“What About Progress?” cji 1/22/09

“What About Progress?” cji 1/22/09

Being born in the 1940’s has allowed me to see much of what man calls progress – some as a direct result of WWII and Korea. Progress defined refers to: “a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage, Dictionary.com.” Thus a movement of a ‘mob’ going forward to cause injury or harm could be considered progress to some – to others the completion of a drug deal – then to others – the purchase of a home or car. However most would use this definition in referring to the worldly things – i.e. education, inventions, and almost all in the tangible world of things. Very few reflect upon the intangibles or those which bring a personal awareness, happiness, truth, fulfillment, or other altruistic ideals. Madison Ave. doesn’t promote any of these intangibles – unless one considers sexual attraction or keeping up with betters of society to be somehow considered progress.

One has to choose what they themselves consider progress. Paul J. Meyer defined success, “As the progressive realization of goals – i.e. the Journey and not the destination.” The goals is the important part of what he was communicating, that one needs to have multiple goals – both tangible and intangible – long term and short term – written and specific – with time-lines and check points. These goals need to be in all six (6) areas of one’s life and not limited to just one or two. The six areas are: 1) Physical; 2) Family; 3) Spiritual/Ethical; 4) Social; 5) Financial; and 6) Mental.. It’s like a six pronged wheel and these are the spokes of the wheel – and not working on all six parts would leave a stunted spoke – and not a very smooth ride.

The movement toward a goal is only the first part – the second – a movement to a further or higher stage – is sometimes forgotten. Again most only refer to this higher stage in comparison to the standards of the world and not the Spiritual or inner-self in an eternal relationship with Father and others. Most thing of mortality as being an end in itself – believing the world about evolution (Darwin’s) and “till death do us part!“ The world has taught most of mankind to not look forward to very much after death if for anything at all! This includes the teachings of many of the world’s great religions. None of the Philosophy’s teaches anything of a here-after or if they do only to exercise rhetoric in confusing an issue they can’t accept in a finite form. In the world something is defined as having some finite form or measurements. The world seeks to appeal to man’s/woman’s vanities and not their good. (Well can’t exactly say the last sentence without clarification as the world would always say whatever they appeal to is, ‘of course for their own good.’)

‘Goal’ is a misused word in the modern dictionary of the world. The world accepts goals in the areas of; financial, physical, mental (educational) and social! The other two areas; family, spiritual/ethical are mostly pushed aside and looked upon as more nuisance to many and not important other than to add to their social or financial status. The other problem with the worldly use of the word ‘goal’ there’s very little of the intangible aspects. One would have to consider the main intangibles offered by the world in their three areas can be found in the following list. 1) Sexual Attractiveness; 2) Acceptance in Social Circles; 3) Desires of Happiness and similar skin deep thoughts to the avarice and lusts of mankind. Everything leads to the world and the finite!

To enhance this issue about progress I’m going to borrow from writings in years (even decades past), inserting here a summary of the ideas of motivations (motives for one’s actions); goals and other related matters! (Note: All of the following writings will be from articles found in the ‘Daily Record’ a Rochester, NY, a limited distribution legal newspaper from the 1970’s.)

Part I - Motivation - Motives / Actions - the motives for our actions.
3 Types: Fear; Incentive; Attitude
1 - Fear - the big kid on the block knocks your teeth our if you don't give him 25 cents a day (Calvin and Hobbes), been around for centuries, go review history. When the big kid wasn't around you talked about what you were going to do to him. This leads to revolution at some point.
2 - Incentive - when the crowd start to revolt, the big says I'll be your protector, nice, sometimes he gives you part of his booty, from those who haven't revolted. Ever see a donkey with a carrot hanging in front of him to make him walk towards the carrot? He doesn't know he is working he is just walking towards the carrot. Once he gets the carrot, he stops walking. It was his incentive to walk. Next time one needs a bigger carrot, etc.
1 and 2 have several things in common: First they both come from the outside or from someone else; and second you have to be afraid of the person, or want the incentive. So neither are from you.
We cannot change these first two they will always be external and present in man's world. The answer is simple, if something works why change it, Satan has known this for years, it is why abused spouses stay with the abuser, why the innocent feel guilty, why for a few cents more we'll stay in bondage instead of doing what we know we should, about 98% of all the religions in the world use these two methods. First is Fear (of Hell and damnation); or Incentive - (pay me and I'll tell you how to be saved).
3 - Attitude - the way we think about things. Our attitude is how we view the world from the inside, why we run instead of staying and getting beat up; why we pay or why we seek incentives to do what we should do anyway, work, improve, practice, whatever.
We can change the way we think about things, but of course this requires us to do the work, not someone else, so it is internal, not external. "As a man thinketh, so he is or will be..." What was the greatest condemnation in the Scriptures, outwardly men did one thing, but Father knew what they were thinking in their hearts, or He knew their attitudes. Many in the church are obedient not because they want to be, but because of fear motivation or the incentives of attention they receive from others. A close friend and Stake President told me, "ORK do the right thing for the wrong reason, until you can do the right thing for the right reason, then you'll understand the Gospel." I've had other help me by saying, "Do you trust me, yes, then do it because I've asked you, until you do it because you want too." Remember these were men trying to teach me to live correct principles. Attitude change also comes about by the use of Affirmations, Goals (properly set and written - more later), Pictures and an inner desire by accepting the Holy Ghost into your daily living; reading the scriptures, prayer and Family Home Evening. In addition, attendance at meeting, great service in callings, reporting on your assignments instead of having to be called to report and helping others with little acts of kindness.
This is the beginnings of change that the Prophets talk about; it doesn't happen over night although with some it does. It takes time, time well used and prepared for (goals). Every one has six talents that they market ever day to themselves, their families, their friends and their employers (if they work - and we all work for Father). These six are; knowledge, time, energy, creativity (the ability to solve problems before they arise), concentration and decision making. Next time we will discuss these.

Part II - 6 Talents we all have to market:
1. Knowledge - this all of the accumulated information we have gathered throughout our lives. One has to know where to look for things, dictionaries, reference books, or the school of hard knocks, whatever. It is also the accumulation of the knowledge in a group or association when in meetings or small discussions. Knowledge is the ability to draw on this vast storehouse of information at the moment when we need it most.
2. Energy - this is the effort we have to put forth each and every day at everything we do. Some really talented individuals appear to have to put forth less energy and last longer, because they've learned to governor there energy level to the job at hand, or its importance. Think of all the happy kids in the world there would be if everyone spent the same energy in the middle of the night changing and cleaning a baby, as they do when they are fully awake?
3. Time - everyone each day has the same amount of time, 24 hours, but isn't it amazing how differently each uses their time. Winners and losers are given an equal amount of time, but losers always complain, there just wasn't enough time to get the job done, complete the assignment, run all the errands; while winners plan their time out to accomplish what they are both required to do and what they would like to do. Time requires organization. T. E. Lawrence said, "There are those who re-act to those around them and never accomplish anything, while there are others who act, take control of their lives and not only accomplish what others need, but more importantly what they want to do."
4. Creativity - not the ability to paint or write novels, or poems; but the ability to solve problems before they arise. When this person sets out to do something, it is looked at from what they would like to accomplish and then figuring out what stands between them and the accomplishment. They are able to see the roadblocks and obstacles in the way, and then they are able to come with solutions. In meetings they know who will be there in attendance and know what is likely to be their objection, and already have solutions. They are the ones who say, "I'm glad you asked that question, here is my thought on it, (explain in detail), what do you think, how can we improve or change this for further ease of accomplishment?" For ever problem they have multiple solutions; if they think they've overlooked something, they'll ask another unafraid of criticism who will sometime tell them why they can't get from a to b to q, because (and this is where they take notes) of this.
5. Concentration - the ability to work on many jobs, assignments, adventurers at one time, while always bringing things to closure. If they get stuck needing a part, information, assistance, they are able to go on to something else, until they get whatever it is they need to complete the other. They also tie in with time above in that when they run errands they lay out a course to accomplish several things sequentially.
6. Decision-Making - this is simply gathering the informing necessary and saying yes or no. Maybe is not a decision, but a waste of everyone's time. You also only need to gather the necessary information, not an encyclopedia of data. The nice thing about a decision is that circumstances and information can change and so can the decision. Technology which may have kept a positive from being possible may now make it possible.
Everyday, as each person goes out into the world they take these six talents with them to market to others. A young woman or young man on a date; a business owner to stock holders, a wife or a husband working on a marriage, a parent raising a child and don't ever forget a child becoming who they will ultimately become. One of these is each person's strength in a descending order, until we get to one in which we are weakest in. The great people in the history of the world have always worked on improving them all, all the time, but have spent the greatest effort on the greatest strength and then filled in around them others with the other talents as strengths and learned to improve their weaknesses while not weakening their strength. (This is probably the most important sentence in this whole paragraph, so re-read it, until you understand it.)

