She created this meme based on what I said.
I couldn't be happier.
And my dear dad would be proud! ;-)
Showing posts with label Influence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Influence. Show all posts
March 6, 2023
February 25, 2023
Make Your Life a Sanctuary for G-d
If you lived your life for G-d, for good, and for a greater purpose, then your inner spiritual legacy will live on beyond your years and even your name. If you build a sanctuary for G-d, it will have holiness and permanence not only in this world but, more importantly, in the next.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 3, 2020
Earning Respect!
From the saying of Dwight Johnson, "The Rock":
Blood, sweat, and respect. First two you give. Last one you earn.
Yes, we respect all people in a humanistic way, but real respect is earned based on what a person does!
Blood and sweat means you're putting out, and trying your best to achieve something.
Make sure your efforts are going to something worthwhile.
Helping people!
Doing your responsibilities!
Being a good influence!
Honoring the Master of the Universe!
That's how you earn R-e-s-p-e-c-t. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 3, 2020
We Impact Each Other's Souls
And I rarely write twice on a book or movie, but this was so impactful.
First on our souls, Sharansky writes:
The law of attraction, interconnection, and interdependence of human souls...there is a universal gravitational pull of souls, of the bond between them and influence of one soul on the other.
Wow, Sharansky understood the deeper meaning of the soul and how they all emanate and are pieces from G-d and they are all connected to their source and each other, and what one person says or does impacts all the others (and thereby G-d himself).
Literally, I experienced this the other day...when I personally made amends on something I felt that I had done wrong, and I could literally feel somehow righting a wrong in the universe and G-d, Himself, smiling down on me.
It was the best feeling I think I have ever had in my life.
Second on fear, Sharansky writes:
My inner freedom [is] more powerful than the external bondage...[and] fear of the L-rd...is a necessary prerequisite for man's achieving inner freedom, and is also the prerequisite for spiritual resolve, the fear of the L-rd is the only thing that can conquer human fear.
Wow again. Sharansky through his nine years of suffering and hardships in Soviet prisons and labor camps found his deep inner strength to resist the tyranny of the KGB worldly masters and overcame them with his finding his fear and faith in G-d and was able to overcome.
These are two amazing heavenly lessons that Sharansky shares with us from enduring and overcoming his incredible worldly hardships.
I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this and am with G-d's help continuing to quench my thirst for this type of wisdom and true enlightenment. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 23, 2019
The Life and Legacy of Sarah
The Rebbetzin explained beautifully that when we live a good life, not only does our soul live on in the afterlife, but our good deeds continue to have an influence in this world even after we, ourselves, have passed.
We should never underestimate our influence in this world, and that what we say and do reverberates like concentric circles that spread out from the source farther and farther. Moreover, while you might not think that what you do matters all that much or is a big deal, you never really know the outsize impact that it can have. Therefore, even while Sarah had passed and Abraham mourned her, the truth is that her legacy of the great Jewish nation was only just beginning!
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 4, 2019
G-d Is Good
When you are lying back in the chair, look what you see on the ceiling:
G-d Is Good.
The other day we went out to eat with some folks.
And the question came up whether you think most people are good or bad.
Interestingly, most of the people at the table thought either they are predominantly good or at least that they have the potential for good.
Really, it is G-d that is the ultimate good.
And to the extent that we are created in His image and have the opportunity to choose good from evil, then we too can be good.
G-d is inherently good, but man is a toss up based on which direction he goes. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 22, 2019
I will Survive
G-d gives us strength.
To battle ignorance, apathy, and evil.
To educate, persuade, influence, and fight for what's right.
With a thick skin of battle armor.
And sword and arrows of insight, cunning, and righteousness.
To stand firm even when you feel weakened.
To find the words even when you are mocked.
To see clearly and hear distinctly even when confounded.
The soul and spirit of G-d guides you.
As you traverse a journey through life's winding tests and challenges.
Fight heroically to repair that which is broken.
Say resolutely, I will survive! ;-)
July 16, 2019
We're Part of a Much Larger Script
Why do bad things happen to good people?
G-d answers by showing Job the incredible elements of creation and the universe.
Why?
1) Complexity and Interrelationship of the Universe:
As isolated individuals, we might expect to be judged solely by our individual deeds of good and bad (2-dimensional), but also we are cogs in the larger universe (the 3rd dimension).
Therefore, what happens to us is not just a result of what we do, but also is a part of G-d's larger overall plan for the world.
Even small acts can have large impacts.
For example, you sneeze and somewhere down the line it causes a tsunami.
Similarly, like actors in a cosmic play of a billion pages, we may not see or understand why our individual role may be what it is, but if you would see and understand the context of the overall drama (what came before us, after us, and how it all interrelates) then from a G-d's eye view, it makes sense.
Every act of destruction can lead to a higher divine purpose.
Like the grass that is mowed over and uprooted to plants crops or the wheat that is harvested and ground up to make bread.
So, we can have faith that there is a reason and purpose for everything even if it is a mystery or unanswered question to us.
