DAILY SLICES OF LIFE - Quality in People’s Lives

“Quality begins on the inside, and then works its way out.”

This very interesting observation was recorded by Bob Moawad, a very successful American author who’s several inspirational books have received international acclaim. In this simple statement, he affirmed that for any meaningful quality of a person’s thought or behavior to be worthy of its name, it must of necessity begin deep within the individual’s psyche, long before it is expressed on the outside. He insisted that any other effort, however impressive the outcome may appear, will not deserve to be considered as genuinely self-generated quality, but merely a reflection of someone else’s work.

Quality itself is difficult to define or to quantify, but it is easily recognizable by most people, as a measure of excellence that will consistently meet or exceed expectation, and one that is not the result of chance but is readily reproducible by the individual. It refers to those inherently distinguishing characteristics which everyone readily recognizes, even if they can neither understand or reproduce in themselves. If a group of people were asked to define the term, each will probably give a completely different answer, and yet they will all agree to its presence. Conceptually they will recognize the inherently distinguishing property or characteristic of the action taken, even if they may or may not agree with it. This indeed is the intention of the very popular and quite appropriate observation so commonly used:

“I don’t know how to describe it,

            but I know it when I see it”

In much the same way, the true Quality of Human behavior as it relates to the individual’s responses is intangible, and cannot be defined in any precise terms, nor can it ever be subjected to any strict psycho-dynamic analysis. By its very nature, this type of quality is largely manifested as external subjective and emotional responses, and therefore not based on intention or reason. It is based  on essentially reactive factors which at best, are quite elusive and not easily quantified. Their structure is often multi-faceted, and based on such imprecise, subjective factors as the individual values, context, experience, personal interpretations, and expectations of the observer. It is for this reason that the ‘quality’ of a person’s behavior cannot be readily reproduced, but only recognized by the resulting effect it induces. The great ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle sought to convey this fact when he observed:

“The quality of your life is determined by its activities.”

 Marcus Aurelius, one of ancient Rome’s greatest emperors and a respected stoic philosopher, several thousands of years ago explored this principle further, looking more closely at the determining factors, and described this in clear and succinct terms when he said:

“To understand the true quality of people, you must look into

 their minds and examine their pursuits and their aversions.”

He reasoned that the true quality of a person’s life, and that of the people with whom he is associated can only be determined by the quality of the thoughts generated by the individual, and those of his associates. He argued that these two factors taken together, will play a major role in determining the ultimate quality of the life the person will live.  Aurelius concluded further, that the degree of true happiness anyone can achieve in his lifetime will depend far more on the quality of his thoughts than on anything else in his life. These observations have remained unchallenged and unchanged over the succeeding centuries, and they continue to be as relevant today as they have been in the past. So too, his advice about choosing the right behavior to live by, which even today, remains equally appropriate and relevant:

“The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts; therefore, guard accordingly, and take care you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.”

         Good quality behavior cannot ever be copied; it must be earned. It will only survive on a foundation of truth, good intention, integrity and honest performance. It demands a high standard of behavior that is predictably consistent, uniform and dependable. Although quality may not necessarily always have to be synonymous with excellence, it must of necessity be genuine.  It can only begin deep within the individual’s ego, will not be generated by other external influences or needs, and must strictly reflect the individual’s true nature and beliefs. Without these elements, there can be no certainty that the quality of behavior generated is a reflection of both the individual’s performance and his intention; and that they both are operating together to ensure success. This is probably what an Unknown Author meant to convey when he wisely observed:

“Your beliefs don’t make you a better person; your behavior does.”

         Consistent quality of behavior is very strongly dependent on integrity, since good behavior will only survive in a milieu of truth, honesty and self-value, and none of these will ever survive in the absence of integrity. Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Empire, and considered to be one of America’s greatest entrepreneurs, brilliantly placed the fundamental relationship of quality and integrity in the right context when he said:

“Quality means doing it right even when no one is looking.”

