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"There
is no psychiatrist in the world ~ Ben Williams, American Editor & Journalist (1877-1964)
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THIS WEEK'S ISSUE From the Inside Out... Yes You Can!... Far Horizons... Links That Shine... Fascinating Facts... Laughing It Off... Untangling the Web... Look at That!... Our Latest Discovery... Web-Wize Updates... Joyful Lifestyles...
BE the World Emotional healing is a most amazing gift that's bestowed by our furry friends ... dogs, cats, bunnies, hamsters, et al. The choice to nurture a pet in our life can bring huge returns on our 'investment.' ~ Chelle ~
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From the Inside Out
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It may surprise you, but Eastern spiritual thought and practices — including disciplines such as Buddhism and Zen — offer a world of useful guidance and ideas for even the most traditional Western businessperson. Here are seven tenets of Eastern philosophy that you should be applying each day to run your business, and perhaps your life, more efficiently. 1. If it's broke, fix it. Contrary to what many assume, Eastern thought and philosophy do not derive from blind faith. Eastern ideas are practical and results-oriented, geared to making things work. "Eastern ideas aren't dogma; they're very empirical," says Debbie Mandel, author of "Turn on Your Inner Light: Fitness for Body, Mind and Soul." "It's all based on direct observation and experience. If it works, great; if not, find something else." That means that if your distribution system isn't up to snuff, don't just wait for the problem to vanish. Fix it. 2. Be in the moment. That emphasis on the practical translates into one of the most salient principles of Eastern thought: immersion in the moment. Put another way, that means paying attention to what you're doing — putting complete focus on a new marketing campaign rather than worrying about what to make for dinner. If you find your attention wandering, take a moment to pull it back to where it belongs. "Everyone complains they're so tired when they come home from work, but a lot of that has to do with all these other problems that they're carrying in with them to work," says Mandel, a New York-based stress-reduction specialist, motivational speaker, a personal trainer and mind/body lecturer. 3. De-emphasize time. We all have to wrestle with deadlines, but time shouldn't dictate all. Much of Eastern philosophy suggests that things are completed in due time, no matter if you're keeping one eye on the clock. Translated: Be aware of deadlines, but don't let them dictate what you do and when. Looking beyond time as an enemy is not only stress relieving, but it furthers your focus on completing the task at hand. "The reality is that when you really have to get something done, it usually gets done," Mandel says. "That happens even when you initially thought you didn't have enough time." 4. Be a team player. The West exalts the individualist. But that archetype may not flourish in a business setting, where people and parts must function as one. That means keeping in mind the Eastern notion that all things, in some manner or another, are connected. "We're all part of the same universe," Mandel says. "At work, that translates to a support system, helping others and asking for help. Being a team player is not only effective, it can really reduce stress." 5. Take the "me" out of business. Many businesspeople have egos that would make Rush Limbaugh look self-effacing. Unfortunately, that focus on the first-person singular can prove problematic; it translates into the notion that if someone "wins" in business, someone else must lose. Not so with many Eastern approaches, where the emphasis is on a determination to solve problems so that everyone benefits. "In my own business, I found that when I began to focus on giving and letting go of my ego, my business doubled," says Bruce Van Horn, author of "Yoga for Men" and founder and CEO of Yoga for Business. 6. Do the same with employees and customers. Far too often, business looks at employees and customers as mere cogs in the wheel or a wallet waiting to be tapped. But including them in a group-minded approach may improve your bottom line and ensure your employees and customers don't leave you. "If you look at your employees as people with goals and aspirations, you can develop a rapport that goes beyond an employer-employee relationship," Van Horn says. "They'll give more to your business because you may be the first person to ever treat them like that. From the customer side, figure out how you can help customers rather than worrying about closing a sale. Your relationship may last longer than the lifespan of a particular product." 7. Strive for balance and more balance. We've all endured workdays that resembled a car going over a cliff. Those are occasionally unavoidable, but bear in mind the critical importance of striking an overall balance in your workday. Rather than grinding it out from sunup to sundown, take frequent breaks: Go for a walk, stretch, or take a few minutes to meditate at your desk to clear your mind. And, true to the Eastern emphasis on going with what truly works, mixing in balancing breaks doesn't mandate extensive downtime. Just a few minutes here and there can work wonders. Check out Zenguide.com
and Buddhanet.org
for more ideas ~By Jeff Wuorio is an award-winning writer
and columnist, and author of
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In
July, 1911, Professor Hiram Bingham was deep in the Andes. The weather
was turning bad, and everyone was ready to call it a day, but an
innkeeper captured Bingham's interest with a tale about a nearby
lost city, “Machu Picchu” (which means "Old Peak").
