Mr penumbras 24- hour book store

Mr. penumbras 24 hour bookstore 

by Reuben Sloan

A delightful book in many ways
I kept finding myself googling stuff to see if it's real
The one most intriguing ,which I have no answer for , is there, are there , repositories like the cave in nyc. I guess there is at least three 1) wherever the gold plates are and 2) where the urim and thumin are now -figuring the church has in possession 3) the Vatican archives. You got a bet there are more- you ever hear of others? Brigham noted The book cavern tended to remind him of the forgotten book library of Carlos Ruiz Zafon's

My copy of the book came from the library. The library is still a great source of discovery and learning. The learning from penumbra well here they are:

        - All the secrets in the world worth knowing her hiding in plain sight.

        -  There is no immortality that is not built on friendship and work done with care.

        - It's not easy to imagine the year 3012 but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try

         - Your life must be an open city with all sorts of ways to wander in

Any how , needed a good read - thanks to Brigham  for recommending it, is he so often does. 

And so the memory of this book will fade The way all books fade  in your mind but remember this to still look for the right book and exact right time to read it.

2015

2015

As I've pondered what might be the single most important goal for me as a person, father and husband for 2015 I've come to focus on spirituality. Acquiring more of it, being more guided by it, and having it make a difference in aligning my life in doing what the lord would have me do in the general and for specifics. 

As such there are two quotes and one scripture that seem to me to be the core for me, in developing spirituality:

David o McKay quote ( my favorite )

Spirituality, our true aim, is the consciousness of victory over self and of communion with infinite.

Julie beck quote  ( moms favorite )

The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life.

The lords guarantee

D&C 82:10

 i the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.

So that's my focus for 2015. 

I hope you've identified yours- if not I invite you to join me in mine. You can ponder the quotes and see what they might mean for you.Make it a great year.

 

On a general note the following blog by the accidental creative provides 7 questions to answer to prep your year. If you need more to ponder for the year listen to the podcast -14 min 

http://www.accidentalcreative.com/podcasts/ac/podcast-7-essential-questions-to-ask-yourself-in-2015/?utm_source=Weekly+Updates&utm_campaign=0a9602bc02-_120514_&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a1341703c2-0a9602bc02-387789249

The Moor's Tale

‘The Moor’s Account,’ by Laila Lalami

Unexpected delightful book. This book Of historical fiction,fiction which I haven't read for a while, is the story based in 1527 approximately the Spanish voyage across the ocean to America the exploration into Texas (laFlorida) the disastrous results of the expedition, eventual survival and exploits of four who survive, all told from the view of a Moorish slave. the Castilian conquistador Pánfilo de Narváez and a crew of 600 men sailed from Spain to the Gulf Coast of the United States to claim “La Florida” for the Spanish crown. You get to relive the exploits of Europeans as they conquered the rest of the world claiming it for their own destroying everything that existed. They're utter disregard for humanity, civilizations, and peoples.

But the unique point of view of the narrator being from Morocco and Muslim made  the book intriguing and interesting and revelatory. The stories of life we construct. The stories of life we perceive. The stories of life that are intertwined from other points of view. Makes me consider what stories do I tell my children, what stories will my grandchildren tell of me, and of the necessity of me to share my stories.

Not a great book but a good book. Worth the time, and worth pondering about.

Unbroken

Unbroken by Laura Hildebrand

Well I'm late to reading this book the history of Louis Zampa rainy and of World War II. It's a book that was printed in 2010 and is currently being ready to be put into a movie.it's relatively quickly quick read so I rented over the weekend.

I thought it was just a story of a World War II bomber who got shot down over the ocean and survived a long stint floating adrift in the ocean. And turned out to be much more. Louis was a quality track runner prior to World War II. Book goes through his tumultuous childhood his finding track and running; and becoming a TrackStar; then signing up for the war.he becomes a bombardier on the B 24 ends up getting shot down over the pacific ocean and set adrift. History would be an incredible story of resilience of the human mind body and spirit if all he did was survive this over 30 days adrift and thousands of miles floating on the Pacific ocean. But as it turns out, he's taken as a prisoner of war in Japan , And is forced to endure horrendous treatment just violent abusive physically and emotionally and mentally but he endures. At the end of the war, He is a liberated returns stateside a damaged man suffering posttraumatic syndrome and nightmares totally disfunctional and then fails to cope with everyday life. That too but itself would be compelling story what he had to endure the resilience of the human mind body and spirit. His ultimate triumph to my surprise was a religious redemption, brought about by attendance and revival withBilly Graham. Louis finds the Savior and redemption and then the rest of his life through doing good. His burden is lifted and he is able to see life through a clear vision, Forgive those who abused him, and move forward.

