The Hunt Is On!

You Speed...

2010-07-30T06:20:00.000-07:00

I speed, we all speed down the highway. Speeding is the tip of the iceberg, just one of many Positive Deviance solutions we all use often and effectively.

My Art is based on the observation that everyone quietly, automatically and frequently deviates from norms of society to get better results---we speed because it gets us where we want to go more quickly than the posted speed limit.

ART FORM. Speeding and other instances of Positive Deviance represent a beautiful, mysterious and as yet little explored realm of human ingenuity and creatively, one that is essential to living 'the good life'. This makes it, for me, a worthy subject of art and celebration.

ART METHOD. In my exploration of Positive Deviance I employ a type of

performance art

. I create little movies, books, pictures, songs, programs, contests and other things, in which I recommend Positive Deviance solutions, many of which are natural and logical extensions of what we already do. For example, one of my pieces,

The Helmet Solution

, is a full-length movie in which I suggest people wear a helmet.

ART FUNCTION. "The Helmet Solution" is not only a movie. It, like my other pieces of art, is

a foundation from which to foray---to hunt for additional

insights and other treasure. At the end of each piece the phrase "Foray to..." headlines my collection of links that lead to further discoveries in wonderful world of Positive Deviance.

HUMOR.

Wit is an essential ingredient in My Art.

Just as Mark Twain observed "humor is the good natured side of a truth", Positive Deviance is the good natured side of deviating. Consistent with this spirit,

I blend dry humor into my pieces. I do this not only to amuse but for therapeutic reasons as well. Humor helps people feel more at ease by giving them soft points for engaging with difficult truths.

The cushion of humor is vital because

even though My Art focuses on the sunny-side of deviance, it is still deviance, which for some people is rugged, scary, threatening stuff---as evidenced by the fact that Positive Deviance tends to get the 'that-which-must-not-be-named' treatment.

For example, although parents, teachers, preachers and police frequently use speeding themselves, they shy away from advocating, explaining and teaching children, students, congregants and the public how to speed more safely.

But we are now in the dawning of a new era. It's time to approach Positive Deviance solutions more boldly; to recognize them for what they truly are: 'the hidden habits of highly effective people', backstage rituals everyone uses to speed down and navigate life's byways and highways.

I offer My Art as a place to start.

_____________________________

Foray to...

the book

Because Positive Deviance flows so naturally and unconsciously, it's quite easy and common for people to act as if a particular instance of Positive Deviance, like speeding, is an exception, a rare anomaly, just a blip. But as I point out above, speeding is the tip of the iceberg, just one of a vast array of such solutions we all use regularly. Speeding, for example, is just one of the many "micro violations" of law we use, which are both inescapable and decidedly positive!

the bullet

That we ALL speed is a fact with strategic implications for maintaining boundaries and personal freedom.

feel good

Speeding is logical. It saves a few minutes on your commute, hours on long trips. But the reason we use speeding, as well as other Positive Deviance, is not just (and sometimes not primarily) because of logic, but to feel.

speedy solutions

A major theme in My Art, as shown here, here, here, here, here, here and here, parallels and mimics modern society's need for speedy solutions like these here, here, here, here, here, here and here. Ironically, speeding even faster may be the best way to solve speeding problems, as I discuss here. (This foray is currently in development)

discuss danger

Celebrating speeding and other Positive Deviance solutions energetically as I do can set off some people's warning bells, but there's no need to fear "POSITIVE" Deviance.

Artist's development area:

Consider ideal conditions for speeding, and not. For example, a police car pulls up behind, beside or in front ofyou, what do you do? And then, when thepolice are gone, what do you do? Do police officers know what you do in these conditions? Compare this to Positive Deviance people use at work: When your boss comes into the work area, what do you and other employees do? What do you do when your boss leaves the area (or on vacation)? Does the boss know what you are doing? Does the boss expect it, allow it?

Examine speeding as a heuristic - what else is like speeding---we speed on resumes, advertisements, injections, gws,

We don't all speed at the same speed: One person's Positive Deviance (sweet spot/safe speed) may be another'sNegative Deviance (sour/un-sweet spot/dangerous speed). This point is valid not only for speeding, but for every form of Positive Deviance we use.

See Speedy Art (notes): Education (quick-through-school, little to no mastery of languages, math---beyond 4th and 5th grade level, etc. + we've got to keep going to get through this lesson...ODDLY ENOUGH THE SOLUTION IS MORE SPEED..MORE COWBELL...WE NEED TO DO CALCULUS IN A WEEK) math)MovLose weight fast, Education...one-week menu, wedding pictures, mvoies (no talk about, watch next), conversations--how are you-great...eat fast, love-fast, run through the art gallery (SPEEDING IS THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION...we need to honor our need for speed at the same time we honor the need for substance and mastery....this understanding led me to change what I was doing with GWS....I needed to add more stuff, but move quiker through the things people are unlikely to use...and spend more time with the things they are going to use...so I pack my plate fulll...just like they do self-help books...to give the sense of fullness...spirit of abundance...say yes to everything but don't say how much of everything you are going to do---or when you are going to do it) In this way speeding faster becomes a wonderful positive deviance solution to a brokens system...because who cares if we spend 15 minutes or 15 days on some polynomual function if they result a few laters is still near the same (zero retention)....in essence I propose we reach slow-living by speeding up. , speed dating

celebrate speeding society...link to having a speed party, where the theme is to do certain things very fast (accomplihsments, etc.)...go faster and faster (but be positive)....Have a Postitive Deviance party.

Therapy

2010-07-29T07:22:00.000-07:00

Positive Deviance is a therapeutic tool used in individual and group settings.

Self Therapy. It would be disingenuous of me to invite you to use Positive Deviance for practical and therapeutic purposes as though it was something new, since you already use it in spades, to great effect in every area of life..., usually quite automatically. The aim of My Art is to make the obvious inescapable, to help you understand you are a natural-born master of Positive Deviance. You learned how to speed on your own, you can certainly figure out ways to be even more positively deviant, all on your own. Again, feel free to use My Art as a place to start.

Group Therapy. Sometimes it is useful and enjoyable (sometimes crucial) to get feedback from others with expertise. I conduct individual and group Positive Deviance therapy sessions, what I call "jam sessions"---relaxed, lively, informal conversations in which we explore, as individuals or in groups, the ways Positive Deviance makes our lives easier, more interesting and worthwhile (we find it, we celebrate it!). We foray to discover the great hidden potential Positive Deviance has for increasing awareness and insight, managing stress, improving relationships, increasing cognitive and creative abilities, attaining valued achievements and self fulfillment. If you are intrigued, send an email to jamsession@thehuntison.com. I'll send you a message telling you how to join me for an online one-on-one or group jam session. Your initial consultation is free.

Certification. Perhaps you would like to become certified in Positive Deviance Therapy (PDT). I offer a 6-week certification class. For information send an email to certify@thehuntison.com.

Open Bowl

2010-07-28T07:22:00.000-07:00

Plain Rice

Jerry Sternin observed, unorthodox Vietnamese rice paddy farmers quietly add little wild critters and weeds (unlikely proteins, minerals and vitamins) to their rice bowls, so their families stay healthier than other families who stick with just plain rice.

Strange Condiments

What these farmers do, we all do in so many ways. In every realm of life we seek out "low-hanging fruit"---solutions, that though unconventional, are easier and better than the norm; solutions that enhance plain life for those with an open bowl.

What is your "bowl" open to? Imagine that you are a family member of one of these rice paddy farmers. Would you open your bowl to the wild critters and weeds they offer? Or would you just stick with plain rice? Why? What would be the consequence of your choice?

Realizing that you are already open to wild solutions (you speed) is the first step of Positive Deviance Therapy (PDT) Then, opening even wider (speeding faster) is the second step. The following art pieces help you take these steps.

Dandelion Solution

The PDT Icon. Like my fellow artists (painters, sculptures, photographers, filmmakers) who find beauty in that which is close-at-hand, yet often ignored or disdained by society (e.g. grandma's wrinkled face and hands, grandpa's quirky remedies) I delight in effective solutions that are easy, immediate, yet often overlooked or sneered at because they are merely unorthodox. The dandelion is a great example of the low-hanging fruit at the heart of My Art. This tiny flower imparts important lessons. First, I am reminded to maintain modest expectations for how well people are likely to receive my best work (My Art) when we see how easily people miss, dismiss and deny the full beauty, wonder and value of dandelions (they really are spectacular!). Second, how the dandelion is generally treated in our society reminds me how powerfully determinant conventional thinking can be, and thus, why it is difficult for people to keep an "open bowl" to my solutions. One of the most common and twisted stories (perceptions) of dandelions portrays them as nothing more than a weed---one that merits great expenditures, of energy, time, money, and deadly poisons to destroy and eradicate. This is stunning, in light of the facts that dandelions are a nutritional powerhouse (the entire plant is edible, root and all; and it can be eaten at any stage of development) and tasty too (it makes good tea, and since my family started eating dandelions we have no more need to grow spinach or lettuce in the garden). My high-glory story is that dandelions are a blessing...sent as a heavenly reminder, to inspire and give us all courage to set sail on the hunt for new, better solutions despite the harsh winds of social disapproval. This flower, to me, is evidence that we need to journey on with a bright hope, that there are other things (many things) in our society and inside ourselves that like the dandelion, are better, healthier, more beautiful, and so much closer to home than we had ever imagined, which can be more easily obtained than the conventional substitutes we currently, conventionally strive for. I discuss this hope in my PDT jam sessions. Also, check out my Fantastic Forays from dandelions to other wild critters and weeds (including cooked grasshoppers, yum!)..

Humanitarian Service Project Solution

small is the new BIG. This piece is dedicated to Mother Teresa, who said, "There are no great things, only small things with great love......It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home, for this is where our love for each other must start......Jesus said love one another. He didn’t say love the whole world......It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.......Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies....If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.......We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop......Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work." Join us for a jam about doing distal and proximal Humanitarian Service Projects.

Helmet Solution

Touchstone. This solution is a reminder that every "better" solution, regardless of whether it is conventional or unconventional, is like the "Helmet Solution": it really doesn't matter whether the particular solution is undeniably true, beautiful, and/or a betterment of what IS, people will not DO it ("wear the helmet") unless they think it is DIRE for them to do so (they really love the particular solution, or they fear they can't do without it). I jam about the Helmet Solution, here.

House Rules

Guidance. I wrote a book to reveal the 8 rules to keeping an "open bowl." Just click on the graphic above to read this little book. I jam about it in our PDT sessions.