He insisted that any person who exhibits quality must not only possess integrity, but must demonstrate sound moral and ethical principles, and must be committed to actions consistent with accountability, responsibility and truthfulness. He concluded that such quality can only be justified if it succeeds in defining the individual, his beliefs and his principles; any other manifestation is probably manufactured and deceitful!

         In psychological terms, quality in any person’s behavior is founded on a commitment to exercise the right choice of action, and to do so, over and over again. Quite unlike the instinctual responses which are concerned with survival and self-preservation and not with interpersonal relationships, quality is neither inherited nor necessarily passed on from generation to generation. Quality behavior however, is more likely a product of environmental influences, and like so many other behavioral characteristics, is more likely a reflection of learning and experience. A child who is exposed to good, strong, consistent behavioral characteristics is far more likely to continue the pattern than one whose life was surrounded by wanton negativism and cheating.

         Quality clearly is as varied as behavior itself, but irrespective of the underlying factors, there are a number of personality factors that appear to consistently accompany its application. Among these are:

Humility and Compassion: quality can only begin when there is          genuine humility and compassion present. Without these factors       operating, the basic animal instinct of self-preservation will dominate.

Generosity and Understanding: without true understanding and inner          generosity, there can be no empathy and therefore no urge to          help or care.

Honesty and Commitment without a foundation of honesty and a                   commitment to do no harm, quality will neither survive or be   

         appreciated.

Trust and Forgiveness: without trust and confidence in oneself and a       willingness to forgive oneself, quality will remain buried and its 

      value will not be seen by others.

Respect and Gratitude: without the undercurrent of personal respect          and gratitude flowing in everything, there will be no appreciation        or personal reward, and no reason to continue.

         All of the above and a good deal more of these basic human traits will continue to lay dormant in the individual psyches waiting to be engaged correctly to produce quality, if we allow them to do so. This is perhaps what the very successful and highly respected Hindu Vedic Guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founder and spiritual leader of the Transcendental Meditation movement may well have pointing to as the answer for anyone seeking a full and quality life when he noted:

“There is nothing difficult, there is nothing complicated.

One only has to have a desire to have a better quality of life.”

-The answer therefore, for anyone who prefers to choose quality in his life, would be better served by looking inward, rather than spending all his time staring at others, for his inspiration.

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DAILY SLICES OF LIFE - Finding Your Passion

                        
                            “Finding your passion changes everything.”
 

         This statement was made by the highly respected British author, educationalist and international speaker, Sir Kenneth Robinson. He was referring to the fact that we all have within us a personal passion, ‘an element’, which when expressed, will cause us to feel the best we can, be most inspired, and to function at our highest level. He stressed that nothing can ever be achieved without an element of passionate desire driving one’s intention. He insisted that while such strong values as ambition, discipline, persistence, ability and vision will all play significant roles in the success of a venture, it is following of one’s passion, that will most often make the difference.

         Steve Jobs, founder of the Apple and Pixar companies and one of the world’s greatest and most successful entrepreneurs, was no less adamant in confirming the power of passion in achieving success. In his famous 2005 address to the graduating class of Stamford University, he stated:

“People with passion can change the world for the better.”

He continued by reminding his audience, as Richardson had also previously done, that true success can only be achieved in the presence of a strong and genuine desire. He concluded his address by exhorting the graduates:

          “To keep looking, don’t settle, as with all matters of the heart,                            you will know when you find it.”

         These men, and the countless numbers of other successful people who have achieved their dreams, will unhesitatingly attest to the fact that their success was directly related to the strength of the passion they brought to bear on their project. They will readily admit that it was this conviction that served to protect them from those who tried to dissuade them, and also gave them the confidence to overcome the obstacles they encountered.  They will also confirm the fact that the strength of their passion to succeed played a major role in their building acceptance and recognition from others. For them, it was the constant force of passion that induced change, that encouraged them to break the rules, to replace them with better ones, and to challenge the status quo and encourage new ideas. And equally, it was the passion boiling within them that drove them to reject ‘good enough’ and insisted on getting the ‘best you can.’ 

