So I finally stopped making excuses and signed up to a Habitat for Humanity trip to Trinidad & Tobago in Sept. I hear its a really great experience from everyone that I have spoken to about it. Trinidad was also recommended to me by my coworker who is from there and is also coincidentally Ms Trinidad 2007. I look forward to meeting all the fellow Habitaters and helping out people in need. Ill be sure to post an update when I come back.
I do still need donations to get me there though. I have to raise the amount of the trip and fundraising would be a major help. If anyone reading this wants to contribute my link is
http://www.habitat.org/cd/gv/participant/participant.aspx?pid=93464424&tgs=Ny8xLzIwMTEgMTE6Mjg6MDcgQU0%3d
Friday, July 1, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Go for broke: Consumers who set conservative goals feel less satisfied
Go for broke: Consumers who set conservative goals feel less satisfied
ScienceDaily (June 27, 2011) — Consumers who set conservative goals have a harder time achieving satisfaction than those who set ambitious goals, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research. When cautious consumers meet their goals, they tend to raise the bar and compare themselves to the highest possible standards
Authors Cecile K. Cho (University of California, Riverside) and Venkataramani Johar (Columbia University) compared people who set conservative goals with people who set ambitious goals. They focused on situations in which goals were achieved, and measured the level of satisfaction with the achieved goals.
In one experiment, the researchers asked participants to set a target goal before they collected information on several stocks and picked three. They were then provided with the performance of the three stocks they picked. "When participants find out that their investment goals have been met, those who set a conservative goal are less satisfied than those who set ambitious goals," the authors write. The same was true with a subsequent experiment with puzzles.
"Satisfaction is often driven by comparing the level of performance to a different standard than one's initial goal," the authors write. They found that when participants were reminded of the goals they had set, they reached similar levels of satisfaction, regardless of whether the performance was low or high.
The authors found that people's beliefs about the nature of their skills and abilities played a role in their goal setting and their satisfaction level. People who believe that their skills can be improved with practice are equally satisfied with relatively high or low levels of performance. But people who believe that abilities are fixed tend to set higher goals and feel less satisfaction.
"People are wistful of 'what could be,' especially if they believe they cannot attain the potential," the authors write. The tendency to upward compare is common in investment decisions. Although investors are advised to put together their portfolios to reflect their risk tolerance, the returns on their chosen investment funds often seem inferior to the better performing funds.
"Reminding investors of their long-term investment goals and their risk-tolerance levels is likely to counter the tendency to compare to the top-performing alternatives, and can keep investors satisfied even if they do not receive dazzling returns,"
Monday, June 27, 2011
Not Dreaming = Not Living
Recently friends and colleagues have all been coincidentally saying the same thing to me; "Everyday cant be exciting","Not many people LOVE their jobs so grow up", "This is reality stop dreaming and be practical",etc... All of this ultimately boils down to the simple concept of "settle". I began to think maybe I am kidding myself, maybe my feet are not planted on the ground anymore, maybe I lost touch of what is real and what is not. But before I fully gave into such thinking, a friend of mine told me "A guy once told me that if your not dreaming your not living." What's ironic is that, that was something I had told him a couple years ago.
I believe the universe does conspire to push you in the right direction when you have the will to persevere. This was a reminder that I shouldn't settle for good enough. It was one of those moments that stick out to me as if to nudge me back on track when I waiver. Chasing your dreams may not be easy or even comfortable but they are well worth it! I truly do believe that if you are not actively pursuing what makes you happy and your own dreams then you devalue the gift of life you are granted. Thanks good friend for bringing me back to where I should be.
So strive for impractical, for extraordinary, for amazing, its these things that differentiate between just being alive and living.
I believe the universe does conspire to push you in the right direction when you have the will to persevere. This was a reminder that I shouldn't settle for good enough. It was one of those moments that stick out to me as if to nudge me back on track when I waiver. Chasing your dreams may not be easy or even comfortable but they are well worth it! I truly do believe that if you are not actively pursuing what makes you happy and your own dreams then you devalue the gift of life you are granted. Thanks good friend for bringing me back to where I should be.
So strive for impractical, for extraordinary, for amazing, its these things that differentiate between just being alive and living.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Secret to Happiness - Stop Caring
Taken from:
http://www.illuminatedmind.
The Article Reads:
Our lives are inundated with practicality and productivity. We think that if there’s no purpose to something, there’s no point in doing it. In reality the best things in life have no purpose.
We sacrifice our time and our sanity doing what we don’t want to do, so at some future point we will create the freedom to do what we love.
We seek happiness in things. We seek happiness in the acceptance of others, in material possessions, in social status. We even search for happiness in some future-promised afterlife. We sabotage ourselves and our entire lives because we fail to understand a very simple but easily overlooked fact.
It’s the grasping of the mind that causes unhappiness. If you’re not happy, it’s because your mind doesn’t allow you be happy. And the reason your mind doesn’t let you be happy, is because you’re stuck in the vicious cycle of productivity, judgment and purpose. That’s not to say productivity is bad, or that doing things that have a purpose is wrong. It’s basing the reason for your existence on them that causes so much anguish.
When we place our happiness solely in “getting” something, completing a certain number of tasks on our to-do list, or achieving a goal, we’re fooling ourselves. We’re like a rabbit with a carrot stick attached to our heads. We keep chasing the carrot, but we never get there. We never stop to think that it might be the chasing that’s causing the problem. We’re too distracted trying to find a better way to beat the game. As soon as we reach one level of success, we’re hurrying to upgrade our search and move on to the next level of the chase. We never stop to think that it’s not the failure to win the game that causes our grief, but the game itself.
We neglect to realize that sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to stop participating in the problem. Sometimes the best way to to solve a problem is to just stop caring (see: not giving a damn).
Sometimes…
It’s especially difficult when our society tends to place more value on things, than on experiences. We value what we do more than how we feel.
This is completely ridiculous when you think about it. Because the way you feel should be more important than anything else. Isn’t the purpose of everything you do to feel good? Isn’t the purpose of that new car, that promotion, or college degree to give you a feeling of accomplishment? Isn’t that supposed to make you happy?
The problem with this is we’re basing our happiness on temporary things. We’re deriving our joy from an achievement, or an attainment. This isn’t true happiness; it’s an addiction. We get a short burst of endorphins to our bloodstream from our new TV/television, or new iPod, and then what happens? It disappears. It leaves us feeling empty and we begin looking for our next fix.
