Boussole

Between two solutions, always choose the most generous one

« Between two solutions, always choose the most generous one »
[Jiddu KRISHNAMURTI]

Here’s a beautiful quote for this week’s beginnings.

I would apply it, just as an example to the nuclear option chosen in France. Two possible solutions. Keep nuclear domestic energy or discard it. Which of the two solutions is more generous? Keeping the atom is just a financial issue based on the short term. It is true that in the short term, nuclear power is the big solution to not overspend. It’s also a success in terms of low emissions of greenhouse gases.

But all this is short term. Continue reading →

Tours_refroidissement

Extending the life of nuclear plants in France, is a huge stupidity!

Our current President, Mr. Nicolas SARKOZY, by deciding to extend the life of French nuclear power plants, is doing a huge mistake (to put it politely). The problem with this major “error” is that it’s pressurizing future generations for hundreds of years. I really would like to know today what our descendants will think of these pronuclear leaders.

I build my reasoning on this obvious fact: man is fallible. Continue reading →

Arrivée à Oraison (04) Photo: Rémi MASSÉ

Sustainable motivation

Motivation is something we all know. It fluctuates depending on our desires, our state of mind and sometimes, the weather.

The motivation to start an operation, is always stronger than the one for pursuing it. Starting off is an adventure, it is starting with full potential, it is the immediate success of beginning a journey. It is also wriggling to the idea that at the end of the adventure we will be rewarded for our effort.

But keeping one’s motivation alive is very difficult. It is difficult, because it is a neutral mental construction. It is no longer affected by the excitement of the start, and not yet by the one of the arrival. Continue reading →

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The power of motivation

I participated from 9 to 19 August 2009 in a race between Paris and Marseille as an accompanist and coach of an ultra-runner. The idea was to cover the distance of 800 km in 10 days time.

I was « embedded”, sharing the same tent for the camping nights.

The mission I gave myself was to understand how such an athlete worked out and what did make him run as much and so far.

Beyond the physical performance which is remarkable, his determination couldn’t be constrained. His whole mind pointing towards the finish line made him consider the race as a tube.

The motivation for such a race takes its roots deep into the mind of the runner. His only obsession was to reach the end, whatever the difficulties. His whole attitude was directed towards this goal.

Managing such a determination was difficult and a time-consuming action. The energy that the runner does not spend in his sporting action is used to constantly bounce on the walls of his motivation. This generates a lot of stress at the same time causes a constant level of challenge.

Voluntarily inhabiting his incentive prison, he locks himself in a looping dynamic, and draw always greater force. This becomes a real way of living.

I was very interested in his attitude, his difficulties, his doubts. His way to manage stress was also very special.

It is an action that I have done in other conditions with others and each time it gives me confirmation of my theories on human psychology. It also enriches, at various levels, the range of psychological profiles I study in ethology.

Very interesting.

Ueli_Gegenschatz

Man conquering his fears

Here’s a guy who plays with his fears and was able to control them to the point of making a work of art. The aesthetics of his jumps are in my opinion as beautiful as the flight of an eagle or an albatross. It is truly majestic.

The aversion of man for the heights, which is powered by the survival instinct is so strong that we are a only a few on this earth that will try. This is all the more remarkable.

Professionally, it is the power or unconsciousness this diver puts in his gesture, which interests me. Mental construction of such an action is encapsulated in a dose of denial to face fears. The structure of such thoughts gives proof of the ability to do so. Many people could take example and so to achieve their goals. Beautiful.

Have a good flight!

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Several months after I saw his lecture on TED, Ueli GEGENSCHATZ lost control of his flight during strong wind conditions. He would then die from his wounds.

In my opinion, it doesn’t jeopardize the fantastic actions he made. This type of man lives his life with passion and usually follows his dreams. He certainly has live far more then many of us. May he went away sooner then expected is another matter. He chose quality over quantity. Superb choice of living to my idea.

Dalaï-Lama

You will not silence him!

I’m reacting to a « Le Monde » article :
Tibet : « Pékin met à nouveau en garde Paris » / Tibet : « Pékin warns Paris again »
Le Monde | 04.12.08 | 09h20  •  Mis à jour le 04.12.08 | 09h27

Well, well… You see, Dear Chinese leaders, I am ready to get rid of my iPhone assembled in China, to not buy toys made in China for Christmas from my daughters, to not wear shoes made ​​in China … And all for the freedom of being.

Do you a problem with the Dalai Lama’s pacifism ? Too bad. Mr. Sarkozy bothers you by wanting to meet him still. I’d be the first to do a lot worse for freedom of choice and expression. Letting him go in peace would be much more credible.

Threatening for a simple interview is more than suspect! Please behave yourself.

And, as the Dalaï Lama once said:

“True happiness is not dependent on any being, any external object. It depends only on us. [Dalai Lama] “

Killing the Dalaï Lama, his work, his relationships, his communication will not make you more credible, on the contrary!

Groupe_joyeux

Purchasing power does NOT build happiness !

Purchasing power does NOT build happiness.

INSEE (French statistics organization) has released its “France, portrait social – 2008 Edition”. In this publication, there is a study on the level of feeling of happiness over time in Western societies, especially in France.

It is inspiring! The steady increase in gross national income per capita, has nothing to do with the change in the number of people satisfied with their lives.

