words

Hi
there is a chance I don't know you (too well).
But take it from me: you are someone special. The dreams you have, the projects that play in your mind: you have the heart to make them happen.
Some day you are going to make it. And everybody around you will know it.

Why do I say this? Well, because it can be true.
Everybody has potential that still remains untapped. Why? Call it human nature. The instinct to preserve, to stay in the safe spot. We are all holding back.
But that's not what's on discussion today.

Today I am talking about the power of words.
The text you were reading, did it motivate you?
If not, then it might take a few more tries.
But the reason why it has potential, is that I believe in it.
Even if I might not know you (too well)
I firmly believe that what I stated is true.
So it gives some authority.
It might take a few tries. A few fails.
But in the end a message will come through. So pick your words carfully:
they might open a flow of thoughts to someone. Be it for good or for bad.

There was a little anekdote I had with a coworker on the trainride back home.
We were talking about the way our chief communicates with the coworkers.
She has quite a direct way to get her point across. Which sometimes leads to discussions.
I know that her intention is good. Only the message is a bit... What's a better word for  crude?
Anyway.
After a hellish meeting, one where the stress level reached boiling point, I had a chance to talk to her casually. She admitted that it's rough to be a boss when everybody's complaining and shouting.
An argument I certainly can understand.
So I replied: 'it's only natural that the coworkers react like this. They are passionate about their job. They want to do the right thing but circumstances won't allow it. And that's frustrating them. They need to vent it. Because there's nothing as bad for the morale than to know how to do your job, to love it, but to be unable to cope with the (pardon my english) shitstorm that's happening. It's nothing personal. You are working with people. It's the way people are."
Please do keep in mind that I didn't really use the word shitstorm.  Somehow my stream of thoughts is a lot dirtier than my mouth.
Hmm, that came out wrong didn't it?
Ahem.
So she complimented me on my filosophical approach. And that was it. five minutes alter we were on our seperate ways. She to face the shitstorm. And me to conquer the world (while waiting twenty minutes for a bloody train).

Well, my coworker reacted surprised: "That was you? When did you tell her that?!"
me: "ehm, pardon? Oh I guess about a month ago."
coworker: "Some weeks after that, the chef came to me to compliment me on my work and that she understood why I reacted so strongly. I said that I understood her too and that everything was said in the heat of an argument."
Apperantly the other coworkers were dumbstruck by this exchange of kind words.

Long story short(er)
I still believe it wasn't me who gave her that nudge, but my coworker insisted.
She had done a similar way of talking with another chef. And apparently it worked... for a few weeks. But in these few weeks there was a relative peace and tranquility, defusing a bit of the situation.
Because when everybody keeps running around with their fuses lit, things will explode.
Like I said. I still believe it wasn't me. But I do believe in the power of words.
We all have that power. The only question is: how do we deal with such power?

I guess that is why I keep on writing this blog every once and a while.
There is a big chance only you will read this.
But if these words can help you reach your potential, then it will be worth it.

join the (least) resistance

Okay... okay... you've got me cornered :-)
So before starting my next post: please do not remind me of the irony. In my previous post I lectured about not making too much pictures. And behold: it had my picture on it of a person taking a picture of another one taking a picture. Guilty as charged. Well it does prove the point that you won't have to take me too serious. But you already knew that didn't you.

Anyway, on with the show. This is something I need to tell you, before my bad memory claims another victim. A few months ago, seemed like a lifetime already, I had a confersation with someone who could easily qualify as 'smarter than me'. Shocking isn't it? Naah you're right, you won't have to to much to win such a title. But as the saying goes. If you're the smartest one in the room, you are in the wrong room.
She shared an interesting way of viewing life.
"You have to take the way with the least resistance."
Sounds like a lazy way?
No. Wait. Noooh: don't leave just yet... I wasn't finished.
You have to take the way with the least resistance BUT which leads to an optimal result.
So not the fastest way, not the easiest way... the way in which you get what you want (or the closed thing to it, without taking too much of your effort.
Again, I never said that it won't take any effort. Just that it shouldn't take more effort than needed.
Perfection is an illusion. Things will never be perfect, they aren't made to be perfect.
Just chase the thing you want to achieve and make sure it's worth it. But don't go over enourmous lengths to achieve it. If it's fine it's fine. There are many more things that require our already devided attention.

To prove this, I won't proof read this text. Just type in and send. Up to you to decide if it all makes sense. If not, you know where you can find me.

It's too bad that I can't contact the one who gave me the idea. It would be nice to check if  my interpretation is correct. So if you ever read this, oh wise one, feel free to let me know if I'm on the right track. I'm ready for your hatemail :-D  

see you next time

a picture to match

“Woah look everybody.”

“Call the newspapers…”

“He’s baaack!”

No no no, please hold your horses, I’m just passing through.

“Aaaaw”

Yes, I know it’s a shame. Come on, move along. Nothing to see here. Just another promising blog that went up in smoke. Byebye thanks for reading. Have a good one.

Oh you are right we do have to meet up someday. I’ll call you… Bye bye.

Heh… I think they are gone. Nice and quiet now.

Oh hey you. Nice to see you again. Didn’t notice you here. You’re getting quite good in sneaking up on me are you? This may sound cheesy, but do you still come here often?

Yeah I know, I’m here too... every once and a while. It’s hard to say goodbye to this blog. Perhaps it’s not finished yet. Shall we give it another go? No daily, weekly, or monthly update. Just a quick exchange of ideas and then back to our own lives. Would you like that?   

Great, where were we?

Oh don’t mind me browsing my phone. I know it’s anti social, but I’m just looking at a few pictures.

It’s a strange concept, isn’t it? We take pictures for the memories of tomorrow. Some images we show to the world (like foodies, footsies, shelfies and drunkies… yuck). Others we keep for ourselves. The ones that can only have a meaning to one person or to kindred hearts. For some a picture can create an entire story in your head, if only you’d allow to see it: the dragons in the clouds, the smiles behind the masks, the history in a rock formation…

But how long do we glance at those pictures? How many times have you looked at the photo's of your last journey? More and more we live through the eye of a camera. And while we do this, we lose the momentum. Instead of joining in the conga, we take a picture because it would look good on our wall.  But as we look up from our devices, the conga has passed and we are left with only an image. Or maybe we fear that others may snap a picture of us joining in the dance, acting crazy.
Thanks to technology we can connect with all our social circles, no matter where we are, no matter at what time. And still we are more disconnected from right here and right now. Even with me writing this and you reading it; we are both anywhere but here and now. So don’t mind the pictures, mind the crazyness, mind the people... mind the momentum.

See you again dear reader. Someday.