Last week I watched a really predictable movie on TV; boy meets girl, they have a misunderstanding, part company, meet a few years later and live happily ever after. But, there was one line in the movie that stuck with me: “We shouldn’t be looking for the meaning of life; we should look for the feeling of life”.
The more I thought about the "feeling of life" the more I liked it. Feeling life makes me think of wonderful, happy times spent with family and friends, writing poetry in my head when I’m stuck in the traffic, listening to music and singing along, laughing myself silly, looking at pictures, reading a book, the chilly wind on face, sweeping up red and brown leaves from my tiny patch of lawn, my cat sneaking under the duvet with me………
Monday, 18 May 2009
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Toni and the Pink Pig
My friend Toni Hughes was one of the opening night presenters at the first Pecha Kucha event in Johannesburg last week…. And you may well say Pecha what? I will tell you a bit more about Pecha Kucha later - first I want to tell you about Toni.
Toni was also one of the organisers of this event – her company being nominated to run Pecha Kucha in South Africa and she did her presentation based on the book by Edward Monkton called the Pink Pig of Happiness. The purpose of the Pecha Kucha presentations is primarily design and secondly to get your message across in 20 slides of 20 seconds each – no easy feat. Toni’s presentation is a stunning animation - the Pink Pig gallivants across the screen, leaping and frolicking with all the miserable pigs until all the happiness that the Pink Pig is leaking (think water sprouting out of the pig) soaks into them – and they also become full of happiness. There is a really good message there so take note! But, Toni’s presentation had people laughing and genuinely feeling happy and the entire event was a huge success. They expected 40 people to attend and over 100 turned up…. (In some cities there have been attendances of 3000!) They are now looking for another venue – it was opposite 44 Stanley where Toni’s new offices will be (lucky thing.)
So, now a little bit about Pecha Kucha: It is free, there are Pecha Kucha events in 195 cities around the world, it was started as a place where designers (and others) could meet and network, it is a place where people can share ideas and display their own work. The events happen about every 3 to 4 months, will always start at 20h20 and the presentation must be 20 slides of 20 seconds each – is this 20/20 vision – I think so *grin*
The Pecha Kucha web site is : http://www.pecha-kucha.org/
Toni was also one of the organisers of this event – her company being nominated to run Pecha Kucha in South Africa and she did her presentation based on the book by Edward Monkton called the Pink Pig of Happiness. The purpose of the Pecha Kucha presentations is primarily design and secondly to get your message across in 20 slides of 20 seconds each – no easy feat. Toni’s presentation is a stunning animation - the Pink Pig gallivants across the screen, leaping and frolicking with all the miserable pigs until all the happiness that the Pink Pig is leaking (think water sprouting out of the pig) soaks into them – and they also become full of happiness. There is a really good message there so take note! But, Toni’s presentation had people laughing and genuinely feeling happy and the entire event was a huge success. They expected 40 people to attend and over 100 turned up…. (In some cities there have been attendances of 3000!) They are now looking for another venue – it was opposite 44 Stanley where Toni’s new offices will be (lucky thing.)
So, now a little bit about Pecha Kucha: It is free, there are Pecha Kucha events in 195 cities around the world, it was started as a place where designers (and others) could meet and network, it is a place where people can share ideas and display their own work. The events happen about every 3 to 4 months, will always start at 20h20 and the presentation must be 20 slides of 20 seconds each – is this 20/20 vision – I think so *grin*
The Pecha Kucha web site is : http://www.pecha-kucha.org/
This sculpture is called Wavefield by
one of my favorite artists - Maya Lin
And this is a little blurb from Wikipedia and it tells you how to
pronounce it:
Pecha Kucha (ペチャクチャ ?), usually pronounced in three syllables like "pe-chak-cha") is a presentation format in which content can be easily, efficiently and informally shown, usually at a public event designed for that purpose. Under the format, a presenter shows 20 images for 20 seconds apiece, for a total time of 6 minutes, 40 seconds.
It was devised in 2003 by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Tokyo's Klein-Dytham Architecture (KDa), who sought to give young designers a venue to meet, network, and show their work and to attract people to their experimental event space in Roppongi.[1] They devised a format that kept presentations very concise in order to encourage audience attention and increase the number of presenters within the course of one night. They took the name Pecha Kucha from a Japanese term for the sound of conversation ("chit-chat").
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Doing the same thing over and over again
Something that contributes to us being miserable, unhappy, dissatisfied, frustrated (you get the message) is when things don’t turn out the way we want them to. And very often this is because we are doing the same old thing over and over again, expecting the results to be different – thanks to Einstein for this pearl of wisdom, although he did link insanity to it!
We need to look at what and how we are doing things.
