Futility: Worshipping the Mind, But a Great Day Was Had, Nonetheless ........................10/21/12

       Today, I rested, celebrated and had fun.

       Yesterday was something else. I went to bed at 2:00 a.m., Saturday morning, awoke at 5:30 a.m. and spoke
before an audience three times; the final time involved moderating a workshop in the evening for three hours, while seated, thank God.  I didn't get home until 9:30 p.m. What a day, but a good one.

       I'm very happy greeting new guests to this inn. Thanks for dropping by. This inn is here to serve you.  My hope is that this place encourages every guest to develop the habit of exercising our gratitude muscles.

       I'm glad those dropping by enjoy their stay.  Let me know if you need extra blankets or anything ironed overnight.

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       My time at yesterday's peace forum was fun.  That doesn't mean it was all good, although there were portions that were wonderful.  I heard many words, many of them springing from the head only. Too bad.

Laying Prostrate Before The Cerebral Cortex
      The event amazed me: being a counselor and writer, noticing small details is what I do.  I took in many of them.  It's easy worshipping the mind.  Our academic system advocates that.  Culturally we are coerced into absorbing this mentality. No surprise, there.

       I don't venerate the mind.  Rationality doesn't heal damaged emotions. Many use analysis, in vain, to control the uncontrollable and understand that which is incomprehensible.  Its power is limited. Our mind alone, lacks the emotional and psychological distance needed for healing, be it spiritual, mental or emotional.

       This is an opinion formed after being fully immersed with academia, having studied philosophy, Latin, Greek, the humanities, including classical literature.  We need more than our minds, to comprehend life's mysteries and challenges. We get our healing through relationship with healthy others.

       I believe we are primarily spiritual. Yesterday, I heard calls for action.  I disagreed with the point of view expressed.  Action alone will do nothing.  True transformation occurs when there's an inward, spiritual change within individuals, first.

     There wasn't much inspiration derived by the keynote speakers. Cleverness with words is a poor substitute for the dynamism that sparks from a life on fire with God-breathed inspiration, powered by a connection with God.

"17  This I say, therefore, and testify, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18  having their understanding darkened [not everything can be grasped, using reason alone], being alienated from the life of God [unable to comprehend or grasp the fullness of life], because of the ignorance that is in them [a result of only using a small part of who we are---our minds only, because of the blindness of their heart [due to only having a mind-oriented, perspective]...." Paul's letter to the Ephesians, chapter two. 

     On the other hand, at the peace forum I saw many attendees desiring spiritual growth, seeking improvement in their relationships with others. Many attended the workshop on nonviolent communication (NVC). The questions they asked revealed a deep hunger for personal growth.

     At the end of the forum, recalling the buzz in the workshop room---feeling the energy---when the participants practiced the NVC skills they just learned, with the person sitting next to them, I was deeply satisfied.

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     The enthusiasm in the room, during the workshop, was tremendous.  The class was receptive, furiously taking notes as I taught.  A dry erase board and markers were all I needed to do what I love: teach.  I was off in another world, once the class started.

     Interestingly, five clients of mine attended.  It was intriguing seeing them in a different context. I get turbo-charged when I instruct, fortunately it's all for the good.

     We used NVC to deal with the different scenarios presented: drunk girlfriends, disrespectful sons, controlling mothers and demanding bosses.

     The audience learned about the five forms of life alienating communication: blame, shame, fear, guilt and judgment, and how to avoid using these tragic ways of expressing our needs. They are tragic because they incite others to get angry, freeze or withdraw from us, when we use them.

      I mentioned that ALL negative feelings are a result of experiencing an unmet need, that it's important  for us to inventory the needs that are not being met, when we are upset. I reviewed how NVC enables us to make requests---to meet these needs.

     The attendees were given a list of needs and feelings.  The lists helped those in the workshop to identify what is alive within them, the needs lacking when feeling negative feelings.

      The workshop was fun.  It sped by quickly. Many showed up fifteen minutes early; they received additional instruction. Most stayed fifteen minutes after our allotted time, allowing them to learn more principles for healthy, dynamic relationships.  Everyone attending got the Attitude of Gratitude Inn experience----Live!!

      Afterwards, several approached, wanting to make an appointment. People are hungry, desiring the freedom, serenity and joy gotten when living by healthy principles. Many want to overcome areas that make them frightened and insecure.

      I may embed in this inn some of what I taught.  My assistant during the workshop videotaped while I spoke.  My business advisors instructed me that my talks need to be recorded. They informed me that people miss much of my personality, if they only read what I write.
 
      I've been a public speaker/teacher for decades; writing, I've been doing only for a few years. It's an entirely different animal. We'll see how it works when I embed parts of yesterday's workshop in the rooms of this inn. Stay tuned, perhaps a TV will be installed, featuring some of what I teach.
Gratitudes for Sunday: 
1. I enjoyed my time yesterday, at the peace forum.
2. I was happy to see many hungry for personal growth.
3. I liked the conversation I had with another presenter. We sat near one another, during the luncheon.
4. I like using my gifts.  I feel like how a violin feels when it is played by someone who has practiced for thousands of hours---if a violin had feelings.
5. I'm glad I'm not connecting with people who would drag me down. I'm thankful that if a relationship is not working out, I move on.
6. I was glad others appreciated learning about the antidote to insecurity and needing acceptance from others: how to become internally referented. You can read several links about this important subject, that contributes towards our sanity and happiness here.
7. I look forward to being the keynote speaker next month for this same organization that produced Saturday's forum on peace.
8. I'm thrilled that my baseball team, the San Francisco Giants, have been tenacious.
     They were down three losses to one win, in the best of seven National League championship series. With their backs to the wall, they won the last three, each a must-win or go home game. The team will play the decisive game tomorrow.  If they win, they go to the World Series.
      Can't beat that stakes. My plans for tomorrow evening, I'm cancelling. This is a must-watch event; I know my priorities.
9. I'm thankful for antibiotics. Soon enough, my leg will no longer ache throughout the day.
10. I'm grateful for each of you who drop by, read and comment. I value the community you create when you do.
11. I'm happy about getting to know someone better in the upcoming weeks. This person has a mega-watt smile.
12. I had a wonderful, insightful dialog with a charming person, while at the forum.
    I enjoyed her perspective and the fun we had talking about English literature.  We spoke during the breakfast they had for those who presented yesterday. We discovered we went to the same two schools for undergraduate and graduate studies.
13. I enjoyed moderating a panel discussion for three hours, in the evening, Saturday.  I used skills practiced when I ran business meetings as a director of several businesses.
14. I look forward to riding my bike in the late morning, tomorrow.  No can do. It's raining heavily. I'll work out on my gym, instead.