A-Ideas Blog: Recent Comments

Comment on That Which Does Not Destroy Me... The Story of an Exceptional Mom

dava money — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:36:37 GMT

What a lovely story of appreciative intelligence and true love. Thanks for the inspiration.

Comment on A-Idea: From Vintage kimono to One-of-a-Kind Purse

Barb Gilbert — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 18:42:25 GMT

Sharon is truly a very talented individual. It's great that she saw an opportunity and went after it. She has done such a great job marketing her product. What a thrill to be at the Oscars!!!!!! Let's wish Sharon all the best with her new venture.

Comment on A-Idea: From Vintage kimono to One-of-a-Kind Purse

Carol Metzker — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:55:58 GMT

Me, too. The wonderful thing about her persistence (which is one of four characteristics that come from appreciative intelligence, by the way - persistence, convictions that your actions matter, tolerance for uncertainty and irrepressible resilience) is that she created such a win-win situation. It resulted in successful business and fulfilling career opportunities for her. And it means that her customers get to enjoy her artistic designs and the joy that comes from seeing something lovely and creative.

Comment on A-Idea: From Vintage kimono to One-of-a-Kind Purse

Marlye Schiffrin — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 22:41:11 GMT

Very impressive bio. Sharon is extremely creative and artistic. She has courage to begin new enterprises.

Comment on A-Idea: From Vintage kimono to One-of-a-Kind Purse

Blaire — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:51:43 GMT

I think it's wonderful that Sharon continued to work throughout all obstacles - physical and fiscal!

Comment on Appreciative Intelligence in the Skeptical Legal World

Nick Heap — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 20:42:42 GMT

Congratulations on the "Secret Society of Happy Lawyers". It's a lovely idea and shows that people are people first and professionals afterwards. I look forward to the "Secret Societies of Happy Politicians, Police Officers, Teachers and Dentists!"

How do the societies work, or is this a secret?

Thank you, you have made my day!

Best wishes

Nick

Comment on Depreciating Appreciation

Bruce Elkin — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 14:03:05 GMT

I think there is a finer distinction than merely cheefulness or negativity. Just as realistic optimism is superior to pessimism and 'pollyanna' optimism, I think authentic appreciation is more likely to accepted than faked or forced appreciation.
Cheers!
Bruce

Comment on Grumpy - and Not the Seventh Dwarf

dava money — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:14:02 GMT

Ah, yes, you have come upon a sticky place in our daily practice. When are we finished with resting into the feeling and mining it for all its gold and where are we beginning to practice the pain? A fine line, indeed. When are we truly moving forward in creating a new reality or pseudo freedom from suffering?

Our bodies can be helpful in finding that line and pointing out where we are in alignment and where we are not. If there is peace after mining the feeling then it has done its job and we have done our job and it is no longer needed and will rest back into a seed form ready to be called upon in the future. There is transparency in that moment. At that place we have a choice of moving on to a creative thought that will help align ourselves and the universe with the power of our intention.

However, often we have found floundering in the feelings to be rewarding in some way so may choose at that point to continue to practice the feeling...to cultivate it. We may trade in our authenticity in order to have some security need met in an old way. In our continuing evolution, though, that behavior is not serving us and more of us are learning to drop it for the transparency.

We are also given feedback about our own alignment of intention and feeling by what we are experiencing in the world. The universe is a mirror so if we experience continued conflict we are likely conflicted (the thought and emotion being unaligned in our earlier example).

It is a good thing that we are all becoming better at perceiving the subtle and sublime as we move into increasing complexity.

Comment on What's so good about being grumpy?

dava money — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 15:13:38 GMT

Absolutely, Peter. Sometimes, especially in relationship with the grump, we get focused on the mood---label it, medicate it, distance from it or intensify it--rather than its purpose of reminding us that we are failing to choose what we want.

Comment on Grumpy - and Not the Seventh Dwarf

peter vajda — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 12:31:26 GMT

"“My beloved and I are on our own paths, care deeply for each other and will together make wise decisions,” and find relief.

This is an effective exercise, IMHO, if the thought and the emotion underneath the thought are in alignment. However, if there's a conflict between the thought (positive) and the underlying emotion (fear), the emotion will win out. It's here that one might continue to explore the underlying emotion to see what the "truth" is.

"It does not guarantee that the relationship will continue, however it reduces my suffering "

And, here, too, maybe it's just that suffering that one needs to explore, go through, inquire into, digest and metabolize to see what's underneath (e.g., self-limiting, or self-sabotaging self image, or belief around relationship) that can set one free in a true and real sense than maybe just have a quick appearance of experience of freedom through a quick affirmation.

I appreciate this interview. Good stuff!