· If our business is not making as much money as we want anymore, maybe we need to do things differently; maybe we should be marketing differently, revising pricing structures, revising product and service offerings
· If we are in a toxic relationship we need to understand why and fix it – which maybe means getting the hell of there or seeking counsel….
· If we have constant money problems, get help and sort it out
· And so on…. you can make your own list!
But the crunch about these miserable situations is that they are going to stay exactly the same, unless you do something about it. Sure, it’s nice to revel in a bit of drama on occasion but this becomes self defeating and very tiresome for family and friends. You might also think this it is “just the way things are” and find lots of excuses and reasons for the status quo; global economic meltdown, that’s just the way it is, he/she promises this time to stop drinking, I don’t earn enough money and so on.
It is quite fine to talk about your unhappiness, dissatisfaction, frustrations. Make the space to talk about it and talk to the right people – and make the changes.
Note about the fridge magnets: They are at the printers and will be despatched shortly
We need to look at what and how we are doing things.
· If our business is not making as much money as we want anymore, maybe we need to do things differently; maybe we should be marketing differently, revising pricing structures, revising product and service offerings
· If we are in a toxic relationship we need to understand why and fix it – which maybe means getting the hell of there or seeking counsel….
· If we have constant money problems, get help and sort it out
· And so on…. you can make your own list!
But the crunch about these miserable situations is that they are going to stay exactly the same, unless you do something about it. Sure, it’s nice to revel in a bit of drama on occasion but this becomes self defeating and very tiresome for family and friends. You might also think this it is “just the way things are” and find lots of excuses and reasons for the status quo; global economic meltdown, that’s just the way it is, he/she promises this time to stop drinking, I don’t earn enough money and so on.
It is quite fine to talk about your unhappiness, dissatisfaction, frustrations. Make the space to talk about it and talk to the right people – and make the changes.
Note about the fridge magnets: They are at the printers and will be despatched shortly
Monday, 11 May 2009
Another amazing performer
Another amazing performer from Britains Got Talent - this was on Saturday nights show..... Just love this guy
Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O88k4i6pF1A&feature=PlayList&p=EFA8FC34A3E79687&index=4
Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O88k4i6pF1A&feature=PlayList&p=EFA8FC34A3E79687&index=4
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
How to have a good fight
I read something the other day that said when you have an argument with a significant other you only fight about the reason for the argument for the first 30 seconds then dump every slight, hurt, whinge and other bit of baggage and fight about that!
It is no wonder we walk away from a fight feeling that the problem hasn’t been sorted out and often feeling really lousy and wishing we could un-say stuff.
So how do we go about having a “good fight”? How do we go about having that tricky talk without it blowing up into an ugly fight? Well, first you must understand that usually every time you want to have the tricky talk, the other person will probably react by getting on the defensive - which is very normal behaviour. Secondly, it is a really good idea to make the time and space for this talk.
And thirdly, Remember: The talk is not just about you – listen really well to what the other person has to say. You don't have the win the fight at all costs.
This is my list on how to have that good tricky talk and I would love to hear what you have to add to it:
Tricky Talk Openers
Hint: don’t be ambiguous – make sure the other person knows what you want to talk about
· What I want to talk to you about (xyz) is really important to me
· I may be over-reacting, but please listen to what I have to say about xyz
· I believe this, xyz, isn’t just my/your problem – it is our problem
· What are we actually disagreeing about – please can we talk about it
· I am not asking you to find the solution for this but it really helps me to talk to you about it
· I understand you are in a difficult situation at the moment but it is important we try to
solve this together
· I feel unappreciated and want to talk to you about why I do
Things to say during the Tricky Talk if things hot up:
· We are getting off the subject – can we get back to talking about xyz
· We can agree to disagree on that issue
· I might be wrong on that – I am sorry
· I hadn’t thought of that
· I understand your position/situation
· I understand it is not your fault
· How can I make this better
Things to say at the end of the Tricky Talk
· Thank you
· I love you
And last but not least, a little sense of humour helps a hellava lot!
“My wife Mary and I have been married for 47 years and not once have had an argument serious enough to consider divorce; murder, yes, but divorce, never.” – Jack Benny
It is no wonder we walk away from a fight feeling that the problem hasn’t been sorted out and often feeling really lousy and wishing we could un-say stuff.
So how do we go about having a “good fight”? How do we go about having that tricky talk without it blowing up into an ugly fight? Well, first you must understand that usually every time you want to have the tricky talk, the other person will probably react by getting on the defensive - which is very normal behaviour. Secondly, it is a really good idea to make the time and space for this talk.
And thirdly, Remember: The talk is not just about you – listen really well to what the other person has to say. You don't have the win the fight at all costs.
