I seek inspiration
As I have talked about before, I try to find inspiration in many things. I’m not just looking for inspiration for me, but to try and inspire people around me.
If you have been following along in my life, or just stopped by: today I got to check off the first person on my “people I want to meet” list. Rudy Giuliani. Note: my list is not a numbered list, he was just the first one of many to come that I got to meet. This milestone is just me crossing the starting line in my race to understand what it is that inspires me about the people on my list; and find a way to integrate those principles of inspiration into my own life so that I may one day inspire others.
This isn’t about becoming someone I’m not, or trying to emulate someone while neglecting my own self. It’s about refining my own views and beliefs while learning and understanding others. The scary part is when I find many views I have had for a long time are the same as those I admire. Sometimes I feel it’s common sense and other times I think I needed reassurance that I was seeing things correctly.
I have a strong desire to become a CEO coach or executive leadership trainer. I feel that many managers, executives, politicians and even religious leaders lack certain skills to portray their personal vision concisely to the people listening to them. This is where my personal investment in inspirational research can pay off; I just need to take good notes.
Today I attended the Luminary Series: Principles of Leadership event. While much more information could be gained by reading the book; I enjoyed the event. I felt I got to know a little more about Rudy by listening to him speak; after all you need to be able to sell your ideas in person, not just in print. I was pleased that I was called on during the Q&A [Question & Answer] session…I got a little more insight into the “morning meeting” that I wanted. My question was a little bit of a loaded question because I wanted to see how he answered it; he passed my little test. From what I can tell (what do I know?) he’s a very genuine person and not milking the 9/11 disaster for money as many like to claim. One cannot ignore the reduction in crime that statics prove; nor the unorthodox ideas of bringing small business concepts to the public [government] sector. Those small business tactics paid off for Rudy. weather it was luck or a well managed idea with a well working team; I say a little of both. Warren Bennis would say that luck plays a factor because a strong leader that is well prepared can create his/her own luck. Rudy did just that.
I found that Rudy looked to Churchill’s life for strength in hard times and he found inspiration in one of my favorite politicians, John F. Kennedy. There are two JFK books Rudy talks about in his book that are also on my “too read” list; when I read them I’ll post a review.
I went looking for and ounce of inspiration and I found truck loads. Thanks Rudy, I needed that.
“I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled [poets] to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean.”
– Socrates
White smoke webcam
Okay so I understand the impact on voting for a new pope. I understand that it’s something I will probably see only one other time in my lifetime. I understand the importance of ritual and tradition.
I don’t understand why anyone would want to watch the *live* white smoke webcam on CNN.com: White smoke, bells signal selection of new pope
“Different strokes for different folks” is a phrase I use often, but come on people…a webcam on a smokestack?!? I know, I’m such an odd fellow…I’m playing poker online while the world waits for white smoke. I’m looking forward to going to hell; I have my spot all picked out. I reserved a “window” room a long time ago, that way I could watch the daily tortures while I knitted socks for all the people that annoyed me in my life…for all eternity.
At least there won’t be a webcam showing me knitting in hell.
Kick off your Sunday shoes
Footloose. I have no transition here…um…yea so I’ve been working (been workin’ so hard) actually I’ve been a lazy bum when I have been coming home from work. You knew that already. I just back posted a few items and I have a few to clean up; when you type on a PDA [Personal Digital Assistant] you have a little clean up to do. That’s my new gig too…
I have been taking off to type up my blog at some place relaxing or even the last coffee-shop-concert I went to. I have to say for those of you struggling to blog at times, try taking a notebook that’s you “ofline blog” to write in. You’ll find you have a lot to talk about that you never knew you wanted to talk about.
For the loyal (or casual) readers, you know I have a fetish for music, watches and pens. Some weird twist in my brain finds inspiration in all three; seeing that I owe some pics of my latest additions to the collection!
My new “girlfriend” inspires me to write, draw, create…think…feel a different way. Is that materialistic? Maybe. I don’t care. What’s wrong with finding your muse? Mine just happens to be a Mont Blanc Starwalker…
I love music…and I can never make up my damn mind what I want to listen to. I get crabby because I left this CD or that CD. Now I can take some of my CDs with me in a nice small package. Yes, I have caved in to my cravings…and iPod: U2 Edition.
My new “girlfriend” doesn’t get jealous of the iPod because I still see the iPod as just an iPod…it contains random inspirational material; but it does not inspire me. I’m sure there are times the “girlfriend” gets a little jealous; but at the end of the day she knows she’s the important one.
So for now, they get along…
While one is in the shadow of the other, they are still both clearly important to me. Yes gag, barf, puke, yell…hate me. I know it was such a lame allusion to the fact that part of the picture is out of focus, but you can still see the “girlfriend” in the reflection of the iPod…like one is a reflection of the other…PUNS GALORE I know. I like puns and this is my blog…so pun if you want to. Pun around the world…
“I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled [poets] to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean.”
– Socrates
Scorpio – InfoSpace
Oh really? Sounds like things are looking up in the world. Now I wonder who the lucky lady is…hmm…I did say “hi” to a grandma yesterday; maybe she’s the new woman! Maybe she’s a sugar momma!! I’ll keep my fingers crossed she needs a pool boy; hell I don’t care if she doesn’t have a pool.
Prepare yourself. Romance — serious romance — is right around the corner. You’ve been waiting for this to happen, lying awake at night wishing for it even, and it seems that the heavens have finally decided to answer your plea. Now, if you don’t already have a prospect in mind, you’d better get dressed — in your sassiest look, please — and get out there.
Worth a mention, good for a laugh
TGIF…it’s a “feature” day at BD@BS!! Some of these are the first blogs I read; some are new. How profound! Soooo…on with the sideshow!
Catch The Bullet: where anything goes – Came across this one a few times on link exchangers and I thought the design and content were good.
Bad News Blonde – Some language might not float with some people…but what do I care?
Breakup Babe – One of my first reads, right along with many of the “girl perspective” sites I read. I am so learning about the female psyche…you have no idea. (riiiiight)
All Things Dunkin’ Donuts – This might be a repeat…did I ever talk about this? I LOVE IT!
I don’t develop my film
For those old school folks that do not have a digital camera, you know all about film. For those of you that have no idea what film is, you are from Mars. I don’t care if you haven’t used a 35mm camera in years -hell if you have ever used one. Almost everyone that has bought a disposable camera or shot a roll of film at some point in their life forgot to get it developed.
Not long ago when I was cleaning my room –a regular pastime– I found a box with xis [6] rolls of film. Three had not been developed yet…hmm hidden treasures! It was like opening a box you put away long ago to find some old newspaper clippings, clothes, papers from school, letter from a friend…letter from a lover; it brought a smile and some hope. Hope?
Hope. When you open a letter you thought you misplaced, you find an old photo album…you find that journal you thought you lost…a piece of you holds hope in the memories you are about to relive will be remembered just as yesterday.
I took my lost rolls of film to get developed, along with three other rolls I needed to get developed. I was happy to find that not only on the lost rolls, but the original three rolls I had lost moments I had completely forgotten about. A formal here; a day with friends there. Pictures from my trip to New York, skydiving and backpacking…many moments I never even knew I captured.
The next time you clean out your room, attic, garage, car…an old shoebox. Look for something that might have been lost, but now is found. You never know what memories and moments it might reveal.
“[Memory is] a man’s real possession…In nothing else is he rich, in nothing else is he poor.”
– Alexander Smith
.: the babbling dweeb :. 