Learning from chimps

I love it when something is proven in animal tests. I rarely think about checking the literature of animal experimentation, but when I read about it sometimes when working with language, it usually proves a good point. I learned about critical learning windows, for example, when a researcher brought up what cats do during only a certain period of their upbringing.

So, yesterday when I was reading about the brain and its hemispheric differences and functions, up popped an animal experiment. It was very appropro because it showed that even chimpanzees who have no language can still use symbolic reasoning in establishing relational categories. That was important because I was trying to prove that symbolic reasoning is not tied to language necessarily. It's always a good moment when you happen onto something you have been hypothesizing, and it's ironic to me that the lesson comes from a chimp experiment.

It's a good reminder that sometimes pleasant surprises come along when you least expect them. Love it when that happens.

What's it worth?

Occasionally I watch Austin City Limits to catch the flavor of alternative music. I usually enjoy listening to the artists that play there. Brandi Carlile is one of the artists that plays there from time to time, and tonight she played several very meaningful tunes. She talked of playing with Elton John and of putting her life-changing events into lyrics. It made for good listening. At the end, she looked into the camera and spoke of the last several years being worth 100 years because of all the people that made her career possible.



Worth 100 years... that would be something extremely precious because it is saying that something is worth more time than a lifetime. That's one of those superlative comparisons, one that a person can say about the one event or the one person that it is life's apex experience. I guess eveyone has that apex event or individual.




I do... yes, it is worth more than a lifetime... worth 100 years... X 100 more years... ad infinitum.

The last is better than the first

I have a filing cabinet in my study that has fallen into disuse. Oh, I still get bills and statements of all kinds, but they are electronically generated and stored. I used to have a system. I would keep a year's worth of bills, and then, every January, I would make all new folders, move the last year's to a file below the active bills drawer, move those bills to a box, and then store the oldest bills and statements in the garage. I can hear you laughing already.

This last year, by contrast, I paid all bills online through my bank's bill pay. The bank keeps the records of all bills and loans paid. I just have to enter a user name and password... no files. Even when I order something like K-cups for my hot chocolate, tea, and apple cider, I log in, order from a shopping cart, pay the bill online, and the record is kept on the company's server. I can call it up at any time if I ever get curious or need to print a record of it for some reason.

Computing in the cloud is beautiful, and that makes my filing cabinet defunct. I started with a lot of filing cabinets in life because keeping them was expected and was the most efficient way at the time. But a few years have passed, things have changed, they're now defunct. I have ended with the beauty of computing in the cloud, and how beautiful it truly is!

Fortunately... there are amazing people

Mommy Dearest was a classic movie in showing how mothers really don't care at all for their children, and in fact, emotionally abuse them. It is a response I relegate to the movies, however. I heard about it as an adult, and saw only rarely the effects of it in a young person or two that I ran across. So, when I see such indifference and cold-heartedness in my own back yard, I find it especially abhorrent. It's one of the saddest things to have to see. I can't even imagine the thinking process that prompts a mother to be so indifferent to a daughter. What dysfunction it creates, and that's an understatement!

Fortunately, I look around me and know that all is not lost. I see an amazing mother who cherishes her children and carefully molds them into confident, outstanding young people. She shares her life joyously with her children, and they will grow up knowing a true mother's love. I see a judge who reversed a Child Protective Services order to take twins from parents who love them. He saw their love, their deliberate actions of nurture and saw through the lies of an evil doctor who would distort the truth of caring actions.

I can sleep tonight, smiling for the parents who have been reunited with their twins and for the most amazing mother who knows how to give her all in raising strong children.

No cuts

Shows on TV nowadays leave out a lot of real life so that people don't have to see the humdrum of reality. They skip from one scene to the next allowing people to assume the action that happened in between. In NCIS LA tonight, for example, the two main detectives go to the director and tell her that she needs to send them to Afghanistan. In the very next scene, the two detectives are wearing middle eastern garb and are in Afghanistan - no preparation to go there, no flight to get there, no car ride from the airport to the house where the next scene is, and no unpacking and changing clothes in their hotel before going to the house of the next scene.

