Motivation

172. THE STRONGEST LIFE PATH

I first started bringing home a real paycheck in the summer of 1980. I was only fifteen, but the school district of Douglas County still hired me to join the crew of guys who travelled to the various campuses maintaining the grounds while everyone was on summer vacation. It wasn’t my idea of glamourous, (in fact to this day I detest yard work) but it was a paycheck, albeit a minuscule one. If I recall correctly, I brought home about 80.00 a week. My mother and I were on welfare so I almost always handed my entire fortune over to the household. I did keep a little here and there, but not much.

The men I worked with on the crew were a mixed lot of experience, attitudes, and personalities. They tossed me around with little to no training and for the most part my duties consisted of either running a mower, hoeing weeds, (I wasn’t allowed to run a weed-eater) and pushing around a fertilizer rig. The people I worked with thought that since I was a temporary worker, it wasn’t worth teaching me any advanced skills. This was my first taste of a broken and often conceit or fear driven work atmosphere. I had no idea at the time, but many more examples of this dynamic would crop up as I moved forward in life.

To project somewhat, I’ve found that a great many workplaces are participating in the same game. The game I’m referring to is this – “Teach only enough to the people who you supervise so they won’t eventually be a threat to your position.” This is complete garbage, and it showcases a flaw in our current education system.

Schools (at least K – 12) pump out hoards of learners. Some are highly adept at absorbing the curriculum, and others, like myself, were only motivated by whether or not they liked the teacher or actually enjoyed the subject. In any case, and in my opinion, there remains a critical gap in how they prepare people for life in general.

The way of the world is this –

Teachers lead and learners follow.

Those who learn HOW to teach are future leaders. The rest are usually destined to be, essentially, drones.

All of us have witnessed this activity at some point in our careers. Those who are weak leaders will abstain from teaching too much because they fear those they train may eventually rise to positions that threaten their current title. They simply don’t get this truth – our duty is to ALWAYS find someone to replace us so we can then move up the food chain ourselves. And even so, if you’re ambition is to remain in the position you’re currently assigned to but enjoy sharing and educating nonetheless, I guarantee you, those above you will recognize that you are skilled and enthusiastic about teaching.

Obviously it’s been a few decades since I was in public school, and honestly I hope I’m wrong about this, but there needs to be a separate and focused topic that teaches students how to teach, and not only that, motivate them to do so. If I were to be idealistic about this, my thought would be to have students spend time tutoring select pupils in the lower grades on subjects they themselves are adapt at. For example, if John got high marks in math, then he would be required to spend time with someone from a grade below him as to how he had reasoned his way through the subject, and why he achieved success. John then receives a grade for his achievement. This same student, John, who has been assigned to write a report on the causes and outcomes of the Revolutionary War, then turns around and seeks out someone who has had a highly marked similar project from a grade above him and then becomes a student to their expertise. Again, this action garners yet another grade. Schools need to teach students how to teach, and as a result sharing skill sets with others will become comfortable and useful later in life.

Those who read my blog know I’m in recovery, and the program I’m partial to for maintaining my sobriety is indeed based on this principle. I let those who seek a better life come to me for guidance, and I always accommodate within my means, while on the other hand I continuously look for people who may have something to offer me so I can improve my own life and eventually pass on newly acquired information and experiences to new ‘students’.

The real, and highly unrealized strength of the human chain lies in wanting to own the willingness and ability to learn on one hand, while teaching on the other. Some do, many don’t, and even more have never even recognized the pattern.

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With Love and Compassion,

Daniel Andrew Lockwood

170. STAYING ON POINT

It’s so tempting these days to want to join a mass mentality. Adding our voice and energy to a cause or belief seems, on the surface, to be a fulfilling and worthwhile undertaking. We enthusiastically blend ourselves into the mix, finding comfort and reassurance in the people who echo our sentiments. There’s no doubt such worthy and necessary movements currently exist. The social tides that are designed to help mankind and expand our sense of brotherhood and harmony are healthy and, in the end, necessary. History has proven this pattern functions when the visions of peace and solidarity eventually replace the forces of chaos and disorder. The axiom of “together we stand, divided we fall” has a proven history. Unfortunately, and all too often, we are drawn down the reverse path convinced we are uniting mankind when in fact we are separating ourselves from those we feel we are superior to. This is nothing more than an attempt to justify inappropriate behavior, feed our egos and raise a sense of self-importance. It is a corrupt, corrosive, and narrow-minded pursuit.

Mass mentality has its place, but true change always begins with individuals. It’s been said all visionaries were once judged by their peers as idealists. This obviously goes against the concept of established conformity. It also embraces the position of being ridiculed and often threatened. That’s why those who have walked the path of high ethical character and utopian foresight are so rare. Few are willing to risk both themselves and the lives of those they are close to. The ones who have demonstrated the courage to do so deserve the highest respect and admiration. This is not to say we should avoid picking sides to avoid ridicule and punishment, far from it, but there is a course that will steer us towards our principles and hopes without almost certain self-destruction in the process. That mindset?

