1290 BRAINSTORMING IN THE ROUND MEANS TAKING TURNS AT BAT, ONE INNING AT A TIME

2015
Those who argue because they're sure they're right miss out on the chance to brainstorm toward a mutually satisfying solution

When the sun seems to be sleeping on the job, take that as your spirit's clue to spread sunshine throughout the world

Though it was ok to wait, yesterday, you'll be better off if you start before you feel totally ready—go for it!

Your story isn't over, because this is your chance to make a choice that felt impossible before ... 

There are no do-overs, so build from where you left off ...

The internet has made it easier to put your message out there and capture the moment

If you ever cared enough to offer your very best, you can set your defense system aside and care every bit as deeply, again

Having learned that the human brain is an exceptionally complex machine, made up of many interactive parts, it makes sense to believe that certain trains of thought are driven by subconscious fear while other thoughts are driven by subconscious need, and this makes me wonder how often denial, concerning unresolved conflicts, comes and goes.   And with today's train of thought chugging through my mind, it seems probable that, while my mind is engaged in writing, my ego may slip out, pen an unmet need into a post and slip back in, unnoticed by me, right?  Then, as one thought leads to another, that last thought makes me wonder if I'd feel embarrassed to find that the needs of my ego slip into my posts more frequently than my think tank is consciously aware.  And having asked myself that question, I'll hope to quell embarrassment by summoning humility born of this fact:  Each time I write that our defense systems are designed to fool us, one and all, I am implying my acceptance of this fact, as well:  Denial makes your mind and mine prone to paddling upstream, because my defense system is empowered to fool me as easily as yours is programmed to fool you.  And once both of us accept that as true, we'd be wise to listen in earnest when one suggests to the other that denial, popping out of your mouth or mine, is stalling the sense of clarity that proves necessary before change for the better can resolve the conflict at hand.

Needless to say, it's ten times easier for me to mediate a conflict with a clear mind when the problem is not mine, and now that I've offered up this piece of my mind for your consideration, let's see how my round table discussion with the twins led to change for the better once each was coached to step up to the plate with clarity of thought firmly in hand.  Once a sense of trust had been solidly established amongst we three, suggesting that the twins' concerns felt thoroughly heard and compassionately understood, we three invited Dino, the elder, to join us.  And once clarity of thought was umping the game, the twins' father stepped up to the plate, trained his eye on the ball and hit a line drive that got our team spirit cheering to see him slide into first base.