Monthly Archives: February 2017
Nature vs. Nurture by Gary Smolker
I take my coffee seriously.
So do Sicilians.
Background
At dinner last night (February 23, 2017), my youngest daughter Leah (age 29) and I decided that we would go to Sicily together instead of going to Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, or Russia.
We discussed possible things and places to see and experiences to have in Sicily.
Leah
Leah is presently attending law school full time.
Lean and I “plan” to take our trip to Sicily either during Leah’s Spring Break or during Leah’s Summer Break.
Leah has traveled to 30 different countries.
Leah publishes a travel blog at https://easytospell03.wordpress.com/2017/02/07/beautiful-and-unique-places-in-europe/
Leah loves traveling.
I love Leah.
I love taking trips with Leah.
The Big Question
After she got home from dinner, Leah sent me the following note, via email:
“Do you still want to see nature over city?
“Do you want me to make an itinerary that favors nature in Sicily over urban scapes.
“Sicily has a balance of both beautiful nature and Baroque cities.”
My Answer
“That sushi place you love in Santa Monica started following me on Instagram @garyspassion.
“I think I prefer nature over man built but I am open minded … whatever is the best example (if there is such a thing) of what it is is what I want to see.
“I want to see the “best” of everything so I will be better able to compare things.
“Most people can tell the difference between something that is bad and something that is good, ut only a rare individual can tell the between the best and the very best.
“I want to be among those rare few who can tell the difference between the best and very best.
“You are already among the very few who can do that.
“Amazingly, you and your sisters Judi and Terra can do that in more than one field of expertise.
“I am so happy you share your good taste and discernment.”
Personal Information
I love good food, long meals and lazily drinking good coffee.
Below are photographs of two pages in one of the travel books that Leah and I looked at during our dinner last night.
Thoughts for the Day
You will not be able to figure out what you really want unless you try everything. – GSS
“Enlightenment is a destructive process. It has nothing to do with becoming better or happier. Enlightenment is the crumbling away of untruth. Its the complete eradication of everything we imaged to be true.” – Adyashanti
There Is Always A Trade-Off
Copyright © Gary S. Smolker, All Rights Reserved
This is the sixth of a series of articles I intend to post on the Gary S. Smolker Idea Exchange Blog at http://www.garysmolker.wordpress.com on “LIVING THE ENGAGED LIFE.”
I have constantly made posts on Instant @garyspassion on “LIVING THE ENGAGED LIFE” and intend to continue to do so.
Follow me on Instagram @garyspassion
I intend to publish a series of articles on “HIGH ENERGY COMMUNICATIONS” on the Gary S. Smolker Idea Exchange Blog at http://www.garysmolker.wordpress.com. I began writing the first article in that series this morning (Friday, February 24, 2017).
The Active Life – by Gary Smolker
Hockey Players Live An Active Life
Look at the hockey players in the collages above. They are living an active life.
There is is no doubt in my mind that someone playing hockey like those hockey players is getting lots of powerful physical activity.
Look at the single frames below of NHL hockey players on the ice.
Look at their vitality.
Look at the physical strength and fitness they are projecting, the energy they are expending in this activity, while “playing” hockey.
I, on the other hand, live a sedate life.
I Live A Sedate Life
I am living a sedate life: no hockey, no lacrosse, no fencing, no rollerblading.
I was a lot more active when I was 13 years old.
Living the Engaged Life Is In the Eyes of the Beholder
- Exercise is in the eyes of the beholder.
- Fitness is in the eyes of the beholder.
- Health is in the eyes of the beholder.
I live on the West Coast, in the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks area of Los Angeles, California and work in Encino, California.
My 13 year old grandson Nate lives on the East Coast, in the greater Boston area of Massachusetts.
Nate plays hockey.
Nate is the goalie on his team.
The job of the goalie is to defend the net, to prevent the opposing team from shooting a puck into the net.
Nate is a spectacular goalie.
I don’t play hockey.
Different Strokes/Activities for Different Folks
Nate and his family are visiting Los Angeles.
