What Box?^®

When you think about “out-of-the-box” people, who do you think of? Richard Branson, Picasso, Mooney, Chuck Barris, Frida Khalo, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington or, possibly Paul Revere.

Out-of-the-box thinkers see and open new possibilities. In many cases these are the leaders who inspire us to think differently and rise up into action. It is hard to think of a more “out-of-the-box” bunch than America’s founding fathers. Let’s face it. They had to be, to think they could take on England, the most powerful nation on earth in 1776. In our founding fathers’ day, their “out-of-the-box” thinking revolved around a nation based upon liberty, justice, free speech, all men are created equal, the separation of church and state, the right to participate in the religion of your choice, the right to bear arms, and the ability to participate in deciding who represents you in our government. The idea of voting for who you want representing you is quite possibly one of our founding fathers greatest legacies.

Benjamin Franklin is one of the greatest examples of an out-of-the-box thinker I can think of. As an entrepreneur, author, inventor, publisher, philosopher, Casanova, and diplomat, Franklin was able to enroll France to supporting our founding fathers with much needed money and resources. This was no small task as no country wanted to get embroiled in the controversy of supporting an unrecognized band of “out-of-the-box” thinkers, fighting England, in a unchartered far away place.

Thomas Jefferson acted as architect of one of the most important vision and mission documents in the history of man, The Declaration of Independence.

George Washington risked it all to fight for freedom and liberty and then stepped up to the plate to become our newly born nation’s first President.

Their “out-of-the-box” thinking and risk taking has inspired and moved our nation for over 220 years. And much like England during the time of America’s birth, we are now the most powerful nation on earth.

I wonder what Ben Franklin would have to say about where we find our great nation at this point in history?

As we look out over the landscape of our world today, we find ourselves at a crossroads in history. America has an opportunity to lead the world and show what is possible through uniting and leading by example. America is not its President, its Senators, its Congressmen, or its special interest groups. America is its citizens. We the people are able to choose who we want representing us by going out and voting.

How can we regain the “out-of-the-box” thinking that inspired the birth of our nation? Now more than ever we need to reach down deep and pull out the best we can be to take on the challenges of today and tomorrow. Why is it that we need to be hit by lightening bolts for us to wake up and face reality? Then after being awakened, over time, we have a tendency to get complacent, forget and go back to our old patterns of living.

We cannot afford to fall back into our old patterns. We need to support new thinking from both our major political parties and all of the candidates. We can support new thinking by understanding the issues, where our candidates stand, and letting our voices be heard by voting.

You have the power to influence the next chapter of our great country and the world by voting for the best candidate to represent all of us. It is critical that we understand all of the candidate’s merits, faults, strengths, weaknesses, and vision for our future. This understanding will enable you to make the best possible decision when you go to the polls to vote.

As part of Ben Franklin’s legacy, he has left us a powerful tool to support our ability to make informed decisions, the Pro-Con Chart, a thinking and decision making tool that is as viable today as it was when he was using it over 200 years ago. In fact, this is the same exercise Kristen and I used when we were making our big decision to move, or not to move, to Grand Lake way back when. Like myself, Ben liked to use his Pro-Con Chart when the decisions he had to make were some of the most important he was going to.

Here is how it works. At the top of a piece of paper, put a candidate’s name centered on 1/2 the page then draw a line under the name. From the center of the paper draw a line down just under the name so you have two equal spaces to your left and right. At the top left under the name and line put the word Pro. On the right side under the name put the word Con. Then write down all the Pro and Con concepts you can come up with on why you would vote or not vote for this candidate. Next to each Pro and Con concept place a number from 1-10, 10 being the most important and 1 being the least. Take your time and be realistic about your number rating. After attaching a number to each concept, add up the numbers on each side and total. These thoughts and figures will help you better understand your deeper thinking.

Put your candidate and their opponent to the Ben Franklin Pro-Con test! See if you are making the best choice you can be making.

I think that Ben would be proud. See you at the polling booths on November 2nd.

Let me know what you think.

Write me confidentially at sean@whatbox.info or The Chronicle of Grand Lake PO Box 757 Langley, OK 74350 c/o What Box? Visit www.whatbox.info to learn more.

