Owner: Thoughts and Imagery From the World of Karl Moore URL:www.karlblog.com Join Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2007 07:57:25 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: My blog represents my thoughts and opinions in the online community, also giving me the opportunity to share them with others. My targets are self-development, inspiration, brain hacks, anything to do with Improving yourself. Site statistics:Click here
Simply, Thanks 2007-01-30 04:29:00 (Listen to Karl's AUDIO version of this post by clicking here!)Today, I'd like to say thanks.To you.Why?I was interview earlier in January about my writing work at "How to Tell a Great Story."During the interview, Aneeta asked what I did to "find my voice." I answered that being forced to churn out fresh articles, week in, week out, to a strict magazine deadline... That act forced me to get quicker, and better.And when I wrote my VB .NET books, I was forced to learn and improve my knowledge... And therefore find my "programming voice."In other words...... By teaching, I learned.Well, I've realized something.Over the past four months, I've been writing at least one post a day for my subscribers here at Karl Blog.com.The goal of most of my posts is to inspire... And help anyone that may be reading to grow in some way. To assist on the journey to self-development.I set my goal to post daily.And let me tell you...... It's REALLY "forced" me to develop MYSELF further!From the feedback Read more:Thanks
RAK #5: Give a Compliment! 2007-01-29 17:00:00 "You look fantastic today!""You are truly a wonderful friend!""Honestly, thank you for just being you."Today's Random Act of Kindness is simple...... Give a compliment.I don't mean a fake compliment. And I certainly don't want you to try and force it.But perhaps today you could attempt to express a genuinely heartfelt compliment, the sort of thing you wouldn't normally even consider saying.Help to make someone else feel really good about themselves.The stressed waitress. A tired mother. Your best friend, for absolutely no reason at all.Remember...Don't wait for people to be kind. Show them.Beginning today! Read more:Compliment
The Basic Buddhist Teaching 2007-01-28 03:58:00 Today, I'd like to share with you the most basic teaching in Buddhism.That teaching is... "Everything is change."Every single thing is in a state of flux. A state of never-ending change.Everything is created - and everything will ultimately wear out and be reduced to earth.Your business suit is made and worn, and will ultimately fall apart and decay. All animals are born, and will eventually die. Buildings, machines, roads, clocks, books, everything...Everything has a beginning. And everything has an end.It's always changing.And so what does this teach us?Well, for a start, it helps us to realize we can never really be in control of anything. Everything changes. Once we accept that, we let go of really wanting to control it... And simply allow ourselves to control it to the degree that we do in that moment.But perhaps more importantly, it puts us at peace with the world.By contemplating this teaching, we realize that everything will ultimately reduce to dust. The glass you are drinki Read more:Basic
, Buddhist
Friday Factoid: The Colour of Water 2007-01-26 04:54:00 It's time for yet another FridayFactoid
. And today's question is..."What colour is water?"The most common answer is... "It's transparent. It doesn't really have a colour!"The educated explain that the blue colour of the sea is only a reflection of the sky.And they'd be wrong.Water really is blue... Albeit rather a faint shade of the colour.You'll find the answer in nature itself: Try looking into a deep hole in the snow, or into the centre of a thick icicle.Or if you're feeling practical, go fill a big white pool full of water and look straight down through it. The water will be blue.It's true that the reflection of the sky does affect the way the sea appears. And other elements, such as algae and other microscopic plants, make a big difference.But water really does have a colour. And that colour is blue.Credit where it's due, eh? :) Read more:Colour
Post Followup 2007-01-26 00:27:00 Following my last post about allowing everyone today to teach you a lesson, I received three fantastic direct e-mail responses.Hilde replied in understanding... She explained how she believed she created her own reality, and as such everything that was happening was occurring to help her grow in some way. Great attitude!Karen was unsure...She explained that she couldn't interpret minor irritation as a gift, no matter how much Horlicks she drank. Understandable, I'd say... But it could just be an opportunity to further develop your skills of patience?And Mark was curious...>> Blog Quote: "PS. As a small aside, I would like to make it quite clear to the 20 random callers that dialled my number today, that I do NOT have an San Francisco apartment for sale, and I have never used a website called Craigs List. Nor am I a porn actor looking for work. Good day."He wrote: "Come on then, tell me more!!"Tsk, tsk. Some people.See you all again in a few hours ;)
