Hi.
While I spent much time in meditation and prayer yesterday, I did not post a fourth entry; thus while this is the fourth posting, it is, nonetheless, Day 5. As indicated previously, this will often be the case relative to Sundays in the future.
So, what makes a decision 'right?' Aside from moral and ethical considerations, I believe that what makes a decision 'right' is whether or not it is consistent with who we really are; whether or not it will ultimately help us achieve our full potential and be truly happy. While I am still passionate about 'metaphysics' (or 'mind science'), and plan to continue writing and teaching on the subject, architecture has been in my bones for my entire life. I suppose I could say that that is who I am - an architect, or master builder. Indeed, as I may have already pointed out, my very initials, TMB, spell out The Master Builder. I rest my case.
Meanwhile, the way in which our decisions will ultimately impact others is precisely what I meant by a "moral or ethical consideration." Because of the agency with which we are each 'endowed' by our Creator, our choices may not be thwarted even when they do adversely affect others, unless those 'others' (or their family or friends) have adequately sought divine 'protection' on their behalf. This, I believe, is why we are admonished to be careful for that which we ask. Our decisions, as well as our petitions, always have consequences - for better or for worse.
Before I set about to continue work on the model, I wish to clarify two other things. The first of these will be the 'goals behind the goals' stated in my first and second posts. The second will be the matter of financial goals (along with the question of time frames).
As for the 'goals behind the goals' I have stated, the one overarching goal is to bring beautiful architecture to the world. Inherent in that quest is to both create it and to teach the principles thereof to all who will listen. (A good deal of my 'creating' it, however, will be to resurrect the great architecture of the past which was so callously regarded as 'irrelevant' during most of the Twentieth Century.)
The teaching itself entails educating not only the broader public, but also the young aspirants who may themselves one day create it. It is also my vision to design and build - or oversee the building of - cities, of both order and architectural beauty. Hence the 'experiment' with this particular project. It would clearly be a specific stepping stone to that broader goal.
As for the teaching part of the equation, there is a large home, currently unoccupied for a number of years at this point (but in excellent repair), directly across from the property. I have envisioned both living in and using that home as a base of operation for my teaching. The educational entity that I have conceived in my mind would be called The Architectural Liaison - or TALiaison.
While I have made no previous mention of it, and do not plan to focus on it for the time being (however long that may be), another goal is to complete the development of a component housing system that I have developed. It is called The Jewel. I conceived of it back in 1999, and it was originally dubbed The Y2K House. I was even hired to teach the system in the Lewis Prison for Rio Salado College some years back.
The idea was that the inmates would produce the components while incarcerated, and we would then ship the pieces out for on-site assembly by others. While many were quite enthusiastic about the prospects, there were those within the two bureaucracies (prison and college) who were not, and the project was ultimately scuttled.
Nonetheless, during the year or so that I taught the system in the prison, a good deal of development and refinement took place, and, with a few further developments, could be patented. I have proposed that a not-for-profit organization called The Yousonian Institue for Affordable Housing be established. Yousonia is an acronym for You See Opportunity Now in America. This too could be affiliated with TALiaison, and housed across from the project.
Regarding the matter of financial goals and time frames, I will here confess that I have had some difficulty with both concepts - independent of each other, as well as in tandem. As for money, I have no problem with the idea of being wealthy - even total financial independence. I am actually quite enamored with the idea.
Pulling a number out of the air, as a financial goal, however, has always seemed a bit contrived. How did I know what was 'possible?' And if there were, indeed, 'no limits,' then why not be outrageous in my ambitions? How about $30,000 in three months - when I may not have had a single dollar coming in? Well, I've tried that, along with lesser and greater amounts, and with the exception of inheriting an additional and substantial sum unexpectedly a few years back, the practice never worked, that I can recall.
I have also always considered that if one employed correct principles, and did outstanding work, the money would naturally follow, without one having to specify an exact amount. In other words, money was a byproduct of providing a valuable service. I certainly believe that that is the case, and yet it is true that many - including myself - have done excellent work and never been financially rewarded to a great degree.
The other matter of specifying a time frame for either the accomplishment of a particular goal or the achievement of a certain income - while I believe in the focus produced by having a deadline - have also seemed arbitrary when picked 'out of the air.' The true law of attraction purists state emphatically that one should only concern himself with ends, and never means. Thus, their idea might be to specify a sum of money and a time frame, completely independent of any other desired result or means.
The only thing that I can say that makes sense to me is that if one has a desire to accomplish a certain thing, and also desires to profit therefrom, then stating the amount, and having a time frame or deadline for the two makes sense. It may or may not be the case that circumstances strongly lend themselves to a specific date. In that case it may be best to begin with a clear picture of the desired end, and what seems to be a reasonable time frame for its achievement. It may well be that circumstances will then arise which inherently provide a deadline.
In the case of my own project, the subject of this blog (and subsequent book....), the goal of the Thanksgiving Day parade provides a self-evident deadline. Working backwards from there, it will be necessary to have certain designs (and accompanying models and drawings) completed and ready for publication (the second goal) by certain other deadlines - starting in July. Given the long range planning that magazines must engage in, such a target necessitates that the magazines be contacted in the very near future.