Our advertising and consumer culture doesn’t help this much. We are constantly bombarded with messages that we need this, or we need that. Incessantly, we hear: “Buy this and it will solve your problem!” If only we could solve that problem we may finally be happy. Wrong. It’s not the problems that are the problem. I mean, buying a more efficient vacuum or sowing on that button you’ve been meaning to for seven years is great. You may feel a sense of achievement for a few moments or days. But you’re still looking for happiness in a thing.
It’s the same with productivity. If only we could finish all of the things on our to-do list, could we be content. If only we could accomplish all of our goals, could we finally be gratified. This thinking is based on the illusion that you’ll reach a certain point where everything is done. You finally made it! There’s nothing left in your inbox, all your projects are complete and your lifelong goals are achieved! Now you can rest easy.
But this point never seems to come, does it? That’s because there will always be things to do. There will always be challenges, because everything in life is constantly changing. If you reached a point in your life where you had no more problems, no more struggles, no more worries, life would stop. The game would end and there would be no point left in playing.
So… what can we do about this?
There are obviously some situations where not caring may have serious negative consequences (see paying your rent). Excessive caring, however, is likely to make you miserable.
The reason caring too much can be detrimental to your health, is you’re so focused on the future. Your identity is too attached to outcomes. If something does, or doesn’t go your way, it will likely have an enduring effect on your mood for the rest of the day.
Instead, we should base our happiness on permanent things. Things that don’t change. Desires that don’t shift from moment to moment. We choose to find our happiness in living. In life itself. In fact, we don’t even need to “find” happiness. We can be happiness.
So stop searching. You can’t find something that’s already there.
http://www.illuminatedmind.
The Article Reads:
Our lives are inundated with practicality and productivity. We think that if there’s no purpose to something, there’s no point in doing it. In reality the best things in life have no purpose.
We sacrifice our time and our sanity doing what we don’t want to do, so at some future point we will create the freedom to do what we love.
We seek happiness in things. We seek happiness in the acceptance of others, in material possessions, in social status. We even search for happiness in some future-promised afterlife. We sabotage ourselves and our entire lives because we fail to understand a very simple but easily overlooked fact.
The Search for Happiness is the Single Greatest Cause of Misery
You can’t find something that’s already there. Happiness exists now. It’s not something you have to find. That’s like trying to find your breath.It’s the grasping of the mind that causes unhappiness. If you’re not happy, it’s because your mind doesn’t allow you be happy. And the reason your mind doesn’t let you be happy, is because you’re stuck in the vicious cycle of productivity, judgment and purpose. That’s not to say productivity is bad, or that doing things that have a purpose is wrong. It’s basing the reason for your existence on them that causes so much anguish.
When we place our happiness solely in “getting” something, completing a certain number of tasks on our to-do list, or achieving a goal, we’re fooling ourselves. We’re like a rabbit with a carrot stick attached to our heads. We keep chasing the carrot, but we never get there. We never stop to think that it might be the chasing that’s causing the problem. We’re too distracted trying to find a better way to beat the game. As soon as we reach one level of success, we’re hurrying to upgrade our search and move on to the next level of the chase. We never stop to think that it’s not the failure to win the game that causes our grief, but the game itself.
We neglect to realize that sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to stop participating in the problem. Sometimes the best way to to solve a problem is to just stop caring (see: not giving a damn).
Sometimes…
- The best way to solve the problem of not having a lot of cool friends is to stop caring about having cool friends.
- The smartest way to be happy with the place you live is to stop caring about living in a two story house with a pool, a fireplace, central air and satellite TV.
- The simplest way to be content with yourself is not to achieve greatness and praise, but to accept yourself fully for who you are now.
- The quickest route to happiness is to stop caring about finding happiness and to start being happiness.
It’s especially difficult when our society tends to place more value on things, than on experiences. We value what we do more than how we feel.
This is completely ridiculous when you think about it. Because the way you feel should be more important than anything else. Isn’t the purpose of everything you do to feel good? Isn’t the purpose of that new car, that promotion, or college degree to give you a feeling of accomplishment? Isn’t that supposed to make you happy?
The problem with this is we’re basing our happiness on temporary things. We’re deriving our joy from an achievement, or an attainment. This isn’t true happiness; it’s an addiction. We get a short burst of endorphins to our bloodstream from our new TV/television, or new iPod, and then what happens? It disappears. It leaves us feeling empty and we begin looking for our next fix.
Our advertising and consumer culture doesn’t help this much. We are constantly bombarded with messages that we need this, or we need that. Incessantly, we hear: “Buy this and it will solve your problem!” If only we could solve that problem we may finally be happy. Wrong. It’s not the problems that are the problem. I mean, buying a more efficient vacuum or sowing on that button you’ve been meaning to for seven years is great. You may feel a sense of achievement for a few moments or days. But you’re still looking for happiness in a thing.
It’s the same with productivity. If only we could finish all of the things on our to-do list, could we be content. If only we could accomplish all of our goals, could we finally be gratified. This thinking is based on the illusion that you’ll reach a certain point where everything is done. You finally made it! There’s nothing left in your inbox, all your projects are complete and your lifelong goals are achieved! Now you can rest easy.
But this point never seems to come, does it? That’s because there will always be things to do. There will always be challenges, because everything in life is constantly changing. If you reached a point in your life where you had no more problems, no more struggles, no more worries, life would stop. The game would end and there would be no point left in playing.
So… what can we do about this?
We Need to Stop Caring
That doesn’t mean we stop trying to achieve our goals or striving for personal growth. It just means that we no longer base our happiness on fleeting, semi-permanent things.There are obviously some situations where not caring may have serious negative consequences (see paying your rent). Excessive caring, however, is likely to make you miserable.
The reason caring too much can be detrimental to your health, is you’re so focused on the future. Your identity is too attached to outcomes. If something does, or doesn’t go your way, it will likely have an enduring effect on your mood for the rest of the day.
Instead, we should base our happiness on permanent things. Things that don’t change. Desires that don’t shift from moment to moment. We choose to find our happiness in living. In life itself. In fact, we don’t even need to “find” happiness. We can be happiness.