One-Page Version Book Solution

New Standard. The One-Page Version Book Solution is strong evidence for my belief that "small and simple things bring about great things when great energy is brought to them" (The Hunt Is On). Take for example my book, Move More, Eat Less...or, Just Eat Less. After an extensive meta-analysis I was able to pack all of the essential information a person needs to successfully lose weight into a single page with exactly 152 words!...which happens to be the exact same word count as one of my favorite books that has been read by millions of adults and children throughout the world. Good Night Moon is my new standard for what qualifies as a "book". With this standard I have been able to write books in only a few minutes, instead of months and years. I jam about one-page books in PDT sessions and also here.

Summer Home Solution

HomeSweet Agreement. I've long wanted a big new home...but you can't always get what you want. We have four kids and one bathroom in our century-plus old home. One day I said to my wife, with a sigh, "You know, this little-old cramped house of ours would be just fine..., as a summer home. It's a lot like my Irish friend's summer cottage on the coast. And it's much like our next-door neighbor's summer home; nothing fancy, quaint and comfortable." Just then, it dawned on me. I quickly called my brother and entered into an agreement. In an instant we had a summer home (and a winter home to boot!). Now, each morning, when I take a shower in our unfinished bathroom, cook in our tiny kitchen, or fix one of the hundred things yet needing repair, I feel better. I look around and I think, "not bad for a summer home..." (Artist note: as soon as I shared this solution with a friend, he immediately created his own summer home. Another friend promptly proclaimed his trailer house "The Retreat."). I jam about it, here.

Want more solutions? This collage continues on my YouTube Channel, where you can subscribe to keep informed of all new solution-art pieces I create.

The Positive Deviant Channel

KneeGull Award

2010-07-27T07:23:00.000-07:00

Knee

Gull

The KneeGull Award is the nation's highest scouting honor.

To earn this award a scout must complete one simple requirement:

THE ONE REQUIREMENT. Have a person of high integrity (e.g. your bishop, pastor, rabi, parent, spouse, or grandparent) certify in writing that you have accomplished something greater than all of the following combined

(or an equivalent list that you create and we approve): win 7 Tours de France, win 6

NBA championships,

summit Mt. Everest 6 times, be

first person on the moon, be

lead singer of a top rock band, d

iscover E=mc2.

SIGN UP. To enroll in the KneeGull Scout Program (yes, it's free) please email me at kneegull@thehuntison.com. I will send you the necessary certification kit. Once you complete The One Requirement, I'll send you the KneeGull Award. At that time, if you choose, you can order the KneeGull patch----a professionally designed symbol (and reminder) of your high accomplishment.

High-Glory Story

2010-07-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

Those who do not have power over the story that dominates their lives, the power to retell it, rethink it, deconstruct it . . . and change it as times change, truly are powerless because they cannot think new thoughts —Salman Rushdie

The book below describes a way to get more power over your story. You can r

ead it here (below) or you can download it as a pdf.

The Hunt Is On - Finding More Glory -

Helmet Solution

2010-07-25T13:51:00.000-07:00

Touchstone. This art piece reminds me that every "better" solution is a metaphorical Helmet. Since creating this piece, each time someone offers me a new, better solution for my life, I think to myself, "they are offering you a helmet." To me this means they are offering me and others something that is undeniably true, beautiful, and logically better than what we are already doing. I remind myself, "there's no reason to deny their logic, it is as sound as wearing a helmet." And I don't deny it. But by reminding myself that offered solution is a metaphorical helmet solution I honor the fact that we will not DO it ("wear the helmet") unless we think it is DIRE for us to do so (we really love the particular solution, or we fear that we can't do without it). I have asked many people, "why don't you wear a helmet when you drive?" Their responses reveal the stunning weakness of pure logic and strong arguments in the face of basic human desire. "No, I don't think so, I would mess up my hair." Such response reminds me of the ancient wisdom, "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small [things] in many instances doth confound the wise." People's responses to the Helmet Solution has led me to celebrate and relish and not bemoan the power each of us have to deviate from seemingly inescapable logic and persuasions others---be they gurus, professors of one sort or another or the marketplace---would impose on us. I am pleased that you and I don't have to conjure up sophisticated justifications to trump even the most weighty logic. The fact is though I bring much sound logic and energy to bare I haven't persuaded a single person to wear a car helmet consistently, including myself. Isn't it wonderful!

"People do not obey truth just because it's true. No matter how true and beautiful a particular truth is, people will not cling to it unless they have (or can find) a passion that glues them to the truth." - anonomous

_____________________________

Foray to...

helmet jam

My brother Steve and I discuss the helmet solution.

Beauty...

2010-07-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

is in the eye of the beholder... "And if your right eye causes you to offend, pluck it out, and cast it from you" - Matthew 18:9

________________

Here I will place the full-length movie I am making, called "The Beauty Solution" in which I tell of the beauty contest I held (like the one People magazine held), to find the most beautiful woman in the world. Surprise! My wife took first place, Jennifer Aniston took second place and Megan Fox took third.

With this art piece I celebrate our God-given ability to find more beauty in our lives than others do (or would); which is a key to finding happiness and joy.

Research indicates "husbands rank their wives’ beauty higher than the average man does..." and "m

ost of us think we're hotter than average..." Just l

ike when we speed on the highway, we all can also quite automatically and positively deviate

from the conventional signs, symbols and certitude of our fellow citizen's collective judgment, not only to find more beauty in our spouse, but to hold (often fiercely) extra-positive beliefs about nearly everything we cherish (our family, children, life practices, politics, preferences, religious beliefs, customs, ideas, expertise, purchases, vacations, music, and more).

This innate capacity we have to go beyond the norm, to maximize assessments of ourselves, other people and things, i

s not just some trivial idiosyncrasy, it is a vital aspect of flourishing, a therapeutic skill we would be well advised to use more frequently and vigorously, because...

Evidence shows that people who hold pervasivepositive [beliefs] about themselves, their abilities, and their futureprospects are mentally healthier, happier, and better liked than people wholack such [beliefs] ---The Happiness Hypothesis, p. 68

_______________________

Foray to...

kind deviance

Maximizing positive assessments of yourself or others beyond the norm is a kind, benevolant form of Positive Deviance, a type that feels familiar to you. Because not only do you quite regularly (beliefs)...you deliver Positive Deviance acts of kindness...read here.

the hunt

Learn about the general 3-Step process we all naturally use to maximize our positive assessments of people and things in our lives.

find evidence

It is beautiful and amazing how small and simple evidence (even just a piece) is enough for us to hold great, wonderful and often extremely consequential (that-we-would-die-for) beliefs.

reveal truth

Throughout your life, however wonderful and glorious you might have thought or believed yourself, others and your life to be...you have significantly underestimated.

____________________________________

Developing.....

• Discuss how could holding this positive belief about his wife help this man’s marriage and personal happiness?

• Consider what traits might a wife choose to find evidence that her husband is the most beautiful man in the world? The same? Different?

• Be warned that we can lose our even our most precious beliefs. What should this man do to firmly “hold” (strengthen) this positive belief about his wife? What should this man avoid that would “loosen” (weaken) his belief?

• List ways that the man in the example could propagate The Hunt to other areas of his life? That is, how might he employ the same method he used to find his wife the most beautiful woman in the world to hold more positive beliefs about his children, his work, his old car, his accomplishments and so on? What value might there be in doing so?

• Discuss how is this man’s belief and evidence (kind/standard, source, amount) is similar or different than other beliefs he holds? Such as, his beliefs about the best art and music, the best religion, the best political party (or candidate), the best way to discipline children, and so forth.

• Understand that ranking your spouse's beauty as being exceptional, even unsurpassed, should be seen as par for the course; just one of many Positive Deviance assessments we all frequently make to find (reveal) beauty and truth. Most of us easily and reverently count as wonderful and true things that other people count as worthless illusions. For example, that God is real, He hears our prayers, He heals and protects us; Jesus died for our sins; He's coming back to to earth to rule someday, but meanwhile He makes personal covert visits, as Mother Teresa observed. By comparison ranking your spouse as better looking than others would is a relative cakewalk.

Under construction, notes: What the man does is not unique---Beauty contests, like the Miss America pageant, don't proceed or even conclude with consensus. Judges and viewers all use different criteria to judge the beauty ranking of the women under review.

One of the common ways that people's gift for revealing glory gets tamped down is concern over counter evidence or lack of evidence...or other's people's assessment of evidence. This can be addressed with a beautiful belief found in 1 Corinthians 2

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God

11 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

There is a true (not cheating) way which explains why people find more beauty in their spouse than others do. They have a deeper understanding than others. They are seeing things MORE truthfully than the supposed independent observers.

A man sees a pregnant woman's fat belly with compassion and sees more beauty. Knowing she is pregnant makes a difference. What about knowing she is a child of God, a kind person, or other traits that could reveal glory...?

2010-07-24T10:34:00.000-07:00

One-Page Version Book

Zoom-zoom-a-boom. We all count Dr. Suess' "The Cat In the Hat" as a book, and we accept software in alpha, beta and beyond versions. Thus we have a firm and familiar foundation from which we can foray to write little speedy books, and if we want, to do many other significant things more quickly and easily than we ever thought possible. The One-Page Version Book to me is a reminder that "small and simple things bring about great things when great energy is brought to them" (source). This beautiful principle is illustrated by my book Move More, Eat Less...or, Just Eat Less, wherein I was able to pack all of the essential information a person needs to successfully lose weight into one small simple book that has exactly 152 words!...which just happens to be the exact same word count as one of my other favorite books, a book that has been read and loved by millions of adults and children throughout the world. The book is Good Night Moon, my gold standard for what qualifies as a "book" and a meaningful accomplishment. Since adopting this standard I have been able to write books and do other similar things in only a few minutes, instead of months and years.

_____________________________

Foray to...

read the book

Read my one-page version book about The One Page Version Book.

write books

Have you ever wanted to be an author? Well now you can, very easily, following my tried and true method, or following methods developed by others, here. You can author a book in mere minutes. Give it a try.

helmet solutions

2010-06-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

This page is currently under development (i.e. wet paint of ideas/solutions). Soon this page will feature a video (see script below), pictures (of people wearing helmets) testimonials about wearing a helmet and so forth. For now, we gather together the thoughts we have (over the years) related to this wonderful solution.

Greg says...."for me The Helment is a wonderful and simple piece to add to our Open Bowl collage. For me it has been a very useful device in many respects. First, I use it to help others understand what "positive deviance" is (unconventional, but better solutions). Second, it introduces people to a complex subject that is one of the main aims of Our Art: that there are good, nay, even great ideas aplenty, that we will never do (because they don't fit in our lives for personal, cultural or other reasons)...and THAT IS OK! And third, to demonstrate that most ideas that swirl around us are "HELMET" ideas....ideas that would/could make our lives better but we are not going to do (even though we may say/plan that we really want to)" And fourth, to demonstrate the limits of reason...and the freedom from the expectation (and resistance to the invitations) to MAXIMIZE what we do"

Helmet Solutions can be paired with Seatbelt Solutions

(consideration of what can/abletodo.... we do and what we will/havethewill to do)

[most of what we will do (seatbelt) we already know...so lets scan sort select that]

Use Steve's example of drinking behavior.....what will these students do...to help little kids

____________________________________________________________________________

HELMET MOVIE DEVLOPING

One of my favorite things about The Hunt is the freedom I feel to choose for myself what to believe and the piece of evidence that I will glue to that belief. Lately I have been thinking about a freeing thought---we choose to believe what we want to believe. A proof for me, a reminder that everyone does this, is this little thing I wrote about Crash Helmets.