And even in our suffering, G-d, the master of the Universe, is saying that "I'm here with you thru it all." You are not alone!
2) By challenging us, G-d gives us the "tough gift" to cope, grow, and become better people.
Even though things that happen may look bad to you, they can lead to good for you.
You don't always get what you want, but you get what you need.
You have choice: you can be bitter, resentful, cynical, and angry or can look at life with hope, optimism and resilience.
Thus, suffering can be a vehicle of self-transformation and elevation. The challenges you face can help you become a different person--a greater person.
You can learn to feel not just your own pain and disappointment, but that of others.
You have the opportunity to grow yourself and the opportunity to help others.
(Thank you to Rebecca Ochayon for sending me this awesome video!)
June 16, 2019
Never Alone Or Meaningless
Instead of feeling alone, aimless, and sad, we can delight in our oneness with G-d and the cosmos and in knowing the everything we do can have a positive impact on everything else. ;-)
- We are never alone, because G-d is always right there with us, and in us!
- And what we do is never meaningless, because everything we do affects the G-dliness of everything else--everything and everyone are wholly intertwined and connected.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 20, 2018
How Does It feel At The Top
He said:
The 360 degree view is good, but it get's windy at times!
I thought this was pretty smart, and one reason that many people opt out of moving into senior and executive positions in their organizations.
Yes, it's great to be able to lead and have more visibility, influence, and impact.
But at the same time, this does not come for free or without risks.
At the top of the pyramid or corporate offices or whatever, there is opportunity.
Yet, your dealing with other top honchos with strong personalities, egos, and often harsh ways of dealing with others and conflict can be perilous for many.
My father used to tell me his philosophy:
Better a little less, but you know what you have.
There is definitely wisdom in those words.
Maybe as with most things in life, there is a time and place for everything.
It is great to have the opportunity to lead.
It's also not bad to have a time to follow and contribute in that way.
What's important is that whatever role your in at the time, that you do it with integrity and passion to do good.
So how does it feel at the top--sure, it's a nice view, but it can get very windy too. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 5, 2018
Cracking Heads--In War and Work
The warrior in the center is using his war hammer to literally split heads open.
Not only for physical fighting (i.e. life and death), I've heard this term in the past used in the office setting:
"Cracking heads" to get things done.
While war is war, I don't think that getting to progress in the office ever merits cracking anyone's head--let along with a battle hammer.
Yes, people can be stubborn and occasionally pose obstacles to moving forward, but that is what communication skills and persuasion are for.
You have to seriously question the leadership and sanity of anyone who thinks and talks about hurting people at work. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 9, 2018
Persuasion x 3
- Ethos: Appeals to a sense of ethics, morals, and character.
- Logos: Appeals to a sense of logic, reason, and rationality.
- Pathos: Appeals to a sense of emotion, empathy, and passion.
I don't know about most people, but I don't get convinced easily.
You need to show me, prove it to me, or convince me it's right.
Some others, and I don't know why--it's like you can sell them the Brooklyn Bridge, as they say.
I think that's dangerous!
Without critical thinking and evaluation, people can get led astray to do the wrong things...a perfect example is Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler (may his memory be forever cursed).
Hitler appealed to the Germans people at the time:
- Emotionally to bring them back from the loss, destruction, and destitution that World War I inflicted and of course, to scapegoat the Jews, Gypsies, and political opponents and send them to the death camps.
- Logically, that they were a strong and powerful people, the "Aryan nation," and they therefore, deserved to conquer and rule Europe and the World.
- Ethically--let's just say, this one didn't really apply to Hitler, probably the most evil and destructive man this world has ever known, except that even Hitler tried to fool his people falsely proclaiming, "G-d is with us!"
It's a war of good over evil out there, and we need to make our arguments to influence and persuade for the good, but we also have to be careful not to let others, who are not so good, manipulate us for their own selfish and depraved ends.
Ethos, Logos, and Pathos--potent tools or weapons in the direction of mankind and civilization. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 16, 2018
Me Myself and I
It's a theory by Martin Buber called the I-Thou relationship.
In every relationship, there are really 6 people in the room:
- Who I am.
- Who I want to be.
- Who I am perceived as.
-----------
- Who they are.
- Who they want to be.
- Who they are perceived as.
----------
Taking about a break between reality, fantasy, and perception.
Is it any wonder that there are so many communication breakdowns and relationship disappointments.
We need to coalesce around a unified persona of I and thou--and if we don't know, perhaps we need to ask for clarification.
We don't want to talk past each other.
We want to talk to and work with each other.
I am me and you are you. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 4, 2018
Anus Protectus
"Anus Protectus"
It's what it sounds like.
It when you communicate (or do) something in order to "cover your a*s."
Sometimes we communicate as an FYI.
Other times as a FYSA.
And then there is the CYA.
All of these are what we call "Purposeful communications."
The only real difference is their purposes.
When you open your mouth or your email make sure you know your:
- Why (intent)
- Who (audience)
- How (persuasion techniques)
These are the secret sauce of good communication.
