Have you ever felt so free, unleashed to take on the world, that you somehow, somewhere spend your energy and cannot seem to account for it? I have had that experience over the past few days, and it is due to an amazing pilot effect I have not encountered before. One that touches the soul, freeing the girl inside, the one that has curiously peeked out over the past few months who at first was afraid, then mildly timid. It is as if
…she screams: from within to show her authentic self
in the world’s demanding presence for yet another show.
As I wrote my first entry when I decided to start sharing my personal diary of thoughts, I was in the beginning stages of a growth process that is refreshing. And as I developed our conversation over the past month, the concept of a normalcy of silence arose. Where everything is settled, and the entropy ceases for a bit, only to be encountered by that silence. The unexplainable, sometimes unsettling… silence.
Yet these past few weeks have been peaceful, and I have met a new silence, where the girl inside is out, free, and brave with a renewed spirit. When I first got here in DK, everything was so new and exciting. Yet as you find more time passes in a new culture, you can become afraid, lose yourself, and out of nowhere you do not even recognize yourself. At the same time you know that you cannot go back home, for you have changed. Maybe not into the person that you would like to be, and possibly a stones throw from who you should be, yet nevertheless you are just not the same. And then, when you least expect it, you turn that corner, finding remnants of the person you left behind, only to have a strong resolve to build upon and develop the authentic self that sat on the shelf for a while.
I have found her, am cultivating her, and where before the silence of normalcy would be deafening, this time I find peace. I do not even know how to explain it. Maybe I am not supposed to know why, just trust the process and see where it takes me.
Essentially I have experienced the *flip side* of the silent normalcy, the one that Peder referred to in a comment earlier. And I look forward to the next round of entropy, to see how the growth during this silent normalcy will play… I have a feeling that I am more balanced and will take things in stride.
question: when do you scream?
10 October 2006
07 October 2006
in doubt...
As I sit here babysitting a mild, very mild cranial reminder of hanging out with friends last night, I reflect on the wonderful time that we had together. Nothing like starting a weekend with about 20 people, of which you know only one, to find that there are such amazingly brilliant and kind creatures in this world. The human spirit is rather cool, is it not?
I know I have *ducked out* the past few days… let’s just say that the previous weekend had a few more revelations, growth wise, and sometimes it is best that we are silent in our thoughts as we move forward. It is rather wonderous that people notice it when you are in this state… co-workers and friends respond more gently, reflecting that they can feel where you are, only the subtle ways of their voice, gestures without changing their words. And at the same time you want to cling to something, someone, an idea, inspiration, just simply take action to get you through or to your goal, and you have to realize that at time it is best that when you are
in doubt: you should go without
for your motivations may be out of self preservation, the immediate need to heal, the urgency to give or the sheer joy of feeling life to its fullest.
I guess it is like *trusting the process*, in the sense that yes, we can make things happen if we put our minds and hearts to it, yet is the result genuine? Or is moving things forward with volition part of the process?
Yet when something feels so right, you have to take the dive, regardless of the consequences. You are ready to pay all tolls and fines. This reminds me of another nugget my amazing Dad has said over the years—never let the emotions lead the way. Whether a feeling of love, anger, joy or disdain, it is best that we take a step back. What if the *doubt* mechanism of logic is not there to maintain balance? What if the red flags at the cliffside are nowhere to be found?
We have all had this challenge, I am sure, for if we were indifferent that means we are not in the game. Maybe the key is to take a step back from an observational perspective, and see that there is a balance not in the minutia but over time.
question: when do you go?
I know I have *ducked out* the past few days… let’s just say that the previous weekend had a few more revelations, growth wise, and sometimes it is best that we are silent in our thoughts as we move forward. It is rather wonderous that people notice it when you are in this state… co-workers and friends respond more gently, reflecting that they can feel where you are, only the subtle ways of their voice, gestures without changing their words. And at the same time you want to cling to something, someone, an idea, inspiration, just simply take action to get you through or to your goal, and you have to realize that at time it is best that when you are
in doubt: you should go without
for your motivations may be out of self preservation, the immediate need to heal, the urgency to give or the sheer joy of feeling life to its fullest.