So stop searching. You can’t find something that’s already there.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Good Life vs Great Life
A mentor of mine once asked me what kind of life I would like to have. Where did I want to be? What did I want to do? etc... I didnt have a concrete answer at the time but rather an abstract idea of optimism and hope.
He went on to explain the very real and subtle difference between what he called the Good Life and the Great Life. The Good Life is that of security, routine, and being comfortable. Its best exemplified with the idea of getting a good job, working hard at it, and ultimately climbing the corporate ladder. Im sure along with this comes the American Dream of the 2.5 kids, the white picket fence, house, and car. This is truly a good life, things are secure, established, and that path is directed and focused. For the most part the ups and downs of this kind of life are not that exaggerated and life is comfortable.
The Great Life he described is a different animal entirely. It is made from the stuff poets write about and the dreamers envision. Its to discard the orthodox notions of lifestyles and follow the untraveled path. In less abstract terms its veering away from the stable and the safe, taking a risk in hopes of the extraordinary. Climbing up the corporate ladder is one thing but how about the idea of starting your own company. The high and lows can be quite high and the lows could be very low but its the price to pay for such a lifestyle. It may or may not be worth it depending on your wants/need/circumstances.
Taking vacation once a year is good, but taking vacation when/where you want is great. I personally do not want to be limited by the Good Life. It is a starting point to take me to the Great Life. I would risk my life's time pursuing the Great Life because I think its something to be treasured and sought after. The ability to follow my dreams and make my life the way I dream it to be is of greater importance then the ease of the secure life. Its more appealing because I will not have to answer to anyone else but myself. I become the ultimate artist to my own canvas and get to live out my own dreams.
He went on to explain the very real and subtle difference between what he called the Good Life and the Great Life. The Good Life is that of security, routine, and being comfortable. Its best exemplified with the idea of getting a good job, working hard at it, and ultimately climbing the corporate ladder. Im sure along with this comes the American Dream of the 2.5 kids, the white picket fence, house, and car. This is truly a good life, things are secure, established, and that path is directed and focused. For the most part the ups and downs of this kind of life are not that exaggerated and life is comfortable.
The Great Life he described is a different animal entirely. It is made from the stuff poets write about and the dreamers envision. Its to discard the orthodox notions of lifestyles and follow the untraveled path. In less abstract terms its veering away from the stable and the safe, taking a risk in hopes of the extraordinary. Climbing up the corporate ladder is one thing but how about the idea of starting your own company. The high and lows can be quite high and the lows could be very low but its the price to pay for such a lifestyle. It may or may not be worth it depending on your wants/need/circumstances.
Taking vacation once a year is good, but taking vacation when/where you want is great. I personally do not want to be limited by the Good Life. It is a starting point to take me to the Great Life. I would risk my life's time pursuing the Great Life because I think its something to be treasured and sought after. The ability to follow my dreams and make my life the way I dream it to be is of greater importance then the ease of the secure life. Its more appealing because I will not have to answer to anyone else but myself. I become the ultimate artist to my own canvas and get to live out my own dreams.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Why Most People Dream and Only Some Do: The Go-Getter Theory by Davy Kestens
Credits from the Davy Kesten Web Page.
I found this article quite interesting and insightful.
Why Most People Dream and Only Some Do: The Go-Getter Theory by Davy Kestens
I remember it like it was yesterday. I just won the biggest marble from a boy three years younger than me, and my “best buddy” back then was talking to me on how much he liked his new moped. (He wasn’t legally old enough to drive it on the street, yet he did).
He got it from his father who, I believe, up till now still has a bicycle shop.
We used to talk about things we’d like to do. He was going to have his own motor-shop one day, while all I could think about at that time was my new marble. (It was huge!) I wanted to win more marbles, get rich and …
Now let’s fast forward to present tense. My best friend isn’t my friend anymore since we went our separate ways towards different schools and places. Recently, I saw a different classmate from back then and he told me my friend is now working eight to five at the assembly line of a car factory, doing the most repetitive job possible, for no specific reason whatsoever.
Not really what he had hoped for at first.
What differs those who are naturally set to succeed, from others who are not?
Why does one “just do it” and complete a job, while the other never even gets to it, or quits at the first speed bump?
It boggles my mind why some entrepreneurs make it big while others settle for mediocre or close to nothing results!
What differentiates each of them?
Lately, I’ve met a lot of business men and students set to create a startup, and I started noticing a few differences…
It’s not education, skills or talent; It’s passion, drive and motivation. Go-getters are passionate about what they do. They wake up in the morning fired up with enthusiasm coupled with unshakeable belief that they will make life work the way they want.
I believe that perfectionism is a bad “quality” to have and shouldn’t be in the dictionary of any entrepreneur. If you are a perfectionist, you will try to turn every detail into a Sistine chapel and burn out. Good enough is key in getting things done. If you try to deliver “perfection”, you’ll never reach your goal.
Always be asking yourself: “What is the smallest next step”, “What do I need to do now, to get things going”
People who can think of the next actionable task and are able to be specific about it, are the ones who will get to it and deal with it.
They act now and execute specific steps.
I’m talking about the mental state of those people who’d rather die trying, than give up half way. The main motivation of achievers comes from within and is not nourished from the outside. For most people, it’s easy to give up promises you make to yourself (look at all the failed new year’s resolutions) but for achievers, that’s the hardest thing to do. Walking around with the feeling that they didn’t give it all they’ve got. The feeling of “what if I went all the way”, “what if…”
For example, if you want to build an online business and you discovered that marketing is your true passion but writing is not your cup of tea, buy content and spend all your time on marketing. Similarly, if you dread web design, then yours truly will be happy to help out :).
Are you a go-getter or a star-gazer? Are you going all the way or already preparing a plan B? Are you constantly talking about your idea, your exit strategy or why something just won’t work, or are you the one kicking it and working it out?
Either way, whatever is happening to you, your business, your life or your idea, whether good or bad, most likely…
It’s all your fault.
I found this article quite interesting and insightful.
Why Most People Dream and Only Some Do: The Go-Getter Theory by Davy Kestens
I remember it like it was yesterday. I just won the biggest marble from a boy three years younger than me, and my “best buddy” back then was talking to me on how much he liked his new moped. (He wasn’t legally old enough to drive it on the street, yet he did).
He got it from his father who, I believe, up till now still has a bicycle shop.
