Some Durable Truths!

There are some durable truths about ourselves that we may have neglected to see or failed to remember.

These truths  were recognized thousands of years ago, and have continued to stand the test of time. Here I will spell out  four of them, along with some ideas dealing with how to use this knowledge.

1.  Durable Truths Concerning Self Interest.

We are all self interested in one way or the other.  Even when we sacrifice for others,  this is even motivated by our own selfish desires. These desires include good feelings along with wanting to see or even make the world the way we desire it to be.

From time to time we may Forget this, and we may become bitter from trying to “do the right thing.”  In order to avoid this bitterness which comes along with “duty,” we need to recognize that  being a good person and doing the right thing is just self interest.

“Self-interest makes some people blind, and others sharp-sighted.”–Francois de Rochefoucauld

“There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.”–Chanakya

We can also point out the self-interest of others when we want to correct their behavior. Telling a man he’s wrong isn’t usually enough to change his behavior. It’s better to show him his true interest – that behaving in a better way is better for HIM. Don’t forget the normal and healthy self-interest in dealing with others AND with yourself.

“The kind of society which we still have is maybe, in some cases, getting worse. Competition is becoming a virtue. Intense competition drives people to go more and more into self-interest. Even to see other folks as competition.”–Major Owens

“It has always seemed strange to me… the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second.”–John Steinbeck

2.  Durable Truths Regarding Mistakes.

“Have no fear of perfection. You’ll never reach it.”–Salvador Dali

This statement can be seen as negativity, however, recognizing the truth is never a negative act.  It is a fact that we all make mistakes. The greatest man or woman alive – whoever he or she may be, has done some pretty stupid things.

This really isn't an attack on human greatness, just a recognition that human greatness isn’t dependent upon doing things perfectly.

Perfectionists suffer from the demands placed upon themselves, at the same time there are others who ‘hesitate to act’ for fear of failure and making mistakes.  We have to accept the fact  that making mistakes is normal.  Never dwell on the those mistakes!

“Do your work, then step back – The only path to serenity.”–Lao Tzu

3.  Durable Truths Regarding Learning.

The benefit which comes from making mistakes is that they give us a chance to learn, and so avoid even bigger mistakes. Of course, we also can learn from our successes, and from the successes of others.

We should view mistakes and successes, both our own and others, as the great opportunities they are. Always seize that chance to learn more and therefore,  live better.

4.  Durable Truths Regarding  Change.

You’ve probably seen people who appear to learn nothing from their mistakes, truth?Yet, you’ve also probably known as well as read about those who turned their lives around! Change is possible, yet, another truth is that people often don’t change.  They get in a rut and refuse to come out of it.  Just sit and feel sorry for themselves.

The Durable Truth Regarding Change, however, is that we CAN change.

If you enjoyed this article, please “Like and Share.”

Angela Valadez

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Aim Above The Mark!

It is Always Important to Aim Above the Mark in order to reach the Mark.

“We aim above the mark to hit the mark.”–Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.”–Henry David Thoreau

“In the long run, men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, they had better aim at something high.”–Henry David Thoreau

It has been duly noted that ‘Change’ is difficult for most people. Many times it seems that our entire identity is wrapped up in that which we’d learned as children.  Even as adults we tend to believe that the things learned in childhood will continue to work for us when dealing with people, allowing us to survive, thrive as well as, fit in.

At the same time there are those people who have had to learn to thrive while in the midst of change and have had to learn to be adaptable by being open to new ideas while embracing change, yet, many others have had to fight for survival and every table-scrap that came their way. Behavior is learned and it takes ‘work’ to unlearn and dismantle these old beliefs.

The truth of the matter is that a win-win is always possible. Once you are able to see beyond your ego and recognize that abundance is available, as well as, people, minds, and ideas can come together and create amazing changes that improve the current scenarios for many, many people.

“Every art and every inquiry, and similarly every action and choice, is thought to aim at some good; and for this reason the good has rightly been declared to be that at which all things aim.”–Aristotle

When you work with people who have an abundant and generous attitude, you are uplifted, the team soars, and amazing energy and creativity is unleashed.  

But, at the same time this type of attitude will be much harder to sustain, and  elevate within others when you encounter individuals driven by the mindset of scarcity and competition.

People such as Steve Jobs who are visionaries, have sought to bring about such mind shifts in society and in business.