Curves of gross national income and satisfaction

The old adage “Money does not buy happiness” obviously comes to mind. This is so true, and I saw it every day in my office, many of our customers are beginning to integrate into their business plan, the happiness variable !

Another key interest of this publication, happiness is also a function of the comparison which is done to others. We are happiest when we are comparing favorable and less happy when the comparison is unfavorable to us.

To go further, the purchasing power has nothing to do with happiness. Happiness that many sociologists and other professionals trying to quantify is primarily subjective. Any ethnicity, culture, holds her outside the financial levels, a certain level of common good base. Depending on countries, regions, there are disparities in the level and understanding of the concept of well-being and happiness.

We (the French) are well world widely known to be grumpy and especially the world champions of antidepressants comsumption. So there is a question to ask on the roots of such evil. Quest for perfection? High self-concept and shift in the means to get there? Soil structural cultural pessimism?

What is certain is that this is reversible! See the highlights of the World Cup 1998 Soccer or two days ago the election of Barack Obama. The thrill of happiness that have come on our hexagon are evidence that happiness is a psychological concept mainly influenced by external factors.

Bhutan is one of the poorest countries and yet says BNB (Gross National Happiness) as an important variable in the progress of his country.

The filter that one builds itself between it and external events is directly related to it’s abilities and knowledge. Teaching and demonstration of the helping staff (psychologists, psychiatrists, coaches …), will be needed and vital.

It’s to each of us to take our share and disseminate. Happiness is within the reach of our compatriotes as others do in other countries.

Barack_OBAMA

Say Barack, what’s your secret ?

What makes vibrate and shudder of pleasure crowds when you express yourself ? What is that you embody hope for millions, even billions of human beings?

Simplicity in the equation:
The equation is relatively simple. It embodies a possibility. An opportunity to change course, but also a possibility of being taken into account. This “being” is: I am black, I am different from the most powerful ethnic group on earth, and yet I have the right to live and be recognized.

Of course all dark-skinned are the first to be affected. But more generally, all those who have suffered in their life, those who life made think more profoundly, turn toward this ability to understand one another, to put themselves in one’s shoes.

This is discrimination in general that fades facing this plebiscite.

Acting for oneself:
A greater balance springs out from this adventure. Although he promised action, the first action he is calling of his will is for each one to take action for himself. He warns that beginnings will be hard. He warns that there will be false starts and disagreements. He then just gives people a glance of freewill and that he will stand as the privileged witness of it.

Obama takes place as the American people’s coach. He highlights the fact that he carries the change project of the American people, but above all carry them in their efforts. And this has more value then any promise.

Follow the example:
Yes, this is an example to follow. But not so much in his election then in the American people’s ability to mobilize itself when needed. After 8 years of a dubious choice, Americans were able to worry about their choice and the image they gave to the world. He chose a charismatic and mature man.

Withstand the world’s pressure:
Sober he accepts the mission. He gives strong direction. His mature attitude is to reassure the crowd. He holds his image and gives to those who voted for him legitimacy of their choice. It is the success of each and all at the same time. What a wave of positive emotions!

Barack human being among human beings, I wish you to be up to the hope that you have sparked !

Good luck!

Painting4Freedom

Painting 4 Freedom !

For those who know me and know what direction I offer my time and energy, they will not be surprised to see me highlight this magnificent project:

Painting4Freedom literally: Paint for Freedom.

This project is run by two wonderful artists Deirdre SANDBERG and Samia EL MANNANI.

Deirdre, painter, lives in London and is responsible for raising awareness, among the children, for the protection of fauna and flora of our beautiful planet.

Samia, photographer, will capture on film (or memory cards) moments of joy that come out of these paintings sessions.

The teaching project will revolve around human actions on the ecology and the preservation of fauna and flora.

The journey started in England, passed through France, Germany and ended in the most beautiful countries in Africa. The project as had a huge success with officials schools in different countries even before the team was yet to come.

Children can follow this magnificent journey through a blog and live chats with the two artists.

Deirdre and Samia have already received the support of several schools and sponsors. If you want to help or have information about the project: gro.m1369097343odeer1369097343f4gni1369097343tniap1369097343@ofni1369097343

And… “Best of luck” for this wonderful project!

Gamins_Indonesie

World Kids

Here’s a striking image. Image of 2008 Reuters. “Children taking a bath in the wastewater of a slum in Jakarta October 14, 2008. Last year, at least 80% of the 250 million Indonesians do not have access to running water. Due to difficulties of access to clean water, many people still use the river for drinking, bathing or washing (according to a study by the World Health Organization). Reuters / Beawiharta (INDONESIA) “

I have two daughters. They are what I most cherish (as one usually says). I can’t image them in the place of those kids. For anyone who wants to be a little bit opened to the world, it stirs so many ideas, contradictions and personal cowardice.

Go! Kids of the world, show us the this vitality that makes us think. Your life power gives us a lesson that we are not ready to take.

What truth of life is shown in this picture! Stock exchange difficulties seem so despicable in comparison. While rooted in part in the real economy, the ups and downs make me think a whiff of undigested food. This happiness grinding machine leads me to believe that we move away from ourselves.

World, wake up and look at your kids!

Original here