Archive for the ‘Conversation Questions’ Category

Good Conversation Question from ZITS

Friday, August 6th, 2010

A New Pledge of Allegiance for the 4th of July Weekend

Monday, July 5th, 2010

by  David Ault © 2004 

I pledge allegiance to breaking the self-imposed barriers of my humanness. I recognize that my time on this planet is precious and limited. Every day is a canvas on which I can create. Everyday is an opportunity for me to move in the direction of the dreams and the expanded vision I feel inside. By setting aside petty grievances, past mistakes, righteous anger and my broken story, I pledge to move forward and embrace the experience of freedom right here and right now.

I pledge allegiance to the expression of my spiritual honesty. I fully own the fact that my presence here in this body and on this earth is a celebration of uniqueness and importance. Creation makes no mistakes. I am a creation of life, of a higher power, of perfection. My reason for being here matters in the grand divine plan. I must be honest with my contract of life and walk the path of my destiny with conviction, purpose and grace.

I pledge allegiance to the quiet soldier within. I understand that the championing spirit that is already cellularly alive inside of me, that was already in place at the time of my birth, waits patiently for my current belief about myself to join it in its knowing. I march forward towards a history of my own making, wisely, lovingly choosing the means by which I spread my beliefs and convictions. I never make others wrong for their chosen path for I recognize the innumerable roads that lead to the One.

I pledge allegiance to a partnership with divinity. I choose to see others and myself from eyes that already view the wholeness and perfection within. I do not entertain our past damage or encourage us to identify with it for I trust that a grander calling card has been printed for us to distribute in promoting our lives. I champion all of us to celebrate what is working rather than what isn’t.

I pledge allegiance to wise discernment – knowing when to speak and when to remain quiet, knowing when to comfort and when to leave alone, knowing when to intervene and when to avoid rescuing and interfering.

I pledge allegiance to people and projects of substance. I cannot travel this road alone. If there is anything we as a species need, it is each other. I actively choose to support those whose work I believe in with my time, talent and treasure. I joyously give to those whose intention and purpose is for self-empowerment and the awakening of humanity to its personal magnificence. I rally to make others aware of such light bearers and do what I can to support them in furthering their vision.

I pledge allegiance to the freedom from comparison. I once and for all lay down my wearisome, stale beliefs of unworthiness and not being good enough. I know that my past does not define who I am. I am forever evolving, growing and learning. I recognize that I am a marvel. I now choose opportunities to let my voice be heard; to let my light shatter the darkness of futility so that every personal dream is explored.

I pledge allegiance in knowing that things are not always as they seem. Just because something can’t be seen with the physical eye or rationalized by our current mode of understanding does not negate its existence. Understanding the difference between reality and illusion, I move into a fuller acceptance of the non-physical – the mystical, intuitive, soul aspect of living that expands my consciousness and deepens my days.

I pledge allegiance to actions that fulfill the greatest good for all. By becoming a gatekeeper of compassion, tolerance and love, I move into a fuller conviction of pure intent with regard to the words that I speak and the choices that I make. I pursue a win-win in all activities of life.

I pledge allegiance to those who have gone before me, the ancestral lineage whose courage, sacrifice and conviction still live in my bones. I honor the privileges given to me today because of the sweat from their pioneering efforts and the fortitude of their convictions. I give thanks for my responsibility in creating the same for future generations.

I pledge allegiance to a love that has no agenda. I no longer choose to give for what I might get, to manipulate in order to control, to abandon before I can be abandoned, to tolerate because there are seemingly no other options. I choose to love as a way of being. I am content in my choice whether outside circumstances respond or not. In being love, I create fulfillment above and beyond what the human condition can provide. 

