Month: May 2012

Happy Soul Food Friday!

As the school year winds down and summer looms, this week’s e-missive focuses on excellence (not success) at home and work.

Success is always in relation to someone or something else.

Excellence, on the other hand is invariably in relation to your own benchmark of “what is best”.

Recently I was asked about the difference between intelligence and wisdom. Here is my thought and I welcome yours…

Intelligence is the understanding that one has to balance the twin hats of self-acceptance and self-improvement

Wisdom is the ability to actually do it!

Here’s wishing you and yours a soul-filled journey on the way, with a little Hope and Faith sprinkled in for good measure…

At Home: Being a Good Parent Can Be So Darn Hard!

I don’t know about you, but parenting can be the hardest job you’ve ever loved.

Invariably, we are running hard and trying to be the very best parents we can be, feeling that no matter what we do it might not be enough.

Second guessing ourselves, projecting about the future, lamenting about the past. Maybe it is just me.

Then, just when you are reaching your wits end, you’re channel surfing on the radio, hear this song, and your soul is settled…

Enjoy “It Won’t be Like This For Long”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5zCaRaJ-kE&ob=av2n

Thanks Darius

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At Work: 8 Core Beliefs of Extraordinary Bosses

I really liked this article and hope you find in valuable too

http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/8-core-beliefs-of-extraordinary-bosses.html

Thanks MC

Whether at Home or at Work: Great coaches know how to give feedback

Flexing our communication style to ensure the message is well received is a powerful tool in our interpersonal tool kit.

This clip can help…

http://pfl.thoughtrocket.com/post/feedback/

Thanks Will & Paul

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We can Always use a Little Faith & Hope

First Hope:
Have you ever had a dream, and felt like life was asking you to give it up?

Have you ever lost someone or something, and did not know what to do?

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

What if our personal & professional life’s challenges were not planning or implementation issues but design opportunities?

“Everything is designed. Few things are designed well.” — Brian Reed

Good design implicitly sees restrictions as liberators. In other words the very limits that we find imposed upon us, either internally or externally, RIGHTLY CONSIDERED  turn limitations into a design benefit! Over the last year, serving on the advisory board of the Agile Strategy Institute and doing a deep dive into strategy as design rather than planning, and most recently through my community engagement with UCSD’s Alumni Board and Division of Social Sciences I have had the opportunity to reframe most issues as “Design issues”!

Last year, UCSD’s Executive Vice Chancellor Suresh Subramani challenged the UCSD campus to identify strategic focus areas for future growth.  He asked the faculty to reflect on its interdisciplinary strengths in relation to society’s future needs.  Three focus areas were identified and announced for the next 50 years of UCSD’s distinctive contribution to higher education:  Quantitative Biology, Advanced Energy Research and Design.  The newly developing Design program will center on a core curriculum of basic courses in design as well as practicums in which small groups of students – working under the guidance of UCSD faculty with industry or community partners – work on design solutions to specific problems.

Fast forward the tape to this week, where along with other community and business folk I had the privilege at the Division of Social Sciences Dean’s Luncheon to learn more about the Design Initiative from its interim co-director David Kirsh. Professor Kirsh engaged us by outlining some big ideas with respect to design including:

Designing for Experience– Where one finds opportunities not requirements and design is “embedded, embodied, situated and differentiated”

Designing for Effectiveness– Where doing the right thing is key and it actually works in the way that people want it

Designing for Efficiencies– Where doing it the right way is critical and the right information in the right form, at the right place and the right time at the right pace, duration and rhythm is essential

Rightly considered, design is not a substantive area of inquiry as much as it is a process and way of thinking. Design is exemplified by a practical, problem-oriented focus that aims to develop real solutions. The unique contribution and promise at UCSD will emphasize the “human” element of design, that is, how people interact with objects, institutions, and one another with a particular focus on cognition and will also contribute to the evaluation of design, or how we know whether designs are “working” to solve the problems identified. Here the social sciences, which today still graduates the majority of majors, can play a powerful role in shaping the future both for the university and by extension for higher education.

How might we design our lives for maximum experience, effectiveness and efficiencies in fulfilling our passion and purpose?

Please add your comments and insights…
(Thanks UCSD Team)

Is Wellness Part of Your Life Design? This Woman is Something Else…
http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_c2#/video/international/2012/05/15/pkg-vassileva-yoga-teacher-guinness-record.reuters
You have got to respect her when she told her doctor ‘don’t tell me what I can’t do’!
(Thanks Ruben)

Speaking of Design, Check out this amazing technology from Japan . . .

