We googled “new year resolutions” and got 26,600,000 results. 10 tips, 5 ways….lose weight, stop smoking, start exercising…it’s all covered.
This post isn’t going to do that. Here’s what we have learned this year. One word that can improve all of our lives immediately: communication.

The ancient story of the Tower of Babel offers one explanation for the linguistic and cultural differences of the human race and the subsequent conflicts arising in the “confusion of tongues”.  The city of Babel united humanity, with all people speaking one language. In time, humility and reverence were lost. In their vain glory, people began a construction that would reach to heaven to show their power. Wrathful of their arrogance, God took away their ability to communicate by creating different languages. The people disbursed across the earth, split into separate factions. And conflict ensued. In modern times, it seems we are still harvesting those bitter fruits.

Our dear friend Maria Seddio, President of Corp Talk, holds to the mantra “conversation is the cure”. She brings meaningful dialogues to organizations and individuals to facilitate collaboration, opportunity and change. CNN’s Rick Sanchez had two people on the phone during his last show of the year, both were in the thick of the bombings – one in Israel, one in Pakistan. He spoke to each and then they spoke to each another.  A touching moment, as they transcended politics and ideologies, glimpsing into the humanity of what one person might say to another in such a tragic circumstance. They communicated.

In Chinese philosophy, shin, the word for mind, is represented by the character for heart. In Taoist & Zen thought this means higher awareness comes from thinking holistically, encompassing logic and emotions. We need to talk — and we need to listen. With intelligence, with compassion.

• Be clear in what you have to say. Let it be more of a dialogue, and less of a monologue.

• Listen mindfully without distraction and without filtering through your preconceived thoughts. Honor the other person. Really hear what is being said.

• Don’t make judgments about a person or a situation based on limited information. Explore, gather all the facts and make an informed decision.

• Check where you may be deluding yourself, or others. Where are you in denial? (Ask your close friends, and no kidding, seek professional help if  necessary).

• Be open to the reality that you may have a solipsistic world view. Expand your consciousness.

We are a world in crisis. Let’s all start now, in 2009, with courage and passion, to communicate. We can work together to turn it around. Talk, and listen, as if your life depended on it. It does.

Toni Josephson

http://www.corptalkonline.com/

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/12/28/the-psychology-of-new-years-resolutions/

Truth (noun) –(1): the state of being the case : fact  (2): the body of real things, events, and facts : actuality  (3): a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality

In the martial arts, like many things in life, the quest for truth – in the system, its philosophy and even in yourself, is a key to mastery and a lifelong pursuit. We seek out the truest teacher and teachings. And there are different levels of complexity in sifting through the rocks to find the gold.

Kurasawa’s Rashomon makes its point that sometimes truth is based upon our perspective and there is no answer. Or more evidence, please. Perhaps it’s a leap of faith. We do seem to operate from shared core principles. But what is truth? And what do you see?

In Nepal, Ram Bahadur Bamjam,18, is thought by many to be the reincarnation of the Siddhartha Gautama. First found emerging from the jungle in 2005, followers said he had been meditating without food or water for months. His re-emergence this week drew thousands of devotees as he addresses and blesses them before his return to the wild. A Buddhist scholar commented that being Buddha means it is the last birth and the highest level that can be achieved. Once that happens, the role is taken. Is the Buddha back?

Photos were released this week: HR8799 system, 130 light years from Earth, hosts what may be 3 planets in the constellation Pegasus. Closer, 25 light years away and 16 times brighter than our sun is a possible fourth planet, Fomalhaut b, found in the constellation Piscis Australis. It is 1 billion times fainter than its host star, Fomalhaut.  Planets, or are they brown dwarf stars?

Some wonder if the news communicated to us is what the press wants us to hear. CNN’s Rick Sanchez measures his audience’s pulse via social networks like twitter. He throws out gambits to the web community and fields questions. He listens. He is on the air live. It feels alive. It feels true.

Seal was promoting his new CD Soul covering standards. On one show, the video intro to the live interview had him crooning a few bars of Sam Cooke’s A Change is Gonna Come. The piece finished a few notes short. As the interview began, he finished the tune. Spontaneous.  A capella. Interesting, the word a capella translates from the Italian, “according to the chapel”. His voice, unfiltered, was striking. It sounded true.

We seek out the truth in all systems, studies and cultures. We look for it, long for it – dream about it. Maybe, just maybe, we know it when we feel it.

Toni Josephson

PS — Don’t forget to check our our latest videos in Martial Arts, Wellness & Entertainment!

www.seal.com

http://ricksanchez.blogs.cnn.com/