Positive Qualities – Goofy & Powerful

Dear Folks,
Image is thought. Thought is image. Our reality is based on how we think and image things. — The Power of Music: How to Use Sound for Relaxation, Concentration, and Healing, Don G. Campbell, Author
All qualities live with other qualities. Most qualities need some balancing qualities to give them some equilibrium. We need to be confident, direct, and Powerful. But it is also important to be relaxed, Goofy, and lighthearted. Qualities are gregarious; they all work together.
Peace,
Jim
GOOFY
Definition: silly; good‑hearted
Balancing Quality: thoughtful
Compatible Quality: good timing
Too Far: absurd
Quote:
No matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a special friend to act goofy with. — James Montgomery Halstead (1936-2010) American Industrial Engineer
Exercise: Watch Goofy cartoons.
POWERFUL

Definitions: (1) having great physical prowess; strong; able to exert intense force; mighty; (2) being a brilliant moral influence; (3) able to persuade or convince the minds of others; (4) possessing great energy; producing enormous effects

Balancing Qualities: An overabundance of the desire for safety and security leads people to focus on the qualities of power and strength. These, if not balanced with the qualities of compassion, kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, and gentleness, lead to violence.

Too Far: The positive qualities of desire and power taken too far end in greed. Every action can be and is justified by pointing to positive qualities.Motto:
Cedant arma togae (Latin): “Let arms yield to the toga” [Let military power give way to civil power]. — Wyoming state motto
Quotes:
It is not life and wealth and power that enslave men, it is the cleaving to life and wealth and power. — Siddhartha Gautama [The Buddha] (c. 563-483 bc) Nepali-Indian Guru

Non‑violence is more powerful than all the armaments in the world. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man. — Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) Indian Leader

Consideration: If a person who is immature, insecure, and fear‑ridden is given power, the power will have to live within that person’s emotional limits, and will be subject to the constraints of their developing personality. Decisions made reflect the character of the decision maker.
Observation: Power can be impersonal – like the power of the ocean – or it can be personal. If personal, it can be negative or positive.
Comments:
• The powerful are often intent on retaining their own power. And to that end, all else becomes subordinate.
• We are still in the age of “might is right,” and will be for hundreds of years. The question is how, in the face of power, to do what you know is right. Sometimes it takes great courage.
• The temptation to enhance those qualities serving only our personal needs is great, and the rewards for doing so are seductive. If we choose our needs unfairly over the needs of others, the results will also be unfair.
• If the consciousness of the governed outgrows the consciousness of those in power, there is a rupture of some sort. This turmoil results in one of two possibilities: a crackdown to hold the old way in place – for a time – or the birth of a new system.
Colors: golden orange, orange
Symbols: 1) gold; 2) a crown; 3) a hammer; 4) the crocodile; 5) the Emperor (tarot); 6) the whip (Egyptian)

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Positive Qualities – Cautious & Essential