Part III - the IR Theory
The IR Theory was introduced a number of years ago and is pretty simple; the I stand for you as an Individual and the R represents the current Role you are playing. So we have the Individual Role Theory. There are two important concepts to the IR Theory; the first is as an Individual you are always a '10' since that is man's measurement of perfection. The second, is that a woman is better at being a woman, than a man is at being a man. Even the scriptures allude to this, see Proverbs last chapter - 10-31.
With the IR theory in our lives we know that then as an individual we are okay. Heavenly Father didn't make any junk, is often stated, Father Flanigan is often quoted as, "There is no such thing as a bad boy." Two things I've learned in my life time, is that first, we are all born with winner behavior; and second, all loser behavior is adoptive. The medical world has discovered this over and over especially with babies born with no human chance of success at survival yet they not only live they survive, grow and blossom. It isn't until later when they get more exposed to man and his brilliance (said critically) that they learn about such things as; luck, poor choices, too bad you just missed the cut, complaining, blaming, whining, and more importantly cheating to get ahead. Therefore those who become quitters, losers, or other such labels as our society have found these behaviors through adoption. Losers love to blame others for their problems (this is another subject altogether - and will be written separately).
Now the second part of the theory deals with roles we play. Women are better wives than men are husbands, this is mostly due to the some of the unchanging requirements and the constant flux of what society expects from a man. A friend of mine who passed away used to like to say, "Wives get being wives under control in about 10-15 years, while husbands take about 2.5 million years and that is why Father gives us forever together." But there are lots and lots of roles we play every day. Some are given to be bosses, others just to drive a car, a child to be a student, anyone who makes a meal is playing the role of a cook, and so forth; in most of these we are no where near being a ten. In new roles, facing a Ryan Nolan fast ball for example most of us are probably a .00000000000000000002; while a Ted William would have been a 3 or 4. The problem is we tend to look at any role we are playing and associate with the who we are, and stop thinking of ourselves as tens.
The importance of the IR Theory is to keep separate the two parts, keep intact the ten individual given you by royal birthright from a loving Heavenly Father; and try to improve at the roles we are given to play in each day. William Shakespeare said, "All the worlds a stage and the people are the actors upon it." This is true as far as he goes, but with moral agency we can decide the roles and from part two the effort to put forth. What was not said was there were some good actors and some poor ones. We then need to learn between the Individual and the Role. Where most get in trouble is they start thinking the role is more important than the Individual. Most of us will never make our roles to the level of 10, on given days we will be close, but the individual is always a ten.

Part IV: What Successful People Know - Or Success is the Journey not the Destination.
1. The progressive realization of personal worthwhile predetermined goals. (This is taken from Paul J. Meyer on the definition of success.)
2. Acceptance of self and others. Have to feel comfortable about self. Awareness of self and other - have courage to do what needs to be done, not always what you want to do when self and others are involved. Winston Churchill during WWII said, "Sometimes our best is not good enough, sometimes we just have to do what needs to be done."
3. Have the ability to postpone pleasure, indefinitely if necessary for the good of all. Most of our society wants to know the rewards and live with incentive motivation, successful people know this is a false illusion of what life is really all about, any thing worth while requires effort to have or achieve.
4. Need to change self to alter things. One needs to grow to become more than they currently are in all the areas of their lives. This is also known as attitude motivation.
5. A need to have challenges to help them grow, which means that they need to know who they are and where they are; requires self evaluation.
6. They desire and seek after a variety of growth experiences, in all the areas of their life's, thus they have tangible and intangible goals in all six areas for personal growth.
7. Behavior changes first from within and then from without - you change from within first, and then figure out what you have to improve on or work harder at to change from without. We change the way we think about things first, then we can control the way we act about things.
8. Each has an above average interest in time utilization and makes time work for them. Because they have clearly defined, written, specific goals, they do not have to re-act to the needs of others, but act in accordance with actual priorities, not others people’s emergencies.
9. They remain flexible, but also know where to remain inflexible. One needs to be flexible to adjust to changes in conditions, inflexible in moral and ethical standards.
10. They always control a backlog of word; manage their work according to importance. When a successful person gets behind they reorganize to work harder and smarter to condense their effort. They also know when and how to delegate and when to withdraw delegation. They do not let the work control them, rather they control the work. They break the paradigms of normal behavior to achieve and grow beyond time and space.

Part V - Rules and Principles on Working (Employment)
1. Persons who are employed are productive for themselves first and all others second.
2. You should work at every job a s though you will be working there for years to come.
3. Always leave every job on good terms. Most successful people have left their previous employer or endeavor while achieving at the top. You feel good starting a new career on a high with positive reinforcement from previous results.
4. Work at every as though you are in consideration for promotion. Employment is motion; you either move up or move out.
5. When you are in a supervisory position, train those you are responsible for, to do their jobs first and then be able to take your position. All other promotions you will receive will be directly related to how well you fulfill your responsibilities.
6. Take pride in what you do and who you work with and for.
7. When you are working - ask this question: are my actions re-teachable and are they what I want others to learn and do?
8. Nothing you have done in the past, except outstanding performance, will pay tomorrow's bills. new opportunities result from good recommendations.
9. Turnover in business can either be positive or negative. It should be positive. If you project turnover; personnel leaving for improved opportunities with good recommendations, and a good impression of your business, it will be positive. If personnel leave because they feel stifled or unappreciated it will be negative.
10. Turnover is usually for three reasons: A) New opportunity in your firm or another; B) personnel are over-qualified for position they are filling; and C) personnel are under-qualified for position they are filling.
11. Turnover in business will always happen. Otherwise your business will stagnate and die, and then you have a different type of turnover.
12. ideas and innovation is the responsibility of all personnel working in a free enterprise system.

Part VI - Goals Problem Identifier
"If you are not making the progress you would like to make and are capable of making, it is because your goals are not clearly defined." Paul J. Meyer
1. If you are making unsatisfactory progress in a goal program it is for one of three reasons.
A. No goals
B. Too few goals
C. Goals made but abandoned before success.
2. No Goals: You have problems managing your time or you have belief problems in that goals really work.
A. Time problems are a result of poor scheduling and procrastination.
B. Belief Problems
1) You don't understand the material and discipline required.
2) You don't believe goal setting works
3) You don't believe in your ability to change.
3. Too few goals: You have a reluctance to write in a personal plan of action and you have an inability to choose goals (organize priorities).
A. Reluctance to organize:
1) You have a fear of making a commitment.
2) You have a fear of failure.
B. Inability to choose goals:
1) You spend too little time in thinking and planning.
2) You are conditioned by past to resist growth or change.
4. You've made goals but abandoned them before success.
A. You have made inappropriate deadlines for the accomplishment of what you set out to do.
B. You have a definite need for more personal growth.
C. Your goals are not clearly defined.

