Published July 3rd, 2007
in personal.
Things do certainly change but it is amazing how much actually stays the same. I spent the weekend going through some old letters, cards, and personal journals. Among the journals found was the first one I wrote in regularly at the age of 12. Entries proclaimed groundbreaking revelations like discovering that I was no longer the only girl in class who had begun menstruating. Posts on boys at the time seemed to center around disgust at the sheer number of times they passed gas. Most of the letters I read were also from when I was aged 12 until about 14. Even those from when I was a few years older were with the same people I had met during those formative years. Sheer nostalgia at revisiting those times soon gave way to another revelation. Insights into personal life experiences may differ quite a bit now and I may respond to situations differently, but the essence of who I am has never changed.
“Don’t think so hard,” was a recurring mantra to me by various friends. Yes, I will readily admit that I am a thinker. I pride myself on continually learning whenever possible. A struggle growing up was sometimes overanalyzing a problem or idea to the point that action was hindered. Although I can’t say I’ve done a complete turnaround, over time I’ve learned to rely on the constant research and trust my gut to instantly make a choice when the time came.
Just the other day I took a quick survey and found that I am the Enneagram Institute Investigative Type.
Several other Enneagram Types also ranked highly for me. All of us can at times display qualities of any one of those types. But yearning to learn more, perceiving minute details, envisioning a world of possibilities - those are all things I do now and have always done.
How about you? Think back to your adolescent days. What qualities about you have changed since then? What continues to be the same? Are you surprised?
Popularity: 57% [?]
Published May 30th, 2007
in productivity.
The other night some friends and I were discussing the draining power of negative people. Energy vampires are everywhere. They readily discover all flaws with the status quo in the office then resist any efforts to implement change. They seem to continually be cursed with romantic woes, none of which are ever their fault. Sometimes we all can get into a rut. Sometimes even the most optimistic person can notice only the negative side of things. I’m not talking about anyone undergoing an occasional spurt of negativity. But some out there are just plain negative. They seem to get very chatty when sharing problems but grow silent when discovering solutions or quickly discover why every offered solution won’t work. They are incapable of “seeing the light at the end of the tunnel” or finding the “silver lining”. If you give in to their negativity, they can quickly sap your thirst for life away.
So how should you deal with negative people?
Catherine Pratt over at Life With Confidence discusses 10 strategies on how to deal with negative people. Here’s one I plan to use the very next time I’m stuck talking to an energy vampire:
3. Say, “Now tell me something positive.”
Right after they’ve finished telling you some tragic story, say to them, “now tell me a positive story”. Some people have no idea how negative they’ve become. That’s what they’re surrounded by day in and day out so it’s just become a way of life for them. By being given the reminder, they may actually realize that being negative isn’t the kind of person they want to be and may start to work on becoming more positive. Or, they may decide it’s not worth telling you their horror stories because you’ll ask them to think of something positive. Sob sisters (always whining, feel the world is against them, feel they’re victims) will probably not find you very attractive anymore.
I’d like to add another bonus strategy.
11. Read the The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
This book focuses more on dealing with your own limiting self beliefs and achieving personal happiness. In doing so, you would be able to remain blissful even if surrounded by scores of negative folks. Simple yet profound, The Four Agreements is a book I constantly recommend.
How to Deal With Negative People [via Life with Confidence]
Popularity: 42% [?]
Published February 27th, 2007
in personal.
Martin Espaillat has been missing since Valentine’s Day, the day of the snowstorm in the New Jersey area. No leads have surfaced as of this writing.
A petition to be delivered to the Clifton Police Department aims to persuade the police to expand their search to include an area in Clifton known as “The Gates of Hell.” This area is a series of underground tunnels and hidden compartments. The petition itself reads as follows:
We, the undersigned, demand a full scale police led or warranted search of the no trespassing area known as “The Gates of Hell” and any surrounding areas in Clifton, NJ in search of Martin Espaillat.
Sign the petition
Popularity: 33% [?]
Published February 24th, 2007
in personal.
Martin Espaillat was last seen on the morning of February 14th, 2007 on his way to the train station in Clifton, New Jersey. He would have been heading to work in Jersey City, New Jersey. Martin was wearing a black Northface coat with a hoodie. If you have seen him, or have any information please contact Mildred Espaillat at mildred@happyviper.com. You may also contact the Clifton or Jersey City Police Department at 973-470-5262.
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Edgar, Martin’s cousin, has built a comprehensive website that lists Martin’s stats, has tons of more recent pictures, and even video and a description of what he was wearing the morning he disppeared.
Here is the website: http://happyviper.com/martin/
Thanks again, and please share this with everyone.
Here are some photos of Martin. Some of them are rather old and his style has changed through the years, but his face never changes.
Popularity: 30% [?]