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Sunday quote

You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.
~ Christopher Columbus

Saturday Tip: Communication percentages

I have been continuing to tidy up and sort through my resources. Here is a handout I used a lot in many of the workshops and courses I ran.

7% of communication = words

38% of communication = tone of voice

55% of communication = body language and or facial expression

It will be interesting to learn what findings people make around communication methods used today. Emails, texts and tweets all rely solely on words or symbols alone. It is surprising how well we communicate using these means when 93% of the facets that apparently are so critical to clear and effective communication are missing.

What are your thoughts on all this? Do these percentages need changing perhaps?

The buzz of empowerment

I have worked either as a volunteer or in a paid capacity for over 30 years in the field of empowerment. I have always felt a buzz from watching people step forward and increase their self esteem, or their self confidence or to make positive changes in their lives.

I’ve had a real buzz today from learning that someone I know has taken such a step in her life today. To many it might have seemed very small and insignificant but for her it was a biggie. I am so pleased to learn that the step into the unknown was a happy and fun occasion with the chance it can be repeated next week.

“Feel the fear and do it anyway” wrote Susan Jeffers and so often when fear is defeated new opportunities and growth occur that touch not only the person who was courageous but others too. That happened today. Great stuff.

Sunday quote: Doug Firebaugh

Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow.
Doug Firebaugh

A peace story around the power of one

I had hoped to post over the weekend but events caught up with me and I spent very little time at the computer.

Here is a story that I found years ago and which struck me deeply and I thought I would share it with you today. As individuals we could be the voice that makes the difference…..

“Tell me, what does a snowflake weigh?” said the Crested Jay to the Pigeon.

“Next to nothing,” was the reply. “In that case I have a wondrous story to tell you,” said the Crested Jay.

“I was sitting on the branch of a fir tree one day, quite close to the trunk, when it began to snow. It didn’t fall violently, like in a wild storm, no, but rather as a dream, soundlessly and weightlessly. Since I had nothing better to do, I counted the snowflakes which came to rest on the twigs and needles of my branch. There were exactly 3,741,952 of them. When the three million seven hundred and forty one thousand, nine hundred and fifty third flake fell- as you say, a mere nothing- the branch broke.” And so saying, she flew off.

The Pigeon, a specialist in such matters since way back when Noah built his ark, reflected briefly and then said to herself, “Perhaps it would take only a single extra person’s voice for there to be peace on Earth.”

Taken from: New Fables -Thus spake the Marabou, by Kurt Kauter

A book I have enjoyed

I’ve just finished a book called “Syd Arthur” by Ellen Frankel. It is a book I have really enjoyed reading. It has some very funny moments but underneath the lightness there has been some juicy learning for me.

As well as a good book there is a piece at the end about Pearlsong Press, the publishers, that I think is worth copying here:

“Pearlsong Press is an independent publishing company dedicated to providing books and resources that entertain while expanding perspectives on the self and the world. The company was founded by Peggy Elam, Ph.D., a psychologist and journalist, in 2003.

Pearls are formed when a piece of sand or grit or other abrasive, annoying, or even dangerous substance enters an oyster and triggers its protective response. The substance is coated with shimmering opalescent nacre (“mother of pearl”), the coats eventually building up to produce a beautiful gem. The self-healing response of the oyster thus transforms suffering into a thing of beauty.

The pearl-creating process reflects our company’s desire to move outside a pathological or “disease” based model of life, health and well being into a more integrative and transcendent perspective. A move out of suffering into joy. And that, we think, is something to sing about.”

www.pearlsong.com www.authorellenfrankel.com

Saturday Tip: Recipe for happiness

I found this in an old Church recipe book.

“Equal parts of health, honest work, rest and recreation, mixed carefully with diligence, cheerfulness and an even temper.

Sift them through the sieve of determination to get rid of any lumps of idleness or despondency.

Then bring the whole to a cream with the milk of human kindness and spirits of consideration and sympathy, stirring each in gently with an inspiring hand.

Add to this a sparkle of smiles and colour with laughter, a mere thought and a few illusions.

This mixture can be made at home by anyone.”

What does the wee phrase “a sparkle of smiles” bring to mind for you? I’d be interested to know.

A quote from Sandra King for Tuesday

Let someone love you just as you are. As flawed as you might be, as unattractive as you might feel, as unaccomplished as you might think you are; let someone love you just as you are. And let that someone be you. ~Sandra King

Saturday tip: On which side of the line are you?

I was offered this question at a training event I attended some years ago. Karen Boyes of Spectrum Education showed this to the group:

On which side of the line are you operating?

Ownership
Accountability
Responsibility
—————————————————–
Blame
Excuse
Deny

I’ll leave it to you to decide about this tip but I find it very, very useful to be mindful of….and it is a quick jump to go back over the line to the top!