Dear Folks,
A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. — The Boy Scouts’ Law, 1908
Each personality is Essential in the Divine plan. We each have free will to choose to participate or not. But it is better to be than not to be. There will be plenty of time to decide. We may not see the big picture hear (except by faith) but we will in the long run. So if you are a Cautious soul, not to worry, what you do not see (or know through faith) now will become apparent.
Peace,
Jim
CAUTIOUS
Definitions: (1) using great care or prudence; wary; watchful; (2) forethoughtfully discreet
Synonyms: circumspect, judicious
Too Far: Timidity is caution tinged with shyness and self doubt.
Visualization: Picture a wasp landing on a thistle. Talk about the epitome of caution, and yet the wasp does it with such ease.
Comments:
• Doubt is sometimes part of fear and sometimes part of caution. Take a look at the extremes and move in toward the middle from there. Regarding fear, doubt closes the mind. With caution, doubt peeks around the corner with an open mind.
• How far are you willing to go, or allow other people to go, when it comes to being adventuresome, fearless, or brave? If you are responsible as a parent or guardian, you have a responsibility to say, “That’s as far as you go, I cannot let you cross that line.” Or you can extend your responsibility if you know it is time for your child or friend to push the boundaries. They may or may not be able to handle what transpires when they get out on that limb, but if they’ve got a friend who is willing to go with them, then the margin of error is somewhat reduced. Ultimately, the person taking the action is making a choice and taking the risk. The person supporting them and helping them is an important element in allowing the inexperienced one to become the person they wish to become.
I have been alone in the Grand Canyon, miles and days from any help. When one is alone, the margin for error is reduced almost to zero. It is a palpable sensation. The experience is sweeter if you are cautious in the boldest sense of the word.
ESSENTIAL
Definitions: (1) the intrinsic, fundamental nature of someone; basic; inherent; (2) necessary to make a person what they are; indispensable; requisite; vital; (3) absolute; complete; perfect; pure;
Affirmation: I am essential.
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Positive Qualities – Docile & Verve

Dear Folks,
The ultimate purpose of life, which is to keep alive, is impossible, but this is the ultimate purpose of life anyway. — Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Robert M. Pirsig (1928-) Philosopher
Note: If one acquires positive qualities they will live beyond this physical life.
We have many cycles: awake/asleep, hungry/sated, contemplative/expressive. There are times to be Docile and other times to show our Verve. Any artist will tell you their ability is manifest best from a quiet open place, no matter how active their mind or hands.
Peace,
Jim
DOCILE
Definitions: (1) easily instructed; teachable; (2) easily led or managed; tractable
Derivation: Latin, “to teach,” “to be fitting”
Too Far: wimpy
Comment: When you are trying to learn something it is best if you are docile; that is to say, being attentive helps you be more open to new information.
VERVE
Definition: vigor, energy, or enthusiasm in the expression of ideas either verbal or physical <as in dance>; vivacious; spirited

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Positive Qualities – Dignified & Reliable

Dear Folks,
Where one person shapes their life by precept and example, there are thousands who have shaped it by impulse and circumstances. — James Russell Lowell (1819-1891) Poet
Any Quality can be put in the form of an affirmation. I have Dignity. I am Reliable. Of course, saying so does not make it so. One must do something as well as be something. We all have been pushed in the right direction because of circumstances, but a conscious decision to move forward to gain a desired quality is volitional first step to move through the door of choice.
Peace,
Jim
DIGNIFIED
Definitions: (1) of high repute; worthy of honor; esteemed; noble; (2) loftiness of appearance or manner; stately; (3) calm self‑possession and self‑respect
Color: violet
Symbol: sun‑shade (Chinese)
Fictional Figure: Hermione is an example of “dignity without pride, love without passion, and tenderness without weakness.” — William Shakespeare (1564-1616) The Winter’s Tale
RELIABLE
Definition: consistently dependable in character, judgment, performance, or result; worthy of confidence; one who can be counted on
Affirmation: I am reliable.

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Positive Qualities – Lenient & Sentimental

Dear Folks,
The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for. — Joseph H. Addison (1672-1719) Poet
The oldest adage in the book has been expressed by many wise people, it is essentially: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I am not sure I would hope for blind justice. I think I would rather have Sentimental Lenience. But the highest spiritual ideal of this basic rule of living would be to treat all men, women, and children (and Mother Earth) as you know God would treat them.
Peace,
Jim
LENIENT
Definitions: (1) having an easygoing forbearance; indulgent; agreeably tolerant; merciful; mild; (2) having a soothing influence; the ability to relieve pain, stress, or harshness; (3) willing to alleviate difficulty
Derivation: Latin, “mild,” “soft,” “smooth”
SENTIMENTAL
Definitions: (1) showing tender emotion; having delicate feelings toward music, poetry, or drama; sensitive; (2) moved more by emotion than reason; acting from feeling rather than from practical and utilitarian motives
Balancing Qualities: reasonable, rugged
Symbol: teardrops
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Is There Even One Statesman Among Them?

