Innovation changes personal lives and culture.

“There has been an ongoing trend towards openess in our culture. In recent years, people have not been as concerned about hiding the truth about themselves as they were in the past. They’re open about their bodies, sex lives, failings, secret thoughts and incomes — all of the things that had to be hidden for fear of shame, punishment and ostracism before.” 

Computers simplify and complicate. Research, shopping, news, banking, and stock market trading, even grocery shopping can be done on the Internet. We can find a date, send her flowers, confirm a restaurant reservation, and get movie tickets.

We can also seek images and expressions our grandmother would not appreciate. Just think of her as you type in that URL. Remember to erase your tracks too (see Perfect Disk). Cleaning-up the footprints your browser leaves should get your attention. Your children will not find their Mom or Dad’s behavior encouraging or thoughtful (and Moms can be as guilty as Dads). We produce more when we use Internet resources effectively, and we waste time when our purient curiosity takes over.

Joseph Weizenbaum (1923-2008) told the New York Times (1999), “The Internet is like one of those garbage dumps outside of Bombay (Mumbai). There are people, most unfortunately,crawling all over it, and maybe they find a bit of aluminum…but mainly it’s garbage.” 

Banter and rumor, innuendo and slander characterize many Internet entries. Of course, this is not pervasive. Every site must edit volunteered entries for blogs; forums, and web hosts must do the same. A lot of time and expense goes into weeding out the robot (those automated) entries and authored articles or comments lacking reasonable facts or purpose other than to scam and abscond.

Brad Haynes (AP writer) reports that JuicyCampus.com will respond to New Jersey prosecutors accusation that the site posts offensive material. The site administrators do not monitor or censor the posted comments that demean “appearance, race, and sexual history” of students, according to (attorney general).

The New Jersey prosecutor initiated investigation when a female student reported how she is “terrorized by posts on the Web site that included her address”. Prosecutors have subpoenaed information from JuicyCampus on how it is run, citing concerns about “unconscionable commercial practices” since the site is supported by advertising.

What makes this story more  reprehensible is the reply to accusations given by the webmaster. According to AP writer Brad Haynes, “JuicyCampus founder Matt Ivester has expressed little concern in the past about backlash from colleges. ‘Like anything that is even remotely controversial, there are always people who demand censorship…we believe that JuicyCampus can have a really positive impact on college campuses, as a place for both entertainment and free expression.”

Providing space for slander, innuendo, and libel should not be shielded by the First Amendment.

Weizenbaum wrote in Computer Power and Human Reason (1976), “How long will it be before what counts as fact is determined by the system, before all other knowledge, all memory, is simply declared illegitimate?” (Wall Street Journal, March 15-16, 2008)

Finding quality content, written carefully and with focus is like finding a lost ring at the beach without metal detector. You have to “wand” your eyes over 100’s of words and pages before finding answers to your question. Too many write too much without saying anything.

Echievements makes an effort to filter the “illegitimate”, but not with absolute success. We all have ideas; most of us need to learn how to make an idea legitimate, reasonable, and benficial to our readers.

When writing goals I attempt making them “SMART”

*S-specific

*M-measurable

*A-attainable

*R-realistic

*T-timed

Second, I write them in the first person; my goals are all about me, what “I am”. This may seem rather simple and obvious, but perhaps not for you. Certainly took me awhile to figure the value of writing first person singular goal affirmations.

Third, I write goals in the active tense telling myself what I am doing now, even though I’m not doing “it” yet. Present active tense, saying something for myself as though that circumstance is “present” makes the goal more alive, dynamic, and real. I get tired of what “will be”; I want it now, and my imagination makes “now” possible.

No matter what, write what you want about yourself. Make it positive and hopeful. In fact, you might follow this guideline or rubric for what you write about yourself. Your goal statements should include assertions that are:

*True

*Honest

*Just (not overly self-critical)

*Pure (good for body and mind)

*Loving (always bringing what is best to others in your circle)

*Good Report (always seeing, expecting, and hoping for good news)

Most importantly, write your goals. Everyone seems to have some fragmented idea of goals, but only 3% of us write them. I choose to be in the 3%, and you?

Benjamin Langley submitted two articles to Echievements.com about goal setting he titled, “Be S.M.A.R.T.: Set Goals! Pt 1” and “Pt 2“. Not much original in the articles. Ben could have written one article on the subject. He does, to his credit, remind readers to stay motivated by getting S.M.A.R.T.

Ben’s articles remind me about A “SMART” memo on my Treo. Neither Ben or I created the “S.M.A.R.T.” acronymn. At the moment, I cannot find the source. However, here is what the originator meant (and Ben catches this somewhat).

