Friday's Laugh . . . And Then Some!

An Indian chief was feeling very sick, so he summoned
the medicine man.  After a brief examination, the medicine man
took out a long, thin, strip of elk rawhide and gave it to the chief,
instructing him to bite off, chew, and swallow one inch of the leather
every day.  After a month, the medicine man returned to see how
the chief was feeling.  The chief shrugged and said, "The thong is
ended, but the malady lingers on."

Laugh Like There's No Tomorrow: Over 2,000 jokes from the Internet

From our upcoming book compiled by Richard L. Weaver II
Laugh is setup with just over 4 jokes a day, all 365 days, and can be read in any order!
Expected Release Date: Fall 2010

Following the rules

Those of you familiar with my essays and especially my books know that I am a rules-based person.  After my first collection of essays, And Then Some: Essays to Entertain, Motivate, and Inspire, I immediately wrote the book, Public Speaking Rules: All You Need for a Great Speech.  I followed that rules-based book with a book entitled, SMOERs: Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules.  As if that wasn’t enough, I wrote an additional rules-based book entitled, Relationship Rules: For Long-term Happiness, Security, and Commitment. With all of this as a preface, it is little wonder that I would be attracted to a New York Times article by Jane E. Brody entitled, “Rules Worth Following, for Everyone’s Sake” (“Personal Health,” 02-02-10, p. D7). 

Now, I am familiar with Brody’s essays in the science section of the Times every Tuesday, and I have cited her numerous times in my textbooks, because she often writes about aspects of interpersonal relationships, verbal and nonverbal communication, and other facets of human behavior—all topics I discuss in my textbooks. 

In this essay I want to cover the same topics she covers in her essay.  I am deeply indebted to her for the ideas in this essay, and I give her full credit for them.    

Brody’s column is based on “a slender, easy-to-digest new book called Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual  (137 pages, $11 retail, $5.50 at Amazon) by Michael Pollan.”  Pollan is a professor of science journalism at the University of California, Berkeley.  Kristine Hale, in her four-star review of Pollan’s book at Amazon.com, writes, “Pollan takes the essential and fascinating information that he wrote about in his previous book [In Defense of Food: An Eaters Manifesto (256 pages, $7.50 at Amazon)] and simmers it down into a succinct (the book is basically 70 half pages long) ‘manual’ of rules for eating. While this book retains some of the bones of its predecessor, it is by no means a Cliff's Notes version. This manual is essential reading all on its own.” 

In her review of the book, Norma Lehmeierhartie tells how the Pollan book is organized: “The book is divided into three parts and has 64 chapters or rules. The following will give you a good idea of what the book is about: Part I, What should I eat? Includes such chapters as ‘Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize as food,’ ‘avoid food products that contain more than five ingredients,’ and ‘avoid foods that contain high-fructose corn syrup.’ 

Part II, What kind of food should I eat?  includes, ‘Eat mostly plants, especially leaves,’ ‘eat your colors,’ and ‘the whiter the bread, the sooner you will be dead.’  Part III, How should I eat? includes: ‘pay more, eat less,’ ‘eat less,’ and ‘limit your snacks to unprocessed plant food.’” 

Jesse Kornbluth, in his review of Pollan’s book, offers samples of some of his rules: “What does Pollan tell you in these pages? Here's a sample:
    --- ‘Don't eat anything your great grandmother wouldn't recognize as food.’
    --- ‘Don't eat anything with more than five ingredients, or ingredients you can't pronounce.’
    ---- ‘Don't eat anything that won't eventually rot...There are exceptions --- honey --- but as a rule, things like Twinkies that never go bad aren't food.’
    --- ‘Always leave the table a little hungry.'
    --- ‘Eat meals together, at regular meal times.’
    --- ‘Don't eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk.’ 

There are three types of people who will not appreciate Pollan’s book.  First, those who have read his previous books will find this one redundant.  More than that, it is simply a distillation of and recycled verbatim from his previous book, In Defense of Food, referred to above.  Second, if you are already into food and nutrition, you will find much of what Pollan says, common sense—maybe even, elementary.  The third type of person who can skip this book and his previous one are those who simply adopt Pollan’s approach, which he summarized in just seven words: “Eat food.  Not too much.  Mostly plants.”  Obesity solved!  Diet-related ailments eliminated! 

