TheHeretical Life

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 02:17:00 +0000

Purpose- Bicentennial Man

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:38:00 +0000

President Marjorie Bota: Andrew Martin

Andrew Martin: I've always tried to make sense of things. There must be some reason I am as I am. As you can see, Madame Chairman, I am no longer immortal.

President Marjorie Bota: You have arranged to die?

Andrew Martin: In a sense I have. I am growing old, my body is deteriorating, and like all of you, will eventually cease to function. As a robot, I could have lived forever. But I tell you all today, I would rather die a man, than live for all eternity a machine.

President Marjorie Bota: Why do you want this?

Andrew Martin: To be acknowledged for who and what I am, no more, no less. Not for acclaim, not for approval, but, the simple truth of that recognition. This has been the elemental drive of my existence, and it must be achieved, if I am to live or die with dignity.

Back in the habit again...

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 21:56:00 +0000

Some habits die hard. That’s what they say and, while true, it’s much harder for new habits to be born. It’s too easy to slip back old patterns. Developing good new habits have a distinct disadvantage. It takes time to see the benefits. It’s a long haul type of endeavor. You have to really dig in. You have to try. You have to rely on little more than faith, a belief that this change is going to payoff dividends. You are investing in your future self.
Bad habits on the other hand, bad habits payoff today. They are the fast easy money. Eat, sleep and be merry for tomorrow we all may die. Bad habits are oh so easy to incorporate. Bad habits sell themselves. In contrast to the investment of good habits, bad habits are mortgaging your future self? Perhaps it’s more like a living paycheck to paycheck.

The Customer is Always Right??

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 20:44:00 +0000

Dear Sir or Madam,

You have our sincerest apologies; however, we are not able to grant your request regarding the matter you mentioned. I can understand your reaction given the materialistic, narcissistic / supplicant driven society we live currently find ourselves it. However, I am afraid your behavior in the guise of a rational a human being is purely unacceptable. I hope that you understand that for the good of all humankind, society, and common sense, I will not be granting your preposterous demands. This resolution has been reached based on not the merit of the request, but rather manner in which the request was put forth. Rewarding such behavior runs counter to the greater evolution of the species. I do hope you are able to reflect on this moment and see that perhaps there is a better way to interact with your fellow man. I pray that this message reaches you in the manner that it was intended to; as a concerned, measured response to what can only be described as a vexingly overblown sense of rapacious self-entitlement.

Dictated, not Read,

The Management

Rory Sutherland: Life lessons from an ad man | Video on TED.com

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:14:00 +0000

The Quickest Way to Create a New Mindset

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:21:00 +0000

The Quickest Way to Create a New Mindset: "

Our Internal Reality

We all want to change our internal reality on some level. The way we think, interpret, react, cope, expect, process, interact and communicate. The way we create our own experiences: good and bad. The way we manage our fears. Or, perhaps, don’t manage them. The way we avoid the big decisions. The way we wait. And wait. And wait. That is, procrastinate.

The way we see ourselves. Talk to ourselves. The way we feel. Our emotions. The way we deal with stressful situations. Or, perhaps, the way we create stress in our world. The way we see the world and us in it. The labels we give things. The meaning we give certain experiences. The way we give away our power. And take it back. The way we look for approval. And acceptance.

The way we beat ourselves up. And make ourselves unhappy. The way we pretend. And act. And deny. The way we continue on with the same unproductive and destructive patterns, habits and behaviours. The way we have the same pointless conversations about the same issues with the same people. And produce the same less-than-desirable results. Forever. The way we do the same things over and over and then curiously wonder why nothing changes. The way we start things we never finish.

Yes, we all want to change on some level. We all want to become a better version of us. To learn, grow, evolve and adapt. That’s why we explore personal development stuff.

So, what is the single quickest way to create internal shift? To change the way we think, feel, interpret, react, cope, expect, process, interact and communicate? Three simple words:

Experience new things.

Do Different to Be Different

When we do things we’ve never done before, there’s an instant and automatic internal shift. Expectations, emotions, attitudes and beliefs (about what’s possible for us) change. The internal shift is simply a byproduct of a new experience. Of doing something we’ve never done before.

