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Today I feel like I am writing the manual on how to succeed at my life. It may not be the manual for anyone else, but smart people oughta find some carryover ;) The working title I think is: “Create. Innovate, and Integrate.” Like a tv plugs into a HDMI cable, plug into this message and get inspired!
I’ve gotten to used to being the one to do the job right. If you knew me, you’d know that isn’t self-congratulatory … it’s the truth. I’m a teacher and I have seen half-wits come and go from the profession like moths to a flame. Some people (many people) just don’t have what it takes. I’ve been watching a bit of The Academy on the Fox Reality Channel lately and seen the same thing happening with their recruits. Some just can’t do what is necessary to get to be cops. In teaching, you can usually see right away the ones who can’t cut it. They flip out on kids, lose kids, fail to raise test scores, they offend other teachers, etc … These folks come passing through the profession but never really take it by the reins and make it their own. I hope I’ve done that. It feels like I have. I worked my first day of summer school today and I have to tell you I am WORKED OVER! These 28 6th graders are going to give me a test like I may never have felt before. In the second six weeks, I teach 7th grade for another three. At that point don’t be surprised to read the confessions of a depressed teacher … that very well may be my state of mind. Nahhhh not me. But seriously, stay tuned to read those accounts, it should be a drama-filled challenge of a time.
Okay, now onto my point. If you are one of the “frozen chosen” in your field, as I have already shared I am, make sure you create, innovate, and integrate your ideas while you are in your working years. You owe it to the next folks to make the profession better after having passed through it. It’s a heavy burden but you can do it. More importantly, if you don’t, no one else will. My point today is this: If you want to have an impact and be successful in your trade, DO IT THE LONG WAY, no short cuts. Seek out books and trainings to be better at what you do and when you get home, make sure you have a jacuzzi (LOL). -Or- some way yo know to relax and get away from thinking about work.
Now, get your rest (if you are reading this from home). If you are at work: GO BE THE STAR THAT YOU ARE! Here’s an example of what it might look like in my job:
Create: Write your rules on the board
Innovate: Develop a foolproof way to teach them, be unique.
Integrate: Get up there and teach it and have success.
Are you creating, innovating, and integrating your profession?
Do you keep a calendar on your fridge? If you’re like us in our house, that’s the place we compare our lives with one another. If Sarah has a doctor’s appointment or the girls have birthdays to go to, we find it all there. That’s where we check ourselves. If a stressful event is coming up, such as moving, which we are scheduled to do May 14th, we all count the days and wonder ethereally what life will be like on the other side. Now if you are a self-improvement junkie like I am, you have probably read a dozen or more books on the aphorism: “Life’s a journey, not a destination,” but it really is true and yet even we can lose sight of it. I am not that old, but I’m old enough to know that the baby clothes that fit today will be in a bag out for Goodwill before you know it.
I ran across this video at Grow Thyself and it really made my evening, reminding me of that little aphorism we say so much as self-improvement junkies. Enjoy!
Is there a destination you “can’t wait” to arrive at? How does this video affect you?
Have a great day, and remember: It’s a journey thing.
My mom and I have been talking a lot lately about the book A New Earth. If you haven’t heard of it yet, you soon will. Oprah has fully endorsed its author, Eckhart Tolle, and we all know that what Oprah endorses, sells like crazy. But Tolle is a very humble guy. He claims his ideas were all around him and that he didn’t invent them. Pretty humble for a guy who’s probably going to become the next psychology writer billionairre. More and more people I talk to about the book tell me they have either read it, or want to read it. But this guy isn’t hype, he has great vision in his book. If you haven’t read it yet, you should.
I remember getting a similar feeling about a book when I read M. Scott Peck’s psychology book: The Road Less Traveled. ” When I read great books like these, so full of truth and help, it’s like relaxation comes from he page, into my eyes and throughout my body spreading calm and joy. I’m still on chapter one of A New Earth, but what I have read so far is pure genius. My goal is to write a review of it very soon, so stay tuned to Postcards from the Funny Farm for that. I want to do this to spread the news about this amazing little book. Tolle’s insights on spiritual meaning in the world around us are really revolutionary and life-changing. Whether you are going through something as simple as trying to experience life more or something as serious as working through drug rehab and the like, this book brings out a strength you didn’t know you had.