There is only one reason I have provided these quotations from reviews of Pollan’s book.  I have not read it myself, and I am dependent on the Amazon reviews and  Brody for their interpretations and insights. 

Quoting from Brody’s column, “The new book provides the practical steps [for following his approach], starting with advice to avoid ‘processed concoctions,’ no matter what the label may claim (‘no trans fats,’ ‘low cholesterol,’ ‘less sugar,’ ‘reduced sodium,’ ‘high in antioxidants,’ and so forth).”  If you read his book, you will become accustomed to his cute way of phrasing his ideas.  For example, “If it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don’t.” 

“Avoid foods advertised on television.. . . Those who sell the most healthful foods—vegetables, fruits and whole grains—rarely have a budget to support national advertising.”  If you shop in a supermarket, “shop only the periphery of the store and avoid the center aisles laden with processed foods”. . . and “Never get your fuel from the same place your car does,” Pollan writes. 

Other valuable rules include, “If you’re not paying attention to what you’re eating, you’re likely to eat more than you realize,” or“Stop eating before you’re full,” “There is nothing wrong with special occasion foods, as long as every day is not a special occasion,” and the rule I love the best is Pollan’s “S policy”: “No snacks, no seconds, no sweets—except on days that begin with the letter S.”  There is clearly a reason why I’m rules-oriented—don’t you wish everyone was? 

----- 

If you think following rules is a new concept, or if you think rules are a modern idea, or if you think old rules do not apply, check out this web site: PlugInID.com, and the essay there entitled “21 Rules to Live Your Life - Dokkodo.”  “Dokkodo” is a small book written by Miyamoto Musashi a week before he died in 1645.  1645!!!!!  Read these 21 rules.  They are terrific guidelines by which to form a very good life.  Just the first two examples: 1. Accept everything just the way it is, and 2. Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.  Also, this is not a simple listing; all rules are explained and discussed as well. 

If you want an entertaining, delightful, and challenging adventure, look at: “Life’s Rules of Thumb (and other quotes)” and you will discover an array of over 85 great quotations.  Some of the quotations (to offer but a mere sampling) that I liked include, “If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years, educate children.” Confucius.  Or, “People are basically honest. And they're even more honest when you watch them.” Alan C. "Ace" Greenberg.  Or, “Life at work is like a tree full of monkeys, all on different limbs at different levels. Some monkeys are climbing up, some down. The monkeys on top look down and see a tree full of smiling faces. The monkeys on the bottom look up and see nothing but arseholes.”  Anonymous.
You get just a fraction of the pleasure here that you will get by going to this web site. 

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Copyright July, 2010, by And Then Some Publishing, LLC.

Day #195 - Give meaning to your life.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

"The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning." ---Mitch Albom

Day #195 - Give meaning to your life.

SMOERs: Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! - Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living
An everyday guide full of quotations to uplift your spirits.
Free 30-Day sample: smoers.com

Final Part of Edgar E. Willis World War II Memoir and Following the Rules Preview

And Then Some Publishing News
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It might be the final part of the Civilian in an Ill-fitting Uniform interview with Edgar E. Willis, however there's more. What? There's more? 


We have more video's from Edgar coming soon and he is about to turn 97.... YES, 97! The upcoming video series comes from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Edgar presents a combination of a lecture and a question and answer session all about William Shakespeare. If you love Shakespeare or have to study him, then you are in for a treat! 


Part 4, is the conclusion of Anthony Weaver's interview with author Edgar E. Willis. At 96, Anthony's grandfather, retired Emeritus Professor of Communication at the University of Michigan, penned his memoir Civilian in an Ill-fitting Uniform. This book is Edgar's account of the time before and after he served on the USS Alaska during World War II. In his decommission Edgar faced some big decisions that would choose the path for his life. With an education, he had career choices, a wife and children, what was to happen next?... And what does he hope readers will take away from his World War II memoir?


Click here if you can't see Part 4 of Edgar's interview.





Usually, we provide links to all of the videos in the Civilian interview series here. Instead, this week we want you to go to Edgar's website: EdgarEWillis.com. As soon as this post is published And Then Some Publishing is updating the website for better access to content and where you will be able to see all his videos in one place. Check the progress of our changes EdgarEWillis.com.