This is my list on how to have that good tricky talk and I would love to hear what you have to add to it:
Tricky Talk Openers
Hint: don’t be ambiguous – make sure the other person knows what you want to talk about
· What I want to talk to you about (xyz) is really important to me
· I may be over-reacting, but please listen to what I have to say about xyz
· I believe this, xyz, isn’t just my/your problem – it is our problem
· What are we actually disagreeing about – please can we talk about it
· I am not asking you to find the solution for this but it really helps me to talk to you about it
· I understand you are in a difficult situation at the moment but it is important we try to
solve this together
· I feel unappreciated and want to talk to you about why I do
Things to say during the Tricky Talk if things hot up:
· We are getting off the subject – can we get back to talking about xyz
· We can agree to disagree on that issue
· I might be wrong on that – I am sorry
· I hadn’t thought of that
· I understand your position/situation
· I understand it is not your fault
· How can I make this better
Things to say at the end of the Tricky Talk
· Thank you
· I love you
And last but not least, a little sense of humour helps a hellava lot!
“My wife Mary and I have been married for 47 years and not once have had an argument serious enough to consider divorce; murder, yes, but divorce, never.” – Jack Benny
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Special Offer
My free gift of the fridge magnet template was such a hit that I am having some made up - like proper ones with an actual magnet at the back so you can stick it on your fridge *grin*
If you want one, drop me an email with your name and postal address and I will send one off to you in the near future.
Love
Liz
If you want one, drop me an email with your name and postal address and I will send one off to you in the near future.
Love
Liz
Listening with everything we’ve got
People who know me know that one of my favourite mantra’s is communicate, communicate and keep communicating. This is the thing, I believe, that keeps all our relationships in good health.
I am going to direct you to a TED Talk a little later. I want you to listen to a particular talk given by a Scots woman called Evelyn Glennie. She is a world famous percussionist and has been deaf since she was 12. The talk is about 32 minutes long and I really recommend downloading it when you have a bit of time.
But what caught my attention was firstly her great use of music as a medium to demonstrate how to listen, but also her wisdom on how we should communicate. It certainly isn’t rocket science but it sure is good to be reminded.
She talks of testing our listening skills constantly – being focused so that we get everything we can out of an interaction. About how we should give time to listening – sometimes the chemistry might not be quite right , but give it a bit of time. We need to connect with sounds – how much better it is to be in a concert hall and not only hear the music, but feel it as well; take in the performers, audience, conductor and everything involved with the performance.
She also talks about how much emotional baggage we take with us into an interaction or concert hall - Simply because someone might have said they didn’t enjoy the performance doesn’t mean we won’t enjoy it. How we listen to things is hugely important (open mind!) and that we should try not to be so judgemental in our relationships.
Evelyn is amazing, a great speaker and great percussionist. My interpretation of what she said is:
Face to face is the cherry on the top for communicating, for relationships and making sure you are on the same wave length – you get to see everything about the other person - just remember to stay focused on them! Email and text messages just don’t cut it. Have an open mind – just because someone doesn’t like something (because of their own baggage) doesn’t mean you can’t hear/listen on your own terms. Sometimes you need to give things a bit of time – give a bit of time to the person/music for the chemistry to work. Listen very hard to what is being said. Listen and feel – let others fill the space with their sound.
The link to the talk is: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/evelyn_glennie_shows_how_to_listen.html
I am going to direct you to a TED Talk a little later. I want you to listen to a particular talk given by a Scots woman called Evelyn Glennie. She is a world famous percussionist and has been deaf since she was 12. The talk is about 32 minutes long and I really recommend downloading it when you have a bit of time.
But what caught my attention was firstly her great use of music as a medium to demonstrate how to listen, but also her wisdom on how we should communicate. It certainly isn’t rocket science but it sure is good to be reminded.
She talks of testing our listening skills constantly – being focused so that we get everything we can out of an interaction. About how we should give time to listening – sometimes the chemistry might not be quite right , but give it a bit of time. We need to connect with sounds – how much better it is to be in a concert hall and not only hear the music, but feel it as well; take in the performers, audience, conductor and everything involved with the performance.
She also talks about how much emotional baggage we take with us into an interaction or concert hall - Simply because someone might have said they didn’t enjoy the performance doesn’t mean we won’t enjoy it. How we listen to things is hugely important (open mind!) and that we should try not to be so judgemental in our relationships.
Evelyn is amazing, a great speaker and great percussionist. My interpretation of what she said is:
Face to face is the cherry on the top for communicating, for relationships and making sure you are on the same wave length – you get to see everything about the other person - just remember to stay focused on them! Email and text messages just don’t cut it. Have an open mind – just because someone doesn’t like something (because of their own baggage) doesn’t mean you can’t hear/listen on your own terms. Sometimes you need to give things a bit of time – give a bit of time to the person/music for the chemistry to work. Listen very hard to what is being said. Listen and feel – let others fill the space with their sound.
The link to the talk is: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/evelyn_glennie_shows_how_to_listen.html
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