Last week, the U. S. House of Representatives voted, by a count of 285-144, to approve a three-month extension of the debt limit in a bill that concurrently pressures lawmakers to adopt a budget or have their pay withheld. The bill, known as the No Budget No Pay Act of 2013, directs both chambers of Congress to adopt a budget resolution for fiscal year 2014 by April 15, 2013. If either body fails to pass a budget, members of that body would have their paychecks put into an escrow account starting on April 16 until that body adopts a budget. Any pay that is withheld would eventually be released at the end of the current Congress even if a budget doesn’t ever pass. Is this a joke?

No, it’s just another example of Our Legislature’s deceptive practices. This is one of the best examples of the difference between the way a government treats it’s subjects, and how self-serving politicians treat themselves. For most of us, no work means no pay. It doesn’t mean our un-earned pay is held in a savings account to collect interest, or as security for a loan. It means, if we don’t do our job, we lose our job, and any money withheld is gone forever.

Our position is simple. If these so-called public servants don’t do their friggin’ job, they should forfeit their pay. No escrow, no pay for the lapsed time, period. Apply their forfeited pay towards the deficit they created and as restitution for their breach of trust while habitually dipping into the Social Security Trust Fund. We all need to understand their true motivations for putting Social Security in play. They don’t plan to make the trust fund whole, for the money they stole. They squandered our security by paying their puppeteers through tax gimmicks. No matter which political persuasion we each embrace, we can at least agree on the fundamentals, that poli + tics = many + blood sucking creatures.

We cannot go directly after the pay of our pampered politicians. After all, each branch of government has all kinds of extra-constitutional conveniences and immunities borrowed from the days when the King and the Pope were considered infallible. We can, however, hold every legislator accountable for any pay they take from the escrow fund, and for all the ways they have prostituted themselves politically. We can force them to answer for it at all future political events. We can follow them and follow up with questions about their automatic pay raises. We can teach the lemming-like press to ask probing questions. And we can eventually pry the most self-serving incumbents from their form fitting-seats.

Let’s get it done! Contribute your opinion to this web log. Subscribe, to consider a variety of viewpoints in a world of competing ideas. Post your favorite opinions to Facebook and Google+. Tweet and re-tweet those posts and comments that resonate the most with you. And, don’t forget to help us build the School of Statesmanship while calling upon our elected representatives to start acting in accordance with the principles of true statesmanship. — Robert H. Kalk
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Positive Qualities – Concentrative & Truth

Dear Folks,
You know, “nothing ventured, nothing won” is true in every hour. It is the fiber of every experience that signs itself into memory. — John Neville Figgis (1866-1919) Philosopher
Truth is one of the three fundamental colors of love (The other two are goodness and beauty). All physical color comes from light; combining them gives us all of the colors we can see. The same is true of spiritual Light. All positive values are derivatives of love, truth, beauty, and goodness.
In order to discern the truth one must pay attention to it. This is where our powers of Concentration and focus come in.
Peace,
Jim
CONCENTRATIVE
Definitions: (1) able to point to a common objective; focused; (2) able to direct one’s thoughts or efforts; capable of fixing one’s attention on one idea
Comment: If you have great concentrative powers, you not only can block out extraneous thoughts and sounds, but also can utilize stray inputs to enhance your focus on the task at hand. During problem solving and brainstorming, half of the fun is to be open to all stimuli in the framework of the solution. No matter how ridiculous the input, it may trigger some aspect of the solution eventually adopted.
A person with good concentration usually has a very quick and discerning mind. A decision can be made in a split second. The trick is to think it all the way through.
TRUTH
Definitions: (1) the quality of being in accordance with or conforming to actual experience, facts, and reality; (2) subjective existence portrayed to oneself or to others with honesty; integrity; veracity; (3) the ideal of fundamental objective reality apart from and transcending perceived experience; (4) expressing sincerity in action, character, and utterance; (5) agreement with a common standard or a collective idea
Note: Higher nature in Sanskrit is called satchitananda: sat = truth, chit = conscious, and ananda = bliss.
Compatible Quality: tact
Sayings:
Veritas vos liberabit (Latin): “The truth will set you free.”
Magna est veritas et praevalebit (Latin): “Truth is mighty and will prevail.”
Vincit omnia veritas (Latin): “Truth conquers all things.”
Poetry:
He who binds to himself a joy
Does the winged life destroy
He who kisses the joy as it flies
Lives in Eternity’s sun rise.
— William Blake (1757-1827) English Poet
Quotes:

