Some Thoughts on Finding Happiness

I posted this article in May on a different blog, in response to a forum discussion on the keys to happiness. This is a summary in a way of some of the content of my book:

Here are a few thoughts on ways to find happiness through the following concepts. I believe each person is different and we each need to come up with our own answers, and the real key is being who you are: (I've realised I need to exclude people in abject poverty from some of these thoughts, for example someone who may be experiencing starvation, as certain needs do need to be met)

How Does Change Happen When Rules Remain Static? (the Job Hiring Process)

I wonder...I wonder what would happen if we started to give some people a chance, instead of writing them off on paper. How do we lift people out of poverty if we reserve the same jobs for the same people and why do we often bring in new people to do work that so many who are out of work and already available would love to try doing? I have heard employers say they have received 100 resumes for a specific job, and that none of the applicants meet the criteria, and I wonder, why is the criteria so hard, and did you even speak to one of those people? If the applicants are applying for jobs, surely they must think they can do the job! Or maybe some people are not applying because they have been turned away so many times before. Imagine if we hired people based on their willingness to try. Imagine if we asked for volunteers and we actually let the ones who were eager and who stepped forward try. It doesn't take long for someone who's heart is not in something to back away. I'd love to see an experiment run where random people are hired to work for a new company, not on experience, but on willingness, and see if they float or sink--my bets are, they would come out on top. They could be street people, people out of work for years, mentally ill people--everyone has potential and something to give, and God loves every single person (not always their behaviour).

And related to this, I created a wiki, which is a page geared specifically towards collaboration by many people, to come to ingenious answers--all are free to contribute: One Vision Wiki

See related blog article: Poverty and the Job Hiring Process

Preface of My Book in Audio Format

This is an audio snippet containing the preface of my book. This was take 1, so I hope it's okay! You are welcome to give feedback. https://www.dropbox.com/s/3g8nm3jh06ac2qt/Preface.mp3

Do Not Overlook Talent in People Who Have Mental Illness

I read a news article recently that says that there seems to be a close correlation between creativity and mental illness, and in the article it says: "Lead researcher, Dr Simon Kyaga, said the findings opened the way for certain disorders to be viewed as beneficial or desirable for certain occupations. For example, the disordered thoughts associated with schizophrenia may lend themselves to projects which require focus, determination and ingenuity." And I thought, this very philosophy allies closely to the blog article I wrote about using your strengths and ignoring your weaknesses. I suspect employers may be loath to hire people who have diagnosed mental illness conditions, yet, are they missing the possible potential brain power and creativity many people with mental illness possess? I was occasionally involved in brainstorming sessions when I used to work in an office environment, and the very essence of brainstorming is to cast off the possible and mull over the impossible and totally unlikely, as, often, a totally new, amazing paradigm may be arrived at when viewing something from an unexpected angle.

If you are an employer, consider, could someone, as the article says, who has a disordered thought pattern actually be the very person you might need to solve, for example, your long standing corporate marketing problem? Think about that point, the next time you turn someone who has a mental illness down for a job. Perhaps there might even be a way to tap into this potential using somewhat non traditional means, perhaps if employers were to change their job models and to include paying for a piece of work, instead of for time spent as a hired employee? Everyone has purpose!

When Your Sense of Identity is Firm, There Is No Need to Argue

I went on a school excursion recently, and somehow got onto the subject of Christianity, when one of the moms said she belongs to a particular Christian denomination. So I asked her what she believes, and then I said, oh, I think that's the same as what I believe, we use different words--please read my book and tell me what you think. She then mentioned a few points that might be different to what I believe, or that I have been told by others, but I was able to leave the subject and go away and ponder some more. Another parent overheard us talking, and I thought I saw him start squirming, and he hurriedly left. That might have been me before, as I realised recently that I have made a huge jump: from being a Christian who wasn't too sure about God, and who almost embarrassedly acknowledged my belief, yet still harboured doubts, to someone who has no qualms talking about God, and who trusts fully in Him. I speak about God as I may speak about the weather, in a factual type of way with no thought that I may be touching on a sensitive topic.

Short Audio Snippet: Why Did I Write My Book?

This is a short audio file in which I speak about why I wrote the book Foundation Stone of Hope. 

On Being Profound

I once went to a church sermon where the Pastor said to his audience, listen to this next point, because it is profound. And he repeated himself by saying, really listen because what I am going to tell you is profound and it may change your life. And while we all stared at him, he shouted, listen to this next point because it is profound. And then he gave a wry smile and said, he has realised he often needs to point out that what he is saying is profound, or his words just go over people's heads. Why is this? Why do we need to be told something is profound? Why do we sometimes think something is profound if the media tells us it is profound? Perhaps there is too much information around, and perhaps everything people are saying is profound in some way, we have to find the parts that speak to each one of us?

Why I Trust the Man Who Glowers More than the One Who Smiles

I walk into a particular place sometimes. It's a new place I have been attending on occasion. There are lots of warmly, welcoming people. Newsletters are given to me before I walk to my seat, and the people handing them out greet me warmly and usually shake my hand. After the presentation, people stand around and shake people's hands on the way out. What strikes me is how friendly everyone seems to be. There is one elderly man who I see most weeks, but when I smile at him, his face glowers in return. I am sure he sees me, as he looks right at me, but then he ignores me and walks haltingly to his seat. I cannot be sure, but I wonder, do some of the people who smile at me, secretly dislike me on sight and wonder who I am? I say this because I am aware that I do not always give a good first impression to people, and I have learnt elsewhere that, what seems like initial friendliness, may be a front for gossip and cliques. The old man shows me I am a stranger, and that I don't know him and he doesn't know me. He will not smile at me unless he genuinely likes me and connects with me. I wonder, does he smile at anyone? I suspect he is more trustworthy than some of the people I meet who smile so disarmingly at me. What I do know is that it will take time for me to find out the undercurrents at play, the politics, and to find out what his, and others, intentions are. What may seem friendly on the surface, may not be. What may appear to be unwelcoming at first, may be a more trustworthy environment than what seems initially welcoming. The crux is whether or not the people in the seemingly welcoming environment are genuinely welcoming, or not, and whether or not this is a front for undercurrents. I know never to assume until the hand shows itself; it is a lesson hard learnt. As a saying goes, "actions speak louder than words", and I know I will have to bide my time to find out truth.

I, The Lord Thy God, Am a Jealous God

I read a comment once by someone, who replied to a Christian article and said, what does it matter if she wants to find her own spirituality--why do Christians always think that their way is the only right way? She seemed to feel Christians are pompous to follow God as they do. And she said let each person find a spiritual path that works for him or her. I am sure you will agree that this is a good sentiment--I do agree that there will be a lot more peace if we each allow each other to be who we are, and to find our own individuality and to live our own beliefs.

In All Things, God is Able

Thanks to a friend for sending me this story via email. I am not sure who wrote it, and I hope I am not infringing any copyright by sharing it (please let me know). I hope you too find encouragement and hope by reading it. This is the story I received:

Caught Between Career Choices?

Are you caught between two career choices? Sometimes you can use both of your passions to achieve your dreams.

I watched a video this morning on TED, the foremost idea leaders, showing a speech by Robert Gupta. He studied to become a medical doctor, and he loves neuroscience, but he has also always loved to play the violin, and he has always been more than passionate about his music. He has been able to use both talents to help others, as he shows that music therapy helps those whom traditional methods may be unable to. Watch his speech here: Between Music and Medicine

This is a link to the organisation Robert Gupta started to help impoverished people by the use of music therapy: Street Symphony