The Classic Pamela Positive: Communicate With More Than Words

It is so amazing to me that when we communicate, the words really ‘come in third place.’

First, it’s tone.  Tone communicates the most for us. If we are kind, inclusive, loving, we have opened up a wealth of goodness, opportunity and long-term relationships.  That’s enriching, positive communications.

If you say “you look so nice!” – that can be lovely or sarcastic. It can be kind, gentle, or demeaning and contradictory.  So calm, proactive, inclusive, “slow” conversations, or enthusiastic, proactive and loving statements, can help provide dynamic change.

Your tone is what opens up the conversation and action for change.   JENNA THIS SHOULD BE LARGER PULLED OUT, QUOTE IN COLOR

Second, it’s is body language.   If you say something with gusto but your shoulders are caved in, you are contradicting yourself.  How you carry yourself, walk, speak — and especially the intent of your eyes, communicates profoundly. Be strong but humble with your body. Honest and clear, but fluid in your movements.  Find that special balance of strength and openness in how you present yourself, your postures and even the way you move.

Third, it’s words.  Words are the least communicative.  You can reinforce by thousands of percents the words in a positive way or negative depending on how you say it.

****  center this

How we communicate and the tone we choose, each moment, can create a more loving, trusting world. Realize how much you can impact the world today, by this simple but important commitment.

Love, Pamela

The Classic Pamela Positive: Build Trust–For Peace

World Peace is a hard word.  We all want it. But how can you create “World Peace” ?

What we can do is build World Trust.  We commit to developing long-term relationships based on trust.  If we focus on World Trust, then World Peace can result.  Peace is based on Trust.

Read further on our page, Building World Trust.

The Pamela Positive: Divide and Rule…Unite and Lead

This is a great quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: ”Divide and rule, a sound motto; unite and lead, a better one.”

At times need to separate into distinct groups in order to have harmony…but that’s short term.  We are all most connected and most spiritually productive when we serve one another.

So if you need to divide and rule right now, you are taking a good step. One that provides clarity.   But in a close future, the habit will be one of uniting.     Differences, disagreements will disappear, whether it is a misunderstanding with a neighbor, or the devastation in the Congo.

Let’s hold to this unity: It’s a better you, me, all of us.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) was a German poet, playwright, novelist, and natural philosopher, best known for his two-part poetic drama Faust, which he started around the age of twenty-three and didn’t finish till shortly before his death sixty years later. He is considered one of the greatest contributors of the German Romantic period. At the age of sixteen, in 1765, Goethe went to Leipzig University to study law as his father wished, though he also gained much recognition from the Rococo poems and lyric he wrote during this period. In 1766 he fell in love with Anne Catharina Schoenkopf (1746-1810) and wrote his joyfully exuberant collection of poems Annette.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe now rests in the Fürstengruft or “Royal Tomb” in the “Historic Cemetery” in Wiemar where his dear friend Schiller is also laid to rest. In honour of these two famous German men of letters, a statue of Goethe and Schiller now stands at the German National Theatre in Munich. UNESCO’S “Memory of the World” list includes the handwritten works of Goethe preserved by the Goethe-Schiller-Archive.

Bio Source: The Literature Network

Confessions of a Caffeine-a-holic

I used to be a Caffeine-a-holic, even when I wasn’t drinking any.  I still craved it.

So when I was getting off caffeine, it took me three times.  The first two were outwardly successful.  I got my caffeine intake very, very low, and my energy was natural and in line with who I really was.  But I still craved, oh so craved,  desperately, that Diet Coke.  I wanted the feeling of those sparkly bubbles in my tummy.  Somehow, it soothed my soul.

That craving made me realize I wasn’t fully healed.

Later on I met a very special intern who worked for me at UniversalGiving.  He remains a close friend today, and his name is Austin Smith.  He was a star runner at Princeton, and he and I were very much aligned with taking care of ourselves, from the vision we had for our lives, to our day-to-day living.

One day we were talking about how I’d never done drugs.  And his response was, “yes, you have, and you do.”

I was shocked and he was right.  As he related, caffeine is one of the most powerful drugs that we have.

Through his inspiration and gentle wake-up call, I was able to begin another attempt at getting off caffeine.  With quiet prayer, encouragement, patient trust and a gentle, enduring sense of a moment by moment commitment, I was able to make a true transition this time.  I was ready to be healed not only of drinking caffeine, but also of the craving for it.  I was inspired by the principle that I wanted to do the right thing and be honest for what was really happening in my life. I was indeed doing drugs. And I didn’t want anything to do with it.

For the first three months I literally ran home to go to bed because I was so exhausted, falling asleep at nine or nine-thirty… I was scared I’d never be out dancing salsa or swing again.  But eventually my body rhythm recalibrated itself… Now I get nice amounts of sleep, unrelated to any effects from caffeine.  The beauty of it all is that I no longer crave the Diet Coke or coffee.

That’s true healing…which includes not only body, but also peace of mind…and the peace of living in principle.

This post is part of “How This CEO Needs to Grow,” Pamela’s series about being transparent in the areas she is working on to be a better person and leader.

Reasonable Optimism is about Hope, and Being Open to the Possibilities – Howard Zinn

I love how Howard Zinn focuses on maintaining the human spirit. Throughout his life dedication to combatting injustice, striving to help those marginalized, and being involved in a brutal World War, Howard held his views of hope.

“…I intend to be the voice of reasonable optimism, to figure out a passage through this tough time. To have hope, one does not need certainty, only possibility.”

Let’s keep our minds open to the great possibilities which abound before us.  There is always a way, a pathway, a new opportunity, a new possibility.  A New Hope!

Howard Zinn (1922-2010) was a historian, author and activist.  He was a pilot in WWII, an experience which shaped his outspoken opposition of war.  He was a professor of political science for many years at Boston University.  He is best known for his book, A People’s History of the United States, presenting history from the point of the view of the marginalized.