Perspective

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200 words, building community, community, Community engagement, compassion, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, division, human behaviour, humanity, integrity, judging, justice, love, perception, perspective, understanding

When man calls an animal “vicious”, he usually means that it will attempt to defend itself when he tries to kill it.

Unattributed

As we encroach more on and more on wild animals and their habitats, we inevitably find ourselves in situations were animals have mauled people. Often the offending “vicious” animal is relocated or destroyed.

It got me thinking how that also happens in our interactions with each other when we perceive a threat to our way of being.

When we see ourselves as superior because of race, religion, no religion, social status, political affiliation, income tax bracket, level of education, gender, or any other form of discrimination.

When we justify our attacks on those who are not like us because we perceive them as a threat to our culture and way of life.

When we oppress the weak, the poor and the sick in our efforts to gain even more wealth for ourselves.

Yet, we are surprised at their indignation and “viciousness” when they retaliate; when they fight back to defend themselves and their children.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~

Think about it. If attacked, wouldn’t you fight back? Wouldn’t you protect your family and way of life?

Grateful

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attitude, Diana Schwenk, dreams, grateful, happy, health, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, perception, poverty, wealth

It’s Tuesday morning as I write this and set the WordPress schedule to publish automatically on Wednesday morning for the Hump Day Chronicles.

I’ve done that because this afternoon (Tuesday)  I’m driving to Camrose to spend a couple of days with my daughter. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen her and I’m grateful  she has Wednesday off so we can catch up and I can see her new place.

So for this week, I won’t be writing about the process I’m undergoing on what’s next for me and The Other Bottom Line. Instead, inspired by a tweet I read on Monday I want to write about being grateful.

Someone else is praying for the things you take for granted #StayGrateful

A few years back I had a conversation with a man who runs a street ministry in Toronto. I don’t remember everything we talked about but one thing he said stuck in my mind to this day. He said that 97% of the world considers me a millionaire.

The truth is while I may be wrestling with what I want to do with my life.

Others are struggling with where they will get their next meal; how they will survive one more day.

I may be looking around my apartment thinking I need to update its look.

Others are looking for shelter from the sun and rain under the awning of a building and being shooed away for loitering.

Maybe I’m struggling in personal relationships; fighting over unimportant issues, while others are completely alone with no one to talk to.

That Monday tweet was a timely reminder for me. I know I’m happier when I live my life from a place of gratefulness.

And I am grateful.

Grateful  for family and good friends.

Grateful  that I have a place to live and food in my belly.

Grateful  for all the opportunities my life has extended to me.

Grateful  for you and all the things I learn from you.

Grateful  for the reminder that someone else is praying for the things I take for granted.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

What are you grateful for?

I CEE DEMS – Brown the Runway

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200 words, Act, clarity, communicate, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, Foreign language, leadership, message, motivate, passion, perception, words

If a leader can’t get a message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, then having a message doesn’t even matter. ~ Gilbert Amelio

I wiped the sweat away from my forehead with the back of my hand and pointed to the ocean.

He raised his eyebrows questioningly.

Caliente. Mucho.

Que?

Have you ever tried to get a point across in a foreign language?

What if I told you that it can be just as difficult when both parties speak the same language.

A few years back a colleague was becoming increasingly agitated that some staff still didn’t know the direction and vision of our organization.

“We have to tell them,” I offered.

“We have told them. We sent that email…brought it up at the all-staff meeting, they’re just not listening!”

Words are a tricky thing. Even one word alone can mean a host of things to a host of people. If people are percieving the message in a way we did not intend, is that really their fault?

Perception is reality

If people aren’t hearing what you’re saying – maybe it’s time to change the way you’re saying it.

~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~