Fait Attention

Language can be a mirror to culture.  In English we say pay attention.  The implication is there is a cost of your concentration.  In French the term is fait attention.

The literal translation is a command.  Make attention.  Although subtle these slight nuances in terminology can be very telling indications of the associated culture.

Another interesting example is from Japan.  Jidoshu no joshu seki is the Japanese term for the passenger in the front seat of a car.  Literally this translates to the assistants seat.

The concept of passive passenger versus reactive assistant is very noticeable when you are the driver traveling with a Japanese companion.

Multi-Lingual Advantage

Being able to move freely around the planet and interract through direct communications with the inhabitant of any geographic region is obviously a benefit.

The real reward though is the insight it provides to the local culture.  Understanding the local perspective in this way can provide an enhanced ability to fit in.

The Challenge

Unfortunately learning another language is not always an easy task.  I am sure there is  some genetic proclivity associated with this ability, that is some individuals can pick up other languages much faster than others.

Regardless of your ability to learn or speak a variety of lingos, most importantly though, whatever culture you are imersing yourself within, stay in the moment and make attention.

 

Modern Santa

I heard a really great song on the radio today.  “ Santa Welcome to the Modern World” by Pat Godwin is a list of complaints about Santa’s mythology that don’t fit in the modern world.

Mrs. Claus is supporting the ERA and the elves are protesting their working conditions.  Doctors advise Santa to lose  weight before he has a heart attack.

He is requested to move before the North pole is covered by an oil spill and of course with global melting all the snow will melt anyway so his normal habitat will disappear.

My favorite though is the advise to check the sleigh for bombs before taking off.  And of course as a role model for youngsters he better lose the pipe, what is he thinking?

While he is at it , lose the sexist Barbie doll toys for girls and do we really want to promote war and violence with GI Joe dolls?

Trashings Symbols

Some of the lyrics are laugh out loud for me, the sad part though is the underlying truth.   The human race is thinking too much.  Chill out people.

Happiness, good will to others, giving rather than getting ; this is the underlying sentiment behind the Santa Claus brand.  Do we really want to ruin it with our modern reality?

I for one vote enthusiastically no.  Sexisim, terroism, global warming, greed and political correctness aside do we really want to trash one of histories greatest, and endearing symbols.

Santa please stay away from the modern world like it is a plague.

Judging Results

Is it good or is it bad.  Judging the answer can be based on or influenced by your personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.  That is a subjective view.

Alternatively the decision can be based on facts, putting opinions aside.  This is considered to be an objective perspective. The challenge with this approach is first obtaining facts at all Hsometimes these are not readily available) and secondly to interpret the facts logically and without bias is not always easy.

Measuring Results

Achievements and successes  whether arrived at through your individual or collaberative efforts, or perhaps by others efforts entirely, can be viewed positively or negatively.

The results can range from extremely bad to exceptionally good and everything inbetween.    The ranking method can range from subjective to objective and everything in between.

To assess results in the most objective way defining the specific and measurable expectations before hand is the best approach.

For example, the expectation could be defined as running a distance of one mile in four minutes.  When you start running a timer can be initiated and stopped when you reach a mile (the distance needs to be measured and marked in advance).

The timer provides an accurate result which could equal four minutes or more or less.  Whatever the result, it can be compared to the four minute objective to determine success or failure and even the degree of same.

This works well when objective measures are available, sadly for many things, from taste in food to your day to day behaviour the measure is often subjective.

That is things like, you look good, good work, nice tie.  Without a clear target to measure against ( define looking good, performing well, etc],  disagreement with the assessment of the result can be rampant.

Development of Character

As we grow older, we develop personal characteristics.  Each individuals characteristics most likely develop over time as a result of genetic and environmental influences.

The basic nature versus nurture discussion is currently leaning toward a balanced approach between these two factors.  That is development is driven most often by a combination of these two influences.

It is this very combination, balance of nature and nurture influences,  that leads to a wide variety of unique results.  The outcomes of the exact combination of these two prime influencers are to a degree unpredictable.

Character Development

Switching from the phrase “development of character” to “character development” creates a very interesting nuance.   Character development is most commonly used by authors and script writers in reference to their fictional creations.

The stories are crafted to develop the charateristics of the people that are intrinsic to the plot.  In these cases the perceptions of the viewers and readers are manipulated purposely to interrpret the characters in the way the authors intended.

In real life our individual characteristics develop based on our environmental and genetic inputs  as governed by how we want to see ourselves.

Unlike the script writers most of us do not develop our characteristics based on how we want to be percieved but rather grow depending on those basic drivers – our genes and our environment.

Strangley thoug, however we personally manipulate our individual characteristics what really matters is how others see us.   Basically the screen writers have got the write approach.

Don’t waste your time developing character (i.e., letting it happen) rather focus on character development (making it happen).

Defining Yourself

Things become what you perceive them to be.  While one person might believe a golden bracelet to be a thing of great value and beauty, another might find it uninteresting.

To a large degree perceived function and value can define reality.  For example the Nintendo SNES retro game console is currently in huge demand and sold out everywhere.

The function of this toy is just entertainment (nothing life sustaining) and the cost outrageous, for something completely outdated and that you probably bought for half the price 20 years ago.

Yet, the console is in high demand because it is percieved to be something good. People believe in it.

Who are you

In a similar way we are all defined by how others view us.  You can believe you are polite, intelligent, capable and so on, but if others do not share this perspective, than in reality it is not true.

Recognizing that we are defined by what others think about us is a key underpinning to self awareness.  In brief, this is simply being aware of what you want to be and crafting your behaviour to make it so.

Of course being successful at both being what you want to be and ensuring others view you that way is dependent on your sensitivity  to how others perceive you and using that knowledge to craft their perceptions to the image you desire.

The first step toward being seen the way you wish to be seen is understanding and accepting that what others believe about you is reality.  From that point crafting that reality is just about shaping the environment to support your desired image.

 

Constraints Real or Percieved

Limits and restrictions can constrain your behaviour.  They can take both physical and mental forms.  In some cases the constraint only exists because you believe it does.

For example, a stop sign limits your ability to speed through an intersection.  The sign itself is not a physical limitation but most perceive the need to adhere to the instruction.

In this case, given the potential consequences, taking the risk of challenging the limitation is probably not prudent.  However, when racing to the hospital with your pregnant wife you might push the limits relative to stopping, particularly at 2 a.m. when little other traffic is around.

Physical constraints like handcuffs or being held firmly by the arms by two burly individuals might be more difficult to resist, depending on the circumstances though, one might try.

Stepping out of the Box

Circumventing constraints, reaching out of the box, can be risky but also rewarding.  Conscious awareness of your own personal appetite for risk is important in helping you decide how forcefully to challenge the constraints.

A rule of thumb might be, behave in search of personal excellence.  That is, mind the consequences of the constraints, but push yourself to exceed regardless of the challenge in doing so.

Nothing is like the good feeling of success and acknowledgement of great achievements, of course when deservedly so.  My advice, don’t let a percieved constraint hold you back from greatness.