I spoke to an interesting fellow yesterday who served our country in the U.S. Army Special Forces and who now lives on a small farm in south Georgia. He shared with me that despite some of the horrific things he dispassionately performed whilst serving in the military he cannot bring himself to slaughter or eat …
Tag: gregg hake
Grace and Reverence
The Autumn by Elizabeth Barrett Browning Go, sit upon the lofty hill, And turn your eyes around, Where waving woods and waters wild Do hymn an autumn sound. The summer sun is faint on them -- The summer flowers depart -- Sit still -- as all transform'd to stone, Except your musing heart. How there …
The Traditional Calculus
In a trend largely predicated on the notion that (1) starting earlier and working harder will yield better testing outcomes and that (2) achieving better test scores will prepare children for a more productive and successful life, many American elementary schools are now offering programs for younger children such as K3 and K4. This is …
The Blessed Influence
"Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another." - George Eliot The whole point of developing character, developing skills and gaining competency in the affairs of the world is to allow for the unveiling of your soul. Your soul longs for expression, not for selfish purposes, but to extend its influence …
I am what I am
Elmer Wheeler, one of America's classic salesman, understood well the power of persuasive writing and the importance of asking the right questions. He coined the famous slogan: "Say it with flowers" and was the originator of the maxim: "Don't sell the steak - sell the sizzle." One of his most powerful pieces of advice came …
The Narcissism of Small Differences
If you've been on an internet forum or read through the comments to a blog post, news item or YouTube video of late, you've probably noticed the remarkable range of viewpoints expressed on topics about which there is general agreement. The spectrum typically goes from complete agreement to profane, sarcastic and even caustic opposition. If …
Naked Strength
The Oak by Alfred Lord Tennyson Live thy Life, Young and old, Like yon oak, Bright in spring, Living gold; Summer-rich Then; and then Autumn-changed Soberer-hued Gold again. All his leaves Fall'n at length, Look, he stands, Trunk and bough Naked strength. I remember when as a young man I used to wish that I …
A Higher Degree of Mindfulness
One of my companies, Energetix Corporation, launched a new stress reduction initiative today. Modeled after programs currently running in companies like General Mills, Google, Apple and Deutsche Bank, we're offering training in yoga and meditation as a means of generating a higher degree of mindfulness. Mindfulness is defined as being "a state of being fully present, …
Inspiring Greatness
“Your profession is not what brings home your weekly paycheck, your profession is what you're put here on earth to do, with such passion and such intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling.” - Vincent van Gogh To my mind, the growth and development of people is the highest calling of a small business owner …
Silence
"Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment." - Benjamin Franklin Looking back over my life I must say that I have been more often repentant for things I have said than for times of inapposite …
Gregory Hake 