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Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview:

Thursday’s essay is called, “Following the rules." After an unabashingly, unsubtle attempt to sell my rules-based books, I talk about a column in the New York Times by Jane E. Brody entitled, “Rules Worth Following, for Everyone’s Sake.”   In this column, Brody reviews Michael Pollan's book called Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual (137 pages, $11 retail, $5.50 at Amazon).  I mention some of Pollan's rules and comments by other reviewers of his book.  In the excerpt from the essay located below, I share some insights about those who may not appreciate Pollan's book; thus, you can determine---right here and now!---whether or not my essay is worth reading.

Following the Rules
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
There are three types of people who will not appreciate Pollan’s book.  First, those who have read his previous books will find this one redundant.  More than that, it is simply a distillation of and recycled verbatim from his previous book, In Defense of Food, referred to above.  Second, if you are already into food and nutrition, you will find much of what Pollan says, common sense—maybe even, elementary.  The third type of person who can skip this book and his previous one are those who simply adopt Pollan’s approach, which he summarized in just seven words: “Eat food.  Not too much.  Mostly plants.”  Obesity solved!  Diet-related ailments eliminated!
-----

And Then Some Works!

The Cost of Bad Behavior: How Incivility Is Damaging

Book Club... And Then Some!





The Cost of Bad Behavior: How Incivility Is Damaging
             

by Christine Pearson and Christine Porathail





Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
 
This is a well-organized, thorough examination of incivility.  Chapters 1-4 introduce the concept of incivility (its prevalence and characteristics), Chapters 5-11 discuss its costs, whom it hurts and how, and Chapters 12-17 describe in detail what individuals, organizations, and society can do to promote a civil environment.  Reading through all the causes for incivility in the workplace—they are many and varied—one not only begins to understand the nature of incivility, but some of the unfortunate characteristics of our society as well and how demographics, competition, selfishness, time compression, information access, and individual stress contribute to the problem and make it worse. 

Pearson and Porath’s definition—“the exchange of seemingly inconsequential inconsiderate words and deeds that violate conventional norms of workplace conduct"—and the examples they offer of workplace incivility, will make it clear how pervasive such conduct is.

The costs they discuss of bad behavior—decreased individual/team performance, stress/burnout, turnover, and reputation damage—drive their points home. 

Reading this book should be imperative for all organizations, not just those interested in obtaining the highest return on their investments.

The research and documentation is extensive, the writing is both clear and compelling, and their wealth of real-life stories, make this book an outstanding choice.  Also, in the final chapters, the authors offer specific methods for recognizing and responding to the signs of incivility, even though they acknowledge as well, that there are no easy answers.this

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This book is available from Amazon.com: The Cost of Bad Behavior: How Incivility Is Damaging

Friday's Laugh . . . And Then Some!

In a recent news broadcast, it was announced that Lorena
Bobbitt's sister Louella was arrested for an alleged attempt to
perform the same act on her husband as her famous sister had done
several years ago.  Sources reveal the sister was not as accurate
as Lorena.

She allegedly missed the target and stabbed her husband in the
upper thigh causing severe muscle and tendon damage.  The
husband is reported to be in serious, but stable condition, and
Louella has been charged with . . .

A Misdewiener!

Laugh Like There's No Tomorrow: Over 2,000 jokes from the Internet

From our upcoming book compiled by Richard L. Weaver II
Laugh is setup with just over 4 jokes a day, all 365 days, and can be read in any order!
Expected Release Date: Fall 2010

Self-identity is a base for everything else you do in life

Early in the basic-communication course we used two activities in the small performance sections specifically designed to awaken students to themselves—a confirmation of their life and existence.  The first had them sit in the middle of a circle with the rest of their small group of 15 to 20 students sitting around them.  They were to remain silent as they turned their chair to face each of the surrounding students while each one, separately, “reflected” their impression of the student in the center.  Although occasionally a student would say something that could be interpreted negatively by the student in the center, most comments were not only positive but encouraging even flattering as well.  Student reports of this exercise were always positive, and as a result, use of the activity was continued for more than twenty years. 

The second activity was labeled the “Interview-Introduction-Name Exercise.”  Students were first labeled A or B moving clockwise in a large circle around the room.  To begin the interviews, A’s were to interview B’s who were seated to their left to find out as much information as they could so that they could introduce this student to the class.  Then, all students were to turn fully around in their seats to form new dyads (groups of two).  Now, B’s were to interview a new A with the same goal in mind—so they could introduce A to the class.  In this way, once the process was complete, all students would be able to introduce the student on their left, and we could proceed around the circle learning the names of all students----repeated by everyone as introductions continued.  These interviews gave students an identity, made them stand out as unique, and put some distance between them and the others in the class.  It is an outstanding and effective means for learning the names of all students.  (I had teaching assistants—especially those who taught two or three sections of the course—take notes as the sequence proceeded, so they could review the names before coming to class the next time.) 

