Just Checking

        Now it is time for a little reality check. Read the following definitions, derived from the material you have been reading. See how you react to the definitions and whether you are living out of them.

Ownership. What you want everyone in your organization to develop. Tell the truth, encourage others to do the same, reward honesty and solve problems. Additionally, if this is a corporation, develop a plan for profit sharing that is real, substantive and generous. Where those who invest, those who lead, workers and customers share equally in the proceeds of the endeavor, what my Father called “Enlightened Capitalism.”

Responsibility. Everyone is completely responsible. Not to be confused with blame, fault or shame. If there is trash on the floor, pick it up. Leave every environment in better shape than you found it. If someone suggests something underhanded or unethical, confront them directly or offer to discuss the situation with your (their) supervisor.

Rudeness. An indication of ungroundedness. Individuals who demonstrate this behavior are not Grounded and are not good long-term employee prospects. Often the manifestation of damage lived through earlier in life.

Arrogance. The need to feel superior to someone else driven by fear or insecurity. Sign of ungroundedness. Grounded people don’t need to act superior to anyone.

Respect. What everyone should receive around us, our homes and our work environment. You have more to learn from every person than you will ever know. Seek that knowledge in every interaction with everyone.

Gossip. (3rd party conversations). Talking about somebody behind their back in order to look good, be right or feel superior. Does not belong in healthy environments. Refuse to participate in it. Tell people to talk to the person they are talking about or forget it.

Help. Condescending or paternalistic support offered with good intentions. Based on the notion that you have something the other person needs. Not useful to most people other than those who want to be dependent on others for their well-being.

Assistance. Support of every kind offered in the knowledge that the individual to whom it is offered is powerful, capable and able. Useful to every person I know at some point in their lives.

Differently able. What each of us are. Some have two legs, some none. Some can see with their eyes, others differently.

Handicapped. Archaic. Misunderstood to be a limiting factor in human behavior. Now understood to indicate that each person is differently able.

Ability. The capacity we have to access our resources. Determined by the drive, will, determination, courage and tenacity we develop as opposed to the circumstances dictating access.

Boredom. A way of being, developed at an early age, that attempts to justify not being interested in anything in life. Boredom is created. If you can create boredom, you can create anything.

Accident. Highly unusual occurrence. As a result of natural causes beyond our control. (Tree limb falling for no apparent reason.) Often confused with incidents arising from unconscious behavior. (i.e. Unintentionally knocking over a glass.)

Acknowledgment. The opportunity to thank, praise or in some other way honor those that have contributed to your ability to achieve anything. Each opportunity taken to acknowledge someone, no matter how small, contributes to the workability of the planet.

Self-made person. Those with either no memory or completely self-deluded. In either case profoundly ungrounded. Each day thousands of people contribute to our ability to function effectively in the world.

Envy. One of the myriad of things we do when we forget who we are. Reflects lack of understanding and experience of the capacities that reside in all of us, without exception. Also may indicate misunderstanding of the essence of happiness.

Happiness. A self-generated state of well-being dependent on the individual rather than external circumstances. A mental muscle that can be strengthened by care of oneself and reflections upon the magical nature of the universe. (i.e. meditation, nature walks, gardening, astronomy, any physical activity).

Advice. The preposterous notion that one person knows what is right or best for another. Dangerous if given or taken from a single source. Useful to collect in groups, prior to making personal decision.

Heroism. A portion of which is within each of us. The spectacular production of seemingly super-human results in the face of crisis or overwhelming need. Accessible to all.

Amoeba. Depending on your beliefs, experience or points of view, your great grandfather and great grandmother (nth degree).

Adam and Eve. Depending on your beliefs, experience or points of view, your great grandfather and great grandmother (nth degree).

Anorexia. One of a multiplicity of ways involving food or alcohol to kill oneself. Characterized by obsession with weight loss contributed to by distorted notions of what is or is not attractive.

Creativity. The ability to think about things newly. Often confused with practice and/or proficiency in art, music, drama, dance or any other artistic expression.

Aspire. The natural desire of nurtured people to contribute, achieve and/or produce great things.

Value/worth. Your value and worth in the world are a given. It has nothing to do with your circumstances or behavior. People who experience that they are loved and valued do not damage others.

Balance, equanimity. A desired state. The ability to maintain and nurture a dynamic process of self-care, a rich personal and/or family life and a productive career or calling. A state of being/quality developed without any reference to the circumstances in one’s life.

          Every day contains the opportunity to honor the divinity in you and every person. Love and rejoice in every second.