Welcome to the Classy Problems weekly mash-up for Monday, August 26th – Sunday, September 1st, 2024.
Classy Problems is a daily post of thinking in motion by Dan T. Rogers. Each post stands alone as a thought-provoking piece, yet together, they create a puzzle of ideas. They invite you to see things from a different angle, rethink what you thought you knew, and explore what’s beyond your current understanding.
August 26 – The Greatest Gifts Given and The Only One to Give
When facing a survival problem, we have the gift of self-preservation. We can’t overstate the success of survival.
When facing a classy problem, we have the gift of our attention. We can’t overstate the importance of focus.
Attention is placing our focus on something. We are always focused on something. Nothing is something when it comes to attention.
The greatest gift we have to give – the only gift we have to give – is the gift of our attention.
August 27 – Attention and Intention
Attention is the concentration of the mind on a single object or thought.
Intention is the awareness of the mind on a deliberate aim, purpose, or outcome.
What level of awareness do you have on your attention?
If we have no awareness to our attention, we are most likely on someone else’s intention.
August 28 – Focus Paradox
Focus frames what we see and what we don’t.
August 29 – Description and Explanation
A description is the transmission of information. It contains the answers to the questions Who, Where, When, What, and How Many. Being able to accurately describe something is helpful. It provides value to data and provides us with reference.
An explanation is the translation of information. It contains the answers to the question Why. Being able to accurately explain something is helpful. It adds insight to the information in the form of meaning.
It is easy to confuse describing something as explaining something. The confusion can be compounded because the two sides are not aligned around value. Looking for meaning and getting a description can feel cold or uncaring. Looking for a description and getting meaning can feel emotional or miss the mark.
The classy problem is to see that we are confusing a desire for information with the desire for understanding.
August 30 – Quitting and Stopping
Quitting is an unplanned ending – before meeting the requirements for finishing.
Stopping is a planned ending – after meeting the requirements of finishing.
August 31 – Words Matter
Words INFORM us of what we perceive to be true.
Words DEFINE our best articulation of our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Words MATTER. They determine the outcome between clarity and confusion, understanding and frustration, alignment and chaos – with one another and ourselves.
September 1 – Probability and Certainty
Probability is likely to happen – we have to wait AND see.
Certainty is going to happen – we only have to wait.
Probability exists and is useful in the big middle. Certainty only exists in the trivial and profound.
Probability does not equal certainty – why is above our pay grade.
Classy Problems is a daily post of thinking in motion by Dan T. Rogers. Each post stands alone as a thought-provoking piece, yet together, they create a puzzle of ideas. They invite you to see things from a different angle, rethink what you thought you knew, and explore what’s beyond your current understanding.
What is a classy problem? A classy problem is when we’ve been afforded the opportunity to figure out what to do. Time to figure it out. Time to practice. Time to discern. When faced with the time to figure out a classy problem, it is more effective to focus on what NOT to do than trying to figure out what to do. In a word: restraint. JOIN US in exploring the distinction between what to do and what not to do in the pursuit of clarity.
SPIRITUAL GANGSTER: Welcome to the ‘Spiritual Gangster’ wing of The Sober Curator, a haven for those on a sober journey with a twist of spiritual sass. Here, we invite you to plunge headfirst into a world of meditation, astrology, intentionality, philosophy and spiritual reflection – all while keeping your feet (and sobriety) firmly on the ground.
A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