Goals require self discipline, which is tied into Attitude and what you think about. In our nation about 13% have clearly defined written goals (tangible and intangible) in the six areas of their lives. Only 3% of those keep score. 51% of our nation have no written goals at all and live day to day. The rest of the world will fall into a group who have some goals, some written, some not, and allow others to generally plan their life for them; when to take a vacation, etc. I'll keep going on this in the next part and discuss the 14 steps involved in goal setting.

Part VII - The fourteen steps of Goal Setting; (I'll list them now and then discuss them over the next week). Chuck
1. Self evaluation
2. Lists - Dreams - Wants - Wishes - Needs - Maybes
3. Categorize - 6 areas of life - the total person
4. Prioritize - by most desired and ease of accomplishment
5. List rewards - what will I have when I achieve these/individualize
6. Re-evaluate - am I willing to pay the price to achieve this goal now?
7. Write out Goal(s) completely - be very specific!
8. List obstacles and roadblocks - what stands between you the goal.
9. Write out solutions to the obstacles and roadblocks.
10. Commit - are you willing to pay the price!
11. Target date for completion of goal.
12. Write out affirmations.
13. Get or make visualizations.
14. Keep updating - go back to #1.
Then have the belief in Serendipity - the gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for; and unplanned bonus - more than you expected.

Part VIII - The Value of Self Evaluation in Goal Setting"
The first part of any worth while goals program has to identify where you currently are in life. It has always amazed me how many people have no idea; have never taken an inventory; or have even thought this a concern. They set random goals written and unwritten, have successes and failures at almost an equal rate with no reason as to why. Research (for the serious scholars out there I will not be foot-noting - too old, too tired) has shown that most people set their goals too low or too high because they have no idea where they are. The ones set too low are easy to accomplish as they require no effort; and those too high are so difficult and out of the persons reach that they give up. Goals are intended to make one stretch, not break. To grow, improve, and accelerate in the talents and abilities discussed in earlier parts. So the question then becomes how does one figure out where they are on the continuum of their life. Lets see if a couple of the ideas below will assist.
First self-evaluation requires by its very nature privacy. Who we are and where we are is not something to be shown to anyone. Why? Because if we know someone else is going to look at what we've discovered, we'll lie. In the thousands of interviews I've held in business it has been my experience if I ask anyone to list the ten things they most want to accomplish in life the following takes place: men will say what they think I want to hear until we get to numbers 6 or 7, and then tell the truth; women will be honest in the first 3 or 4 and then stop, reflect and say what they think I want to hear for the rest. The same is true in self evaluation, except in the rare exception. (Being you are all my friends - you can be all the rare exceptions.) But please when you do this keep it to yourself. You'll feel better and so will others. (Later when I get into personality's and other studies these you will do with spouse's, etc.)
The first step in self-evaluation is to take six separate pieces of blank paper. On each page you will label them: 1) Physical; 2) Family; 3) Spiritual/Ethical; 4) Social; 5) Financial; 6) Mental. On the front the side put the label "Tangible" and on the back side "Intangible." Now comes the difficult part; write an essay of who and where you are tangibly and intangibly on each page. You cannot use more than one side of the paper for each essay. Be honest and forthright with what you write. There are many books and programs with a multitude of self-evaluation questionnaires (these will help you address your self essay). On the one side you address your tangible self; on the other your intangible self.
The second step is to step back and re-read what you have written and say is that really me (don't have a gun or knife handy - smile). If it is then you take out six more pieces of paper (you thought this was easy right), and put the headers on the same way. Then list all of the things that you would like to work on in the six areas of your life, both tangible and intangible. This will lead us into the next three parts of the fourteen steps of goal setting; Lists, Categorize and Prioritize.
Remember you have to know who you are and where you are in self development. There are many ways to do this, but this is easy and also if someone finds it, most people don't like to read essays. So it will be yours. May you have an interesting time doing this. If you have questions please feel free to write and ask.

Part IX - Lists; Categories; Priorities The second, third and forth parts of the steps of goal setting intermingle with each other. You can't have one without the others, and you need to make them compatible with your self evaluation which is an on-going process. In working these parts; it will require you to have a small pad of paper/notebook and a pen/pencil with you most of the time. Each should have one in the office desk, next to your bed, by the computer or phone and by your favorite place to relax in your home.

While the second of lists; all kinds of lists which one should keep always. Lists of dreams, wants, wishes, needs and maybes. These lists are just those things that you write down on a piece of paper in no order other than the way you think of them. If you pass a store you'd like to visit, jot it down; a book you wanton read, jot it down; a place you want to visit, jot it down. If you wanton be happy (ier), jot it down; if you want to smile more, jot it down; if you want to say nice things to others, jot it down. Get the idea. Write it down. Once something is written down you no longer have to remember it. You just have to look at the pad and see it. This frees up your mind for other things and makes life a lot easier. The third part is to now take all of the listed items and to place them into categories. This is not very difficult; it can be done on a computer spreadsheet. You set up the six areas of your life; Physical, Social, Mental, Spiritual/Ethical, Family and Financial. Next you place the item son your list under the appropriate category. Initially you'll find a lot of the items on your list will go under about three or four categories; withal few drifting over to Spiritual/Ethical and Family. The reason for this is that society doesn't place much emphasis in those two areas and schools aren’t allowed to teach about them. But over time you will adjust and add to those areas also. Remember one of the lessons of this is to balance your wheel of life. If all of your goals are in one or two areas the wheel will be out of balance; so it is important to have an equal number in all the areas of your life. This third part is also important to separate the tangible and intangible items on your lists. You should have both. Most tend towards the tangible first, but once started the intangible will catch right up. The intangible are harder to describe, but you'll recognize them because they are the ones which have the most effect on those around you. Because you will be changing your attitude and the way you think about things; others will be benefited. The last part is to prioritize your lists. This is really very simple. In each area of your life you take your lists and list them two ways; degree of desire and ease of accomplishment. Those on the degree of desire are things you really want to accomplish quickly, now, and are very important to you and those around you. The ease of accomplishment are those which are easy to do. Some of these might be to read a certain book; visit a store; say hello to everyone you pass by; and any of a plethora of other simple things you'd like to do. The next part will be on re-evaluation and writing our goals completely. It is important to remember that most of what has already been discussed unless you are already well into setting goals will not happen over night. But if you take some of the ideas apply them to what you are already doing in your life, setting and achieving goals will become easier and more beneficial to you, your families, your co-workers and your friends. Working hard at some point becomes more efficient if it is changed to working smart. T.E. Lawrence has stated, "The dreamers of the night are just that dreamer; but the dreamers of the day who plan and take control of their dreams and their actions are the ones who get things done."

Addendum to IX: The lists that I was referring to are for long term and short term goals. These are different from the daily lists of little things we do. Along the way we cover them more specifically, but allow me to say every day you should make a list of the six most important things you have to do that day. Prioritize them and then work on them in the proper order. If you don't get them all done, at least you will have accomplished the most important. This is most important on the following day the items on your list from the previous day which did not get done do not automatically head the next list. You treat each day as a new day and with the six most important things to do that day, not yesterday.

