FOUR TIME WASTERS

THERE’S NEVER ENOUGH TIME if you ask most people busy people. There are always things to do and when you’ve finished your ‘to do’ list there’s generally a raft of other ‘stuff’ just waiting to be dealt with. So many things to do. So many potential issues to consider with our time.
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Time is one thing that everybody gets in equal proportion; we all get the same 24 hours in our day. Some days we feel we’ve achieved a great deal, and others we don’t. When we do use our time wisely we gain a sense of peace. Yet, we often feel estranged from our core selves when we’re chasing after other people’s priorities, or simply when we don’t get time to do those things most important to us. Time for things like planning, preparation and re-creation is a key to our happiness and overall wellbeing.
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Stress about time is a key issue for some. When we succumb to fear of the unknown and are left to think, “What’s coming next,” and we often find our thoughts drawn toward anticipation of the immediate future—this can be stressful; some in fact, have mild or even major phobias about time in this way. It creates all sorts of effects short- and long-term. A potential remedy worth considering could be one of exercising mind-control and having something else to occupy our thoughts to distract us from this sort of cogent reaction.
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We must endeavour to balance time with our motivations; what drives us. We want to do many things that we might not have the time to do; the things that are most important to us. This will inevitably create dissonance within us as mentioned above.
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So how do we optimize our time? How do we make the best use of it? Well, one thing we don’t want to do is waste our time. I recently learned of four potential time wasters. Simply put they are e-mail, voice mail, interruptions, and procrastination, and they’re certainly relevant. This is not to say any of these activities is a complete waste of time, but we need to exercise some caution that’s all.
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We often get sucked-in by these things. Either we become lazy, or we want to please people, or we struggle with having the courage to do the right thing. Looking at causes for succumbing to these time wasters is worth the effort, so changes have a better chance of ‘sticking’. Change in its own right is hard—it has to be decided upon, and then persisted with for many weeks before it takes root in our lives.
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E-Mail is generally considered a non-urgent form of communication. Urgent communication really demands other forms of contact, for instance face-to-face meetings or phone calls. Answer emails only a couple of times a day—we should not be spending any more than 30-minutes a day attending to e-mail, unless we have allocated extra time or have that time ‘up our sleeve’.
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Voice mail is a great innovation if it is used efficiently. To protect your accessibility make sure you let certain calls (especially from unknown callers) through to voice mail, and then delay getting back to people, unless it is urgent. At times, people will be able to work things out without you needing to get involved. When leaving messages be caller-courteous. Leave your details clearly and don’t leave long messages unless it is going to help the receiver—in any event leave messages no longer than 60-seconds in length. Limit your time attending to voice mail.
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Interruptions that are counter-productive are both unnecessary and untimely. Reduce these by politely challenging the situations and people who create them. Some interruptions are necessary but untimely—these could distract you from your focus on a high priority task. Bearing in mind that interruptions can cost you double-time (the time for the interruption, and the time taken to get your mind back on the original task), it is wise to quickly plan for a response later and agree that with the person concerned. Don’t succumb to “urgency addiction”.
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Procrastination is tragic. We all suffer some procrastination. It comes from the Latin word procrastinatus: pro- (forward) and crastinus (of tomorrow) and has links with avoidance behaviour, particularly task avoidance. Avoiding doing things is usually caused by psychological factors like fear of failure possibly based, for example on a lack of clarity, or simply because the task might seem overwhelming, and for other reasons. Overcoming procrastination is the key. Do things that might be delayed early in the day or set a deadline and then reward yourself for keeping it.
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What do we do with information then? One thing I have learned: FAD. Either 1) File, 2) Act on the information, or 3) Delete it. When ‘acting’ ensure you either reply, forward or delegate the information.
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Acknowledgement to FranklinCovey (2002) Focus Achieving Your Highest Priorities – course literature, Keeping Your Focus.

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© Steve J. Wickham, 2007.

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My Personal Mission Statement

Resolution:

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Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day:

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- I shall not fear anyone on earth.
- I shall fear only God.
- I shall not bear ill toward anyone.
- I shall submit to injustice meekly, proving faith.
- I shall counter untruth simply by truth.

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My Personal Mission Statement
I will live the way of diligence and prudence. I will seek to create and sustain shalom and balance. I will live in a way that nurtures trust and upholds respect. Finally, I will settle for nothing less than Wisdom.

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I will encourage these ideals and virtues in those lives I can touch.

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Focus Statements
I will focus on each of my key life roles so that my effectiveness, and my response to my calling, is not diluted.

