We see them everywhere. We often enjoy riding along and trying to decipher the plates as the cars pass by. There are some we see regularly in our commute to and from work that still do not make sense.
As a child, I used to watch Adam-12. I remember how one of the officers would call out license plate numbers for the dispatcher to run down. The officer would state ILX-555 as "Indigo" "Lima" "X-ray" for the letters to ensure clarity and then cite the numbers.
In today's world, I wonder how the officer would convey "Teach LV" which I saw over the weekend or "MRPH2U" (does this translate into "Murphy to you" or "Mr. PH to you?") which I see in our parking deck from time to time.
And, how about plates that display numbers but from different organizations? This morning, I saw the number "3" from an organization I could not quite see. It was not a government official's car or plate. Can the same number "3" be issued by multiple organizations? How does a policeman track those down when in hot pursuit?
Resistance to Change
It is a common proclivity amongst us baby-boomers. I believe we all have varying forms of such resistance. Myself, I do not like to change my daily routine. Not sure why but once I get a routine down pat, I don't like to change it.
Others may resist change in terms of a route they take to work or where they may sit in church. Sounds a bit silly but I have fallen into these tendencies in the past.
So, why do we resist change? I suspect some of it is attributable to giving up the certain for uncertain. Some may call that fear. Some resist change for having to learn something new or give up something with which they are comfortable. Psychologists probably have many other thoughts and theories on this.
From personal experience, I can think of numerous times in recent years in which I resisted change out plain old stubborness. Once I made the change, I would ask myself why I waited so long and why I resisted it so much.
As much as I loathe change in some areas of my life, I realize that change is necessary in other parts. As we boomers move into the latter stages of our current working careers we have to consider (i) whether someone overseas can do our job cheaper (ii) whether automation can do our job faster and (iii) whether we have skill and mindset to adapt to constant and rapid change. Given these and other demographic shifts, I realize more now than ever that I cannot resist change but rather embrace it and learn to grow from it.
There are several major industries that have resisted the change wrought by the internet. They include: newspapers; book publishing; recorded music; and TV news. Wonder where they will be 10 years from now? I suspect that some may go by the way of the Dodo bird or will certainly look different than they do today.
The message to me, like these stagnant industries seems quite simple and ominously clear: resist change to one's own peril. As Tom Peters wrote in "Re-Imagine!" seek to make yourself distinct lest become extinct. Foreboding words.
Others may resist change in terms of a route they take to work or where they may sit in church. Sounds a bit silly but I have fallen into these tendencies in the past.
So, why do we resist change? I suspect some of it is attributable to giving up the certain for uncertain. Some may call that fear. Some resist change for having to learn something new or give up something with which they are comfortable. Psychologists probably have many other thoughts and theories on this.
From personal experience, I can think of numerous times in recent years in which I resisted change out plain old stubborness. Once I made the change, I would ask myself why I waited so long and why I resisted it so much.
As much as I loathe change in some areas of my life, I realize that change is necessary in other parts. As we boomers move into the latter stages of our current working careers we have to consider (i) whether someone overseas can do our job cheaper (ii) whether automation can do our job faster and (iii) whether we have skill and mindset to adapt to constant and rapid change. Given these and other demographic shifts, I realize more now than ever that I cannot resist change but rather embrace it and learn to grow from it.
There are several major industries that have resisted the change wrought by the internet. They include: newspapers; book publishing; recorded music; and TV news. Wonder where they will be 10 years from now? I suspect that some may go by the way of the Dodo bird or will certainly look different than they do today.
The message to me, like these stagnant industries seems quite simple and ominously clear: resist change to one's own peril. As Tom Peters wrote in "Re-Imagine!" seek to make yourself distinct lest become extinct. Foreboding words.
Replacing "but" with "and" by Daniel H. Pink
I just finished Mr. Pink's book entitled "A Whole New Mind". I commend to you this and his other book "Drive".
Here are some common lamentations involving "but":
1. I want to spend more time with my family BUT my job requires me to be out of town often.
2. I want to read more BUT I just can't seem to find the time.
Here is what happens when we replace "but" with "and":
1. I want to spend more time with my family AND my job requires me to be out of town often so I need to find ways to take my family with me and combine business trips with family mini-vacations over the weekends instead of heading home dog-tired on Friday evenings.
2. I want to ready more and I just can't seem to find the time so I joined audible.com, download books, and listen to them during my commute, while at the gym, and while cutting grass and other yard work.
I think that Mr. Pink is on to something. I am very much looking forward to his next available book "Free Agent Nation" as soon as I finish a few other books in progress.
By the way, my wife introduced me to audio books back in 1993. Thanks to technology, a long commute, and trying to make time pass while at the gym, I was able to listen to over 40 audiobooks last year covering history, business, and mystery fiction. I just wish that audio books had been around when I was in high school and college.