It is not an exquisitely well-written book but it is a compelling story. No it is not man's search for meaning by Frankel. But it is every bit as compelling it's a quick read and i recommend it. Known fact I almost didn't finish reading the book when he became a drunk and was abusing his wife and I thought it was going to end on such a negative note. But then I finished the book and once again found hope and redemption.

The Checklist Manifesto, by Atul Gawandee

The checklist manifesto

By Atul Gawandee

The nice thing about living near a library is that on a rainy weekend, or a sunny day on the beach, you can grab a book and learn something new. ThIs weekend I picked up The Checklist Manifesto. It's a quick read but an interesting read. It has a few insights that might be worthwhile - some gleaned from reviews. The book focuses on the usage of checklists in relation to a problem that afflicts virtually every aspect of the modern world–and that is how professionals deal with the increasing complexity of their responsibilities  of daily and professional life

Gawande suggests that people tend to fail for two main reasons. The first is ignorance – having only a partial understanding of the task in front of us. The second is ineptitude – instances where we have the knowledge but we fail to apply it correctly.

But it’s not ignorance that leads to mistakes in today’s world. We have access to more and more information and our knowledge base is growing every day in every field. It’s the complexity of our world that is increasing, making it more difficult to deploy our knowledge predictably and routinely - like a weekly preprint or massive catalog. We need a strategy that builds on experience and takes advantage of the immense knowledge we all have in our brains, and in our hands, but also makes up for our inevitable human inadequacies

As the complexity of the challenges, problems, and tasks we face increases, we can’t just rely on memory or our “routine” to help us perform at the highest level. Gawande points out that, “[checklists] remind us of the minimum necessary steps and make them explicit. They not only offer the possibility of verification but also instill a kind of discipline of higher performance.”

Gawande offers some tips for building good checklists:

Make them precise.

They should be efficient, to the point, and easy to use even in the most difficult situations.

Do not try to spell out everything.

Provide reminders of only the most critical and important steps – the ones that even highly skilled professionals using them could miss.

Above all, make sure they are practical.

“…Under conditions of complexity, not only are checklists a help, they are required for success. There must always be room for judgment, but judgment aided – and even enhanced – by procedure.”  

I“We have an opportunity before us, not just in medicine, but in virtually any endeavor. Even the most expert among us can gain from searching out the patterns of mistakes and failures and putting a few checks in place. But will we do it? Are we ready to grab onto the idea?”,

Here are three suggestions on how we can implement checklists more effectively:

1. Identify areas of opportunity: What areas of your business could benefit from a checklist? How could you begin to reduce the number of mindless mistakes that lead to unhappy customers, failed execution, or even something far worse?

2. Check your ego: Throughout the entire book, ego more than anything seems to be the largest obstacle to implementing checklists. Remember, they are not intended to undermine your intelligence or ability. They are a tool to combat the increasingly complex nature of our lives.

3. Curate: Not everything requires a checklist, nor are they effective for every situation. The key is using them only in the most essential places and to be diligent about making them practical and precise.

Make a checklist! 

Mink River

Mink  river brian doyle

 This is the second Brian Doyle's book I've read, should have read this before the plover but oh we'll. it   brings a town to life through the jumbled lives and braided stories of its people. I like the metaphor of 'Stitching stories together ' or to 'Embroider the story'. It gives it a feeling of craft and nurturing with a caring eye to arrive at the end point of resolution . I enjoyed his writing and story telling , though he could have left out the sex parts and not lost much at all of the story. 

There are a number of interesting  turn of phrases and thoughts  I enjoyed 

Thought. - Keep a list of things to know

Thought -Words swing and sing through her mind all the time in parades and poems 

Thought -You and I know that you get a set of tools and talents and experiences  and you have to meld them into your work. What you are here for 

Thought - Kindness humor curiosity used for healing

Thought -Seems like a blow but its a gift - your challenge is to find out what the gift is

Thought -There are doors and windows everywhere - bringing new light to our situations and offering new vistas and opportunities 

Review which captured some of my thoughts - quote -I can't help but cry. I'm crying for the people in the book who died, who were lost, who were injured. I'm crying because not everyone dies when they could have. I'm crying because some people heal. Because some children heal. And because some people get to have love, give love, remain in love, which is so beautiful to walk among, my footsteps causing no distraction. I'm crying, too, because for some there is no love. I now believe a crow can talk his wise thoughts in perfectly lucid English sentences,

Not really my own review but more of a collection of reactions by me

The Plover

The Plover

By Brian Doyle 

This philosophical book is blend of life on the sea specifically the pacific ocean as a country), and a wild world of words. It's a pellmel read that demands attention and pulls you into the fantastic world of friendship of discovery  of quest.; and just plain fun read.

He is somewhat obsessed with Edmund Burke, who I ha d to look up to refresh my memory is "Edmund Burke (January 12, 1729 – July 9, 1797) was an Irish political philosopher, Whig politician and statesman who is often regarded as the father of modern conservatism."

