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Friday Apr. 8, 2016          

 

Priorities explain us, illuminate us.

When strong feelings erupt, pay attention. Pain and pleasure drivers live at the root of everything.

Under pressure or stress I often find surprises.

Sometimes I burn bridges. Or blow them up. And always, it’s a good time to build bridges. There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t regret some things, but not many. Not often. Too often I’ve expected others to think, feel or act as I would, as I would have them. Well, that’s just crazy.

I’m trying to be less crazy …

I can tell right. From wrong. When what was once right in my mind no longer feels right for me, action is required. Actions rarely are without consequences …

Lasting valuable worthy things I’ve done, always products of strong feelings (mixed with facts, beliefs, rights, wrongs) whether they involved relationships among people or things, feelings or issues, working inside rules or colouring outside boxes, I know I don’t always achieve things I’m trying, but never because I gave up.

Not to say I won’t change directions. I have, do and will – many recalculations.

Because I’ve learned some powerful lessons which now, more than ever, drive my actions and reactions. Only one person decides what happens in our lives, only our own permission is required.

Accountability is another matter – something owed by agreement, or sense of obligation. Regret, easily embraced or held onto, but there are better things to occupy our minds. Fill brains with more to do. More to give. More to try. To work for. Strive for. Recalling can be helpful. Regretting, not so much.

Permission?

Granted …

 

Mark Kolke

written / published from Calgary, AB

morning walk:  2C/36F, overnight chill and a fresh breeze (afternoon forecast is 27C/81F ..wow, April!), I’m liking this global warming. Gusta’s impulse control, or lack of it, showed up  - every whiff of rabbit-candy the identified needed to be searched out to the chagrin of my rotator cuff …

Reader feedback:

JUST FAUX

And now you know why I created a board game on business ethics.... People's choices on how they interpret rules and information creates conflict, and everyone wants it their own way. We've lost the art of compromise, and I'd venture to say we've lost the art of listening as well.  And I'm choosing to remind people not only about the golden rule but about how to treat each other with respect. I'm starting to get more business than I can handle on my own! Yeah, dogs and other animals are much simpler and fun to work with! Good luck with your condo association and the lawsuit.  My homeowners association is nasty, and the laws here favor them instead of the residents, so winning against them is nearly impossible unless they've broken the law, MM, Phoenix, AZ


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