The Mind of a Child 2007-01-25 10:44:00 Prior to June 2005, I had absolutely no idea who "Yoda" was.And then while dancing, Kim Lewis said something which sounded distinctly odd. For some reason, she confused her sentence by jumbling the order of its words."Uggghh?" I grunted.And then I was initiated into the world of Star Wars - and it's small alien-like megastar, Yoda.He's the wise one... apparently. And he mashes every sentence into near-old-world English.(Which, if I'm awfully honest, doesn't actually seem that wise.)Now, someone sent me a Yoda quote yesterday:"Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is."Well, I don't know about you -- but I pride myself in having a child-like mind.Why?Because children are curious.They look at everyone as though they have something to teach them.What if YOU began seeing everyone as having something to teach you... ?The ill-mannered teenage McDonalds waitress. The lecture you get from your spouse about chores in the house. Traffic. The drunkard. The sober. The rude. The friendly. The pr
An End to Worrying! 2007-01-24 10:02:00 You know, I used to be a real worry-pot.Honestly.I'd worry about everything. Bills. People. Opinions. And more "important" matters, such as finances. Business. Security.These days... I'm much more chilled.Why?Because last year, life taught me the important lesson that worrying is NOT essential to life!Think about it... In our many years on this planet, we've each been taught that we must worry. It's what we do when things go wrong. We anticipate the future and "plan" for the worst.Worry is ESSENTIAL. Surely?Well, I figure... It isn't!Worry is the one thing sure to end your life a little quicker. It's a state of mind taught to us by parents that really didn't know any better. By friends and colleagues that perhaps didn't quite know how to release feelings of panic as well as they should.Consider this.For years, they thought the world was flat. Turns out it's round.For years, they thought the sun rose in the west and set in the east. Turns out we're the ones doing the circling.
RAK #4: Pick Up Litter! 2007-01-22 15:32:00 Today's Random Act of Kindness is extremely simple.Pick up some litter during your dinner hour!No matter where you live, it's likely that litter is a big problem for your city.All around, people are throwing cigarette butts, McDonalds wrapping, and candy papers - right onto the floor, or out of their car windows.If I'm honest, it's a pet annoyance of mine.That's why today's RAK is to pick up some litter during your dinner hour, or during one of your strolls into town.I'm not asking you to go clean up your entire city. Just help it along.Pass it on! :) Read more:Litter
The Power of Positivity! 2007-01-21 15:01:00 Today, I'd like to share a little story about something that happened to me earlier in the week. I think you'll find it quite inspiring.Early February, I'm visiting Richmond-upon-Thames.I'm meeting my friend Mecthild Ruggier. And every time I visit, it always appears to be "Rugby Weekend."Now, prior to my last visit, I'd stayed at the Richmond Hill Hotel.However, following a psychologically-disturbing encounter with a "Lady of the Night" and two angry squirrels, I'd instead opted for the more tasteful Petersham Hotel. Which looks a bit like the Disneyland Castle by night. I called this week to make a booking.My visit is early February, a couple of weeks away. On "Rugby Weekend."And it's England vs Scotland.Every single hotel I called was booked up. *Every* hotel.But the Petersham handled it better than most.Alan, a receptionist at the hotel, was extremely polite. He explained that all of the rugby officials stay at the Petersham, and they had a massive waiting list for that week
Your Pocket Survival Guide 2007-01-20 12:32:00 Today I'd like to share a little freebie with you from the Early to Rise team.It's a guide showing you exactly how to handle some of life's stickier situations.Like what to do with your dodgy credit report. Or how to get a passport quickly. Or how to beat annoying queues at an aiport. Or how to survive a hostage situation.Or how to disconnect the phone when your Aunti Bessie is yap-yap-yapping away.It's intended mainly for folks in the US, but I think anyone will find it interesting.Best of all, it's completely free.Grab your copy of The Pocket
Survival Guide
from the Early to Rise team today - by clicking HERE.
