This Is Good
An old story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!"
One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!" To which the king replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and proceeded to send his friend to jail.
About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to the stake. As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So untying the king, they sent him on his way.
As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. "You were right," he said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. "And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this."
"No," his friend replied, "This is good!" "What do you mean,'This is good'? How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?" "If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you."
- Author Unknown
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Monday, September 19, 2011
The Landmark Forum
This past weekend I participated in the Landmark Forum. The first day I felt as if I wasn't getting what other people were getting. Many people was sharing their lives, and I felt as if I was distant with my own to share in a public audience. Yet the moment I left the first day of the Forum, everything started to unravel.
And I began to learn....
Share With People vs. Talk to People
I enjoyed sharing with people, and engaging in having them share with me. When I first attended, I couldn't contrast the difference between sharing and talking. I felt as if I was already open with people. Yet when I began doing the exercises, I started to notice the difference of how I communicate with others.
I grew up thinking things should be 50:50 whether it is relationships, partnerships, teams, education, etc. That even carried over into my communication. I believed that if I say something, the other person suppose to say something back; yet I've began practicing on sharing 100% and expecting nothing in return whether it relates to conversation, relationships, or so on.
Accept the Positive and Question the Negative
Before my engagement with Landmark Forum, I received complaints from people that I've been declining their compliments. Instead I down myself and state my reasoning of why I'm not as awesome. What I learned about myself is that I don't trust people's offering and believe I am really judged as not being awesome as any other. I've always compared myself and anyone else in everything.
Keeping My Word vs. Giving My Word
I've always noticed that I tend to hold tight to keeping my word with people, but I haven't been keeping my word with myself. Yet what I couldn't quite put my hand on was, "Why do I not follow through?" Of course the action has to be applied for a word to be kept, but I grew within myself instantly for identifying why. I haven't been keeping my word because I feel that I would fail at keeping it before I actually fail at keeping it.
One thing that was pointed out is, "If you know you're not going to keep your word, don't give it." Just be honest with yourself and the other. At least you can live with your choice rather than living with an ongoing cycle of not keeping your word.
My experience has been great, and my ongoing experience with applying what I've gained would be even greater. It will take continuous practice, but I'm committed to it.
And I began to learn....
Share With People vs. Talk to People
I enjoyed sharing with people, and engaging in having them share with me. When I first attended, I couldn't contrast the difference between sharing and talking. I felt as if I was already open with people. Yet when I began doing the exercises, I started to notice the difference of how I communicate with others.
I grew up thinking things should be 50:50 whether it is relationships, partnerships, teams, education, etc. That even carried over into my communication. I believed that if I say something, the other person suppose to say something back; yet I've began practicing on sharing 100% and expecting nothing in return whether it relates to conversation, relationships, or so on.
Accept the Positive and Question the Negative
Before my engagement with Landmark Forum, I received complaints from people that I've been declining their compliments. Instead I down myself and state my reasoning of why I'm not as awesome. What I learned about myself is that I don't trust people's offering and believe I am really judged as not being awesome as any other. I've always compared myself and anyone else in everything.
Keeping My Word vs. Giving My Word
I've always noticed that I tend to hold tight to keeping my word with people, but I haven't been keeping my word with myself. Yet what I couldn't quite put my hand on was, "Why do I not follow through?" Of course the action has to be applied for a word to be kept, but I grew within myself instantly for identifying why. I haven't been keeping my word because I feel that I would fail at keeping it before I actually fail at keeping it.
One thing that was pointed out is, "If you know you're not going to keep your word, don't give it." Just be honest with yourself and the other. At least you can live with your choice rather than living with an ongoing cycle of not keeping your word.
My experience has been great, and my ongoing experience with applying what I've gained would be even greater. It will take continuous practice, but I'm committed to it.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Visiting Home: Day 1
I thought of visiting home to spend time with my immediate family, visit some old friends and old colleagues. Yet today my mom took me to visit other "Kin Folks." Just listening to their many stories alone taught me that happiness doesn't have a price tag. Lately I've been surrounding myself with people that has big goals financially and that are on the road to success, but what I'm learning all over again is that "Happiness really don't have a price tag."
People here are more appreciative of what and who they have in their life. They've watched many friends and family die, and they accept death at any given time. They have strong faith. I quote, "You better make sure you have yourself right with God because any given moment could be your last." Death has it's own time clock. These are the kind of people I need constantly in my life to keep me spiritually balanced.
I've grown personally but naive in a sense.
People here are more appreciative of what and who they have in their life. They've watched many friends and family die, and they accept death at any given time. They have strong faith. I quote, "You better make sure you have yourself right with God because any given moment could be your last." Death has it's own time clock. These are the kind of people I need constantly in my life to keep me spiritually balanced.
I've grown personally but naive in a sense.
Monday, August 22, 2011
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About Me
- J.Paschal
- 3rd Person Format: Born and raised in a small country town just hours away from the metropolitan area was a young lady by the name of Jessica Paschal. She was an enthusiast of words and ideas which triggered her talent of poetry during the beginning of the 21st century. Because of her fullness to become successful at whatever she took on, she decided to move to a city where her significance could sprought and prosper. That's what led her to the beautiful city of Atlanta in 2010 where she became an entrepreneur by trade and an advocate by heart. What she is hoping to accomplish during and after her lifetime, is to impact people for the better.
