Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Wisdom and help from John Maxwell’s Blog post

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Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
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Wisdom and help from John Maxwell’s Blog post
The following post is from a great source – John Maxwell’s company – from today. Click here for the source article.
THE NOT SO SECRET PATH TO GREATNESS
The young girl skipped onto the stage of the dilapidated, half-filled theater hall, her thin voice competing with the noise of an unruly audience. Midway through the first verse of her first song, a beer bottle smashed onto the floor just a yard or so in front of her. The child’s voice quaked momentarily, but she continued to sing. “The show must go on” mentality had already been ingrained in her. As she neared the end of the musical number, the girl struggled to find enough breath to finish her performance. The smoke-filled air reeked of cigarettes and made it especially hard to sing. The girl missed a couple of notes as the song ended, curtsied, and then made her exit to a mixture of applause and boos.
When we think of Academy-Award winner Julie Andrews, we picture her twirling, arms outstretched against the beautiful backdrop of the Austrian Alps—melodiously singing the opening stanzas of The Sound of Music. Whether as Maria Von Trapp or Mary Poppins, Andrews sings and acts so effortlessly that it’s tempting to assume that she was born a star. It’s easy to overlook her humble beginnings, the years she spent as a child touring with vaudeville troupes, performing in seedy auditoriums in front of rowdy, working-class crowds in Britain.
We imagine ultra-successful individuals being endowed with almost superhuman talents. In so doing, we surround greatness with a certain kind of mystique and deem it somewhat inaccessible to the average person. However, success is not contingent on having extraordinary, innate ability. Nor does greatness depend upon some mysterious approach to life. There are no secrets to success—only simple truths, principles, and disciplines that have been around for thousands of years. Sadly, we obscure the reality of success by making a number of misjudgments about it.
The Overestimated/Underestimated Realities of Success
(1) We overestimate the person & we underestimate the principles.
Julie Andrews suffered a mid-career swoon during which a number of her movies flopped. However, she rebounded to win a Golden Globe in 1982. As she remarks, “Perseverance is failing 19 times and succeeding the 20th.”
Most recently, throat surgery deprived Andrews of the ability to sing. Undaunted, she moved on to other pursuits, and has become a successful author of children’s books. When asked about no longer being able to sing, Andrews is fond of quoting a line from The Sound of Music, “When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window.” 
The point is that Julie Andrews’ stardom cannot be attributed solely, or even primarily, to her charming personality. Rather, she has been aided by her determined perseverance and her irrepressible positive attitude—principles that can be applied by anyone.
(2) We overestimate the luck & we underestimate the work.
We talk about someone’s career taking off after making “a big break.” Usually, however, the big break was preceded by years of dedicated practice. “I've never minded being disciplined,” says Julie Andrews. “I'd always rather have a quiet evening in than go to a wild party. Discipline for me has always been the foundation which leaves me free to fly.”
(3) We overestimate the skill & we underestimate the stamina.
Julie Andrews’ voice propelled her to stardom, but in her words, “singing has never been particularly easy for me.” She was not blessed with such immense vocal prowess that she could bypass intensive practice sessions throughout her career. "As my mother said, I never sprang out of bed with a glad shout. My voice needed oiling and then it took off.”
Thought to Ponder
What overestimated/underestimated realities of success to you find most challenging?

~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Be Giraffe for three days - Yikes