Now, you must understand that these two activities occurred within the context of a basic, required, speech-communication course.  I say that because in such circumstances, some students could be inclined not to take the course seriously; thus, whatever activities engaged in might not be perceived as significant, worthwhile, valuable, or relevant.  The overall design and purpose of these two activities—along with what followed in the course---served as a metaphor for life. 

The point of the activities—beyond simply beginning the course with a couple of startling exercises—has to do with identity.  Both exercises are designed to be confirming: offering students proof or verification that they are valuable, appreciated, respected, and important.  Experiencing this confirmation of life—whether in class or other places—is a prelude to everything else they will learn and do.  Once they have found this feeling, they will then not only be ready to discover but express their uniqueness as individuals. 

The comments that follow on identity come from a book called The Identity Code (Random House, 2005).  In that book, Laurence Ackerman explains the various ways in which identity is the foundation of our lives and how, with it as the foundation, it can be a better and more productive world.  The basic purpose of the book is to convince readers they have value in the world simply as a result of being who they are. 

When students have a sense of who they are, they begin to discover why they are here.  It is as if they have found a natural gyroscope that guides them to a place or position from which to take charge of their lives.  It is on the strength of that gyroscope that their decisions will be wise, and the outcomes—no matter what challenges and hardships they face—will be the right ones. 

All the activities that follow from these first two give students real opportunities to make important decisions and derive solutions.  The lectures are designed not just to underscore, reinforce, and buttress what goes on in the performance sections but empower students by revealing their potential,    It is, indeed, these decisions and solutions which provide clear separation between themselves and other students in the class.  Because they can observe the decisions and solutions of other classmates, all students are able to step back and see, really see, themselves in relationship to others.  How are they different?  How are they the same?  It is the answers to these questions that allow them to set the boundaries that mark out turf belonging to them. 

What the basic course is designed to give students—and as a corollary, what they truly need in life—is independence.  Independence is the ability to think and act on their own and in their own best interests, despite what others may expect of them.  By defining themselves as separate from others, they find their own integrity as individuals.  It gives them a place to begin forming ideas, framing beliefs, and discerning attitudes that are uniquely their own.  In moments of great intensity like when they are under the pressure of deadlines, experiencing conflicting demands from various courses, trying to deal with the competing demands of family, friends, relationship partners, and their classes, it allows them to make the necessary decisions based on who they are and who they are not. 

Standing alone strengthens students.  There will always be unfamiliar emotions, misgivings, and resistance, but when students make their decisions and follow through with solutions, there will also be exhilaration and hope.  Facing up to initial discomfort, even aloneness, is a definite and specific sign of progress.  When students stay with it, it is their passage to discovery.  It is part of the development of their powers as individuals in their own right. 

Life offers many opportunities for making decisions and deriving solutions, but it doesn’t often offer the similar opportunities to others of our same age and status.  When we can compare our decisions and solutions with relevant, immediate others and even embrace, adapt, and adopt strategies and use them as our own in a helpful, positive, encouraging, and hopeful environment, the rewards are often instantaneous and valuable. 

There is no easy path when it comes to unleashing the remarkable energy that one’s identity contains.  Finding it, however, is just a start.  As people understand their unique capacities and live according to them, they become happy being who they are.  As Ackerman writes in the final chapter of his book, “A Framework for Living,” “Consider your identity your source of life.  It makes you vibrant, wise, agile, powerful, even playful.  It is the sun within you, whose energy need never die.” 

----- 

Yes, it’s an advertisement for a course.  That said, the essay by Karl Perera, “Personal Identity,” at the website, More-Self-esteem.com is a very good one because he not only outlines the seven components of self-esteem, but he carefully shows “How . . . your personal identity [can] help you improve your self esteem.”  Great specifics here. 

“Self Identity and Memory” is the title of this very long, highly technical, heavily documented, well-written (but academic) paper that explains exactly why self identity is so important.  You can access this paper by John F. Kihlstrom, Jennifer S. Beer of the University of California at Berkeley, and Stanley B. Klein of the University of California at Santa Barbara at their website---accessed by clicking on their names (above).  Their research was supported by a number of research grants, and an edited version of this chapter appeared in M.R. Leary & J. Tangney (Eds.), Handbook of self and identity (pp. 68-90).  New York: Guilford Press, 2002. 