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I will invest my time in alignment with my Governing Values: diligence, prudence, shalom, balance, trust, respect, wisdom.

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I commit to the breaking of evil bonds and generational curses within my sphere of influence.

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27 November, 2007

Things always change…

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED why you couldn’t work out in your own mind how or why a situation worked out the way it did? For some reason that ‘something’ or life situation turned out a particular way that you least expected. A situation that started well, ended not so well, or, a situation that promised little, actually came to pass as you perhaps would have first hoped. It is confusing and perplexing at times living in this world and relating with other human beings; beings with such wide and contrasting perceptions of the world they see, and that we do not share.

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In one of my roles in life I am a facilitator and catalyst for promotional projects involving safety. Safety, you would think, is something that we could easily motivate people about. People die every year because they did something unsafe, and the challenge for safety is to motivate people to live so this doesn’t happen—to them or their loved ones, or there peers for that matter.

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Recently I was tasked with organising an external emergency service agency to come to the organisation I work for and deliver some life-saving information about safety in the home. The subject was responding to a home fire, and saving the lives of family.

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The thing I didn’t expect to begin with was a relative tardiness from the agency concerned. It was like pulling teeth to facilitate the planning process, and it took more than enough phone calls and e-mails to reach a point where we were ready to deliver. It was both mildly frustrating and a little bemusing seeing this particular organisation react to a non-core business operation. (I wonder though whether this is changing as prevention becomes a better byword than cure.) Added to the delays and tardiness was a general disconnect between two quite disparate branches of the organisation; one operational-focussed, the other more academically-geared—with the role of community education. Both had negative perceptions of the other, and one of the departments didn’t waste time letting me know.

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When we were planning kick-off I popped around the corner and caught up with the guy who was tasked (albeit reluctantly) with the delivery of these safety prevention sessions. It was clear to me instantly on meeting this guy that it was the personal touch that was needed all along. I had been referred to as Mr. W on all correspondence and simply meeting and shaking hands with him facilitated some warmth.

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That was two weeks ago. I find it amazing now that I have a real rapport with this guy and that we share a genuine and deeper-than-superficial respect now. This is after he and I had had at least six verbal conversations, either over the phone or face-to-face, and at least two of these interactions involved working together for a common goal, in trying conditions—in “delivery”.
So, when did things change? I thing they began changing from the first face-to-face meeting where I was able to display empathy and positivity. It also helped that we related personally—more for him than for me, but that was what was needed.

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Developing relationships is generally not hard. They require commitment, discipline to place the other’s needs at least as importantly as your own, consistent and sustained effort, and also feedback. The trouble is we don’t always see the need to establish relationships—I know I don’t. I’m constantly reminded to spend time building my relationships and it can be irritating at times hearing this from either my conscience, or from my manager, or anyone else for that matter. For me, not working on the relationship is usually due to apathy, not fear. Perhaps there are other causes too?

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I am sure that the fact that we delivered sessions together in front of a group of people symbolised working together and reliance on each other. We supported each other and there was evidence of this. These sorts of circumstances produce trust as a result of faithfulness—both parties reliable for the other.

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On one of these occasions, yesterday in fact, as we were about to commence the session, the guy I’d been working with got an emergency call and next thing you know there are sirens blaring and he and his team are off to fight a fire. Panic could have set in as we were without a speaker, but common sense prevailed and we went to Plan B. Isn’t it great when you have enough faith to trust that it will all work out okay in any event? As it happened they were back without much ado and the session went well—what was tested was his and my burgeoning relationship—the embryonic organism of trust. We trusted each other and worked for each other. The reward was a stronger rapport.

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The point is things change. People change. They always do. For better or for worse things inevitably change. We cannot stay the same. Situations cannot stay as they are—there are just too many variables, and too many things to keep constant. As we relate to our contexts (our reactions to what we see) we have to change as a result of our experience. Our perceptions change and eventually so do our values, the latter a latent effect. This is why people grow together or grow apart.

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So what? What am I saying? I’m saying that change happens and particularly over time; wait two months in some situations and the people have changed—once they were opposed to a concept or idea, but with various things inevitably different, they are more predisposed to change their mind through a change of heart. People often say about new ideas, “Oh, that won’t work—it was tried two years ago!” Then it works, and they are left feeling amazed, confused, even annoyed. Things simply changed. And that’s the truth.

