When I first began the Gladitudes! Game, someone asked why I didn't just use "Graditude" instead. This is something I've pondered quite a bit, and it has led to a bit of an evolution in my thinking about the Gladitudes! Game.
I tend to think of a Gladitude as pro-active thoughts. For example, we say "I'm glad to help" or "I'm glad to be of service." As I've developed the Gladitudes! Game, I've found it much more effective to frame a Gladitude! in this pro-active sense. It reminds me of what I will do, of how I will feel when I act in a certain way.
Gratitude, on the other hand, is reflective. It is something we feel when we have received a gift, or aid. In yoga practice, when we are asked to find things in our life to be grateful for, they are things that we already have. We reflect on our blessings, and are grateful for them.
Gratitude is an exercise in the acceptance of Love.
Gladitude is an exercise in the cultivation of Love.
Hence, I have had to modify the structure of Gladitudes! The Game! slightly.
The new structure is as follows:
1. A Gladitude includes the word "glad."
2. A Gladitude should be a pro-active statement, a feeling you will carry into future actions. (eg. "I am glad to nurture my friends", "I am glad to plant seeds")
3. A Gladitude is a single phrase.
4. Quotes must be attributed to their author.
5. Follow each Gladitude with #Gladitudes!
6. Have fun and be as creative as possible!
I'd also like to extend a big thank you to everyone who has shown their support and offered input to Gladitudes! The Game! Its been really inspiring!
Cheers!
～狐～
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Attitude Determines Altitude
Some years ago, when I was working in the mountains of Montana, I was awarded one of those 'Employee of the Month' titles. Along with it came a long sleeve t-shirt with a mountainous scene on the back and the words "Attitude Determines Altitude." Simple message, and one that I keep reflecting on often these days- probably too much, hence this monologue.
It seems that this phrase has been kicking around self-helpers and Motivational Posters for a while. Its catchy, easy to remember. It has assonance AND alliteration. Its the cloying distillation of years of personal improvement demagoguery.
And its a scientific fact.
"Really?" you might be asking yourself. "A SCIENTIFIC fact?"
It is, truly. Here's how:
In the study of Aeronautics -the science of flight- the terms 'altitude' and 'attitude' are intimately linked.
Altitude, of course, refers to height above the ground.
Attitude refers to the orientation of the aircraft in relation to the Earth. Most aircraft, in fact, have a handy little device called an "Attitude Indicator" which lets the pilot know exactly how he relates to the earth in both Pitch (nose up or down) and Roll (wingtips up or down). This is particularly useful when a pilot has to fly by instruments alone, such as in inclement weather- but I digress.
Whats important to take away from this is that Pitching the nose up from horizontal, level flight (zero), increases the attitude angle (positive attitude) of the aircraft, which generates more lift on the wings and an increase in altitude. Conversely, if you pitch the nose down, decreasing the attitude angle (negative attitude), you will begin to descend.
Since aircraft are moving through a dynamic fluid, in this case air, merely keeping it level requires continuous minor adjustments in attitude and any extreme attitudes can be disastrous. Much like life, hey?
If someone has too much positive attitude and not enough 'engine power' - that is, will and skill- they'll stop generating lift, stall and risk going into a disastrous spin. They might recover... but they might not.
As for those with a consistently negative attitude... they plow right into the ground sooner or later. Bad attitude + Engine Power? Major nosedive!
Reaching a desired height, or a personal goal, requires a lot of positive attitude to get you up and keep you flying, and touch of negative attitude from time to time to keep you level.
Wanna raise the altitude? Raise some positive attitude!
See? Its science!
～狐～
It seems that this phrase has been kicking around self-helpers and Motivational Posters for a while. Its catchy, easy to remember. It has assonance AND alliteration. Its the cloying distillation of years of personal improvement demagoguery.
And its a scientific fact.
"Really?" you might be asking yourself. "A SCIENTIFIC fact?"
It is, truly. Here's how:
In the study of Aeronautics -the science of flight- the terms 'altitude' and 'attitude' are intimately linked.
Altitude, of course, refers to height above the ground.
Attitude refers to the orientation of the aircraft in relation to the Earth. Most aircraft, in fact, have a handy little device called an "Attitude Indicator" which lets the pilot know exactly how he relates to the earth in both Pitch (nose up or down) and Roll (wingtips up or down). This is particularly useful when a pilot has to fly by instruments alone, such as in inclement weather- but I digress.