Change comes from doing. For the most part, we don’t ‘think’ ourselves different; we ‘do’ ourselves different. So to speak. We need to ‘action’ our way to internal transformation. Which is why the theory of personal development is worthless until it becomes a practical reality. Until the concepts and ideas are turned into behaviours. Some people are theoretical geniuses but practical idiots. They talk a lot but do very little.

Change comes from doing. Which is why an article like this can be transformational or worthless – it all depends on you.

The Runner

For the forty-five year-old woman who runs a half-marathon for the first time in her life, the transformation will be more emotional and psychological (internal), than it will be physical (external). She finishes her event and without focusing on anything other than the physical process, she has gained more confidence, her standards and expectations have changed, she’s less fearful and she’s more excited about her future possibilities. Her new experience has created internal shift.

The Ex-Scaredy Cat

Then there’s the insecure, fearful guy who runs into a burning house and saves a child. In an instant, his default setting is changed forever. He does something that he never thought was possible (for him) and with one brave, selfless action, many of his self-limiting beliefs are smashed. He is empowered. The world is the same but he is different. Therefore, his world is different.

The Graduate

There’s the self-proclaimed dummy who enrolls in university, does the work, develops the study-skills, learns the academic language, passes the exams and gains the degree. She is forever changed. The ability was always there but the confidence wasn’t. Her self-limiting thinking and self-sabotaging behaviours become a thing of the past – as a byproduct of doing something she had never done.

The Traveller

There’s the woe-is-me guy who visits a third world country. He instantly realises that his horrible life in the USA is actually fantastic. And that his lifestyle is actually one of privilege, not disadvantage. He identifies that his self-pitying, negative attitude has always been his problem. Without even looking for it, his experience in another part of the world teaches him to acknowledge, value and appreciate what he has (which is plenty). Nothing changes but everything changes.

The Business Woman

There’s the girl who sets up her own business. She doesn’t think about it, plan for it or talk about it (any more). No, she actually does it. In the first twelve months of owning her own business, she learns and grows more than she has in the last twelve years. The experience changes her.

And Me…

While I am constantly reading and studying, the place I’ve always learned the most, had my biggest breakthroughs and experienced my biggest (internal) shifts was when I stepped out of my over-thinking mind and experienced new things.

If you’re like me (an experiential learner), then perhaps it’s time for you to experience something new? To do something you’ve never done. And no, it doesn’t need to be a major event so don’t talk yourself out of it before you even start. It might be something relatively minor like trying yoga, talking to a stranger, going for a jog, learning an instrument, doing some volunteer work, asking someone out for coffee or even leaving a comment on this site.

Or, maybe you should think about it for a while longer?

Share an experience with us that created a significant internal shift for you.

Craig Harper (B.Ex.Sci.) is a qualified exercise scientist, author, columnist, radio presenter, television host, motivational speaker and university lecturer. For the past 25 years he has been a leading presenter, educator, motivator and commentator in the areas of personal and professional development. You can visit Craig's blog at Motivational Speaker.FREE eBook – So… You’ve Decided to Get in Shape (Again) Craig's FREE eBook takes 20 – 30 minutes to read, and addresses the REAL getting-in-shape issues based on his 25 years of experience. To get Craig’s FREE eBook click here, weight loss books.

Every so often

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 01:04:00 +0000

Every so often things go exactly the way they are supposed to. Now, some might argue that everything happens the way they are supposed to. Everything happens for a reason? As a fan of chaos theory, I’ll grant you that. Thats not to say that everything that happens has a purpose. That a longer discussion on causality. But I digress...