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It’s about having the wisdom and restraint to wait; having more of long-term or eternal perspective on things and ‘owning’ things less. So don’t give up on a good thing. Be patient; try it again later; think on it; pray about it. This simply means asking advice about it from God. It is about reflecting on it and trying to see the issue from all perspectives.
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What is reliable?—change.

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© Steve J. Wickham, 2007.

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“… That, to me, is life…”

WHAT A PLACE to be! The joy of living aright, one day at a time, one moment at a time. I felt these feelings sweep over me today whilst driving my car to work around midday. It was bliss. Simply appreciating and thanking God for such simple and glorious things. That, to me, is life.
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The wonder contained in pen and paper—such simple instruments really, but oh what bliss it is when something is sparked in the mind and soul, and next thing I’m writing copious notes, brainstorming avidly. The simple use of pen and paper to explore and express the utter joy of living explains serendipity of just be-ing. Like driving my car; being in control of this machine and driving along the road and getting from A to B; it may seem absurd to some, but there is a miracle in that. Being in that position—that to me is life.
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The wonder and simplicity of water—to refresh the body, and to refresh the soul. Water. Simple water. Trillions and trillions of H2O molecules with the odd mineral, gives such life to the cells. The purity of water, the “free” drink that is the best thing for us. Water has spiritual connotations. It flushes and cleanses our bodies of toxins and lubricates and facilitates maintenance at a cellular level; much like the Spirit flushes and cleanses us from sin, giving us life, and in so doing, facilitates growth at the soul level. Water is amazing. It’s so simple—the simple things are often the best!
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The wonder of a rich vein of ideas on the canvas of life. It is an amazing journey, life. To prove the statement correct we only have to look at its opposite, death; that too is nothing short of amazing. That we are here at all, and that it (life) appears so real, makes death all the more amazing; this in turn makes life amazing. How can “life” be? Why are we here? There must be some logical answer to this mystery… or perhaps there isn’t? Yes, there is a reason.
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Then you run out of ideas, and the inspiration is gone—where? Who knows? Then disappointment sets in. Another grand scheme that ‘got away’.
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But, still, life is grand. Life is grand for the Apollonian. “NF” is the way to be in Jungian psychology and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, if you are me. That’s me. More on the Apollonian later.

My Governing Values

I WAS PRIVILEGED to attend the FranklinCovey "Focus" course last week. This course convinces you that time is the most inportant commodity, that to live, to love, to learn, and to leave a legacy, are the most important things---yet we rarely "see" life in these terms. Part of the driving force behind living in these ways is defining and living by 'My Governing Values'. These are mine (subject to improvement):

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Diligence:

Order, resolution, tenacity, industry, action, commitment, intent, piety, carefulness, responsible, dependability, discipline, obedience, leadership.
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Prudence:

Over what enters and leaves the mouth. Silence, temperance, moderation, discretion, inoffensive, overlooks insults, act out of knowledge, give thought to ways/steps, heeds correction, seek refuge, awareness.

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Shalom:

Tranquility, wholeness, peace, rest, being still, harmony, absence of agitation/discord, being complete, self-awareness.

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Balance:

Protect accessibility, autonomy, wise use of time, maintain balance, do the important things always, vitality.

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Trust:

Courage, faith, honesty, love, kindness, patience, forgiveness, grace, gratitude, acceptance, detachment, openness, perseverance, hope.

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Respect: Justice, sincerity, honour, listening, integrity, humility, compassion, empathy, fairness, consideration, tolerance, social intelligence.

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Wisdom: Truth, longevity, health and wellbeing, wholesomeness, understanding, perspective, right curiosity, appreciation of beauty and excellence.

Joseph the Just

HEROES OF COMPASSION (EMPATHY) are known for their unbending commitment to humankind. There is a faithfulness and trustworthiness that goes with people of this kind. Of all virtue though, perhaps it is the virtue of Justice (or Righteousness) that supersedes all others in champions of compassion.
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Joseph was the epitome of a Tzaddik[1]. No matter the circumstances, Joseph never let them get the better of him; he never exacted revenge on his wicked brothers—instead “transforming all of Jacob’s children, particularly Judah, to make them his worthy covenant partners.”[2]
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He is serendipitously caught up in webs of intrigue, and found in awful situations, but somehow not only survives, but he thrives. Given to dreams and their interpretation, his knack of blessing the right people at the right time puts him in the enviable position of prime minister of Egypt.
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Throughout the story, he maintains his integrity, even though to do this he has to manipulate his family. With his brothers he effectively “refines them to love one another”—an act in cooperation with Providence[3]. The whole story is summarised: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”[4]
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The fate of Israel forever turned on the faithfulness of Joseph. It is said of Joseph that he was “indebted to no one, and that made him a free man; who owed his success only to his natural gifts; and, who through his use of his natural gifts transformed exile into a kingdom, misery into splendour, and even humiliation into mercy.”[5]
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His ethical brilliance is striking when knocking back Potiphar’s wife—given that “sexual promiscuity was a perennial feature of all slave societies.”[6] He is often punished twice, yet knows his Lord is by his side.
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Andrews sees Joseph as a sort of example of Christ’s compassion; a just brother and leader, and someone who transcended and sacrificed himself, beyond what anyone would have, or could have, hoped. Indeed, a hero of empathy and compassion, with a vision far beyond his own person.