We used to talk about things we’d like to do. He was going to have his own motor-shop one day, while all I could think about at that time was my new marble. (It was huge!) I wanted to win more marbles, get rich and …
Now let’s fast forward to present tense. My best friend isn’t my friend anymore since we went our separate ways towards different schools and places. Recently, I saw a different classmate from back then and he told me my friend is now working eight to five at the assembly line of a car factory, doing the most repetitive job possible, for no specific reason whatsoever.
Not really what he had hoped for at first.
What differs those who are naturally set to succeed, from others who are not?
Why does one “just do it” and complete a job, while the other never even gets to it, or quits at the first speed bump?
It boggles my mind why some entrepreneurs make it big while others settle for mediocre or close to nothing results!
What differentiates each of them?
Lately, I’ve met a lot of business men and students set to create a startup, and I started noticing a few differences…
It’s not education, skills or talent; It’s passion, drive and motivation. Go-getters are passionate about what they do. They wake up in the morning fired up with enthusiasm coupled with unshakeable belief that they will make life work the way they want.
People who get stuff done strive for “good enough” and go on to the next. Quit being a perfectionist…
I believe that perfectionism is a bad “quality” to have and shouldn’t be in the dictionary of any entrepreneur. If you are a perfectionist, you will try to turn every detail into a Sistine chapel and burn out. Good enough is key in getting things done. If you try to deliver “perfection”, you’ll never reach your goal.People who do things that are good enough end up accomplishing much more than those who chase after the illusion of perfection.Coincidentally, most successful entrepreneurs I’ve met so far are the ones who didn’t pass school with flying colours but are the ones who barely or didn’t get through. The ones who had just enough grades to go on to the next year. Why would you want to put in all this effort to obtain an excess of grades that are useless to you? Just get enough and spend the rest of your time on stuff you enjoy.
The Go-Getter is the person who acts now, not tomorrow, and thinks in short-terms.
They are proactive, not reactive. They shape their own destiny and never allow themselves to fall prey to the so-called external circumstances.Always be asking yourself: “What is the smallest next step”, “What do I need to do now, to get things going”
People who can think of the next actionable task and are able to be specific about it, are the ones who will get to it and deal with it.
They act now and execute specific steps.
The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago.Example: Don’t think “I need to market my product to bloggers” but think in multiple specific steps:
The second best time is now.
- I need to get 10 names of bloggers relevant to my subject
- I’m going to get the names at website x
- What are the top 2 specific key features of my startup?
- Write 3 custom mails about those features
- Send it to them TODAY
Achievers hate to let themselves down
I’m not talking about failing. Fail big & fast. Fail forward. Don’t sweat it.I’m talking about the mental state of those people who’d rather die trying, than give up half way. The main motivation of achievers comes from within and is not nourished from the outside. For most people, it’s easy to give up promises you make to yourself (look at all the failed new year’s resolutions) but for achievers, that’s the hardest thing to do. Walking around with the feeling that they didn’t give it all they’ve got. The feeling of “what if I went all the way”, “what if…”
The Go-Getter loves what he does (and delegates the rest)
Key to getting off your feet and kicking some ass is simply doing what you’re good at and what you love. Dump/outsource/delegate the rest. Be able to set your ego aside and let someone better than you take over the parts you suck at.For example, if you want to build an online business and you discovered that marketing is your true passion but writing is not your cup of tea, buy content and spend all your time on marketing. Similarly, if you dread web design, then yours truly will be happy to help out :).
It is not education, skills nor talent; It is passion, drive and motivation.Go-getters are passionate about what they do. They wake up in the morning fired up with enthusiasm coupled with an unshakable belief that they will make life work the way they want.
Are you a go-getter or a star-gazer? Are you going all the way or already preparing a plan B? Are you constantly talking about your idea, your exit strategy or why something just won’t work, or are you the one kicking it and working it out?
Either way, whatever is happening to you, your business, your life or your idea, whether good or bad, most likely…
It’s all your fault.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Friday, March 18, 2011
What the Future Holds
This looks like a great read. I am actually looking forward to checking this out. The future seems hopeful and exciting!
From Michio Kau's Website:
The Physics of the Future: How Science will Change Daily Life by 2100 by Michio Kaku - To Be Released on March 22, 2011
Based on interviews with over three hundred of the world’s top scientists, who are already inventing the future in their labs, Kaku—in a lucid and engaging fashion—presents the revolutionary developments in medi cine, computers, quantum physics, and space travel that will forever change our way of life and alter the course of civilization itself.
From Michio Kau's Website:
The Physics of the Future: How Science will Change Daily Life by 2100 by Michio Kaku - To Be Released on March 22, 2011
Based on interviews with over three hundred of the world’s top scientists, who are already inventing the future in their labs, Kaku—in a lucid and engaging fashion—presents the revolutionary developments in medi cine, computers, quantum physics, and space travel that will forever change our way of life and alter the course of civilization itself.
Dr. Kaku’s astonishing revelations include:
- The Internet will be in your contact lens. It will recognize people’s faces, display their biographies, and even translate their words into subtitles.
- You will control computers and appliances via tiny sen sors that pick up your brain scans. You will be able to rearrange the shape of objects.
- Sensors in your clothing, bathroom, and appliances will monitor your vitals, and nanobots will scan your DNA and cells for signs of danger, allowing life expectancy to increase dramatically.
- Radically new spaceships, using laser propulsion, may replace the expensive chemical rockets of today. You may be able to take an elevator hundreds of miles into space by simply pushing the “up” button.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
A Brief History of U.S. Innovation
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Franklin Roosevelt called on it to pull the country out of the Depression, and President Obama focused on it in his most recent weekly address:
"It is only by building a new foundation that we will once again harness that incredible generative capacity of the American people," the president said. "All it takes are the policies to tap that potential — to ignite that spark of creativity and ingenuity — which has always been at the heart of who we are and how we succeed."
Inventors have certainly shaped the nation, especially in the heyday of American science from the late 19th to mid 20th centuries, when it produced such famous and revered names as Edison, Einstein, Ford, and many others.
But how did the United
Great timing
Though other countries had their own very influential eras, America's distinction as a natural leader in technology stems in part from the fact that U.S. scientists — coincidentally and conveniently — peaked at a time when it first became possible to produce some of the most important technologies of the modern world.