Part X - Re-evaluate and What Goal Really Are
This is where you sit back and say was I really honest in my first evaluation of myself. Did I write the things I wanted to see, or did Write what I needed to see? The way this is done is to review all of your categorized, prioritized and divided into tangible and intangible parts. Are they things that are really important to you? Are they the things you want to accomplish this year, next year, ten years from now? Are they really things you want to be your goals? If they are fine continue on; if not go back and make the appropriate corrections. This is the nice part of having things written down, you can see them, and you can change them and they are always yours. Now we'll continue to try to come to grips with what a goal really is; most people tell me that they have a couple goals a year. They are probably correct in one sense but not in another.
A goal is a clearly defined statement of fact of what you are going to do/or become in a specific timeframe with a set starting date, check point dates (to measure progress), and a finishing date. As an example of this since dieting is the most common goal in the United States; this is how it might read.” Starting on February 1, 2009, I will lose two pounds a month so that on May 1, 2009, I will weigh 190 pounds." This means that on February 1, 2009 I weigh 196 pounds. That if I lose two pounds a month for three months I will lose six pounds, thus weighing 190 by May 1, 2009. You notice I did not say how I was going to lose two pounds a month. I also didn't address if that was all I needed to lose to be where the Doctors and Research say I should be. I just set a short term achievable goal. It is specific, limited, has a starting date and ending date, with check points in between. Each month is its own check point.
There are some inherit weaknesses and strengths associated with this goal. The first weakness is it is very hard to diet at any time. Second this is the coldest time of the year which requires more energy (thus more eating) to keep warm. Third, dieting involves those around you, plus stress and all of the other outside reasons you are overweight to begin with. However, a clearly defined goal which is achievable can be accomplished. The strengths are first losing two pounds a month is medically safe. Second, it requires minimal self discipline. And third others who are around you will more than likely try to help if they can.
A more complex goal might be stated as follows: "On July 21, 2012, I will complete my doctoral thesis on the human rights of man as found in the complete works of Shakespeare. This doctoral thesis will be 10,000 words long, grammatically correct and footnoted. It will be bound and there will be ten copies printed using what is at that time the state of the art software and print medium. It will be turned in at noon to my mentor, in his office at its present location on 122 Broad St. St. Paul, MN or wherever his office may be located on that date." I don't think I have to go into detail on this one.
Let’s look at another. "On July 20, 2012, in the Summer Olympic Games held in (wherever), I will compete in the 200 meter butterfly event and finish first with a time of 1minute 32 seconds and set a world and Olympic record." If you are a good to great swimmer this has possibilities; however if you 64 years old, you might just be dreaming. The only point I'm trying to make is that all of the elements of a goal need to be present; a statement of fact, a specific time for accomplishment, it must be achievable when you decide to work on it, and it must be measurable.
You’ll notice that I've used all tangible goals as my examples. Let me give you one intangible goal to think about. "I will be happy everyday of my life as a result of my love for my fellowman/woman; and I will achieve this by becoming more patient with those around me, smiling more frequently, always thinking of positive things to say and do. With the current state of my life working on this goal should take seven months to achieve relative success 90% of the time and fourteen months to achieve it 98% of the time. I do not expect every to achieve this goal 100% of the time, but will not stop working on it, as it is a worthwhile personal goal." This takes into account both what we know about ourselves and our culture and our environment.
Goals are things we can achieve and in part XI we will cover how this happens after the goal is a written statement. Just a reminder goal setting is a way of life; most of the very successful persons I've worked with on this aspect of their lives took between two to seven months to have an effective smooth operating system in effect, and I'll remind you, toothier peers they were already considered very successful. Goal setting requires personal self discipline. George Patton stated, "A person who willing to settle for mediocrity in their lives, are cheating themselves, their country and their God."

Part XI - "30 Common Goal Setting Errors”
This will be like a review of the previous eleven articles. So if some seems repetitive it is:
1. Goals are set too low
2. Goals are set too high
3. Corporate goals are not set before individual goals are identified
4. Corporate goals are not well communicated to others involved in there ultimate accomplishment.
5. Individual is held accountable for something beyond their control
6. Failure of goals to identify joint responsibility for a particular objective
7. More than one person is given responsibility for a particular objective8. Goals are accepted uncritically
9. Goals are inflexible
10. Success indicators are not expressed as a range
11. Conditions prevent achievement of goals
12. Management is not committed
13. Failure to measure the most common, routine objectives
14. Useless numbers are hung on goals
15. Autocratic management
16. Individual is unable to set own goals
17. Individual and management disagree on individual goals
18. Failure to get commitments
19. Can't get rid of bad goals
20. Failure of management to think through the implications of the individual goals
21. Management is reluctant to add to individual goals
22. Failure of management to introduce new ideas from outside the company
23. Failure to set intermediate target dates
24. Old goals are retained even after being proved infeasible, irrelevant, or impossible
25. No effective evaluation of results
26. No pictures27. No affirmations
28. No commitment29. Not clearly defined and stated
30. Ambiguous target date . . .
These are not in any particular order, and if you have any questions, about individual or any number of them, feel free to ask and I'll address them.

Part XIII - "Ten Rules of Effective Communication"
1. Think before speaking; be patient sometimes when you know there will be a lot of discussion, write out your thoughts on certain subjects you think will be referenced.
2. Know what and why you want to say something; this will help you to control your emotions and also your ability to say things the way they need to be said.
3. Adapt what you want to say the current situations and audiences; if you mingle before speaking you can learn a lot of the mood and the interests of the groups you are with, in education they call this pre-assessment.
4. How you say something, is as important as what you actually say; wither without conviction, clearly spoken, or mumbled.
5. There's more to communications than what you say or hear, I.e. body language, facial expressions, hand motions, leaning in or away; all communicate.
6. Communicate from the perspective of your listeners’ point of view; this way you'll have their attention and they will also know you are listening to them.
7. Receiving effective feedback from listener is necessary; ask questions and wait for an answer. Repeat back what they have said and ask, "Is this what you are saying?"
8. Long-term effect of what you have to say is as important as the moment you to say it in.
9. Back up what you have to say with action. All smoke and no fire is wasted. This is the same as believing in what it is you have to say.
10. Develop the abilities of a good listener. Learn when to listen, ask appropriate questions and then listen to the answers or concerns of others.

Part XIV – “Ten Barriers to Communications"
1. Differences in perception - we all see things differently, and we need to really strive to listen and hear correctly what the other person is saying.
2. Lack of Interest - you just don't care what is being said. Either it doesn't pertain to you or you've heard it all before. Yet it is imperative that you do listen otherwise you have decreased the value of your time.
3. Lack of knowledge - you have not prepared yourself properly for the information you are hearing or the conversation which you are participating in, personal preparation is one of the most valuable skills you can obtain.
4. Emotion - you are so wound up in your belief or anger that nothing being said will pacify your ability to not communicate openly.
5. Personality - some people just don't like other people, and so no matter what is said, or how it is said becomes a communication between the two. Unless the more mature understands and relinquishes to accomplish the best for the whole.
6. Appearance - we are a people who easily judge others by the clothes they wear, the length of their hair (old adage sorry), their smell, and therefore we miss the value of their participation, because we ignore them.
7. Prejudice - we have already formed our opinions, we know what is right, nothing anyone can say is going to change it, and that is that. (smile)
8. Distractions - many times when we are trying to meaningfully communicate with another a myriad of things interfere; the phone, a knock on the door, call holding, someone else inviting themselves into the conversation and time. (I deliberately put time last - but it is one of the most important distractions we encounter.)
9. Poor organization - the worst thing in the world is to set aside time to listen to someone who has no idea of what they are saying and do not allow you to follow sequentially the presentation.
10. Poor listening - we tend to look away, we lose eye contact, we miss important body signals, we allow ourselves to let our minds wander around and miss the message being delivered.