Stay on point and take action whenever you can.

It’s dangerous to be lulled into a lifestyle of reaction rather than action. Why? Because reaction (the proven easy option) embraces blame while action is fueled by responsibility (the expectedly difficult option). Blame generates a problem focused mentality and responsibility produces a solution oriented mindset. Obviously being accountable is a much more rewarding and productive choice, certainly better than embracing a lifestyle of constant disappointment and futility. It’s important to point out that being responsible does not endorse the philosophy “the end justifies the means”, which all too often ignores and even rationalizes collateral damage. Instead it looks for the best path to the most results while avoiding hurting or harming others. Navigating this course takes tactful persistence, patience, and focus. This means a plan is needed.

Starting or joining in arguments with people who are already waving flags, entrenched, and pointing fingers does nothing to magnify what we believe in, and in fact it helps to resolidify the position of our rivals while raising tempers and loathing on both sides of the issue. This is NOT a good plan, and it can lead to triggering situations which can be dangerous not only for ourselves, but those we care about. Instead of looking for enemies to vanquish we should be seeking to persuade and welcome like-minded individuals, or at the very least, those who are riding the fence. The proven method of widespread beneficial change is strength in connection AND an obvious expansion of unity in the name of peace and cooperation. Trying to flip the mindset of someone who is opposed to our values is a waste of time and energy. People love groups and the more popular (or perhaps charismatic) and powerful the crowd, the more they don’t want to be left behind. This is the method we should be focused on. We have to be and project what others want for themselves.

Exercising the idea of critical mass is all that’s needed to begin real and permanent change. Victor Hugo is quoted (through various interpretations) to have said, “All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come.” Think of this philosophy (this plan of persuasion) as creating a crack in the dam. Water will trickle, and as water does, it will seek the path of least resistance. Eventually and inevitably the crack grows wider and more pronounced to a point of sudden collapse. In this case a majority has not been required for change and most certainly we have not sought to recruit individuals to follow our path from somewhere in the middle of the ‘mass’. The lesson here? Create a crack in the ‘dam’ and demonstrate freedom of constraint by escaping the throng. This is the very definition of staying on point. Those closest to you will have no choice but to follow, and by an exponential increase one will inspire two, two will inspire four, four will inspire eight, and so on. While such a strategy seems slow to start, it always finishes incredibly fast.

Focus on the crack of freedom and move toward it with precision and discipline. Don’t allow distractions from people at the back of the line and don’t listen to the droning of the tribe. Besides, if you accomplish your goals, they won’t have a choice but to eventually follow you anyway.

 

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With Love and compassion,

Daniel Andrew Lockwood

160. TWO POWERFUL QUESTIONS

One of my favorite self-empowering tools is the knowledge that life can be greatly manipulated by how I chose to shift and reword my questions. I’m not speaking of what I ask others (though there’s an obvious importance on that front) it’s the internalized ones which have had the most influence throughout my lifetime. There’s a dangerous generalized belief that there is no such thing as a bad question. Those who feel this is some sort of rock solid truth are highly misinformed. Social media is crammed with videos documenting the consequences of people having asked bad questions. The ensuing all too often catastrophic outcomes of thousands of people acting upon bad decisions is abundant proof. Unfortunately my own history has reflected some dumb, unhealthy, and downright self-destructive questions too, not the least of which was “Why not just get drunk every day?” While this may sound made up, I assure you I really did ask myself that one. Not only that, I have a vivid memory of where and when it happened. Self-talk is insanely powerful, and I’ve found by experience that what I consider doing, either with focus, or more likely from a subconscious footing, I will more than likely act upon eventually.

I’ve already covered this topic a few times, but there’s two specific questions I’ve yet to address, and I feel they are heavyweight contenders for how to stay focused and grounded in life. If we keep ourselves on track for clear and worthy goals, then our actions and behaviors will automatically align with manifesting our intent. Here is the first question –

“If you knew you had only one hour to live, felt good, and weren’t scared, what would you do?”

I know that no one out there would say “I need to get to the bank, mow the lawn, or finish my laundry.” Neither would they get out their luggage and fill it with as many valuables as they could so they could be prepared for what happens next, just in case. When I’ve asked this question of others, and yes, I’ve asked it a lot, I’ve heard two, and only two serious answers. The first answer is rare and commendable. On occasion someone will say they would spend the time alone in silence, prayer, and gratitude. This is indeed an honorable and noteworthy exit, but it’s not my choice. Mine aligns with the majority, and it sounds something like this – “I would make a few phone calls to thank and say goodbye to those who have meant the most to me in my life, and the rest of the time I would spend reminiscing with and holding the person I Love the most.”

