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One of the things I love, mostly due to my other regular online writing job is that I often get sent previews of apps that are not yet released to the public. Sometimes, these are offers to get in on the beta test, sometimes it is a link to download the app to check it out and give my feedback, sometimes, it is just a pitch for an idea for an app.

It is the last of these that I especially love because a great app begins with a great idea. And, while I see a lot of good ideas showing up on my digital doorstep, on very, very rare occasions a great one shows up. Ones that, once seen, I literally burst out laughing with glee and excitement. Though almost always sworn to secrecy, which I always keep, it is these apps that test such resolve the most.

I’ve started to notice a trend with the apps that garner my personal praise. Some traits that they almost always share. These would be:

• Simplicity — They are almost always dead simple apps. They usually only do one or two things, really. Yet, the thing they do is almost always a very useful thing. The interesting thing is that it is often the case that there are many other apps already that do those same one or two things. Which brings me to…

• Ingenuity — What sets these apps apart is that what they do they do not only well but in a way that no one has yet thought of. Then, once you see the way these apps do that thing you know instantly that it is the right way to do it and you wonder why no one else has done it that way before. Because, it is obvious that it is the way it should be done. Then, it occurs to you that the reason no one else has done it is that no one else has had…

• Gumption — The gumption to not only think of the best way — the now obvious way —but the willingness to do the hard work to get it done. Because the right way sometimes takes courage, or time, or is just a plain straight-up hack. But, gumption is what it takes to get the job done.

And when these three traits come together… Ooh boy! You might have a great thing on your hands. And the world needs more great things.

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Noun: A group of people or things having similar characteristics: “all kinds of music”.
Adjective: Having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature: “a kind woman”.

Kind is a word I use a lot. If you have ever sent me a complementary email or have done something nice for me online, I usually will thank you for your kindness. If you say something overly great about me, I may modestly say you are being too kind.

There is a reason I choose this word, specifically. It is because of it’s duality of purpose as both noun and adjective and to encompass both meanings at once.

When a deed is done that is kind, I hope to make such kindness a part of my being as well — to be a person as the same kind of the doer. Its meaning here embodies the word as noun. I also, in the same action, embody the word as an adjective and use it in reply thusly.

Furthermore, from a faith practice perspective, the idea and act of loving-kindness is one that is central to my beliefs.

All of this is to say that I tend to choose the words I use, especially in writing, carefully. If you see me use a word or phrase often, it is likely chosen for its specific meaning.

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“A respected Swiss scientist, Conrad Gessner, might have been the first to raise the alarm about the effects of information overload. In a landmark book, he described how the modern world overwhelmed people with data and that this overabundance was both “confusing and harmful” to the mind. The media now echo his concerns with reports on the unprecedented risks of living in an “always on” digital environment. It’s worth noting that Gessner, for his part, never once used e-mail and was completely ignorant about computers. That’s not because he was a technophobe but because he died in 1565. His warnings referred to the seemingly unmanageable flood of information unleashed by the printing press.” — A history of media technology scares, from the printing press to Facebook. – Slate Magazine

As I read more and more of the discussion around Google Glass (especially: The Google Glass feature no one is talking about — Creative Good ), the more I’m reminded of the anecdote quoted above. Similar discussions were had around the advent of the first telephone, and radio, and television.

As we venture down some of the paths that things like Google Glass may lead, the social nuances and implications that come with this technology will be an oft debated subject.

Yet, is that any different from what we have now? I think not. There is much ongoing discussion of the social implications of the smartphone. We continue to discuss the etiquette of those who never seem to be able to look up from the screen to have a conversation or eat a single meal without snapping a picture of it. Some have even taken it upon themselves to create games designed to enforce appropriate social behavior in their usage.

The only difference we face going forward, if there really is one, is the increasing oneness we will continue to have with technology.

Here’s the thing about meditation, at least by my definition/interpretation. It does not always mean one must sit in lotus position, in front of some incense laden altar to The Buddha, close one’s eyes, and seek the meaning of existence. You can meditate at just about any time or any place. All it takes is the desire to remain silent and try to be fully aware of, and one with, the present moment.

For instance, when was the last time you just sat in a room for five minutes and simply tried to observe it by checking in with all of your senses? For me it was just five minutes ago as I write this.