Part XV - "Listening Techniques – Positive/Negative”
1. Showing genuine caring - As topics get more emotional, painful, or potentially threatening, a guanine caring attitude becomes more important. Few people will share their inner thoughts or emotions unless they feel that the listener cares about them. Curiosity, badgering, threats, and use of authority are all poor substitutes for honest caring.
2. Commenting occasionally - Give brief summary statements once in while as you listen. Making an occasional summary statement or a comment about what the other person expressed can help avoid misconception. It is also good if you are being asked to do something to write down a summary of what is you are to do, and have the other person initial it as being what they want.
3. Reading nonverbal messages - Only about 30% of our communication is verbal; the rest is nonverbal. In other words, most of the messages we convey to others are communicated by facial expression, body language, voice inflections, positioning and other nonverbal means. Interestingly, women generally tend to have greater natural facility for picking up nuances of nonverbal messages than men. When I was reporting or recording notes in meetings; I would make special notations for when someone raised their voice, or lowered their eyes, or other important little messages that might become important later when management or leaders were summarizing the meeting.
4. Listen for feelings - People often talk about facts when the real issues have to do with feelings. Often the context, not the words, conveys the real feeling. People often express powerful emotions indirectly or imprecisely. You have to do this with the written word as well as the spoken word. When someone is normally wordy and become short and crisp; or specific then vague, you ought to pick up on it immediately and respond to the need, not the topic.
5. Setting aside your own emotional reaction - sometimes, what a person says to you will have great emotional impact on you. To listen successfully, you must set aside your own emotional reactions and concentrate on comprehending their message. Your control of emotion can lead to correcting misunderstandings and improve your ability to hear why they are saying what they saying.
6. Be still and listen - We cannot understand anyone else or hear what they have to say unless we are willing to set aside our own concerns, postpone trying to convey messages, but just be still and listen. This will sometimes be a unique experience for some people and it will help them communicate with more effort than otherwise.
"Barriers to Listening"
1. Being judgmental - The fastest way to stop a person from talking, especially about difficult subjects, is to criticize them. When a person senses that you are judging them, they may react with a rapid, angry, or harsh counter-judgment. Try to acknowledge the persons feelings with accusing.
2. Confusing understanding with agreement - Understanding what someone is saying doesn't mean that you agree with them. Whether you agree is not the issue in the listening process. Show you have understood the message and you are opening the door for further discussion.
3. Confusing listening with discussing - Listening is a one-way process; it involves hearing and understanding a message that another person is conveying. Discussing, on the other hand, is a two-way interchange of ideas. While discussion involves listening skills, the art of listening is important in its own right and must sometimes be used alone. Listening requires full attention, rather than the rapid switching between listening and talking that is involved in talking.
4. Confusing listening with problem-solving - To listen is to understand, not to propose solutions. Helping to find solutions might be a next step, but it is not part of the listening process. In fact, it may even interfere with helpful listening. "Really, what makes you feel that way?" is a response that allows the speaker to know that you are that you are listening and allows them to further explore their feelings more deeply.
5. Indulging the need to correct errors - When people are expressing strong feelings, they often exaggerate or overstate the facts - sometimes in anger and with accusations. As we listen, we need to concentrate on hearing the message, rather than on correcting the facts. When strong emotions are involved, the facts are often not the issue.
6. Blocking - It's easy to misunderstand a message when we really don't want to hear it. When we as listeners have already made up our minds about something, we may block out messages that do not fit our expectations. Instead of projecting our feelings onto what someone is telling us, we need to concentrate on hearing the speaker's feelings.

(Note: we’ll now return to the present issue of this essay.)
A number of years ago President Spencer W. Kimball of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made a comment; which I'm going to paraphrase, "Most people think the main problems in marriage are Children, Money and Sex; they are not the main problems in marriage deal with selfishness." After a lot of thought I put together a lesson for my current events class in high school called, "Time, Space, Change and Communications." I had received permission to do a two week "Family Living Unit" from the school, so this fit in with what we were studying. The students were mostly Juniors with some Seniors. After I gave this class, my 10th Graders got permission slips from their parents so I could give it to them also.
We were dealing with the problems of families; specifically the generalizations people would make and how some would accept these as the truth. At the beginning of the class which actually took a couple days; 99% said that the biggest problems in marriage were in this order; money, kids and sex. That their parents argued most about money, second about kids and they weren't sure if their parents were still sexually active as that was only for the young. So with that as the starting point we talked a little about selfishness; and then broke it down into several areas; (no particular order) time, space, change and communications. We then further sub-divided these areas into; social, family, self, and for married couple private. With all this agreed upon we then undertook to look at each individually.
First - Time: Time loosely by definition is the number of hours we have to spend each day in doing whatever we want or need to do. Most agree that either work or school takes up about 10 hours a day; travel, wasted time, homework; 2 hours a day to eat; and maybe 3 hours of free time; 1 hour getting up and going to bed; and maybe 8 hours to rest. Most would agree that this was a normal day. Realistically what it’s saying is we have 3 hours to do something in besides what is required. So now we all of a sudden 15 hours in five days; we’re discounting Saturday and Sunday. And those 15 hours have to be divided as a parent between children, wife/husband, friends, and dealing with life in general and specifics. Some this time has to be social, as humans are social by nature; some need to be family; some needs to alone; and some needs to private with spouse. Social time is time with those who are not members of the immediate family; but are friends, relatives, neighbors. Family time is with your immediate family; son/daughter/mother/father and in different combinations. Alone time is just that, time by yourself; to reflect on your day, write in a journal, read a book, read the scriptures, have personal prayer, listen to your favorite music. Private time is the time each day that all married couples need to discuss personal things important to the both of them. These are personal matters; private, intimate, only between them. It is time when they can pray together, read the scriptures, be intimate, and enjoy each other without interruptions. Now it may never be very long in any one of the above, but just a little each day is enough.
Second - Space - Space is where you spend your time living. Your work space, home, local hangout, wherever you are that you feel you belong. Inside the home is where we are going to concentrate; first the living room is social space; it is where friends are invited, business is carried out, strangers visit, and you entertain non-family members. This can also be a Kitchen or if by common consent a TV room. Family space is defined by the size of your home; but this might be a family room, kitchen, living room. This is where any member of the family should feel comfortable being in without conflicting with other members of the family or social guests. Next is alone space; usually your bedroom, or an office area. It is where others come as invited. (Remember parents are responsible for the actions and activities of their children so they can come into a child's bedroom.) If you have good communications this should not be a problem, but it is important to remember. Finally you have private space; this is usually the parent’s master bedroom or bedroom. No one except the parents enter this space uninvited. With young children and their needs this is amended to a degree to meet the needs of the individual, but with older children it should not ever be violated; this is mom's and dad's space. Within this private space each parent has their private space also. The wisest advice anyone ever gave Joyce and I; was said this way, "Chuck, the home is reflection of your wife, keep it that way, don't invite anyone in without warning her." "Joyce, Chuck needs a corner in where ever you live for his own." "You will think it a mess, trashed, but it is his." Over the years this has worked for us.
Third - Change - Change here is defined as the ability to adapt to conditions around you and those that involve you directly. There is social change; morals, ethics, political, growth and public opinions. These are areas of give and take within the general community and each needs to be considerate of another's point of view. Family change is as the family grows, matures, develops, and has its ups and downs and losses. Personal (alone) change is where you improve yourself with goals, work, ability and make your self esteem allowing you to improve to help or be more helpful to the whole. Private change is the most difficult in a marriage; it is the self improvement of both members of the relationship. It is important to remember we cannot change another, we can only change ourselves. This is where President Kimball says the most abuse of selfishness takes place; we always think the other person should change, not us. Just the opposite is true, we need to continue to grow and then allow our partners to grow; we can encourage, but we can't do it for them. Yet we have the self accountability to do it to ourselves.
Fourth - Communications - This is the most critical of all of the areas of a marriage relationship. Social communications are those we have with members outside of the immediate home; neighbors, friends, fellow workers, and those we meet in public arenas. Family communications are those discussions that are meant for the family. These should stay within the walls of the home. Teaching your family the importance of this is very important at young ages; children outside their home treat people the way their parents talk about them inside the home. Alone communications take many forms; a diary is private, while a journal is intended for others to read. Confiding in a friend is an alone conversation as long as it is a building up and not a tearing down of the family. Having someone you can trust is extremely important, especially where the issues of discussion can hurt a family member unintentionally when you are trying to get a better handle on your problems without upsetting them. This is a very sensitive area and very important. Because the accomplishment of the alone discussion leads to private communications with the person you plan to spend forever with. This is a double edged sword; for there are no secrets; but there are areas which if spoken about will only hurt the other person. I've explained to my children that there are nothing that Joyce doesn't know about me. Two reasons, she can't be surprised by someone else telling her something and anything she wants to know about she knows she can ask and I'll tell her the truth. The worse thing in communications is for someone else to tell you something you should already know.
Why do we need to understand all of the above? Why is this important or was it important for me to teach my classes? Why is it important to have strong families? Why is it important to know what man considers important; money, sex and children as problems in marriage; Heavenly Father sees us as being selfish instead. We need to consider everyone's time, space, change and communications in our relationships. We need each other to make others stronger. We need to share an intimate love that allows each other to help and receive help from others without jealousy. We need to learn to strengthen our families from within, so we can strengthen others from without.