You buckle up, watch the road, don’t run red lights, and so forth to keep you and your family safe when you drive. I have one more practice you can add. It is a simple, affordable and very effective safety practice. Wear crash helmets when you drive.

Of course, we could find thousands of expert witnesses with PhD’s (auto engineers, risk managers and the like) who will solemnly testify that we and our families would be significantly safer wearing crash helmets when we drive. But, until everybody else starts wearing helmets---not just professional auto-racers and people with medical needs---neither you, I or our loved ones will be wearing a helmet when we drive our car.

In short, wearing crash helmets is a practice before its time. Maybe someday everybody will be wearing helmets without shame. Perhaps we’ll find a way to make invisible helmets, or ones that can be hidden in the dashboard like the big balloons (airbags) we have in our cars.

Until then, we’ll just believe what we believe (that we are being safe enough…as evidenced by what we now do for safety) and take our chances, I guess.

(recent insight…there are many “helmets” in our lives…things we know for certain that would improve our lives…praying every 30 minutes…but we are not going to do them until it is dire)

____________________________________________________________________________

HELMET MOVIE DEVLOPING

Mom. I am going to ride my bike with Mike.

{{Pause=1}}Remember to wear your helmet Ike.

{{Pause=1}}Why do I have to wear a helmet, I no like.

{{Pause=1}}Because you might fall and get brain damage, psych.

{{Pause=1}}But mom, my helmet messes my hair, makes it spike.

{{Pause=1}}That is a small price to pay for your safety, Ike.

{{Pause=1}}Mom, did you wear a helmet when you were a tike?

{{Pause=1}}No. Back then parents didn't consider it dire.

{{Pause=1}}To them, it wasn't like you were playing with fire?

{{Pause=1}}Right. But now it's bright, so very clear, I am not a good mother if you don't wear your helmet dear.

{{Pause=1}}You are such a good mom I should wear two.

{{Pause=1}}Thank you dear, but one will do. Now shoe, shoe, shoe.

{{Pause=1}}Love you mom.

{{Pause=1}}Love you too.

{{Pause=1}}Hi Andy.

{{Pause=0.5}}Hi Kate.

{{Pause=1}}Ready to go?

{{Pause=0.5}}You bet. Let's go.

{{Pause=1}}Put on this helmet, my mom doesn't want me driving anyone who isn't wearing a car helmet.

{{Pause=0.5}}No way, really?

{{Pause=1}}Yes, really.

{{Pause=0.5}}Why?

{{Pause=1}}Because it's safer.

{{Pause=0.5}}You think so?.

{{Pause=1}} Are you crazy? It's not rocket science. Think about it. Race-car drivers wear helmets. Bull riders wear helmets. Football players wear helmets. Construction workers wear helmets. Even Ike is wearing a helmet when he rides his bike. The logic is plain. If it makes sense to wear seat belts. It makes sense to wear car helmets.

{{Pause=0.5}}You have a point. It does make sense. And I know it's the truth. I would be a lot safer wearing a car helmet.   In fact, my dad is an emergency room doctor. I am sure he would agree that car helmets make good sense. Still, I am not going to wear one.

{{Pause=1}}Really? You don't sound like the Andy I know from philosophy class. The same Andy who says to me. Kate. If something is true, logical, good and right. We should do it. No fear. Just do it. Because it is right.

{{Pause=0.5}}Wow. That does sound like me.   You have a good memory.

{{Pause=1}}So Andy. Do you want to wear a helmet, or do you want to change your beliefs?

{{Pause=0.5}}I think I will change my beliefs. So here's my new philosophy. If something is true, logical and right. We should do it. But only do it if we want to do it, and only when we want to do it, and only how we want to do it.   So, even if something is true and right it may not be important.

{{Pause=1}}Are you saying that it is not important to wear a car helmet, but it is important to wear a seat belt?

{{Pause=0.5}}Good point. Let me try again.   New belief.   Here it is. In the end, we all do what we want to do.

{{Pause=1}}We all do what we want to do? That's your belief? Forget about good ideas, better ideas and best ideas?

{{Pause=0.5}}No, let's not forget about them. Let's do all the good, better and best ideas. But let's do them only when we want to. How we want to. For example, maybe I will decide to wear a car helmet ten years from now. And, I probably will wear it only at night. But I don't know,. We'll see. My point is this. I want to welcome all good ideas to my door. But I want to refuse. Or delay, their entry into my life, for any reason that I might choose, however weak that reason may be. Case in point. The reasons I do not wear a car helmet are weak reasons. But they are my reasons. And however weak my reaons are they are good enough for me to say no to the helmet.

{{Pause=1}}But Andy this one is easy, the helmet is right here. All you have to do is put it on. You are avoiding the truth. You are avoiding a good idea. You are in denial.

{{Pause=0.5}}Yes, I guess I am.

{{Pause=1}}Well, I for one, am glad that I am not in denial. Avoiding the truth, living a lie like you. I have my helmet on.

{{Pause=0.5}}Oh but you are in denial Kate.

{{Pause=1}}How do you figure?

{{Pause=0.5}}Let me ask you this. Do you plan on wearing your helmet around the mall?

{{Pause=1}}No. I don't need to.

{{Pause=0.5}}Oh, but Kate, like you said, it's not rocket science. You know that you would be a lot safer if you wore your helmet not only in the mall but everwhere you go. Right?

{{Pause=1}}Well, I suppose so. But now you are being rediculus.

{{Pause=0.5}}That, is what people say when they are in denial, Kate.

{{Pause=1}}I am not in denial.

{{Pause=0.5}}Kate, we all are in denial. For example, though I am not denying the logic of wearing a helmet, I deny the necessity of wearing it. Even though I know we could get in an accident and a helmet could prevent head injuries, I won't do it. I deny helmet entry into my car. I think I am being safe enough by wearing a seat belt. I am sufficient. Likewise, you, Kate, don't deny the logic of wearing a helmet in the mall. You just deny the necessity of doing it. You have decided that you are safe enough walking in the mall, like you always have, without a helmet. This, even though you know a helmet would add some safety. Like me, you deny helmet entry. So you see, we are both in denial. We are saying a big fat no, to something that makes sense but that we don't want to do. Which, to me, makes sense.

{{Pause=1}}Good point Andy. I guess I am in denial. Kind of.

{{Pause=2}}You know what Kate. I just thought of this. The car helmet is just the tip of the iceburg.

{{Pause=1}}What iceburg?

{{Pause=1}}Think of it Kate. There are probably an infinite number of ideas like the helmet.

{{Pause=1}}How's that?

{{Pause=1}}Think of the helmet as a metaphor for the many other reasonable, logical, practical, important and easy-to-do things, things that we choose not to do, for reasons no greater than why we won't wear a helmet when we drive. Reasons like it's weird, it's inconvinient, it will mess up my hair. The same kind of reasons people used to give for not wearing seat belts I imagine. Reasons that now sound silly, unless that is someone like Kate is trying to get you to wear a helmet.

{{Pause=1}}I think I see where you are going Andy. But give me another example Andy. Show me how the helmet is a metaphor for other things.

{{Pause=0.5}}Sure. Think back to the other day when you were telling me that I should heed the advice of experts and start exercising twenty minutes a day. Think about it this way, you were telling me to, "buckle up." That is a good idea. Now I turn to you and I metphorically say, "put on this helmet" Kate by telling you that you should exercise for not twenty but for thirty minutes.

{{Pause=1}}Ok. Now I get you. Andy, I think we have a new language. This fun. Let me try it. So, you tell me to buckle-up by restricting my TV watching to 30 minutes a day and my diet to two thousand calories a day. But I say, put on your helmet Andy because here comes even a better idea: we should restrict TV watching to 20 minutes a day and caloric intake to one thousand and nine hundred calories a day.

{{Pause=0.5}}You got it. That's the way Kate. You just gave me what we could call a helmet solution. I believe there is a helmet solution to all problems. This helmet metphor helps me realize that you don't have to be a genious to come up with a better idea than the geniousous in our society. All you have to do is consider what they are telling us to do as the seatbelt.   Then, all you have to do is look for the helmet solution. Find one additional step they could take to be safer, better, more moral, etc. and tell them to put on their helmets.

{{Pause=1}}I get it. I get it. This is going to be fun. We are going to be so popular with the self-help crowd with this metaphor.

{{Pause=0.5}}yea, we'll say to them, in a weepy voice, if it only saves one child.

{{Pause=1}}Andy are you being sarcastic?

{{Pause=0.5}}Your right Kate. Let me say that better. In other words, let me put on my helmet.

_______________________________________________________

LOW GLORY: I like finding new, better ways of doing things, even if they are unconventional. Thus, I find it intriguing (about me) that a person (even a thoughtful, caring friend) could approach me with a simple, sound piece of advise and logic--perhaps a practice that I could very easily implement, one that would obviously and significantly benefit myself and my children's well-being---and my response would be, "Naaah...what you say makes sense, but I don't think I'm going to do it."

Here is one example; I have many.

"Hey Greg, if you and your family will wear crash helmets, you guys will significantly reduce your chances of injury and improve your chances of survival in the event of an automobile accident."

Ironically, I would judge other adults who drive without a seatbelt on, and especially those who don't insist their children buckle up, as not being "thoughtful". Still I don't own a single crash helmet.

The lesson here. We might assume that thoughtful people are thoughtful all the time and about most everything. That assumption can be turned on its head.

Mark out a mile, and color a foot of it red. That red patch represents about how much critical thought, discussion and weighing of evidence---of the sort that occurs in the supreme court, university forums and corporate think-tanks---that even the most thoughtful person musters in consciously choosing (let alone implementing their choice) life practices and general beliefs.

Observe a thoughtful person waking up, cooking breakfast. Note, he doesn't follow with exactness the latest research on omelet-making. The technique he uses when he kisses his wife isn't necessarily conforming to some well documented, research-based, best-practice formulation of effective intimacy verified and certified by social workers and psychologists in some double-blind study. At least ninety-nine percent of all the things he does at work have not been confirmed by multiple research studies and supported by a consensus of scientists. Night falls, he brushes his teeth, tucks his kids in bed, prays and sleeps in ways that have not been deduced as preferable by elaborate thoughtful investigations with proofs.