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Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.
“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.
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Be Giraffe for three days - Yikes
Coming from the city to visit on the farm was always a special treat for all of us kids. There was always a new adventure to take on – or something very different from our city life to witness.
Because I was the oldest (likely the most trusted) I was given the job to collect the eggs from the hen house.  That meant being around chickens more than anything else… and watching chickens do chicken things.
Today I want to connect chickens and the way chickens do things to Facebook and my Facebook Friends… and in particular the way that they do things.
In the yard near the hen house were many new chicks running free.  They were about a month old or a little more.  The feathers were not quite full and the legs were rather gangly. Running was the new thing they could now do. They chased each other incessantly – kind of an exercise I think getting their skinny legs bigger so they would taste better when Grandma baked them for the Sunday dinners.
If one young chicken caught site of a bug flying low through the yard he would immediately run for all he was worth toward the bug… and after the bug.  I don’t think I ever saw the chick catch the bug but what I did see was the chick’s curiosity.
But something else happened when he started to run after the bug… all his friends ran after him looking to see what was so interesting.
Whoa! Talk about a Facebook way of doing things.
The first of my Facebook friends to do the “bug chasing” happened about two days ago – at least that was when I noticed it first,
A riddle is presented by the friend that is as follows – with the rider that if you get it wrong you are to have a picture of a Giraffe as your profile photo.
Here is the riddle…
The deal is I give you a riddle. You get it right you get to keep your profile pic. You get it wrong and you change your profile pic to a Giraffe for the next 3 days. MESSAGE ME ONLY SO YOU DON'T GIVE OUT THE ANSWER.

Here is the riddle: “Its 3:00 am, the doorbell rings and you wake up. Unexpected visitors, It's your parents and they are there for breakfast. You have strawberry jam, honey, wine, bread and cheese. What is the first thing you open?”

Remember... message me only. If you get it right I'll post your name here. If you get it wrong change your profile pic.
You cannot believe how many people obey the short instructions and then follow with a Giraffe photo!  At least I cannot believe how many of my sane friends follow the instructions and do it.
Did you figure out the answer yet?  It is “Your Eyes” – no not the door.  The idiots that wrote down ‘door’ were wrong…. DUH!?
What is amazing how many will do just what the simple thing they are TOLD to do!  Almost 90% of my friends have done what they were told to do… along with sending a email or private message to the person that sent it in the first place.
The subtle realization that one of my friends thinks he or she has that power to make me put a giraffe photo in my personal space as penance is enough to make me say NO! The soft suggestion is that I am not a player… I won’t chase the dumb bug so I am not cool.
I know it is a petty thing this AM to write about – but this whole idea is dumb.
We just passed a time when all things evil were from Facebook with all of my posted photos… or whatever… I was to write a stupid statement that was supposed to hold up on court if I caught FB or anyone using my photos.  That had to be the dumbest thing ever – who has enough money to take Facebook people to court?!? Duh! If you don’t want people to use your photos – DON’T POST THEM!
Then there is the one of insecurity and low self esteem… where I am suppose to respond to these dear friends with some kind of post that will let them know I care… by doing something with a post.  Good Lord if they are that insecure you had better not be on Facebook. Facebook is like High School all over again where there are little cliques and big cliques… and nobody gives a flipping care about anybody else except what they post.
Sorry – apologies to all my Facebook posting friends that need some loving today. I am too busy answering silly riddles and reading volumes of nonsensical stuff to tell you I love you. Blahh!
Oh that felt good… now I need to check out what is happening with my Facebook friends. Gotta run.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Monday, October 28, 2013