Interesting quote analogy to life as they get trapped by a storm at sea

" we can't run await fast enough. The only thing to do is face it.... The boat will float if we stay facing the storm."

He referenced - thirten shining ones - so I looked them up. The shining ones are a new age sort of luminescent spirits whose purpose on earth is to help us communicate on a higher , internal level , based in love. In this book one take s the form of a seagull and accompanies them on their sea voyage.  The Shining Ones are here to help us remember who and what we are and that we are never alone, never separate. They help us remember that in reality we are beings of pure love ourselves, here now living this life to experience ourselves as that love, in every form and with every experience we have while here . The book doesn't dwell on it, and you could skip right past it , but nonetheless it's part of the story. He does not become new age preachy. At one point where he digresses into a discussion on violence, he gracefully skips forward in the story with " yeh, weird line of talk, let's get some breakfast going..."

A good book, an entertaining read . And at the end  - " you can't make people be who they don't want to be yet. You just be gentle and  let them get there themselves. " A good thought. 

Die empty

Die Empty

Todd Henry

It's all about living a purposeful life. It's about daily applying in a non-church sense; be ing worthy to receive , understand an act upon promptings to guide your daily life

“Embrace the importance of now, and refuse to allow the lull of comfort, fear, familiarity, and ego to prevent you from taking action on your ambitions…The cost of inaction is vast. Don’t go to your grave with your best work inside of you. Choose to die empty.”

Each day that we postpone difficult tasks and succumb to the clutter that chokes creativity, discipline, and innovation results in a net deficit to the world, our organizations, and ourselves.

My new book, “Die Empty,” is about cultivating the mind-set and the methods you need to unleash your best work each day, and to increase the odds that, at the end of your life, you will not regret how you spent your days. It lays out a set of core beliefs that will help you be more purposeful in how you approach your work. They are: 

You have a unique contribution to make to the world. 

  Humans, it seems , a re wired to find satisfaction by adding value through toil

   Emulate your super heroes - make a list of them - chose attributes that make you - you, not making you them   Wiling to ask counterintuitive questions not be creative 

  Establish code of ethics:

No one else can make your contribution for you.

   Find your voice

    Shadow pursuits  - are activities that capture our attention and give us a sense of accomplishment , but serve as a substitute for the real work

   Plan for experimentation 

   Something you experience may cause a flash of intuition but this burst of insight will quickly fade if you do nothing with it

Your contribution is not about you. Cultivate a love for the process.

  Be confidently adaptable 

   Cultivate wisdom instead of establishing a rule

   Build a specific practice of generosity 

   What can I offer - not what can I get - encourage and recognize others: write a note, make a call

    Stay connected

Avoid comfort. It is dangerous. 

   Satisficing (Herbert a Simon)  - compromising to settle for the best available option that meets most of our requirements - clogs your inner workings

Take a stand. Don’t shape-shift. 

  If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today - Steve jobs

  Act with urgency and diligence - address the issues you've been delaying

Your understanding of your “sweet spot” develops over time like film in a darkroom. . 

   You have to try different things, and devote yourself to developing your skills and intuition , before you will begin to see noticeable patterns and understand your unique value. Patience is required.

You must plant seeds today for a harvest alter. 

Define Your Battles: 

   Compassionate anger-creates in you an urgency to act

    Hope and aspiration

     Action defines reality and potential is nothing but unproven hypothetical value.

Be Fiercely Curious

    Entertainment vs engagement - which are you

    "What the net seems to be doing  is chipping away my capacity for concentration and contemplation" Nicholas Carr 

       Need commitment to the discovery process.  - keep a list of questions

       - keep a commonplace book of quotes, ideas, themes

       - keep a list of books to read ( leave time at the end of a read to synthesize what you've read 

      - need a sacred place   - your place to escape , think, pursue your deeper questions and stoke the fire of your curiosity

    - commit to asking better questions, don't settle, stay mentally active 

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone:

    Let your actions define you, not your words

    How would you act tomorrow if you knew that one day would be a permanent testament to your life

    Walk into dark rooms - fear of harm, identity protection,love of stability, ego  - enter and turn on the lights, sometimes turn off and immediately exit, won't discover if dont enter

      We reward those who draw maps , not those who follow them

      Set some goals

Live empty

Daily checkpoints - effectiveness not efficiency 

E - focus on your ethics

M - focus on your mission - what will change, what's missing, what needs to be dropped

P - focus on people - who, close loops,serve

T - focus on your tasks - priorities, projects,

Y - focus on you

Purpose found through action not contemplation

Don't worry about being great in the eyes of others, focus on excelling on your work. ( how many great people can you name - maybe one hundred )

Discover the courage to begin taking small, daily risks and force self out of comfort zone

