adam.benjaminbloom.net » culture

happy independence day to my family and friends

adam — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:44:32 +0000

Independence has been a significant theme for me this year in many ways. So, I wanted to share a wish for all of you on Independence day…July 4, 2010.

More than anything, I wish you “mindful independence.” I wish you choose to pursue life, liberty, and happiness with vigor and resilience and patience…that this pursuit is your way of being. Cliche? Yes, of course. But think again…there is a reason people say, “think outside the box.” It isn’t a physical box…where is this box? It is the box in your head.

photo credit: qthomasbower

We are all oppressed in some way, shape, or form. If you’ve ever spoken with someone who has lived in a state of oppression where their “human rights” were materially or physically constricted, they value freedom unlike others. They value being able to wake up in the morning…every morning…in a free country…with the ability to do whatever they want to create their future…to work to serve their fellow man and make a profit from that service…they value the ability to pursue their goals and desires without limit…they value being able to love whomever they want and practice their beliefs without walls. The sense of this freedom is sacred…knowing this sense is sacred.

What I’ve learned this year is that independence starts inside your head. I’ve spoken to several people in 2010 who have chosen to put themselves in a cage inside their mind…because of their “situation” or what others are doing to them. When they put themselves in this state of thought, they oppress themselves by building these walls, chains, locks, and cages inside their head…they become their own pharoah…their own vader…their own “the man.”

For example, we all have the freedom to learn to ride a bicycle, but, as children, we get scared. We protect ourselves and say, “it’s not for me” or “I can’t do it” or “what if I hurt myself?” This self-imposed limit is a protection mechamism…and protection is a good thing…but sometimes we protect ourselves too much…we limit ourselves and our self growth. As adults, we do this…we oppress ourselves in our work and personal lives…and tell ourselves things that impose limits…tell ourselves that a relationship, or a job, or an abilitiy to learn is NOT there…and then tell ourselves “you cannot overcome it.” These are only lies we make our own truths.

So, on July 4, 2010, I wish you mindful independence. Know that you are free and that anything is a possibility…that your oppressors are largely inside your mind. These thoughts are not who you are…they are just thoughts. Thoughts could be focused on promoting the well-being of our fellow humans…as an essential element to the “pursuit of our own happiness.” Remember, your own well-being comes first…think independently…avoid oppressing yourself.

Be well. Free your mind. Enjoy the journey. To independence!!!

chop wood, carry water

adam — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 03:08:18 +0000

When life throws challenges at you…just keep going. Keep opening doors and walking through them. Keep your balance of positive in the face of difficulty and negative.

That is how businesses launch and ideas come to be introduced to the marketplace.

Betalkaboutable is a brand I came up with some time ago…and now the “business” (really just me right now ) has actually launched. It’s a milestone in my life…and I am very thankful. Special and sincere thanks to all the mentors listed here and many more!!!

As Bob says, “chop wood, carry water.” Good point…thanks Bob…hope you are well…though I kinda like “chop water, carry wood” better…go figure!

photo credit: woodleywonderworks

photo credit: geoftheref

a story i am proud to share

adam — Sun, 16 May 2010 13:59:47 +0000

If you haven’t been exposed to it, this was an inspiring event in my life. I have been fortunate to share it with a few folks who appreciated it. Just search “zen surfing benjamin bloom” and it will show up. (Actually, it doesn’t any more, so here is a link http://www.benjaminbloom.net/zenandtheartofsurfingandworking.htm)

photo credit: joiseyshowaa

photo credit: Bryce Bradford

photo credit: ?serendipity

photo credit: eschipul

photo credit: nosha

photo credit: kimdokhac

behavioral systems

adam — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 16:03:25 +0000

Further below is a really interesting and insightful thought about “neuro-linguistic programming” from this site about psychology and business.

While this applies in many contexts, I think the most profound is the overall human relationship context and how people interact in general. A great manager I met from Microsoft once put it this way, “people don’t remember what you said, but they remember how they felt.” NLP reinforces how important this is in human dynamics.

From the link: “Control in human systems refers to the ability to influence the quality of a person’s own and other people’s experience in the moment and through time.

The person with the greatest flexibility of behaviour – that is, the number of ways of interacting – will control the system. Choice is always preferable to no choice, and more choice is always preferable to less choice. This also relates to the third general principle of NLP, mentioned previously. This principle is that a person needs to vary their behaviour until they get their desired outcome. If what you are doing is not working, vary the behaviour and do something else. Anything else is better than continuing with what doesn’t work. Keep varying your behaviour until you find something that works.”

nice, simple, marketing…and fun too

adam — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:06:49 +0000

haiku and ascii…hahaha! aha!

nice info on culture, entreprenurial environments, and product development

adam — Thu, 21 May 2009 23:07:04 +0000