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Hello
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An interesting side note (to me) of publishing this e Zine is the dialogue generated with readers. People hit “reply” and the acknowledgements, questions, personal stories and yes, even complaints, arrive on my computer like messages from far distant but very connected lands.
A regular responder is Rolland Vasin, a very bright guy introduced to me years ago by mutual friend Ed Baumheier because of my interest in corporate social responsibility. Rolland and his partners are auditors and advisors to non-profits plus they do social responsibility audits. You can learn more at http://www.vhcoaudit.com/
A recent e mail exchange led to Rolland offering to write something for Powered by Possibility … and his article is our feature this month. It’s a bit more intellectually challenging than my regular rants – cuz Rolland is a lot smarter guy than your host. It’s a slightly different and very personal approach to the wisdom of “The Golden Rule.” I think you’ll find it interesting.
If you have something to share with my wonderful readership, please send it on. Of course, I might say “no”...hopefully politely...or edit heavily.
I’ll also share some great quotes and a fascinating book recommendation – fiction for a change!
Be extraordinary!
Robert White
Robert@ExtraordinaryBook.com
An Extraordinary People International monthly eZine dedicated to assisting people in living extraordinary lives and creating extraordinary organizations.
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In this issue:
| Trumping Quidnuncs |
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By Rolland Vasin
© 2006 Rolland Vasin |
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Dictionary.com: quid·nunc n. A nosy person; a busybody.
My Dad was a self-taught writer and class-conscious advocate of social justice. He graced me with fatherly love, good grammar, and intellectual debate. Through these attributes I learned, both by his repetition and example, that the lower classes talk about other people (gossipers, quidnuncs), the middle classes talk about things (Materialists, Bourgeoise) and the upper classes talk about ideas, and that my highest path was to always talk about ideas...presumably surrounding myself with similarly-mind people who also practice quidnunc-trumping every day by avoiding discussions about others or things.
Now that I am on the verge of becoming a grandfather for the first time I ask myself how to pay these values forward to the next generation, not as a bigot in the way my father did in his class-labeling sense, but as an expression of the Golden Rule.
Since I entered addiction recovery the year I divorced, I have practiced a deity-centered faith based on the principles encompassed in this Talmudic story which has been associated with what is commonly called the Golden Rule:
"... a certain heathen came before Shammai [a Hebrew priest before the destruction of the second Temple] and said to him, "make me a proselyte, on condition that you teach me the whole Torah while I stand on one foot." Thereupon he [Shammai] repulsed him with the builder's cubit [architect's ruler] which was in his hand. When he [the heathen] went before [Rabbi] Hillel, he [Hillel] said to him, "what is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor: that is the whole Torah, while the rest is commentary thereof; go and learn it."
Part of why I like this story is that most people view Hillel as the nice guy and Shammai as the bad guy … when it is probably the other way around.
So while I think that Hillel's response is the more allowing, I feel, like Shammai, that there's more to living the Golden Rule than observing it in the breach by others ... kind of what Hillel said too ... "go and learn.”
After a year or so of my recovery, my son entered addiction recovery as well and since then, about fifteen years, we have shared a faith in a Power greater than ourselves based on daily recovery, unity, and service, which I believe parallel the practice of Judaism but without the rituals of Judaism...sort of 613 knots(mitzvahs) without the talits (prayer shawl).
Our spiritual bond and synergy arises from our individual choice of the unique form of Deity we each hold, which while described differently, translates into not doing to our neighbor anything that would hurt us, centered around the same action steps Dad used …surround yourself with people who talk about ideas, not things or other people, except that, to my son and I, there are no classes, no labels, no quidnuncs...only brothers and sisters.
In anticipation of the pending birth, my boy and I have redoubled our practice of these steps of inclusion and equanimity and pray that we live the twenty years or so it will take to see how grandson trumps quidnuncs in a proactive, loving way.
| Extraordinary Wisdom
Quotes of the Month |
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Our theme this month is "The Golden Rule ” so here are a few of my favorite quotes on that subject.
"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye." |
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anonymous |
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“Look around you. The trees, flowers, birds, every animal and insect; every living thing. It’s miraculous. And it is all going to die. You will too, and so will all of those you love. The time will come when you will have to say good-bye to people. You don't know when. It could be tomorrow or next week. Yet, we live as if it will never happen. We get angry with our children or our partner, then leave for the day or longer, forgetting that if something terrible were to befall them, our last words would have been words of resentment and frustration, not love. And we would have to find a way to live with that.” |
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from “Living an Extraordinary Life”
by Robert White |
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"When people look back upon their lives, they ask three questions that determine their sense of whether it was meaningful: Did I give and receive love? Did I become all I can be? Did I leave the planet a little better?" |
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Elizabeth Kubler-Ross |
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I’m in the middle of reading “The Undoing” by Tom Vitelli and couldn’t wait to share it with you. The book, in addition to providing an abundance of action, suspense, humor and romance, contains several lessons the author has artfully woven into its captivating story. These lessons are a result of the author’s unique and inspiring battle with cancer and the spiritual awakening that was such an integral part of its outcome. The Undoing is currently receiving rave reviews and critical acclaim nationwide.
“Among the many lessons learned from my encounter with cancer, the most important is how outrageously important it is that every day be a day of joy,” says Villelli “This realization has inspired me to launch a new career of writing and lecturing – a drastic change that is already providing me with enjoyment beyond measure.”
My partner Ron Tate introduced me to Tom and his book and said, “Once in a great while you get the chance to truly disappear from all things routine and to go to a place of real delight and joy.”
If you – like me – find yourself reading mostly for business, this is a delightful change of pace. The hardcover edition is available now on Amazon.com.
| Special Reduced Price on the Living an Extraordinary Life Audio Home Study Program |
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Are you looking for a way to “tune up” your personal and professional effectiveness? Or, would you like a powerful reminder of performance qualities you already know and perhaps are not applying right now in your life?
Are you looking for greater understanding of what “works and doesn’t work” in your own performance with people and in successfully handling challenging life situations?
The answers to these questions and many more are contained within “Living an Extraordinary Life”, a Nightingale Conant home study program by Robert White and Dennis Becker.
We have a few remaining of the audio tape version (normally $99.95) and as long as we have inventory, are selling them for $50. That’s half price. That’s a real deal and when the last one sells, that’s it – we will no longer offer the program on audio cassette tapes! This smartly packaged 9 cassette program includes:
- an “Owners Manual” to deepen and extend your learning
- a bonus guided meditation tape
- inspirational flash cards
Living an Extraordinary Life Audio Home Study Program
(Windows users may have to press “ctrl” plus a left click on the mouse to access this site. Or, you can open your browser, copy and paste the following: http://www.extraordinarybook.com/lel_audio.htm)
Click now to take advantage of this special offer. This powerful program is perfect for that long commute or for some personal continuing education at home or work.
Of course, your complete satisfaction is guaranteed – if the program is not all that we promise, return it within 30 days for a full refund.
Wishing you an Extraordinary Life and Extraordinary Organizations...
Robert White
Extraordinary People International
1461 S Ulster St
Denver, CO 80231Phone: 1-303-632-7744
E-mail: Robert@extraordinarypeople.com
http://www.extraordinarypeople.com
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