July Quote – Goethe

July 2006 Quote:
"Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least." 
– Goethe

 

I recall Steven Covey’s "Habits" and the matrix of urgency vs. importance.  By not planning and strategically managing our lives, we end up focussing on the urgent and unimportant things in our lives rather than what is important.  When I start to get concerned about urgency, I try to remind myself that I am exactly where I am supposed to be at that given moment.  As Buckaroo Banzai once said, "…remember, no matter where you go, there you are." This coincides with  "Your Erroneous Zones" where Wayne W. Dyer emphasizes living in the now and provides a poignant lesson on how being anxious is a waste of time (perhaps this would fall under the urgently unimportant area). Dedicate a full minute to worrying needlessly and at the end of it all take stock of what you have accomplished.  Focus on the now and focus on the important.  

May 2006 Quote – Voltaire

"No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible." 

I chose this quote to emphasize the need for individual responsibility.  Too often people try to allow the psychology of the crowd to rule and provide a pretense for acting inappropriately.  Each of us makes our own decisions and we must be willing to take responsibility for our actions.  I definitely recommend the movie "Good Night, and Good Luck" with regard to the subject of standing up for what is right.