I would like for this to happen in real life sometimes. I would be nice to skip the mundane scenes in my life and just go from one substantive scene to the next. On trips, I would get to cut out the 5 1/2 hour drives to either Dallas or Austin. Every morning I would get to skip the routines to get ready for work. I would get to cut right to the parts that had meaning in my day.

But reality is not TV. I do have to go through every second of every day, good or bad. But, it makes a better person out of me because I get to learn from my failures in the bad moments and experience great happiness in the good moments. I get to watch others in how they operate their business and learn from them. I get to watch others have their worlds take turns in unexpected directions and see them make lemonade from lemons. And that gives me comfort, vicarious experience, and satisfaction. I would not be the person I am today if I got to skip the scenes in my life. I would end up with less happiness; I would make assumptions about the missing action that would not match what really happened; and I would have less understanding of the connectedness of life.

As it is I experience every second of every day and have great, great hope of how I want the future to be.

The world at your beck and call

A lot of life happens according to your view of it. My father was one who knew the power of positive thinking and used to tell the story of a man who traveled to a town in search of somewhere to settle. He was met at the gates of the city by a wise man who lived there. The traveler told the wise man that he was looking to settle and wanted to know if this was a good town. The wise man asked the traveler what his experience had been in the last town he lived. The man replied that it was a town of many disgruntled people and that nothing went right there. The wise man advised the man that he would find the same in his town, so he might want to look elsewhere. A second traveler arrived the next day and asked the wise man if this was a good town. The wise man asked the second traveler what his experience had been in the last town he lived. The traveler answered that he found the town to be friendly and active, and that he hated to leave it. The wise man welcomed the traveler and told him that he would find the same kind of people and activities in this town.

Yes, the positive view makes for a higher quality of life. And I know someone who lives that way every day. I am inspired by such a life, and my own view is better, clearer, more productive, and efficient as a result. In this season of thanks... thank you for such inspiration. You have the world at your beck and call every day you wake up.

A gift from Japan

Yesterday was an interesting day. The Ministry of Education in Japan commisioned 4 University professors (from 3 different universities in Japan) to visit some United States' online schools so that the Ministry could write new national standards specifically for online schooling. They would keep the current standards for their brick and mortar schools, but write new ones for online schools which they hope to establish in the near future. So, the delegation of four profs selected and came to visit three schools - two in California, publicly funded schools, and one in Texas, a private corporate school, Orion Online Learning. The delegation spent 4 1/2 hours getting acquainted with the Orion protocols for modules and operations in general, taking notes and asking questions. At the end of the visit, and in true Japanese fashion, the four professors gave an appreciation gift to Orion from Japan.

Working with that delegation was very interesting. It would be a nice opportunity to help in writing standards or curriculum for another country. The delegation's visit might lead to some cooperative work with Japan, but even if it doesn't, it helped in expanding my professional horizons.

The last 365

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler.
Long I stood and looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
But as for that, the passing there had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black...

(The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost)
______________________________

A year ago I struck a new path. I did have a choice to stay or go. But, going meant that I would be able to better my position financially. Normally, that is the only consideration I look at in making a decision.



In fact, it was financially better after a year than it would have been had I stayed. And, in fact, it led to opportunity that could not have happened if I had stayed. It continues to produce in the opportunity category. But there was another category. Money is not even in the same arena as this category, and opportunity can not lead to any destination worth it if it means missing the place this other category would lead to. A person can measure the amount of money (s)he makes or determine the value of the opportunities that may come along. But, this other category cannot be measured except in terms of what the heart can produce. 2010 in that regard has been one of great hope.

Still the same

This is election night. Decisons made in the election of 2008 are being turned on their heads. The Tea Party has really made an impact and is upsetting the power structure. Even Republicans are taking notice that the Tea Party element is going to dictate some of their future actions. The Democrats didn't know how much of a dent the Republicans were going to make, and even thought that they might hold onto the House of Representatives. But, it has not turned out that way, not even close.