Here are some common lamentations involving "but":
1. I want to spend more time with my family BUT my job requires me to be out of town often.
2. I want to read more BUT I just can't seem to find the time.
Here is what happens when we replace "but" with "and":
1. I want to spend more time with my family AND my job requires me to be out of town often so I need to find ways to take my family with me and combine business trips with family mini-vacations over the weekends instead of heading home dog-tired on Friday evenings.
2. I want to ready more and I just can't seem to find the time so I joined audible.com, download books, and listen to them during my commute, while at the gym, and while cutting grass and other yard work.
I think that Mr. Pink is on to something. I am very much looking forward to his next available book "Free Agent Nation" as soon as I finish a few other books in progress.
By the way, my wife introduced me to audio books back in 1993. Thanks to technology, a long commute, and trying to make time pass while at the gym, I was able to listen to over 40 audiobooks last year covering history, business, and mystery fiction. I just wish that audio books had been around when I was in high school and college.
Life's Fallacies - Part 6 - Life Is Supposed To Be Fair
In sports, there are rules to maintain fairness. There are referees to enforce those rules. In society, there are laws and there are law enforcement officials who attempt to enforce them.
From a very early age, we are taught to obey rules and be fair with one another.
Despite other realms in life that are supposed to be fair, life itself, is not. This is difficult for many to accept particularly those who are inflicted with illness or physical disabilities that keep them from living a normal life.
I believe that to spend time bemoaning the unfairness of life is counterproductive and a waste of time. Rather, I believe we need to accept that life is not fair and develop a mindset around that reality.
For example, many people are born with dyslexia. The disease impacts one's ability to read and learn. It can cause personal frustration and social ostracism. However, there is a long of list of individuals who overcame this disability and lived beyond a normal life. The list includes: Winston Churchill; Robert F. Kennedy; Richard Branson; and, Charles Schwab.
It would have been easy for these individuals to lament the unfairness of their disease. Yet, they overcame and contributed to society despite unfair treatment at the hands of dyslexia.
From a very early age, we are taught to obey rules and be fair with one another.
Despite other realms in life that are supposed to be fair, life itself, is not. This is difficult for many to accept particularly those who are inflicted with illness or physical disabilities that keep them from living a normal life.
I believe that to spend time bemoaning the unfairness of life is counterproductive and a waste of time. Rather, I believe we need to accept that life is not fair and develop a mindset around that reality.
For example, many people are born with dyslexia. The disease impacts one's ability to read and learn. It can cause personal frustration and social ostracism. However, there is a long of list of individuals who overcame this disability and lived beyond a normal life. The list includes: Winston Churchill; Robert F. Kennedy; Richard Branson; and, Charles Schwab.
It would have been easy for these individuals to lament the unfairness of their disease. Yet, they overcame and contributed to society despite unfair treatment at the hands of dyslexia.
Life's Fallacies - Part 5 - Not Everyone is Self-Aware
I have seen it so many times, yet it still baffles me. A colleague will come into my office, shut the door, and start railing against another colleague's work ethic, attitude, or overall behavior.
As I sit there and try to listen attentively, I find myself thinking that the same person who is criticizing their colleagues engages in similar behavior themselves and has the same shortcomings. Thinking that this person will admit that they, too, do the same thing, I find myself often kicking myself afterwards for not saying the obvious. My shortcoming in these interactions is that thinking that everyone is self-aware of their actions, words, and gestures and their impact on others.
Over the years, my father was one who would quickly point out the same failings in me that I found in others. Thus, I have tried over the years to be better in tune with my words, actions, and attiudes and their impact on others. Sometimes, I fall short and allow my moods to get the better of me.
My new mindset needs to be that everyone is not self-aware and it is our responsbility to point this out to them. Most reasonable people, once confronted with this, may ponder and reach the same conclusion. Those who don't will get defensive, belligerent, and even vindictive at worse; at best, they will quit coming into your office, shutting the door, and railing against others.
Seriously, if we do not challenge this, those who lack self-awareness will continue to drift through life wreaking havoc and leaving damaged relationships in their wake.
As I sit there and try to listen attentively, I find myself thinking that the same person who is criticizing their colleagues engages in similar behavior themselves and has the same shortcomings. Thinking that this person will admit that they, too, do the same thing, I find myself often kicking myself afterwards for not saying the obvious. My shortcoming in these interactions is that thinking that everyone is self-aware of their actions, words, and gestures and their impact on others.
Over the years, my father was one who would quickly point out the same failings in me that I found in others. Thus, I have tried over the years to be better in tune with my words, actions, and attiudes and their impact on others. Sometimes, I fall short and allow my moods to get the better of me.
