Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. Make all your friends feel there is something special in them. Look at the sunny side of everything. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give everyone a smile. Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others. Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.
-- Christian D. Larsen 
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best
Monday, May 11, 2009
Which Social Network is the Most Generous?
"Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Digg and Twitter are often compared in terms of features, but which one has the most generous users?"
The post from Mashable.com continues below, but I just wanted to say a couple of things. I think this is a great idea. I know there are a few faults with the measuring system and we cannot rely solely on this to give us an accurate representation of users, however there are other lessons to be learned.
For one, the fact that they have almost raised $835 in a short period of time relying solely on social media speaks volumes about the potential in this environment. We need to keep working on such projects so that we can find a more efficient and effective way to raise funds.
Secondly, this might also help us analyze trends and maybe even create social media outlets focused on socially motivated individuals. For example, think along the lines of "Facebook for people interested in promoting education - EduBook?, Twitter for the Go Green movement, etc. Although the current platforms reach a wider audience and are great for spreading awareness, creating specific social outlets (if they don't exist already) might help bring specific people together. If your argument is "just create a group of facebook", think about the fact that facebook wouldn't have existed if that same mentality existed with everyone considering MySpace was already out there.
The Mashable.com post:
That’s the gauntlet laid down by the Altruism Challenge, a site that aims to raise money for the World Partnership Walk, Canada’s “largest annual event dedicated to increasing awareness and raising funds to fight global poverty”. Canadian Nadir Ebrahim wrote to us explaining the site’s aim: to raise $10,000 from social media users. Additionally, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will match the funds raised dollar for dollar.
At the moment, Facebook is the most altruistic network by far, with Twitter second and Diggin last place. Which social media site will you be donating on behalf of?
http://mashable.com/2009/05/10/altruism-challenge/
To donate or view current stats, visit http://www.altruismchallenge.com/
Friday, March 13, 2009
Dan Gilbert: How we are deceived by our own miscalculations of the future
A long video - but definitely a must see.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
“Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values.” - Ayn Rand
While doing my undergrad in business, a concept that they dug into our minds was that every business needs to have strategic objectives, the accomplishment of which would help them fulfill their mission and then their vision. However, one important underlying factor that could change the result regardless of the clarity of the SOs, Mission or Vision, was the value system embedded in an organizations culture. Being an accounting major, I categorized this as "fluff" a.k.a concepts that are a waste of time to read.
But looking back at it now from a different perspective, I think it deserves a close second look. As a person, what is your vision? What is your mission? What strategic objectives do you have to meet in order to get there? Most importantly, what are your underlying values?
Although all of them are important, I think the most important thing us to do is understand what our underlying values are - what type of guiding principles do we live by. They could be anything - honesty, integrity, not talking about other people when they are not there, doing things for others without expecting returns, helping others, handling a conflict in a mature way, patience, etc.
I know these might sound like "fluff" to some of you, but think about it...how often do you actually live by these? Sure we can say we do, but do you believe it? Don't judge yourself on a good day, judge yourself on the worst day. The day when everything is going wrong for you, the day when you are really upset or angry, at that point in time, do you follow these values that you consider to be important? Or are these days allowed to be different - I mean, if I cant practice my own values the day I need them most, then is there really a point of having them. If I don't, I just end up being a hypocrite.
While reading this, if you were thinking about anyone other than yourself, then you have just proven to yourself that your values are weak. Its a basic underlying principle of life, judge yourself before judging others. Forget about others and try to understand what type of person YOU really are, because until you figure out who you are and what guides you, you are just going to end up looking like another random person with nothing to make themselves stand out, not even as a person of character.
Friday, December 19, 2008
The Paradox of Our Time
Often credited to George Carlin, this message was in fact written by Dr. Moorehead - minister, author and former pastor.
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more,
but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and
smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees
but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more
problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,
drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too
little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our
possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and
hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to
life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but
have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer
space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air,
but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold
more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less
and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of
two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one
night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer,
to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going
to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to
you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your
side.
Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you because that is the only
treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember,
to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all
mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep
inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday
that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak
and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
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