Communication = ” the process of conveying information from a sender to a receiver with the use of a medium in which the communicated information is understood the same way by both sender and receiver.”

Why is such a seemingly simple thing so extremely difficult? Why are there so many hurtles to being heard? Why is it so difficult for others to understand us? Why do we get defensive? Or go on the attack?

This definition from Wikipedia says a lot. Notice the “information is understood the same way by both the sender and receiver.” Typically we speak the same language as those around us, but the key is that it’s understood in the same way at both ends. We all speak a own personal dialect that no one else understands completely.

It’s a challenge to get information from A to B. Dare I say that it’s an art that takes a lifetime to develop? Any good sender needs to understand the audience and communicate in a language that most closely agrees with theirs. Additionally any good listener must listen through the ears of the sender. Only when the two of them are skilled and make every attempt to meet the other do ungarbled communication take place.

Imagine if our cell phones, radios or televisions received a signal and got it “mostly” right. Every bit of information sent must be understood at the receiving unit in exactly the same way or its unintelligible. Good thing technology works a little better than people.

Why is it that when there is not much going on time seems to drag, but when we need it most time flies by.

We’ve all had this sense at one time or another. The day we can use 25 hours in the day is the day that only seems to hold 23. And yet there are days in which 12 hours would be quite sufficient, thank you… and that’s with 8 hours in a dream state.

What happens there? Why is it that we look up and it’s September 22, seems like yesterday we heralded in the new year.

A tension between too much and too little to do seems to be the best. But if one had to err on one side or the other which is a better direction to lean? Busy is always good, too busy leads to an unhealthy level of stress. Over the long term said stress causes a wide variety negative physical symptoms.

I digress. It seems as if our perception of time has a lot to do with how much “down” time is between events. Little time between events, time flies. A lot of time between events time drags. It’s as if our temporal perception is like fence posts alongside a road. The faster those posts go by the faster time seems to pass. Although in the analysis of time the speed is not changing – we all get the same 24 hours – the posts are closer together creating the illusion that time if moving at a more rapid pace.

“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”

I’ve heard this phrase forever and never really thought about what it might mean. A little Internet research and now I understand this proverb more thoroughly.

A more apt phrasing would be “when given a present, be grateful for your good fortune and don’t look for more by examining it to assess its value.”

This comes from the idea that as horses age their teeth begin to project further forward each year and so their age can be estimated by checking how prominent the teeth are.

I like this proverb.

USA Today reports a judge rules that paper money should accommodate the blind – click here to view article.

I won’t comment on my thoughts about the basis of this ruling so as not to dilute the real focus of this post. Read the following quote which comes from the end of the article.

Government lawyers said they plan to argue that Robertson does not have the authority to interfere with the Treasury’s printing responsibilities.

The judge said he’d consider the argument but quipped that, if he didn’t have authority to require changes, how was he supposed to enforce the ruling? What would the court order say, he asked, “Go out and have a good time? We’ll see you when it’s all over?”
USA Today online – September 4, 2008

Does anyone but me see a problem here? A judge enforce his ruling against the federal government? Isn’t that the job of the enforcement branch of government? It’s been a while since I was in an American government class but I seem to recall that there were legislative, judicial and executive branches each having their own authority and power.

When one thinks of a hero what attributes come to mind?

Here’s a list I plagiarized, elements in no particular order

• Sacrifice – Sacrifice is the forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.
• Determination – Determination is a fixed intention or resolution; a firmness of purpose or resolve.
• Loyalty – Loyalty is the feeling of allegiance or the act of binding oneself to a course of action.
• Courage – Courage is that firmness of spirit and swell of soul which meets danger without fear.
• Dedication – Dedication is a selfless devotion; complete and whole hearted fidelity or the act of binding oneself to a course of action.
• Intrepidity – Intrepidity is firm, unshaken courage.
• Valor – Valor is courage exhibited in war, and can not be applied to single combats.
• Selfless – Selfless is the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others and acting with less concern for yourself.
• Conviction – Conviction is a fixed or strong belief; a necessity of the mind or an unshakable belief.
• Focused – Focused is the ability to direct one’s energy toward a particular point or purpose; to concentrate one’s energy.
• Gallantry – Gallantry is adventurous courage, which courts danger with a high and cheerful spirit.
• Perseverance – Perseverance is a persistent determination.
• Fortitude – Fortitude has often been styled “passive courage,” and consists in the habit of encountering danger and enduring pain with a steadfast and unbroken spirit.
• Bravery – Bravery is daring and impetuous courage, like that of one who has the reward continually in view, and displays his courage in daring acts.

Being a hero is about facing the fear, taking the risk, stretching the limits and, in the process finding the part of you that otherwise remains hidden.

What is it in us that causes us to root for the hero? Why do we need heroes?