makes you feel (happy, sad, angry, annoyed, excited, worried, scared, hurt, embarrassed, confused)
I feel...
3. Needs: Describe what you need from the other person (physiological, safety, social, esteem, self-actualization)
Because I need...
4. Requests: Ask them specifically what you'd like them to do.
Would you be willing to...It's a way to make your feelings and needs known and ask nicely what you'd like from others.
This provides a mechanism to give feedback and work with other people without being confrontational, threatening, dictatorial, or nasty.
When I see you reading my blog, I feel happy, because I need to try to be a good person and good influence in this world. Would you be willing to share my blog with others? ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal and Colleague from Work)
May 1, 2019
Contributors and Whiners
Have you ever noticed the relationship between those that contribute and those that whine.
The bad news is there is a highly inverse relationship between contributing and whining.
- Those that contribute, don't whine--they are focused on how to make things better!
- Those that whine, don't contribute--they complain and naysay, but add no real value.
The good news is that some solid contributors can more than counterbalance the whiners.
- Unfortunately, too often the whiners outnumber the contributors.
- But fortunately the contributors outweigh the whiners.
Despite your best efforts, you may not be able to make the whiners stop whining and throwing up roadblocks.
You're often best-off spending your time working with the other contributors who want to see things through to success.
Be a leader, not a babysitter and help the contributors win! ;-)
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal adapted from here with attribution to mediamodifier)
April 3, 2019
Relax, It's Just Sex
It says:
Relex It's Just SexForget that Relax is spelled wrong.
But advertising for sexual items in such a casual way...like it's sex and what's the big deal.
Maybe I am old school, where sex actually meant a deep personal relationship and emotional intimacy.
...Where you partner was also your spouse and best friend.
Now--unfortunately--it's just sex!
I think as a society that we have lost something here.
...Something important.
If it's just sex, and it's just with anyone, then what does that leave for us with that someone truly special in our lives? ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 28, 2019
Who Is The Most Dangerous?
I'm in the middle of Season 2, and it is a brilliant and mesmerizing show that depicts the battle between the CEO of a Wall Street Hedge Fund and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of NY.
Ands it is a true battle of wits, might, and it gets ugly in every way.
(I won't spoil the show...)
But there is one line from the show that came out in the heat of an exchange between the two at the end of Season One that I wanted to share:
The only thing more dangerous than a person with unlimited resources is a person who has nothing to lose.
When you think about it, there is tremendous wisdom and truth in this, and a poignant lesson to be learned for every person, organization, and even nation of great power.
No matter how much money, people, and assets you may have to fight...
...if the other guy has nothing to lose and is willing to go do the unthinkable then we have a very big problem indeed.
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
From those desperate and willing to act as suicide bombers to those that would actually push the button on a nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological attack, there is no winning even if you are the last one left standing.
The other guy who feels he has already lost is willing to take you with him by any and all means.
Therefore, we cannot and should not ever think that the battle against evil is won, because even when the opponent appears in all respects to be defeated that may be when they become even more dangerous to us than ever. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 27, 2019
Having Those Difficult Conversations
These are the conversations you need to have about performance, accountability, expectations, bad news, conflict, and so on.
Often these are the conversations we tend to avoid, because we don't know how to have them without making things worse where things get emotionally charged, people become defensive, things gets misinterpreted, and they get escalated.
And it's even more difficult when there is a discrepancy in power between the people having the dialogue.
But it is important to have the critical conversations in order to solve the underlying problems!
Often problems are rooted in that we judge others too quickly and erroneously, or we just don't have all the facts.
The data points we do have get filtered, interpreted, assumptions are made, conclusions are drawn, beliefs are adopted, and actions are taken that may be wrong (reference: The Ladder of Inference by Chris Argyris).
The key to having a productive conversation is to explain the issue and the impact, acknowledge your part in the problem, describe the desired outcome for the relationship and the work, and most importantly, give space for the other person to respond.
We need to get the other person's point of view, including the data points that we may have missed or misunderstood, generate options, and agree how to solve the issue.
Unfortunately, there are times when the other person digs in and isn't open to working on or resolving the problem, in which case you may need to decide whether to grin and bear it (i.e. live with it) or leave the relationship, because it has become too unproductive and toxic.
The instructor said it well: This is about problem-solving. But life is too short to deal with jerks! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 5, 2019
Why We Chase Love
Chasing another heart, so that we can pair together makes two less lonely hearts.
Two hearts that beat as one making beautiful music together.