Thus interweaving all of the above aspects one has to self define progress or else allow the world to define it for them! There will be no excuses to one becoming all that they are capable of becoming – especially in the knowledge that they’re in linage to Heavenly Father and his royal family. Should one reject this single premise my thinking would be that all the progress in the world will not lead to happiness or peace of any kind. When one ponders, ‘a movement toward a goal or to a further or higher stage’ one must consider all of the aspects of their lives – tangible and intangible and how they then interact with others. Are they lifting up or tearing down – are they finding a higher level of understanding or are they remaining locked into the world of mediocrity – and lastly are they doing what they would want others to do and if not how can they change? Progress is more than inventions – higher definition TV, audio or video – more than sexual attractiveness – and more than just a worldly finite condition. Also progress if becoming all we can become – organized, disciplined, caring and sharing, building up – and attaining a better understanding of one’s relationship with the Father and the Son.

Progress is unfinite – its beginning was before coming to this mortal estate and will continue after we leave mortality – it’s eternal and as such so are we if found obedient! One is always progressing – either forward or backwards – none ever remain where they were/are – treading water is a worldly term to justify doing nothing – but doing nothing means one is moving backward. Lessons learned are only as good as the application we make of them – nothing more or less.

“All About Progress”

cji
1/18/09

Jewels to behold
strangely in awe
from yesterday
or even far away
noticed by everyone
brightness and lights
shadows to beguile
seemingly enough
beautiful to behold
rare and antiques
profusions glittering
precious, expensive
or simply machined?

All about deception
controlling thought
faster, quicker, better
as some teach oft
thoughts of tomorrow
losing value in today’s
far horizons frozen
tv screens to show
images of subterfuge
creations of men/women
seriously trying to believe
going forward edging
leaping into unbelief
molding into a truth
our world – today
full of progress
making each better
precious expensive
or simply machined?

Harsh the words
condemn science
spew the magic
learning and wisdom
forgotten ethics
morals or virginity
taking more and more
giving less and less
the mind to atrophy
apathetically lost
medicines to cure
man’s madness
self inflicted oft
costing millions
precious expensive
or simply dreamed?

Brainwashing movement
creating clones found
digging mud holes
slinging slogans
extremism at best
fewer the population
fewer the dreams
fewer the expectations
fewer those to coerce
all named quietly
born, died, buried
lived not alive
found not truth
confused in mazes
presented on the stage
all about progress
demanded by many
in spite of a cost
precious expensive
or simply dreamed?

Delving into the brain
wandering alone
pondering a naval
sucking one’s thumb
lost in the confusion
agreeing to peers
acting as if a part
forlorn begottenly
not knowing where
progress to lead
or was to follow
ever so much there
seeing without sight
hearing without ears
speaking without voice
feeling without hearts
gathering the dust
maybe better rust
precious expensive
or simply, what?

Copyright © 2009 – cji

“Controlled” (essay on Human Behavior, Time and Arts)

Would gather many would question my answers – smile – c/ork


1. What is your concept of time?

When we were investigating the Church and thereafter ‘time’ was one of my biggest questions – I really wanted to understand it more fully. My real question centered on Father’s Time and not ‘our’ time. Being strangers here our adjustment to man’s time has been one of the most difficult of all things as it’s more finite than we were used to in the preexistence. When doing this I researched the scriptures (all of them); dictionaries; asked questions of President Rossiter and generally studied all I could. Over years of research and pondering my concept of time is one of randomness. It’s random because we use it either to our advantage or we don’t and Father wants us to use it all wisely (without measure) in the service and mission He sent us here to perform. It’s both a blessing and a curse in our lives. Man has made it finite so that they have a feeling of control. Father has made time measurable only to how we use it – either wisely or foolishly.

Conditions set by man are seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years (and all the other things such as nano-seconds, etc.) By the use of these conditions they measure both life and all of the elements within a lifetime. They set paychecks, school years, vacations, sick time, ages of marriage, smoking, drinking, sex, retirement and term limits or none. When man had his complete agency – many found they could not survive in something as simple and basic as choosing right or wrong – to use their mortal probation wisely or unwisely.

In the Garden of Eden – Adam and Eve had no time nor seasons – they were there and they tended the garden – we know there was day and night and seasons but without a description as to cold or hot – and one would guess it was moderate to their needs. However upon leaving the Garden for their journey in mortal probation things changed and they were not geographically restricted to one area.

There’s no mention of time initially upon their entering mortality – however they did keep a journal (as commanded – or a Book of Life with records) and one would guess they measured and knew when to plant – harvest, etc. Eve would know the relative duration of her pregnancies – but again this would be passed on. Time as we know it today would’ve begun with the event of Cane slewing Able. Cane would’ve led those who went with him and under the mentoring of Satan understand the need for controls and the removal of Agency. Since the wicked more often than not exercise control they would’ve enforced this use of measurement known as ‘worldly time’. With such a control one of many they could exercise more and more dominion over the choices of all those in Mortal Probation. While Satan has only one goal – Father could use this one control ‘time’ for his purposes in both Prophesy and allowing for the teaching of elements of the eternal within the mortal. Thus there now could be an age of accountability – an age of mortality – a calendar – the meridian of time – which was part and parcel of the Plan of Salvation.

Satan in his controls and removal of agency also used the measurements of time to more control his minions and lead mankind astray into believing there was time to repent and thus the idea of procrastination was invoked into the thinking of mortal probation. If one looks from afar and could see the division one item into two – two items into four and so on till today where this is a number beyond our comprehension one could see the confusion and chaos caused by this one control enacted so long ago by Cain upon Able.

Thus today – time is simply a tool of the world upon those in their mortal probation – some can accept to be controlled by the world – or better understand that Father has sent us here on a mission – and we either use this mortality wisely or unwisely. The word Slothful comes to mind. So often I worry I’m being slothful in my stewardships in going to the woods – reading fiction – playing games – playing golf – watching movies – when I know there’s so much I’ve to do. In all events one can only try to be true to the Commandments and Covenants we’ve made – holding fast to the Iron Rod and repenting of our slips.

To me man’s usage of time is somewhat unimportant – however, Father’s time and agency is not!! Yes I hopefully will live longer – to see Corinne and Anneliese grow and each you and your brother and your families mature and grow. As the scriptures state, Doctrine and Covenants 122:9 “Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.”

2. How does your concept of time tie into your perspective on human behavior?

Would think part of this answer is addressed above – but will continue in explanation. Human behavior is mostly predicated upon the two aspects I’ve long instilled within you – their motivation is to either avoid a loss or to gain a benefit. Now the great difference – for those who remember why they’re here – where they came from and where they might go is worthy is totally established on being obedient to the Commandments and Covenants while here on earth. On the opposite side is the world – predicated only on today – self-gratification – selfishness and the world’s definition of happiness.