I guess it is like *trusting the process*, in the sense that yes, we can make things happen if we put our minds and hearts to it, yet is the result genuine? Or is moving things forward with volition part of the process?
Yet when something feels so right, you have to take the dive, regardless of the consequences. You are ready to pay all tolls and fines. This reminds me of another nugget my amazing Dad has said over the years—never let the emotions lead the way. Whether a feeling of love, anger, joy or disdain, it is best that we take a step back. What if the *doubt* mechanism of logic is not there to maintain balance? What if the red flags at the cliffside are nowhere to be found?
We have all had this challenge, I am sure, for if we were indifferent that means we are not in the game. Maybe the key is to take a step back from an observational perspective, and see that there is a balance not in the minutia but over time.
question: when do you go?
04 October 2006
the priniciples...
Election day is less than five weeks away, and as I sit here this morning I am thinking about my vote, and
..the principles: that I hold dear and consider non negotiable
when casting my vote. So with that in mind, I starting getting into a quandry of sorts, for Senator Bill Nelson (FL) has voted for things that violate my principles, particularly voting a *yea* to the recent Torture Legislation that pretty much gives Bush a *free get out of jail card* while putting innocent lives at risk.
So with that, I had to shout out to the DKos community this morning:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/10/4/11732/0177
Good morning Kossacks from Northern Europe!
I am sitting here with my overseas registration, prepared to fax it some that I am registered in my last residence--Floriduh (ugh)--so that I can vote in November.
However, I am in a quandary of principles, and am not sure what to do. Having a discussion with you all would be of benefit, not only for me, but those of us who are dedicated, progressive Dems in the same boat.
Grab your parachute, time to jump...
I have principles and values that guide my decisions, as we all do, and they are solid. And we are all in the same boat with how we feel about the current Administration and those Dems who are not doing the job that we have elected (and paid, by the way, with our taxes) to make decisions that are humane, keep our Constitution intact and correct the poorly steered US policy. I myself am so dedicated to this, that I am flying to CT on 04 November to volunteer for Ned Lamont (big thanks to CT Bob for the help and pointers). Interestingly, I am not from CT (Jersey native here), and one would think I would even go back to my last state of residence to move things forward...
Ned Lamont, John Laesch, Jon Tester, Danny Stover (to name a few) represent what we all know--progressive, Dem values that reflect a majority of Americans' concerns and needs. And as I look at Bill Nelson (FL-D, Sen), I do not see them.
1) Predatorgate: whilst I admit that I am not a MSM person and get my fix from Dkos, FDL, C&L, I have yet to see Nelson publicly address his back yard Congressman Foley. Not so much in reprimanding him, yet holding all Repubs accountable for putting children at risk for the sake of saving their careers.
2) Castrating the Constitution and Blowing Off the Geneva Conventions: Bill Nelson voted yes and passed this hideous piece of legislation. We know the significance of it, potential consequences, who will benefit from it while others suffer. No need to expand on this.
I try and think of the legislation that Nelson has voted for that aligns with my principles. His position on living wills and the right to choose are in alignment as well.
Yet when looking at Predatorgate and the Torture Legisalation, I am at a crossroads internally. To vote for him now, to a degree, signifies an approval that I am not willing to concede.
How do you all balance this? How do you feel, what are your thoughts?
What would you do?
I look forward to this conversation, for I am sure that many of us are in the same boat. Yes, I have been a straight ticket Dem, voting in every election since I registered on my 18th birthday. I realize that we need to keep as many Dems in office, yet how do we balance our principles that we hold so dear, cast our vote, and be able to sleep at night, knowing that we are defying what we hold true and dear?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
question: what do you choose?
..the principles: that I hold dear and consider non negotiable
when casting my vote. So with that in mind, I starting getting into a quandry of sorts, for Senator Bill Nelson (FL) has voted for things that violate my principles, particularly voting a *yea* to the recent Torture Legislation that pretty much gives Bush a *free get out of jail card* while putting innocent lives at risk.
So with that, I had to shout out to the DKos community this morning:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/10/4/11732/0177
Good morning Kossacks from Northern Europe!
