by John Philipp
Member since:
August 10, 2006

Thought~Byte No. 3

July 09, 2008 01:09 AM EDT
views: 159 | comments: 103
Thought~Byte No. 3


http://media-files.gather.com/images/d910/d792/d744/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg

Concept and words by John Philipp. Drawings by Phil Frank.
link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 103

John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 1:10am EDT
Note: I am reposting the early Bytes ( which were originally published as images not articles.)

For a while, every Wednesday will be one new Byte and one older Byte until we get them all in article format.
Jan S. Jul 9, 2008, 2:06am EDT
True. Keeping an open mind and being open to change allows growth. Something new might just drop in.
Patty H. Jul 9, 2008, 2:25am EDT
LOL I really like this one. So true.
Tanya P. Jul 9, 2008, 4:01am EDT
What we think, and the perspective we choose, creates what we experience. Usually I prefer to stay out of the dismal rain, but some days I choose to fall back into old habits of unhealthy thinking (as it gives the illusion of being the easiest thing to do) and just wallow in it. It's always a choice.
Member Photog Jul 9, 2008, 4:22am EDT
reminds me of the quote that says "Repeating the same behavior and expecting different results"....(definition of insanity so say some)

good one,my left coast friend ;>

cheers,gayle
Pat M. Jul 9, 2008, 4:25am EDT
A simple truth well told. I guess that only becomes a problem, if what you always got was not what you always wanted.
Sandra (secretary of Lalaland) C. Jul 9, 2008, 5:27am EDT
I like that thought
Karen F. Jul 9, 2008, 5:39am EDT
Sometimes it is better not to think so you get nothing...true enough
Rebecca [Future Teacher] Jul 9, 2008, 6:51am EDT
Very true. If you think negatively bad things will happen, or if your convinced you won't succeed, chances are you won't. Its best to lean towards the positive, but not get your hopes up.
Patricia J. Jul 9, 2008, 6:54am EDT
I try not to think too much, it is easier that way.
Bert Van Essen Jul 9, 2008, 7:13am EDT
I was once asked by a counselor if what I was doing was comfortable. I said, "NO". He asked, "Then why are you doing it?" I never forgot that simple but powerful question.
LaRue B. Jul 9, 2008, 7:21am EDT
I like that one. There are many people who feel that way and then whine because it always happens to them.
Larry M. Jul 9, 2008, 7:24am EDT
For a new thought on your problems please read Invisible Hand. You have never thought about things this way before.
t r. Jul 9, 2008, 7:27am EDT
So true.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 7:59am EDT
Tami, would I say something that wasn't? ;)

(Unless, of course, I had a good reason.)
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:00am EDT
"I ought to frame this and hang it on my wall."

Be my guest, Shannon.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:00am EDT
I believe so, Stanley.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:00am EDT
True AND cute, Jennifer. My day is made :)
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:00am EDT
"Keeping an open mind and being open to change allows growth. Something new might just drop in."

Jan, not only might, will drop in.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:00am EDT
Thanks, Patty.

BTW, it's also OK to like the ones that aren't true.

Sometimes there's even more learning in them.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:00am EDT
As long as it's a conscious choice, Tanya, I agree.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:01am EDT
"Repeating the same behavior and expecting different results"....(definition of insanity so say some)"

Great quote, Gayle.

Thanks.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:01am EDT
"I guess that only becomes a problem, if what you always got was not what you always wanted."

And there's the rub, Pat. It never is.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:01am EDT
Glad you liked it, Sandra.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:01am EDT
Karen, you always get something, whether you think or not.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:01am EDT
Rebecca, that's an interesting slant to this.

It also raises the many facets of "hope" which would be an interesting topic to ponder.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:02am EDT
Patricia, some say the less you think the less trouble you can get into.

But you didn't hear that from me.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:02am EDT
"Then why are you doing it?"

It is a simple and powerful question, Bert.

