The complexity of the puppy issue is amazing, and I imagine it will increase with each day, as various people and groups clamor about their point of view; and of course, their POV is the right one, making it a greater challenge for the puppy-seekers!
I heard someone on TV say last night that bringing Americans together again after 30 years of divisive politics would be ideal. The person was referring to the election of Barack Obama — the comment had nothing directly to do with the puppy search.
As I see it, because people are in conversation about the puppy question that itself is a context of coming together, whether there’s agreement or not about the content, i.e., which is the “right” puppy.
And how about this – some people seem to be having fun with it. Wow, there’s a refreshing concept!
I think it’s awesome, and here’s to more coming together for All, not just Americans!
Here are just a few of the stories –
“We Want a Shelter Dog… a Mutt like Me” – quote from Barack Obama’s first press conference
The World Series, Major League Baseball’s own Octoberfest, started Wednesday, and the Cinderella Team, aka, the Tampa Bay Rays, lost to the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Phillies are a powerful team, loaded with talented athletes so it was no surprise. Just a little disappointing if you’re a Fairy Tale-ending kinda person.
Fortunately, any disappointment was short-lived, as Game 2 rolled around the very next evening, and the Rays beat the Phillies in stunning fashion – by making outs instead of by getting hits or hitting home runs.
Completely unorthodox, and how refreshing is that?!
By the way, the manager of the Rays, 54-year old Joe Maddon, sports a mohawk under his baseball cap, my only point being that unorthodox tactics in playing the game itself would not be all that surprising. Are you with me?
I never claimed to be an impartial sports reporter. I’m rooting for the Rays all the way.
But I will say this. Growing up on the East Coast in the 1950′s, I used to watch baseball games on TV with my Dad. His team was the New York Giants (moved to San Francisco in 1958), and the Giants were (and still are) in the National League.
The Tampa Bay Rays are in the American League, clearly demonstrating that I’ll root for the Cinderella Team all day long, no matter National or American League.
This is a great story unfolding. Lots of fun – for all ages!
Read the whole story at espn.com – this is an excellent article for baseball fans and non-fans alike!
How do you feel about a Cinderella Team? How do you feel about being unorthodox in your game play? Leave us a comment!
The last POST proposed the possibility that using the word “TRY” doesn’t always indicate a lack of commitment.
One example cited was a statement from Chris Paul, a member of the 2008 USA Olympic Basketball Team known as “The Redeem Team.” During his interview Chris Paul said, “We’re here to try and win the Gold.”
Here we are, 11 days later, and we have the results of the Gold Medal Basketball Game in Beijing between USA’s “Redeem Team” and Spain.
“The Redeem Team” has reclaimed its former moniker – they are once again “The Dream Team.”
Spain was no pushover — they were tough opponents who had only lost 1 game in this Olympics – they had lost to the USA in an earlier round. The USA, there to “to try and win the Gold,” went undefeated through all the rounds.
Watch the video and enjoy the ecstatic faces of the USA Basketball Team – now “The Dream Team” – as they accept their Gold Medals and stand on the podium with great joy and pride, as they listen to their country’s National Anthem:
The idea for this piece began when I saw the movie Kung Fu Panda recently.
A number of my Clearing clients recommended I see this movie because I would love it. They were right! The movie contains a great deal of wisdom about Life, presented in a humorous way.
Here’s a glimpse – the movie trailer:
I loved the entire movie but there is just one part I’d like to focus on now.
In the movie Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman lends his voice to the character “Shifu,” a master of the Chinese martial art Kung Fu.
There is another character named Oogway, an old master who asks Shifu to do something very important, to which Shifu replies, “I will try.”
TRY?! At that point I was expecting Oogway to pounce on Shifu for using the word “try.”
After all, I remember the very famous line in the 1980 Star Wars movie The Empire Strikes Back in which Yoda says to Luke Skywalker, “No! Try not. Do. Or not do. There is no try.”
Here’s Yoda…
TRY TO PICK UP THE BOOK!
I participated in the est training in 1976, and in that seminar they did a great job of demonstrating the concept “try.”
First the est Trainer put a huge dictionary, weighing about 10 pounds, on a table in front of the seminar room. Next, a participant was asked to come up to the front of the room.
