Comments for Tom Leu | Motivational Speaker, Author, Photographer, & Musician

Comment on Call to Action by Sara

Sara — Fri, 20 May 2011 00:11:20 +0000

If nothing changes, nothing changes.

Comment on easy to be hard by Tom Leu

Tom Leu — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:17:49 +0000

“Many of your writings allude to faith, religion, and spirituality… Why?”

Short answer:
These subjects interest me.

Long answer:
Questions surrounding faith, religion, and spirituality are at the core of the human condition in my view. To get inside them is to begin to better understand ourselves and others. Philosophers, scientists, and scholars have been debating these very subjective concepts for millennia. Closer inspection of my “allusions” to them point to their often illusionary foundation. These phenomena drive and greatly affect human psychology, communication, and behavior… all three of which are the central focus of my work and my writings.

Comment on easy to be hard by You Treat Me Like A Dog

You Treat Me Like A Dog — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 03:55:09 +0000

Many of your writings allude to faith, religion, and spirituality.

Why?

Comment on 11 Laws of Leadership by eastlandgrl

eastlandgrl — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 10:31:27 +0000

interesting, thanks

Comment on dream stealers by Adrian Morgan

Adrian Morgan — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 05:29:45 +0000

self-help is an interesting topic and i always want to be able to help myself and fix any problems`::

Comment on change for the bitter by Tom Leu

Tom Leu — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 13:00:43 +0000

The one and only…

Comment on change for the bitter by "You Treat Me Like a Dog"

"You Treat Me Like a Dog" — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 23:37:45 +0000

Machesney Park Mall?

Comment on easy to be hard by mai

mai — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 21:47:22 +0000

hmm, often cynical rarely skeptical and for me standing alone is easy; asking for help…..

Comment on dream stealers by Lucas Watson

Lucas Watson — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 04:35:14 +0000

i love to read self-help books on the internet. they can really improve your life..’*

Comment on willing AND able? by Sara

Sara — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 04:15:38 +0000

“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”
-Epicurus

Thoughts?

Comment on get loaded by Sara

Sara — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:35:10 +0000

That floored me.

Comment on for those who serve… by Sara

Sara — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:58:42 +0000

verklempt.

overcome with emotion

Comment on if it’s broke… by Sara

Sara — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:15:29 +0000

I can relate to what you’re saying about the status quo, just going with the flow. I still struggle with that sometimes. I know that in certain settings, I can say things that will be well-received. And I have to be very careful to not say something just because I know it’s what everyone else wants to hear. I don’t want to say anything that I don’t really believe.
Of course there are those who say that this behavior is good, because if you speak as though you believe, eventually you will. And that’s probably true in a lot of cases. But that just doesn’t work for me. I can’t just do what everyone else is doing, simply because everyone else is doing it. I have to know WHY I’m doing it.
Granted, a lot of them seem to be very happy. And who doesn’t want serenity in their lives. But I can’t help thinking of the old saying “ignorance is bliss.” Like what you said about ignorance of alternatives. If ignorance is the price I have to pay for bliss, I don’t want it.
And I suppose that’s one of the reasons that Judaism has always appealed to me. As my rabbi says, “If you’re not asking questions, you’re not paying attention!” Now I’m not trying to ‘sell’ Judaism to you or anyone else. But as far as why we believe what we believe, Judaism works for me because I’m not going to denounce my questions either. The notion that we shouldn’t ask questions, well… that’s meshuggeneh. (of course that’s just my opinion)
I’ve also encountered those with the “conversion” mindset. And yes, it does sometimes annoy me. But understanding the motivations behind the behavior helps me deal with it. I know that some of the would-be converters have found something that really works for them, something that has made them very happy, and they just want to pass it on. They want others to have what they have, to be as happy as they are. But of course they only know how it worked for them, they don’t know any other way. So they think that their way is the only way. Their intentions are good, and their hearts are in the right place, even if their actions are a little misguided.
And then there’s the other converter type, those who react with vitriol when they encounter someone who does not believe what they do. They see the differences as a threat to their very identity because they’ve allowed what they believe to become who they are. This theory is what helps me tolerate those who make disparaging remarks about Jewish people. I know that it’s really more about them than about me. Some are sicker than others.
So, yes, the situation you’re describing, it sucks. It’s frustrating, and disappointing, and it just sucks. Voltaire once said, “Those who walk on the well-trodden road always throw stones at those who are showing a new road.” It doesn’t seem like much has changed since the 1700s, so I don’t see any reason to think that it’s going to get better anytime soon. I wish I had some words of encouragement but honestly, I got nothin.
The only thing that’s helped me is knowing that at least I’m not the only one dealing with situations like this, I’m not the only one who feels this way. So I’ve always been very grateful for your questioning. I really am sorry that you’ve experienced negativity because of it but it has helped someone else so at least some good has come from it. I appreciate you sharing this.

Comment on if it’s broke… by Larry Watson

Larry Watson — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:52:06 +0000

I do not have any specific religious beliefs only many questions. For example, where does the universe end, how does everything stay in place and on course, what started it all, will it end and if so when? Does science have the answers and if so are they right? It’s all pretty amazing maybe even scary. I guess man has turned to religion in an atempt to explain what can not be understood. Then if you ask the question, why you are told that there is where faith comes in. I don’t buy it. Men have committed some terrible things in defense of their religion, belief, faith. When we stop questioning and just start blindly following, history has proven we are in big trouble. All you questioners out there, keep asking those questions.