Friday Factoid: Forget 666. Try 661! 2007-01-19 18:56:00 Welcome to another FridayFactoid
!Now, if you been around anytime over the past couple of thousand years, you'll know about the number 666.It's the dreaded Number of the Beast, a number more unlucky than 13.It's the sign of the dreaded Anti-Christ, the fiend that will apparently return to rule the world before the Last Judgement. Aye curumba.However according to the very latest scientific research, they got it all arse upwards.Apparently 666 should actually be... 661.(Seriously. I don't make this stuff up!)A new translation of the very earliest Book of Revelation shows the number clearly to be 616, not 666.The 2005 translation was made on a 1700-year-old papyrus recovered from the city of Oxyrhynchus in Egypt, and deciphered by a palaeographical research team from the University of Birmingham. The team was led by Professor David Parker.But of course, not everyone is going to welcome the finding.Such as the European Parliament, who currently leave seat 666 free. (Just in case the De
Ask the Dice! 2007-01-18 09:49:00 I don't know about you, but I like random.When I was 20, I discovered a system of "asking the dice."For non-critical life decisions, I'd let the dice decide which direction I should take.Should I hit the town tonight... Or stay inside with my DVD player? Should I say "Yes!" and go on that crazy speed dating event? Should I go on holiday this year to Spain... or India... or New Zealand?The dice could deliver a straight YES or NO. Or up to six separate answers, depending on which number it landed.And the dice would take me to places I never dreamed possible.It's like a more adult version of "Eenie meanie minie moe." But... Isn't it just a bit irresponsible using a dice to decide the outcome of your life?Nah. I never use it in critical situations, obviously. But from the seeming random behaviour of the dice came a much deeper meaning. I always felt I was simply allowing "fate" it's chance to change my life.There's a wonderful quote in The Six Degrees of Separation...As the Kittredg
Drop Your Ego! 2007-01-17 10:27:00 In today's competitive world, we very naturally place major importance on our EGO.People do things to be SEEN.Like the politician who attends an environmentalist rally, then speeds off in his Mercedes. Or the "devout Christian" who spends his days praying on the steps on the church, so others can visibly see his devotion.Well, one reader sent me an e-mail this morning following my latest post regarding Random Acts of Kindness...She said: "I tried your suggested Random Act of Kindness, and it felt fantastic. I was doing something nice and didn't tell anyone about it. I've done another half-dozen things so far this week without expecting praise. I've dropped my ego and I honestly feel WONDERFUL."I love that message.So here's a thought...What if you dropped your ego, just for today?What if you didn't always have to be right in that argument... Or want praise for donating to that charity... Or wish for your neighbours to see as you helped that elderly lady cross the street?You'll so
The Price of Anything 2007-01-16 06:56:00 Henry David Thoreau was an American author, philosopher and 1800's revolutionary.Whether you realize it or not, Thoreau helped shape the world as it stands today. He was inspiration behind the plights of men such as Martin Luther King and Leo Tolstoy.He inspired protestors to resist Government movements using non-violent methods. He even helped to rid the United States of slavery.One of my favourite Thoreau stories comes just before his death, at the age of 44.Suffering severe tubercolosis, his aunt Louisa asked whether he had made peace with God."I did not know we had ever quarelled!" came his response.Wonderful.But perhaps my favourite quote from Thoreau's work is..."The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it."Think about it...... How very, very true!What do you plan to do today?And is it really worth the amount of life you're putting into it?And if not... Change what you're doing.
