COMPETENCE + CHARACTER = GREATNESS

Competence plus character equals greatness.  The phrase was coined by Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.  When it comes to what I value, and what I hope the public servants who represent me value, competence and character create a firm foundation on which to stand.  I do believe both competence and character go hand-in-hand in order for a public servant (or anyone for that matter) to achieve some level of greatness or contribute to positive synergy.

As an American citizen and voter, here is what I value and I hope the public servants who represent me value as well:

1.  The inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
2.  Access to a quality education to prepare young people for the future, regardless of socioeconomic status
3.  Access to employment opportunities, with emphasis on self-determination and self-sufficiency
4.  Access to quality healthcare, regardless of one's socioeconomic status
5.  Providing the poor with the tools necessary to become empowered, independent, and interdependent
6.  Taking care of the elderly
7.  Equal protection under the law, regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious belief
8.  The right to protect one's family and property
9.  Fair taxation
10.  Fiscal responsibility and transparency
11.  Maintaining and improving our country's infrastructure
12.  A public servant who does not regurgitate lies or hyperbole (what I like to call un-necessary drama)
13.  A public servant who has the courage to value honesty, charater and integrity

My list is not exhaustive.  Competence and character are the roots.  What's important to you as an American citizen and voter?

UNRESOLVED ANGER AND PEACE WITHIN

“If we ourselves remain angry and then sing world peace, it has little meaning. First, our individual self must learn peace. This we can practice. Then we can teach the rest of the world.” ~ Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

People get so angry that they some times burn and loot their own neighborhoods (Example: L.A. Riots 1965, 1992). In other cases, people get so angry; they bomb, burn, and loot other people’s neighborhoods (Example: The Greenwood District, Tulsa, OK Riots 1921). All in all, anger can be very destructive – not only to self but also to others.

Based on the words of The 14th Dalai Lama, we have to aim to be at peace within ourselves first before we can truly be a living example of peace to others. Now, being at peace does not mean we become doormats to the world. To me, being at peace with self puts a person in a position to act and respond appropriately, when necessary. Being at peace with self helps you hear the voice of your own Spirit, as Gary Zukav coined the term, the “whisper of the soul.”

The writer of the Epistle to the Corinthians implied that love and compassion, one in the same, are not selfish or conditional. It is very hard to love and respect someone that you fear, do not understand, do not care to understand, or perceive to be your inferior. Aiming to be at peace with self opens the door to love, compassion, and genuine respect (not only for others but for self).

Anger, in some instances, can be justifiable. The next step is to rise above it before it becomes toxic to self and to others. I believe a wise person said the healing of a nation begins in the home. Rising above a collective anger begins with self.

I pray these words find you well in mind, body, and spirit.

“Love is the most powerful force in the universe.” ~ Jazz Rasool

What's in Crude Oil?

Did you know that crude oil contains benzene, toluene, xylenes, ethylbenzene, trimethylbenzene, hydrogen sulfide, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons?

I found this information on an online material safety data sheet (MSDS) documented by the El Paso Corporation (El Paso).  Companies like El Paso that provide fuel such as natural gas, and are involved in pipelines, exploration, and the production of related fuels warn crude oil is an eye and skin irritant, and the inhalation of its fumes can cause dizziness, headaches, unconsciousness, and even death.  Acute (short-term) exposure to crude oil can cause dermatitis in humans, and long-term exposure has caused skin tumors to grow on laboratory mice (El Paso, 2007).

Based on a California Proposition 57 Warning outlined in the El Paso MSDS, chemicals found in crude oil are known carcinogens, and can cause birth defects and other reproductive harm.  A chemical or substance determined to be a carcinogen can cause cancer in humans and/or laboratory animals.

Material safety data sheets outline an abundance of information about the safe use and storage of chemicals, how to minimize chemical exposures through the use of personal protective equipment, how to respond to chemical exposures, and so forth.  You can find material safety data sheets for many chemicals or chemical substances online.  So, be informed.

Reference:
El Paso Corporation, Material Safety Data Sheet for Crude Oil, http://www.elpaso.com/msds/A0017-Crude%20Oil.pdf (The MSDS was last revised June 27, 2007).

There's No Better Time Like the Present to be Proactive

A safety pioneer from back in the 1930s by the name of H.W. Heinrich determined that dealing with the causes of safety hazards or unsafe conditions could help minimize or, at best, eliminate injuries related to the hazard. He figured that for every 330 similar hazards, there are 300 "near misses" or close-calls that do not result in an injury, 29 minor injuries, and one major injury. It would seem better to deal with a "close call" than to deal with a major or "traumatic" situation. In a nutshell, it's better to be proactive when possible.


There are areas in our own lives where it is advantageous to be proactive. Example: Maintaining the condition of our vehicles (preventive maintenance), periodically visiting our healthcare professional for routine physicals and check-ups, drinking an adequate amount of water, eating healthy foods, getting adequate exercise and rest, or dealing with problems in the home before they escalate into something more toxic!


Aim to be proactive when dealing with life situations. Mark your calendar with important dates. Prioritize and keep track of your day-to-day activities the best you can. Talk to your spouse, loved-one, or significant other when issues arise; always keep communication open. It just might minimize the added stress or even financial burden of dealing with unresolved issues.