The first which is part and parcel of the Plan of Salvation requires one to fully commit to the Gospel of Jesus Christ – understanding the world is a temporary thing at best and for the most part completely wrong – i.e. the road to Babylon. Thus the choice of their behavior is in knowing which is the road to Zion and being found on no other road.

The second is much more complicated because it’s intertwined with man’s philosophy and tidbits of the Gospel. This second again reverts to the singular goal of Satan – to make everyone as miserable as he is! This is where the world comes to play – offering to men/women the choices of many ways with none being really poor or bad choices! The end is to meet the common demands of carnality of the human – to seek the easier of the two ways thinking they’re on the road to Zion and not Babylon’s road. Then one finds the world of those who think they know more than the Father – and apply human reasoning to the Scriptures to make them more acceptable to the intelligent members of the society or elite thinkers of the world. Augustine did this – as so many others of the early 3rd and 4th Century religious and secular leaders. What they couldn’t understand or explain became a mystery – or better a subject to be bend to their limited knowledge base. I.e. the world was most likely flat and was the center of the universe and the definition of the God-head.

In a wondrous event they created ‘confusion’ in human behavior but throwing in equal measures of doubt, truth and rhetoric. With time being the first of their controls they continued to invoke their will upon those willing to listen to them – calling themselves the ‘righteous’ and demeaning those who indeed were the righteous. Making this point stick was their ability to kill, maim, incarcerate, enslave, abuse or otherwise controls of those true followers of Jesus Christ and the Father. The media and other powers to be went along and added to the doubt of the Doctrine of Salvation and Eternal Life – Miracles and Prophecies of the Prophets and Apostles and any other teachings found therein.

The time element simply was used in this control by setting predetermined standards for such things as repentance – absolution – detention – using man’s law to override Father’s Law! Thus human behavior could then be measured in a finite way by the world against standards set in Babylon and not Zion. Human Behavior without absolute law and without absolutes of right and wrong – good or evil – loses in degrees by personal choices the agency given by the Father to all of his children.

In the first instant’s Father’s time is incompatible with anything found in Babylon or confusion – it’s absolute and dependent on obedience to the Commandments and Covenants given and made with the Father – thus ensuring one having complete agency in all of their choices. Agency in the essence of time – requires obedience to the Commandments and Covenants of the Father. Human Behavior has been taught culturally and scholastically to reject this premise to one of more freedom and less obedience. The world has taught through time one can correct or change – choose some good and some evil – some obedience and some disobedience – some gray and some not so gray – causing a confusion of principles without absolute definitions.

3. What is the most important aspect of human behavior?

Obedience to the Commandments, Laws and Statutes of Heavenly Father! Thus it would have to be ‘agency’ which for the purposes of this reply means ‘the ability to choose to be obedient or to not be obedient.’ This is the area most attacked by Satan whose whole plan had taken away ‘agency’. Thus Satan has had to change the meaning of the word agency to fit his dominion or that of the world. Part and parcel of this would be found in the word contention or justification. One of biggest, if not the only, reason for conflict is one person trying to take away another’s agency and subject them to their own. (Reread the last sentence!) One cannot have ‘agency’ taken away from him/her – only they can give it away – and they do this by choices over a period of time. Sometimes innocently and sometimes knowingly we each make decisions which will determine compromise, foolishness or obedience.

Without obedience – the kind generated by love and understanding – one is up for the wiles and guile of the world. Father expects loving and willing obedience – while the world treats obedience as abhorrent and repulsive – unless of course it’s to them! Thus the idea of many choices all equally good – or detestably horrible (making sure none would choose under normal circumstances). The world understands the need for one to feel they’re making their own decisions – using media, follywood, Madison Ave., music, TV and whatever influence they can exert peer pressure with.

In the understanding we’re all strangers here – and thus we’re unique to those in the world who feel or have been let to think they’re here for the duration of life – so live it now or regret not doing so later. It teaches one to be in style – in all ways – and thus human behavior actually does align itself with the world – wanting to be accepted into the world and just happy being a stranger here. Look at this like the starving child looking into the bakery’s window – dreaming of being inside – warm – well fed and thus happy!

Thus the two ways – either to understand our agency – accepting the responsibility and accountability which goes with being a child of God! Otherwise one is simply required to partially give up their birth right in the confusion/contention and misrepresentation of their agency.


4. Should the study of human behavior be done by philosophers or scientists? Explain your answer.

This is a loaded question with only two choices – and my answer is ‘NO!’ First of all in explanation to by emphatic ‘NO’ for most of the world’s philosophers and scientists are strangers to the Plan of Salvation and any understanding of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Most see life as a one time – full time thing with little hope of much else and better nothing to look forward to after death. This is true of most of the worldly intelligent beings (by their standards) who feel they’ve to determine what’s best for everyone else. They shun Prophets and Apostles – looking for their faults and not their truths. They mix the teachings of the Greeks and all of it’s rhetoric into the life teachings of others and disapprove of either simplicity or common sense when decreeing their anthems. This is much like the teachings of Marx – in that the State is God doing away with a human soul. The worldly clergy and religions make this easy for them and in fact are part and parcel of the same schools. Human behavior is individual and private – to decide to worldize it is in the extreme dehumanizing and in the moderate demeaning. That someone can go to college – get a degree – and then understand the underlying study of human behavior is like someone going to sea and expecting to handle every condition – steer the ship – take care of the engines – feed the passengers – direct the band – clean the staterooms – and all on their first voyage in a hurricane. They look to those who quote the same ideas and inter-quote each other for their supports of their ideas. Outside of the one thing, “This is all there is!” they’ve no other conclusions and only add to the confusion and contentions found in the world today.

Human behavior is mostly predicated on peer pressure and learned experiences from family and surroundings. Someone raised in the inner-city of Detroit knows little of the trappings of the swamps in SE Georgia – ever though there is life threatening experiences facing either when going outside. Vermin exist in both environments – one in thieves, robbers and murderers – the other in nature wishing not to be disturbed. Yet somewhere in Human Behavior is a remembering of other places and other teachings – with the lingering idea that they’re strangers here. Worldly time is keynote to this as it doesn’t seem to fit with where they’d otherwise been. As they absorb the teachings of men/women (or the world) they perceive the inconsistencies and confusion being presented and are concerned. Many are convinced that this is their imagination and succumb to the worldly way. Others however understand the simplicity of the Plan of Salvation – common sense right and wrong and most importantly recognize they’re a stranger here. This being a stranger then ignites their search for ‘real truth’ and of the ‘Who, Where and What they are and can become.‘

The study of human behavior for the most part is man-make and contrived! Outside of providing income and a lifestyle for many – so far it’s provided nothing but empty answers – added further confusion and become contentious when faced with a Prophet of God – or real truth. It’s a self-fulfilling game of educational realms almost without beginning or end (smile). The field self-proclaims their genius and great men/women and points to themselves as the experts. When in reality the real genius’s ignore their confusion and seek for the simplicity of common sense to remain themselves and to assist others. In the end they (those who profess to be the greats of the Study of Human Behavior) provide convenient excuses for the world to continue in their worldly ways and ignore the warnings of the Prophets and Apostles as foolishness.

If human behavior needs to be studied at all it should be done by those with a clear understanding of the Plan of Salvation. However in my humble opinion the mess so far created in this field would make anything so simple impossible to change or alter any conception of what I’ve presented. Man/woman are set in their ways – how dare anyone point out a difference or a relevant ‘other’ way. Thus the problem maker themselves are stirring the pot – and will continue to do so until it’s everlastingly too late.