The United States did not begin its history as a scientific powerhouse. Despite encouraging invention, those first few decades of its existence were spent relatively poor, both economically and in technological infrastructure.
It was Britain and Germany, rather, that dominated science into the 19th century. While British engineers built the foundation for the Industrial Revolution, helped largely by their invention of the steam engine, German scientists developed key principles in the world of physics.
With the framework laid in Europe, it was easier for the United States to excel when it finally emerged from the Civil War in 1865, according to University of Pennsylvania historian of technology Thomas P. Hughes, who explores this "golden age" of American science in his book American Genesis: A Century of Invention and Technological Enthusiasm, 1870-1970 (University of Chicago Press; 2004).
"No other nation has displayed such inventive power and produced such brilliant innovators as the United States during the half-century that began around 1870," wrote Hughes, who noted that the number of new patents issued annually in the country more than doubled between 1866 and 1896.
Americans were naturals at applied science, improving many ideas that were already in existence and bringing them to fruition with resources newly available during the Industrial Revolution: Samuel Morse did it in creating the telegraph; Thomas Edison didn't invent the light bulb, but he made it practical and got his name in lights for the work; many men attempted to fly before the Wright brothers finally succeeded — under power and more or less controlled — at Kitty Hawk in 1903.
During this time of "independent" invention, it was often the last link in the chain that got credit. And that final link was often American.
Influx of brainpower
During this era, the United States also benefited from the influx of brainpower from around the world, able to claim the imported knowledge as their own.
Many European scientists, recognizing the incredible creative potential of the growing country and drawn by grants from well-funded institutes, made the move between the two world wars. Nikola Tesla, one of the "fathers of electricity," was among them, as well as and many of the researchers involved in the creation of the atomic bomb, such as Albert Einstein.
Since the mid 20th century, national borders around scientific achievement have relaxed. U.S. scientists have been involved in important recent discoveries, but easier communication and partnerships between multinational institutions, rather than independent research, has made science a more global affair.
Whether another age of inventors is on the way in the United States remains to be seen, according to Hughes.
"As yet, however, we have not realized the remarkable quality of a comparable era in American history," he said.
- Top 10 American Innovations
- The Greatest Modern Minds
- SPECIAL REPORT: Innovation
Higher Job Performance Linked to People Who Are More Honest and Humble
Higher Job Performance Linked to People Who Are More Honest and Humble
ScienceDaily (Mar. 1, 2011) — The more honesty and humility an employee may have, the higher their job performance, as rated by the employees' supervisor. That's the new finding from a Baylor University study that found the honesty-humility personality trait was a unique predictor of job performance.
"Researchers already know that integrity can predict job performance and what we are saying here is that humility and honesty are also major components in that," said Dr. Wade Rowatt, associate professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor, who helped lead the study. "This study shows that those who possess the combination of honesty and humility have better job performance. In fact, we found that humility and honesty not only correspond with job performance, but it predicted job performance above and beyond any of the other five personality traits like agreeableness and conscientiousness."
The Baylor researchers along with a business consultant surveyed 269 employees in 25 different companies across 20 different states who work in positions that provide health care for challenging clients. Supervisors of the employees in the study then rated the job performance of each employee on 35 different job skills and described the kind of customer with whom the employee worked. The ratings were included in order to inform higher management how employees were performing and for the Baylor researchers to examine which personality variables were associated with job performance ratings.
The Baylor researchers found that those who self-reported more honesty and humility were scored significantly higher by their supervisors for their job performance. The researchers defined honesty and humility as those who exhibit high levels of fairness, greed-avoidance, sincerity and modesty.
"This study has implications for hiring personnel in that we suggest more attention should be paid to honesty and humility in applicants and employees, particularly those in care-giving roles," said Megan Johnson, a Baylor doctoral candidate who conducted the study. "Honest and humble people could be a good fit for occupations and organizations that require special attention and care for products or clients. Narcissists, on the other hand, who generally lack humility and are exploitative and selfish, would probably be better at jobs that require self-promotion."
The study currently appears online in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, and is the first to link honesty and humility to better job performance.
ScienceDaily (Mar. 1, 2011) — The more honesty and humility an employee may have, the higher their job performance, as rated by the employees' supervisor. That's the new finding from a Baylor University study that found the honesty-humility personality trait was a unique predictor of job performance.
The Baylor researchers along with a business consultant surveyed 269 employees in 25 different companies across 20 different states who work in positions that provide health care for challenging clients. Supervisors of the employees in the study then rated the job performance of each employee on 35 different job skills and described the kind of customer with whom the employee worked. The ratings were included in order to inform higher management how employees were performing and for the Baylor researchers to examine which personality variables were associated with job performance ratings.
The Baylor researchers found that those who self-reported more honesty and humility were scored significantly higher by their supervisors for their job performance. The researchers defined honesty and humility as those who exhibit high levels of fairness, greed-avoidance, sincerity and modesty.
"This study has implications for hiring personnel in that we suggest more attention should be paid to honesty and humility in applicants and employees, particularly those in care-giving roles," said Megan Johnson, a Baylor doctoral candidate who conducted the study. "Honest and humble people could be a good fit for occupations and organizations that require special attention and care for products or clients. Narcissists, on the other hand, who generally lack humility and are exploitative and selfish, would probably be better at jobs that require self-promotion."
The study currently appears online in the journal Personality and Individual Differences, and is the first to link honesty and humility to better job performance.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Ten Best Commencement Speeches
Commencement speeches are typically so powerful and always make me take a break from my life and reevaluate if its where I wanna be.
My favorite speech is definitely that of Stephen Colbert! I am an anti-cynic and his words speak directly to me.
STEVE JOBS AT STANFORD JUNE 12, 2005.
Select quotes below... full text here.
Select quotes below... full text here.
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking....
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."
"Political passion and prejudice should have no part. With foresight, and a willingness on the part of our people to face up to the vast responsibility which history has clearly placed upon our country, the difficulties I have outlined can and will be overcome."
"I was in New York on 9/11 when the towers came down. I lived 14 blocks from the twin towers. And when they came down, I thought that the world had ended. And I remember walking around in a daze for weeks. And Mayor Giuliani had said to the city, "You've got to get back to normal. We've got to show that things can change and get back to what they were." And one day I was coming out of my building, and on my stoop, was a man who was crouched over, and he appeared to be in deep thought. And as I got closer to him I realized, he was playing with himself. And that's when I thought, "You know what, we're gonna be OK."
PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY AT AMERICAN UNIVERSITY JUNE 10, 1963.
Select quotes below... full text here.
"Some say that it is useless to speak of world peace or world law or world disarmament - and that it will be useless until the leaders of the Soviet Union adopt a more enlightened attitude. I hope they do. I believe we can help them do it. But I also believe that we must reexamine our own attitude - as individuals and as a Nation - for our attitude is as essential as theirs.
"Although you will never fully know or successfully manipulate the characters who surface or disrupt your plot, you can respect the ones who do by paying them close attention and doing them justice. The theme you choose may change or simply elude you, but being your own story means you can always choose the tone."
Now will saying "yes" get you in trouble at times? Will saying "yes" lead you to doing some foolish things? Yes it will. But don't be afraid to be a fool. Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don't learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying "yes" begins things. Saying "yes" is how things grow. Saying "yes" leads to knowledge. "Yes" is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say "yes."
OPRAH WINFREY AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY MAY 12, 2007.
Select quotes below... full text here. Scroll through the transcripts for the speech.
"You know, I come from good stock. Dr. Swygert was mentioning my grandmother who had a dream for me. And her dream was not a big dream. Her dream was that one day I could grow up -- she used to say, I want you to grow up and get yourself some good white folks, because my grandmother was a maid and she worked for white folks her whole life.
And her idea of having a big dream was to have white folks who at least treated her with some dignity, who showed her a little bit respect. And she used to say, I want you to -- I hope you get some good white folks that are kind to you. And I regret that she didn't live past 1963 to see that I did grow up and get some really good white folks working for me."
"So I will not waste my breath today pleading with you not to go forth. Instead I limit myself to a simple plea: When you get out there in the world try not to make it any worse than it already is. I thought it might help to give you a list of the hundred most important things you can do to avoid making the world any worse. Since I'm shooting for 15 minutes, however, there is no time to give you all 100. You will have to make do with 10. Short as the public attention span is these days, nobody could remember 100 anyhow. Even 10 may be asking too much.
And I submit that this is what the real, no bullshit value of your liberal arts education is supposed to be about: how to keep from going through your comfortable, prosperous, respectable adult life dead, unconscious, a slave to your head and to your natural default setting of being uniquely, completely, imperially alone day in and day out. That may sound like hyperbole, or abstract nonsense. Let's get concrete. The plain fact is that you graduating seniors do not yet have any clue what "day in, day out" really means. There happen to be whole, large parts of adult American life that nobody talks about in commencement speeches. One such part involves boredom, routine, and petty frustration. The parents and older folks here will know all too well what I'm talking about.
"But I don't want to make you cop to idealism, not in front of your parents, or your younger siblings. But what about Americanism? Will you cop to that at least? It's not everywhere in fashion these days. Americanism. Not very big in Europe, truth be told. No less on Ivy League college campuses. But it all depends on your definition of Americanism. Me, I'm in love with this country called America. I'm a huge fan of America, I'm one of those annoying fans, you know the ones that read the CD notes and follow you into bathrooms and ask you all kinds of annoying questions about why you didn't live up to that. I'm that kind of fan."
Outside of the Box
I recently took on a new position that I am really excited about. It is an incredible challenge although it seems it may be a high pressure job as well. The team I work with is very sharp and are definitely subject matter experts in a number of different fields. It wasn't too long (2 days) before I relearned a very important lesson from one of them. It was something I myself have forgotten.
I was initially excited to get another degree since tuition assistance is available at this company and so I was mulling over the possibilities. Yes ,as nerdy as it sounds, I was excited looking at the various programs and universities I could learn from; a veritable buffet of learning. As I was looking at all these options, a coworker saw my screen and asked me what I was thinking of doing. So I anxiously ran off a list of things I was interested in learning - a MS in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Mechanical Engineering. We got into a conversation about the pros and cons. We discussed the practicality of each and the possible end result of receiving each of them. Then however, the conversation shifted in an unexpected and surprising way. He asked me if I have ever dismantled a TV. I thought that was a rather strange question in the context we were in. So I responded with somewhat humorous - "Why would I do that?". He then asked why, I then responded because "I don't know how to do that". He responded again with "So what! That is your mental block my friend. You don't necessarily need a degree to learn those things. You can do anything you want.".
How could this have possibly happened to me?! Have I not been practicing what I preach? Have I started submitting to inside box thinking? This conversation thankfully set forth a series of thoughts in my head about how my own drive and dreams could be compromised. As a result of whatever factors, dreams could slowly be swept away like a beach ball in the tide. Unless closely and earnestly guarded, could be moved so far away from their initial starting points that they wouldn't be recognizable.
I woke up this morning with a renewed sense of drive and ambition. I don't believe in limits in any way shape or form. The world is already available to encourage all our deepest wants and goals, its merely the sincere sentiment of intention followed by a strong will and determination to make it a reality.
There isn't a person anywhere who isn't capable of doing more than he thinks he can.- Henry Ford
I was initially excited to get another degree since tuition assistance is available at this company and so I was mulling over the possibilities. Yes ,as nerdy as it sounds, I was excited looking at the various programs and universities I could learn from; a veritable buffet of learning. As I was looking at all these options, a coworker saw my screen and asked me what I was thinking of doing. So I anxiously ran off a list of things I was interested in learning - a MS in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Mechanical Engineering. We got into a conversation about the pros and cons. We discussed the practicality of each and the possible end result of receiving each of them. Then however, the conversation shifted in an unexpected and surprising way. He asked me if I have ever dismantled a TV. I thought that was a rather strange question in the context we were in. So I responded with somewhat humorous - "Why would I do that?". He then asked why, I then responded because "I don't know how to do that". He responded again with "So what! That is your mental block my friend. You don't necessarily need a degree to learn those things. You can do anything you want.".
How could this have possibly happened to me?! Have I not been practicing what I preach? Have I started submitting to inside box thinking? This conversation thankfully set forth a series of thoughts in my head about how my own drive and dreams could be compromised. As a result of whatever factors, dreams could slowly be swept away like a beach ball in the tide. Unless closely and earnestly guarded, could be moved so far away from their initial starting points that they wouldn't be recognizable.