And in the end...this thoughtful person doesn't care, because things are adequate.

Sufficiency rules.

MEDIUM GLORY: The devil uses the 'everybody does it' logic to get us to do (or not do) certain things. I believe God uses the 'everybody does it' logic too. Today he is helping me understand that even the most thoughtful people are, even in some of the most important areas of life, basically just winging it.

He wants me not to despair this, but to celebrate it. He wants me to take permission from this precedent he now lays bare before me, to understand and to preach that we can with surety: loosen up, follow our bliss, our whims, our best guesses (as ill-informed as they may be) in establishing even core life beliefs and practices.

Today Gods wants me to glory in the vast limits of reason. He started revealing this glory to me in my earlier post: "180 Degrees."

HIGH GLORY: My Captain Of The Celestial Voyage is preparing me for battle. The Great and Eternal King now warns me, his warrior, that there will come people who act like they can reason, and will insist we all should reason, the full mile.

He warns me that some persons deliberately, and other persons accidentally, overestimate the realm of reason and thus cause his holy princes and princesses to be distracted from other powerful means of knowing, like the revelations he wants to pour out upon us.

I prophesy that there will be some persons who are able to paint a few more inches of red than the rest of us. I warn that we must not become blind to the stark fact that they, and all of us, travel the long mile...we mostly (99%) walk by faith and not by thick-reasoning and double-blind studies.

Other Prophesy Notes:

-When I do meet these long-red-line persons I need to remember to ask them to show me the peer-reviewed research that justifies their preferred egg-cooking and kissing techniques:). I will ask them if they wear helmets when they drive and other such questions.

-Someone could think that my intent is towards anti-thoughtfulness. It is not. As I testified in my posting, "180-degrees", I love engaging in long arguments, more than most people do. But today I am commanded to testify of the limits of reason. Yes, we should travel the red part of the mile. But we should be wary of overestimating the length to which we can go with our intellect.

-I am grateful that God lets me drive my car around without a crash helmet (even against my better judgment), if it suits me. (Thank you Lord for helping me live not by 'thoughtfulness alone', but more by every word that proceedeth forth from thy throne).

Posted by dr. greg, the guide at 4:01 PM 0 c

--

_____________________________________________________________

Happy Enough

If you wanted to be happier, you probably wouldn't need a self-help book or a list of happiness tips from a magazine; most people can easily come up with ten different things that would make them substantially happier than they are.  The problem (and the good thing) is that you are probably happy enough that you don't have to do the ten things to be ok.

Here's an example.

Crash Test

I am going to tell you about a technique that you can use (like a pill) that will significantly increase your and your family's safety when you drive.  It is quite easy and affordable.  But you will not do it.  Nope, never.  Nor will I.  We will refrain, not because the method won't work (it will) or that is not important (it is), but because it is weird to wear a crash helmet when you drive (let alone insist everyone else in your car wear the same).  The main reason we (and everyone) will give for not wearing a helmet is that we are already being safe enough when we drive (we buckle up, we watch the road, etc.).

So it doesn't matter that we could assemble mountains of evidence and powerful reasons for wearing crash helmets.  And that we could find thousands of expert witnesses with PhD's (auto engineers, risk managers and the like) who will solemnly testify that we and our families would be significantly safer wearing crash helmets when we drive.  That doesn't matter. Why?  Because we don't want to wear crash helmets.  Not until everybody else starts wearing helmets, not just professional auto-racers and people with medical needs, will we be donning helmets.  Then, perhaps, we can start asking about wearing 6-point harnesses too.

In short, we all know things that we can do that will make us healthier, safer and happier.  But usually we won't do these things until it is DIRE.  This is probably just as it should be.  Why fix something when it is not broken?

So now, here is the billion dollar question.  Consider this your own little "Crash Test".  Is it DIRE right now for you (or someone you love) to be healthier, happier and more liked?  If so, proceed,   I have pill for you.  But if not go do something else, something that is DIRE.

The Big Pill Revealed

I call the Big Pill, "Big" because, metaphorically speaking, there are lots of little pills we do and can take to be happy (or happier).  But none are as powerful as the Big Pill.

And what is this pill?  Drum roll please……….

Evidence shows that people who hold pervasive positive [beliefs] about themselves, their abilities, and their future prospects are mentally healthier, happier, and better liked than people who lack such [beliefs]

("The Happiness Hypothesis", p. 68).

That's it.  The Big Pill.  All you need to be mentally healthier, happier and better liked is to hold more positive beliefs about yourself (and while your at it, I'd advise you hold more positive beliefs aboutother people too).

Sounds simple?  It is.  Sounds effective?  It is.  It is as simple and effective as wearing a helmet when you drive.

And here's the cool thing.  I know a way to 'wear' this helmet (take the Big Pill in big doses) without anyone finding out.

I thank Jonathan Haidt, who in his book, "The Happiness Hypothesis" lays down one of the clearest descriptions of my method for swallowing the Big Pill…

For many traits, such as leadership, there are so many ways to define it that one is free to pick the criterion that will most flatter oneself.  If I'm confident, I can define leadership as confidence. If I think I'm high on people skills, I can define leadership as the ability to understand and influence people.  When comparing ourselves to others, the general process is this:  Frame the question [consciously,] (unconsciously, automatically) so that the trait in question is related to a self-perceived strength, then go out and look for evidence that you have the strength.  Once you find a piece of evidence, once you have a "makes sense" story, you are done.

"Makes Sense" Story

THE BIG PILL METHOD: "Go out and look for evidence that you have [a] strength.  Once you find a piece of evidence, once you have a "makes sense" story, you are done.

Now that you know what the Big Pill is and how to "take it", let's look at a few examples.

BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.  A middle-aged husband wants to believe his middle-aged wife is the most beautiful woman in the world.  How might this positive belief about his wife  make him mentally healthier, happier and more liked by his wife?

So what can he do to make it so?  Help this man take the Big Pill.  What does he need to do?  It's no big secret, most happily married husbands can answer this question for you (so can their wives).  Let's go back and modify Jonathan Haidt's quote for guidance here,

For many traits, such as beauty, there are so many ways to define it that one is free to pick the criterion that will most flatter oneself (and one's wife).  If my wife has blue eyes, brown hair and a gorgeous smile, I can define beauty as blue eyes, brown hair and a gorgeous smile.  If I think my wife is a great dresser, I can define beauty as stylish dressing.

summer home ideas

2010-06-30T10:03:00.000-07:00

My Desire/Problem: I want a summer home (I like the feeling, I like the story...etc.)

My Belief/Solution: (My Story) I have a summer home + (Their Story--from cultural traditions, meanings and values around having a summer and home ownership....plus home swapping, etc.)

My Evidence/Method: See movie (tap into Their Story--house swap with my brother, etc.)

PIECE OF EVIDENCE....

My Desire: I want to interact socially appropriately/effectively/pleasantly with my friends and acquaintences (I want to say with integrity that, "I am doing great", even if A truth is that I am having a very unusually chaotic/challenging day."

My Belief: (My Story) I am doing great + (Their Story--from personal need to move on and cultural traditions around stewardship) I want you to tell me your doing great....I'll say the same about how I am doing."

My Evidence: I am doing dead, I live in America, I have enough food to eat....

PIECE OF EVIDENCE....

My Desire: I want to relax AND I want to do it the easy way (out of a bottle), like taking a pill, opening a kit.

My Belief: (My Story) Aveeno Lotion helps me feel calm and relaxed + (Their Story--from the back of the bottle) "This unique lotion helps to calm and relax you as you message it into your skin..."

My Evidence: The bottle says it will. Plus it has lavender, chmomile and ylang-ylang in it.

From: http://cactusandcucumber.blogspot.com/2011/06/product-i-love-at-moment-aveeno-stress.html
"I am quickly becoming Aveeno’s fan. I talked about this before as well here. I love the fact that they use natural ingredients such as soy, oats, feverfew, wheat complex, and so on. The thing that caught my attention on this product was the stress relief part. The product is made with lavender, chamomile, and y-lang y-lang. These ingredients can provide a calming and relaxing experience.

The instructions say to apply this moisturizing lotion right after shower to feel relaxed and calm or anytime you want. I feel like it works best after you take a long hot bath. The smell is not overpowering at all. It is quiet faint and lingers around you. First time I used it, was when I took a hot shower. I applied this all over my body and I felt like I was meditating in a beautiful secluded mountain. Ok, that is overstating! But, it really felt good. And, the lotion is very moisturizing. It leaves the skin very soft. It states that it moisturizes for 24 hours, I believe it. The product cost $10 for 18 fl. Oz. That is a great price."

My Bullying Scrapbook...

2010-06-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

Solution Tree (Low Hanging, Medium or High Hanging Fruit): Apples - cameras....

Picture of a solution tree.....Camera solution (give teachers limited immunity...can't be used to prosecute misdemeanors and)....put on a website.. TEACHER UNION...WHAT OBJECTIONS WOULD YOU HAVE TO CAMERAS IN SCHOOL?

cameras in the classroom: http://safety.lovetoknow.com/Keep_Security_Cameras_Out_of_School_Classrooms
http://www.letters2president.org/letters/753-cameras-in-the-classroom
http://www.globalscholar.com/community/blog/surveillance-cameras-in-the-classroom/default.aspx

Problem with Definitions: http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=5SvJbJxi2v4&feature=related

What solutions do you have for kids who are victims of bullying....
What do you want the victim to do (they should tell....what are you going to do to stop repercussions)....they will have to go to zone3???

(we will petition the court the keep a restraining order....witness protection program)

What if he did this to a teacher?

Pushes boy....pushes girl...pushes teacher....pushes principle...pushes visiting parent....pushes police officer (same response?)

When does it become the police dept. problem....

Why are police not staffing enough to cover the route home

Norm suggests this video on bullying :http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/frustrated-father-apologizes-school-bus-confrontation-11688087

I love unconventional solutions---many of my solutions won't be implemented because of the cost...but I think it is going to take an unconventional solution to fix the problem

Zone away.not play on my team greg even if your gifts....I denial your gifts

What percent of your students are bullies (write it on paper)....7% you get an A (when you went to school, how many were bullies)....what your teacher have written.

What percent of the students would you consider as being bullied (25%??)...kids percieve bullying different thaan others

Retirement solution (low hanging fruit), would work....like cameras would work...but won't do it.

Sue the school every time it happens.....

how much bullying is allowed...its not allowed...give me a solution that you know would stop bullying (ask teachers)....first time a bully bullies....aid for the rest of the school year (school would stop it)....anytime a teacher sees bullying going on (teacher has to have the child during recess).....teachers wouldn't report bullying.. (not to the level of has to be my school at recess).

(HAVE)What has your school tried....what program has you used...

Are you willing to treat it like a crime...then you would have leeway...copys can't stop random acts of violence...if it gets defined as a crime, it becomes a random acts of violence....