Click here!

On the Flip Side, New Designs in the Wrong Hands can be Trouble!

Still leaving valuables in your car?   View TWO ways that these thieves are operating…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgK6OWEDI-8

Speaking of the Wrong Hands, This Just In On Identity Theft:
Until I saw this, I did not realize how serious identity theft was becoming…
Pass this on to your loved ones.

Check this out.

Blessed are the cracked,  for they let in the light!

Finally, Bio mimicry is a great muse for Design
Hope you find these photos inspiring…
Watch this!
(Thanks Larry for these last contributions)

Stay Soul-filled and Design the World You Want to Live In!

Pay it forward!

Love,
Neville

Happy Soul Food Friday!

This week:

A follow up from the Mother’s Day Fancy Dress Swim to combat Malaria

By the looks of it, these moms had an exhilarating experience doing good and celebrating motherhood!

(Thanks Marlaine)

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“No man should bring children into the world who is unwilling to persevere to the end in their nature and education.”— Plato

Some of you were inspired last week by Peyton Goddard.

I even heard from one fellow soul foodie that she and her mom taught Sunday School with Dianne Goddard and that Peyton would attend.

This link of Peyton’s speech along with her therapist is inspirational, insightful & humbling and allows us to see how both the teacher and the student bring out the best in one another

“Great is EACH!”

http://www.peytongoddard.com/aboutpeytonmovie.html

(Thanks Barb)

If “your attitude determines your altitude” this little guy can’t help but make you smile…
Our attitude toward life defines not only who we are, but the quality of life we will have.

Click here!

Anything bugging you today?  

Doesn’t seem so bad anymore, does it?

“Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain”.

(Thanks Chris)

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Want to know and overcome the 6 Enemies of Greatness and Happiness?
Read on…

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jessicahagy/2012/02/28/the-six-enemies-of-greatness-and-happiness/

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Feeling a little snarky?

Here is a little wit with spit…

1. Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected.
2. I’m not into working out. My philosophy is no pain, no pain.
3. I’m in shape. Round is a shape.
4. I’m desperately trying to figure out why Kamikaze pilots wore helmets.
5. Do illiterate people get the full effect of alphabet soup?
6. I’ve always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific.
7. Ever notice when you blow in a dog’s face he gets mad at you, but when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window.
8. Ever notice that anyone going slower than you is an idiot, but going faster is a maniac?
9. You have to stay in shape. My mother started walking 5 miles a day when she was 60. She’s 97 now and we have no idea where she is!
10. I have six locks on my door, all in a row. When I go out, I lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three of them.
11. One out of every three Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of two of your best friends. If they are OK, then it must be you.
12. They show you how detergents take out bloodstains. I think if you’ve got a T-shirt with bloodstains all over it, maybe your laundry isn’t your biggest problem.
13. Ask people why they have deer heads on their walls and they tell you it’s because they’re such beautiful animals. I think my wife is beautiful, but I only have photographs of her on the wall.
14. A lady came up to me on the street, pointed at my suede jacket and said, “Don’t you know a cow was murdered for that jacket?” I said, “I didn’t know there were any witnesses. Now I’ll have to kill you too!”

(Thanks Larry)

Ready for some Magical Photos?

Check these out!

(Thanks Paul)

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Finally a bit of levity, as laughter is a good tonic for the soul

Oh Lucille!

http://www.youtube.com/embed/kPvciIdDZAE

(Thanks Larry)

Stay Soul-filled!

Love,
Neville

Happy Soul Food Moments!

Teaching is a Calling and They Give Their Whole Being While Imparting a Love of Learning:
Last night I was privileged to attend the celebration of the New Department of Education Studies (formerly TEP) after 40 years of serving the educational community as a thriving academic program.

Sponsored by UCSD Alumni this event celebrated “official department status” in the division of the Social Sciences at UCSD.

Attended by hosts of graduates, supporters and practitioners of research, scholarship and practice it was reminiscent of when I was one of the students that successfully petitioned the Academic Senate to convert the Communications program into a full-fledged department at UCSD many years ago.

It was especially fun to hang out with many interconnected generations of student & teachers. For example one of my karate students Luz C. is now teaching in the Ed Studies program, and has as her PhD. Student Suzanne B., who is currently teaching my son Arman in Middle School! We truly are interconnected…

Did you know Chancellor Fox after getting her Masters in Cleveland taught 7^th grade math, and that Dean Elman was a public school teacher in a bi-lingual program at the early stages of his illustrious career?
Jeff Elman and Bud Mehan were true activists and advocates for that which is right and boy could I relate to their “all in” spirit and actions. They still have that rebellious nature too!