• S - Specific
• M - Measurable
• A - Attainable
• R - Realistic
• T - Timed

The author, from whom I learned this acronmyn writes, “If you can’t count it, measure it, or describe it in detail, you probably aren’t clear enough to get it.” (By the way, if you know the author, please post a comment.)

Most of us may overlook the essential impact of getting S.M.A.R.T. Before getting smart, you have to possess a vision derived from your interests, gifts, life-purpose, and talents. Your goal becomes structured, takes form, and gets guided by S.M.A.R.T. steps.

Pursuing goals without finding a vision may lead to missteps. So, where-in-the-world do you find your vision that prompts getting S.M.A.R.T?  Self-reflection, feedback from your education, employment, hobbies, and interests. We all have a spark to do something well, but we give up on it easily. Ben Langley says, “The more vivid the goal is in your mind, the more intensely you feel the motivation to achieve it.” Actually, the more confidently you possess your vision, the more likely you will take S.M.A.R.T. steps to make it happen.

Thanks Ben Langley for prompting these thoughts.

History matters when researching culture, government, and what someone did. History does not matter when reviewing your life. A psychiatrist and counselor will disagree because they direct or send you back to your prior life. Even Oprah invites guests who send clients back under hypnosis to a prior life. Some recall ancient experiences as a princess or under attack by ancient enemy warriors. Perhaps these insights and therapeutic events resolve fear and anxiety. I wonder.

Looking forward tilts events in your favor if you use your imagination affectively. Looking backward simply reminds you of past events. Frequent reminders of past events give more focus to those images than to the future you want. Is it really necessary to resolve what you cannot change? Past events are a picture in your biography, mere snapshots of your life landscape.

Do you want to deal with the past? Then forgive those who harmed you. Let go, release, set them free and give yourself freedom from any hold they have on you. You will never change people; that is not your responsibility. What matters is washing away resentment, fear, antagonism, anger, and frustration. What’s the point of holding what you cannot contain or change? Do that during every tomorrow and you’ll die with burdens, disappointments, and unrealized potential.

Forgive yourself. Obviously, “It takes two to tango.” At times we are victims of painful events, but we tango with the event when perpetuating the affect. So, letting go of self-destructive behavior is essential to well-being. If you know you cannot change someone else’s past behavior, what would make you think you can change your past behavior? You can’t. You did what you did, and it’s over, done, finished. Move on. Change your future.

Finally (and most importantly), seek God’s forgiveness. No one can say, “I have never done wrong. I’ve never missed the mark.” We all miss the mark. There are rules to our universe and guidelines for behavior. The most obvious maxim, “Do for others what you would do for yourself.” When you remove burdens from yourself, you validate your forgiveness of others, and you confirm God’s forgiveness.

Read: The Sedona Method by Hale Dwoskin to learn more.

Everyone I know seems to have an inner compulsion for power. Not to power-over others, but to demonstrate a strength. When older, athletic strength wanes. When older or wiser, we find an inner power, an energy to do what matters.

Everyone I know possesses a passion. Many of us run from our passion when a nefarious voice says, “You can’t do that.” A few of us run toward our passion with deaf ears to those who dissuade.

Everyone I know has a presence. We all are noticed, mentioned, and considered. Even the obsequious receive recognition.

When power, passion, and presence work affectively, we become doers and achievers. Life proceeds with purpose as we do what we were created to do.

Greg Mortenson is that man. Read his story in Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenon and David Oliver Relin.

Interdependence, homeostasis, comraderie, esprit de corps recognize the inherent and inexorable impact of our natural interdepence. Any imbalance of the body leads to sickness. Bringing harm to nature disrupts eco-balance. In sports, “There’s no “I” in team. Agreement about my presupposition does not matter; it’s just the way things work. Acknowledging and cooperating makes the difference between good health, a happy earth, and a winning team.

Chris Jenkin’s (Associated Press writer, June 13, 2008 Boston Globe, page E8) article, “River’s adoption of ’ubuntu’ speaks to team unification” seems worth mentioning after last nights historic win against the Lakers. 

My son told me, “You don’t understand basketball.”  I may not “get” the game, but I understand the fundamentals of gamesmanship. River’s adoption of ‘ubuntu’ speaks to team unification. I may not understand the game, but the fundamentals of gamesmanship I understand.

Doc Rivers learned the South African word “ubuntu” from Stephanie Russell who taught Rivers about the work of Desmond Tutu. For Tutu, the word embraced his hope for racial unity in South Africa after apartheid (a self-serving narcisstic worldview).

Writing posseses the same characteristic; we write not for ourselves (although this motivates), we write for the purpose of “ubuntu”: “I am because we are.”