Even within the next few weeks could be too late - but having four or more publications as options may allow our success. It is also possible that the idea itself will be so attractive that one or more of the publications may be willing to revise their plans - especially in light of the prospect of a competing magazine getting an advantage through their own decision to participate.
So I am not intimidated. I will hold to my plan, and believe in my ideas. Even if no magazine 'bought' the idea, the developer could still sponsor his own competition - which might ultimately attract the attention and participation of one or more publications, including some I may not have even considered.
As for a specific amount, if $100,000 was a 'reasonable' figure for Jack Canfield (before publishing Chicken Soup for the Soul), then it is good enough for me. Like him, I too have a book that is ready to be sold if people only knew about it. Unlike him, however, mine is already published. All I would need to do is a little editing, as with some recent insights I believe I could improve on some of what I have written. It is also possible that the income from the development project and the drawings we will produce could easily exceed $100k.
So, that is a reasonable number, and both a doable (though challenging) and somewhat inescapable time frame. I also like yearly goals, so there you have it: I will complete both design and construction drawings, and models, for at least three historic masterpieces, and organize a national design competition sponsored by one or more national publications, and hold the First Annual Macey's Thanksgiving Day Parade of Model Homes at the project, earning $100,000 by New Year's Eve, 2010.
I will here admit that all of that seems a bit ambitious, enough to make one reconsider. However, precisely because of the current economic recession (?), the magazines are surely looking for something to boost readership; the development under its new ownership will absolutely benefit from the immediate attention that the competition and national press would attract; and with the coming political 'earthquake' that will take place in November - three weeks before Thanksgiving - the immediate enthusiasm and economic optimism could be the perfect prelude to the parade and subsequent construction and land sales.
It could also be the case that even with a complete shift in the power base in Washington, D.C., it will take another year or so for the economy to begin to recover. So, it is possible that the plan would do better a year from now. It is also possible, however, that we could still do our own competition and parade, with a dozen or so completed designs and models, this year. Doing so would give us both practice and credibility with the national publications we hope to entice.
So, my goals are the same: To create my own 3-4 historic designs, etc., and to get 3 to 5 other architects and designers to do do several of their own, securing local press for the parade and surrounding events (to be discussed in future posts), as well as some national attention. I will interest the new owner in the concept, and still retain the financial goal of making $100,000 in 2010. I would be more than happy for some or all of that to come from the sale of my book. That would, in fact, be wonderful!
'Seacrest' [over and] out!
While I spent much time in meditation and prayer yesterday, I did not post a fourth entry; thus while this is the fourth posting, it is, nonetheless, Day 5. As indicated previously, this will often be the case relative to Sundays in the future.
So, what makes a decision 'right?' Aside from moral and ethical considerations, I believe that what makes a decision 'right' is whether or not it is consistent with who we really are; whether or not it will ultimately help us achieve our full potential and be truly happy. While I am still passionate about 'metaphysics' (or 'mind science'), and plan to continue writing and teaching on the subject, architecture has been in my bones for my entire life. I suppose I could say that that is who I am - an architect, or master builder. Indeed, as I may have already pointed out, my very initials, TMB, spell out The Master Builder. I rest my case.
Meanwhile, the way in which our decisions will ultimately impact others is precisely what I meant by a "moral or ethical consideration." Because of the agency with which we are each 'endowed' by our Creator, our choices may not be thwarted even when they do adversely affect others, unless those 'others' (or their family or friends) have adequately sought divine 'protection' on their behalf. This, I believe, is why we are admonished to be careful for that which we ask. Our decisions, as well as our petitions, always have consequences - for better or for worse.
Before I set about to continue work on the model, I wish to clarify two other things. The first of these will be the 'goals behind the goals' stated in my first and second posts. The second will be the matter of financial goals (along with the question of time frames).
As for the 'goals behind the goals' I have stated, the one overarching goal is to bring beautiful architecture to the world. Inherent in that quest is to both create it and to teach the principles thereof to all who will listen. (A good deal of my 'creating' it, however, will be to resurrect the great architecture of the past which was so callously regarded as 'irrelevant' during most of the Twentieth Century.)
The teaching itself entails educating not only the broader public, but also the young aspirants who may themselves one day create it. It is also my vision to design and build - or oversee the building of - cities, of both order and architectural beauty. Hence the 'experiment' with this particular project. It would clearly be a specific stepping stone to that broader goal.
As for the teaching part of the equation, there is a large home, currently unoccupied for a number of years at this point (but in excellent repair), directly across from the property. I have envisioned both living in and using that home as a base of operation for my teaching. The educational entity that I have conceived in my mind would be called The Architectural Liaison - or TALiaison.
While I have made no previous mention of it, and do not plan to focus on it for the time being (however long that may be), another goal is to complete the development of a component housing system that I have developed. It is called The Jewel. I conceived of it back in 1999, and it was originally dubbed The Y2K House. I was even hired to teach the system in the Lewis Prison for Rio Salado College some years back.