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END NOTES
[1] Dave Andrews, Christi-Anarchy: Discovering a radical spirituality of compassion (Tafina Press, NSW, Australia, 1999), p. 83. A Tzaddik is a righteous man based on the Hebrew word "Tzedek," or Justice. The Jewish hero is not the swashbuckling warrior, but rather conquers evil inclinations, towards pride, power and oppression, and practices righteousness and humility, and who is, like God, always on the side of the oppressed. A Just Person; an Example of Righteousness.
[2] Bruce K. Waltke, Genesis: A Commentary (with Cathi J. Fredricks, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2001), p. 491.
[3] Waltke, Ibid., p. 494.
[4] Genesis 50:20 niv.
[5] Elie Wiesel, Messengers of God (Simon and Schuster, New York, 1977), p. 155. Cited in Andrews, p. 84.
[6] N. Sarna, Genesis. (Jewish Publication Society, Torah Commentary: Philadelphia, 1989), p. 273. Cited in Waltke, p. 520.

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© Steve J. Wickham, 2007.

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QUALITY

IT IS AN ENDURING feature of life. It brings consistent results in the tangible life; it’s a golden rule for the intangible. It could also be translated as one form of definite truth. It brings together many good, wholesome, and trustworthy things. We see its work through the ages, through history. We see how it has worked for people, situations, and nations.
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“It” is quality. It is like wisdom. It’s always there, it’s always been there, and if I were a betting person, I would suggest it will always be around. It is enduring. It abides by the law of cause and effect. It could almost be synonymous for wisdom.
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Quality as a truism of life: The business world has applied the principles of ‘quality management’ for years. I remember the quality revolution of Total Quality Management (or TQM) in the early 1990s where ‘variation’ in the production process could all but be eliminated through the scientific method of quality management—the simple application of the study of truth; these fundamentals continue to exist today. It can be trusted to bring results. It works—always. We see this in our world through some very common-place things.
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Quality goods and services: There is evidence all around us of “good stuff”—things we might buy or acquire, whether they be material things or the means to those things that give us that sense that we’ve received value. Ah, that word value. Value and quality go together don’t they? There’s nothing like that feeling of wellbeing that one gets from experiencing value. There’s a contentedness that comes with it. It is a blessing for wise action, or at least a consequence based on it.
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But, wait; there is more on quality… the promises of quality should we choose to accept them. It is never too late, unless it is (too late)—to experience these promises of quality.
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Quality life / quality of life: The greatest prize in life is life itself. A no-brainer. But what is ‘life’. Life is breathing, and functioning; it is physiological interchange. It is regeneration. But that’s not all. Sure, from a purely physical and visual outlook, life is only biological, anatomical, physiological. But what about our spirit’s? What about the spiritual life that almost all of us identify, and transact, with.
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Every time I start thinking on this subject I start to think about Jesus’ statement in John: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Abundant life. That is what faith in Jesus offers, one day at a time. What is this abundant (quality) life? I think it commences with receiving things in thanksgiving instead of yearning for, or grasping things. All my life I have battled with self-control. One day at a time I am mastering that now because to live the abundant life has better rewards than that of grasping things: food for instance. It takes a certain peace or serenity within the self to enjoy life without succumbing to the internal pressures of our desires, one moment at a time.
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Quality as a marker for success: The Hebrew word Hattah means literally, ‘miss the mark’ or ‘left wanting’—like an archer shooting an arrow toward a target, when they miss the bullseye they ‘fall short’ of the best result—they miss the mark. Quality is hitting the mark consistently—perhaps not every single time—but consistently enough to be able to trust the result most of the time.

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© Steve J. Wickham, 2007.