I am sitting here with my overseas registration, prepared to fax it some that I am registered in my last residence--Floriduh (ugh)--so that I can vote in November.
However, I am in a quandary of principles, and am not sure what to do. Having a discussion with you all would be of benefit, not only for me, but those of us who are dedicated, progressive Dems in the same boat.
Grab your parachute, time to jump...
I have principles and values that guide my decisions, as we all do, and they are solid. And we are all in the same boat with how we feel about the current Administration and those Dems who are not doing the job that we have elected (and paid, by the way, with our taxes) to make decisions that are humane, keep our Constitution intact and correct the poorly steered US policy. I myself am so dedicated to this, that I am flying to CT on 04 November to volunteer for Ned Lamont (big thanks to CT Bob for the help and pointers). Interestingly, I am not from CT (Jersey native here), and one would think I would even go back to my last state of residence to move things forward...
Ned Lamont, John Laesch, Jon Tester, Danny Stover (to name a few) represent what we all know--progressive, Dem values that reflect a majority of Americans' concerns and needs. And as I look at Bill Nelson (FL-D, Sen), I do not see them.
1) Predatorgate: whilst I admit that I am not a MSM person and get my fix from Dkos, FDL, C&L, I have yet to see Nelson publicly address his back yard Congressman Foley. Not so much in reprimanding him, yet holding all Repubs accountable for putting children at risk for the sake of saving their careers.
2) Castrating the Constitution and Blowing Off the Geneva Conventions: Bill Nelson voted yes and passed this hideous piece of legislation. We know the significance of it, potential consequences, who will benefit from it while others suffer. No need to expand on this.
I try and think of the legislation that Nelson has voted for that aligns with my principles. His position on living wills and the right to choose are in alignment as well.
Yet when looking at Predatorgate and the Torture Legisalation, I am at a crossroads internally. To vote for him now, to a degree, signifies an approval that I am not willing to concede.
How do you all balance this? How do you feel, what are your thoughts?
What would you do?
I look forward to this conversation, for I am sure that many of us are in the same boat. Yes, I have been a straight ticket Dem, voting in every election since I registered on my 18th birthday. I realize that we need to keep as many Dems in office, yet how do we balance our principles that we hold so dear, cast our vote, and be able to sleep at night, knowing that we are defying what we hold true and dear?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
question: what do you choose?
02 October 2006
the personality...
Again, tonight, I was on the phone with my Dad. He is such an amazing person , and I am not saying this out of bias (ok… who would not be). Yet as an individual, as a human being, all judgement from a daughter’s perspective aside, he is simply such a beautiful being.
We bantered a bit about life, its challenges, and what we need to look at when someone presents themselves into our lives—whether it is a lover, friend, colleague or someone that we are chatting up at the local pub.
He did not throw this zinger at me, yet our conversation reminded me of one of the many nuggets the offered over the years. It has to do with taking a good look at someone, understanding their motives, the place from within that they are operating and projecting upon you and the world. And how it affects you, moves you, and sometime you cannot help but to fall in love with the
personality: but marry the character.
Sheesh! What a thought!
It does not mean that we marry one individual, yet whomever we come into contact with, at first we embrace the personality—the charm, cute looks, philosophy of life.
Yet when we commit ourselves to that person—whether it be as a friend, companion, lover, lifetime partner, there is that underlying current that the personality is built upon-- their character.
And what is character, anyway? I think it goes back to that values conversation that we had earlier. Sometimes I wonder if personality is the espoused value, while the character is the value in practice. Kind of the talk-action paradigm (decision is intrinsic to this argument, however for the sake of this chat let’s put it to the side). We talk, hence we are personality in the flesh. We act, that is our character in full demonstration.
On the flip—could it be that our personality it who we aim to become, similar to espoused values and mission? And as long as we live it, will we become it? Fulfill it?
question: what is your type?
We bantered a bit about life, its challenges, and what we need to look at when someone presents themselves into our lives—whether it is a lover, friend, colleague or someone that we are chatting up at the local pub.