RAK #3: Bunch of Flowers 2007-01-15 15:44:00 This week's Random Act of Kindness is a little more challenging!It's not difficult. But it might add a stretchmark to your comfort barrier.The task is simple...Buy a small bunch of flowers, and give them to the first person you see that looks a little down.It's easy. It's incredibly, incredibly easy.Now go and do it.Forget their response, too. Just see how it makes you feel.And then congratulate yourself on making the world a kinder place to live in! Read more:Bunch
, Flowers
Discover this Secret Store Hack! 2007-01-14 18:44:00 It's a little known trick in the big stores.But the final character in a "sale price" indicates just how discounted the product really is!Okay, okay, I know this isn't my usual style of blog post. However this little tip could save you big time.In PC World (UK computer store) a few weeks ago, I was let in on a little internal secret. If a product has genuinely been reduced to the lowest price possible, and won't go any further before the product is pulled, the price will end in .95.Check it out. Most products in PC World cost something like 479.99p.However a "GREAT bargain" will end in 95p, rather than 99p.I did a little research online and found out it wasn't the only store to divulge in such "trickery."In the States, Target does pretty much the same thing.Most products end with .99c, such as $19.99. As the sales and discounts progress, Target takes a cent off the last part of the price -- until it gets to .94c -- at which time you know the price won't get any lower.So... tip of Read more:Discover
, Store
Friday Factoid: The Centipede Myth 2007-01-13 18:40:00 Okay, okay, so it's Saturday...But just because my Friday
was incredibly busy isn't a good enough an excuse not to introduce my new Friday-But-If-I'm-Really-Busy-Then-Saturday feature:The Friday Factoid
! Inspired by Steve Wright on BBC Radio 2, QI, and a selection of other interesting "fact books" I received for Christmas, every week I'll be posting something interesting you'll wish you never knew.Today, I'm asking the question...How many legs does a centipede have?Well, if you thought 100, then as you probably guessed... You're quite appallingly wrong.The word "centipede" comes from the Latin for "one hundred feet", however not a single centipede has ever been found that actually has that number of legs.Seriously.The closest anyone has ever come to 100 legs was back in 1999, when some bloke found a species that had 96 legs. Which, personally, I don't think is much of an accolade.Other centipede species have between 15 and 191 pairs of legs.But not one has exactly 100 legs.Tsk.
Let Someone Else Be Right! 2007-01-10 04:22:00 In today's society, being right is incredibly important.How many times have you desperately clung onto an argument, thrashing it out to the bitter and evil end... only for the other party to turn around and say "Okay, you're right..."So you can go to bed, with a crying partner, "happy" at the victory.Well - here's an interesting experiment.Just for today, if you get into an argument... Why don't you try letting the other person be right for a change?EVEN if they're wrong...Remember the humorous words of sci-fi writer Robert Heilnein:"Being right too soon is socially unacceptable."Now, you wouldn't want to be that today, would you?Try it out. See what it does to your Wednesday. Read more:Right
The Midnight Man 2007-01-09 12:47:00 Yesterday, I received a telephone call.It was Aneeta Sundararaj from the How to Tell a Great Story site. She was looking to interview me for her writing website.Well, no time like the present - so we jumped straight into it, and recorded the interview there and then!If you're interested in the world of writing, then you might just enjoy reading the transcript.Click HERE to read the entire interview.I've done a few interviews before online - but over the past year, I've typically been the one asking the questions. Which, I hasten to add, is much easier!Enjoy the interview - and enjoy the day! :)
Karl on your Toolbar! 2006-11-24 06:05:00 Now here's a nifty little feature for readers of KarlBlog.com...You can now add this blog directly to your Google toolbar. It's easy to do -- and your browser will automatically update every day with the latest posts from the site.Here's what you'll see once you've added my blog to your toolbar:... "So, how do you do it??"Well, just click on this button: Or hit this link. Then click on the "Add" button in the dialog box which appears.From then on, you'll begin receiving my blog posts straight into your browser. Just click on the arrow to view/preview the current posts.You can also choose a slightly different design -- the three stars logo present on all of the Karl Moore related sites. To grab that design, click on this button:Isn't technology wonderful? Tsk!Enjoy! :) Read more:Toolbar