It went like this:
est Trainer: TRY to pick up the book.
Participant: OK, he says, and reaches out with both hands and picks up the book.
est Trainer: No! TRY to pick up the book!
Participant: OK, he says, and reaches out with both hands and picks up the book.
est Trainer: No! TRY to pick up the book!!
As you’ve already realized, the only way the participant could successfully follow the order to “Try to pick up the book” was to reach for it, place both hands on it and show an effort to pick it up but not actually pick it up. Trying to pick up the book meant the book stayed on the table!
So the line from Yoda goes right along with this. You either do it or you don’t.
Yoda’s line “There is no try” became wildly popular, and 28 years later the concept is still thriving. And that is why I was utterly amazed that in the Kung Fu Panda movie, when Shifu said to Oogway “I’ll try,” the wise old Master Oogway said nothing about trying or not trying.
He didn’t say, “You’ll try??! There is no try!” Oogway simply accepted Shifu’s commitment, his intention to do his best to fulfill the request. To tell you the truth, it was quite a relief!
IS THE CONVICTION THERE?
There IS a valid point to be made about use of the word “try.” Sometimes people speak in code, couching their words, and being vague or ambiguous.
People who talk in code say “I’ll try,” and what they really mean is: “I’m not really committed. There’s doubt. Maybe I’ll do it, maybe not. I’m telling you yes but I probably mean no.” In cases like that, questioning the person about the conviction behind their intention seems appropriate.
However, other people, the straight talkers, say “I’ll try,” and what they really mean is: “I intend to do it and you can count on me to do my best. I will give it my best shot. I have every faith that it will get done.” If you can feel that conviction underneath, that’s what counts.
This is not about whether it’s right or wrong to use the word try. The point is that there is no right or wrong to it at all. Ideally, you have CHOICE. The question is, does your intention back up your words?
THE STORY OF “THE REDEEM TEAM”
Case in Point:
Last night during the Olympics coverage there was an interview with Chris Paul, one of the USA basketball players.
That basketball team is known as “The Redeem Team.” Why?
Because the USA Basketball Team known as “The Dream Team” failed miserably at the 2002 Olympics and fared far below expectations at the 2004 Olympics, despite the fact that the team is always composed of the current top NBA players. The USA Olympic Basketball Team’s reputation was in shambles; hence, the 2008 USA Olympic basketball team acquired the nickname, “The Redeem Team.”
Back to the interview with Chris Paul, who said, “We’re here to try and win the Gold.” He said “try.”
But clearly he and the entire team mean business, and they intend to win! So far The Redeem Team has won 4 games, lost 0, beating their opponents by an average of 28 points.
Check out this interview with other members of The Redeem Team…
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Does using the word “try” automatically mean you’re not committed?
Kim’s PBS Special ‘Finding The Rich Woman In You’ to Air Nationally
Finding the Rich Woman in You
I’m happy to share with you that Kim Kiyosaki’s two-hour prime-time PBS special “Finding the Rich Woman in You,” has been picked up nationally. See below for cities.
Produced in cooperation with KAET 8 in Phoenix, Kim’s show will air nationally as part of the PBS national March pledge drive.
Boston, MA • Atlanta, GA • Pittsburgh, PA • Seattle, WA • Indianapolis, IN • Denver, CO • Hartford, CT • San Antonio, TX • Sacramento, CA • Memphis, TN • Syracuse, NY • Nashville, TN • NC • AR • OK • Tucson, AZ • Joplin, MO • Chattanooga, TN • Fresno, CA • Medford, OR • Bethlehem, PA • Toledo, OH • Riverton, WY • Rohnert Park, CA • Mackinaw, MI • Martin, TN • Boyton Beach, FL • Vemillion, SD • College Station, TX • Merville, IN • Bowling Green, OH • Baltimore, MD • Tallahassee, FL • Lincoln, NE • Huntington Beach, CA • Honolulu, HI • Springfield, MO • Redding, CA • El Paso, TX • Anchorage, AK • Miami, FL • Harligen, TX • Cleveland, OH • Watertown, NY • Orlando, FL •
