The 48 Laws of Power - Lesson 1

There is a book written by Robert Greene copyright 1998 titled the 48 Laws of Power.  This book opens up the mind to a set of behaviors that can benefit most people with navigating through life.  I will attempt to provide each law with a bit of clarity so that it is easily understood and applied.

LAW 1: Never Outshine the Master:  

Always make those above you feel comfortably superior.   Make sure your masters (superiors or managers) appear more brilliant than they  are  and you will attain the heights of power.  This law has two rules that are at work.  First you can inadvertently outshine a master simply by being yourself.  Some people are very insecure and others you may naturally outshine just by your own charm and grace.   Be very careful to see people as they are and just because the master, supervisor, manager, etc. likes you does not mean you can do whatever you want.

You cannot worry about upsetting everyone you meet.  If your superior is a falling star there is nothing to fear by outshining  him/her.  Do not risk outshining a feeble superior - it might appear cruel or spiteful.  But if your master is firm in their position, yet you know yourself to be the more capable, bide your time and be patient.  It is the natural course of things that power eventually fades and weakens. 

End of a Wild Ride!

Have you ever worked so hard for something for so long and thought you would never finish?  Were there situations beyond your control either with family, health, money or job that left you feeling like you couldn't possibly deal with one more thing?  WELL,  If any of these things sound familiar you have experienced the same thing I have and you know how good it feels when you finally complete your goals.

Recently, I finished my MS Degree (December 16th to be exact).  It was a tough, emotional road that I didn't feel I would ever finish with everything I was going through.  It felt like the deck was literally stacked against me.  If you read my previous post you will know that there was a lot of death in my family over the past year.  This, combined with life and family stresses, I felt like I was drowning. 

THE GOOD NEWS! I finished!  Earned my Degree and now moving on to the next chapter of my life.

I say this as we are nearing the last few days of 2016 to tell everyone not to give up on your goals, your education, your career.  The road may be difficult but not impossible.  Set your sights on something and work hard to achieve it.   There will be challenges along the way but if you are patient and determine you stand a better chance to make it than if you give up along the way. 

Happy Holidays! 

  

 

Healing and Strenth in the Presence of Grief and Pain!

Recently there has been more death in my family over the past year than I have experienced throughout my life at any one time.  So much so that I get up every morning praying "Not Today Lord, please don't take anyone else today.  Can I please have this day free from pain and grief?"  Each day where nobody else dies is a good day.  I never thought I would count the days as I have come to do it now, but somewhere along the way things changed. 

The life that I have been living doesn't seem so important anymore and the things that I held most dear are now lost to me.  Each person's life is precious and should be respected as such.
 
During a tragedy you see the true nature of people and it can be life changing and eye opening for those around them seeing this side of a person for the first time.  Family and friends behave differently and things that you didn't see or understand become clear. Now that the year and hopefully all the death is behind me, (at least for a while).  I am looking forward to the year 2017.

Each day with the ones we love is a gift.  Cherish your own life and theirs.

May The Fourth Be With You!

Happy Star Wars Day

 

QUESTIONS?

Why do we do what we do as a people and as individuals?

Why do we put ourselves through unnecessary obstacles just to come out the other side?

Who determines what things we grow from and what things make us stronger?

What is LOVE and how do you know when  you have it?  Do you really want Love?  Why?

If you wrote a love song about your relationship experiences what would it be called?  Why?

Have you ever been in love?  What does it feel like?  Is love something that can be controlled or maneuvered?

 When people tell you that their relationship is complicated, what does that really mean?

How many times have you wondered "What the Hell am I doing?  At the time when you question your own judgment has it made you change?

How many times have you "fallen down" figuratively and gotten back up?  What helps you to get back up?

Why do some family members seem to always "need something" while others are happy and content and self sufficient?

If your entire life was made into a movie, what would it be called?  Why? 

Love is something that most people experience at least one time in their life, but what if you never had it and never experienced it, who would you be right now?

Is the person that grows up as an only child the same as the child that grows up with brother's and sister's?

What is better, to grow up knowing you had a mother and father if your father killed your mother?  Or is it better to grow up not ever knowing who your father was?

Why do people say knowing is half the battle?  What is  the other half?

How many times do you forgive the person who continuously hurts you?

Are there really Fashion Police?  If so, where are they and how can I turn in my friends?

Who Inspires you?

Have you ever done something you regret? Have you told anyone?

How many times have you wished for something and didn't get it?  Do you keep wishing?

Why do people fall in love with the people who hurt them?

Can you teach people to be honest or are you born this way?

Does having a child make you a mother or father?   

Are you wondering why someone would post all these questions?  Have you answered all of them?

WHY?

 

Seventh Day of Kwanzaa Imani (Faith)

Habari Gani - What's the News?

The last day of Kwanzaa always falls on January 1st.  On this day we bring in the new year and we celebrate Imani (Faith).  On this day we  celebrate ourselves.  We must have faith in our own beliefs and our abilities, we must have faith in each other and our dreams for the future. Today we lite the last green candle on the Kinara.  The end of the Kwanzaa celebration comes with a Karamu which is a feast.

The Karamu can be traditional with foods from Africa or it can be done with foods that you are custom to.  I use a book called A Kwanzaa Celebration by Angela Shelf Medearis to help create authentic cultural meals.  

Sixth Day of Kwanzaa Kuumba (Creativity)

Habari Gani - What's the News?

The sixth day of Kwanzaa which is the sixth principle is Kuumba, meaning creativity. Thinking of ways to make our community and the world a better place. Creating our own way and making it unique to who we are.  Today we lite the last red candle on the Kinara for those who have come before us and made it possible for us to be here today.