Si a Todo! 2007-01-31 15:13:00 "Yes to everything!"For those that remember, saying "Yes!" more was the subject of one of my blog posts back in November.You can read the blog post here.Well, last night I stumbled across something known as the Tantra Attitude. And it struck me that the idea of saying YES more isn't just about adventure and opportunity.It can also be deeply spiritual - and apply to feelings, emotions, EVERYTHING.I found this on a Tantra Attitude Web page last night:"You say yes. You say yes to everything. You need not fight, you need not even swim -- you simply float with the current. The river is going by itself, on its own accord, everything reaches to the ultimate ocean. You simply don't create any disturbance, you don't push the river, you simply go with it"If you can say yes, a deep acceptance happens to you. If you say yes, how can you be complaining? How can you be miserable? Then everything is as it should be. You are not fighting, not denying -- you accept. And remember, this acceptance is
Aude Aliquid Dignum! 2007-02-01 03:24:00 One friend of mine, Joe Vitale, is in the habit of saying "Aude aliquid dignum!"Or... "Dare Something Worthy."Today's post is just a reminder of that. And I'm going to do it by giving a little perspective.A few weeks ago, I watched the movie Contact, starring Jodie Foster. It's based on the novel by late Carl Sagan. Although I don't necessarily share all of Carl's views, he was a great man... and no matter what he may think, he's somewhere out there :)The introduction to the movie however included an amazing three minutes of zooming out. From a picture of earth and its various radio signals... out into deep, deep space.It's staggering -- and it should make you realize that we aren't that big after all.Our actions really aren't of any real significance.This blog post is hardly likely to ever go down in history. And as far as the "BIG EVERYTHING" is concerned, Karl Moore is hardly likely to ever really mean anything.All we're ever likely to be, or do, or anything... is what we
Friday Factoid: Statue of Eros? 2007-02-03 01:29:00 Forget everything you thought you knew...... And welcome to another FridayFactoid
!Today, I'm writing about one famous statue in Piccadilly Circus, London. (Currently about 14 miles away from Richmond, where I'm currently staying.)Even if you live overseas, you might be familiar with this statue. It was erected in 1892 to commemorate the work of Victorian philanthropist Lord Shaftesbury.It got pretty good press, as it was the first in the world to be cast in aluminium.Here's a pic: Now, you probably know this as the Statue
of Eros. As do most people in the UK.And across the globe, in fact.But it isn't.Designed by Sir Alfred Gilbert, it actually represents Anteros, who was the less-naughty brother of Eros. Anteros represented "mature love and reflection." Sweet.However popular Greek mythology wasn't exactly popular, so most people had absolutely no idea who it was. The bow and arrow made people think it was cupid... Or, to the Romans, Eros... the God of Love.Later, a rumour started
Ditch the Labels 2007-02-04 04:58:00 "I'm claustrophobic. I panic in small spaces!!""She's gay. She won't be interested in him.""My name is Jon, and I'm an alcoholic."Have you ever thought how many times we use labels in our daily lives?They're a neat way of classifying the world, making it easier for us to understand.We all do it. And once we've chosen a label for ourselves, or once somebody gives one to us, we stick by it rigidly!We don't chat with the pretty girl because we're not confident. We won't eat another bun, because we're on a diet. We couldn't possibly climb that hill, because we're fearful of heights.Well, here's a shocker...Labels
don't liberate. Labels RESTRICT.They stop us fully enjoying the experience of every moment.They tell us what we SHOULD do, and what we SHOULDN'T do.You know that you're SHY, because you've always been labelled as SHY. You might even use the label yourself.But what if that's all it really is... just a LABEL?It's just a word or phrase we use to classify. It's not
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