         Warren Buffett, the amazingly successful CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Companies and one of the world’s richest men was forthright on the power of passion when he declared:

 "With passion you have energy.

Without passion, you have nothing"

 

In saying this, he was not only attesting that successful entrepreneurs must not only be abundantly passionate about their task, but must also have the energy to complete the mission they set themselves. In fact, this energy went far beyond just completing the task at hand, and often served to push the passion well beyond the original boundaries. Indeed, a review of the achievements of the majority of successful people quickly reveals that their direction invariably went beyond a single product or service, into such noble endeavors as disrupting the status quo, or changing the world. Harriet Tubman, an amazingly gifted African-American leader, who was born into slavery but whose life as an abolitionist, political activist and liberator of slaves, demanded the highest quality of leadership and entrepreneurship, beautifully placed the meaning of passion in the right context when she observed: 

“You have within you the strength, the patience 

and passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”

         The term ‘passion’ is derived from the Greek word, ‘pathos’, and connotes not only ‘feelings’ and ‘emotions’, but also ‘suffering’. The true power of passion to be effective, must incorporate all these components working together. It must involve the combination of a dream or an idea, the willingness to expend the effort needed, and the courage to stay to the end. When these components come together in an individual, a powerful and irresistible force is established which infuses meaning and purpose into life, becomes a powerful motivator for change, and a driving force to sustain it against fear and uncertainty. A person who is successful in harnessing his passion will overcome his insecurities and his doubts, he will rise above his obstacles and will hold on to his beliefs, even as others will disagree. 

         Without question, the presence of true passion is a strong and reliable engine to drive hopes and dreams to fruition, and overcome the many obstacles along the way. When passion is combined with ability and performance, the results can be dramatic and exhilarating, and can lead to life changing consequences. And whenever events such as these are completed, they can, and do indeed, change the world. This indeed was the experience of Nelson Mandela, the great South African freedom fighter and its first president of the new republic when he declared:

"We can change the world and make it a better place.

It is in your hands to make a difference."

                 

         But passion is neither an entitlement nor is it an endowment, but rather it can only be acquired by commitment and dedication. Like so many of our unresolved dreams, it quite often remains buried deep within our psyche as so much hoped-for fantasies, and it will only awaken in a select few when the circumstances are right. It begins only when those people are able to truly understand themselves and their needs, are fully aware of their abilities and their strengths, and who have the confidence of their beliefs and their self-worth to persevere. These are the special people who are capable of finding and harnessing their passion to move forward and fulfill their dreams. Steve Jobs was quite adamant that his passion was nurtured by his vision and his love for the work he was doing, and from nothing he had learnt or inherited. He was driven by a passion that grew out of the inspiration to make the world better, and together these provided an insatiable drive to succeed.

         Simon Sinek, a British born, American author and successful motivational speaker very effectively defined the effort needed to satisfy a passion when he observed:

"Working hard for something we don't care about is calked Stress.

Working hard fr something we love is called Passion."

 

This indeed is the true index that determines the power of a passion. It has nothing to with the difficulty of the project, or the amount of stress it may precipitate, but everything to do with the sense of fulfillment and happiness it provides. Passion is the fuel that ensures the fire of action, and the answer for living the dream. It is an uncontrollable desire or thirst that can only be satisfied by its completion. 

         Passion as an emotion is certainly not restricted to just a few special people, but belongs to all those who are willing to listen to themselves and have the courage to believe in themselves. Passion is the difference between just having to live and actually choosing to live. It provides the stimulus and the energy needed to overcome the pain and the obstacles that lie in the way, and the confidence to stay the course. An ancient Hindu proverb explains this most effectively:

"When your life's purpose comes calling, nothing else will matter!

It will embrace you and you will be drawn into it."

        

This to me, perfectly exemplifies the true meaning of passion. It is nature’s way of giving reason for ‘living’ and not just ‘surviving.’ It is the energy that separates the human being from the rest of the animal kingdom.

 -For without the gift of passion, life is reduced to merely survival, and individual identity is lost to the herd instinct. Passion is indeed the true meaning for life!

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