The idea was that the inmates would produce the components while incarcerated, and we would then ship the pieces out for on-site assembly by others. While many were quite enthusiastic about the prospects, there were those within the two bureaucracies (prison and college) who were not, and the project was ultimately scuttled.
Nonetheless, during the year or so that I taught the system in the prison, a good deal of development and refinement took place, and, with a few further developments, could be patented. I have proposed that a not-for-profit organization called The Yousonian Institue for Affordable Housing be established. Yousonia is an acronym for You See Opportunity Now in America. This too could be affiliated with TALiaison, and housed across from the project.
Regarding the matter of financial goals and time frames, I will here confess that I have had some difficulty with both concepts - independent of each other, as well as in tandem. As for money, I have no problem with the idea of being wealthy - even total financial independence. I am actually quite enamored with the idea.
Pulling a number out of the air, as a financial goal, however, has always seemed a bit contrived. How did I know what was 'possible?' And if there were, indeed, 'no limits,' then why not be outrageous in my ambitions? How about $30,000 in three months - when I may not have had a single dollar coming in? Well, I've tried that, along with lesser and greater amounts, and with the exception of inheriting an additional and substantial sum unexpectedly a few years back, the practice never worked, that I can recall.
I have also always considered that if one employed correct principles, and did outstanding work, the money would naturally follow, without one having to specify an exact amount. In other words, money was a byproduct of providing a valuable service. I certainly believe that that is the case, and yet it is true that many - including myself - have done excellent work and never been financially rewarded to a great degree.
The other matter of specifying a time frame for either the accomplishment of a particular goal or the achievement of a certain income - while I believe in the focus produced by having a deadline - have also seemed arbitrary when picked 'out of the air.' The true law of attraction purists state emphatically that one should only concern himself with ends, and never means. Thus, their idea might be to specify a sum of money and a time frame, completely independent of any other desired result or means.
The only thing that I can say that makes sense to me is that if one has a desire to accomplish a certain thing, and also desires to profit therefrom, then stating the amount, and having a time frame or deadline for the two makes sense. It may or may not be the case that circumstances strongly lend themselves to a specific date. In that case it may be best to begin with a clear picture of the desired end, and what seems to be a reasonable time frame for its achievement. It may well be that circumstances will then arise which inherently provide a deadline.
In the case of my own project, the subject of this blog (and subsequent book....), the goal of the Thanksgiving Day parade provides a self-evident deadline. Working backwards from there, it will be necessary to have certain designs (and accompanying models and drawings) completed and ready for publication (the second goal) by certain other deadlines - starting in July. Given the long range planning that magazines must engage in, such a target necessitates that the magazines be contacted in the very near future.
Even within the next few weeks could be too late - but having four or more publications as options may allow our success. It is also possible that the idea itself will be so attractive that one or more of the publications may be willing to revise their plans - especially in light of the prospect of a competing magazine getting an advantage through their own decision to participate.
So I am not intimidated. I will hold to my plan, and believe in my ideas. Even if no magazine 'bought' the idea, the developer could still sponsor his own competition - which might ultimately attract the attention and participation of one or more publications, including some I may not have even considered.
As for a specific amount, if $100,000 was a 'reasonable' figure for Jack Canfield (before publishing Chicken Soup for the Soul), then it is good enough for me. Like him, I too have a book that is ready to be sold if people only knew about it. Unlike him, however, mine is already published. All I would need to do is a little editing, as with some recent insights I believe I could improve on some of what I have written. It is also possible that the income from the development project and the drawings we will produce could easily exceed $100k.
So, that is a reasonable number, and both a doable (though challenging) and somewhat inescapable time frame. I also like yearly goals, so there you have it: I will complete both design and construction drawings, and models, for at least three historic masterpieces, and organize a national design competition sponsored by one or more national publications, and hold the First Annual Macey's Thanksgiving Day Parade of Model Homes at the project, earning $100,000 by New Year's Eve, 2010.
I will here admit that all of that seems a bit ambitious, enough to make one reconsider. However, precisely because of the current economic recession (?), the magazines are surely looking for something to boost readership; the development under its new ownership will absolutely benefit from the immediate attention that the competition and national press would attract; and with the coming political 'earthquake' that will take place in November - three weeks before Thanksgiving - the immediate enthusiasm and economic optimism could be the perfect prelude to the parade and subsequent construction and land sales.
It could also be the case that even with a complete shift in the power base in Washington, D.C., it will take another year or so for the economy to begin to recover. So, it is possible that the plan would do better a year from now. It is also possible, however, that we could still do our own competition and parade, with a dozen or so completed designs and models, this year. Doing so would give us both practice and credibility with the national publications we hope to entice.
So, my goals are the same: To create my own 3-4 historic designs, etc., and to get 3 to 5 other architects and designers to do do several of their own, securing local press for the parade and surrounding events (to be discussed in future posts), as well as some national attention. I will interest the new owner in the concept, and still retain the financial goal of making $100,000 in 2010. I would be more than happy for some or all of that to come from the sale of my book. That would, in fact, be wonderful!
'Seacrest' [over and] out!
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