Yesterday, Nate and his mother, father and 15 year old sister went to Hermosa Beach to go biking and rollerblading on the beach.
Tomorrow, Nate and I are going to a Barnes & Noble Book Store in Santa Monica at 9:00 a.m. and bowling afterwards.
After bowling, Nate and I are going to meet up with his mother, father and older (15 years old) sister who will be taking a UCLA tour from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Living the Engaged Life
Nate, his older sister, his mother, his father, and I are living the engaged life.
Living Life Powerfully
Nate, Nate’s older sister, Nate’s mother, Nate’s father, and ME (Nate’s grandfather) are living life powerfully.
Age is a factor.
Copyright © 2017 Gary Smolker, All Rights Reserved
This is the fifth in a series of articles I intend to post on the Gary S. Smolker Idea Exchange Blog at http://www.garysmolker.wordpress.com on “LIVING THE ENGAGED LIFE.”
I have continuously made posts on my Instagram account @garyspassion on “LIVING THE ENGAGED LIFE,” and intend to continue to do so.
Follow me on Instagram @garyspassion
What Would Life Be Without Hope? – by Gary Smolker
What are we without hope?
American Supermodel Marissa Fashionista (age 15) is visiting the greater Los Angeles area today (February 18, 2017) where we (everyone who lives in Los Angeles and Santa Monica) are experiencing heavy rains.
Marissa is wearing a skirt in hope it will bring skirt weather to Santa Monica and Los Angeles today.
TAKEAWAY: Attitude is everything.
- Marissa is living the engaged life.
- Americans (before and after President Donald Trump) are great because of their drive, their ruggedness, their unquenchable optimism and zeal and elan.
- It is easy to understand America and Americans: The drive of Americans, their ruggedness, their unquenchable optimism and zeal and elan go back to the challenges of the untrammeled wilderness.
Living the Engaged Life
Supermodel Marissa Fashionista lives on the East Coast.
Marissa is visiting the West Coast for one week.
Marissa refuses to wear long pants or tights when the temperature is above fifty degrees centigrade.
Go for it Marissa.
Go for it.
Demand the Impossible
Your potency, your total emotional immersion in what you are doing, you being into it, your heartfelt intensity, your total attention to detail, your individualism represents what is best about being human.
THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:
“Action is the foundational key to all success.” – Pablo Picasso
Anything of real quality and substance will be enduring, will stand the test of time because people will realize it represents the very best in its field of particular expertise. – GSS
You will never find peace of mind until you listen to your heart. – GSS
Photographs of Supermodel Marissa Fashionista
Below is a photograph of Supermodel Marissa Fashionista, her 13 year old brother, and me taken on Saturday, February 18, 2017, in Van Nuys, California.
Below is a picture of Supermodel Marissa Fashionista sipping a Banana Soda drink in a Honduran Restaurant (El Katracho Restaurant) on Saturday, February 18, 2017, located at 14836 BurbankBlvd., Sherman Oaks, California.
By the Way
I strongly recommend the Banana Soda and the Tamarin Soft Drink at that restaurant, the El Katracho Restaurant.
This is the fourth in a series of articles I intend to post on the Gary S. Smolker Idea Exchange Blog at http://www.garysmolker.wordpress.com on “LIVING THE ENGAGED LIFE.”
I have continuously made posts on my Instagram account @garyspassion on “LIVING THE ENGAGED LIFE” and intend to continue to do so.
Follow me on Instagram @garyspassion
Copyright © 2017 Gary S. Smolker, All Rights Reserved
Not Virgin! – by Gary Smolker
BRAIN POWER
Whoever designed the container shown above has a lot of brain power.
Whoever designed the labels on that container has a lot of brain power.
Whoever designed the paper bag shown above has a lot of brain power.
What you see above is not just a container.
What you see above is not just a paper bag.
What you see above is an example of the creative communication of a sales pitch presented as a message.
ACTION
You are looking at a container with a story and a message.
You are looking at a bag with a story and a message.
The stories on that container and on that bag trigger action.
A CREATIVE ADVERTISING MASTERPIECE
Q: Is that a container of ice cream, or a container of hand and body lotion?