He did not throw this zinger at me, yet our conversation reminded me of one of the many nuggets the offered over the years. It has to do with taking a good look at someone, understanding their motives, the place from within that they are operating and projecting upon you and the world. And how it affects you, moves you, and sometime you cannot help but to fall in love with the
personality: but marry the character.
Sheesh! What a thought!
It does not mean that we marry one individual, yet whomever we come into contact with, at first we embrace the personality—the charm, cute looks, philosophy of life.
Yet when we commit ourselves to that person—whether it be as a friend, companion, lover, lifetime partner, there is that underlying current that the personality is built upon-- their character.
And what is character, anyway? I think it goes back to that values conversation that we had earlier. Sometimes I wonder if personality is the espoused value, while the character is the value in practice. Kind of the talk-action paradigm (decision is intrinsic to this argument, however for the sake of this chat let’s put it to the side). We talk, hence we are personality in the flesh. We act, that is our character in full demonstration.
On the flip—could it be that our personality it who we aim to become, similar to espoused values and mission? And as long as we live it, will we become it? Fulfill it?
question: what is your type?
30 September 2006
never the...
I just got off the phone with my Dad a short while ago, having an engaging conversation about life, the opportunities she brings, the ones we take, the ones we mistake. He is such a cool dude! I am so thankful that we are so close as adults, with a balanced relationship full of respect.
My Dad over the years has instilled these little *nuggets* of brief, wise sayings that give you pause. Tonight was no exception, and he brought up one of many in our conversation that has stuck over the years—it is
…never the: right time to do the wrong thing.
That always gets me thinking and reflecting. We may focus on doing the *right thing*, making the best choice and the correct decision without contemplating from where the source of the decision comes from, that we end up doing the *wrong thing*.
On the flip: what if doing what is perceived as *the wrong thing* brings about needed change that would not have transpired without it? Would we grow always focusing on *the right thing* to the point that we do not make mistakes from which we will learn and develop?
Or is *the wrong thing* explicitly implies doing something that is perceived as wrong knowingly? And are both the right and wrong thing a matter of looking back, as opposed to looking forward? Either way, it is based on our value system and what we assign meaning to what is right and wrong. If our values are not aligned and healthy, the differentiating between what is right and wrong, thing wise, can be rather murky.
question: what is your thing?
My Dad over the years has instilled these little *nuggets* of brief, wise sayings that give you pause. Tonight was no exception, and he brought up one of many in our conversation that has stuck over the years—it is
…never the: right time to do the wrong thing.
That always gets me thinking and reflecting. We may focus on doing the *right thing*, making the best choice and the correct decision without contemplating from where the source of the decision comes from, that we end up doing the *wrong thing*.
On the flip: what if doing what is perceived as *the wrong thing* brings about needed change that would not have transpired without it? Would we grow always focusing on *the right thing* to the point that we do not make mistakes from which we will learn and develop?
Or is *the wrong thing* explicitly implies doing something that is perceived as wrong knowingly? And are both the right and wrong thing a matter of looking back, as opposed to looking forward? Either way, it is based on our value system and what we assign meaning to what is right and wrong. If our values are not aligned and healthy, the differentiating between what is right and wrong, thing wise, can be rather murky.
question: what is your thing?
29 September 2006
punctuated equilibrium...
I am hoping that I enter this state soon, for my pilot is nowhere to be found for now, coupled with the moon going into the new phase, hence that drained feeling, the silent normalcy that is damn near deafening. I anxiously await my next state of
…punctuated equilibrium: where periods of my perceived stability, the equilibrium, are punctuated by a swift burst of change
and therefore I can grow again. Change is good. It is necessary and inevitable.
The theory of punctuated equilibrium is founded in Darwin’s theory of evolution, in the sense that the periods of radical change that Darwin could not *put his finger* upon, Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge were able to explain it a bit further. According to Gould and Eldredge, species were for the most part stable in their evolution, however they would at times forgo a period of growth that is so rapidly developmental that a gap would appear between the specie striations. That gap, they concluded, was secondary to punctuated equilibrium.
