Last week my favorite new information was about Rice Genome from an article in Los Angeles Times. A genome, I learned, is a completely mapped structure of a living organisms DNA. Not only did I learn what a genome is, I also learned about significance of this genome and impact this scientific evidence may have on entire world. Not simply for consumers of rice, for consumers of ALL agricultural products. This fact is amazingly huge.

Until I read article, I did not even know what a genome was!

Merriem Webster teaches us that learning to gain knowledge or understanding of or skill in by study, instruction, or experience.

It is to be facilitated with respect and continued to be cultivated throughout life. To learn is to know. To understand. To be able to integrate lessons and apply them to your life with both effectiveness and efficiency.

Mrs. Parker had words right. We do have abillity to learn something new everyday. The piece she did not understand, she did not know, is that to truly learn everyday requires that we gain knowledge and understanding. It is not just about being a repository of facts.

It is about using those facts to passionately connect with world and people around you.

Passion Activator: For next three days, scan newspaper and pick out an article or two that interest you. Look at article not from a perspective of a collection of facts that are not connected to your life and your work.

Instead, ask yourself to create two or three ways article connects to your life and your work. Ask yourself questions such as: "What solutions does this article point to in my business?" "What are similarities with this story and a particular situation in my life?" and "What is it that called me to select this article above myriad of other articles published today?"

I guarantee you will begin to learn truly learn something new. And use that knowledge. Today and everyday.

Activate Your Passion!

I went back and looked at same picture.

Looking at it through plus, minus and interesting eyes, here is what I saw:

Plus: I have a genuine, caught in moment smile on my face. It captures a moment when family was at a party together. Because rink was dark, spotlight is on me and Sam, not background "stuff". I have crows feet which trace history of 40 years of smiles Even with no makeup, I look ok I have my hands full AND I am calm and happy.

Minus: I have crows feet Sam is not smiling You can not see Emma's body or face, whose leg and skate are a part of photo What is up with my hair? I really need a manicure Sam is scratching his head

Interesting: I have a green glowing necklace like a halo on my head. (Memory of St Patrick's Day) Sam is not smiling I am sliding a skate on bodyless Emma's foot while balancing Sam and catch photographer's eye just as she shoots picture. Emma's skating foot is sock less Sam is wearing a BEST BABY sweatshirt I wonder where Katherine was when this was taken? In darkness, our family unit shines forth

At first glance, I did not like picture. I was too caught up in my perception of what I believed to be an unattractive photo.

Sam and I went back to look again, and my thoughts had been transformed. The picture was still same: my perception had subtly changed. My crows feet were indicative of many years of laughter and smiling. The halo on my head showed how goofy I can be with my children, even in public. My unmanicured hands and no make up face illustrate that once again, having an hour or so of fun with my little ones within context of a wider community is much more significant than whether or not I look glamorous.

At second glance, what a magnificent picture!

Try out de Bono's PMI technique on a question you are sorting through in you life such as "Should I change to this job situation this month?" or "Is this contract for teacher's in our school district adequate" or "Should we switch our family dinner times so all of us can eat together?".

The best way to find power of PMI is to practice it. While at first it may feel clunky, it will soon become a simple way to make decisions. It also will open discussion for people around you to come to collaborative conclusions without inflicting judgement upon one another.

Commit to at least experiment with this powerful technique.

You will think yourself to greater success: at first glance, at second glance, at every glance.

For more information on Edward de Bono, visit his official website:

http://www.edwdebono.com/course/index.htm