Thanks for that reminder. It adds another dimension to this Byte.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:02am EDT
LaRue, some psychologists would say that the opportunity to whine is the main reason people behave that way.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:02am EDT
Larry, I will check the Invisible Hand out.
Thanks.
Robert - just a simple man - B. Jul 9, 2008, 8:17am EDT
This is true whether you are a pessimist as pictured or an optimist. Successful people think about succeeding even when they're failing.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:42am EDT
Very true, Robert.

Thanks.
JoAnne D. Jul 9, 2008, 8:46am EDT
When it rains UNDER your umbrella, I guess you need a bigger thought byte.
Kimber L. Jul 9, 2008, 8:58am EDT
This is so true!!!!!!!!!!! I have friends who live this way. They even are known to say "Man, I hate it, when things are going good something always comes along to knock me back down/kick me in the butt/ etc." I try to tell them, as long as you are expecting it to, IT WILL. But if you change your thinking and expect things are going to be good from now on they will be but no one will listen to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris E. Jul 9, 2008, 9:07am EDT
This is very true!
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 9:38am EDT
LOL, JoAnne. Touché.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 9:39am EDT
Rosiland, everything's better than Murphy's Law.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 9:40am EDT
"but no one will listen to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Happens to me a lot, Kimber. I gave it up for Lent (in 1986)
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 9:40am EDT
Excellent example, J R.

Thanks.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 9:40am EDT
Glad it connected with you, Chris.
Lin G. Jul 9, 2008, 11:00am EDT
Great reminder that life is what you make of it!
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 11:16am EDT
Good way to put it, Lin.

Thanks.
Denise E. Jul 9, 2008, 11:39am EDT
:)
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 1:14pm EDT
:) Denise.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 1:16pm EDT
Dan, or doing things differently every time and expecting the same result.
Donna Hammett-Tooker Jul 9, 2008, 1:41pm EDT
Interesting way to explain the self-fulfilling prophecy syndrome, John. Seem I have had umbrellas made by that manufacturer before, too...
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 1:57pm EDT
You're right, Donna. They sell a lot of them.
Haim Kadman Jul 9, 2008, 2:06pm EDT
Glad you do John, they're great.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 4:13pm EDT
Thanks, Haim.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 4:14pm EDT
That's for sure, Arleen.. no usually about it.
Debra B. Jul 9, 2008, 6:11pm EDT
In other words, be careful what you speak for it may come true.

Nothing can be said about this except yep, that's right!
Cat Wolfe Sweeney Jul 9, 2008, 6:32pm EDT
Insanity, I am told, is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. So too our thoughts. It appears to be my continued life struggle, to rein in the negative, whining part of me. lol I am relieved to know how much company I have! Blessings
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 7:38pm EDT
Oh, there's definitely a crowd, Cat.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 7:38pm EDT
Or what you think, Debra.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 7:38pm EDT
Good saying, Adele.
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 7:38pm EDT
Then march to a different drummer, Dawn. :)
K D. Jul 9, 2008, 8:13pm EDT
Good idea, John. Keep everything nice and neat!
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 8:28pm EDT
Thanks, K D. "Nice and Neat" was always my mother's wish for me.
Kimberly Ripley Jul 9, 2008, 8:47pm EDT
Ah, yes......exactly the reason so many people I know need a good sturdy boot in their as$%es!
John Philipp Jul 9, 2008, 10:36pm EDT
Sometimes that will shake them up, Kim. It certainly makes you feel better.
suey v. Jul 9, 2008, 11:51pm EDT
Sometimes it think that is my life.
Sheila Deeth Jul 10, 2008, 12:46am EDT
Ah, how true!
Jerri H. Jul 10, 2008, 12:46am EDT
Absolutely!
John Philipp Jul 10, 2008, 9:00am EDT
Suey, that's because you're standing under your mind's umbrella.
John Philipp Jul 10, 2008, 9:01am EDT
Thanks, Sheila.
John Philipp Jul 10, 2008, 9:01am EDT
Positively, Jerri.
Vivian A. Jul 10, 2008, 11:58am EDT
Thought it looked familiar. Absolutely, we gear actions to meet our expectations which are often based on past performances. Another fine tickle of the noggin.
John Philipp Jul 10, 2008, 12:35pm EDT
I loooove tickling noggins, Vivian.
Marie J. R. Jul 10, 2008, 5:37pm EDT
too cool,,,
John Philipp Jul 10, 2008, 5:45pm EDT
Thanks, Marie.
Lance L. Jul 10, 2008, 5:52pm EDT
Or as Dr Wayne Dwyer Says: when you change your way of thinking, the things you think about will change. Darn PBS fund drives, I learn something whether I want to or not.
John Philipp Jul 10, 2008, 6:35pm EDT
That's so true, Lance.

