Friday, 6 November 2015

November 6, 2015 Chautauqua


Beth's Ponderings
 
    Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate. - Jordan Bach

   I do not participate in protests, nor do I tend to sign petitions, and I avoid boycotts if at all possible.  I also do not sympathize with those involved in strikes.

   The reason is that those methods of showing displeasure and demanding change rarely bring about the desired change.  This is true even if the point is only to raise public awareness.  It may grab people’s attention for a moment, but then their own concerns occupy their thoughts.

   Another reason, is that these methods of protest generally put the emphasize and focus on the opposite of what they want, then the results end up being the opposite of what they want, and then they can’t figure out why.

   Anti-drug campaigns, anti-war campaigns and others put the focus on drugs, war and whatever else they are fighting, and not in an educational awareness way.

   Truthfully, education and awareness are not lacking for most of these issues.  In fact, we are overloaded with information and statistics to the point it becomes just background noise.

   Even the all to common “Don’t Drink And Drive” campaigns don’t work.  Everyone knows that drinking and driving is wrong and that it endangers lives, yet it still happens every day, and lives are still lost.

   Maybe if they changed the slogan to something such as “Have Fun And Arrive Home Safe” they would see the results that they desire.

   Or are you trying to lose weight?  A more positive approach would be to focus your efforts on gaining health which is a more wholistic approach than just losing some pounds.

   Our memories are short and for a campaign to be successful, repetition is necessary.  Yet, what is being repeated should be what is wanted.

   Granted, sometimes it is easier to figure out what you don't want - we seem to be wired to notice the negative more than the positive - but once you figure it out, shift the focus to the positive and watch your results change.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_jEldvggPzWl4OhMU2qli00VHbNtk9Iu/view?usp=sharing

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Wednesday, 4 November 2015

Fair

Expecting the world to treat you fairly 
because you are a good person 
is a little like expecting 
the bull not to attack you
 because you are a vegetarian. 
 - Dennis Wholey

Monday, 2 November 2015

Breathing

If you're breathing, things are looking good...
Your job is to be the best you can be in this moment, 
dealing with whatever is directly in front of you, 
one small step at a time.  
And when you need help, ask for it.  
- Dr. Bernie Siegel

Friday, 30 October 2015

Heart

Follow your heart
 and use your mind 
to navigate the heart-chosen path. 
 - Fred Croker

Wednesday, 28 October 2015

Path

If you can see your path laid out in front of you
 step by step, you know it's not your path.  
Your own path you make with every step you take.  
That's why it's your path. 
 - Joseph Campbell

Monday, 26 October 2015

Yesterday

I can't go back to yesterday
 because I was a different person then.
  - Lewis Carroll

Friday, 23 October 2015

Wrong

What might be the right path one day 
may be completely wrong the next. 
 - Dr. Bernie Siegel

Wednesday, 21 October 2015

Sky

We can sometimes migrate
 from place to place and job to job...
until we realize that the sky above us
 is the same everywhere we go... 
- Dr. Bernie Siegel

Monday, 19 October 2015

Time

Find the time in your life
 to have the time of your life. 
 - Dr. Bernie Siegel

Friday, 16 October 2015

October 16, 2015 Chautauqua


Beth's Ponderings

   Aren’t you glad we live in the 21st century with all of our gadgets and technology?

   Just imagine how difficult - in fact, practically impossible - it would be for us to complete so many of our daily tasks if we didn’t have our umpteen modern appliances and gadgets.

  Yet, “Labour-saving machinery only creates endless and worse labour.” - J.R.R. Tolkien 

  Don’t believe me, then ask yourself this...what are our lives really like now with all this technology?

  Yes, it took all day to wash clothes by hand in a hot tub of water, with a scrub brush and scrub board, however, there was less to wash.  The average family - even if there were a lot of children - generally had one good outfit (Sunday, parties, weddings, or funerals) and their every day outfit (which they wore more than one day in a row!) and a work/chore outfit.  So, while it looks like we’ve gained with our washing machines and dryers, complete with all the latest bells and whistles, we haven’t really as we just stuff our closets, and then those washing machine, with more and more clothes.  Laundry is an endless task now, as we spend more time washing some outfits than we do actually wearing them!  
  
   The same is true of our homes.  It used to be possible to completely clean a home with a pail of water, a scrub brush and a broom.  Once vacuum cleaners became the norm, and now our Swiffers and the like, our homes have gotten larger and larger.  It is almost like we needed to justify having the convenience, and thus complicated our lives more.

   And, let’s not forget telephones!  Gone are the days when you had to walk next door to talk to your neighbour.  Do any of you remember when we used to get into the car (or sneak into the bathroom) to get away from the ringing phone?  Now phones are everywhere, and are considered so vital to existence, for more than just talking to someone. 

   Technology, in and of itself, isn’t bad.  It does help us in numerous ways and makes life easier.  Yet, we have, as a society, negated so many of those benefits by filling our lives so full of stuff and information.

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqaua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kKgMgERgxvgPAR3anGdDD9mELav9-yWt/view?usp=sharing

Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Wednesday, 14 October 2015

Pray

When you pray, move your feet. 
 - African proverb 

Monday, 12 October 2015

Thank You

When I say “I love you” to someone, 
what I mean is “Thank you.”  
- Robert Holden

Friday, 9 October 2015

Stress

Stress is not...
a badge of courage. 
 - Kris Carr

Wednesday, 7 October 2015

Want

The truth is, 
nobody actually wants it all...
We only want what we want. 
 - Kate Northrup

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