Monthly Archive for July, 2008

Oxygen

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Of all the sustenance we need to survive, oxygen is the most critical. We can go without food for a few weeks, without water for a few days, and without oxygen for a few minutes.

At the OneCoach conference a few weeks ago, John Assaraf invited us to discover what our oxygen-level needs are. Think about it. If there was something you needed as much as oxygen, all other concerns would fall away. When it comes to life and death, choices become simple: Find oxygen or die. If there’s one element you must have to assure your survival, you will bend all your efforts to obtaining it.

It’s a strong metaphor. Identify one need that is as critical as oxygen, and it becomes very clear what to do next. For that need, sacrifice all else, and delay all other concerns.

Needing oxygen creates urgency and motivation. Thinking of another need as like oxygen transfers oxygen’s urgency to that need. By defining some of your priorities - for your life or business - as oxygen-level, you can harness that motivation and keep your attention on those priorities. What would you do differently if you had oxygen-level needs?

And would you like the results of acting on those needs?

Because there is another side to this. Right now, you have all the oxygen you need. In fact, barring uncommon accidents, you will have all the oxygen you need your entire life. Even if you plan to go diving or travel into space, you will arrange to have the oxygen you need with you. There is no real need to worry about oxygen.

Does noticing the abundant supply of oxygen feel better?

For most people, thinking about needing oxygen creates a forward drive, and some tension and anxiety. Thinking about having all the oxygen you need creates relaxation. And we can choose which way to think.

I help my clients make such choices. If you’d like to have that flexibility, please call me at (575) 640-0979.

Small Steps - July 15th, 2008

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“That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” Neil Armstrong, as he placed the first footprint on the Moon.

This issue’s Small Step for Space: Learn about space research.

The Space Studies Board offers papers and audio files about space research here: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/ssb/IGY_SSB_webcasts_and_presentations.html

I was interested to see how much of this is directly useful on Earth.

It seems like an inventory of the research we need to improve our space missions would be a good web resource. So far, I haven’t found one. If you know of one, or would like to build one, please let me know, and I will share it here.

Book Review - July 15th, 2008

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Little Brother by Cory Doctorow

I’ve been looking forward to this book since I sat on a panel with Cory Doctorow early last year. It does not disappoint. Little Brother is a taut and fast-paced read, with strong characters in an all-too-possible scenario. Four friends are on the streets when a new terrorist attack hits San Francisco. Picked up as suspects, they are held five days — and only three are released. As the city settles under new surveillance and more secretive arrests, one of them vows to fight back. Cory Doctorow slips in useful, accurate, and easy to digest information about privacy and civil resistance. Little Brother is a fast, juicy read about acting on what really matters, and is suitable for young adults and up.

Freedom

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on July 1, 2008
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On July 4th, the United States celebrates 232 years since declaring our independence from the government of the King of Great Britain. I took this opportunity to have a look at the actual words of the Declaration of Independence. It struck me as remarkably fresh and bold, even now. You can read it, too - it is freely available online.

These phrases, which have rung down the decades, are in the Declaration of Independence: “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”, “all men are created equal” and government by the “consent of the governed”. The list of grievances against the King is startlingly contemporary.

I’m glad I took the time to look at it. Sharing those ideals is how I am patriotic. That beginning declaration shows the USA at its best.

When I take the 4th off to celebrate, I’ll spend a little time contemplating those ideals. Because my own life is where I act, I’ll look at how I can apply them personally. What freedom is important to me? How can I pursue happiness? Are there any ways in which I am not congruently living the belief that all people are created equal?

And that’s more than enough questions for the hot days of summer!

Enjoy your holiday! Spend it freely, and in pursuit of happiness. Spare a thought for those who put their lives at risk on our behalf.

And if you want a guide to gaining more personal freedom, please call me next week.

To your freedom,
Anna

Small Steps - July 1st, 2008

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“That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” Neil Armstrong, as he placed the first footprint on the Moon.

This issue’s Small Step for Space: Attend a space conference.

Here are some upcoming space events:

NewSpace 2008 in Washington, DC, July 17th-19th
http://www.space-frontier.org/Events/NewSpace2008/

Tenth Australian Space Development Conference, Adelaide, Australia, July 21-23
http://www.nssa.com.au/ASDC10/

International Symposium for Personal and Commercial Spaceflight, Las Cruces, NM, October 21-23
http://spacegrant.nmsu.edu/isps/

2008 Space and Air Show, Kennedy Space Center, Florida November 8-9
http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/space_and_air_show/index.asp

Need to plan further out? Most of these repeat on an approximately annual basis. Also watch www.nss.org for next year’s International Space Development Conference.

Want something soon and fun?
Try the Roswell UFO Festival July 3rd-7th in Roswell, NM.  This is set up so you can take it as seriously or playfully as you wish.
http://www.roswellufofestival.com/ufofestivalschedule.htm

Book Review - July 1st, 2008

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Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender is a six year old genius. Bred, trained, and watched from birth, he may be the only weapon that can save humanity from total annihilation when the alien Buggers regroup for another war. So Ender is immersed in training, especially a war-simulation game, to develop him as the necessary leader for that war. Orson Scott Card examines how much pressure even the best and brightest can take, and what causes would be worth creating that pressure. Even as Ender struggles to survive his brutal schooling, the merciless war outside continues, desperate for a leader of his potential. Can even the most brilliant boy manage these demands? And can he still be humane under this pressure?