But over the last two years in my life, there is nothing upsetting at all, no major impacts... no Tea Party push, no takeover from the opposite party. Friends of mine are still friends of mine. Progress is being made in my professional life.

And the one who adds the spring to my step, still adds spring to my step daily and gives me hope.

Affecting the outcome

Watching the world series was a contrast in talent level this year. It was portrayed best by the game's centerpiece, the amazing pitcher of this last game. San Francisco's starting pitcher threw for 8 innings and looked just as fresh then as when he started the game even though it was 101 pitches later. He helped the Giants win and inspired those around him to rise to the occasion also. The Giants won the game not because of luck but because of what they brought of themselves. And the outcome to the series was affected.

My life has always benefited from a talented supporting cast around it. But, of late it has benefited from an amazing pitcher in its center. And, 101 pitches later I am still inspired by this person to rise to the top of the occasions life places before me, to be better than I am. Truly I am fortunate!

Certainty

When I was growing up I played all kinds of board games... Life, Clue, King Oil, Chess, Checkers, Candyland, Risk, Chutes and Ladders, Spades, Hearts, Poker, Backgammon, and several, others. I won more than I lost, but many times I won with just good guesswork.

Skills from game playing carried over to education and life skills like judging character. I won most of the time there too, but it still included some guesswork.

Over time, life skills improve so that guesswork is at an absolute minimum. I am more and more certain of what makes me happy, for example. And I know, without guessing, who I can trust and who I want to surround me. And it is certainly not a guess who brings a smile to my lips and contentment to my heart.

In a few

It's really amazing how just a few words can turn clay into ceramic beauty or pewter to gold. On two occasions today, my day was transformed from normal to supernormal and from routine to extra special by just a few words. That makes this day a charmed day. And that ends this blog with just a few words, in honor of the few words that absolutely transformed this day!

What I wouldn't give!

The other day I had a friend mention a work situation that would be good for several parties involved. I remember commenting, "What I wouldn't give for that to happen." I don't say that very often. I might have said that when I was younger, I really don't remember. But, I have said that only twice in recent memory (probably the last 15 years). Both times it was about a wish I have. And I really would give everything in my world to live that reality, to live out my dream.

Someday!

Matters as a whole

Some days just go right. Not that every little event happened like I wanted. Just that matters as a whole ended on a hopeful, optimistic note. And there's nothing that will allow for life to go forward like hope. A lot like the sun which is about to break out from behind its shielding clouds at the break of day.

Positive pondering

The mind can't help but ponder events during a day's time.

I bought some pottery in Maine last summer. They had to make it first and send it later. It arrived about two weeks ago. I unpacked it just the other day, and it caused me to ponder all the really serene sights and sounds of a magical day on Peak's Island where I ordered the pottery.



My partners and I have a growing business. We have expanded in office space and will expand in services offered in about 3 months. It makes me ponder where all this is headed, but at this end of things, it has much promise.



I ponder many things in a day's time. Those thoughts are not always positive like the two examples. But, mostly I ponder the positive matters. It helps me plan my time with great energy.

I have to say I ponder the year 2009 every day, more than anything I have ever mulled. It energizes me because it was the most positive year in my whole life.

Love to ponder such an energy-giving, life-giving year!

Splash me

Color in life is important. So, being around people who will splash the beauty of their color on us makes our lives just that much more enjoyable. I love the color of having my horizons stretched, for instance. The people who have done that in my life, have splashed me with their color.

There are other colors I enjoy too. So, splash away. Feel free.

Turns

Sometimes in writing people get stuck and seem not to be able to generate any more thought toward what they are writing. They experience "writer's block." It happens. They have to walk away for a while and then return to their work. In that "while" they will have their minds focused on other matters. When they return to their work, they have a fresh perspective on what they should generate to continue their writing. They had time to mull and blend ideas from what they saw during their time away from their writing, so that a fresh perspective can be brought when they sit back down to write. Their time away served as a catalyst to get past their stuck point.