Comment on taking inventory by Sara

Sara — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:25:37 +0000

@mai: I’ve always appreciated your insight. I still don’t know how you do it. “You complete me.”

@Larry Watson: I am in agreement also. The grouch may be the dubious luxury of normal people, but for us it is poison.

@Tom: When I first started noticing that I was taking someone else’s inventory, I had to ask myself WHY I was doing it. Much to my chagrin, I discovered that I was really bothered by the people who display qualities that I find negative but that I also possess. The girl who really gets under my skin does so because, well, I used to be that girl. And maybe I still can be sometimes. Or the guy who annoys me to no end, I know I can be just as annoying. So I realized that it wasn’t really them that bothered me, it was those aspects of myself that bothered me. Of course, it’s much easier for me to criticize someone else than it is to examine my own character defects. But that kind of behavior isn’t going to get me anywhere.

I haven’t found a way to keep myself from taking other people’s inventory. (yet?) But I think I have found a way to at least make some good come from it. Every day is another opportunity to practice.

Comment on taking inventory by mai

mai — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:12:58 +0000

I’ve heard the metaphor modern day vampires, I always thought that was a fitting title to those who feed on the short comings or misfortune of others to inflate themselves.

This ‘excercise’ is not an easy feat but it is one that brings profound contentment. When you step back from your emotions and realize they are not you, however powerful they may be, they become objectified. The experience can leave you laughing.

I wrote to someone once that “I am not my opinions, experiences or my education. I am a being far greater than all those things”. I think that fits here.

Comment on taking inventory by Larry Watson

Larry Watson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:31:05 +0000

I totally agree.

Comment on “images” by Sara

Sara — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:25:21 +0000

the willingness and the ability.

Comment on pretty and pink by Sara

Sara — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:14:40 +0000

Awww! This is just ridiculously cute. She’s a Vizsla, no?

Comment on teaching teaches teacher by Sara

Sara — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:50:29 +0000

I’ve also found serendipity in your contributions to the conversation.

I know that’s not exactly what you meant, but you know what I mean. Sharing one’s experience, having the willingness to pass it on, that’s what it’s all about. There is a passage in the Talmud that reads, “Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire.” And doing so delivers the contentment and serenity. Now that’s a win-win that I understand.

Comment on three-sixty-self by Tom Leu

Tom Leu — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:13:13 +0000

Great points all around!

Here’s one more:

Though hardly naive, but arguably idealistic…

[sincerity is marketing too]

just another approach…

I’m sincerely convinced.

Comment on three-sixty-self by Sara

Sara — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:33:01 +0000

@Tom: You could sell ice to the residents of Antarctica. You really could.

@mai: LOL! I always want you on my team. You had me at flaccid lettuce =) And if you keep coming back to this site you’ll get hooked too. I’ll send you links to some of the really good posts. (disclaimer: but of course, they’re ALL good…)

And I’m with you on the marketing thing. It carries with it an inherent absence of honesty and that just seems wrong to me. Sincerity seems like a much better approach. And I know that my view could be seen by others as naïve or idealistic. But that’s OK. Tom recently said to me that there are no right or wrong answers when it comes to this stuff, only different ideas. Everyone teaches everyone else. And I think it’s all a matter of persepctive too. It’s like… remember when we had that conversation about the ‘overachiever’ label, and how the people who call us overachievers are usually the type we’d call slackers? It’s been my experience that those who see me as naïve and idealistic are usually the type that I would see as jaded and cynical. It’s all in how you look at it; it’s all about finding your own path. So if the sincerity approach works for you, then definitely do that.

And we need to get ourselves back to the P soon! I gots to get me some more hottie platterz.

Comment on three-sixty-self by mai

mai — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:28:53 +0000

Also if there is ever a quiz on the material covered in your web sight can I be on Sara’s team =)

Comment on three-sixty-self by mai

mai — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:27:46 +0000

Hahaha, your clever. I won’t deny I am a thinker who places meaning into all things. Marketing has always seemed to be a form/structure we can live without. I prefer to induce responce through sincerity but thats not for everyone or every situation. Some need to be (tricked) into doing whats best but who knows what that is? Thats the dilema with mastery of the marketing skill.

So yes you were succesful and I am smiling and happy so it is win/win after all

Comment on three-sixty-self by Tom Leu

Tom Leu — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:45:57 +0000

This post is primarily about marketing a product or a service. Not necessarily about marketing oneself. Although I suppose it could be argued both ways. Successful marketing isn’t morbid; it’s human nature. Though some could argue that human nature is morbid at times. Some [thinkers] also want to read too far into an argument of this nature making it about what is good and/or bad, or about transcending the explicit meaning and attaching an implicit meaning. And that’s OK. But this piece was simply saying that in order to get a response from someone about anything, the “thing” in question has to induce some sort of emotional feeling or reaction from the recipients. If that’s true, then I apparently was successful in marketing this to you.

Smile and be happy! I am