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I heard a good quote today on KJZZ: “she cast herself into the future to be able to endure the present.” Contrary to living in the moment, or even dwelling on the past, this heroic subject of the NPR civil rights essay encountered trials in the present, but had faith in the future. It strikes me that this is a characteristic of people that value education also… maybe the classroom isn’t a trial, but it can often be short term pain for long term gain. I’ve just completed my first year with a new employer. It has been fun, and there have also been painful days. We have the challenge of enduring a present with large uncompleted projects, ever changing technology, and a set of customers that really are counting on us to keeping at it and to help them. The more faith I have in the future, the more energy I have in the present.

I’m reading from a varied stack right now:
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
The Laughing Sutra
Never Check E-mail in the Morning

The first book is doubly interesting. It is a readable account of a professional team being brought together, and it is a book handed to me by Maricopa’s Chancellor. I can’t help reading wondering if there is going to be an assignment or at the very least a discussion.

The second book is a novel, so far very Indiana Jonesish, set in China with a Buddhist backdrop. Recreation at its finest, with the potential for some insights along the way.

The third book is a set of nine competencies to help anyone improve their productivity in our always on, always accessible, Blackberry-in-one-pocket-Treo-in-the-other world. The book contains a pretest, so you can skip the competencies that you have under control. I recommend this book to all. By the way, one of the lessons of the book is in the area of keeping your work/life balance. The author’s admonition is to figure out what your no-brainer short cut is to find joy. Find your short cut, and use it. Often. For me, it’s music. There is an deep tradition of people singing harmony that for me is simply transporting and smile making. Peter, Paul and Mary — Bob Dylan — James Taylor — Roger Clyne — Jayhawks — BoDeans — Redbird.

Also on the nightstand is something by Anita Shreve, and a brush up on Emotional Intelligence. More soon…