I woke up this morning with a renewed sense of drive and ambition. I don't believe in limits in any way shape or form. The world is already available to encourage all our deepest wants and goals, its merely the sincere sentiment of intention followed by a strong will and determination to make it a reality.
There isn't a person anywhere who isn't capable of doing more than he thinks he can.- Henry Ford
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Exercise helps boost Happiness
Is there a link between exercise and happiness?
I came across this article and it holds very true to me. I have found that exercise adversely affects my stress levels. In fact, I have realized that I might have even become addicted to exercise. A lack of exercise for a prolonged period of time, such as a week or two, and I can definitely notice a negative change in my mood and general demeanor. On the other hand, after hitting the gym for a great workout, I feel like a million bucks and renewed. The benefits of exercise are many both physically and mentally. Don't do it for anyone else do it for yourself and your own sanity. Stop making excuses and just do it.
If you want a different type of work out besides traditional treadmills and ellipticals then give a group class a shot. The group motivates you to work harder and get a better work out. I personally do Muay Thai, Brazilian JuJitsu and Sil Jun Do. I have heard great things about spinning classes and Zumba also.
My personal recommendations if your in the Northern NJ area would be:
Retro Fitness - $20/month for a no frills but yet modern gym. Cant complain about that.
The Edge
Executive Director and head Coach Kru Richard Raciti brings over 40 years of hard learned and hard fought practical experience to the EDGE. With over 30 Tournament Grand Championships, 250 Divisional Titles, an undefeated kickboxing record, 5X Pan-American Tae Kwon Do Federation Grand Champion, and multiple Black Belts under the best fighters and instructors in the world Kru Raciti is one of the most qualified and respected instructors in the world today. He credits legends Joe Lewis, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Grandmaster Won Kuen Bai, Muay Thai Master Kumron Vaitayonon, BJJ Legend Joe Moreira and UFC Legend Dan "The Beast" Severn as his instructors.
I have been enrolled for approx 4 years. I def love training here, the workouts are intense, the training practical and the staff and fighters very friendly and helpful. Its definitely my favorite place to train.
Personal Training -
Dominick (Rich) Sabatino is a personal trainer certified by The American Council on Exercise and The National Academy of Sports Medicine with specialty certifications in exercise development, functional training, total body flexibility, golf conditioning, weight loss, and nutrition.
Rich is a friend of mine and is a really exceptional trainer. His bootcamp training program is top notch. I have attended a couple of them and I have found them to be a really really great workout. In addition to a great work out he can work with you to design your own personal diet plan. See his facebook page as well SabJits Facebook Page
I came across this article and it holds very true to me. I have found that exercise adversely affects my stress levels. In fact, I have realized that I might have even become addicted to exercise. A lack of exercise for a prolonged period of time, such as a week or two, and I can definitely notice a negative change in my mood and general demeanor. On the other hand, after hitting the gym for a great workout, I feel like a million bucks and renewed. The benefits of exercise are many both physically and mentally. Don't do it for anyone else do it for yourself and your own sanity. Stop making excuses and just do it.
If you want a different type of work out besides traditional treadmills and ellipticals then give a group class a shot. The group motivates you to work harder and get a better work out. I personally do Muay Thai, Brazilian JuJitsu and Sil Jun Do. I have heard great things about spinning classes and Zumba also.
My personal recommendations if your in the Northern NJ area would be:
Retro Fitness - $20/month for a no frills but yet modern gym. Cant complain about that.
The Edge
Executive Director and head Coach Kru Richard Raciti brings over 40 years of hard learned and hard fought practical experience to the EDGE. With over 30 Tournament Grand Championships, 250 Divisional Titles, an undefeated kickboxing record, 5X Pan-American Tae Kwon Do Federation Grand Champion, and multiple Black Belts under the best fighters and instructors in the world Kru Raciti is one of the most qualified and respected instructors in the world today. He credits legends Joe Lewis, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Grandmaster Won Kuen Bai, Muay Thai Master Kumron Vaitayonon, BJJ Legend Joe Moreira and UFC Legend Dan "The Beast" Severn as his instructors.
I have been enrolled for approx 4 years. I def love training here, the workouts are intense, the training practical and the staff and fighters very friendly and helpful. Its definitely my favorite place to train.
Personal Training -
Dominick (Rich) Sabatino is a personal trainer certified by The American Council on Exercise and The National Academy of Sports Medicine with specialty certifications in exercise development, functional training, total body flexibility, golf conditioning, weight loss, and nutrition.
Rich is a friend of mine and is a really exceptional trainer. His bootcamp training program is top notch. I have attended a couple of them and I have found them to be a really really great workout. In addition to a great work out he can work with you to design your own personal diet plan. See his facebook page as well SabJits Facebook Page
Rich Dad Poor Dad - Top Pick
I know this book has been out for quite some time but its still one of those books Im glad I read. The true story is that of a two childhood friends who grow up in the same neighborhood. The father of the first child is a very educated engineer and the father of the other child has his HS Diploma. Now the surprise is that the father whom does not have a formal education is the wealthier of the two fathers. The children then go on a journey to figure out the unintuitive. How could the less educated father be far richer/wealthier then the formally educated and well repute d father?! The the wealthier father shows them how he became so successful and teaches them his own thought pattern and mentality.
A wealth of information is in this book. Some examples that resonated with me were:
- Project Managers love to brag about how many people work underneath them, while good businessmen on the contrary take great pride in having less people underneath them.Thus meaning they have setup a better business model.
- Giving up is a sure way of failing. Persistence and sheer will can get you far.
- Basic accounting is needed to be able to balance income, expenses,assets, and liabilities
- Education is the greatest wealth you can own because its an investment in yourself. The author says he will listen and talk to as many people as he can to learn about things that make them successful.
These are only a few I remember off the of my head. I'm sure I can think of many more. Kiyosaki puts a wealth of information in this book and its definitely worth a glance. Its an easy read since it combines light wittiness with practical information. Its definitely one of my top picks.
A wealth of information is in this book. Some examples that resonated with me were:
- Project Managers love to brag about how many people work underneath them, while good businessmen on the contrary take great pride in having less people underneath them.Thus meaning they have setup a better business model.
- Giving up is a sure way of failing. Persistence and sheer will can get you far.
- Basic accounting is needed to be able to balance income, expenses,assets, and liabilities
- Education is the greatest wealth you can own because its an investment in yourself. The author says he will listen and talk to as many people as he can to learn about things that make them successful.