While his team stayed back to wash their clothes, Bingham was guided
by a 10-year-old boy up a steep mountain and over Incan terraces.
Professor Bingham wrote: “Suddenly I was standing in front
of ruins from the best quality of Incan building art. In the shade
of bamboo bushes and climbing plants were walls of white granite
blocks chopped in the highest precision. I found brilliant temples,
royal houses, a big square and tens of houses. It looked like a
dream.” Links That Shine
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in
Our International Forum
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Fascinating Facts
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If it's supposed to be zero degrees outside today and the forecast says it will be TWICE as cold tomorrow, how cold is it going to be? After eating, do amphibians need to wait an hour before getting OUT of the water? Why don't they just make mouse-flavored cat food? If you're sending a friend some Styrofoam, what do you pack it in? Whose cruel idea was it for the word "lisp" to have an "s" in it? Since light travels faster than sound, is that why some people appear bright until you hear them speak? How come abbreviated is such a long word? Last night I played a blank tape at full blast. The mime next door went nuts. Why do you press harder on a remote-control when you know the battery is dead? Why are they called buildings, when they're already finished? Shouldn't they be called builts? Why is a carrot more orange than an orange? When two airplanes almost collide why do they call it a near miss? It sounds like a near hit to me!! Why are there 5 syllables in the word "monosyllabic"? Why do they call it the Department of Interior when they are in charge of everything outdoors? If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat? Why is it, when a door is open it's ajar, but when a jar is open, it's not a door? Why are they called apartments, when they're all stuck together? Tell a man that there are 400 billion stars and he'll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint and he has to touch it. How come Superman could stop bullets with his chest, but always ducked when someone threw a gun at him? Why is it lemon juice contains mostly artificial ingredients, but dishwashing liquid contains real lemons? Why do we put suits in a garment bag and put garments in a suitcase? I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. Isn't the best way to save face to keep the lower part shut? War doesn't determine who's right, just who's left.
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Untangling the Web
Alphabetize
Programs under Start/Programs... Look at THAT! GOLDEN HORSE MONKS
A
young novice from the Golden Horse temple ...
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Just for YOU ...
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Web-Wize Update
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Joyful Lifestyles: Weekly Insights Subscribers have asked about my spiritual path ... the answer actually goes back to 1985, when I finally began a more introspective approach to life. At that point "all the pieces started falling into place, and the Universe opened to show me what was possible" (from Field of Dreams). In October of 1991, I moved from Southern California to Santa Fe, New Mexico, (where I knew no one) to "give something back" to the world. Through a series of synchronistic events, I found myself establishing a holistic center called Lightship of Santa Fe that offered workshops for both metaphysical and traditional seekers of physical, emotional and spiritual development. The term "Lightship" refers to a state of being in which our soul's Essence or Nature is fully embodied ... i.e. relationship with "The Light" or "Spirit" or "God" (however you personally choose). The following poem was written about a month after I arrived, and gives insight into my personal process: SANTA FE Snow
fell on the adobe, the air was chilled with frost, I'd made the
trek to Santa Fe, abandoning all cost; Why
I'd quit my bubble of security and friends, was a matter of intention
... to inspire a Cosmic Spin; Gifts
showed up at every turn, the picture became clear, pieces slipped
in place with ease, I only had to "hear"; En
route
I faced a snowstorm, another chance to know, that fear is but
illusion, we're safe within The Flow; When
I arrived in Santa Fe, I felt embraced yet free, surrounded by
an atmosphere of sacred energy; Two
weeks in town I asked myself, "Why haven't I done more?"...
the Voice Within reminded me what I'd moved here for; At
first the nights were lonely, a time to be with me; the Essence
of my spirit was bursting from its seed; Magical
occurrences enraptured and amazed, I never knew the outcome until
I turned the page; ©1991 Chelle Thompson, Editor
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