A: No. It is a creative advertising masterpiece.
Q: Is that a paper bag?
A: No. It is a creative advertising masterpiece.
TAKING A STAND SELLS PRODUCTS
The “Charity Pot” container looks like a container of ice cream.
I like ice cream.
The label on the top of the container states, “BY BUYING CHARITY POT YOU SUPPORT GOOD CAUSES…”
I am in favor of supporting good causes.
Another label on the container states, “NOT VIRGIN! Pot made from 100% recycled plastic. Recycle it or bring it back.”
I am in favor of recycling.
The bag states the following:
- 100% VEGETARIAN
- FRESHEST COSMETICS
- HANDMADE
- FIGHTING ANIMAL TESTING
Those are all appealing stands on social issues.
All of the above influences influenced me to buy that “hand and body lotion.”
WEALTH
Wealth at its deepest root is the product not of physical labor but of intelligence, of creative vision.
Action is required to actualize the vision, but physical labor not guided by human intelligence is virtually worthless.
BRAIN POWER
All business is fundamentally about brain power.
Without the guidance of an idea, action is just mindless motion, without direction, purpose or value.
POTENTIAL
There is no maximum to potential.
LIVING LIFE FULLY
Some people live life fully.
They know:
- You have to know what you need in order to find what you want.
- You can’t figure out what you really want unless you try everything.
MAGIC
People who don’t believe in magic, don’t find it.
Life isn’t magical on its own.
We make it magical
LUSH COSMETICS IS A GAME CHANGER
In the evolution of advertising, and in the evolution of business, Lush Cosmetics is not a virgin
Lush Cosmetics is a magician who speaks and does business in the language of popular culture.
Lush Cosmetics realized that people have a social conscious and that people are health conscious.
With that realization, Lush Cosmetics became a game changer, a rebel who never stopped redefining the business of cosmetics and never stopped redefining the business of creative communications.
The photographs above show part of the picture of how Lush Cosmetics got from there to here and now…. in the health conscious cause conscious popular culture and…. in the cosmetics industry.
STORY TELLING
Story tellings is fundamental to our lives.
We all love stories.
THE EXTRAORDINARY WORLD WE NOW LIVE IN
It is a testament to the extraordinary world we now live in that Lush Cosmetics is a huge business success.
THE EVOLUTION OF BUSINESS
PEOPLE ARE SEARCHING FOR MEANING!
- The future is hyper-connected.
- People want to participate in causes.
- Lush Cosmetics lets them do so.
“Participate in an important social cause” is the central message of Lush Cosmetics advertising: that message is on the labels on “Charity Pot”, and in the statements made on its paper bags, etc.
CONNECTING
People connect with others not just with similar passions and interests, but around the causes that most resonate with them.
More and more, brands are identifying with a cause, and making that identification a central part of their ethos.
NOT VIRGIN!
I believe in magic.
I am not virgin.
I am 100% in favor of powerfully “living the engaged life.”
Gary Smolker
Copyright © 2017 Gary Smolker, All Rights Reserved
This is the third in a series of articles I intend to post on the Gary S. Smolker Idea Exchange Blog at http://www.garysmolker.wordpress.com on “LIVING THE ENGAGED LIFE.”
I have continuously made posts on my Instagram account @garyspassion on “LIVING THE ENGAGED LIFE,” and intend to continue to do so.
Follow me on Instagram @garyspassion
Life Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Wonderful – by Gary Smolker
Meet Christy Rusk, my Part-Time Muse and Part-Time Leader to Fun New Experiences.
Christy is a 26 year old working woman.
Among other things, Christy is a foodie and Master Chef.
The night before Valentine’s Day, I wrote Christy a note wishing Christy a fun Valendine.
Christy wrote back:
“My friend and I are going to In-N-Out tomorrow, because fancy dinners that night are a scam, and we are smarter than that.
” Besides I already bought myself orchids 2 weeks ago, and I keep a stash of dark chocolate in my desk at work. I’m set.”
TAKEAWAY:
- Live life powerfully, always be living the engaged life.