These are only a few I remember off the of my head. I'm sure I can think of many more. Kiyosaki puts a wealth of information in this book and its definitely worth a glance. Its an easy read since it combines light wittiness with practical information. Its definitely one of my top picks.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Google does Good
So I was just browsing the google websites and I stumbled across something a bit unexpected. Google has a division it seems that deals with more philanthropic issues. It seems quite noble. Take a look, it can be found at Technology-Driven Philanthropy
Some projects include:
Google PowerMeter:
Google PowerMeter is a home energy monitoring tool that gives you the information you need to use less electricity and save money
Google Crisis Response:
Google Crisis Response provides critical information and develops tools to support disaster relief
Flu Vaccine Finder:
Flu Vaccine Finder provides users who search for "flu" during the flu season find tips on how to stay healthy from U.S Health and Human Services and a flu shot which uses Google Maps to show you nearby locations offering seasonal and/or H1N1 flu vaccine.
Also just very recently Google also went as far to help the repressed when it provided Twitter access during the Egyptian Protests. See New Google Service Gives Egyptians Twitter Access During Protests.
I think its really responsible for Google to do this and I think its a great start!
Some projects include:
Google PowerMeter:
Google PowerMeter is a home energy monitoring tool that gives you the information you need to use less electricity and save money
Google Crisis Response:
Google Crisis Response provides critical information and develops tools to support disaster relief
Flu Vaccine Finder:
Flu Vaccine Finder provides users who search for "flu" during the flu season find tips on how to stay healthy from U.S Health and Human Services and a flu shot which uses Google Maps to show you nearby locations offering seasonal and/or H1N1 flu vaccine.
Also just very recently Google also went as far to help the repressed when it provided Twitter access during the Egyptian Protests. See New Google Service Gives Egyptians Twitter Access During Protests.
I think its really responsible for Google to do this and I think its a great start!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Foe to Friend
A friend of mine forwarded me a link to the article: A Victim Treats His Mugger Right and I must say it definitely struck a cord with me. A 31 year old man named Diaz was mugged on his way to the Bronx, but through his exceptional kindness, changed the attitude of his mugger. When the teen asked Diaz for his wallet he gave it to him voluntarily, then he told the teen, "Hey, wait a minute. You forgot something. If you're going to be robbing people for the rest of the night, you might as well take my coat to keep you warm." The teen was understandably confused and surprised. The teen then accepted Diaz's invitation for a meal and they talked.
How remarkable is it that in one instance this desperate teen was ready to stab and possibly kill Diaz for his wallet and in another, as a result of the victims compassion, completely changed his mind and befriended the man?! Its a testimony to the notion that those who make act irrationally may need our compassion the most. Its not those that act perfectly that deserve our love, its those that may be hurting that NEED our love.
Its easy to write off this situation by saying that what he did was dangerous and that he was being self righteous or a hero. But I challenge those who make these very claims to attempt such an act of kindness and see how much situations can be altered by our attitudes and love for others . Diaz's was courageous to offer an olive branch to this misguided teen and was rewarded not only by the prevention of a legitimate crime but also with the addition of a new person to his social network (not facebook). To this teen, Diaz very much could have been a reflective pause on his dangerous path or at a minimum found Diaz as an easy way to get 20 bucks so he didn't have to mug for it that particular day. In either case, its not the outcome that signifies such a story, but the novel actions that were performed which boldly highlights the strength of character and depth of empathy Diaz displayed towards the teen.
Before reading this article, I surely know that I would have quickly turned the cold shoulder, became angry, and condescendingly written this teen off as a product of a poor environment and lacking a functioning conscience. While many people may call me out on that, the truth is that many would do the same and not have the courage to say so. When asked why he did it, Diaz simply responded :
Simple! No Ego! No Anger! No Vengeance! Just compassion.
How remarkable is it that in one instance this desperate teen was ready to stab and possibly kill Diaz for his wallet and in another, as a result of the victims compassion, completely changed his mind and befriended the man?! Its a testimony to the notion that those who make act irrationally may need our compassion the most. Its not those that act perfectly that deserve our love, its those that may be hurting that NEED our love.
Its easy to write off this situation by saying that what he did was dangerous and that he was being self righteous or a hero. But I challenge those who make these very claims to attempt such an act of kindness and see how much situations can be altered by our attitudes and love for others . Diaz's was courageous to offer an olive branch to this misguided teen and was rewarded not only by the prevention of a legitimate crime but also with the addition of a new person to his social network (not facebook). To this teen, Diaz very much could have been a reflective pause on his dangerous path or at a minimum found Diaz as an easy way to get 20 bucks so he didn't have to mug for it that particular day. In either case, its not the outcome that signifies such a story, but the novel actions that were performed which boldly highlights the strength of character and depth of empathy Diaz displayed towards the teen.
Before reading this article, I surely know that I would have quickly turned the cold shoulder, became angry, and condescendingly written this teen off as a product of a poor environment and lacking a functioning conscience. While many people may call me out on that, the truth is that many would do the same and not have the courage to say so. When asked why he did it, Diaz simply responded :
"I gave him $20 ... I figure maybe it'll help him. I don't know...I figure, you know, if you treat people right, you can only hope that they treat you right. It's as simple as it gets in this complicated world."
Simple! No Ego! No Anger! No Vengeance! Just compassion.
- An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind - Mahatma Gandhi
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Neil Pasricha: The 3 A's of awesome
Neil discusses that through that his own adversity and tribulation he is able to overcome and really focus in on the wonderful things that he has taken for granted. He delivers a bold message about how very special and unique every single moment is. He emphasizes that NOW is the time to enjoy things and strive to rise up above the negativity that surrounds us sometimes. In reality you will have some terrible times, but it takes strength of character and tenacity to find the positive and let that envelope your attitude. It isn't about disregarding the negative but rather resolving to the positive things in spite of the negative. He says something to the effect of "So many amazing things out there and yet we only have 100 years to experience it". The preciousness of NOW is too great to forget. I find this powerful idea to be dead on as it speaks to me personally in many ways.
Also as a side note the idea of how a a little blog like his own got to be so big is again a further reinforcement in the notion that we can all make big changes. 50,000 blogs are started a day, his however overcame those odds for sticking out.
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