THE LOOP
Make great things
I've written about Seth Godin before, and how he routinely drops knowledge in the most basic way possible. And that's a compliment - it's all too common for authors, creators, journalists and really, anyone who writes, to over-complicate the message they're trying to convey with big words and long sentences. Seth doesn't fall into this trap, and typically ends up saying the most with the least.
His blog post this morning read simply:
Make something great
Not because it will sell.
Not because it's on the test.
Not because it's your job.
Merely because you can.
The alternative (waiting for the world to align in a way that permits you to make something great) is hardly worth pursuing, right?
Basic words, simple principles and a powerful meaning. Humans are made to be creators - whether the creation is as basic as our great ancestors creating shelter in a cave, or our modern contemporaries creating shoes and websites and novels and airplanes and architectural marvels and SlideBelts.
Everything you see is a result of human creativity. The Shake Weight and the Selfie Stick are examples that there really is no limit to that creativity. So go, see, do and create - not for the money or the fame or the recognition, but because it's what we are meant to do.
Keys to Happiness
We all would love to be happy always. However, in the race of life, many things could keep us from being happy. We let stress to get us easily either at work or personal life. I came across these simple 8 keys to happiness which I thought could help someone who might go through a rough patch lately.
1. Keep your cool. If you are at ease you put others at ease.
2. View setbacks as an opportunity. They'll test you and push you to achieve more.
3. Participate in random acts of kindness. Giving kindness or simply offering thanks to others raises your feelings of wellbeing.
4. Surround yourself with people you love. Those who believe in you will only criticise when it's genuinely in your best interests.
5. Practise the art of forgiveness. Whether that is forgiving yourself or someone else. Forgiveness is the key to freedom and happiness.
6. Silence is your friend. Sitting on your own in complete silence is the best way to calm and quieten the mind. Practise meditation.
7. Strive for contentment. Being happy with what you have is a skill. Teach yourself to be grateful and learn to see the glass as half full as opposed to half empty.
8. Live in the moment and take the time to enjoy special times before they pass.
Happy President's Day
In honor of the upcoming federal holiday here are some fun facts about George Washington:
- He was actually born on February 11, 1731 but when the colonies switched to the Gregorian calendar his birthday moved 11 days. And since his birthday fell before the old date for New Year's Day, but after the new date for the New Year's Day, his birth year was changed to 1732.
- He powdered his hair to make it look white
- No one will ever rank higher than him in the U.S. military. In 1976 he was posthumously awarded the highest rank ever in the U.S. military - General of the Armies of the United States.
- He spent the early part of his career as a professional surveyor.
- He was a dog lover. He had more than 30 hunting hounds.
- He lost more battles than he won.
- His teeth weren't actually made from wood. He had many false teeth made out of different combinations of rare hippopotamus ivory, human teeth and metal fasteners. And he took the oath of office while wearing a special set of dentures made from ivory, brass and gold.
- He is the only president to actually go into battle while serving as president.