Thanks.
Angela A. Jul 10, 2008, 10:08pm EDT
So very true John.
Like those negative thinkers out there. Like me..
I always expect the worst and get it..
Then, sometimes...
I just close my eyes and believe that things will get better and they do, somewhat.
Like I was short of funds this month..
And, lo and behold, I got a $125 check in the mail.
I was shocked to say the least.
Postive thinking does have its benefits.
John Philipp Jul 11, 2008, 12:23am EDT
It certainly does, Angela.

Do me a favor, tomorrow wish I'd win the lottery. Thanks.
Granny Janny H. Jul 11, 2008, 5:07pm EDT
I'm shaking up my thoughts today! Thanks, John.
John Philipp Jul 11, 2008, 5:23pm EDT
Hope I was able to help.
Toni V. Jul 12, 2008, 8:33am EDT
This is a great one John. I love all the comments you are getting. The one that my mom (Tanya P) said is what she always instilled in us as we were growing up. It's one of the most valuable things I've learned. She's a good mom.
kat w. Jul 12, 2008, 11:20am EDT
Oh this is a great illustration of the concept of "self fulfilling prophecy". I said once to someone, "Hope for the best, but expect the worst" to which she replied," No-expect the worst and you've erased all hope for anything else."
barbara b. Jul 12, 2008, 11:49am EDT
so true
John Philipp Jul 12, 2008, 12:15pm EDT
You are a lucky man, Toni.

I agree with what you said. I often think there's more wisdom in the comments than in the Byte.
John Philipp Jul 12, 2008, 12:16pm EDT
Well phrased, Kat.

Thanks.
John Philipp Jul 12, 2008, 12:16pm EDT
Thanks, Barbara.
Diana Raabe Jul 12, 2008, 2:50pm EDT
This is great, John. It's so true!
Angela A. Jul 12, 2008, 3:09pm EDT
Okay John I will make that wish.
But, I can't guarantee that it will come true.
John Philipp Jul 12, 2008, 4:05pm EDT
Thanks, Diana.
John Philipp Jul 12, 2008, 4:05pm EDT
Thanks, Angela. I can't wait.
Elsie Duggan Jul 12, 2008, 11:59pm EDT
Yes, I believe that to be true. wonderful drawing with the thought-byte John,
John Philipp Jul 13, 2008, 4:58am EDT
Thanks, Elsie.
Stefania H. Jul 13, 2008, 1:04pm EDT
When it pours, it pours cats and dogs...
John Philipp Jul 13, 2008, 1:11pm EDT
Especially under that umbrella, Stefani.
So simple, yet so hard to figure out when it involves yourself.
As the old saying goes, "The Optimist believes that we live in the best of all possible worlds. The Pessimist fears this is true."
John Philipp Jul 14, 2008, 2:28pm EDT
Hi, Gerald. Don't try to "figure out" Bytes (you could hurt yourself). Just digest them — and chew slowly.

Great quote! Thanks.
Ana M. Jul 15, 2008, 12:07am EDT
I like the thought. I am thinking that it is better to think positive rather than not thinking. It is always hard for me to see the half glass full..........
John Philipp Jul 15, 2008, 12:41pm EDT
Ana, maybe it helps to imagine the glass (situation) as in the process of being filled.
Teri R. Jul 18, 2008, 10:25am EDT
This is one of my favorites. Thank you John.
John Philipp Jul 18, 2008, 10:37am EDT
Mine as well, Teri.

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16961, "Pacino"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.