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. — George Orwell [born Eric Arthur Blair] (1903-1950) English Author

Nonviolence and truth are inseparable and presuppose one another. There is no God higher than truth. — Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) Indian Peacemaker
Unless there is truth, and unless people tell the truth, there is always danger in everything outside of the individual. — T. H. White (1906-1964) The Once and Future King

The truth cannot contradict The Truth. — Pope Leo XIII [born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci] (1810-1903) the 256^th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church

Note: In 1996 Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) the 264^th Pope, restated the quote to make the point that the truth of science cannot contradict the Truth of faith.
Reflection: Thinking breeds facts but feeling leads to truth.
Consideration: Individuals respond to truth in their guts by the use of their knowing centers. Even if the outside information or person is partially truthful, there is still an unerring response to that portion which is objectively truthful. This internal truth guide works just as well on all levels of fact, meaning, and value.
Consider a good liar. He or she projects the positive qualities of sincerity and clarity with a convincing communicative style. But the listener needs to be perceptive in judgment so as to correctly segregate the true from the false. We can attune this ability by honoring and respecting the truth.
This internal truth sense works not only externally but also internally. Listen to your “self talk” with your intuitive truth center. This is useful when you are exploring a new subject.
It is nice to share with a friend. If you say something inappropriate, they react honestly, and if you are sensitive and paying attention, you will both know something needs to be adjusted.
Comment: Truth always has an advantage over evil in that truth can be continually lived in experience. You can become it. Error, evil, sin, and iniquity cannot become a permanent part of you. They are unreal. They eventually lead to a dead end. Sooner or later they will prove their lack of value. If you choose to be unreal, you are choosing not to be.
Yet error has the purpose of showing us the edge. We can stay away from it when we encounter it again – if we are smart. Error nudges us back toward goodness and reality.
Colors: blue, green
Symbols: 1) the torch; 2) a hand mirror; 3) the number nine; 4) gems or treasures {Spiritual Truths or Knowledge}
Fictional Figure: Una, a lovely damsel, is the personification of truth. — Edmund Spenser (1552-1599) Faërie Queene
Mythological Figure: Ma, in Egyptian mythology, is the goddess of truth and justice.

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Positive Qualities – Participative & Popular

