As I am reading the Count, I will continue to infuse my reading with a little non-fiction. So I have started God is not Great. The title caught my attention, and I am interested to hear Hitchen's point of view. I have read the first chapter, and this journalist is speaking from knowledge. He has experienced religion, grew up with it and had questions and doubts that filled his mind, even as a young one so he started to learn and enlighten himself and not just about religion.
I have yet to learn why he thinks Religion Poisons Everything.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
the count of monte cristo
DANTE'S HAS ESCAPED FROM PRISON!!! He was imprsioned in a dark dungeon for 14 years as an innocent man. His mentor the abbe Faria just died, he had his third fatal seizure as predicted, and now Dantes has lost his dear friend, who was like a father to him.
I finally understand where the title of the book came from. Bear with me. So the abbe kept rambling on to the jailers that there was hidden treasure, millions and they assumed he had gone mad and would just laugh at him. The fact was that he was the most lucid of them all. At the time of his arrest, he was the secretary to Count Spada. The Spada's were a well known, wealthy family and had a long history. However, this wealth was never seen after the earliest, original Spada. The abbe Faria searched through the family books and papers and after years, after the last Spada died, unraveled the mystery of the hidden treasure on the Island of MONTE CRISTO.
I finally understand where the title of the book came from. Bear with me. So the abbe kept rambling on to the jailers that there was hidden treasure, millions and they assumed he had gone mad and would just laugh at him. The fact was that he was the most lucid of them all. At the time of his arrest, he was the secretary to Count Spada. The Spada's were a well known, wealthy family and had a long history. However, this wealth was never seen after the earliest, original Spada. The abbe Faria searched through the family books and papers and after years, after the last Spada died, unraveled the mystery of the hidden treasure on the Island of MONTE CRISTO.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
the 7 habits of highly effective people - last entry
I wanted to comment on the last two habits...in case I left any of my readers in suspense. That was a joke because I don't have any readers!
Habit 6: Synergize
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Remember this is under the "Interdependent" section. Covey talks about synergy in communication, the classroom and business.
Love this quote: "We seek not to imitate the masters, rather we seek what they sought."
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
This is the most important habit. It is about "preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have - YOU!" So many excuses as to why we ignore our own health.
I try to relay this message to people I care about, but they don't seem to listen. Let's try it in Covey's words:
"This is the single most important investment we can make in life - in ourselves, in the only instrument we have with which to deal with life and to contribute. We are the instruments of our own performance, and to be effective, we need to recognize the importance of taking time regularly to sharpen the saw in physical, mental, spiritual and social/emotional ways."
There is much substance to this book that I feel like I need to re-read it now that I have given it a once over. But will give it a rest and pass it on to someone else...just for a little while as this is a keeper!
Well, that's it for the 7 habits. I won't forget you! And promise to revisit you regularly throughout my life. Thank you for reconfirming what "to live", "productive" and "meaningful" means.
Habit 6: Synergize
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Remember this is under the "Interdependent" section. Covey talks about synergy in communication, the classroom and business.
Love this quote: "We seek not to imitate the masters, rather we seek what they sought."
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
This is the most important habit. It is about "preserving and enhancing the greatest asset you have - YOU!" So many excuses as to why we ignore our own health.
I try to relay this message to people I care about, but they don't seem to listen. Let's try it in Covey's words:
"This is the single most important investment we can make in life - in ourselves, in the only instrument we have with which to deal with life and to contribute. We are the instruments of our own performance, and to be effective, we need to recognize the importance of taking time regularly to sharpen the saw in physical, mental, spiritual and social/emotional ways."
There is much substance to this book that I feel like I need to re-read it now that I have given it a once over. But will give it a rest and pass it on to someone else...just for a little while as this is a keeper!
Well, that's it for the 7 habits. I won't forget you! And promise to revisit you regularly throughout my life. Thank you for reconfirming what "to live", "productive" and "meaningful" means.
Book 3 Complete: the 7 habits of highly effective people
So I finished the 7 Habits last night. It was really good. Very powerful. Lasting effects. It is one of those books that you keep for a life time and refer to every now and then to keep you on your toes!! IF YOU BUY INTO THIS WAY OF LIFE.
For me, it is also about hope. Hope for individuals and the world.
Here's a quote from my sister, "yeah if you apply it to your life, useless if you don't...".
She is right. But even awareness of this way of living may plant a seed of a different tree.
For me, it is also about hope. Hope for individuals and the world.
Here's a quote from my sister, "yeah if you apply it to your life, useless if you don't...".
She is right. But even awareness of this way of living may plant a seed of a different tree.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
the 7 habits of highly effective people - part 14
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand then to be Understood
Wow! This section of listening is enlightening. It sheds new light on past situations and offers a key to unravelling an individual.
How often do you feel as though you are battling with someone although you are both wanting the same outcome?
Without trust, we may feel and think one thing, but communicate something else. Hah!
Wow! This section of listening is enlightening. It sheds new light on past situations and offers a key to unravelling an individual.
How often do you feel as though you are battling with someone although you are both wanting the same outcome?
Without trust, we may feel and think one thing, but communicate something else. Hah!
the 7 habits of highly effective people - part 13
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
The name of the habit explains this one. It starts with explaining the importance of listening, empathic listening. I love this book because it throws out all the past jargon of listening skills and exposes them in the reality of what it does. People can see right through it. Either you are genuinely listening or you're not.
This book can be useful in so many areas of life. Having relationship issues? Try empathic listening - it is a BIG deposit in the emotional bank account. It gives a person "psychological air". Covey compares it to the air we breath, if suddenly all the air was sucked out of the room, you would strive for nothing else but to get air - survival would be your only motivation.
Similarly, the greatest need (next to physical survival) of a human being is psychological survival - to be understood, to be affirmed, to be validated, to be appreciated. AFTER THAT VITAL NEED IS MET, YOU CAN THEN FOCUS ON PROBLEM SOLVING. When the bank account is healthy.
So true.
"This need for psychological air impacts communication in every area of life."
Are you listening??
The name of the habit explains this one. It starts with explaining the importance of listening, empathic listening. I love this book because it throws out all the past jargon of listening skills and exposes them in the reality of what it does. People can see right through it. Either you are genuinely listening or you're not.
This book can be useful in so many areas of life. Having relationship issues? Try empathic listening - it is a BIG deposit in the emotional bank account. It gives a person "psychological air". Covey compares it to the air we breath, if suddenly all the air was sucked out of the room, you would strive for nothing else but to get air - survival would be your only motivation.
Similarly, the greatest need (next to physical survival) of a human being is psychological survival - to be understood, to be affirmed, to be validated, to be appreciated. AFTER THAT VITAL NEED IS MET, YOU CAN THEN FOCUS ON PROBLEM SOLVING. When the bank account is healthy.
So true.
"This need for psychological air impacts communication in every area of life."
Are you listening??
the 7 habits of highly effective people - part 12
Habit 4: Think Win/Win
Covey talks about 6 paradigms of human interaction:
There are so many sound concepts in this chapter; you have to read it to achieve the essence. Read it.
Covey talks about 6 paradigms of human interaction:
- Win/Win
- Win/Lose
- Lose/Win
- Lose/Lose
- Win
- Win/Win or No Deal
There are so many sound concepts in this chapter; you have to read it to achieve the essence. Read it.
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