Congrats to Alan Daly for getting tenure- you so deserve it- and my hats off to Amanda Datnow for leading this group to new levels of greatness and impact in this most worthy of professions!

Thanks for including me in your celebration.

This week’s voyage of discovery includes:

Collective Impact for Education
On Tuesday I was honored to be at a table with the San Diego Grantmakers Education Funder’s where 50 local groups have come together to explore and prepare for a collective impact approach to education in San Diego County. A big aha that struck me literally right between the eyes at this meeting, came during a discussion of the great work the Price Charities are doing with a cluster of schools in City Heights. When Principals were polled about their most urgent and pressing need to positively impact education at their schools, the #1 thing they needed in the schools, was wait for it…

GLASSES!

That’s right, many of the kids in this low income community did not have the ability to see properly, and glasses would fundamentally change the landscape of education for them.

The difference between looking and seeing is profound at many levels. Paying attention is one of the most powerful tools in our soul food tool kit.

A Soul filled interview with bestselling author Maurice Sendak and NPR’s Terry Gross
As you might have heard bestselling author of children’s books Maurice Sendak died this week at the age of 82. His classic children’s book Where the Wild Things Are is an award-winning favorite for generations of kids including my own.

Also on Tuesday, Terry Gross whom I consider one of the best interviewers of all time for her ability to be a great listener, to pay acute attention and ask delectable questions dedicated the entire show to Maurice and it epitomizes great journalism.

While listening to the entire 45 minute segment might not be in the cards, I would invite you to simply listen to the last section of the last interview as Maurice shares his experience of living, aging and yes even dying.

Pick up the audio at the 41 minute mark for a genuine soul-filled 5 minutes of full catastrophe living!

Listen to how Maurice esteems Terry at the end if you want to experience the power of paying attention and the gift you provide when you do this for others

This was a real “driveway moment” as I simply could not turn off the radio, listening to this in-the-moment experience and bawling my eyes out.

Click on the link below, click on listen to the story, wait for the requisite 15 second commercial, then toggle to the 41 minute mark and strap in for a soul journey…

I am in love with the world
It is a blessing to find the time
Live your life, live your life, live your life…
http://www.npr.org/2012/05/08/152248901/fresh-air-remembers-author-maurice-sendak

Confront the brutal facts, but NEVER give up hope!
Speaking of inspirational, this is a remarkable story…

Pat and his wife Diane have a 42 year-old daughter who was severely, severely autistic.  She never looked anyone in the eye, or communicated in any way with anyone until she was 22.  But Pat and Diane spent those 22 years always making Peyton a part of their family and life.  She was never excluded from any conversation, family gathering, or school event. Pat and Peyton took her to normal classes all through grammar school and high school. Still not any reaction from Peyton…

And then, at 22, Peyton very awkwardly picked up a computer keyboard and typed the words, “I am Intellgent”.

This is about her story.

Today, Peyton is following through on her vow to be an advocate on behalf of other devalued people.

Her inspirational life embodies the notion that “All people are vastly valuable. Treasure all because each is great.”

http://www.amazon.com/Am-Intelligent-Heartbreak-Healing–A-Daughters/dp/076277925X/ref=sr_1_1?i.e.=UTF8&qid=1334582016&sr=8-1 

(Thanks Remar)

“Learn, learn, learn. Be thankful for everything. Everything is a present”
Many of you loved last week’s article about Alice Sommer Herz. This 5 minute video shares more about here remarkable story.

Alice Sommer Herz is thought of with affection by hundreds of thousands of people in the world as both a sage and a saint. Her wisdom is evident in almost everything that she says. Her saintliness is seen in her almost unique tolerance and her compassion. She has the true gift of forgiveness. “Life is beautiful, love is beautiful, nature and music are beautiful. Everything is a present.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5VTkQKgxkY&feature=related
(Thanks Anne)

Elevate your mood with this blend of sound and moving pictures in nature that is positively transcendental:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk6_hdRtJOE
(Thanks Mique)

Finally, these pictures are worth more than a thousand words…

What is your fav?

Take a look!
(Thanks Larry)

“The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”–MARCEL PROUST

It’s Soul Food time again!

Considering a Soul-Filled Mother’s Day?

Join the Fourth Annual Mothers’ Day Fancy Dress Swim in Oceanside where 100 women will be swimming -though just dipping in works just fine- to help prevent malaria worldwide.

100% of each $5 donated, purchases an insecticide treated bed net and spares fellow moms around the world the agony of losing their babies to malaria.