Whats important to take away from this is that Pitching the nose up from horizontal, level flight (zero), increases the attitude angle (positive attitude) of the aircraft, which generates more lift on the wings and an increase in altitude. Conversely, if you pitch the nose down, decreasing the attitude angle (negative attitude), you will begin to descend.
Since aircraft are moving through a dynamic fluid, in this case air, merely keeping it level requires continuous minor adjustments in attitude and any extreme attitudes can be disastrous. Much like life, hey?
If someone has too much positive attitude and not enough 'engine power' - that is, will and skill- they'll stop generating lift, stall and risk going into a disastrous spin. They might recover... but they might not.
As for those with a consistently negative attitude... they plow right into the ground sooner or later. Bad attitude + Engine Power? Major nosedive!
Reaching a desired height, or a personal goal, requires a lot of positive attitude to get you up and keep you flying, and touch of negative attitude from time to time to keep you level.
Wanna raise the altitude? Raise some positive attitude!
See? Its science!
～狐～
Thursday, January 12, 2012
#Gladitudes! The Game!
Some of you may have noticed a new game of mine thats been running for a while now on Facebook and Twitter: #Gladitudes!
"What is a Gladitude?" you might be asking yourself.
Gladitude is a portmanteau word, enclosing "glad," "platitude" and "attitude." It is a short, unassuming, positive affirmation of gladness.
The Gladitude game is played in two ways.
The easiest way to play is to follow me on Facebook or Twitter (or both!) and wait for a new Gladitude. If it strikes a chord with you, pass it to your friends!
If youre feeling a bit more brazen, join me by making up your own Gladitudes and posting them to social networks. Quotes from famous persons are also allowed, as long as they fit the rules of a Gladitude!
Rules:
1. A Gladitude must include the word "glad" or some variation (gladness, etc.)
2. A Gladitude must be a single phrase.
3. Quotes must be attributed to their author.
4. Follow each Gladitude with #gladitudes!
5. Have fun and be as creative as possible!
Here are some examples: "I am glad to be alive!" and "A blue sky fills me with gladness!"
I like to play every day... See if you can keep up!
I cant wait too see the Gladitudes! that you wonderful people come up with!
Cheers!
Foxx
Sunday, January 1, 2012
2011: A Year Through The Looking Glass
`But I don't want to go among mad people,' Alice remarked.
`Oh, you can't help that,' said the Cat: `we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.'
`How do you know I'm mad?' said Alice.
`You must be,' said the Cat, `or you wouldn't have come here.'
What a strange adventure it is, to live amongst mad people. Mad people insist that their madness is sensibly normal; while to eschew normalcy, and live with true sensibility, is thought the height of madness.
The use of reason, it seems, is not enough to overcome madness.
Even I have reasoned reasons to be mad. I'm sure I still do. Its not terribly hard. Reasonable creatures reason out all sorts of reasons to be mad, stay mad, drive others to madness. Madness enjoys nothing better than company.
Maybe Fear. Madness enjoys Fear quite a lot, too. They encourage each other, like cliff-jumping teenagers.
Madness and Fear; Fear and Madness. What a pair. Drop your guard for a second and they'll have you bent over a dumpster in a dark alley.
2011 was a year of Madness and Fear. I was immersed in their putrid marinade, sauced and tossed and broiled. Surrounded by Mad people living Mad lives, demanding Mad things.
Trapped in this Mad embrace I lost direction, and the connections with myself that I had so carefully cultivated.
I was full of Fear at who I had been, Mad with old desires. Fear of decision, Mad with inaction. Fear of prejudice, Mad with judgments.
Afraid to believe in myself. Afraid to seek myself.
Mad not to.
So I did. I took a break from Madness and went seeking.
And, wouldn't you know it? I found a cure for Fear and Madness. It goes like this:
Start with a big jug of Love and a good helping of Truth, mixed well in a large bowl. Add a handful of discipline, stirring slowly, and a pinch of Faith. Throw in a few spoonfuls of Creativity for texture with some Humor and Gaiety for color.
Whip this concoction until it stands on end, then serve with a slice of humble pie.
Enjoy this deliciousness that is your True, Loving self as often as possible until Fear and Madness melt away. Use it as preventative medicine. Snack on it. Have it for every fucking meal.
Fill Yourself with It and go forth and live It. Fear can't touch It, Madness can't touch It, Others can't touch It.
Its all you, all the way down. As it was with me.
