It has been observed that voluntarily assuming an expression of emotion in the face can actually cause the associated emotion. In other words putting on a smile can actually improve ones mood; putting on a frown when someone offends, can actually make me think even less of them.

Granted, expressions are oft-times the byproducts of emotions and intercepting them before expressing them would be akin to not having any emotion or feelings. If I desire to have harmonious relationships it would be good to assume positive facial expressions (where I envision the relationship being). I can change my expression to what I’d “like to feel” and actually move my feelings closer to that emotion. This would tend to make what I say and hear more receptive to both parties.

I’m not advocating being false, instead I’m advocating sincerity. However as I am stating my position to someone else, I should do it in such a way as to consciously change my facial expression where I want the relationship to go.

In the first year of George Washington’s first term in office, he designated a national thanksgiving holiday for the newly ratified Constitution, specifically so that the people may thank God for “affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness” and for having “been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed… “

On this day how many really understand how different things could be if we we born at a different time in a different place. We have an enormous amount to be thankful for.

With much sadness I must officially say that a generation has passed the torch to another. Today my dearly loved grandmother passed from this life to a far better place. She was the last of the generation of relationships that I affectionately call grandparents. She lived a full life, she was loved by many. The cycle of life progresses.

I thank my God that that’s not all there is; that there is meaning; purpose.

 
102 years ago today a 26 year old patent clerk published the last in a series of papers, that as a whole, represent his basic theory of relativity; the basis of modern physics.

 
 
 
 
Albert Einstein 1905 (26 years old)


His work changed the way the common man looks at the world and the man.

 
 
As his work was evaluated by colleagues over the next 16 years, the world changes as much as the countenance of the man.

Albert Einstein 1921 (42 years old)

“Stained Glass Masquerade”

Is there anyone that fails?
Is there anyone that falls?
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small?

Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong.

So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay.
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too.
So with a painted grin, I play the part again,
So everyone will see me the way that I see them.
copyright © Casting Crowns – Lifesong, 2005

Do you know any plastic people?

Are you ready to close your curtain to give others a chance to see they’re not alone?

Since 1969 there has been chatter that the moon landings were either somewhat or completely a fabrication by NASA.

The hoax claims include the idea that the entire human landing program was a hoax, that it was a partial hoax and astronauts only went part way to the moon and that discoveries on the moon by the astronauts was covered up. The last is my particular favorite.

The cover-up schemes range from NASA using a secret 0g gravity device captured from Et’s, alien artifacts on the moon were concealed from the public or that men did indeed land on the moon but because of poor video quality NASA was forced to “fake” the video to retain their funding.

Did you know that 1 year after the first moon landing a poll of 1,721 U.S. citizens found that 30% of them were “suspicious” of manned moon landing claims. A 1999 Gallup poll revealed that 6% has doubts that men have walked on the moon. Although the 1999 percentage is rather high, this is much more understandable than 1 out of 3 having suspicions within the first year.

Guess we need to get the skeptics on a shuttle (out of atmosphere) and point a telescope to see the footprints and tire tracks.

The subject line of this post is short and simple, yet this seems to be one of the most difficult things to do. I know, some of my readers will bristle at the insinuation. They might see themselves as truthful to a fault. But the real honest to goodness truth of the matter is that there are many ways to be untruthful. Everything from the simple response made to keep someone’s feelings from being hurt to the larger truth bending that is done so that we can save face.

Just for a moment I’d like to focus on the masks that everyone of of us wear. For various reasons and in various ways we present ourselves to be something other than what we are. We all do it. I have to question whether this gives us the results we desire. Deep down men and women desire acceptance, approval and other core needs. When we hold part of ourselves back it’s either that we feel we don’t think others will accept us as we are or we do not want to be wounded once again. Maybe it’s not that simple. What do you think?

Theoretically, television may be feasible, but I consider it an impossibility–a development which we should waste little time dreaming about. - Lee de Forest, 1926, inventor of the cathode ray tube

It’s been only a little over 80 years and already several generations can that they do not remember a world without television. How quickly the world (and our view of it) changes. Things that we perceive as science fiction today are the reality of the near future.

Our mind is fascinating, many times all it needs is a new way of looking at old things and the possibilities are seemingly limitless. It’s those that step outside the box that expand the horizons for the rest of us. Thanks! We need it.

I have been in a training class that my employer sent my entire team to for the past few days. The class is called Facilitative Leadership and is actually quite useful both in the working environment and in my personal life. Earlier today we went through an exercise that involved reflective listening. Listening, drawing out the meanings and values of what was being said and paraphrasing that back. It was not parroting or simple paraphrase. It was really listening and understanding the heart of what we being said.

Even though it was an exercise and very staged and limited to 3 minutes it was quite impactful in understanding that we all really just want to be heard. I know for me there have been times when I keep repeating the same thing over and over and truthfully haven’t known why. I just felt compelled to keep saying it. Now I know why. I did not feel heard. Once I felt heard (not that someone said I was right, just heard) I could move on. I was “unstuck” as soon as I felt I had communicated that thought.

I need to practice this more often in my life. My heart is more and more oriented toward people and their needs. This workshop reinforced a tool that I had underused.

The title of this post sums it up! From Wednesday evening through Sunday night I poured myself into the participants at a HeartChange workshop. 63 of the most blessed hours I have spent in my entire life. Last October I blogged on the workshop when I attended as a participant. This year I received the other ½ of my blessing by giving back. It was four intensive, life changing days for ALL involved, staff, assistants (like myself) as well as the participants.

During that time I made some new friends, no… brothers is a more accurate word. Deep, deep relationships were formed. It was indeed life-changing. I know it sounds a bit cliché but I have no other way to describe it. During that time I poured body and soul into each participant, praying, cheering and encouraging. Needless to say it was not until it was over last night that I finally allowed my mind to look at me and process all that took place. All I can say is that the glory of God shone through and through in a way that is indescribable.

Last night I had a dream (I very, very rarely even know that I do dream) and it challenged me. Challenged me to the core. This morning, as I was showering for work, I contemplated what had transpired at the workshop and it was simply overwhelming. I was filled with the magnitude of God’s love and goodness for all mankind. Filled is a word which does not describe the richness of the experience. The emotions were bursting, I could not contain them. I saw a work of God right before my very eyes; I saw firsthand the complex and intricate weave of God’s plan. I was floored.

This is the short, subdued version. I’m sure other aspects will be the topic of future blogs.