"Happiness does not notice the passing of time." — Chinese proverb.

This must be the Chinese version of the old adage, “time flies when you’re having fun.” However you want to say it, the statement is still very true.

I’ve often wondered if this statement partially explains why so often it seems that my children grow up so quickly. I’m very happy and having a lot of fun when I’m with my children. Unless, of course, one of them is having what my wife calls a “meltdown.” I think most parents really do enjoy their children, if only because they provide us with a chance to vicariously re-live our own childhood.

Thinking back to my days in college, I remember Dr. King asking our chemistry class, “What does time measure?” The answer we all came up with was time. Dr. King explained very carefully that time measures change. Its function is to help us determine how long it takes for a change to occur.

Maybe when we are happy we are so caught up in the change that we don’t stop to measure how long it takes. Being happy changes us – I think that is a pretty accurate statement. If you don’t believe it watch someone who is happy doing his or her work and then watch someone who isn’t. The person who is happy is generally preoccupied with what they are doing. They don’t bother to check the clock to see how long they have been happy – they are much too busy being happy!

For what its worth, maybe its because happy people don’t notice the passing of time that they seem to live longer

"Two things a man should never be angry at: what he can help, and what he cannot help." — Thomas Fuller

I have a problem. I want to share this quote with too many people. I guess I am tired of listening to people complain about things they can change. I’m not sure why people get stuck on getting angry instead of doing something, but they do. I really think some people have made a hobby out of getting angry and complaining.

I guess it must be easier to be angry at something than to change it. I can’t help thinking that even though it may be more work; the benefits far exceed any amount of work that goes into changing it. For one, you might end up being happier.

I don’t understand how something can bother people enough to upset them and ruin their moods, and still not be motivated to change it. I have a degree in Psychology and I still don’t understand that! Perhaps it has something to do with why there are so many art critics compared to artists.

In writing this I find myself thinking back to something that happened to me decades ago. I realized there was a problem and I jumped in and did what little I could to make the situation better. I didn’t receive any pay, nor did I get a medal or any type of award. I did sleep better that night knowing that I had at least done something. Interestingly, one of my friends at the time, laughed at me when I told him about how I participated in the solution of the problem. That was a long time ago and my friend’s reaction still confuses me. I don’t understand how you can mock anyone for pitching in and trying to help.

For what its worth, I want to leave you with a marriage to two advertising slogans for different products – Glad garbage bags and Nike shoes.

“Don’t get mad, just do it!”

“The reward for conformity was that everyone liked you except yourself.” – Rita Mae Brown

Why do we as human beings spend so much of our time trying to be just like everyone else? Why do we have this obsession?

Do we have this obsession in hopes of having people like us? Why is the idea that people can like us for being ourselves so ludicrous?

God took the time to make us unique and different – right down to your fingerprint. God gave each of us gifts to share with the world. What’s more, we have all been given a unique way to use our special gifts.

Why are we so willing to sacrifice our individuality to be a cheap copy of what someone else thinks we should be? I don’t know why.

I do know that at every opportunity I try to impress upon my children that different is good. I try to impress on their young minds the idea that different does not equal bad. It isn’t an easy thing to do. For every attempt I make to teach them that different is good, society showers them with the same message in a dozen different ways – conform, conform, conform.

For what its worth just remember, different is good!

“Obstacles will look large or small to you according to whether you are large or small.” – Orison Swett Marden

Someone once told me that you are only as big as the difficulties that stop you. How big of an obstacle does it take to stop you in your tracks?

For some people all it takes is an obstacle the size of a remote control to stop them. Those are truly small people.

Compare that to the cyclist in the Tour de France who rode through rough cobblestone streets with a broken collar bone. That takes a big person.

What about the young woman working a full-time job and a part-time job while taking college classes at nights, on the weekends, and online? She’s already completed her Associates Degree and has no student loans and a lot of work experience!

Want to hear about someone bigger? How about the young man with one arm who taught himself to eat fried chicken with a fork – gracefully?

What is it that is keeping you from doing what you really want? I don’t really need to hear your answer. The reason I don’t need to hear your answer is that I already know the answer.