At any rate, my mom told me a story from his book the other day that really intrigued me. She also watches the author every Monday she can on Oprah’s website where he does a regular video “town hall” style class where people can participate and ask questions. She gave me some good advice from him regarding negative people. Lately I’ve been getting some bad energy from people in all areas of my life and it’s beginning to worry me. Why am I attracting this sort of energy? Is it the way I talk? Is it the things I say? How do you deal with negative people anyway? We’re supposed to stay positive ourselves but what about when we can’t control bad energy around us. As I’ve speculated on here in the past, we should ignore it but as some of you commented, that isn’t always the best option. There is an alternative to ignoring Tolle offers that I prefer. It’s a phrase to have waiting in your back pocket. When negative people spout all sorts of negative things, just tell them this:
Is that so?
You can respond without reacting. Reacting is the “ego” as Tolle calls it. Responding is more of the being who you are inside coming out. There are so many good energies in my life these days now too, but why is it that I allow the bad ones to bring me down? It isn’t even rational to pay the most attention to negativisim. Another book by Tolle is called simply: “Stillness Speaks.” I would agree with that, wouldn’t you?
Anyone coming into your emotional space and saying “blah blah blah (something negative - you fill in the blank here)” should never take your good energy. Simply nod your head and say “is that so?” I love this mantra and I intend to use it from now on. If you tell me the sky is falling, I can say calmly “is that so?” If you tell me something is impossible I will say “WHY?’ Then, if you tell me why I will say: “is that so?” If you make a point on a forum I don’t agree with, there is no need to argue or even debate. All I need to do is consider what you have said and then say: “is that so?” Think about it, for real life or even social internet connections, it’s a pretty good mantra! Revolutionary thoughts like these take meditation. Here is a video I ran across of Tolle talking about getting that into our daily lives.
Do you know that Simon and Garfunkel tune? You know the one where they say … “Feelin’ Groovy!” That came into my head as I was thinking about what to blog on today. Another psychology topic, that makes two in a row. This one is more specifically about what I call the “Psychology of Perception.” I have been interested in in psychology for almost two decades now. All throughout my 20’s (the 1990’s) I read books by authors such as M. Scott Peck, Rollo May, Leo Buscgalia, Richard Carlson, and a host of others. I ended up specializing in education but my personal reading interests have always lied in psych. I’m not ashamed to say as well that I have paid for counseling on more than one occasion. It has benefited me greatly and I truly admire all walks of mental health therapists. They have a tough job and if they do it right, they can transform a person’s life for the better. I think if we’re honest with ourselves, we are all a little kooky, hence the title of this blog.
Today I’m reminded of that song aforementioned. I don’t want to feel stressed about life … that just isn’t me. When I am stressed, I become something different … someone different. Maybe not altogether, but people approach me and say: “Are you okay? Are you sick?” I have one of those demeanors that is inescapably transparent and people around me, including my wife, tell me they can tell when I am stressed or not myself. For example, the other day my wife told me I looked younger because I had shaved very close but when she glanced down further at my neck, she noticed there was still some stubble there. eek. I hate it when I am in a rush and miss that. Ever happen to you? Anyway, she told me I look “older” when I miss that area. It’s like a 5 o’clock shadow at 8am. Well, as I have been saying, do you know why I missed that? Because I was stressed!
I need to feel groovy but how do I get there? Well … I can plan my day based on things I am passionate about. As a teacher I know how to do this. You tie in the lessons to examples that you are interested in and it makes for a much more effective lesson. Yes, it takes more creativity, wit, and candor than just following the rote textbook, but it pays off for your attitud3e and for their achievement results. In other lines of work, or for housewives, you’ll have to plug in your own connection here though I could think of some.
Kicking up the cobblestones of your life and feeling groovy is the way top a great day and that great day multiplies and translates into a great month and then a great year. Try and get a hold of that song if you can. Listen to it and make it your mantra today. Remember the psychology of looking at things from another angle. Don’t fixate on the angle that brings you down. There are always more than one way to perceive a situation.
I’ve written about many of my heroes here at the Funny Farm but none of them are quite as special to me as Dr. Seuss. Maybe it’s because he is a proponent of reading or maybe it’s because he is wacked out of his mind (like he’s from the funny farm here with us). Whatever the reason, I get inspired by Dr. Seuss and inspiration is the most valuable thing when you’re setting a goal for greatness. You are doing that aren’t you? Check out his life:
When Theodor Geisel was a young child, long before he would become Dr. Seuss, he used to mark in books. He had a set of books he had made his own by putting drawings and writings in. This should have been a clear indicator to his parents that one day his books would change the world. I am sure in their wildest dreams they never would have imagined what this young boy would one day do. Letting his imagination run wild was the first thing he did to set his dream in motion. These pictures made him happy. Following what made him happy would eventually make millions happy.