I pledge allegiance to the sacredness of laughter, knowing that the greatest healing force that exists reverberates from the vibration of this holy and irreplaceable gift. I allow humor, joy and eruptions of laughter to make their home in my heart. I let my physical body respond to the sacred stimulus and biological wonder that laughter creates and vow to keep this attribute alive and thriving all the days of my life.
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  • What parts of this pledge speak loudly to you?
  • Would you care to add any pledges of your own?
  • If you’re in a relationship, especially a new one, I dare you to create a pledge to each other. Feel free to adapt David’s beautiful thoughts. Don’t worry about getting it perfect. Make it a work in progress.

 

“How Was Your Trip?” and other Conversation Questions

Friday, May 7th, 2010

I hear this question a lot since I returned from 3 weeks in the Bahamas and Florida. The best part was a 6-night kayaking and camping adventure with family.

We paddled through mangroves, sailed across stingray flats, snorkeled around elkhorn coral and bluehead wrasses, scooped up sand dollars, swapped poems by firelight, and wished on shooting stars. My tribe nicknamed me Potcake.

Oh, it wasn’t all glorious: a scorpion (more…)

Conversation Questions About Passover and Easter

Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

 

 

by Tracey E. Bennett

  • Describe your family’s spring holiday traditions. What was your role in preparations?
  • What foods do you associate with this season?
  • Have you taken part in religious traditions other than your own? What was that like?

 

Last week I peeled apples and potatoes, plucked parsley from the yard, scrubbed pots and a pan or three, placed matzoh on 3 tables, and helped my cousin Cat cook a seder for 24 people. It was a 3-day job; but with 3 helpers, she finished 3 hours early with (more…)

Screw New Year’s Resolutions. Do This Instead.

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Every year I make the same New Year’s resolution, which is not to make any resolutions. I blow them by February anyway. Here’s an idea for the new year that doesn’t leave me feeling bad about myself.

    I pick a word for the year.

It’s a guiding star, kind of a Star of Bethlehem for the wise person I aspire to be. 

(more…)

New Year’s Party Conversation Questions

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
Happy New Year

Here are some New Year’s conversation questions to start conversations and keep them going.

 

If you’re staying home and keeping the dog company, it’s the perfect time to assess where you’ve been and to chart your course for the new year.

 

Simple Advice for Parents Trying to Raise Happy, Healthy Daughters

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

mum and a daughter

A criminologist who has spent decades studying the lives of girls and women who end up in prison has some simple advice for parents trying to raise happy, healthy daughters: Listen.

"We need to listen to our daughters, not just talk to our daughters. That what girls tell us," said University of Hawaii professor Meda Chesney-Lind. "They want to be heard. Parents think they are talking with their daughters, when they’re really talking at their daughters." [from the opening 2 paragraphs in Friday's Star-Bulletin story by writer Christine Donnelly.]

My stepfather listened to me. Maybe that’s why I loved him so much. We traded stories:  he and his brothers dumped a nest of mice (more…)

A Great Source of Conversation Topics

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
The Teaching Company logo
Do you love to learn? At home? At your own pace? Do you love to talk about what you learn? 
 
Then scoot on over to (more…)

4 Conversation Questions Help You Teach More Effectively

Friday, September 25th, 2009

Today I’m borrowing a post from online information marketer Alex Mandossian. He’s sharing the 4 conversation questions that guided his 1,200 tele-interviews. I see another practical application for these great questions.

Not many people get interviewed, but lots of us teach or train others. It could be as informal as helping the kids with their homework or coaching their soccer team. It could be as formal as writing an office manual or teaching our employees to give good customer service.

As you read Alex’s blog post (below) about how to (more…)

How to Build Confidence and Meet People

Monday, September 14th, 2009
Diamond Head, Waikiki

by Tracey E. Bennett, Queen of Conversation

How do you build confidence and meet people? Volunteer. You get to schmooze with people you wouldn’t otherwise meet.

I was a speaker host at the Hawaii Writers Conference. One evening the authors were doing a mass book signing. 

Picture them at tables on the lanai of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, overlooking Diamond Head and the ocean.

What was missing in this scenic view? (more…)