And now... Foxx is happily stepping back through that lens of Madness into a world of bright Transformation. I'm dedicated to improving myself and stoked to work with beautiful, inspirational people as we create the world that we perceive.
Thanks to all of you who loved me in spite of myself, who reminded me of the faith others had in me and who put up with my Madness. I love you beyond all measure and I promise to live up to the potential you see in me- it is the only way to properly honor all that you have gifted me with.
2012 will be a year to remember! Are you ready to Create with me?
-狐-
`Oh, you can't help that,' said the Cat: `we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.'
`How do you know I'm mad?' said Alice.
`You must be,' said the Cat, `or you wouldn't have come here.'
What a strange adventure it is, to live amongst mad people. Mad people insist that their madness is sensibly normal; while to eschew normalcy, and live with true sensibility, is thought the height of madness.
The use of reason, it seems, is not enough to overcome madness.
Even I have reasoned reasons to be mad. I'm sure I still do. Its not terribly hard. Reasonable creatures reason out all sorts of reasons to be mad, stay mad, drive others to madness. Madness enjoys nothing better than company.
Maybe Fear. Madness enjoys Fear quite a lot, too. They encourage each other, like cliff-jumping teenagers.
Madness and Fear; Fear and Madness. What a pair. Drop your guard for a second and they'll have you bent over a dumpster in a dark alley.
2011 was a year of Madness and Fear. I was immersed in their putrid marinade, sauced and tossed and broiled. Surrounded by Mad people living Mad lives, demanding Mad things.
Trapped in this Mad embrace I lost direction, and the connections with myself that I had so carefully cultivated.
I was full of Fear at who I had been, Mad with old desires. Fear of decision, Mad with inaction. Fear of prejudice, Mad with judgments.
Afraid to believe in myself. Afraid to seek myself.
Mad not to.
So I did. I took a break from Madness and went seeking.
And, wouldn't you know it? I found a cure for Fear and Madness. It goes like this:
Start with a big jug of Love and a good helping of Truth, mixed well in a large bowl. Add a handful of discipline, stirring slowly, and a pinch of Faith. Throw in a few spoonfuls of Creativity for texture with some Humor and Gaiety for color.
Whip this concoction until it stands on end, then serve with a slice of humble pie.
Enjoy this deliciousness that is your True, Loving self as often as possible until Fear and Madness melt away. Use it as preventative medicine. Snack on it. Have it for every fucking meal.
Fill Yourself with It and go forth and live It. Fear can't touch It, Madness can't touch It, Others can't touch It.
Its all you, all the way down. As it was with me.
And now... Foxx is happily stepping back through that lens of Madness into a world of bright Transformation. I'm dedicated to improving myself and stoked to work with beautiful, inspirational people as we create the world that we perceive.
Thanks to all of you who loved me in spite of myself, who reminded me of the faith others had in me and who put up with my Madness. I love you beyond all measure and I promise to live up to the potential you see in me- it is the only way to properly honor all that you have gifted me with.
2012 will be a year to remember! Are you ready to Create with me?
-狐-
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Eternity Lies Ahead
A poem inspired by a beautiful experience and plans for the future. Enjoy!
"Eternity Lies Ahead"
Sea sweeps in
with a sloppy rush
sucking back the pebble shore.
click rattle clack
As snowflakes meld
with seafoam
The gulls bob serenely
in the chop.
And I taste eternity on my tongue.
It goes down crystal clear.
I grin.
The waves break around our future
as ears cant buoyantly to hear
the calls of the myriad,
life.
They whisper: play
with us. Cry with us.
Love with us. Share
with us.
The fox-fire in my eyes answers:
Forever.
A flick of my brush
puffs hoary rime across
the wooden drifters.
The stillness broken, I scamper
back to the den to watch
the sky wrap,
softly,
a blanket over the shore.
～狐～
"Eternity Lies Ahead"
Sea sweeps in
with a sloppy rush
sucking back the pebble shore.
click rattle clack
As snowflakes meld
with seafoam
The gulls bob serenely
in the chop.
And I taste eternity on my tongue.
It goes down crystal clear.
I grin.
The waves break around our future
as ears cant buoyantly to hear
the calls of the myriad,
life.
They whisper: play
with us. Cry with us.
Love with us. Share
with us.
The fox-fire in my eyes answers:
Forever.
A flick of my brush
puffs hoary rime across
the wooden drifters.
The stillness broken, I scamper
back to the den to watch
the sky wrap,
softly,
a blanket over the shore.
～狐～
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