----- 

Copyright June, 2010, by And Then Some Publishing, LLC.





   

Day #194 - Make progress every day of your life.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

"When Pablo Casals reached ninety-five, a young reporter threw him a question, 'Mr. Casals, you are ninety-five and the greatest cellist who ever lived.  Why do you still practice six hours a day?'  And Mr. Casals answered, 'Because I think I'm making progress.'"  ---Anonymous

Day #194 - Make progress every day of your life.

SMOERs: Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! - Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living
An everyday guide full of quotations to uplift your spirits.
Free 30-Day sample: smoers.com

Looking for new charities and Civilian in an Ill-fitting Uniform Video Part 3

And Then Some Publishing News
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For two months And Then Some Publishing has been donating a portion of the proceeds of every book we publish and sold through Amazon.com to Susan G. Komen - For the Cure (to breast cancer). Our website visits have remained consistent, yet we have sold less books than ever before. 


Our question: Are people suffering from Susan G. Komen overload? There are tons of products out there with a pink ribbon and maybe you've seen enough. Maybe you're thinking... couldn't they give to other charities? Please don't read this as the work of Susan G. Komen isn't important... it is! They have been able to accomplish many great things, however it's time for us to move on.


Our Susan G. Komen charity promotion will be over this Wednesday, June 30, 2010. And Then Some Publishing believes in giving back and we will be searching for new charities to promote. Do you have a favorite charity you would like to get more notice? Leave a comment below.


On Thursday, July 1, 2010 we will be releasing the last video in the series, How to be Funny on Purpose. It's more than how to be funny. Edgar E. Willis breaks down why jokes are funny, what it takes to be funny, and how to set up jokes so they are funny. It's the anatomy of humor... And Then Some! We will let you know as soon as this video is available.

Below is Part 3 of Anthony Weaver's interview with author Edgar E. Willis about his memoir, Civilian in an I'll-fitting Uniform. Part 3 continues the discussion of the captains Edgar served under, the "Winding path to Peace," and the fact that bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and yet, the USS Alaska hadn't suffered it's only casualty of the war. Also in Part 3, at 96, Edgar reminds us with precision what was happening in the Pacific Theater, the timing and feelings of where our country was at during World War II, including the difference between enlisted men and officers.

Having trouble viewing the video? Click here and watch Part 3 of the interview with Edgar E. Willis on YouTube.





Click here to watch Part 1 of Edgar's interview on YouTube.
Click here to watch Part 2 of Edgar's interview on YouTube.


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Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview:

Thursday’s essay is called, “Self-identity is the base for everything else you do in life."  I don't know if you've ever stopped to think about the role of self-identity in your life?  In this essay, I begin by discussing two activities I used for more than 20 years in my basic, speech-communication course, to not just introduce the idea of self-identify but to actually help students develop/acquire an identity.  Then I talk briefly about its value and importance.

Self-identity is the base for everything else you do in life
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
There is no easy path when it comes to unleashing the remarkable energy that one’s identity contains.  Finding it, however, is just a start.  As people understand their unique capacities and live according to them, they become happy being who they are.  As Ackerman writes in the final chapter of his book, “A Framework for Living,” “Consider your identity your source of life.  It makes you vibrant, wise, agile, powerful, even playful.  It is the sun within you, whose energy need never die.”

---

And Then Some Works!

When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present

Book Club... And Then Some!





When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present             

by Gail Collins





Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.
 
In this 481-page book, there are 30 pages of notes and an 11-page bibliography.  This gives you an idea of the thoroughness of the book.

Gail Collins was the editorial page editor for the New York Times from 2001 to 2007, the first woman to have held that position, and she currently writes a column for the Times’ op-ed page.  It goes without saying that she is an excellent writer, and every page of her book reflects her skills and easy-to-read style.

This book is a wonderful and important chronology as well as a terrific reference work that is full of insights, stories, historical facts, important information, and inspiration.  Her stories of real women (including Hilary Clinton, Sarah Palin, and Michelle Obama—and others we don’t know) make the book even more interesting. Of the personal interviews, one reviewer writes, “[they]  portray the details of the daily lives of American women of the era. This is not library research. It is woman to woman sharing of memories, frustrations and small victories that took place as ‘everything changed’”
Whether you lived through it, read about it in other books, or are new to the area of feminism and women’s rights, there is something in this book for you.