What is boys will be boys behavior....what is bullying and at what point do you call cops when bullying is going on....you allow physical contact (pushing , but not hitting)...I push and the kid falls down the stairs...or do you call the cop on the outcome (but if it doesn't draw blood). Where do you draw the line...at what point do the cop. HOW MUCH BULLYING DO YOUR COPS ALLOW IN TOWN. They allow speeding. What is the speed limit in front of your school....how fast can I go 23...so how fast can I go....how much can I bully...it is open to interpretation (teachers)....if my kid is intimidated by it....like porn, know it when I see it.....passive agrression, ldon't let someone to play on your team....

I'll meet you in the parking lot (Steve says it is the same....my kid shouldn't have to worry about it...I hope your kid fights back)

Post the posted speed limits and the ones I can go without getting a ticket...does it matter if I am the quarterback, if I push someone will I get the same punishment as the head(druggy)...and what would you do differently if it was a teacher....should the rules be the same?

This is my thinking/collecting page for my upcoming bullying mini-workshop.

there many ways to see the world i see the world through the eyes of a story teller... the abc's of storytelling... i have developed some storytelling kits.....

Step 1 - I am grateful to be able to consider bullying with you...I hope we have an energizing and worthwhile time...I have prepared myself to. I am grateful to live in a time when people are concerned about bullying....I am grateful (some) bullying has been reduced (or is on its way).

Step 2- Courage....I want to be courageous in our consideration of bullying...think outside the box....new way...honoring what we have want and need....

Winnie The Pooh - Tigger's Shoes

i believe in small and simple things.... the solutions we have a going to the small and simple. the washing has the small 1 simple thing tavern your mouth when you cough is a small and simple thing.

I bully people with solutions (in reaction to their bullying me with theirs)....so I find ways to offer solutions that are soft-going: main way is to suggest you keep doing what you are doing, just improve it in ways you know how (if you get stuck, come see me)

You already have a very sophisticated set of tools....technology of SPS Tools can help make the obvious inescapable (and easier, faster, longer%inZ4)

i teach people how to write grants

my number 1 job is to teach them that they r t have the basics skills..... i asked them how do you think that i learned how to write grants. of course i learn them by writing grants

let's play zone 4 bingo... decide when you seen tigger

Google this phrase: ways to combat bullying

Best article here: http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct02/bullying.aspx

http://www.indiana.edu/~safeschl/

http://www.13wham.com/guides/parenting/story/Expert-Suggests-Ways-to-Combat-School-Bullying/BskfRgRZOUSiOwzOGS89rQ.cspx

Expert Suggests Ways to Combat School Bullying

Why do you love me

Why do you need me

Always and forever

We met in a chat room

Now our love can fully bloom

Sure, the World Wide Web is great

But you, you make me 'salvivate'

Yes, I love technology

But not as much as you, you see

But I still love technology

Always and forever

Our love is like a flock of doves

Flying up to heaven above

Always and forever

Always and forever

Yes, our love is truly great

Always and forever

ou may have seen Dateline on NBC this week -- Perils of Parenting --

2010-06-05T06:49:00.000-07:00

House Rules

another small, simple book by

Dr. Greg O. Muller

I am grateful to Jerry Sternin, the "father of applied Positive Deviance", who developed an eight-step process for identifying Positive Deviance solutions and propagating unconventional wisdom to those in need of better solutions. I mirror Dr. Sternin's Eight Steps (in black) with "Our 8 Rules" (in blue). These 8 Rules are like house rules to remind us (you and me) during our Jam Sessions of the things that enable us to create/discover unconventional excellence. Likewise, the Eight Steps and 8 Rules are a wonderful guide (rules of engagement) for other people to know how to best approach, understand and benefit from me and other creators/purveyors of Positive Deviance solutions.

Step 1: Don’t Presume You Have the Answer: Approach the change issue with a beginner’s mind, ready to listen. Rule 1: Don't presume THEY have the answers.

Step 2: Don’t Think of It as a Dinner Party: Involve only those that are a part of effecting the change, instead of a broad, diverse audience. Rule 2: It's OUR family dinner.

Step 3: Let Them Do It Themselves: Set up a situation in which people can discover, on their own, a better way to do things. Raise questions but the let the group come up with its own answers. Rule 3: It's OUR journey, OUR answers.

Step 4: Identify Conventional Wisdom: Establish the norms and associated boundaries... Rule 4: Identify what we are SUPPOSED to do, think, be.

Step 5: Identify and Analyze the Deviants: Allow the positive deviants to emerge as it becomes clear that they have found a better way. Rule 5: Identify what we ACTUALLY do, better.

Step 6: Let the Deviants Adopt Deviations On Their Own: Don’t teach new knowledge – encourage new behavior. Rule 6: Adopt deviations in OUR way (pace, style); act our way into new thinking (not visa versa); identify incentives that will keep us in the hunt.

Step 7: Track Results and Publicize Them: Post the results, show how they are achieved and let other groups develop their own curiosity about them. Rule 7: Tell OUR story.

Step 8: Repeat Steps One Through Seven: Make the whole change process cyclical. Rule 8: Do it again and again.

Source for Eight Steps: Kevin Rain

Intro

2010-06-03T11:46:00.000-07:00

As Positive Deviants we create unconventional art. So, a brief orientation is in order.

Things to keep in mind as you look at Piece I, II and III.

1.) Each piece is a collage, "...a work of formal art...made from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole" (Wickipedia)

. We assemble

movies, books, pictures and other things that all fit together, in a puzzle-like manner, to express the underlying theme.

2.) The underlying theme of each piece is introduced with a simple observation.

3.) Piece I, II and III are "version art." They are created to be continually improvised and re-visioned. Each piece lives and grows as we do. Return in a month or two and you'll see new versions, with new elements and insights added to each piece.

4.) Sequential: Piece 1 prepares you for Piece 2, which, in turn prepares you for Piece 3.

Pieces

2010-06-03T10:55:00.000-07:00

Foray dandelions - people who say interesting and good things about dandelions

Upcoming pieces:PIECE ON WORK SLOW DOWN...People slow-down at work, once the cop (boss)has passed....how can you slow down more...(when boss is in the room, speed up, cut the conversations, look busy)Connect the Speeding....Steve says speeding gets you there 3 minutes earlier (how is that worth it someone may ask)...he says I feel better as I am going along (therapeutic feeling)...this ties into human basic need for a sense of progress (math moves forward faster than student's can master it at a high level, spanish class, many others gives a sese of progress, scripture reading) that is important to the mind and heart....

The vast majority of helpers focus on conventional solutions; that base is covered. So my priority, "My Art" is finding and sharing effective unconventional solutions, the kind hidden behind firewalls of orthodoxy, walls people like me naturally breach.

My Art, My Therapy. I apply Positive Deviance solutions like a painter applies paint, to create actual pieces of art (in the form of little movies, books, pictures, songs, programs) gathered into 3 collages. Each collage is like a powerful perception pillyou can take directly, if you want. However, in line with Tufts University's Positive Deviance Approach, we believe the most effective solutions reside inside you, your relationships, organizations and communities. In our "Jam Sessions" (relaxed therapy sessions) we use Our Art pieces primarily as an initial foundation, one you can foray from to discover your own positive deviance solutions---to increase awareness and insight, manage stress, improve relationships, increase cognitive and creative abilities, attain valued achievements and self fulfillment.

PIECE 1: WHAT'S IN YOUR BOWL? Unorthodox Vietnamese rice-paddy farmers quietly add little

wild critters and weeds

(i.e. protein, minerals, vitamins) to their rice bowls, so their family stays healthier than other families who stick with just plain rice. Like these farmers, we gather (create) unconventional condiments (pieces of art) to make plain life better.

Taste: God's Garden

Go: Beyond Plain Rice

Watch our movie, "If Critters And Weeds Are Food Then..."

Read our book, "Mommy Can I Have More Bugs, Please!"

Observe: House Rules

Think: Car Helmet

PIECE 2: HOUSE RULES. Opening your "bowl" to

wild critters and weeds

is not easy. Because, face it, we all like to fit in. Whether you are a rice-paddy farmer or a CEO, you face resistance (internally and externally) when you attempt to do weird-but-better things. To tame this resistance, to loosen us up so we can do Our Art, Steve and I came up with these 8 rules.

Watch our movie, "Rule 1: Don't Presume THEY Have The Answers"

Read our book, "Our House Rules"

PIECE 3: HUMANITARIAN SERVICE PROJECTS. This is one of our more popular pieces of art. Many people have started sprinkling these

unconventional morsels

generously into their bowls to transform work, childcare, household chores and other routine activities into authentic, full-blown humanitarian service projects.

Behold: a Humanitarian Service Project

Get the award: Global Humanitarian Service Award

Join our club: United Humanitarian Service Association (UHSA)

Document your service: Humanitarian Service Database of America (HSDA)

Attend our conference: "Counting What Really Counts: Expanding Humanitarian Service", National Conference for Worldwide Betterment Through Humanitarian Service Projects, April 10, 2011, Little America Hotel, Salt Lake City, UT

Read the book: "Finding More Glory"

MORE ART

Application

Caring For Jesus

1. Find a positive trait

Mother Teresa wants to believe that she is literally in the presence of Jesus.

2. Find a piece of evidence

She finds evidence for this belief in Matthew 25:40.

Mother Teresa served Christ hidden in the poor. “As you did to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40). This Gospel passage, so crucial in understanding Mother Teresa’s service to the poor, was the basis of her faith-filled conviction that in touching the broken bodies of the poor she was touching the body of Christ. It was to Jesus himself, hidden under the distressing disguise of the poorest of the poor, that her service was directed. ---BEATIFICATION HOMILY

3. Give expression

Mother Teresa expresses her belief in her journal, in her conversations with others, and most importantly in her daily work.

Mother Teresa highlights the deepest meaning of service — an act of love done to the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, prisoners (cf. Mt 25:34-36) is done to Jesus himself. Recognizing him, she ministered to him with wholehearted devotion, expressing the delicacy of her spousal love. Thus, in total gift of herself to God and neighbor, Mother Teresa found her greatest fulfillment and lived the noblest qualities of her femininity. She wanted to be a sign of “God’s love, God’s presence and God’s compassion”, and so remind all of the value and dignity of each of God’s children, “created to love and be loved”. Thus was Mother Teresa “bringing souls to God and God to souls” and satiating Christ’s thirst, especially for those most in need, those whose vision of God had been dimmed by suffering and pain. ---BEATIFICATION HOMILY (Pope John Paul II, L’Osservatore Romano Weekly Edition in English 22 October 2003, page 6)

DISCUSS THIS EXAMPLE

• What reasons might Mother Teresa have for wanting to believe that Jesus was literally present when she served others?