After this powerful way to launch Mother’s day, spend the rest of the day getting thoroughly pampered knowing you have made an impact not just at home but for a complete stranger.

Note: Non-swimmers can simply donate if they prefer not to get wet.

This is organized by OneSanDiego.org and the coordinator is Marlaine Cover who can be reached by Cell: 760.803.0837 or by email Marlaine@Parenting2pt0.org

http://www.worldswimagainstmalaria.com/Fundraiser.aspx?ProjectID=13&FundRaiserID=6471
(thanks Marlaine)

Life isn’t always Fair!

Here are 7 life lessons from the oldest holocaust survivor in the world that will really inspire you…

Do share which of the seven lessons resonates most for you in the blog comments…

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/19/my-take-7-life-lessons-from-a-holocaust-survivor/
(Thanks  Ruben)

With that reset are YOU Ready for the Real Rules of life?

The greater the hiding the more the self-revelation…

We are brought up to believe a certain set of rules: The early bird gets the worm. Slow and steady wins the race. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Good things happen to good people. Keep your faith, work hard, and all your dreams will come true. But then we grow up. We learn that life isn’t really fair. There are no fairy godmothers, and not everything works out in the end, no matter how good we have been or how hard we’ve tried.

Why, then, are these myths perpetuated? Because clichés and over-simple recipes for living provide a soothing way to manage our daily lives without confronting the harsh reality that some parts of our lives are out of our control.

For several decades, local expert and my friend – Ken Druck has been willing to stand up and write about what we have hidden from ourselves for so long: we need to confront life as it is, not as we want it to be.

We cannot magically wish things into reality. We cannot expect happiness or success to manifest from daily affirmations. By embracing the real rules of life, we discover life’s terms and learn to balance them with our own, preventing costly psychological debts and developing the life skills, underlying wisdom, and emotional freedom essential for fuller, richer lives.

Ken’s new book will resonate with what readers know to be true about how life really is. Readers will discover themselves in vibrant teaching stories from the front lines of Dr. Druck’s pioneering work with individuals, families, communities, leaders, and cutting-edge organizations. They will push the refresh button on long-held myths and limitations, turning them into empower truths, redirecting their lives in much more effective and purposeful ways, and reinvigorating the pursuit of their dream.

Sound interesting? Check out “The Real Rules of Life: Balancing Life’s Terms With Your Own” during their May 14th Bestseller Campaign Launch.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Real-Rules-Life-Balancing/dp/1401939716

Ken Druck, Ph.D.is the Founder of The Jenna Druck Center

www.jennadruck.org
(thanks Ken)

Ready for some good PunoGraphy?

Here goes…
I changed my iPod name to Titanic. It’s syncing now.

When chemists die, they barium.

Jokes about German sausage are the wurst .

I know a guy who’s addicted to brake fluid. But he says he can stop any time.

How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it.

I stayed up all night to see where the sun went. Then it dawned on me.

This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I’d never met herbivore.

I’m reading a book about anti-gravity and I can’t put it down.

I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words.

They told me I had type A blood, but it was a Type-O.

Why were the Indians here first? They had reservations.

Class trip to the Coca-Cola factory. I hope there’s no pop quiz .

Energizer bunny arrested. Charged with battery.

I didn’t like my beard at first. Then it grew on me.

How do you make holy water? Boil the hell out of it.

Did you hear about the cross eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn’t control her pupils?

What does a clock do when it’s hungry? It goes back four seconds.

I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

Broken pencils are pointless.

I tried to catch some fog. I mist.

What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus.

England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.

I used to be a banker, but then I lost interest.

I dropped out of communism class because of lousy Marx.

All the toilets in New York’s police stations have been stolen. Police have nothing to go on.

I got a job at a bakery because I kneaded dough.

Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.

Velcro – what a rip off.

Cartoonist found dead in home. Details are sketchy.

Venison for dinner? Oh deer.

Earthquake in Washington obviously government’s fault.

I used to think I was indecisive, but now I’m not so sure.

I do not enjoy computer jokes. Not one bit.

Be kind to your dentist. He has fillings, too.
(thanks Larry H. )

HandShadowGraphy:

Now this is really creative!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryFQFzN6AMk
(thanks Larry G)

Planning Some Vacation Travel?

Enjoy this quick trip to the Greek Isles- no packing, lines or Euro crisis involved…

Click here!

Be Well, Laugh Lots, and Stay Soulful

Pay it forward!

Love,
Neville

“You are the only person on earth
who can use your ability.”

— Zig Ziglar