Carol M. Frohlinger, in her amazon.com review, writes, “From June Cleaver to Hillary Clinton, Gail Collins` new book, When Everything Changed, reminds us of both how much everything has changed for American women in the last 50 years and just how little. Collins writes skillfully about the ‘olden’ days when a glamour career for a woman was to be a stewardess and when the reason most women went to college to get a ‘Mrs..’”

Frohlinger continues her review saying, “What Collins does particularly well though is to highlight that there still isn't gender parity in America's workplaces or homes. She ends on a note that celebrates how far we've come with a reality check - the gender pay gap still exists, too few women serve as CEOs or sit on corporate boards and the work-life balance conundrum has yet to be resolved.”

This is the kind of book that should be required reading for everyone—not just women.  It is intellectually stimulating, completely enjoyable, and a reminder of what women have yet to accomplish. 


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This book is available from Amazon.com: When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present.

Friday's Laugh . . . And Then Some!

Yoga teacher to a woman: Has yoga any effect over your
husband's drinking habit?

Woman: Yes, an amazing effect!  Now he drinks the whole bottle
standing upside down over his head.

Laugh Like There's No Tomorrow: Over 2,000 jokes from the Internet

From our upcoming book compiled by Richard L. Weaver II
Laugh is setup with just over 4 jokes a day, all 365 days, and can be read in any order!
Expected Release Date: Fall 2010

Having a remote control to get us through our lives?

The first machines to be operated by remote control were for military use.  For example, during World War I the Germans developed radio-controlled motorboats to ram enemy ships.  During World War II there were remote-controlled bombs and other remote controlled weapons.  When the wars were over, scientists experimented to find non-military uses for them.  It was in the 1940s when automatic garage-door openers were invented, and it wasn’t until the 1950s that the first TV remote controls were used.  Now I’m hoping scientists will develop a remote control to help get us through our lives. 

There are too many areas of our lives where we don’t have as much control as we should, and it is in these areas where it would be helpful to have a remote control.  For example, wouldn’t it be great to use the “mute” button on the remote to reduce the noise in an especially rowdy restaurant?  Or, to calm those who were engaged in a turbulent and rapidly escalating argument?  We could use the “mute” button to have peace and quiet wherever we found ourselves—just point and click!

In addition to our numerous uses of the “mute” button, think how great it would be to have “fast forward” opportunities?  We see a problem approaching, we simply fast forward our way past it.  Or, when we are feeling tired and stressed, we fast forward through the hard times to a well-rested and comfortable aftermath.  Students could fast forward their way through exams, reports, speeches, and talks with their teachers.  Workers could use the same button to escape deadlines, meetings with superiors, and difficult presentations.  In relationships, the fast-forward button would help us avoid conflicts, disagreements, hostilities, and any potentially antagonistic confrontations.  For men, they could fast forward their lives through boring, repetitious, monotonous work days to those spectacular and unforgettable evenings with their spouse, a favorite sporting event, surfing the Internet, or playing video games.  And women could avoid tedious work days, times with whiny, crying  children, or attendance at required meetings or school activities.  Just watch neighbors mowing their lawns and washing their cars in fast forward. 

In the same way as we would have “fast forward” opportunities, we would have a “reverse” button, too.  Thus, we could go back and enjoy once again, some of the wonderful moments.  How about re-living those times when you thought of exactly the right words to say, or enjoying again an earth-shaking instant of great importance or immense satisfaction (a car accident in which everyone escaped injury, when you asked a partner to marry you, the words you used to win-over a client)?  A reverse button would allow us to go back and savor, once again, a great meal, a magnificent sunset, or a unique artwork or piece of music.  Also, it would permit us to  study situations to see how we could improve, refine, or enhance them—not just to become better people but so that we could build an arsenal of appropriate responses. 

Wouldn’t it be great if the “reverse” button on our remote was actually a “do over” button so that not only would it take us back in time, but it would actually give us as many second chances as we needed?  I wonder, given a chance to re-write our own personal histories, or maybe just specific situations, would we let the same things happen?  Would we make the same mistakes?  Are we so locked into our own realities that things never change? 