When Theodore got older and graduated college, he decided he wanted to write children’s books. He spent a lot of time and energy making his first book, an ABC book. No one published it. He felt rejected. He did not write another book for four years. This is identical to the experience of another great artist I have writ.... Neither gave up altogether though. Both rose to great acceptance after a major rejection. I think this is very important for us to note. Have you been rejected at something? How many years will you let pass you by before trying again. While we’re at it, can you imagine how cool it would be to have a copy of that ABC book that got rejected? Something to remember when people reject your work.
In 1936, Dr. Seuss was on a boat to Tudor. He heard the engines “talking to him” in the sounds they made. Standing there at the engine he “heard” the idea for another book attempt. This is probably one of the most quirky stories I have ever heard. That’s why I love it so much. I am like that. I hear my car creak and talk to me, I hear lots of strange sources of inspiration every day. I am also quirky. Are you? Don’t look at it as a bad thing. Being from the “funny farm” so-to-speak is a good thing. Just ask Dr. Seuss.
The quirky book that was borne out of the engine sounds was And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street. Now 50 years later it is one of Dr. Seuss’ most favorited book by children all over the world. After that is time in a blender history. Dr. Seuss has published hundreds of books since then, as you likely already know.
Theodor Geisel had a goal: he wanted to write books that were easy to read. As he worked for that goal he brought millions of people happiness and taught millions to read: including me as a young child!
Currently set for release is Horton Hears a Who. A major motion picture created from another Dr. Seuss masterpiece. When millions watch it they will be seeing a product of a quirky writer who had a vision and kept at it. The message of this book is that even the smallest person can make a difference. What a message!!! We all wish he could have given us more. He is a lesson to me to never stop giving. No matter who tells you you aren’t good enough or smart enough or _____ enough, just remember Dr, Seuss and how the Funny Farm, or our quirky thoughts, can become the bank and do a lot of good on earth as well. March 6th is Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Read one of his books and start making your crazy dream happen!
A very important part of learning how to blog is learning how to get out of a “funk” or a case of writer’s block. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Library is a place to find humanity in life, and I will add to that a cure for writer’s block. Let me illustrate with a word-simulated trip through the Hesperia library:
“I enter and go to the section on computers, cyberculture and software. After I pick up a few books I proceed to the psychology and self-improvement section. I find a cool one on relaxation techniques and put that with the others under my arm. After that I need to put my books in a tote bag because they are about to fall from my arm. I go through the biography section and see too many names to check out. I make a mental note to myself to read them all … ALL.”
Your experience will vary depending on your tastes and curiosity. One thing I do know is that a trip to the library will fill your muse with ideas. I’m going again Saturday with my son, so get ready for some inspired stuff up in here. ;)
In the spirit of link love and inspired primarily by Derek Semmler’s excellent “Speedlinking” series I followed throughout 2007, I’m getting back into doing what I call “Blog Safaris.” This being the first of 2008 makes it especially cool for me. So, won’t you hop in the Jeep and let’s go on a safari of some memorable blog posts I read last week!Lorelle van Fossen did the blogosphere a great service in promoting Gravatars. These are avatars that show up whenever you leave your email in a comment on the web. I have these installed on my blog so why not go get your free gravatar and start seeing it show up wherever your safari takes you?
Nick Mercer reflects on the past year. This guy is great and he’s a good friend to this blog. He has a lot to say and it always makes me think.
Sarah Riley wrote a fun yet sort of deep meme that I intend to do New Year’s Day. Head over and try it yourself, it’d be neat to read your answers. Also, check out her amazing new theme artistry.
Malcolm has a great article about the indefatigueable late guitarist Bo Diddley. Malcolm has a great Pop Culture blog.
Keiron writes about getting motivation back at Christmas and reviews, briefly, an amazing book.
Amy Palko Takes amazing pictures! She’s an excellent and thoughtful writer too. Go check out her blog.
As for Me, I had my third article published at Blogritics in December. It’s an opinion piece on the ongoing tv writers’ strike. I also started a home for my weekly “greatest post” blog called “Cheese Enchiladas.” The current post is on New Year psychology. 2008 feels promising! I appreciate your continued readership.
I know I couldn’t possibly have listed all the great reads last week. Sorry if I missed yours. I also want to recommend every blog on my blogroll as great reads if you’ve run out of places to go (uhhhh yeah right that could ever happen lol).
Oh, and a real special mention of Life is Rantastic is in order. Jessica the Rock Chick is hands down the biggest commenter on this site and I sure appreciate it! Check out her blog, it’s a crack-up and sometimes quite thought-provoking on a non-comedic level as well.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this Safari! More is to come this year. Fasten your seat belt and Jeep over the potholes until our next adventure ;) Happy New Year, make it the best year of your life.
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I'm Damien Riley, author and teacher. Here you'll find "think outside the box" posts on psychology and inspiration. 