The importance of this question, and the resulting answer, is that it forces us to realize what in life has true importance. To die with wonderful memories and Loving relationships is really the only goal which has value. To reach the end and know we have been of humble service, leaving behind a world that is better than we found it, is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. There are of course a great many who live selfish, self-centered lives, but when they face the end the only conclusion they can come to is that it was all for naught. A lifetime of nothing but egocentric accumulation will never translate into currency that pays for going out peacefully and magnanimously.

The second question follows up neatly with the first, and it’s a bit more specific when it comes to refining a lifelong mission. It can be stated two ways and they are –

“What would you like your friends an acquaintances to say about you after you die?”

Or another way to put it would be –

“In one sentence, what would you want written on your tombstone?”

I have to say if I could look into the future and witness my colleagues talking about me after I had died, and the best thing they had to say was “Man, he sure had a nice car!” (or something akin to that shallow of an observation) I’d be mortified. In other words, if my legacy was nothing but material in nature, I would know I had failed to live up to my ethics and principles.

I do indeed have a vision of what I would want on my tombstone, and it really sums up the underlying energy that pushes and guides me.

“Here lies a man whose enthusiasm refused to die.”

In the end we are only as good as the changes we’ve left behind.

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With Love and compassion,

Daniel Andrew Lockwood

156. FOR ART’S SAKE

I am, and always will be, a fan of art, both as an observer and in practice. I’m an artist myself, one who chooses to express my proclivity through many mediums. These days writing is my main outlet, but I do have a painting and drawing studio in my home, one filled with all kinds of resourceful tools; too many, in fact. My collection is so extensive I had to buy a large upright rolling toolbox in place of a traditional taboret. I own a few easels as well as an ancient drafting table along with its traditional accoutrements. In paintbrushes alone I hoard over two hundred, and I have stacks of various art pads and canvases. I must admit, however, that my amateur skills in this area have waned as I have grown older, and admittedly, lazier. Most of the time they collect dust, but at least they are there when the mood strikes.

Often, when I mention a personal inclination and enthusiasm towards an artistic frame of mind, many of my colleagues will, without hesitation, deny that they have the same tendencies. While I’m hesitant to call anyone a liar, they are, in fact, totally incorrect. The stereotypical and shallow-minded definition of art is not limited to the contents of museums, libraries, and concert halls, it literally saturates our surroundings, and this includes all things both man-made and natural.

The inability or unwillingness to recognize this in everything is a subconscious attitude of apathy towards the world. This choice robs us of a connection from spirit (or imagination) to manifestation, and without this frame of mind, all the work we do becomes nothing more than programming and drudgery. It’s important to point out that almost all of us were, as children, deeply involved in all kinds of artistic activities. Crayons and glue, clay, colored paper and paper airplanes, coloring books and paint were associated with leisure and fun. So was singing, pretending, and looking for dragons in the clouds. This is because we were still connecting to the world from the inside out rather than the outside in. We wanted to reach out to everything at one point and make it blossom, but for many the reverse eventually happens and sadly, we decide our efforts are a waste of time. Instead of creating the rain that makes things grow, we choose to believe it’s better or easier to wait for the right conditions to come to us. We want reward without action, not realizing the reward IS the action. Everyone has an inner garden, and while some have ignored or neglected theirs, they can always be revived to a point of flourishing if properly attended to. The seeds of creativeness may lie dormant, but they are never nonexistent.

Passionate expression isn’t just a personal pursuit, it is an enviable one, meaning the person who’s best at envisioning and subsequently producing something, can often be an inspiration to others. This action radiates magnetism and demands an audience. Not only that, the process is transferable. It can be consciously shifted into other, unexplored, or unconsidered areas. For example, if a person is an expert at restoring cars, there’s no reason this obsessive energy can’t be refocused into becoming a skillful cook. 

They say practice makes perfect. This clichéd saying is its own dichotomy. If practice makes perfect, then the time will come when practice is no longer necessary, and since perfection is both unattainable and highly subjective, then practice is a waste of time to begin with. Personally, I don’t like the word practice. It’s been my experience that the Pavlovian response to the (covert) definition can stir up connections to previously perceived failures, and in turn it can lead to disenchantment and negative outcomes. I feel the word persistence is much more productive and positive. The vernacular may be subtle, but the consequences are obvious. The road of persistence is about the journey, and the only goal is to make the journey itself more and more pleasant.

And so we come to the idea of art in practical applications, not just as an occasional emotional outlet, but as an extension of everything we do. If we allow our inner spirit to influence outer actions, we reinforce purpose. If we apply an artistic frame of mind to most duties they’ll cease to be strictly motivated by gain and eventually become driven by how we deliver them. The side benifit is people will ALWAYS be willing to pay more for that which is done with an attention to detail and a disposistion for beauty. Gain (or profit) then becomes automatic. If we find a way to anchor enjoyment to our responsibilities, then does it not become a habit we want to repeat and enhance? With practice all movement becomes dance, all words become poetry, all we touch becomes sculpture, all we hear becomes music, and all we see becomes one vast painting.


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With Love and Compassion, Daniel Andrew Lockwood