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In crowd, out crowd

WHAT ‘IN CROWD’ are you in? Everyone it seems is part of one in-crowd or other, and some assimilate to more than one. It’s the phenomenon of fellowship; it’s the theory of association; it’s the practice of membership. What “club” do you belong to? What defines you? What defines me? I’m Christian… I’m a family person… I’m part of the OSH fraternity… I’m a learner… these things categorise me, among other things.
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Participating in a behavioural safety workshop today I found it fascinating observing the body language of ‘converts’ trying to convert the unconverted—to see the scepticism of the unconverted with the ‘we’re doing it anyway’ mindset, and to then see the counter view scepticism of the converted when the unconverted talked… it seemed to me that there was little trust between the groups when on that particular subject, but what existed was a mutual respect of the counter position—an openness to dialogue. And this lasts so long as there is hope of a conversion, and realistically, there is always hope of that, as the converted never really lose hope of converting the yet-to-be-converted.
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It sort of reminds me of the Christian ‘church-going’ faith. When there is the hint that people are investigating faith we’re very encouraging and we never lose hope they might receive the Lord.
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But it does make me wonder a little of our very human propensity to massage and manipulate situations so people can be most encouraged to assimilate. It’s the type of situation where a person gets carried away with the awe of Christ and the euphoria that takes place, then years later they actually find out what the cost of discipleship is. Is it a trick?
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Die hard Christians might say, ‘Who are you to question what the Lord is doing in the hearts of the yet-to-be-converted’? That is a reasonable question. But that is not the question I am asking—I’m simply calling people of all persuasions, whether that be behavioural safety gurus or evangelists, to act with integrity and not get in the way of the natural process. People must make their own decisions.
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There ought to be no coercion. When we coerce and it isn’t based in truth we stand to upset and hurt people through that sort of deception.
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How do we stack up with the ‘in crowd—out crowd’ thing? Are we prejudiced against a type of person or group of people purely because they’re at odds with our belief system? We may not behave in ways that reinforce this, but our hearts often transmit more than we would like—we can’t hide what we really feel.
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Is there a cost that someone or a group bears based on our prejudices? Are we part of an ‘in crowd’ that only completely accepts people when they’ve conformed to our systems of thinking. I believe this is not how Jesus lived. I believe people followed him because he oozed compassion. He loved unconditionally—even his enemies—at all times.
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Now, he is Integrity. He calls me to the very same integrity.

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© Steve J. Wickham, 2007.

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TRG on the move...

OPERATIONAL. TACTICAL. STRATEGIC—Three adjectives that would adequately describe the W.A. Police Tactical Response Group in action. They are a militarised and highly skilled team of extraordinary Police.
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The TRG are akin to the Special Air Service and operate under a very similar code. Very few times yesterday, during “Drill 507” at the Port of Fremantle, did I actually get to see the identities of TRG personnel, though they worked around us for hours. The times when we were forced to ask for their ID (as part of the exercise) they simply showed their ID in a way that was very difficult to remember name or face.
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The TRG are held in respected awe amongst police it seems. The two traffic Police who were stationed on the main (Western) gate on Peter Hughes Drive, one a year or so out of the Academy, the other 20-years, were both quietly and visibly respectful of the TRG in their midst.
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There was one thing I did notice in the demeanour of a TRG operative however, in one of two interactions with Sergeants of the TRG—their calmness and humility and respect. They sought information in a way that worked ‘with the situation’ not seeking to fluster the person with the information—It is one thing to react well when questioned in an emergency situation, and to react with clarity of thought to transmit a vital set of messages, but it does add some complexity dealing with a Police Officer in a daunting black uniform. This TRG Sergeant sought information in a way that aided a win / win situation.
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From the ‘Bearcat’ special response vehicle to the special black military apparel the TRG wear, and the automatic ‘machine’ guns they carry, to the way they move—it is all presence, all power; people you ‘don’t want to meet down a dark alley’.

NEW BOOTS, MATE?