I laid in bed having just tucked my daughter in to her’s for the night. My wife had gone downstairs to finish cleaning up the kitchen. So, I pulled up my favorite meditation timer on the iPhone, set it for five minutes, put it down on the nightstand, and started. I just laid there. Eyes open. Watching the light and the walls and the wardrobes. Listening to the sounds I heard in the house. Listening to the sounds I could hear outside. I tried to notice each place my body touched the bed and my hands felt my heartbeat as they lay across my chest. I then began to see how many of these things my working brain could realize all at once and not as individual parts as I brought focus on them. Knowing that my subconscious brain did, in fact, process the senses and so much more all at once.

My point being that this was meditation. One could do this in a checkout line or in an office at work. One could decide to take that time and simply be present as opposed to reaching for the closest distraction. The more complicated you believe (or let people tell you) meditation is, the less likely you are to do it. Yet, it is something that can bring true and lasting comfort to your day. Therefore, make it simple.

I’m a writer. Writing is how I make this world better, friendlier, stronger place. If these words improved your day, please let me know by contributing here.

Of course, the flip side to answering the question honestly is being asked an honest question. So many times we ask the question out of common courtesy and knowing that we will likely get a stock response. Not because we really and truly care.

Compassion means not only the courage to care but also the the courage to take action. It takes courage to ask the question honestly and be at the ready for an honest response. Because it means the next move, if the opportunity exists, is doing something to effect change.

All of this is to say that I completely understand why it is hard to both ask the question and give the answer honestly. Yet, I also think we rob ourselves and others of something even more difficult but important — the truth.

Therefore here is your next challenge: When you do ask someone how they are, ask honestly and compassionately and be ready to offer help.

Seems like such a simple question doesn’t it. We likely get asked it at least a dozen times on a busy day in at least as many ways.

"Howya doin’?"

"How’s it going?"

"What’s up?"

Whether we are good or bad or so-so, we usually answer with a curt response. "Good" or something positive is a most common one, even if some of the time a lie or not nearly as close to truth. "O.K." is often used. Yet, very rarely do we say, "Terrible" or something negative. After all, to give someone details might scare them off or, perhaps worst, invite them in. As if we are the only ones in the world to have both good days and bad ones.

So, here is an assignment. The next time you are asked, tell the truth. Give some detail as to why that truth is your truth. Invite them in. Because I believe that, despite what we may think, people really do have the time to care and want to. By answering with our canned response we are robbing them of the opportunity to do so. More importantly, we are robbing ourselves of the possibility that what they have to say in return might change our day around for the better.

So, the sleepless nights continue. Last night, I awake at 2am and could not get back to sleep. Despite being dead tired from so little sleep the previous two nights. There is no way I’m even lucid enough at this point to as trick complete thoughts together, let alone sentences.

Read the first draft of the latest Hugh MacLeod book instead. It is a good continuation of the discussion I started yesterday. Seriously. This book is a real ass kicker and fear buster. You need it.

"The Art Of Not Sucking" | gapingvoid

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tired tonight (as I write this). I’ve not gotten particularly good sleep the past couple of nights and it is really wearing on me now. Not sure I can even form enough complete thoughts to write this but I’ll try to do some broad strokes.

I had a good discussion today with my friend Garrick about discouragement vs. dissatisfaction.

The premise being that we live in a society that, in so many ways, simply wants us to be satisfied. It seeks to actively discourage us from making an impact on it. Those that are like everyone else are accepted. Those that are different are shunned or treated with suspicion. If one fits in and follows the crowd and stays largely unnoticed is promised a life with very little risk. Just be satisfied with the way things are.

There are many people who are happy with such a life. Those whose only ambition is to have a job they can show up at, do the bare minimum, get their paycheck and benefits with automatic inflation-adjusted yearly raises, then retire comfortably in someplace warm. They discourage themselves from sticking out one way or the other. They find satisfaction in their mediocracy. And, society is largely satisfied with them there.

On the other side, there are those that are that are driven by dissatisfaction. Those for whom there is always something better or something more. Those that live to stick out like a sore thumb. Those that are not afraid to challenge the status quo. Often, these people make terrible employees because they are never satisfied with their jobs. They are restless seekers. They are full of ideas plans and schemes. Society likes to romanticize these folks but often brands them reckless and dangerous.

Perhaps I’m biased but I believe the only cure for discouragement is dissatisfaction. That it is a key ingredient, perhaps the key ingredient, to success. That only once one is sufficiently dissatisfied will they be able to make real noticeable change — either in themselves or in society as a whole.

I’m a writer. Writing is how I make this world better, friendlier, stronger place. If these words improved your day, please let me know by contributing here.