Everything happening the way it was supposed to? At thrity-two years of age, I gotta say the jury is still out on that. There are things that I have to believe are supposed to happen that haven’t yet. So do I say “Oh, I guess that wasn’t supposed to be”? Do I hold on ad infinitum believing something will happen, when actuality it wasn’t mean to be? When/if it does happen do I reverse my position or vise versa? The reason I don’t like the idea that everything happens exactly the way is supposed to is that the “what” and “when” are still are unknown factors. Some things do happen, but later than they were supposed to. Some of them happen sooner than we think we’re ready. So, on a long enough time line those people would be correct. I believe there is a certain degree on cosmic coarse correction involved. This universal equilibrium is an ideal that is only clear in retrospect. In the here and now, nothing is guaranteed. You gotta work with what you got and hope for the best.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 07:11:00 +0000

Respect. Respect is not a right inherently deserved. Respect must be earned. Through intention, and action, and strength of character; respect, as an individual, must be earned. But often times, while and individual may not deserve your respect, the rank, tenure, or position does. What does this mean? Sometime character and respect means shutting up. You may not like the person, or their policy, or circumstance, but sometimes you have to just shut up because they are your superior. Make no mistake, while this person may be your superior they are not superior to you. By taking the highroad and swallowing ones pride, you show the strength of your character. No man exists in a vacuum. Living in the modern world means playing nice with others. Biting your tongue isn’t necessarily tantamount to selling you soul…and sometimes it is. The trick is knowing when to speak and when not to speak. Pick your battle, pick your words. Silence is golden when it provides an opportunity the fight another day. The surest way to earn respect is to show respect. Respected individuals earn it and that earned respect outweighs a statuary respect. Think before you speak. Just some food for thought…

Old Spice Guy... Welcome to the club

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 05:33:00 +0000

" Hello ladies. How are you? Fantastic." There's in interesting..."event" going on. The "Old Spice Guy" has started a his transcendence. Every so often product spokesman grows beyond the product that the promote.

In the last couple of days, Old Spice has released over 200 Youtube videos featuring the towel clad sage. "Where's the Beef", "Bud-Weis-er", " Make - 7 up Your". It's not everyday that a the characters in ads grab peoples imagination. (And if they manage to hock a few more of there wares, all the better.) The Old Spice Guy is ready to join the ranks of the California Raisins and the Budweiser Frogs. Let's just hope he doesn't join the Geico Cavemen... in disgrace (Seriously, who thought a TV show was good idea.) If you haven't seen it, here's a little taste:

Other Classic Spokesmen:

The Most Interesting Man in the World

Make 7up Yours

Terry Tate Office Linbacker

California Raisins

Priceline Negotiator

Psuedo-Insight: Knight and Day

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 02:23:00 +0000

I just saw the movie Knight and Day. Not a bad movie in it’s own right. There was one scene that stuck out to me. In it Cameron Diaz is following Tom Cruise to some secret meeting. What stuck me was that she was very intently tailing him, in a foreign country, from the hotel to a mystery location. Now, I am a person that is notorious for getting lost. I have to concentrate on where I parked and the surroundings when I go to the mall. In this movie Cameron is focused on following Tom. I kept thinking, “How is she going to find her way back to the hotel”?. I feel like there’s a parable to be found there. Something about it being easy to get lost when you focus solely on where you think you’re going without taking notice of where you are and where you’ve been. Who says you can’t learn from movies…

Some Food For Thought...

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 01:38:00 +0000

Eagles may soar, but weasels don’t get sucked into jet engines.

The light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off due to budget cuts.

Rome did not create a great empire by having meetings, they did it by killing all those who opposed them

We put the “k” in “kwality”

If something doesn’t feel right, you’re not feeling the right thing.

Artificial Intelligence in no match for Natural Stupidity

A person who smiles in the face of adversity… probably has a scapegoat.

If you can stay calm, while all around you is chaos… then you probably haven’t completely understood the situation.

Your job is still better than asking “You want fries with that?”
Plagiarism saves time.

Never put off until tomorrow what you can avoid altogether.

This can’t go on for ever – Even the Third Reich only lasted 12 years

TEAMWORK … means never having to take all the blame yourself.

The beatings will continue until morale improves.

Every time I think I’ve hit rock bottom, somebody throws me a shovel.

If at first you don’t succeed… DELEGATE

Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups.

INDECISION is the key to FLEXIBILITY

Aim Low, Reach Your Goals, Avoid Disappointment

On the other hand, you have different fingers.

42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

Remember, half the people you know are below average.

He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.

A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.

When everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.

Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?

Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, “What the heck happened?”

Light travels faster than sound. That’s why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Life isn’t like a box of chocolates. It’s more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.