- Happiness is a way of life.
- Attitude is everything.
Copyright © 2017 Gary Smolker, All Rights Reserved
__________________________________________________________________________________________
This is the second in a series of articles I intend to post on the Gary S. Smolker Idea Exchange Blog at http://www.garysmolker.wordpress.com on “LIVING THE ENGAGED LIFE.”
I have continuously made posts on my Instagram account @garyspassion on “LIVING THE ENGAGED LIFE,” and I intend to continue to do so.
Follow me on Instagram @garyspassion
All You Need Is Love and Cake or A Hamburger, French Fries and A Chocolate Shake – by Gary Smolker
On Valentine’s Day I took myself out to dinner at the IN-N-OUT Burger Restaurant in Sherman Oaks, California.
My dinner cost $6.96.
I had a hamburger, french fries and a chocolate shake.
It was a delicious dinner.
The restaurant was full of happy people, eating dinner.
Most of the customers were there with someone else, eating dinner together.
A young couple sat in the booth in front of me.
The young woman didn’t stop kissing her boyfriend the entire time I was there eating my hamburger and french fries and sipping on my chocolate shake.
TAKEAWAY: All most people need, myself included, is “love, a hamburger, french fries and a chocolate shake.”
Copyright © 2017 Gary Smolker, All Rights Reserved
This is the first of a serious of articles I intend to post on the Gary Smolker Idea Exchange Blog at http://www.garysmolker.wordpress.com on “LIVING THE ENGAGED LIFE.”
I have continuously made posts on my Instagram account @garyspassion on “LIVING THE ENGAGED LIFE,” and intend to continue to do so.
Follow me on Instagram @garyspassion
Be Magnificent – by Gary Smolker
Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Being Fun
Empower Yourself to Be Magnificent
POWER is having fear and taking action in spite of it.
COURAGE is taking action to make a contribution in spite of being afraid.
Everyone is afraid.
Show UP
Show up for yourself in your own life.
Don’t be a doormat.
You can bring life into other people’s lives.
You are the catalyst for change in the world that surrounds you.
Empower people to make happen what ever they care about the most within reason.
If people around you are not having a great life it is literally impossible for you to have a great life.
Pursue Success from Your Own Passion
Pursue success from your own passion not from external pressures.
Below is a sign that was in the entry to a warehouse in Canoga Park, California where a laser-light show rave dance was put on by my friend King of the Dance Hall Dash Senter, which I attended in October 2016.
Be Present
Everyone present had a great time at that dance which lasted from 7:00 p.m. on a Saturday night until 3:00 a.m. Sunday morning, the next morning.
Photos below are some of the photos I took when I paused for a moment on the dance floor.
Get Off On Authenticity
If you have any resentments kill them.
Your resentment is a jail cell. Get out of your self-created jail cell/prison.
Instead move on with your life …. be brilliantly present to what empowers you.
If you don’t let go of your complaints you will live a lifetime of unhappiness, misery and bitterness. You will lose self-esteem, you will lose your ability to trust, you will become untrustworthy, you will lose your ability to connect and you will lose your peace of mind.
You are the generator of who you are and what you have.
Go For It
Don’t live a settled life.
Raise the bar.
Play “full-out.”
Encourage other people to achieve greatness; spend your time always making positive supportive contributions to other people’s lives.
If you don’t play “full-out” you will never find fulfillment.
Focus on the Good
Its Only Seems Impossible Until Its Done
Bringing Peace to the World
Let’s all get together and bring peace to the world.
Aliveness
Don’t kill off aliveness.
They say a good friend will visit you when you are in jail.
A really good friend will help you hide the body.
Be in good humor.
Have a sense of humor.
You are a catalyst for change in the world which surrounds you.
There is a train of love beginning right here.
Jump on.
Gary S. Smolker, gadfly at large
Copyright © 2017 Gary S. Smolker, All Rights Reserved
Gary S. Smolker, Publisher, book reviewer, movie reviewer, social commentator The Gary S. Smolker Idea Exchange Blog www.garysmolker.wordpress.com Gary Smolker, Fashion Blogger Dude's Guide to Women's Shoes www.dudesguidetowomentsshoes.com Instagram @garyspassion
Live the Engaged Life – by Gary Smolker
The goal is to laugh with someone you take serious.
