How do you make decisions? Perhaps you use a process, such as: start by collecting information, discuss the issue with people you trust, then weigh pros and cons, and finally, based on logic and due diligence, you decide!
If you actually do that, that’s awesome! And I’ll suggest (based solely on anecdotal evidence) that it’s also rare. Continue reading
“Garbage in; garbage out” is a phrase I first heard during my early computer programming days. It’s a common-sense idea; if you put poor information into a system, poor results come out. Intuitively, we know it’s true.
This doesn’t just apply to computer systems though, does it? If we think of a person as a “system” with inputs and outputs, what would we see? Continue reading
While all of us make decisions, some of us approach decision-making with more enthusiasm than others. Some folks love having choices and no matter what they choose, seem to spend nary a second in self-doubt.
Then there are the rest of us; we who struggle with decision-making. We can find downsides to every available choice. How to choose; how to choose? Continue reading
It’s the dead of winter. Snow is falling, cold winds are blowing; there is ice wherever you want to walk. In the midst of this dull and often non-productive time, an amaryllis bulb that I’ve had for years is starting to bloom.
This blooming doesn’t happen every year. Because I don’t identify myself as a gardener, I don’t take its relatively poor performance personally. And because I have no expectations of the bulb, when it does bloom, I am surprised and amazed. This particular bulb also has some sentimental value for me, which makes the emergence of the occasional bloom even more delightful.
For some people, winter weather brings on the “sads.” Maybe that’s a result of the reduced light. But winter is also a time when it’s easy to let oneself become isolated. It’s uncomfortable or even unsafe to be out and about. Conversations often center around how miserable it is during this cold, dull weather. Continue reading
Alfredo Aliaga Burdio broke a Guinness World Record last year as the oldest man to successfully complete the rim to rim Grand Canyon hike. The hike took him 21 hours over two days. He is 92 years old.
Some of us start the new year with new hopes, dreams and goals. Others see little beyond dread, disappointment, perhaps even disgust. The choices we make about what information we seek out influences how we feel, what we think, and perhaps even what we do. In that light, here are some points about Alfredo’s story that stood out for me.
First was Alfredo’s comment that he didn’t start to live a healthy lifestyle till he was 76 years old. Continue reading
It’s common practice to take stock at the end of the year. How did the past year pan out for you? Do you see that you’ve made progress since the year began? Or does it feel like you’re sliding backward, away from the direction you want to go? Was it a boom or a bust?
I suspect that many of us will come up with a mixed review. Some things got better, others worse. Keep in mind that it’s easy to get a skewed perception because we are so influenced by recent events. If we had even a minor setback yesterday, that could overshadow a major positive event of last January. But overall, how did it go? Continue reading
Tis the season! Christmas and New Year’s is a special time of the year. It’s a time of joy and goodwill, when family and friends get together to celebrate, indulge in good food, give gifts and share laughs. Strangers extend greetings; old acquaintances get it touch. Promises of “getting together more often” fill the air. People need relationships and it feels good to connect.
We also know that these days of celebration can be hard; a time when losses feel even sharper than usual. If you are grief-filled or isolated, the perception that everyone else is enjoying warmth and good relationships can present a painful contrast. Continue reading
I’ve organized my desk! Well, technically, that’s not true. I haven’t organized it. Yet.
However, my friend Emma has organized her desk, and is delighted with the result. She can now find her stamps, labels, scissors, stapler and that hole-punch gadget. Out of chaos comes order! Why would Emma’s desk-cleaning activity matter to me? Continue reading