Dear Sean,
You have been very lucky to have something that you love, a dream that you are pursuing. How did you discover that dream?
Searching

Dear Searching,
It took a life-altering event to awaken something inside of me and start the process of discovering deeper meaning in life. The process has not been an easy one. Much like the hero’s journey of ancient fables it has taken dedication and persistence to keep on keeping on. My dream is to make a positive difference and show what is possible. Along the way I have stumbled and fallen, dusting myself off and taking the learning I can forward. It has consumed a majority of my life to figure this out and is constantly under review and improvement. Just last week, hanging with Donald Trump, I was reminded that being lucky is a good part of the battle. May Luck and the Force be with you.
Keep on keeping on,
Sean,

Until next week remember that the only boxes that exist are the ones you create for yourself.

Next to the power of the writer’s word, the spoken word is one of man’s greatest gifts. Words give us the power to create. Words can be used to inspire, motivate, empower, hurt, damage, improve, and innovate. When we speak, the words that we use have so much potential and are so powerful that we can positively change our lives and that of others or we can destroy them. And yet, how often do we really think about what it is we are speaking? Is what we are speaking really communicating what we mean? How can we learn to choose words to communicate our thoughts from a place of integrity and truth on a regular basis?

Sometimes people who speak from a place of integrity are not always popular. Sometimes these people pay the highest price for speaking with integrity. Last week’s inspirational story came direct from Abraham Lincoln, a man who spoke with great integrity with almost everything he said. His words are only second to the Bible as published books. Abe’s words are still recalled today by leaders all over the world as inspiration and motivation to take on the challenges of the future.

Thinking of Abraham Lincoln I am moved by yet another man who gave so much of himself and continues to inspire generations of people all over the world. Martin Luther King Jr. was a powerful man who was not always popular when he spoke with integrity. We all know, “I have a dream” as the beginning of one of the most memorable speeches in modern history. His words have only grown stronger over time and now memorials are being built in cities all over the world sharing his words. This is the kind of power words have to effect history and change.

What I am wondering is how do we, on a regular basis, say and communicate what we mean, speak from a place of integrity and use the power of our words to create truth and joy in our lives and that of others? How do we block the words that are negatively used against ourselves and that of others? Quite a challenge I must say.

Let’s be honest. It’s not easy to be aware of the words we speak all the time or even most of the time. At times we are not totally sure of what it is we want to communicate. Other times the limitation of our language gets in the way and it can become too difficult to express ourselves. Yet, other times we are not even thinking about what it is we are saying. Ultimately this is where we get ourselves into trouble. In too many cases people have gone on autopilot and don’t even have a clue what they are communicating. We have the power to break out of these autopilot patterns. Like so many concepts and ideas shared in What Box? it takes practice, patience, and persistence to achieve the desired goal. In this case, becoming aware of the words you are speaking and then learning to choose words that support communicating from a place of integrity. Practicing these actions will support creating a positive impact in your life and the lives of those around you.

Here are some of the ways I have experimented with to become more in tune with the words that I use.

LISTENING
Pay attention to words other people use by listening. People like to be around people who listen to them. Listen to the words used most and if the words were positive or negative. See what words draw you in or drive you away. Listen!

BECOME AWARE OF THE WORDS YOU USE
Think about and focus on what you are saying in your daily communications with people and groups. Become aware of the words you use to communicate and identify the words you use the most. With those words think about the meaning of words you would like to be saying. When you start paying attention to the words you use, observe how people respond differently and build on the positive.

FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE
We have all heard it before. I can hear my Great, Great, Great Grannie Arant off in the distance, “You gain a lot more with sugar than with vinegar.” Focusing on the positive supports creating what you want in your life. People really like to be around positive people. No matter how bad it may seem there is a positive side.

WORDS TO AVOID
Avoid using negative words towards yourself and others. When you express anger, jealousy, envy, or hate you hurt yourself and those around you. Avoid gossiping about others and forming opinions prematurely.

Our ability to express ourselves through words is such a great gift. In the end you decide which words you will choose to best describe what you want to communicate. The words you choose have the power to set you free, or enslave you. By paying more attention to the words that we use and saying what we really mean, we can change ourselves and the world around us for the better. You have the power. What do you have to say?

Let me know what you think.

Dear Sean,
How do I stop negative things from flying out of my mouth.
Pass The Soap

Dear Pass The Soap,
Speaking before thinking is very common. As this weeks What Box? has shared, it helps to start thinking and paying attention to the words you use. Listening is perhaps the other single greatest thing you can do to curb words flying out of your mouth. I am always having to remind myself that I have two ears and one mouth and use them accordingly. By the way, I recently read about some cherry flavored soap that’s hit the market.
Keep on Keeping on,
Sean

You’re Invited to a Special Public Art Unveiling
Seuessology, a new art piece by Grand Lake area artist Sean Griffin, is the latest and last addition to the Tulsa Zoo Penguin’s on Parade collection. The Seussology penguin will nest temporarily at the Brush & Palette Gallery. A public unveiling is scheduled to coincide with the Grove Downtown Art Walk, Saturday October 16th at 5:30pm. The penguin will nest at the Brush & Palette through the end of October and then will fly the coop for its permanent nest overlooking the shores of Grand Lake at Honey Creek.