5. Why should we study human behavior?

Outside of a defensive measure you’ve got me on this one (smile). One would guess ‘warfare’ is the main reason for the study of human behavior – i.e. warfare meaning any type of contention between one human and another. Madison Ave. studies it to determine how best to get people to spend their money in some way they might not. Governments study it to determine how best to dominate their citizens. Judges for the purposes of determining how likely a violator of the law is likely to be a repeat offender. Police and law enforcement for the same reasons. Basically its study is to determine why people will do what they will or won’t do, i.e. gain a benefit or avoid a loss, and then try to present such a choice to beguile one into changing their minds.

It’s also used as a study to convenience the idea of many ways and reasons (excuses) for behavior not within their mean of acceptability. Thus it then can be used to ‘label’ groups, beliefs, stimuli and other factors of everyday living. Self justification in choosing that the world is complex and not able to be understood is one real result of the study of human behavior. The study of human behavior dismisses without regard what they don’t like in history – either written or unwritten. Thus Cain might’ve been depressed – annoyed – afraid – on drugs – when he killed Able (if in fact this really happened) but certainly there was no outside influence such as a Satan or a Devil to make him do it. Even here they’ll accept a Devil as a tormentor of his mind – but nothing more real than that.

One must always remember the premise behind the Greek School of Philosophy was not ‘truth’ but ‘rhetoric. Any altruism strived for in the study of human behavior is quickly subjected to the world and to be used to manipulate others. In the book the ‘Hunt for Red October’ by Tom Clancy, 1st ed. 1984 on p.25 what I’m trying to say is said, “As a boy, Ramius sensed more than thought that Soviet Communism ignored a basic human need. … The good of the People was laudable enough goal but in denying a man’s soul, an enduring part of his being, Marxism stripped away the foundation of human dignity and individual value. This is then part and parcel of what those who replace the study of human behavior do as well – i.e. casting aside the human soul – in exchange for a ‘thing’ to be used and manipulated for the world’s good.

One of the read books on University Campus’ and other areas of elite learning is “I and Thou” by Marin Buber, 1970 ed. Translated by Walter Kaufmann. In the introduction Dr. Kaufmann dispels any and all connections to ‘meaning’ or ‘Prophets’ and what the Old or New Testament teaches. He goes further to conclude that Buber like Hegel believe in no otherworldliness – thus it only the here and now – with no hope of anything beyond. His final conclusion is, “Ich und Du speaks to men and women who have become wary of promises and hopes: it takes its stand resolutely in the here and now. It is a sermon on the words of Hillel; “If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?”

To finish the idea of Ramius in Red October, “It also cast aside the objective measure of justice and ethics which, he decided, was the principal legacy of religion to a civilized life.” The confusion presented in the worldly religions of the day thus work hand in hand with those who are currently giving us their treasures of human behavior.

6. Which of all the behavioral sciences is the most important? Explain your answer.

Self-awareness and ownership of one’s own actions and reasons for their motivations. Accountability and responsibility for oneself – which of course is not found in any of the world’s behavioral sciences! Maybe a course on personal worth and value which is predicated on being found unselfish and knowing mortality is a temporary state of things?

Each person is individually accountable for obedience to the Commandments, Laws and Statutes of the Father – no one else, after the age of accountability if they’ve been taught or are able to be taught right and wrong. For those who’re not taught there is no law – and those who should’ve taught them are under condemnation.

When a person is able to comprehend personal self-worth based on higher laws and covenants to our Father and his Son – then one is really able to come alive – live and help others live – finding both meaning and understanding of the Eternal Plan of Salvation and the teaching of the Father, Son and their Prophets and Apostles.

This is not an impossible goal to write a syllabus and to teach such a course – however, most Federally financed institutions would not allow it to be taught and in those where it was taught ACLU would be knocking down their doors with threatened or real lawsuits. Thus is the reason for Family Home Evening – Family and Personal Prayer – partaking of the Sacrament by those with the authority of Father and/or His Son to administer this ordinance – Family and Personal Scripture study – and most of all listening and being found obedient to all of the Commandments, Laws and Statutes of Father and His Son – our Savior Jesus Christ!

Our homes become our University’s and Learning centers – they provide the warmth of eternal love and understanding. The Temple’s or House of the Lord – provide the way and understanding of the Eternal Covenants that bind both the Father and the Son and us by the law of Obedience forever and ever – eternally as a family.

Since this behavioral science cannot be taught without the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ - then we must go and do as fully understood and commanded to teach others – and invite them to learn of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness before it’s too late! Whether they accept or not is part and parcel of their agency – however in the eternities they cannot come to us and accuse us of not having tried to share this eternal truth and truths.

7. What is the role of the arts in human behavior?

It totally depends on whose definition of arts and how it’s used – a further explanation of ‘arts’ would be fully needed to address the presentation of this question. One can only guess at the comparison of the world’s (or Babylon’s) meaning and Zion’s?

Thus for this reply I’ll use my definition of ‘arts’ and how they apply to human behavior – hopefully this will suffice? I’ll use the ‘muses’ as found in the Greek Classical understanding for the nine arts: Heroic Poetry; History; Love or Erotic poetry, Lyrics and Marriage Songs; Music and Lyric Poetry; Tragedy; Song-Oratory-Lyric-Singing and Rhetoric; Comedy and Bucolic Poetry; and Astronomy. From these nine we’ll work with Poetry (all forms); Songs; Plays; Sculptures/Paintings and Books. The modern world has seemingly grouped these in today’s voice as Movies, TV, Art, Music and Writing.

The current role using my understanding is one of brain washing and manipulation for the most part. When on considers one can never erase what they’ve once seen and then consider the multitude of junk and obscene material exposed to ‘all’ either on billboards, TV, movies, Internet, magazines, clothing (or lack of any), tee shirts, etc., the mind boggles at what’s been let inside uninvited by some and greatly sought after by others. A second part of this understanding is ‘spaced repetition’ and the use of this in the ‘arts’ especially music and literature. Atlantic Records discovered in the 1950’s they could intersperse lyrics into their music almost obscene and get away with it in the rhythm similar to what Country and Western Music has also used. One needs only to reflect upon the entrance of females into the country scene and the exchange of lyrics which then developed. Hank Snow was one of the first in a vinyl entitled, “Boardwalk Angel” – Anita Carter was on the female artist to the best of my memory. The audience found fun and interest in all of this going on in the music industry while avid readers were finding more and more sex and adultery (starting in the beginning of printing or writing one would guess) now more available in the general market place. Movies since their inception have been full of the sexual content. One would guess it’ll only worse and more obscene. With the advent of various magazines – Playboy only the elevation of the smut available.

The only role of the arts today in human behavior is fraught with deception to entice, excite, tempt, arouse, or otherwise demean the human spirit. Which at one time elevated – now the overall pretense has dissipated altogether in these latter-days. Pompeii and other places in history choose the same route in isolated situations – while leaving an appearance of moral and virtue to those who came for visits to their realm. Thus with the creation of spiritual illusions people throughout the ages have deceived themselves into our day that in reality rhetoric is better than truth or indeed any goodness in art! The killing of feelings – until only peer pressure determines what is acceptable and approvable. Currently media determines what is currently in acceptance – and sure and fast demeans something which even hints at being good or pure.

Indeed in the USA most hide under the guise of the 1st Amendment to profane the nation with profanity/sex/abuses and more in the name of ‘art’. Our youth are losing any morality on a daily dose basis wherever they turn. Thus one most be more and more careful in what they allow into their homes (or into their minds) in the name of ‘art’ or its associates in human behavior.

“Controlled”

cji
1/21/09

Textbooks in evidence
surely all can’t be wrong
how could this ever be
why shameful found
thoughts such as these;

One needs to be shown
others so much wiser
degrees proclaiming so
controlled all that’s taught
with their rhetoric full!


Copyright © 2009 – cji