When the hearts are in harmony, we sway and are uplifted flying away into the heavens.
And when the music is discordant, we are forced to retune and to grow wings that we never even knew we had.
Hearts that complement each other, help us face the questions we often fear to ask ourselves.
When these hearts meet, they touch so gently, and like silk they dance a perfect dance.
What is meaningless alone is all of a sudden meaningful with another.
What is too painful to bear by oneself is manageable when shared between two.
And what is joyful is magnified in sweetness when there is someone else to enjoy it with.
One heart chases another until they embrace that long blissful embrace. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 13, 2019
Colleagues That Care
When things got a little tough in the office, I came in the next day to 6 smiley faces lined up on my desk.
This is something that I really appreciate from some people:
Their HUMANITY.
Even though my colleague faced the same tough day, she was thoughtful of others and the impact on them (not herself).
There are some amazing people out there, and I thank G-d for putting them in my orbit. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 4, 2019
Them Tables Always Turn
It is an ancient Mongolian proverb and was in the movie, "Mogul" about the rise of Genghis Khan:
Do not scorn a weak cub; he may become a brutal tiger.I think this is the Asian equivalent of:
1) Don't burn your bridges.
2 Don't start a war you can't win.
3) Pick on someone your own size.
4) What goes around comes around.The Asian version is better! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 30, 2018
Alternatives Are More Valuable Than Criticism
It's easy to criticize, but tough to come up with real solutions.
Criticizing someone else, does not usually provoke a good response.
UNLESS, you can provide a bona fide better alternative in a loving way.
It's important to solve problems and not just create new ones.
Criticizing without an alternative just causes anxiety and frustration in the other person.
But when you says something isn't right and why, and provide a better alternative, now the other person can see concretely what you are talking about, and they know they have options and that you are trying to help.
No one wants to be told they are no good or their choices are no good.
But people don't mind and perhaps may even embrace being told that there is even something better for them out there.
Don't criticize, instead give alternatives that are good for the other person.
That's real love without being a jerk. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 16, 2018
My First Interfaith Event
The first lady that I spoke to said that she wasn't any one religion.
When I asked more about this, she said:
The core to all religions is Rachamim (mercy, compassion) and Ahavah (love).
Pictured above are the table seating cards that directed people to sit next to people of other religions: Jewish, Muslim, Other.
The event was led by the One America Movement, and the Director, Andrew Hanauer spoke very well about bridging what divides us.
Here are some of the take-a-ways:
- We need to address the divisiveness, polarization, and conflict.
- Remember that we are talking with other human beings and not with labels.
- Polarization is not just issues, but devolves into identity--"I hate your stupid face!"
- But we are all human beings (and children of G-d).
- Republicans and Democrats each say that the other is 20% less human than they are.
- We all have our own "facts": My facts vs. Your Facts.
- We attribute good that happens to us as being because of "us," but bad that happens to us because of "them."
- Similarly, we believe that we act out of love, but they act out of hate--and:
- We interpret threats to our viewpoints (political and otherwise), as threats to our groups and to ourselves.
- Try to remove binary thinking (right and wrong, left and right, etc.), critique your own point of view, and share doubts
- Reconciliation: If we can cross the divide, have open dialogue, and positive interactions with each others, and develop cross-cutting identities then we will make it easier to counter divisive narratives, solve problems, and reduce violence.
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
November 15, 2018
Listen, Empathize, Give A Little
He said something I liked:
Listen, empathize, and give a little.
Yes, we each have our beliefs and positions on things.
But we don't live in a vacuum.
Other people have their own views, sensitivities, and wants.
We have to get along so we can work together, and get things done.
It starts by listening--not just hearing, but really listening to what the other person is saying.
But that's not really enough.
To really understand the other person, we have to try to empathize with what they are feeling--we need to try to walk in their shoes even if just for a moment.
But that also isn't enough.
We can't have it all our way--we need to give a little to get a little.
No one can have everything and have a good relationship like that.
We need to compromise--as long as it's not on things of integrity, conviction, or G-d.
Everything else we have to listen, empathize, and give a little. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 18, 2018
Never Say Anything
Woman: "Never say never and never say always."
Man: "Well then what should I say?"
Woman: "Just keep your mouth shut!"
Yeah, that's one for the books.
Anyway, thinking about this a little more--there is an exception to every rule.
Never say never is itself violating this rule of thumb.
Hence one conclusion perhaps is that many rules are so stupid to begin with! :-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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