My new mindset needs to be that everyone is not self-aware and it is our responsbility to point this out to them. Most reasonable people, once confronted with this, may ponder and reach the same conclusion. Those who don't will get defensive, belligerent, and even vindictive at worse; at best, they will quit coming into your office, shutting the door, and railing against others.
Seriously, if we do not challenge this, those who lack self-awareness will continue to drift through life wreaking havoc and leaving damaged relationships in their wake.
Something a little less serious
Time for a short break from the seriousness of life's fallacies.
Today while shopping, I observed a very sweet and kind moment. A sister, who looked to be about 10 or so, reached into the shopping cart to pick up and hug her toddler brother. While the act itself may not seem that particularly special, the wide smile and bright face of that young girl as she picked up her brother was priceless. It was a spontaneous and true reflection of sibling love. And, the little boy smiled and giggled back to his sister.
Wish I could have captured that moment on video. I would have loved to have shared it with those with whom I have had differences in recent months and say: shouildn't we emulate these children? Why is it that we adults somehow forgot how to extend such spontaneous human love toward one another?
As I walked away, I remember wishing silently that those two may always have a special bond between them that will sustain and help them to transcend the challenges, frivolities, and pettiness that life will throw at them; may they always love and support each other.
Today while shopping, I observed a very sweet and kind moment. A sister, who looked to be about 10 or so, reached into the shopping cart to pick up and hug her toddler brother. While the act itself may not seem that particularly special, the wide smile and bright face of that young girl as she picked up her brother was priceless. It was a spontaneous and true reflection of sibling love. And, the little boy smiled and giggled back to his sister.
Wish I could have captured that moment on video. I would have loved to have shared it with those with whom I have had differences in recent months and say: shouildn't we emulate these children? Why is it that we adults somehow forgot how to extend such spontaneous human love toward one another?
As I walked away, I remember wishing silently that those two may always have a special bond between them that will sustain and help them to transcend the challenges, frivolities, and pettiness that life will throw at them; may they always love and support each other.
Life's Fallacies - Part 4 - Placing Too Much Faith in Humans
It was November, 1994. The Republicans had just taken control of the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time in a generation. The Republicans were touting their "Contract with America" which even included term limits and a balanced budget. I remember feeling that perhaps the American people would regain the reins on a renegade Congress that had pretty done what it wanted with impunity.
A local minister at a church we attended at the time cited this historic event as a reason for hope to many. He cautioned, however, to refrain from placing too much hope and particularly trust in men, a political party, or even a movement inspired by humans. The minister went on the cite that a human will more than likely "let you down".
I have fallen prey to this human fallacy often, particularly relative to political figures, and bosses whose authority, eloquence and demeanor caused me to feel as if they could do no wrong. I fear that many today may hold a similar views of their political, civic, and spiritual leaders. Like us, they are not infallible.
I, too, have let down family, colleagues, and friends as a result of my human folly.
History is replete with groups which have placed their trust in a humans only to experience bitter disappointment or even tragedy. The Rev. Jim Jones quickly comes to mind. Likewise, for Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Baker and their fallen ministries.
I once held an unrealistic view of our country's Founding Fathers as larger than life statemen who were noble, patriotic, and magnanimous. Later study revealed to me that they, too, were prone to human frailities and failings like the rest of us.
The lessons for me include (i) recognizing that human failings exist in all of us (ii) not to hold anyone to unduly high expectations (iii) forgive those who have let us down even those who have been called to positions in the ministry and political leadership (iv) while forgiving we must hold these leaders accountable so that they commit to overcome their failings.
A local minister at a church we attended at the time cited this historic event as a reason for hope to many. He cautioned, however, to refrain from placing too much hope and particularly trust in men, a political party, or even a movement inspired by humans. The minister went on the cite that a human will more than likely "let you down".
I have fallen prey to this human fallacy often, particularly relative to political figures, and bosses whose authority, eloquence and demeanor caused me to feel as if they could do no wrong. I fear that many today may hold a similar views of their political, civic, and spiritual leaders. Like us, they are not infallible.
I, too, have let down family, colleagues, and friends as a result of my human folly.
History is replete with groups which have placed their trust in a humans only to experience bitter disappointment or even tragedy. The Rev. Jim Jones quickly comes to mind. Likewise, for Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Baker and their fallen ministries.
I once held an unrealistic view of our country's Founding Fathers as larger than life statemen who were noble, patriotic, and magnanimous. Later study revealed to me that they, too, were prone to human frailities and failings like the rest of us.
The lessons for me include (i) recognizing that human failings exist in all of us (ii) not to hold anyone to unduly high expectations (iii) forgive those who have let us down even those who have been called to positions in the ministry and political leadership (iv) while forgiving we must hold these leaders accountable so that they commit to overcome their failings.
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