This bridged into change theory, props to Kurt Lewin, who identified that group dynamics and change mirror this to a degree. It is a bit to cover, would take many entries, yet it should be known that Lewin’s theories were born out of the motivation to resolve social conflict. I guess one can interpret Ned Lamont as the needed punctuated equilibrium, facilitating resolution badly needed not only in American politics, but on a global scale for the current Administration’s politics affects policy worldwide.
I encourage you, wholeheartedly, to discover Kurt Lewin’s work, including Action Theory and his founding the Research Center for Group Dynamics at MIT, starting with Bernard Burnes, “Kurt Lewin and the Planned Approach to Change: A Re-appraisal”:
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2004.00463.x?cookieSet=1
You will not be disappointed.
Speaking of punctuated equilibrium, that makes me bridge to the concept of a pregnant pause (mental leap, I know… cannot explain for it is late in the evening). A pregnant pause is when we stop in our conversation with intention, so that the listener can reflect a bit before we deliver, therefore they will be able to make their own conclusion. Maybe. It also allows for you to challenge their beliefs and understanding of the context of the situation, for a brief moment of silence, so that when you deliver the goods they are really poised to think. The pregnant pause, therefore, can be viewed as a punctuation mark, possibly a comma perhaps, in the flow of conversation.
Punctuated equilibrium… pregnant pause… punctuation…comma… there is the mental leap. Now , take this jump with me:
From: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/9/24/232025/180
It Will Look Like Just A Comma...
by dpotts [Subscribe]
Sun Sep 24, 2006 at 08:20:25 PM PDT
The President has said history will view the war in Iraq as "just a comma". Here is my response, I just wish it were a lot shorter.
• dpotts's diary :: ::
•
I like to tell people when the final history is written on Iraq, it will look like just a comma...
-- George W. Bush
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
How dare you call the 2,687 American soldiers lives lost in an unjustified war a comma.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now, how do you feel? Consider those commas as one long pregnant pause… and add many more for those soldiers of other countries that have died, as well as innocent Iraqi civilians, forever silent.
Hence the need for the punctuated equilibrium in Ned Lamont, and countless other dedicated progressives, to be elected and lead the US and her policies in the right direction.
Makes you think again about punctuated equilibrium, pregnant pauses and punctuation marks, eh?
On the flip—end the punctuated equilibrium of the occupation in Iraq.
question: what is your punctuation mark that precedes your moment of change?
…punctuated equilibrium: where periods of my perceived stability, the equilibrium, are punctuated by a swift burst of change
and therefore I can grow again. Change is good. It is necessary and inevitable.
The theory of punctuated equilibrium is founded in Darwin’s theory of evolution, in the sense that the periods of radical change that Darwin could not *put his finger* upon, Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge were able to explain it a bit further. According to Gould and Eldredge, species were for the most part stable in their evolution, however they would at times forgo a period of growth that is so rapidly developmental that a gap would appear between the specie striations. That gap, they concluded, was secondary to punctuated equilibrium.
This bridged into change theory, props to Kurt Lewin, who identified that group dynamics and change mirror this to a degree. It is a bit to cover, would take many entries, yet it should be known that Lewin’s theories were born out of the motivation to resolve social conflict. I guess one can interpret Ned Lamont as the needed punctuated equilibrium, facilitating resolution badly needed not only in American politics, but on a global scale for the current Administration’s politics affects policy worldwide.
I encourage you, wholeheartedly, to discover Kurt Lewin’s work, including Action Theory and his founding the Research Center for Group Dynamics at MIT, starting with Bernard Burnes, “Kurt Lewin and the Planned Approach to Change: A Re-appraisal”:
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2004.00463.x?cookieSet=1
You will not be disappointed.
Speaking of punctuated equilibrium, that makes me bridge to the concept of a pregnant pause (mental leap, I know… cannot explain for it is late in the evening). A pregnant pause is when we stop in our conversation with intention, so that the listener can reflect a bit before we deliver, therefore they will be able to make their own conclusion. Maybe. It also allows for you to challenge their beliefs and understanding of the context of the situation, for a brief moment of silence, so that when you deliver the goods they are really poised to think. The pregnant pause, therefore, can be viewed as a punctuation mark, possibly a comma perhaps, in the flow of conversation.