Home is where the heart is

Our hearts really landed in naperville
What attracted our hearts while there:
Growth - our children had wonderful opportunites
    Blair & Julie were only a short 2hrs 18 min away - easy grandchildren time, party time, get together time
     Brigham - had summer employment and lived in hyde park, always had a friend to visit, easy plane connections
    Evan - served a full- time mission in the chicago south mission - thanks to a visionary stake president, mission president , and companions; served in the bishop storehouse , temple; great inclusion by the single adult ward & institute
   Parker-graduated from north h.s.; had the lead in the HS musical - pirate of penzance; worked at lowes; served his mission in Paraguay and launched at byu from there
   Mackenzie - graduated from north; conquered Chinese ; varsity & club volleyball ; YW award twice earned; tutored extensively and launched to byu as well
  Rindy - made a house a home, made a home a show piece; did the cycle plus one in teaching seminary; found a plethora of meaningful and deep friends; took the market by the horns and won

Cousins -  first Robert & Laura, then Michael & Marie, then Lindsay & Josh - nothing more fun than the cousins gathering for - scones, dessert, dinner, a parade, a party, a holiday; great people, wonderful little kids always a good time

Visitors - Chicago is the crossroads of America. Rarely in Minnesota did anyone stop by- but in Chicago, our naperville they all stopped by. 10 out of 12 months for 6 years we had visitors- family, friends, acquaintances. The door was always open, a bed always available - and people came

Naperville first - we have been blessed with some incredible wards - Mpls 4 th Roy 3rd plymouth 1, medicine lake - N 1 was as wonderful, if not more so than any. Quickly we were assimilated, quickly we had deep friends, quickly we were able to serve. We learned and were taught by some incredible people.

Orphans - we both became orphans in naperville. Enough said - we healed thanks to the friends of N1

Naperville - we lived blocks away from the parades, block away from downtown , blocks away from the library, blocks away from the river walk, blocks away from the middle and high school, blocks away from outdoor summer concerts, blocks away from great restaurants. Naperville was a safe haven - under the viaduct and all was good.

We never predicted moving to illinois and once there thought we would retire there. Did not foresee our career taking us to Florida. But . . . Life happens and we moved. Home is where the heart is. And though its just the two of us that is where the heart is.

Reflections on Mom

I posted the kids and thought I should add mine:

The Mothers I've known

Many have been constrained

By time, reason, or their own minds

To pass through life with but one mother

But me I have loved myriad

A young one I knew sprained her ankle

Quickly the rumor rampant was

They shoot lame horse and mothers

Though she never was ‘lame’

The UnAaronic mother and I

Had our outings

Made mini- loafs of bread with me

When I was too young to participate as I felt I should

The sporting mother showed many faces

I had a softball game that night, and

With no one else around she came

Warmed me up because I needed practice

That same softball fanatic mother

Drove multiple times to SLC with the team

One rule – no Unh, Unh, Unh music on the ride

What taste – I guess she wasn’t the music mother

The snurfer, that little snow surfing ski

Yes, another of her sports

She gamely tried it on the hill in back

Face plants, caressed in white, she looked divine

One mother named Hiawatha

Sloppy, floppy hat with paddle in hand

The 4^th on the St. Croix

With a handsome date at stern

The sporting mother so closely relates the gaming mother

In zeal, competitiveness and love of the chase

The three hand master, the card counter

She won, she laughed, and she won again without mercy

Scrabble, Quinto, Backgammon

Twixt, Quiddler, Crazy Kings

Othello, Five Straight, Rummicube

Master of all, loser at none – how fair is that

The English professor’s wife

Though he ruled the dictionary

In fact it was she who

Taught typing, corrected papers, typed themes

The funny girl mother

Laughed AT gifts of galvanized watering cans

Chortled at cardboard birthday cakes

And guffawed when others might have turned away

The movie star mother

Rode in limos with the stars

And forced others to watch Godzilla

So as not to have a deprived childhood

Was that mother the same Junie-Babe

The ‘tap-me’ in congratulations

The name sake of could it be, yes it was

A goose

The constant mother she was there

She graduated from Primary in 1966

And then from MIA in 1972

Hmmmm, so did I

The constant mother

The soft lap, the tender touch to sooth

After a long church day, a long school day, or work

Unfailing support when others were not

The constant mother –pillar of spirit

Bore testimony, supported a great man

Served as matron and advisor

Was sealed to me for eternity

Can mothers be girlfriends too

Oh surely she was and is

She wrote faithfully

With love never failing

The grandmother mother

Perhaps the finest of all

For she loves my own children without pause

And sees them as princely, and princessly, as do I

The crazy mother

Crazy socks, crazy cards, crazy kids

Crazy times, crazy hairdos, crazy fun

Oh, the mother wasn’t crazy it was I

Lastly there is the mother I love

My mother, Helen June Jackson Wilson

All of these mothers - everyone of which I have

Everyone of which I love