For what its worth, I believe the only thing that is really keeping you from what you want out of life is you.

An Interesting Experiment

I recently completed a 36-hour long period of no television. It was really kind of exciting.

I went for a walk. I got some fresh air and exercise instead of sitting and vegetating in front of a TV breathing stale air.

I finished one book and started reading another.

I slept. I slept instead of staying up too late watching a rerun of a show I had seen a dozen times before.

I kept up with the news through a newspaper and in a few minutes knew enough about what was happening in the world to be conversant about current events instead of spending the usual 30 minutes or more being bombarded with advertising.

The really interesting thing is that I came away from the experience feeling exhilarated. After spending a complete day “unplugged” from the television I found television not only less appealing, but more revulsive than I had anticipated.

That was a little over a week ago. In the last week, I have found myself watching even less television than before. I don’t even bother to watch the weather channel to get the weather forecast anymore because I can log on to one of three different web sites and get the same information faster via the Internet with only a fraction of the invasive advertising.

When was the last time you went more than a day without watching any television?

For what its worth, you really ought to try it!

"Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival!" - W. Edwards Deming (1900 - 1993)

I challenge you to find a more appropriate quote for the modern age. In an age where everything is constantly changing, you had better be constantly learning.

Just for a moment, pretend you have just graduated today with a technology degree (networking, telecommunications, web design, programming, etc.) You have mastered every subject in your field. You are competent in all the skills that are in demand in the job market today.

In all likelihood, you will have no problem finding employment.

However, if you don’t continue to learn you will soon find yourself obsolete. Technology changes constantly and you had better be prepared to keep up by constantly learning.

Don’t think this only applies to the technology arena! Regardless of your field of endeavor, there is always something new to be learned and mastered. There are always new ideas, new theories, and new approaches to the current problems in life. If you aren’t out there making any attempt to keep up, you will soon find your knowledge and skills obsolete and your survival threatened.

Brian Tracy, a leading authority on personal effectiveness, says that you should devote at least 3% of your income to continuous learning regardless of your occupation. Personally, I’m a big fan of audio books. I have learned about time management, giving presentations, goal setting, and “read” several best sellers while in my car. It may take me two months to get through an audio book, but its still better than not reading the book at all!

For what its worth, think of it this way - learning equals survival

"The joy of life consists in the exercise of one’s energies, continual growth, constant change, the enjoyment of every new experience." — Alister Crowley

Personally, I think that life is something to be lived every single day. Alister Crowley seems to be of this opinion as well. Unfortunately, this idea that life is to be lived appears to be more and more removed from every day life for many people. I hope that no one reading this finds themselves in group of people who have made themselves very comfortable in their little rut.

Life is about exercising your energies – its about doing. Do something! I am amazed at the number of people who don’t really seem to have any hobby except watching television. Doesn’t anyone do anything anymore? Don’t just sit there and vegetate in front of the television! Seriously and objectively watch what you see on television. Is what you see educational? Is what you see really informative, or just telling you what you should be thinking?

What are you doing to grow? Right now make a list of all the things you have done to grow as a person, physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

When was the last time you actually did something about “getting into shape” other than just talk about doing it?

When was the last time you read a book? I’m even willing to let you include any book you have read to your children. I am willing to let you include this because there are so many children who have never had an adult read to them. Did you know that one of the tests for school readiness includes handing a child a book to see if they know how to hold a book so they can “read” it? Its true – I can’t make up stuff like this!

When was the last time you sat down and had a real meaningful conversation with someone you care about? Can you remember the last conversation you had with someone that didn’t require you to have to talk over the radio or television, or a video game?

What have you done to move yourself outside of your “comfort zone”?

How does your list look? What have you been doing? How have you grown? Do you find your list a little depressing? Personally, I find my list depressing - and I have an answer for every question. The reason I’m depressed is because I still don’t think my answers are good enough.

For what its worth, I want you to honestly question your answers to these questions. I want you to get up and do something. I want you to “exercise your energies” and grow and make yourself a better person.