Hello again to my friends, family, colleagues, and clients. Many of you know me personally through work, networking or through one of my speaking engagements related to sales skills, professional networking and personal development; and some of you may know me only by email and telephone. Welcome to everyone that’s new to this distribution list.
There are a lot of very smart and interesting people that I am fortunate to network with. We share books, movies, music and ideas that stimulate us. I'm always interested to learn what other people that I respect are reading, watching and listening to. This is my monthly email newsletter with books I’ve recently read, movies seen, music devoured, ideas and other things that may be of interest to you. If you find this interesting and would like to pass it on, please feel free to do so. If you’d like to be removed from this list just let me know. If someone forwarded this newsletter to you and you would like to be added to this distribution list or if you’d like to view previous newsletters, please email me and let me know.
A number of people have asked that I insert an announcement indicating whether I have any upcoming speaking engagements that are open to the public. I do have a few public speaking engagements this month in Colorado. If you have an interest in dates, times and speaking topics, please let me know.
I hope that you had a great Memorial Day Weekend and that your summer is off to a wonderful start! Can you believe that we’re in June already? Wasn’t it just New Year’s Eve?!
TWO BOOKS TO PUT ON YOUR MUST READ LIST
The Power of Kindness-(The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life)- Piero Ferrucci
In today’s ultra-hectic world, you don’t often hear about kindness, and certainly not very often through the traditional media. Ferrucci is an Italian psychotherapist that has a gift when it comes to expressing profound truths in layman’s terms. He takes the concept of kindness and elaborates on 18 unexpected benefits that are associated with cultivating the very important habit of kindness. Here are a few quotes from this amazing book:
“It is so elementary: If we relate better to others, we feel better. Kindness, as we will see, has many facets. But its essence is as simple as can be. We will find kindness is a way of making less effort. It is the most economic attitude there is, because it saves us much energy that we might otherwise waste in suspicion, worry, resentment, manipulation, or unnecessary defense. It is an attitude that, by eliminating the inessential, brings us back to the simplicity of being.”
“There are infinite ways, implicit or explicit, microscopic or gigantic, episodic or lasting, superficial or substantial, of bringing into the life of another person some benefit, relief, cheerfulness, hope, well-being, intellectual or spiritual growth, ecstasy. This kind of relationship is no angelic exception in a sordid world of selfish and warring individuals. It is, on the contrary, a normal event, often a part of our everyday interactions, at the base of kindness. It is service.”
Ferrucci reminds us that we have the ability and the decision as to whether we will be a blessing in other’s lives and paradoxically, in our own lives as well. He illustrates his points with incidents from his own life and also with illuminating folk tales from different cultures.
When I think of a psychoanalyst or a transpersonal therapist, I don’t think of the “type of person” that would have written this book. Perhaps I don’t have a good grasp of psychoanalysis (don’t even think about all the one-liners that this is open to), or perhaps I’ve been biased as to the left brain aspects of therapy and psychology. I’m very glad that I read this book and that my concept has been expanded in terms of what the great people in these professions bring to the table related to love, compassion and well being. You will get so many great nuggets out of this book that you may as well highlight the parts that aren’t noteworthy so that you conserve ink.
MUST GET MUSIC
SKY BLUE SKY- Wilco
My friend Jim has been trying to get me to listen to Wilco for 4 years. I finally relented and wish that I had done so a long time ago. This is a fun band. I’ve heard that some of their back catalog was kind of an indie-alt-country type of sound. This CD has a slight country feel to it on certain tracks, but I wouldn’t classify them as alt-country. They have a distinctive sound and a great sense of chord structure. I love their chord progressions since they aren’t what you’d expect. Some of the songs are somewhat melancholy without being syrupy and it’s easy to tell that the songwriter, Jeff Tweedy was going through a rough breakup when he wrote this album. Having said that, there are also some great up-tempo tracks that have a great groove. The songs are deceptively simple, meaning that at first listen I felt that they were far simpler than I realized as I listened to the music over and over.
On “Side With The Seeds”, the guitar work approaches a ferocious perfection. The melody is a driving chordal pattern that is addictive. I found myself going to the piano to hammer out the chords and just played then over and over. I’ve attached a clip of “Side With The Seeds” from YouTube. It’s good, but you need to hear the song on the CD for great sound quality. As always, it goes without saying that it should be listened to at least 3 or 4 times at high volume. I recommend that you do this in your office at a moment when it’s quiet. Right after you play this clip (loudly) I also recommend that you tell everyone within earshot that they can have the rest of the day off and that you’re buying the first round of margaritas at the closest bar. This CD is a gem and great summer music!
www.wilcoworld.net
http://www.youtube.com/wat
AN AWESOME INSPIRATIONAL VIDEO CLIP
I found this clip to be incredible. I have always thought that animals are smarter than we often think they are and this clip proves it. As you watch this you will want to get a can of paint and your dog and cat….uh, forget that. I hope that you enjoy this as much as I did.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
AN AMAZING 68 YEAR OLD CLIP
This is one of the best tap dancing sequences that you’ll ever see. I really appreciate dancers and think that great dancers are some of the most superior athletes around. This is Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell at the peak of their game in 1940. As you watch this remember that it was all shot in one take and that Eleanor did a lot of the dancing backwards and in high heels. They say that everything comes around again and I hope that we’ll see some more of this type of timeless class in our lifetime.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
SIGN ME UP FOR THIS ONE/JET MAN
My wife Karin would love to do this. We are big roller coaster fans and have been bungee jumping many times, but this would top everything. Hopefully it’s just a matter of time before they develop a two person version of this and you can go for a ride. The soundtrack on this clip gets a little old, but the video is incredible.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
WINNER OF THE MONTHLY BIZARRE CLIP AWARD
Okay, this one wins in the monthly bizarre category. The story that I’ve heard is that this was filmed in a Philipino jail. I guess it’s one way to keep criminals off the street. How do you choreograph about 1000 inmates and who says that criminals can’t be rehabilitated? This one is so odd that I can’t really comment- just watch.
http://www.youtube.com/wat
TWO HILARIOUS VIDEO CLIPS
In keeping with my personal philosophy that we should have at least one good belly laugh per day for optimal health, I hope you enjoy the following two video clips.
SOME GREAT QUOTES
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom.” Anais Nin
“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” Paul Boese
“Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels.” Faith Whittlesey
”There is something that is much more scarce, something finer by far, something rarer than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability.” Elbert Hubbard
“If you’re irritated by every rub, how will you ever be polished?” Rumi
“The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it.” George Bernard Shaw
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right. You’ll be criticized anyway.” Eleanor Roosevelt
“A lot of people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience.” Doug Larson
“My theory is that all Scottish cuisine is based on a dare.” Mike Myers
If you think that this will be of interest to someone that you know, please feel free to forward it on. If you have any thoughts or opinions on any of these recommendations or have recommendations of your own, please let me know- you never know where the conversation will go from there.
Can you believe that we’re in May? Almost half way through 2008, already. Where does the time go? Get out, see a ballgame, chase some fireflies, lie under the stars and leave the kids with grandma and grandpa for a few days.
As always, if you’d like to reach me, the easiest and fastest way is either by email or mobile phone.
To your success,
Kevin