Our remote has many different channel selections.  When you notice that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, by pushing a different channel, you can actually experience life on the other side of that barrier?  Is the grass actually greener, or was that just an illusion?  By pushing a different channel, the answer will become clear.  Or, how about walking a mile in another person’s moccasins?  Pushing a different channel will grant you 100% empathy, because you will now be the other person with whom you were empathizing.  And if the shoe doesn’t fit, push the “return” button, and come back to your own reality—refreshed, or perhaps disenchanted, but with a whole new perspective. 

Our remote has a timer, too.  Just as we can set a television to turn itself off at a certain time, we can put time limits on what we experience.  “I can only take just so much of that!”—but now you’ll be able to judge just how much that is, set the timer, and when the timer goes off, whatever it is, comes to a sudden and abrupt end.  I don’t like conflict, but I want to hear what other people have to say.  Set the timer, and give them two minutes to make their case.  I don’t like shopping, but I just want to see what’s available.  Set the timer, and give yourself thirty seconds to survey what’s available—then the picture goes off.  Saves money, too! 

There are three other buttons I want on my remote.  The first is a “slow motion” button.  Life comes at us too quickly.  Sometimes we get too much information too fast.  So you drive into a gas station for directions, you press the slow-motion button to make certain you understand.  You are experiencing a moment of intense pleasure, a moment you know is soon to disappear for some time, press the slow motion button to prolong the gratification.  You want the laughter, joy, or excitement to last just a little longer, so you press the slow-motion button to prolong the carnival ride of contentment and delight. 

Taking the lead from computers, our remote needs a delete button, too, so that we can expunge unfavorable, critical, adverse, hostile, unfriendly, or unflattering events or remarks.  In that way, we never have to be haunted by past circumstances.  Mistakes and errors could be deleted immediately so that our blunders, goofs, bloopers, flubs, and gaffes would never be associated with us or with our history.  We could experiment with our behavior, and if the experiment failed, it would be edited out of our past with a simple “click” as if it never took place. 

The final button we need—this time taken from our word processor—is the cut and paste button.  In this way, we could carry good feelings from one situation to another, especially conditions in desperate need of joy, happiness, or amusement.  We could build new relationships by cutting and pasting from former ones or, in the same way, construct the ideal job. 

 In this age of technology, scientists need not stop with remote-controlled garage-door openers and TVs, invent a remote to help me get through life.  And while you’re at it, put on the remote a number of buttons for future use—so that I can program them whatever way I choose and whenever I need them.  Maybe I’ll program one to make me a very wealthy man, another to bring me many new friends, and a third.....hmmmmmm.....maybe with the third I’ll program it to keep me forever young! 

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At the SoberRecovery Community website, the classic Erma Bombeck (just after she learned she was dying of cancer) column, “If I had my life to do over,” is offered.  It is a wonderful, short essay.  Also, I is one that I quoted for more than 20 years in the college lectures I delivered.  I have a copy of the original column for I loved it when I first read it.  Read this one. 

At the devpsy.orghttp://www.devpsy.org/nonscience/daisies.html website, there are two brief essays on the topic, “If I Had My Life Over - I'd Pick More Daisies.”  One is by Nadine Star and the other by Don Herold.  Both are interesting, fun, and provocative.  They are worth a read. 

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Copyright June, 2010, by And Then Some Publishing, LLC.

Day #193 - Look fear in the face.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every
experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.
You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror.
I can take the next thing that comes along.' . . . You must
do the thing you think you cannot do. ---Eleanor Roosevelt

Day #193 - Look fear in the face.

SMOERs: Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! - Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living
An everyday guide full of quotations to uplift your spirits.
Free 30-Day sample: smoers.com

Edgar E. Willis World War II Memoir Interview Part 2, Plus... Thursday's Essay Preview

And Then Some Publishing News
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Announcing the release of Part 2... Anthony Weaver's interview with Edgar E. Willis about his memoir of World War II, "Civilian in an Ill-fitting Uniform." Part 2 of Anthony's interview picks up from a previous question in Part 1. Events had happened to Edgar that were either pure luck or just because of the circumstance of the moment. Part 2 starts with Edgar's second story... his pure luck Navy physical. As we progressed, I asked about the captains Edgar served under and his best explanation? He reads from his memoir. We finish off part 2 with, "That's the way the navy does it!"


Having trouble viewing the video? Click here and watch Part 2 of the interview with Edgar E. Willis on YouTube.