Until next week remember the only boxes that exist are the ones you create for yourself.

In my quest to discover what it is I truly want from life and to manifest my mission to “Make a Positive Difference and Show What is Possible,” I have stumbled and fallen way more than I have succeeded in achieving my goals. I have found that the more I have stuck myself out there, the more arrows that will be shot into my back. These arrows have held a great influence on me, teaching me new ways to approach whatever it is I have been doing. The challenge for all of us is not only in identifying these new approaches so we can reach our goals, but also to muster the courage to continue in the quest and “Never Ever Give Up.”

“If it were easy, everyone would be doing it,” is what my buddy, Joe Paul, and I always say to each other, whenever we are exhausted to our last breath from either tearing down an old barn or rebuilding an antique log cabin. The majority of people take the road most traveled, the road down hill. For those few who are willing to trek up the hill and take the road less traveled it is important to nurture a “Never Ever Give Up” attitude in life. The journey of discovery into the unknown is one of the greatest journeys one can pursue, because it has the tremendous potential to transform you into the person you were meant to be.

In my life, the intelligence I inherited, along with my ambitious nature, and a strong dedication to immersive learning, a powerful determination to “Never Ever Give Up” has developed. It has not always been easy to embrace the idea of “Never Ever Give Up.” Many times in my life I have wanted to just “throw in the towel” on numerous endeavors. In some cases I probably gave up too soon and in others held on too long. Like so many things in life it takes practice, patience, and courage to embrace an attitude of “Never Ever Give Up.”

Whenever I get down and feel like I can’t keep going on with something I am working on, I like to read the following true-life story. It inspires me to keep on keeping on.

Feel discouraged occasionally? The next time discouragement hits you, remember the story of a young man of limited background, possessing little more than a self-administered education. Upon completion of military service, he decided to enter politics by running for a seat in the state legislature. He was soundly defeated. He abandoned politics to try his hand at the storekeeper’s trade. The store went bankrupt, and he spent the next 17 years paying off the debt. He fell in love with a woman . . . and suffered the heartbreaking experience of watching her die from typhoid fever. He then spent the next several months bedridden in a state of major depression.

Back on his feet he again decided to enter politics, this time as a candidate for Congress. He was elected by a narrow margin, and when he ran for re-election he was defeated. He also became a candidate for the United States Senate – and was defeated. He sought a position with the United States land office and failed to get the job. He was nominated for the Vice Presidency at the Presidential convention of a major political party and lost to a political unknown on the final ballot.

Running again for Senate, he waged a campaign which captured the attention of the nation, but which netted him only defeat once again. Instead of giving up, he continued to dedicate himself to the ideals and principals in which he believed. His eventual reward is familiar to us all, for Abraham Lincoln, although often discouraged during his lifetime, in the end he “Never Ever Gave Up.”

Let me know what you think.

Write me confidentially at sean@whatbox.info or The Chronicle of Grand Lake PO Box 757 Langley, OK 74350 c/o What Box? Visit www.whatbox.info to learn more.

Dear Sean,
I read your recent article entitled The Rural Life for Me. It’s great that you have found such a wonderful place to live that is free of all the noise and confusion of a large city. Since my work, family and friends are in the large city in which I live, I will not be making the choice to move to a place such as you have described. What suggestions can you make for me to incorporate into my environment that which will enable me to experience the peace of mind that you have obviously found?
Stuck in The City

Dear Stuck in The City,
When I last lived in the city I had a “secret garden” that was hidden behind a large lattice fence at the very back of the yard. The trees and vines had grown in such a way as to create a canopy designed by nature. The addition of a high fence and numerous sitting areas supported creating a sanctuary where I could escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It was the favorite place for visitors to spend time when outside. That said, if I knew what I know now I would have realized the rural life is not very far from any big city. If you are willing to commute a little farther or change your commuting patterns there are fantastic opportunities in the rural areas surrounding large cities. Next time you get a chance take a nice Sunday drive and see what kinds of houses are on the market in the rural communities near your city. Notice how the city is moving into some rural communities to determine how long it will be before the area you are visiting might not be rural anymore.
Keep on keeping on,
Sean

Until next week, remember the only boxes that exist are the ones you create for yourself.