Saturday, February 26, 2011

Howard’s Inner Circle, No. 29: “Simple” Rules to Live By?

There are three basic rules that I try to live by. They don’t provide a moral compass or perpetuate any religious belief. But rather allow me to be very comfortable with my decisions and actions.

Rule No. 1: Stay in the Present—The past is to be learned from, not relived. The future can be planned for, but not fanaticized about. Being right here in the present helps me maintain the proper perspective and focus. This concentration prevents my mind from wandering and allows me to perform at my optimum level.

Rule No. 2: Watch for Emotions—Reacting emotionally doesn’t mean that you are right or wrong. But it does reflect a fight-or-flight mentality allowing others to comment on and criticize the emotional outburst, instead of addressing the issue at hand. Putting the emotional component in context and under control brings clarity.

Rule No. 3: Go With Your Gut—We listen to our heart, to our mind, and sometimes to both. Neither one nor the two together are as reliable as the gut. Your heart can prevent you from seeing what you need to see. While you mind might make an out-of-context intellectual decision. Listening to your gut ensures that all conscious and unconscious considerations are factored in.

© 2011
*****************************************************************************
The above may be reproduced in full if that fact is stated and Howard Wolosky at http://howardwolosky.blogspot.com is credited as the author.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Howard’s Inner Circle, No. 28: A Token of These Times

To enter the New York City subway system you must use an electronic MTA MetroCard. It is generally purchased and refilled outside the subway stop entrance. That differs from when I was a wee lad. Then a small token was purchased from a station agent for 15 cents. If you had a problem when you inserted the token at the turnstile, the station agent would help you gain admission.

Unfortunately now at many station entrances there are no longer any attendants. And that’s a problem when the MetroCard machine at the station reads “No Cash Accepted.” The first time this happened to me I called the customer service telephone number on the back of my MetroCard that needed replenishing. To my surprise a recording stated the number was no longer in use and gave me a new number. I called and after following eight or nine prompts I gave up on informing the MTA about that MetroCard machine that wasn’t taking cash.

As I began walking to find a subway entrance machine that would take my cash, I pondered whether my experience was today’s token of the times.

© 2011
*****************************************************************************
The above may be reproduced in full if that fact is stated and Howard Wolosky at http://howardwolosky.blogspot.com is credited as the author.