More blogs to come on this important topic. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 4, 2018
Living Your Values
Thinking about what I really value and whether I am living consistently with these...
For me, I was able to clarify for myself these critical values:
1) Being a good person and influence in the world (having a positive impact on people and ideas)
2) Being a good family man (a loving husband, father, and previously son)
3) Being spiritual and serving G-d (living selflessly for my Maker and not selfishly for myself)
4) Being a hard worker (living productively and not as a laggard or sloth)
5) Being a balanced person (living along the "golden path" or "middle of the road"--not an extremist)
6) Being a generally healthy person (living a lifestyle that includes activity, exercise, good nutrition, and no smoking, drugs, or excessive drinking)
What I realized is that when I need to let my values guide me every moment of every day.
This ultimately means my success and happiness!
Being what I think that I am supposed to be or what others would want me to be, just doesn't work--it's a strategy for failure.
My father used to tell me:
"Let your conscience be your guide" (that and the Torah, of course)
This is the answer to a lot of questions that I have in my life--about what to do with my life and what decisions to make.
Values--driven by conscience and integrity--that's where I want to go next and next. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 19, 2018
When People Fear You, You're Not A Leader
"Leadership is action, not position."
And actions demonstrate a good or evil heart.
When everyone hates a leader is that a "leader?"
- Fear is not leadership.
- Bullying is not leadership.
- Corruption is not leadership.
Leadership is:
- Showing others what is right and being a good influence.
- Rolling up your sleeves and doing the hard work alongside everyone else.
- Helping others to achieve their potential.
- When others see you as a leader based on your integrity of purpose and actions.
How we treat others is as true a test of leadership as of where we want to go and how we want to get there.
G-d sees everything man (leader or not) does, and only He in Heaven is the Leader of Leaders and the King of Kings. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 18, 2017
Brighten Your Mondays
Well, I explain, I guess it's a combination of two reasons:
1) I'm starting the week all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed coming off the weekend energized and ready for a brand new and exciting week.
2) I'm trying to counter what many consider the "Mondays Blues" and make them brighter and more cheerful for everyone.
- Smile and the whole world smiles with you!
So the other person responds, as if all the craziness of the office and organizational psychos during the week will somehow wear down my good cheer:
"So by the time you get to Fridays, what are you wearing black ties???"
I guess everyone knows the workweek is the workweek.
And they don't call it work for nothing. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 13, 2017
Live 4 Something
On the TV was Sylvester Stallone in the movie, Rambo.
Ah, some nice welcome action to take my mind off the exercise.
Some doctors and missionaries are trying to make their way to to Burma to help the helpless victims being slaughtered by the military warlord and his henchmen.
Stallone knows the danger in going there, and at first, he ties to discourage them from going.
The beautiful and sincere women in the group convinces him to take them there...to try to make a difference in these people's lives who are suffering.
Stallone takes to the lesson and incorporates it into his inner persona.
And later he says:
"Live for something
Or
Die for nothing!"
I thought this was a really good philosophy.
THINK ABOUT IT:
- We can choose to make our lives meaningful and impactful or to hide in the closet or under the bed and really accomplish nothing.
Our lives are a gift, given to us to do something good with--it's a sin to waste that gift and not do everything we can to be a good influence, help others, and make this a better world.
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
September 2, 2017
It's Just Bling
He was talking about some very wealthy people with multi-millions and even billions.
And then he says, you know what the difference is between the rich and everyone else:
"Nothing!"
I asked him what he meant by this.
Then he starts listing off to me like this:
"Well, they live in a home, and you live in a home.And it was amazing how smart his words were, and it hit me how right he was.
They drive a car, and you drive a car.
They eat food and you eat food."
It's all sort of just in our minds.
Their homes are bigger and nicer; their cars are more luxurious and fancier; their food is better and tastier...but what difference is any of that really.
We both have a roof over our heads to protect us from the elements and a nice place to sleep.
We both have a car that gets us from here to there and back again.
We both have food and drink to fill our bellies and nourish us.
Isn't the rest just a bunch of bling?
It's branding and marketing and the sense of luxury that some are better and have more than others.
But beyond the essentials, we really don't need any of that!
What we do need is our relationships--people we care about and love and who love us.
The ability to have a deep impact on others.
To influence them and make a difference in their lives--in what they do and how they treat others.
The ability to help people and society.
The bling is just bling.
The ability to love and influence that is true wealth. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 16, 2017
Your Everlasting Timeline
"What is the most important part on a person's tombstone?We tend to wildly celebrate birthdays.
The dash!
Why the dash?
Because it represents what a person has done between the date they were born and the date they died!"
Also, we perform a remembrance (or memorial) on the date of a person's death.
But what is truly the significant part is what the person did during their life--the kind words, the good deeds, the positive influence that they had on people and the world around them.
A simple dash between the DOB and DOD.
The small things are really the big things.
No, an elaborate timeline of life events and doings.
Our time on Earth abbreviated, but not trivial at all. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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