Values

All posts tagged Values

Quote of the Day – Donella Meadows on Vision

Posted by Schnik on May 17, 2012
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I’ve been reading a book on vision, accomplishment, and how you get there. The more I reflect on this book, the more I wonder, Do I know where I want to go? The answer has always been yes. I’m just not sure how to get there. Roadblocks seem to manifest in every location and for years and years; I’ve crawled over, dug under, scurried around and barreled through them. Yet, they still appear. Frustrating as ever, but we press on.

If we haven’t specified where we want to go, it is hard to set our compass, to muster enthusiasm, or to measure progress. But vision is not only missing almost entirely from policy discussions; it is missing from our culture. We talk easily and endlessly about our frustrations, doubts, and complaints, but we speak only rarely, and sometimes with embarrassment, about our dreams and values. – Donella Meadows

A giant sundial
Used under creative commons, thanks davepatten!

Quote in the Day – Margaret Thatcher on Consensus

Posted by Schnik on May 3, 2012
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Now, I know, to some Margaret Thatcher is a polarizing official. I’ve read plenty about her and seen many documentaries, including the latest: The Iron Lady, I think she’s a smart, bold, dedicated woman. All things you’d like in a leader. On this day in 1979, Margaret Thatcher was elected as the first Female Prime Minister in Great Britain.

To me, consensus seems to be: the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values, and policies in search of something in which no one believes, but to which no one objects; the process of avoiding the very issues that need to be solved, merely because you cannot get agreement on the way ahead. What great cause would have been fought and won under the banner ‘I stand for consensus’? – Margaret Thatcher

Downing Street
Used under creative commons, thanks Stephen & Claire Farnsworth

Quote of the Day – Hillary Clinton on Change

Posted by Schnik on February 17, 2012
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We almost didn’t have one of the greatest presidents in history. On this day in 1801 – The U.S. House of Representatives broke an electoral college tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, electing Jefferson as the third President and Burr as Vice President. This decision wasn’t taken likely as it took 36 votes for the House of Representative to reach a true consensus. And we think our elections are a tied up process now…

One thing we know for sure is that change is certain. Progress is not. Progress depends on the choices we make today for tomorrow and on whether we meet our challenges and protect our values. – Hillary Rodham Clinton

[The Century of Progress International Exposition, illuminated at night]
(Used under creative commons, thanks UIC Digital Connection)

Quote of the Day – “Anonymous” on Why You Should

Posted by Schnik on February 10, 2012
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There’s always gotta be someone who can’t just leave well enough alone. “This isn’t Mother Teresa” Well fine. Then it’s just some Schmuck who said something wise.

I was looking for a quote today on Truth and Honesty. They seem to be big topics in my life this week. From Ellen vs. One Million Moms, to Howard Stern and Bill O’Reilly, to my friends Andrew Hayes and Sarah Salter. Truth and honesty are the greatest virtues in life. We all could use a little more. :)

People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of having selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will gain false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten by tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and bluntness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and blunt anyway.
What you spend years building can be destroyed overnight.
Build it anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you help them.
Help them anyway.
Even if you live your life, you will die someday.
Live your life anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

Someone

Yellow Rose of Friendship