THE FUNNIEST THINGS happen when you stop to get fuel for the car. I get out of the car as usual and as I move around to the filler cap, I notice a black Skyline pull up at the adjacent pump. As I am filling my car I notice a young guy about 20-25 get out of his car and do the same. Nothing as yet has particularly drawn my attention. As my mind wanders during the process of waiting for the tank to fill, I note with interest this guy’s boots—they are work books, but not just any kind, they are brand new.
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I’m captivated with how impressive they look; a fawny suede look, ankle high cut with new clean laces tied neatly at the back… just then I was tempted to say to him, with unbending intent; “New boots, mate.”
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I then wondered why I was tempted to start such a conversation with a complete stranger, and then I recalled the Toltec wisdom teaching of Ruiz, stating our innocence from childhood has been lost. Their teaching seems true that in this innocence, we’re truly more ourselves and things that have caused us to doubt ourselves and feel guilty are things that have been ‘brought in to’ our experience, namely our upbringing, and our developmental environment.
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I went to a coach recently who suggested we have a ‘little boy’ or ‘little girl’ inside us. That this little person could truly be seen as our spirit, our true selves—the self that sees and feels things very truly [as we perceive them], and this is what makes us respond to truth, in truthful ways. i.e. We respond exactly the way we see it. In other words, no matter what we experience, our little person inside us can tell exactly how we feel and is affected “in our truth” whether we like it or not! For instance, when we’re depressed, our little boy or girl is crying inside—if he or she cries loud enough we could become suicidal, and even attempt to / or carry through with it. He or she is our “truth monitor”.
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I seems very compelling to me that it is difficult to undo some of what the world has done to me; I know I’m the way I am due to a combination of what my mother and father endowed me, and also to my environmental and developmental circumstances through life right to this very point, now! I am very happy and contented thus far, and I’ve been mightily blessed, BUT, could I ask that sortn of innocent question and create a conversation where I am so relaxed that the real Spirit takes over?
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I know it happens sometimes. But it doesn’t seem to happen often enough—in other words, I am aware of it happening at times and I balk at the opportunity—perhaps that is also the wisdom of prudence?
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Makes for pleasant reflective thinking to muse over these things…

It takes guts to slow down

I’VE FOUND I’ve often times had occasion to be rushed and that this rushing has resulted in a lack of shalom.
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The key issue I think for a person like myself is I have the tendency to enjoy doing things for achievement—so much so that much of the time I try to achieve many (or too many) things simultaneously. And, the result is I run on adrenalin; continual use of these stores then creates lower natural need from the body to create serotonin—a critical chemical for keeping the mind/body (a psychosomatic function) healthy. It is no coincidence that people who run on adrenalin are often also stimulant junkies (including coffee, cigarettes etc) during the day and then tend to use/abuse alcohol[1] to allow the body to relax at night.
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I have found it personally very helpful not to take in the CATS[2]; these are caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and sugar. Research has found that people having more than three (3) standard coffees/drinks a day, smoking, and refined sugar in the diet are very destructive for health over the longer term.
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The key issue for driven, “A” type personality people is the need to relax every now and then, to learn to slow down and lay back in life a little. It is a core health risk for “A” types—a combination of poor dietary and exercise practices, plus abuse of the CATS that sees health for these types spiral south in the “Dangerous Decade”, that is 44-54 years of age.
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So, what if you’re sleeping eight hours a night, exercising and eating healthily, but still suffer from the inability to slow down? There’s always more to do; there’s always more.
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I know for me it is as simple as being contented with the meagre things in one’s existence. The things to look forward to. I find it helpful to do the things that seem to matter most—a search for one’s own personal truth; that is, what is truth to me. The important should ‘get done’. The unimportant should only be done if there’s time; time to relax and reflect is critically important. I find this time not only helps me calm my heart physically, but it restores my creative balance, and when creativity returns, my mind has recuperated sufficiently and is ready for another onslaught… I’m calling these breaks, “creativity recovery breaks.”
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Ti estin alethia. “What is truth?” asked Pilate of Jesus, in John 18:38. Jesus came to ‘testify to the truth’—but I ask also, “What is truth?” It is about discerning for me, for you, as individuals what is right and just and fair to do; what is the best, most appropriate thing to do in/at that given moment, and to be supremely happy knowing it is ‘truthfully’ good to do.
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It is my belief that if I am discerning truth correctly, I will be supremely happy if I am acting on my perception of the truth, no matter if it is painful or joyful. When I diet to lose weight, and I rise up above the fear thoughts of missing tasty food, rising up to a level of truthfully seeing my transformed body, in its glorious and fit state, I keep going one day at a time toward my goal. We have to discern, and then obey the truth. We must be ruthless about it. There's no other way.

Two very important questions:

Am I doing what is important? -AND- What is truthfully important for "ME" to do?

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Footnotes
[1] Alcohol is a known Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant, and taken in more than 2-3 standard drinks has that effect.
[2] Acknowledgement to Dr. John Tickell’s A Passion for Living.