Promising myself to never vote for Liars again

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.                                 
Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.
“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.
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Promising myself to never vote for Liars again
So how do you feel about the “goings on” in Ottawa’s Canadian Federal Government?  Especially the interaction concerning the Three Senators, Duffy, Wallin and Brazaeu – and the Prime Minister.
Our Canadian Prime Minister claims he didn’t know anything about the situation with Mr. Duffy – at one point. Then when the statements revealed that he did know and was engaged in the issue by telling Duffy that he had better pay back the money… he backed that with a statement in Parliament with, “You’re darn right I did!” (tell him to pay back the money that he over charged for).
But he didn’t know… oh yah… tell me another one that I can believe… because I do not believe that one for one moment. And when he tells me more of anything – why would I believe any of the rest of it?
While I served in leadership roles with the church I had assistant pastors working with me. I asked one thing of them, that they would always be sure that I was aware of what was happening.  My lowly request was always agreed to by the assistants as they realized that if they got into trouble I was there to back and support them. If I didn’t know I wouldn’t or couldn’t support the flailing assistant.
I do not know of any leader in important positions that does not live by that rule and request of all that serves with her or him.  It is called open communication and accountability.
Yet the present Government leadership wants Canadians to believe that they never knew – therefore they are not responsible for what happens.
One simple thing I believe is that ALL LEADERS LEAD BY BEING RESPONSIBLE!  That is why we ask those we lead to be sure they communicate with us all the time.
Any person that claims they are without knowledge of something happening – is not telling the truth.  Leaders always know – and other leaders know they know!!! Plain and simple.
But when you are a Prime Minister you know everything – all the time. You have people below you and around you that know what is going on – they are there to know and then let you know.
I don’t trust people when they lie. And in this situation it appears that a whole lot are telling lies to cover their butts – right up to the top!
My entire weekend was filled with stories about three political Senator… and the epic denials of our Prime Minister. I don’t believe anyone anymore… and in particular the Conservative Party of Canada!  They are unbelievable in all ways.
But who is there to believe? Who do I chose from after they show their lies?  Can anyone of the others show me that they are truthful and don’t tell stories(lies) to protect their butts as well. There is no one who can be trusted I am afraid – and that is really sad.
At the time I am pecking out these words even more is happening in this sad situation.
It is well known that Mr. Duffy is a sick man with major heart problems. He has enough people that believe him and some that kind of sit on the fence about it all.
If he has a heart attack as result of his onetime friend Stephen Harper ripping the guts out of the man – Duffy will become a “Canadian Martyr” of the likes of Louis Riel of the olds days. Riel was hung because he opposed the politics of the day and the way that they were treating aboriginal people(part of his rapscallion ways).
My Duffy is being hung out to dry and die by the people that he supported.  Old Duff is on his way to stardom – and maybe even Sainthood!
I have sat to write this a number of times but just get more confused as to what to say… SOOOOO today I can say I hate liars… and I hate people that turn on their best friends and the people that helped them.
Good Lord I know what that is like… and it aint nice. Even as a Minister(the religious kind) you have some very nasty characters that turn on you in a heartbeat!
So go ahead Stevieee and let old Duff have it. Hang him out to dry and die. We are all watching you “excellent leadership” – blah!!!
I know who I will never vote for again, LIARS!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Friday, October 25, 2013

Kingston Penitentiary – decommissioning – October 23, 2013 – the completion of 178 years

These BLOGS are sponsored by my businesses.                                 
Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
Misty Hollow Digital Images were launched on September 26, 2012.
“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.
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Kingston Penitentiary – decommissioning – October 23, 2013 – the completion of 178 years
On October 24, 2013, I was part of a large group of people that attended the official decommissioning ceremony of Kingston Penitentiary, in Kingston, Ontario. the prison opened on June 1, 1835 with the first six inmates being admitted. On September 30, 2013, 178 years later, KP and the Regional Treatment Centre (RTC) ceased operating as a penitentiary.
In the early days women were also housed separately from the men.
About 400 people yesterday that joined the and somber events of this special day. Many were guards and staff that had worked in the institution - for whom this day was very emotional.
As well the family members of fallen officers that had died in the line of duty while working in KP were also part of the guests. The names of each officer was read, a bell rung, with a pause of silence following.
My own emotions were flooding my thoughts of the thousands of inmates that had spent most of their lives in these cells - because of stupid things they had done... then my thoughts were for the thousands upon thousands of Victims of the Crimes committed - and also the families of the Inmates.
There is not enough space here to tell you how I felt. Finally - yesterday was the very first time that ordinary people like me were allowed to take photos of a Federal Prison - and not be charged with a Federal Offence.
The photos here capture a small piece of the sites and feelings I had as I again walked through this Prison.
~ Murray Lincoln ~

















































 These two photos (above and below) are photos from Wikipedia

~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Digital Image from Misty Hollow

To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/ and http://mistyhollow-digitalimages.blogspot.ca/