Punctuated equilibrium… pregnant pause… punctuation…comma… there is the mental leap. Now , take this jump with me:
From: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/9/24/232025/180
It Will Look Like Just A Comma...
by dpotts [Subscribe]
Sun Sep 24, 2006 at 08:20:25 PM PDT
The President has said history will view the war in Iraq as "just a comma". Here is my response, I just wish it were a lot shorter.
• dpotts's diary :: ::
•
I like to tell people when the final history is written on Iraq, it will look like just a comma...
-- George W. Bush
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How dare you call the 2,687 American soldiers lives lost in an unjustified war a comma.
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Now, how do you feel? Consider those commas as one long pregnant pause… and add many more for those soldiers of other countries that have died, as well as innocent Iraqi civilians, forever silent.
Hence the need for the punctuated equilibrium in Ned Lamont, and countless other dedicated progressives, to be elected and lead the US and her policies in the right direction.
Makes you think again about punctuated equilibrium, pregnant pauses and punctuation marks, eh?
On the flip—end the punctuated equilibrium of the occupation in Iraq.
question: what is your punctuation mark that precedes your moment of change?
28 September 2006
brass monkey...
Well the weather here is just a tad cooler, not so much that I have abandoned my open toed shoes as of yet. Let’s just say that I stretch the perception of summertime to her limit, bordering on denial, yet nevertheless enjoy it so. Trust me, I will switch to boots, sweaters and the like as soon as it gets as cold enough to freeze the balls off a
…brass monkey: that funky monkey.
No, not as in the Beastie Boys, albeit that is a great song to cruise with on a crisp fall evening with the sunroof drawn (vicarious comment here, no sunroof in my brat-mobile, sigh). Actually, the saying is military in origin. Yet a fun one to toss around in conversation… try weaving that into the water cooler chats!
Basically, a brass monkey is this-- a rail made of brass that holds cannonballs on the deck of a ship. Not sure to which war it is traced, although I understand it may be of the Napoleonic Era. So on the ship the cannonballs sat, upon the brass monkeys, minding their own business and waiting their turn to be stuffed and fired. And as soon as it got freezing cold, the brass monkey would contract and the cannonballs would go flying, or rather rolling, onto the deck of the ship. Imagine being on deck, late at night, after a few swigs of Irish whisky, only to hear the oncoming rumble...
So what on earth, do you ask, brings me to this topic? Firstly, I adore this saying, for sometimes you can get just the weirdest looks from people when you drop that line. And I was thinking, how can I turn around the tide of overly inquisitive entries a bit? And I have to be honest, tonight I am hammering out the slide kit for my thesis presentation, I have been writing like a banshee at work all week, and I need a bit of goofiness injected into my rhythm.
So with that, I leave you to your own device.
question: who is your monkey?
…brass monkey: that funky monkey.
No, not as in the Beastie Boys, albeit that is a great song to cruise with on a crisp fall evening with the sunroof drawn (vicarious comment here, no sunroof in my brat-mobile, sigh). Actually, the saying is military in origin. Yet a fun one to toss around in conversation… try weaving that into the water cooler chats!
Basically, a brass monkey is this-- a rail made of brass that holds cannonballs on the deck of a ship. Not sure to which war it is traced, although I understand it may be of the Napoleonic Era. So on the ship the cannonballs sat, upon the brass monkeys, minding their own business and waiting their turn to be stuffed and fired. And as soon as it got freezing cold, the brass monkey would contract and the cannonballs would go flying, or rather rolling, onto the deck of the ship. Imagine being on deck, late at night, after a few swigs of Irish whisky, only to hear the oncoming rumble...
So what on earth, do you ask, brings me to this topic? Firstly, I adore this saying, for sometimes you can get just the weirdest looks from people when you drop that line. And I was thinking, how can I turn around the tide of overly inquisitive entries a bit? And I have to be honest, tonight I am hammering out the slide kit for my thesis presentation, I have been writing like a banshee at work all week, and I need a bit of goofiness injected into my rhythm.
So with that, I leave you to your own device.
question: who is your monkey?
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