• Could someone who wanted to believe the same thing as Mother Teresa use the same evidence that she did? Is there other evidence that she could have used?

• Some caretakers (other nuns, hospital workers, parents, spouses) may believe the words of Matthew 25:40 but prefer to not to believe the things Mother Teresa did (that they are seeing and ‘touching the body of Christ’, being a sign from heaven) when they interact with, touch and serve others. Does this diminish in the least degree the dignity, worthiness, and eternal value of their service?

• If you chose to believe what Mother Teresa did, why might you want to hold this belief privately? What might happen if you were to share this belief with the person(s) you are serving?

• If Mother Teresa simply wrote in her journal, “I saw Jesus, I touched Jesus” would she be telling the truth? If you made the same claim, would it be the truth?

• Are there other issues around this example to consider?

Application

Caring For Jesus 2

1. Find a positive trait

I too want to believe that I am literally in the presence of Jesus.

2. Find a piece of evidence

I too (like Mother Teresa) use Matthew 25:40 as evidence.

3. Give expression

I express my belief in my journal. There, I testify to something I never had before.

When I was a teenager my grandma Else lived with my family. Her health was quite fragile; she had suffered a stroke shortly before her husband passed away. Our whole family cared for Grandma over the course of eight years. I have particularly pleasant memories of the times I would take Grandma out for a hamburger, fries and a coke at the Burger Haus. Due to her health, Grandma spent most of her days sitting in a chair in our living room. Going out to eat was a real treat for her. I remember her shaky hands clasped on my arms as we made our way down the stairs. Once we were out the door I would set her walker up and she would shuffle to the car. I had to be especially careful in helping her get in the front seat without bumping her head or dropping her oxygen tank. Though conversation was difficult, due to her health, Grandma would make small talk along the way, often repeating herself, asking me a second time “Greg, are we going to get a hamburger?” Yes we are Grandma. “I want a hamburger and a coke.” Ok, then we’ll get you one. You know, it is a strange thing to be in the company of royalty, set upon a majestic quest, fulfilling ancient prophesy, being cause of angels to rejoice and spirits of Hell to gnash—all the while thinking to oneself, “I’m just taking ‘ol Grandma out for a hamburger, fries and a coke. I wish in my youth I had known the liberty that I am now taking. Which is to believe that as I was helping Grandma down the stairs, out to the car and to the Burger Haus, I was (just like Mother Teresa) being a sign of God’s love, seeing Jesus, touching Jesus, and taking Jesus out for a hamburger, fries and a coke.

DISCUSS THIS EXAMPLE

• How much, and how sophisticated, is the evidence required to believe phenomenal things, such as that Lord Jesus Christ is literally present?

• The evidence for my belief was Matthew 25:40. What advantage is there in evidence from spiritual/scriptural sources verses other (secular) sources? (Jesus is generous with evidence) Which sources allow you to more easily hold on to your positive beliefs/your ‘makes sense’ story? (iron rod).

• Why is it a good idea to keep some of our most positive beliefs (like Jesus is present) private? Who would it be ok to share such a belief with? What other type of positive beliefs would it be ok or not ok to share with others?

• We ”hold” positive beliefs by giving them expression. One of the most common places to express beliefs is in stories---bible stories, journal stories, songs, poetry, plays, and movies. What other ways/places do we express positive beliefs?

• Holding/expressing beliefs in your journal allow you ready access to your positive beliefs for those crucial moments in life, times when you really, really need them (moments of stress, sadness or longing for joy; teaching moments). What other advantages does a journal have?

Horoscopes—follow this same pattern…I like it when people control me (evidence find)…I like control myself (evidence find)….so ambguious…)

___________________________________________

PERSONAL NOTES

One of my favorite things about The Hunt is the freedom I feel to choose for myself what to believe and the piece of evidence that I will glue to that belief. Lately I have been thinking about a freeing thought---we choose to believe what we want to believe. A proof for me, a reminder that everyone does this, is this little thing I wrote about Crash Helmets.

You buckle up, watch the road, don’t run red lights, and so forth to keep you and your family safe when you drive. I have one more practice you can add. It is a simple, affordable and very effective safety practice. Wear crash helmets when you drive.

Of course, we could find thousands of expert witnesses with PhD’s (auto engineers, risk managers and the like) who will solemnly testify that we and our families would be significantly safer wearing crash helmets when we drive. But, until everybody else starts wearing helmets---not just professional auto-racers and people with medical needs---neither you, I or our loved ones will be wearing a helmet when we drive our car.

In short, wearing crash helmets is a practice before its time. Maybe someday everybody will be wearing helmets without shame. Perhaps we’ll find a way to make invisible helmets, or ones that can be hidden in the dashboard like the big balloons (airbags) we have in our cars.

Until then, we’ll just believe what we believe (that we are being safe enough…as evidenced by what we now do for safety) and take our chances, I guess.

(recent insight…there are many “helmets” in our lives…things we know for certain that would improve our lives…praying every 30 minutes…but we are not going to do them until it is dire)

A private journal is often the only socially appropriate place to express extremely positive beliefs about yourself and others. The ‘makes sense’ stories above represent extremely positive beliefs. This type of belief is often the most energizing kind. Yet, it should be noted that sharing extremely positive beliefs with anyone other than yourself and perhaps the people you trust the most, can often result in an effect that is the direct opposite of what you intend (you end up less happy, less liked), because in the words of Jesus, you cast your pearls…

In contrast, there are many instances that we are allowed, or even encouraged hold and express quite positive or even our very positive beliefs about ourselves and others. For example, applying for a job, in your resume and interview you are expected to express quite, even very positive beliefs about ‘yourself, your abilities, and your future prospects.’ The same is true, for example, in applying for a grant. The most successful grant writers learn to express very positive beliefs about themselves (the agency they represent) and their abilities to get things done and make a difference. [Note that In both of these examples pieces of evidence for the positive beliefs you hold and express…in a resume, interview or grant proposal…is not only a nice thing to have, but essential to getting a job or winning a grant]

Finally, in the widest sense, there are many ways and places (treasure troves) that we can give expression to (or hold) our positive beliefs: in song, in our conversations, in religious rituals (e.g. prayer), in how we dress, in how we parent…in short, and ultimately, in how we live every aspect our very lives.

Treasure Troves

We ”hold” beliefs by giving them expression. One of the most common places to express beliefs is in stories---bible stories, journal stories, songs, poetry, plays, and movies.

If you plan to do The Hunt in a more conscious and deliberate way, for starters, I recommend that you once you find your ‘makes sense’ story that you give it expression (hold it) in a journal.

Holding positive beliefs in a personal journal has certain benefits. First, a journal is a private place. This is important given that expressing positive beliefs about yourself (or even others) can sometimes invite social disapproval. Second, holding your beliefs in journal stories will allow you ready access to your positive beliefs for those crucial moments in life, times when you really, really need them (moments of stress, sadness or longing for joy; teaching moments).

Of course your journal could take many forms, notes in a notebook, voice or video clip recordings, or a scrapbook with notes and photos. You of course will find a method of journaling that best fits your life and style.

KneeGull Certifications and Masteries

2010-02-14T08:29:00.000-08:00

For the Major Accomplishment Certification, as the KneeGull high council Steve and I only verify (judge) the equivalence of the list with the standard (Tour De France, etc.) Whatever A a person chooses only needs to be verified by someone of high integrity (which the awardee needs to sign for). For example, if Pauly in Planto, TX wants to use the virgin master accomplishment, that is fine....but she can't show equivlancy with sewing her own dress or riding a bull (these do not garner the same attention as Greg's E=MC2-laden list)

Previous Accomplishment is a foundation for self-esteem. It is a touchstone by which other things can be measured. With the Major Accomplishment Certificate you are verifying the level of accomplishment you have achieved, as a touchstone to give you energy in moving forward...

Mastery Certifications (this list is under development, return to see more)

- Wild Edibles Certificate (aka the Critters & Weeds Certificate)

- Get Your Kit Together Certificate

- Humanitarian Service Projects Certificate

- more to come

This Collage, Under Development (soon to come)

Award: Global Humanitarian Service Award

Join our club: United Humanitarian Service Association (UHSA)

Document your service: Humanitarian Service Database of America (HSDA)

Write a song better than this song by Britney Spears...

MORE ART

2009-11-28T07:44:00.000-08:00

Move More Eat Less....or, Just Eat Less

Everything You Need To Know About Losing Weight

another small, simple book by

Dr. Greg O. Muller

__________________
In my big big body
there was a voice
and red red flags
pointing to a picture of
dreams gone mad

the full moon circled round a cow that was me
when I counted there were three
little ants, moving a blubber tree plant
each wore mittens, meowed like kittens
and snickered 'bout a mouse, big as a house

they'd crammed him full of cheese
when the hungry old man whispered "please"

So goodnight fatty

goodnight big 'ol bowls of ice cream

goodnight space cow goodnight endless chow

goodnight big macs goodnight balloon tummy

goodnight blubber-hauling ants good night tight pants

goodnight my heavy feet goodnight big chunks of meat

goodnight rolly goodnight polly

goodnight curves goodnight biggest loser

goodnight weight-loss books and goodnight my bad looks

goodnight sofa goodnight bottom groove, I gotta move

and goodnight hungry old man whispering "please"

goodnight sugar bowls goodnight sugar lows

goodnight crazy cravings everywhere

THE END.

Note to the reader: this artistic book is available in hardcopy for purchase (Retail - $50.00). Also, for those who want a more conventional-length book, I can easily bring the page count up to 350 pages (I will add pictures, larger font and a few hundred pages where you can journal your weight loss challenges, goals and thoughts).

GoodNight Moon

2009-11-28T07:39:00.000-08:00

Goodnight Moon is an American children'sbook written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd. It wasfirst published in 1947

In the great green room

there was a telephone

And a red balloon

And a picture of--

The cow jumping over the moon

and there were three little bears, sitting on chairs

and two little kittens and a pair of mittens

and a little toy house and a young mouse

and a comb and a brush and bowl full of mush

and a quiet old lady who was whispering "hush"

Goodnight room

goodnight moon

goodnight cow jumping over the moon

goodnight light and the red balloon

goodnight bears goodnight chairs

goodnight kittens goodnight mittens

goodnight clocks and goodnight socks

goodnight little house and goodnight mouse

goodnight comb and goodnight brush

goodnight nobody goodnight mush

and goodnight to the old lady whispering "hush"

goodnight stars, goodnight air

goodnight noises everywhere.

