WHAT I WISH I KNEW EARLIER AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL?
Can we chat about things we wish we knew earlier? Things for instance that could have saved us time and heartache chasing projects that were not suited to our values and personality. I wish I knew earlier that less is more and learning never grows old. Less is more means less clutter and the creative use of things and not impressing the Joneses for me. It does not mean poor and deprived. Permit me to illustrate with Moses and the children of Israel. God gave the children of Israel one type of food “manna’ for forty years, while they were in the wilderness. Forty years is a really long time by the way. Most of us probably think that because they were in the wilderness, the Israelites lacked. But something makes me think different. Here’s what I think. They said to Moses in Exodus 17:3 when they needed water at…
LANGUAGE AND IDIOMS.
Words have always held a fascination for me especially when they are used creatively. Idioms are charming and give character to words when used correctly. Some idioms are regional, and only locals understand them easily. There are popular, humorous and serious idioms and maybe we can use them more frequently to express thoughts uniquely? A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS. This is popular, and a way to ask what someone who is lost in thought, is thinking about. ON YER BIKE.This is regional and often a disrespectful way to tell someone to go away. AL FRESCO A way of saying “outside”We ate al fresco under the olive trees.This is quite a striking way to say ‘we ate outside’. Yes? AN AMBULANCE CHASERA lawyer who finds work by persuading people that are injured in an accident to ask for money from the people who caused the injury is an ambulance chaser.John makes…
WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT CHARISMA?
What is charisma? Dictionary definitions make me think charisma is a personal quality one possesses that makes one stand out. This quality is powerful and often inspires loyalty in others. A charismatic person stands out. A charismatic person influences. So can charisma be learned especially when it comes so naturally for some people? Is it like a skill one can practice, own and become better at? Two qualities stand out for me when I really think about it. The first is listening. Really listening. Not looking around the room or picking up your phone. Listening and remembering the details. Easy enough right? Some simple things can be hard to do yet it is in the little steps. Can we all be charismatic? I think so. In our communities and in our interactions. Now, is it not helpful to know that some qualities can be learned? This makes me happy. A…