Dear Folks,
Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other. — Author Unknown
We all Participate to some degree or another. How are you going to share your life? You can be of service to an idea, an ideal, a person, or a segment of society. You can be a loner or aspire to the highest public appreciation. Popularity is usually ascribed to the feeling of others toward the self. But it always begins with self-esteem.
Peace,
Jim
PARTICIPATIVE
Definition: being or willing to be a part of some enterprise; sharing your life
POPULAR
Definitions: (1) commonly liked, approved of, or admired; (2) having many friends; well‑known; (3) suited to or pleasing to the intelligence or taste of the target audience
Synonyms: beloved, fashionable, favorite, savoir‑faire
Balancing Qualities: decent, discreet, gentle, gracious, modest, self‑esteem
Compatible Qualities: humorous, mannerly, quick‑witted, tactful
Parental Qualities: confident, friendly, personable
Familial Qualities: agreeable, charming, cool, interesting, kind
Consequential Qualities: charisma, communicative, confident, leadership
Comments:
• You know what you are attracted to. Let those aspects of yourself shine through as you live your life. Focus first on the qualities you have naturally, then expand your repertoire of qualities.
• Decide who it is important to be popular with. Associate with people with whom you can feel comfortable. To be accepted by some people is not worth your effort. If they will accept you only if you take negative actions, don’t bother with them. Don’t forget common sense. Get yourself out of a bad situation before you get into it. You decide what and who you should be, not what they want you to be.
• Popularity is often being able to fit in with the structure, rules, and circumstances of the group. Therefore, be astute in measuring what is required – or ask.
Questions:
• Am I nice to be around?
• Do I have the tendency to hide or shade my best qualities because I believe it would not be popular to show them?
Note: Go ahead and exhibit yourself. As you do, you will acquire the finesse to be yourself with an acceptable attitude.
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Positive Qualities – Responsive & Striking

Dear Folks,
Remember the three R’s: Respect for self; Respect of others; Responsibility for all your actions. — Author Unknown
Let’s add one more ‘R’ to the list above: Responsive. Someone who is Strikingly beautiful or recognizably famous is accustomed to having others react to their physical presence. We all deserve respect; and the outward manifestation of that respect would be a positive response, a kind word, a smile of approval.
Peace,
Jim
RESPONSIVE

Definition: reacting readily and sympathetically; receptive; sensitive

Synonym: amenable

Comment: We human beings appreciate, and respond to, the encouragement of other people.

STRIKING
Definition: remarkable due to conspicuous qualities; noticeably attractive; obviously impressive

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Positive Qualities – Diverse & Natural

Dear Folks,
What lasts from an educational experience is not the enhancement of memory but the enhancement of being…. It is beliefs about the nature of man, what he may become and what is his destiny, with the morality that flowed from these, that enhance a man’s being. — Basil Fletcher
What should I do with my life? Always the question of youth, and often a question which lingers long into life. Each of us begin with Natural qualities. Many of these are identical, i.e.: sweet and innocent; and some are particular to each personality. Without thinking we follow our natural tendencies – sending us in Diverse directions. We are all different enough to be unique and similar enough to be sympathetic.
Peace,
Jim
DIVERSE

Definitions: (1) composed of distinct elements or qualities; (2) attracted to various interestsDerivation: Latin, “to turn in different directions”

Quote: Life – all life – is in the service of life. Necessary nutrients are made available to life by life in greater and greater richness as the diversity of life increases.— Frank Herbert(1920-1986) Dune

Observation: Everybody needs something different.
Comment: We are all chasing the meaning of life, the reason for existence. In the end, we all come to the similar conclusions, but it will have a million different spins on it. That’s diversity; that’s Divinity.
Symbol: nature
NATURAL

Definitions: (1) living in accordance with what is found or expected <in nature>; (2) real; not artificial; (3) possessing higher or innate qualities or ability <natural talent>; (4) an inherent sense of right and wrong <natural rights>; (5) marked by easy simplicity; at ease; free from affectation <a natural smile>Synonyms: ingenuous, intrinsic, normal, original, spontaneous, true
Quotes:
Nature reaches out to us with welcoming arms, and bids us enjoy her beauty.

— Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931) Lebanese American Artist and Poet

I reckon there’s as much human nature in some folks as there is in others, if not more. — Edward Noyes Westcott (1846-1998) American Banker and Writer
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. — Anne Frank (1929-1945) The Diary of Anne Frank
Observation: I’ve noticed people expect others to possess the natural talents they themselves possess. If it is easy for them, it should be easy for others also. It is surprising, and sometimes frustrating, when they realize others do not have their same normal abilities. It is even more astonishing if they do not even want them. Recognize and be thankful for your inherent gifts, but have compassion for others who do not have the qualities you take for granted.
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