Life is an ongoing experiment

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:43:00 +0000

Life is an ongoing experiment

Uncle Pecos Tom and Jerry Crambo w/ lyrics

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:44:00 +0000

Totally like whatever, you know?

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Mon, 24 May 2010 06:25:00 +0000

Ron White - Stupid is forever

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 06:51:00 +0000

Gary Vaynerchuk: Do what you love (no excuses!) | Video on TED.com

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 06:44:00 +0000

Gary Vaynerchuk: Do what you love (no excuses!) | Video on TED.com

TED Talks - Ideas worth Spreading

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:46:00 +0000

TED is a yearly conference were some great minds come together and share ideas. Here are a few of my favorites. Enjoy...

Dan Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness, challenges the idea that we’ll be miserable if we don’t get what we want. Our "psychological immune system" lets us feel truly happy even when things don’t go as planned.

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Martin Seligman talks about psychology -- as a field of study and as it works one-on-one with each patient and each practitioner. As it moves beyond a focus on disease, what can modern psychology help us to become?
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Psychologist Barry Schwartz takes aim at a central tenet of western societies: freedom of choice. In Schwartz's estimation, choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied.

I do love the Rat Pack

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:42:00 +0000

Here's a great clip from Robin and the 7 Hood. It just happened to be on my mind ( The Jack might have had something to do with it) . Enjoy...

theHeretical Life-- The Intro

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:05:00 +0000

Tags: blog, vlog, random, heretic, intro, view, from, above, vfa

theHeretical Life -- The pitch

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:40:00 +0000

Tags: pitch, blog, vlog, view, from, above

Heavy Stuff...

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:28:00 +0000

Just a quick thought...I'm watching the show on TLC "Half-Ton Dad". It's basically a story about a man in Houston that weighs 1030lbs. It's a sad situation. The thing that bothers me, though, is they keep talking about the evils of fast food. Now, I know fast food is loaded with saturated fat, and empty calories. It's not good for you by any means and defiantly is a contributing factor to obesity. But why present the story as thought fast food is the only culprit.

One of the doctors acknowledges that fast food alone doesn't get someone to the point of being super morbidly obese. The subject of this story, Kenneth, has a genetic defect that effects his metabolism. "Genetic is a loaded gun, but environment pulls the trigger" I think that's more of a fair point.

What about the decreased level of physical activity in our culture. Man once was a hunter/gather. We had to fight and flee from the occasional predator. Ritualistic dancing, marching, battling, and exploring the world...mostly on foot. Now we sit in front of a variety of flashing boxes punching buttons. Elevators to go up one floor? Driving to the mailbox at the end of the block? Calling some in the next room, rather than getting up and walking into the next room...I mean, I'm lazy, but come on people.

theHeretical Life Teaser

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:35:00 +0000

Theheretical Life ( pronounced theoretical life) is a mildly hyperbolic, semifactual, Totally scripted reality blog that explores the world, reality and occasional rants of its narratorME © 2009, Ita Udo-Ema. http://viewfromabove.icopyright.com Distributed by Tubemogul.

Tags: blog, rant, random, pop, culture, morlocks, eloy, us, them, viewfromabove

Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:55:00 +0000

Ah Trukey day...Over the last few day, in preparation for "the question", I've been thinking alot about what I'm thankful for this year. I find myself quite ambivalent about the subject.

Don't get me wrong, in the grand scheme, I have a lot to be grateful for: family, friends, a roof over my head... the usual blessings that are too often overlooked, or at least under played the rest of the year.

As I review the past, this year in particular, I find myself re-evaluating my future (so much for savoring the moment). I feel like there have been a number of of seemingly minor events that have got me asking some major questions. Questions that I thought I had finally gotten the answers to. Questions like " Where I'm I going", "What do I want to do(career-wise)" and " Where do I want to be this time next year" and "Am I ever going to get to try a Turducken ( mmm...Truducken). The answer that keeps coming back it " I don't know".

