The Skybird

the "stfu and drive" traffic sign photoshopped by FloydBlather from fark.com

If only these really existed.

Wednesday October 12th, 2005

Sometimes the best way to forget...

...your own problems is to help someone else (even if it's for a little while) forget theirs.

I was asked a very good table topic today at SERO Sundowners Toastmasters.

Everyone has a cause they support cancer, aids awareness etc., today it was my turn to create a new cause.

I chose "human connection" meaning that we, as a society, do not connect with each other anymore. We have text messaging, IM, and e-mail. We need more warmth, humor and geniune interaction. As a society we send bulk joke e-mails that have already been forwarded a million times. It is rare that we craft an humorous e-mail par excellence (Such as my friend Happy Silverman always does) about her frustrating experiences that are more personal and geniune.

We think, "I am the only one going through a challenge that scares me to the bone."

We think, "I am the only one feeling alone in a city of millions."

We think, "I am the only one that knows how to drive."

We think, "I am the only one questioning themselves on a constant basis."

We think, "I am the only one that replays past mistakes and missed opportunites endlessly."

We think, "I am the only one to doubt myself and my abilities."

What we should think about is more then ourselves. We need to focus on ourselves LESS and on others MORE. We should not also let others take advantage of us or use us but not everyone is a person with an alterior motive. Remember, there ARE some good people in the world. As we pay bills, send messages, dodge rude drivers and pursue our goals do not forget the most important thing: human connection. Make sure today to let someone that you treasure as a friend know that you do. As Tampa broadcaster Chris Thomas used to say, "Tell someone you love that you love them every day" for we never know what tomorrow will bring.

Happiness - By Joel Verlin, DTM

[Jun. 12th, 2005|03:13 pm]

Happiness must come from within. If Happiness depends on a condition, then its really not Happiness.

Happiness cannot depend on another person; people are in and out of your life all the time. You cannot depend on someone else to make you happy. That is an unfair burden to place upon them. You must not lose yourself within another person.

Happiness cannot depend on an Event. What happens when the event is over? That does not mean you should not anticipate an event or look forward to the event, but you must not live solely for the event. If you do, you will always be disappointed when the event is done.

Happiness cannot depend on Achievement. The best part of the achievement is the process and the journey. The achievement is but a second or at most a day that vanishes in the flash of an eye. That does not mean you should not achieve, but you should not become lost in just the achievement.

Happiness cannot depend on Significance. We all long for prestige and significance. We all want to be somebody, but you do not need a title of significance to be happy. You can contribute as much being "one of the crowd" as you can being someone with an important title. And it is important to sometimes step aside and let someone else be more significant then you. Your actions will come back to you and you will see that others will step aside for you.

Joel Verlin, DTM
June 11, 2005

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Thanks for the photoshopped "Sunrise" picture to: Argh_Dammit from TotalFark.com

Check out the latest Cox & Forkum Political Cartoons

THE DTM WATCH STATUS:

Achieved ATM Gold Status 7-28-2004

Completed High Performance Project & AL Objectives 8-24-2004!

Submitted HPL, AL and DTM applications to Toastmasters, 9-16-2004

Achieved Leadership Execellence Award For My HPL From Toastmasters, 9-24-2004

Achieved Advanced Leader & DTM Status, 10-4-04