In business sometimes, companies bog down in product development. Cars need a new shape or color, tennis shoes need to be lighter, oil needs to be brought out of the ground more cheaply. Any number of products need revamping. Employees are asked to think of new ways to do streamline processes sometimes. They are encouraged to "think outside the box." Usually it takes a catalyst of some sort like the accident that created Post-it Notes, or the experimentation in space to create lighter plastics, or paying attention to some detail of research that finally makes sense in curing lung cancer.

Stuck points come every so often. Life is great about throwing curves to foil plans, to bring the unexpected angle to a situaton, to twist events into what is dreaded or feared, or to lead people to the mundane, hum-drum, doldrums. Catalysts are needed to get past those points. Sometimes I'm good at spotting those catalysts. I can take a fresh perspective and see how to get through a situation. And sometimes I am not good at all at knowing what to do to affect change. Things are interconnected and convoluted and the way through seems messy.

One of the cruelist hammer blows of life is when I can see the catalyst clearly that will propel me past a blockage in my stream of personal events and I am ready to act, but life disagrees and takes a turn in the path. I hate it when that happens more than I can express.

But, Hope can overcome even this on occasion, smile with favor, and turn the path back.

An offering

A very special person in my life likes having and using quotes. So, I would like to offer a quote, since I have had the benefit of being around the beautiful life of this person who places noble and worthy quotes on desks, on blogs, on walls, and in this person's own heart and soul.

I offer it for your new job and for the continued higher education you seek. I offer it because you live by it and have taught me to trust what you live by.

___________________________________________________

When you come to the edge of all the light you have,

And are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown,

Faith is knowing that one of two things will happen:

There will be something to stand on,

Or you will be taught to fly.

(Patrick Overton)

I have all faith that when you step off into the unknown, you will be standing on top of Mt. Everest and soaring with the eagles!

Magnitude

There is a way to show that certain aspects of something mean more than other aspects. We weight things we like and slight things we dislike. If we like sitting by a fireplace rather than going to the grocery store, then we sit by the fireplace more than go to the grocery store. If we want to exercise by jogging rather than by weight lifting, then we jog instead of lift weights. If we like some people more than others, then we choose to show friendship to the ones we like more.

The idea of giving weight to show meaning shows up in more places than just our ordinary preferences in lifestyle. We show this in proportioning our spending, saving, and investing. And speaking of investing, inside investing there is a way to give weight to certain areas of investment. Whether trading stocks, real estate, metals, or currency, adding magnitude to some trades yields greater profits than if the normal trade was made.

So, when we find the ones along the way in life who would add magnitude to our own lives, we don't hesitate. We add the magnitude. And, it yields greater happiness, more productivity, more energy, and a higher level of fulfilled living.

Empty chambers - not for me

In my house I have three rooms that I rarely go in. The front room is stocked with a snooker table and couch, but they just sit there looking pretty for the people on the outside to see since curtains don't fully cover the windows. There's an extra bedroom for "guests" who might drop by once a year. The lady who cleans vacuums it twice a month, but she is the only guest to visit the room. And, there's a study with part of the room for pictures. When someone might want to use the printer, that part of the study gets used, but no one really ever goes to look at the pictures.

The chambers of our mind are like that. Many of them get used, but there are those areas that are rarely entered. Memories fade when that happens because the brain is going to use its capacity, so it begins using old paths for newly made information and all the connections that go with it. It overrides what was with what is happening now.

I think of life's rhythms sometimes, how they wax and wane. And, to avoid the empty room syndrome or the synaptic pruning in my brain during some of life's rhythms, I think of meaningful events that still push me to do things better or different. They keep my mind active and progressive rather than empty or stale. Or I think of the amazing person who makes my life colorful and happy. So, the rhythms in life don't leave behind empty rooms or withered dendrites, they leave behind traces of spectacular reflectons in rainbows.