As you can imagine the phase " I don't know" doesn't sit to well with a control-freak, know-it-all such as myself... but perhaps Mary Schmich put it best when she wrote "Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum." ( I was pretty good at algebra...kinda)

As I continue to search for the key to the universe I shall leave you with this...Happy Thanksgiving! Go eat drink and be merry for tomorrow...there's LEFT OVERS.

Oh, and THANK YOU ;-)

Think Arete Manifesto by Brian Johnson

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:53:00 +0000

Ever so often I've reminded of this inspirational piece and feel compelled to share it...again. Enjoy...

thinkAreté.theManifesto

by Brian Johnson

What would you do if you weren't afraid?

OK...

So...uh...what exactly are you waiting for?

This isn't a dress rehearsal...

Wake up!

Here's the deal: What we can be, we MUST be.

Period.

There's no getting around that one.

So, turn off your TV. Put down your drink. Get off the medication.

Quit numbing yourself. The pain's not going away.

Not until you Think Areté.

Think Areté?

Yep.

Gandhi got it. Einstein got it. Mother Theresa got it.

Tiger gets it. Gates gets it. Oprah gets it.

The Greeks got it.

Get this: Guys like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle said that if you want happiness you better live with Areté--a word that literally means virtue or excellence but has a deeper meaning...something closer to “constantly striving to reach your highest potential.”

Areté.

How beautiful is that? It was one of the highest ideals of Greek culture.

It should be one of ours.

Tragically, it's not.

We seem to be more interested in resumes, accolades and 401k's.

Speaking of retirement...

Who came up with that? Work our asses off doing something we're not passionate about so we can accumulate enough money to pay the bills from our stress-caused illnesses while we bitch about what we should have done when we were still young.

Hmmm...can't quite figure that one out. Seems like it makes a bit more sense to go ahead and dare to live now...

Why not Think Areté?

Live to your highest potential--moment to moment to moment.

Not in the mood?

Fine. Then live with regret, anxiety, and disillusionment.

Your call.

Think about it. When do we feel most alive?

Exactly. When we're being ourselves--our highest selves.

You want happiness?

Think Areté.

Dream. Grow. Stretch yourself.

Rip off the tie. Jump out of the cubicle.

Dream. Think. Dare to be crazy.

What are you waiting for?

Think Areté.

Live. Love. Smile. Hug. Laugh. Dream. Do. Create.

Have fun. Be intense. Be audacious. Be unreasonable. Act impeccably. Breathe.

Be you. Be different. Get paid to do what you love. Dance in your underwear on your way to work...

Why not?

Ditch the tie. Escape the cube. Leave the 8-5. Trash the resume.

Ignore the critics. And the cynics. Burn the corporate ladders. Laugh at the ceilings.

Quit the bitching. Open your mind. End the laziness. Overcome the fear. Transcend the conditioning...

Why not?

Move the world.

Change the world.

Push the human race forward.

Whatever you call it, go out and do it.

When?

Now.

Not when you have enough money or once you do this or do that. That's nonsense.

It's not gonna be easy, but go out and live your dream. Now.

You deserve it.

And, if that doesn't move you: The world deserves it.

Think Areté.

Cold as..Nice?

noreply@blogger.com (Deacon) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:27:00 +0000

It occurs to me...on several occasions in my life be called "too nice". On the other hand, I've also been called "cold" and at least in one case both by the same person. ( Now thats a interesting accomplishment.) But I digress...

Now I don't mean, " Aww, you're too nice". ( That, I like. I'll take that all day) It's more like " You know what your problem is? ( Oh please tell me) You, you're too nice". Wha? I didn't realize you could be "too nice". I always thought being nice was a good thing. The way I see it being nice and agreeable beats the alternative, responding to every crackpot comment with "Listen you f***in dolt, you're an idiot. You open your piehole and you make the rest of the world a little bit dumber". Thats just not nice.

I know there are those out there that advocate brutal truth. "Hey, I just tell it like it is. If you don't like it thats you're bad". MMmm...no. You have a responsibility for the words that you speak. Once those words leave your mouth you are liable for how those words land on the recipient. Of course you can't be held responsible every time your message is twisted and misunderstand. But I think ever people were a little less cut throat and a a little nicer the world would be a little better. Or at least we'd be free to focus on more important things...like ending celebrity gossip...