Let’s deal with seriousness of Carly Ray Jepsen’s condition.
See http://www.dudesguidetowomensshoes.com whose mission is to protect the world from bad taste in women’s shoes and in doing so create the opportunity for everyone to live a full happy meaningful life full of joy purpose accomplishment and self esteem.
You will have the pride of having lived an engaged life well lived if you actively show good taste and encourage others to do so also.
Lead by example.
Gary Smolker, Fashion Blogger Dude's Guide to Women's Shoes www.dudesguidetowomensshoes.com Gary S. Smolker, Publisher, book reviewer, movie reviewer, social commentator Gary S. Smolker Idea Exchange Blog www.garysmolker.wordpress.com Instagram @garyspassion Copyright © 2017 by Gary S. Smolker, All Rights Reserved
Psychic Traits – by Gary Smolker
Below are guidelines I use when deciding how much of my time and energy I want to invest in having a relationship with other people.
Stay Away From
- Completely soulless people
- People who are socially disinterested in other people
- People who are not empathetic
- People who don’t understand there is something “there” to understand
- People who have no concept of the pain they cause other people
- People who are in competition with all other life forms on Planet Earth to maximize their own gain unaware of the costs incurred by others
- People who drain you
- People who don’t “get it”
- Insecure people
- People lacking in self-confidence
- People who lack self-esteem
- People who don’t have a high level of self-esteem
- People who don’t think
- Negative people
- People who are full of excuses
- People who don’t take responsibility for their actions
- People who don’t take responsibility for their own lives
- Stay away from people who have the habit of making excuses
Seek and Embrace
- People who are brave, honest, complete self-starters, and who require absolutely no oversight
- People living an engaged life
- People who are generous
- People who pitch in
- People who are action oriented
- People who punch above their weight
- People who have come to terms with the amount of self-inflicted damage incurred by poor performance
- People who have come to terms with the amount of self-inflicted damage incurred by not taking threats seriously
- People who have clearly defined goals
- People who have a drive to succeed
- People who focus their time and effort on what they can do to make a difference
- People who can’t resist the lure of direct involvement: the adrenaline, the single-minded sense of purpose with life-and-death actions
- Creative people
- People who are an acceptable level of “freak”
- People who emote the “right amount of wrong”
- People who are sweet
- People who are tender
- People who have a smile in their voice
- People who have a cheerful temperament
- People who feel like they are fulfilling their life’s mission
- People who “get it”
- People who weaponize data
- People who believe in you, and you want to have with you when you need someone you trust
- People who inspire you
- Positive people
- High energy people
- People who work at an intense tempo
- People who don’t slack off
- People who are “hands-on”
- People who think
- People who have self-confidence
- People who are real
- People who are honest
- People who are sincere
- People who know when to shut up
- Seek to be with people you enjoy being with and who enjoy being with you
Thoughts for the Day
“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.” – Winston Churchill
“Love is a decision you make every day, though matter what.” – GSS
“Care only about facts. Facts are irrefutable. Truth that comes from facts can be difficult to accept. But truths should not be ignored.” – GSS
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci
“A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add but when there is nothing left to take away.” – Antoine De Saint-Exupery
“We are anchored to our principles.” – GSS
Copyright © 2017 by Gary S. Smolker, All Rights Reserved
Arguing with A Woman – by Gary Smolker
Arguing with A Woman Is Like Reading A Software License Agreement.
Agree
Disagree
In The End You Ignore Everything and Click “I Agree.”
Agree
Disagree
The Question is More Important Than the Answer.
Agree
Disagree
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SOCIAL MEDIA POSTINGS by Gary Smolker can be found at http://www.garysmolker.wordpress.com, http://www.dudesguidetowomensshoes.com and on Instagram @garyspassion.
Copyright © 2017 by Gary Smolker, All Rights Reserved
Gary S. Smolker 