A Meaningful Life

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas A. Edison

Soooooo true….”The United States has become a place where entertainers and professional athletes are mistaken for people of importance.” Robert A. Heinlein

I got this quote of the day from research paper at my workplace..”Mauritania’s Military Council for Justice and Democracy said on Wednesday it had seized power to end the totalitarian regime.”

I can’t put trading advice on my blog because I am employed by an investment bank. However, here’s someone else’s tip that is very true. “If you don’t know who you are and what you do, the stock market is an expensive place to find out.” Adam Smith

More Moore… “A couple of weeks ago, out here on Broadway, a guy comes up to me and says, ‘I’m a Navy surgeon. And I was on a ship off Iraq the night you made your speech at the Oscars and I was very angry at you. I remember yelling with the others at the screen. Now I just want to apologize. You were right. You were telling the truth.’ And I said, ‘Listen, you don’t owe me any apology. Apologize for what? That you believed your Commander-in-Chief? That you believed the President of the United States? Why should you feel bad? You should believe the President, because if we can’t believe our President we’re in deep trouble. You don’t have to apologize for anything.’” –Michael Moore

I am a big follower of Michael Gerber and his E-Myth concepts. I love the following excerpt from on of his articles… “One of my very first clients was a plumber. His partner was in the paving business, and also owned a parking lot cleaning company. His Sweepers (I think that’s what he called the big machines that sprayed and swept the shopping center parking lots) were painted bright, bright red, were kept–through continuous washing and waxing–impeccably clean, shone like red jewels in the sunlight, and had every part that could be chromed, chromed to perfection. My plumber client and his partner called this talent and passion for elaborately visual Sweepers “mar-kuh-ting.”

What the catepillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly… Lao Tsu

And the legend said… “If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then there is also no need to worry.” The Dalai Lama

It’s been a while since my last blog entry. Too busy with family and work. Blog is distant 3rd. Would like to put Blog second and Work last one day. Need a big cheque though so my business partner, Grant (synapse chronicles) and I can retire early. Anyone? The wars all over and the Iraqi people ’seem’ happy to be rid of Saddam. It’s not than clean and simple unfortunately. There’s problems ahead. War is never good and even when it’s over it is a catalyst, birthing future problems.

I agree with the Dalai Lama’s thoughts on the topics of war, aggression and self defense. A massive conflict rages in my mind with respect to these issues. I am passive but I’m not submissive. Where can I find the line in the sand between self protection and aggression? These quotes from the Dalai Lama indicate the conflict of mind that I think exists for many people. I agree with both statements. “If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.”…The Dalai Lama “Anger and hatred cannot bring harmony. The noble task of arms control and disarmament cannot be accomplished by confrontation and condemnation. Hostile attitudes only serve to heat up the situation, whereas a true sense of respect gradually cools down what otherwise could become explosive. We must recognize the frequent contradictions between short-term benefit and long-term harm.” …The Dalai Lama

If you think you are beaten - you are, If you think you dare not - you don’t, If you’d like to win but think you can’t, It’s almost certain you won’t, If you think you will lose, you’ve lost, For out in this world you will find, Success begins with a fellow’s will, It’s all in the state of mind. If you think you’re out classed - you are, You’ve got to think high to rise. You’ve got to be sure of yourself before, You can ever win a prize. Life’s battles don’t always go, To the stronger or faster man, But sooner or later the one that wins, Is the one who thinks he can. …Unknown author