Google Analytics - track visitors

2009-09-27T21:00:00.000-07:00

rack your Blogger (Blogspot) statistics with Google Analytics

How to set it up

Go to Google Analytics to sign up or log in.
When logged in, choose to create a new account (click on the menu next to “My Analytics Accounts” at the top right of the page and choose “Create a new account”) and follow the steps. When you get to “Tracking Code“, open up a new window/tab and log in to yourBlogger account.
When logged in you will see your Dashboard, click “Design” under the name of your blog and you will arrive to Page Elements.
Then choose “Edit HTML” in the horizontal menu.
Take a look in the textbox and find the tag.
Now you have to copy and paste the code from Google Analytics right BEFORE the tag, then click “Save Template“.
Then click “Save and Finish” at the bottom of the Google Analytics page and you’re done!

To check your Blogger statistics, you just have to click on your account on the first page of Google Analytics. If it says “Tracking Unknown” in the status column, even after 24h (you have to wait a day until it starts tracking), you have done something wrong.

Also, you might want to get your blog “Google verified” (How to add and verify a site on Google) so your blog gets crawled – your chances to show up on search results increases. Here is a tutorial for you WordPress.com users.

HOW TO GOOGLE VERIFY YOUR WEBSITE

1.http://www.google.com/webmasters/verific…
2.Choose your site "to verify"
To verify your site by uploading an HTML file:

a. On the Webmaster Tools Home page, click Verify next to the site you want.
b. In the Choose verification method list, select Upload an HTML file, and follow the steps on your screen.
c. Upload the file to your webserver to the location we specify. Generally, this is the root folder for your site. Note: Don't make any changes to name or content of the file.
d. Confirm the successful upload by clicking the link provided.
e. Once you have uploaded the file and can open it, click Verify. We will verify that the file exists in the specified location. If we can't access the file, we'll give you information about the error we encountered. More information about HTML file verification errors. Once this problem is resolved, try to verify your site again.

Source(s):

http://www.google.com/support/webmasters…

6 months ago

Jam: One-Page Book

2009-09-16T11:26:00.000-07:00

This is the start of our jam session. Look, Robert Barry (an artist, like us) wrote a one-page book, which is talked about here: http://www.afterartnews.com/164_robert-barrys-book-at-onestar-press-took-7-years-and-35-seconds-to-make/

What do you think?

Jam: Helmet Solution

2009-09-16T04:28:00.000-07:00

Greg: So when do you think people will start wearing helmets?

Steve: Oh, very soon I'm sure; right after they watch that Helmet Solution movie you made.

Greg: I look cool in a helmet, huh?

Steve: Uh..., yea. People will do your Helmet Solution just about the same time they start doing all of your new and better solutions.

Greg: And when will that be...?

Steve: When it's dire.

Greg: Right. When it's dire for them to wear a helmet; probably not a moment sooner. And why is that? Is it because people don't believe us when we tell them a car helmet can keep them (and their loved ones) safer?

Steve: Nope....that's not it. They know that football players wear helmets, bull riders do, and skiers are starting to....they know that a helmet would make driving safer; that it is an obvious and easy solution.

Greg: Right. Is it because it's too weird? Is it because people won't do weird things even if it could make their life better?

Steve: No. Like your art points out, people do unconventional (weird) things all the time (like speeding on the highway). But they will usually only do it when it is dire. They'll reject your solutions---just like they resist everybody else's hard-to-do solutions---right up until the time it becomes dire.

Greg: But wearing a helmet is not hard to do. You buy a bicycle helmet and put it on right after you buckle your seat belt. Nothing could be easier....

Steve: There is where you are wrong. Not wearing a helmet is easier than wearing one.

Greg: Ok, but wearing a helmet is pretty easy, you have to admit.

Steve: Yep. But it is not the lowest hanging fruit, is it. People follow the path of least resistance. This is a powerful principle of choice. If there is two pieces of fruit hanging low on the tree, people will usually go for the one that is easiest to grab (the lowest), unless there is a compelling reason to grab the the fruit that is just a little higher.

Greg: Why don't they grab the helmet fruit, it's pretty close?.

Steve: Because the helmet is dork fruit. In 2011 you will look like a dork if you wear a helmet in your car, unless you are in a professional race, like NASCAR.

Greg: It will come around. Skiers looked like dorks 5 or 10 years ago if they wore a helmet. Now it is cutting edge...just a logical progression.

Steve: Right. Simply put, if you wear a helmet now you are an early adopter of a logical technological advance; but you look like a dork.

Greg: You remember dad was an early adopter of seat belts.

Steve: Yes, he installed them into our car (I think he ordered them from a Montgomery Ward catalog) back in the early 1970's. We were safer than other kids, but dorkier too.

Greg: A 100 years ago a doctor that washed his hands as much as doctors do now would have faced the weirdo/dork label.

Steve: Exactly. So, the big thing that keeps the helmet off people's heads is not rational thought or logic, it's simply they want to fit in.

Greg: Wanting to fit in is a pretty powerful force.

Steve: No doubt.

Greg: So like the helmet, the other solutions I offer the world are often quite easy to get; in principle they are low-hanging fruit...but they are out of reach of many people because they are unconventional and stop them from fitting in.

Steve: No, not really. Even if you offer people very conventional solutions, ones that will undoubtedly make them safer, healthier, happier, more popular and so forth, they still won't do them unless they sense it is dire for them to do so.

Greg: If it is not dire it's dead.

Steve: Good poem.

Greg: Thanks.

Greg: Come on....aren't you being a little pessimistic? I think people want to better their lives. And I think people are truly interested in ways to better their lives. Don't you think so?

Steve: Heck, in a few minutes they could come up with their own kind of helmet solutions---things to make car travel even safer (like body armor, 5-point harnesses). But they won't do those, or any new thing, unless they think it is dire to do so.

Greg: Right. Of course that doesn't mean they are not interested in learning about new ideas. In fact, I think a lot of people are fascinated by the solutions I offer, like the Helmet Solution. The same is true for all the other promising solutions, both conventional and unconventional solutions..... that they are gently offered or strongly bombarded with---be it weight-loss, finance, relationship, life-transformation, religious, so on. But let's not confuse curiosity, commitment and constancy.

Steve: I see where you're going. Just because people are curious about solutions----even if the solution is logical, and even if it offers results they value, even if the solution is beautiful and elegant, unless the solution is dire for them their unlikely to do it. Right?

Greg: Right. They may look admiringly at a helmet, they may even buy a helmet and put it in their car. They may talk about wearing a helmet, think about wearing a helmet, even try it on and wear it a time or two. But until it is dire (and less dorky), they won't be wearing it like they wear their seatbelt (let alone insist others in their car wear one).

Steve: There are lots of reasons people give for not wearing a helmet, just like there are lots of reasons people have for not doing other solutions that can better their lives. But one reason stands supreme.

Greg: What's that?

Steve: They are already doing enough. They are sufficient.

Greg: That's the big reason?

Steve: It is the main reason that explains why people don't do better solutions. If dire energy is matter, sufficiency is anti-matter. If direness gets people to do most anything (including wearing a car helmet), having a sense of sufficiency allows them to resist almost anything (including wearing a car helmet), no matter what other logic, truths and conditions are brought to bear.

Greg: Because people believe they are safe enough, they won't seriously consider wearing a car helmet.

Steve: Right. They are already buckling up. It's enough. Behold the AWESOME power of enough: I'm safe enough, healthy enough, smart enough, happy enough, kind enough, my food's tasty enough.

Greg: You know, when I ask people why they don't plan on wearing a car helmet they give different reasons, but I realize that, really, once you decide you don't want to wear a helmet, any reason will do. After sharing the Helmet Solution with people I've asked them why they are not going to wear a car helmet. Common responses, are "it would mess up my hair, it's not comfortable, it's weird, my kids would never wear one." Interestingly none of them ever say, the Helmet Solution is bunk--it won't work.

Steve: Right, the reason doesn't matter, it's their desire that does.

____________
construction area.....Reader: The script above and below reflects many different conversations Steve and I have had about The Helmet Solution and other related solutions. Here forward I am in the process of editing some of these conversations and ideas. It's pretty messy, but if feel free to browse through the scattered, half-baked ideas. I will be cleaning this all up pretty soon.

Steve: Of course. They know it would work, just like all the other solutions that you and I (and a million other sages) offer them. But again, that doesn't matter.....Dire energy is generated in many ways....belonging (eveyone is doing it, good parents...etc.). Power (the police will arrest you...you will be fined money)...Ok. So what makes a solution dire? When will people find it dire to wear a helmet?

Steve: Generally, solutions become dire when society (as a collective decides).

Greg: People will start wearing helmets when the police start giving fines for not wearing helmets.Steve: Right...........

Greg: So even if people are faced with the cold hard fact that it can make them safer, they still won't wear a helmet? Well, if they won't do it for logic will they do it for love?

Steve: What do you mean?

Greg: For the love of their family. Once they see our Helmet Solution movie I'd expect they would soon be saying, to loved ones, "OK, is everybody buckled and helmeted up."

Steve: You'd think so wouldn't you. But your wrong. Love doesn't make helmet wearing dire.

Greg: No, it's not about the lack of love. Our Art leads us to specialize in unconventional solutions, instead of conventional solutions. You might ask, "But Greg and Steve, given that your solutions are so...uh, unconventional...aren't you afraid your spending your time coming up with and sharing solutions most people will have very little interest in actually doing---even if your solution are better in some certain respects?" We would answer, "There are many great solution out there in the marketplace of things and ideas. We believe it really doesn't matter if whether you offer people conventional or unconventional solutions, each one will be like the Helmet Solution to them. They will wear a helmet when they want to bad enough.There are many, many "better" solutions offered up to us in society and in the groups to which we belong---solutions that would undeniably make us safer, healthier, happier, more spiritual and wonderful than we currently are. But just because something is true doesn't mean we will do it. Consider this. Even if Our Art led us to create and offer conventional solutions instead of unconventional solutions, people would still not be much more likely to adopt our solutions. For example, suppose we started specializing in traditional, well-accepted solutions, like the ones Stephen Covey offers in 7 Habits For Highly Effective People offers (or any of the other conventional solutions offered by popular life-management professionals) do you think we would we improve by much the rate at people do (implement) our solutions? How many people, out of 100, actually fully implement with high consistency and fidelity the conventional solutions being offered them? I would guess that 98% would be just about as likely to wear a helmet when they drive.Helmet solutions are easy to come up with, and ubiquitous in our society. (The hard thing to do, of course, is creating enough dire energy in our life to put the helmet on.) Think about. Suppose everyone in our society started wearing helmets. Can you come up with a/the next logical thing everyone could do to increase safety in the event of a car crash? Of course you can! What else do football players wear besides helmets? (padding, body-armor) Or, think about race car drivers, what else keeps them safe in the event of an accident? (e.g. 5 point harness) And so on you could go (oh the many helmet solutions you could come up with). Likewise, suppose I wanted your help in losing some weight. Can you give me a helmet solution? That's right, I could get up at 5:45 a.m. (instead of 6 a.m.) and walk 4 miles (instead of 3)! Wow, you are genius! Just like those guys on TV, or your wise aunt, or the preacher at church, or the DVD's lessons touting the latest flavor of life-transformation and finance strategies, or your teachers at school, and so forth; everyone has helmet solutions for you...and they can and wil keep coming up with more every day.Seatbelt and airbags is sufficient; good enough. If DIRE energy is one of the most important energies for making changes in ones life, SUFFICIENCY is one of the most important energies for keeping things the way they are. The reason people will not wear a helmet each time they get in a car is because they have a sense of sufficiency, "I think I'm safe enough, just wearing my seatbelt." Their grandparents didn't wear seat-belts as children. Was that because people didn't know back then that wearing seat-belts could improve your safety? Of course not. They knew, it's just that back then wearing seat-belts was not DIRE (except for the early adopters, like my father Alan Muller, who installed seat-belts in his car before car companies were required to install them in every new car). OUR SUGGESTION...ENJOY THE HELMET SOLUTION, PLAY WITH IT, BUT IF YOU WANT TO FOCUS YOUR ENERGY AND GET DIRE...BETTER SOLUTION IS TO TAKE AND DO WHAT YOU ALREADY WITH MORE CONISTENTLY AND BETTER (TIPS ABOUT WEARING SEAT BELTS..ON WAIST...KIDS UNDER 12 IN BACK, ETC.)...BEFORE WE MOVE ON, DO WHAT WE ARE ALREADY DOING...DOING IT BETTER.Helmet-like solutions (even those we won't do) energize us. We find them entertaining (I just saw the next big thing), funny (this weirdo was wearing a helmet) and they give us hope (I think someday I am going to do that). We maintain that most solutions are helmet solutions (most of them you won't do, at least not very much)....they are ART...mind food, mind candy.How often do we do better and best solutions? Not very often. How much interest do we have in better and best solutions? Sometimes quite a bit. Why? To generate hope (baby). To entertain.