Aim Above The Mark:  It is often better to take the high road.

This isn’t about judging others as wrong or seeing yourself as better than others. It is about recognizing your own truth as to how you wish to BE in the world.

Never compromise your integrity. 
Never get caught up in the competition. 
Always see the vision, see the outcome, and feel the purpose and passion you’re driven to offer the world, then give it freely. We will all die. You will not take anything from this life with you. So therefore, give what you have to offer the world. What is not given will be lost forever.

“Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.”–David Frost

If it is your goal to truly bring about positive change and serve others, then how it will be accomplished becomes less important and seeing it accomplished becomes more important.

Though it may be a blow to your ego when others criticize your inspiration, or someone takes the credit for something you’ve introduced, holding fast to the benefits for everyone will often soften the sting.  It is important to pick and choose those places where you’ll offer yourself.  The key will be to evaluate whether it is serving a common good.

When you’re getting compensated for your contributions, an attitude of gratitude will serve to your spirit, peace. However, if you continually feel abused and stomped on, maybe it’s time to move on to a more collaborative team, as well as,  a more receptive and appreciative audience.

Knowing that you are accomplishing your purpose and living your passion will be your reward.  In time, it will be recognized.

Impostors will eventually be seen and heart & soul will always outlast the mind & ego.

Along the way, through the journey, that is your life and career, you will need to hold fast to the true inner qualities and nature of the brilliance that is YOU. Never allow these negative experiences to become something that undermines your value.  You are not the negative experience!  Many times, the negativity we experience from others, is more a reflection of them and less about who you are.

Since we all have different lenses, different gifts, different wiring, and different experiences. Difference will not be something to be judged, it is a gift of diversity that brings the pieces of the puzzle of life together and creates a society, a solution, a technology, etc., together for the benefit of us all.

Aim Above the Mark and never doubt yourself when others cannot see the vision you see. Remain true to yourself, keep your intentions high being filled with integrity and ethics, and the transition will be that you will attract the right support, the right people, and the right opportunities. Lower the ego and Aim Above the Mark of the vision.

“An aim in life is the only fortune worth finding.”–Robert Louis Stevenson

If you enjoyed this article, please “Like and Share.”

Angela Valadez

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Having A New Year’s Resolution

Having A New Year’s Resolution is like establishing  ”objectives” for successful change.

Any type of change will always cost you something, if it isn’t monetary, it will be in time, energy and creativity.

The truth is this:  If change doesn’t cost you anything, it isn’t really change.

First change must happen within you, before it can begin around you.

Here’s a very special New Year’s Resolution I’d like to share with you which will in deed bring about change.

A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

I WILL….

…like Paul, forget those things which are behind and press forward;

…like David, lift up mine eyes unto the hills from which comes my help;

…like Abraham, trust implicitly in my God;

…like Enoch, walk in daily fellowship with my Heavenly Father;

…like Jehoshaphat, prepare my heart to seek God;

…like Moses, choose rather to suffer than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

…like Daniel, commune with God at all times;

…like Job, be patient under all circumstances;

…like Caleb and Joshua, refuse to be discouraged because of superior numbers;

…like Joseph, turn my back to all destructive advances;

…like Gideon, advance even though my friends be few,

…like Aaron and Hur, uphold the hands of my Spiritual Leaders;

…like Isaiah, consecrate myself to do God’s work;

…like Andrew, strive to lead my brother to a closer walk with Christ;

…like John, lean upon the bosom of the Master and imbibe of His Spirit;

…like Stephen, manifest a forgiving spirit toward all who seek my hurt;

…like Timothy, study the Word of God;

…like the Heavenly Host, proclaim the message of peace on earth and good will toward all men;

…like my LORD HIMSELF, overcome all earthly allurements by refusing to succumb to their enticements.

Realizing that I cannot hope to achieve these objectives by my own strength.  I will rely upon Christ, for;

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”–Philippians 4:13
—unknown

We may be resistant to change, as well as, resistant to making a New Year’s Resolution, but we have the ability to bring about change because we have Christ living within us.

Truth:

“At first people refuse to believe that a strange thing can be done, and then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be don—-then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.”—Frances Hodgson Burnett

Having a New Year’s Resolution, such as the one above will not only bring about positive changes in your life, but in the lives of others as well.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014

If you enjoyed this article, please “Like and Share.”

Angela Valadez
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