Did you see Part 1 of Anthony Weaver's interview with Edgar E. Willis? In Part 1 of the interview I ask Edgar about his inspiration for the book, the reason for the title, and why he decided to include his life before and after his service.


Click here to watch Part 1 of Edgar's interview on YouTube.


Also released last week was the new video, "How to make a Viral Video-Based on the KISS theory." Illustrator Anthony Weaver and author Lynne Hall have put together a coaching video on How to Make a Viral Video, based on the K.I.S.S. Theory (Keep it simple... stupid). Instead of a technical approach explaining camera types, lenses, programs used to produce videos, this is a fun look at being in front of the camera and getting used to the bright lights shining on you.  Anthony and Lynne show you how they shot their video, including the end result!


 Click here to see How to Make a Viral Video on YouTube.


Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview:


Thursday’s essay is called, “Having a remote to get us through life?"  Imagine along with me in this essay what it would be like in your life if you had a remote control that gave you the possibility for mute, fast forward, reverse, do over, channel selection, slow motion, delete, and cut and paste?  How would your life be different?  I'm certain it would be far different than it is now . . . and then some!


Having a remote to get us through life?
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
In this age of technology, scientists need not stop with remote-controlled garage-door openers and TVs, invent a remote to help me get through life.  And while you’re at it, put on the remote a number of buttons for future use—so that I can program them whatever way I choose and whenever I need them.  Maybe I’ll program one to make me a very wealthy man, another to bring me many new friends, and a third.....hmmmmmm.....maybe with the third I’ll program it to keep me forever young!


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And Then Some Works!

Outstanding! 47 Ways to Make Your Organization Exceptional

Book Club... And Then Some!

Outstanding!  47 Ways to Make Your Organization Exceptional        

by John G. Miller


Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.

There are a number of reasons why this book merits the word: “outstanding.”  First, it is well written.  Second, it is full of engaging examples.  Third, the chapters are short, easy to read, and full of information.  Fourth, the information—although much of it is common sense—is worth the read, whether it is a review, a reminder, or just new motivation to change and grow.  Finally, fifth, Miller uses large doses of humor throughout the book that keeps the information entertaining and enjoyable.

Terry Schuman, a training manager from Denver, Colorado, writes this about the book: “John has a way of writing that encourages people who typically aren't too fond of business-type books to find the time to read his books. He's an expert at using real life experiences and stories to illustrate his various points and topics.”

Schuman continues his review at Amazon.com: “Outstanding!, just like his other books, is an easy read but is filled with excellent educational material that benefits all levels of management- from executives to front-line supervisors. It has 47 short chapters that quickly get to the point and make you think. I found myself saying throughout the book, ‘I've had to deal with that’ or, ‘I can relate to this,' or, 'I wish I would have done that!’”

The reason I have quoted other reviewers is simple.  I am not in business, and I am not a trainer; thus, I don’t have the experience nor the perspective to judge this book.  But, I think it has wide application outside of business as well.  These are precisely the principles one should use in conducting his or her life.

Schuman continues his review: “John's also not afraid to tell it like it really is. How many other business books have you read with a chapter titled, ‘Fire Customers (If Necessary)!.’ Any of your associates who've ever had to deal with the ‘customer from hell’ will appreciate it. But it makes sense. As John writes, "...standing up for your people in the face of mistreatment by customers makes our staff feel truly valued.’”

Matthew Morine, from Castle Rock, Colorado, writes, “John Miller is an accomplished author and consultant in the business world. His previous book "QBQ" was an exceptional work on identifying empowerment thinking. He continues the linage of thought provoking and insightful works in this text. The book identifies the 47 ways to make an organization better. This book is packed with helpful information. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on the ever increasing literature in the business culture, one can buy this book for the best of the latest ideas. The book also highlights some of the latest and trendy "foolish" ideas that would never work. The author shows these ideas to be lacking. Instead of having to read all of the material out there searching for the best practices, the author has done this for you. This book will provide a framework for any church, club, or business. There is not a single wasted page. For a journey in the best ideas for an organization, pick up this title.”

Again, not having read any other books by John G. Miller, I leave it to Matthew Morine to provide that additional perspective.

This is an excellent book that has garnered exceptional reviews and, thus, is outstanding!!!! 



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This book is available from Amazon.com: Outstanding!  47 Ways to Make Your Organization Exceptional.