Jerry Sternin Observed...

2009-09-01T11:54:00.000-07:00

"The positive deviants were going to rice paddies and collecting tiny shrimps and crabs to mix with the rice", says Sternin. They also collected sweet-potato greens -- which conventional wisdom considered low-class food -- and mixed them with the rice. They were supplementing the carbohydrates with protein and vitamins. And positive deviants displayed all kinds of caring behaviors: frequency of feeding, active feeding. They fed children who had diarrhea, for example, even though conventional wisdom said no to this.

Read the entire article, here.

KneeGull Masteries

2009-07-11T17:00:00.000-07:00

Requirement for the KneeGull Award: complete any 3 of these KneeGull Masteries.

This page is under development, currently just lists some titles and brief descriptions of art pieces we have created in our jam sessions. Come back later to explore each piece (links to books, movies, etc.)

NEAGLE AWARD (aka Kneegull Award) - the highest scouting honor

Relationship-Mastery - Get the most beautiful person in the world to fall in love with you (see Beauty)
Self-Mastery - Agree to not watch R-rated movies for the rest of your life (C.P.A.A.)
Self-Mastery - Draw one picture that is better than one of Picasso's
Master the basics of Self Positioning System (SPS)
Master the Speeding Bullet
Master Strategic Volunteerism
Self-Mastery - Compose and perform a song that is better than a current Top 40 hit
Self-Mastery - Get your KIT together
Self-Mastery - wear a helmet when you drive in the car
Self-Mastery - write a gospel-rock fusion song in fulfillment of Isaiah's prophesy
Self-Mastery - purchase a summer home for less than 50 dollars
Self-Mastery - go hiking in the mountains 200 days out of the year
Self-Mastery - get furniture like rich people's, for free
Self-Mastery - eat 10 pounds of dandelions or other wild edibles in a yearSelf-Mastery - teach the lesson, "Twin Peaks Of Desire....There's nothing I want more than that, except"
Self-Mastery - design and wear (to church or other formal occasion) a tie (Thin Bolo Tie)
Self-Mastery - at least 90% of the time, for ten years, eat less than a one week menu (the same thing again, again)
Self-Mastery - eat at least 1.5 pounds of bug parts, feces with your food
Self-Mastery - teach And Living - the principle that makes hunting and fishing fun/worthwhile
Self-Mastery - retell The Good Samaritan "hops on one foot, singing my favorite song with an Irish accent"
Self-Mastery - Brown Lawn -
Self-Mastery - European Vacation (worth-ratio check...to squeeze it's a story confession is a key element in our art)

Version Art

2009-07-07T15:11:00.000-07:00

Our Art Pieces

Our Art grows. Each piece is first completed as a little version book, a small book about the size of Cat Then, we grow it from version to version (expressing it in many different ways) until it becomes part of our lives (some people like the bootleg version better)

As Positive Deviants we believe in "version art" We create and treat as complete Our Art (e.g. books and movies) before it is perfect; in fact, even before it is anywhere near what conventional standards would deem complete. Because it is "version art" (and Positive Deviant Art), Our Art is not bound by traditional standards. So, you should expect the first versions of Our Art---be it movies, books or other forms we create---to be free-spirited and taking much artistic license. Because we often run Our Art out the door before it is refined, things like grammar, layout and style elements are imperfect. We choose to do it this way, we choose version-art, because we believe that in most cases, 90% of the value of our ideas/practices can be communicated and employed by ourselves and others even when they are in their early stages of development. We choose to make “the mistake” of putting Our Art out “too soon”, rather than too late, as we believe that many people have good ideas, beliefs and practices that sit on the shelf, often never seeing the light of day (or seeing it only much later than could be). We believe many of our ideas and practices can make an important contribution to people’s lives even if these ideas are released in a very rough-draft form. We believe our “beta version”, our pre-mature version, is going to be appreciated and useful, when the audience has a great need for it. This is what we count on. Our Version Art allow us to refine Our Art over time, as we get feedback and develop even better ideas/practices….so that they can become increasingly effective. We, therefore, trust that you will overlook any inadequacies of our early versions. In return we will cut you a deal. When you buy one of our version books, for example, we give you the right to every updated version of that book thereafter. In fact, our first version is usually free. Later versions will cost more, as Our Art develops. Regardless of the version you buy your initial purchase will qualify you for a free copy of every subsequent version. Finally we aim for little (e.g. little books, little movies) because we strive to have Our Art express the principle of “creative constraint.” This principle suggests that small spaces, carefully constructed, can generate important pressures—pressures that give rise to creativity that larger spaces might not. This principle is reflected, for example, in our choice to write “one-page books” and to create minutes-long movies. As Positive Deviants we have come to believe that most self-help books could effectively be boiled down to one or two pages. It is our belief that if such a book was written well, people would still get 90% or more of the benefit that they would get out of a three hundred-page book of the same title.

Featured Finds

2009-06-17T11:28:00.000-07:00

"The positive deviants were going to rice paddies and collecting tiny shrimps and crabs to mix with the rice," says Sternin. "They also collected sweet-potato greens -- which conventional wisdom considered low-class food -- and mixed them with the rice. They were supplementing the carbohydrates with protein and vitamins. And positive deviants displayed all kinds of caring behaviors: frequency of feeding, active feeding. They fed children who had diarrhea, for example, even though conventional wisdom said no to this."

(tokbox + jing) = steve and my jam sessions

or pamela for skype

http://www.fastcompany.com/node/42075/print

Note, my website is refers to a hunt (thehuntison.com). That reference is aimed at featuring the Top Finds of Positive Deviants like me...

Positive Deviants like me will be invited to list (link to, explain, better-yet demonstrate) their "PD - Top Finds" ---those specific attitudes, practices, behaviors that have led to better (than normal) outcomes in their lives.

A place to document practices and attendant results.

FOUNDATION METAPHOR:....I will frame this (with my page/tab on tiny crabs) which will serve as an intro to my point that OUR (us Positive Deviants') Top Finds are essentially equivalent to the "tiny crabs", shrimp and potato greens" that can be added to rice (normal food) Vietnamese rice paddy farmers put into their children's breakfast rice meals. Thus, Jerry Sternin's example will be set up as a foundation (of understanding) of what the "Top Finds" are:

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Some Examples of Greg's TOP FINDS: (this list will link to my own page where I will crate a list of my top finds), for example:

Greg - PD - Find 1. High Glory Concept (www.highglory.com) including various links, to: my 3-minute videos (e.g. an intro with Steve and I jamming about high-glory stories and importance of story), link to my book on high-glory, plus more...I will discuss how how my little stories (tiny crabs) have been added to my regular (rice) parts of life (e.g. psychological-spiritual wellness) for me and my family and other in my group(s).

Greg - PD - Find 2. Zone 4/NextLevel. In a video chat I will discuss my story of meeting up with Norm, studying for years with him, and the key (for me) "tiny crabs" that (in the end) have ended up in my and my families' rice bowl every day since. (those tiny crabs would be Zone 4....with more waiting in the wings when we can get to them, i.e. farmer Norm also prescribes a host of other goodies: shrimp, potato greens, etc.). I will show how I am using Zone 4 as a "Self Positioning System" (like a GPS), something I see missing in our world. I will eventually link to my website (which I am building) www.selfpositioningsystem.com

Greg - PD - Find 3. Doing Humanitarian Service Projects at home....here the idea...and here a link to a blog where people post their PD version of a humanitarian service project ("I did the dishes for my wife...I count it as humanitarian service project by....)

Greg - PD - Find 4. Kneegull.org (Do you want the highest scouting honor)...link to video....create a patch...formalize the requirements for the kneegull, then invite my family and others to this high calling

Greg - PD - Find 5. Dandelion.....Eating wild edibles (my God's Garden). Greg is harvesting a garden that grows in most people's yards (he calls it God's Garden) it is freely given and freely received. Dandelions become the ultimate metaphor for Positive Deviance, as every part of the dandelion is edible and ranks in nutrition near the top of all plants (like Spinach). It is trampled under foot, treated as a thing of not, even passionately and expensively:

I am very taken by the concept of positive deviance. Deviance is generally viewed as a bad thing. But on one end of the curve, we find deviance in the form of excellence, the very behavior we want to promote. Systems don’t like either positive or negative deviance, though, and are designed to crush both. So if we take risks to be excellent, the system will push back.

I will show how I am incorporating dandelions (and other wild edibles) into my One Week Menu, and increasing my garden harvest all the while reducing my/the traditional energy spent gardening.

Greg - PD - Find 6. Strategic Volunteerism.....My Unconventional approach to building resumes (fast, fast) and networks.

Greg - PD - Find 7. Kits.

Greg - PD - Find 8. My Mormon Beliefs, revisited: My new, PD takes on everything from sacrament, church attendance, miracles, etc.

Greg - PD - Find 100. ??????

Featured Jam Sessions

2009-06-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

This page under heavy development

Here is a test movie...our first jam session movie