HTTP/1.0 200 OK Accept-Ranges: none Content-Location: http://pauldeblot.nl/2010/01/01/het-leven-als-geschenk/ Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8 Date: Mon, 07 May 2012 22:02:52 GMT X-Frame-Options: ALLOWALL Set-Cookie: PREF=ID=33da72e35f333dca:TM=1336428172:LM=1336428172:S=mROdXYduF5KmnXfS; expires=Wed, 07-May-2014 22:02:52 GMT; path=/; domain=translate.googleusercontent.com X-Content-Type-Options: nosniff Server: HTTP server (unknown) Cache-Control: private X-XSS-Protection: 1; mode=block Expires: Mon, 07 May 2012 22:02:52 GMT Life as a gift - Paul de Blot

Life as a gift


by Paul de Blot January 1, 2010 permalink

In my personal life is all I have planned failed. I owe my success to chance events and especially to your friends. I am not alone, because I've met several successful entrepreneurs who had the same experience. The manuals on management do not talk about. Yet I do not believe in blind chance.

It is about something that befalls me but as an invitation to offer and has something to do. What we call chance is an opportunity that is offered to us to have something to do and answer them. That is far-answer immorality. Respond to the opportunities that our gratuitous, for nothing can be given. I can say Yes or No on.

I constantly faced with choices. In its simplest form it involves the choice to continue or change. That is our highest freedom in a life that is seemingly determined by the circumstances. In the circumstances we can not change any more than we can change other people. We can say yes or no. In a cell where a person is handcuffed, or on a bedside where someone is terminally ill, one is completely powerless. Yet I can freely say yes or no on what befalls me in this situation. This choice has profound implications. This freedom to choose Yes or No to say no one can deprive us.

Our response is mainly determined by our deepest desires, our dreams or our calling, but it can also be controlled by jammers of power, possession, prejudice, public opinion etc. The greatness of man consists in creatively cope with what he or befalls her.

If we think about it we realize that our whole life and everything that goes full befalls us. Our existence is gratuitous. We have it all for free. We have paid for nothing, done nothing, nothing about it. This applies to our whole life by "coincidences" are strung together. We can not change anything though we often think it can. But we can also do everything to change the odds by rejecting or accepting them. That is the paradox of the man who can say Yes or No against the lives and life chances.

Nay Nay is a saying to himself, that makes us rebellious, ungrateful and inhuman. Yes Who says can penetrate to the roots of life and its meaning experienced. That makes for gratitude and humanity. A grateful man feel rich by the constant gifts and hospitality of the area and is willing to share that wealth with others.

The spiritual wealth at his level is a source of happiness, inner peace and security. That I wish the readers of wholeheartedly into the new year 2010.

Sincerely,

Paul de Blot
Professor of Business Spirituality
Nyenrode Business Universiteit
Prof. Paul de Blot SJ
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29 Replies

Respond to this column


  • 7 September 2011

    Life is certainly a gift and especially if you win the league with Harry Vermeegen in the show Life as a Professor.

  • 16 March 2010
    Prof. Dr. Evelijne Swinkels-Braaksma permalink

    Honourable Lord Blot / best Paul

    I've only recently connected to your blog and read why only now this new year column on 'chance'. I once wrote about the following poem:

    coincidence

    everything happens to you
    that everything is to your
    and all those random bits
    sometimes make a little tired

    because everything happens to you
    is sometimes a bit much
    but the great chance
    do you get your part

    each bit is a glimpse of god
    you squeeze your eyes shut
    because all the bits together
    sometimes blinding light

    (: If my piano, I sing, Evelijne Swinkels-Braaksma)

    Meanwhile I enjoyed reading your columns. Thanks for all the inspiring words.

    Evelijne Swinkels-Braaksma

  • January 22, 2010
    Prof. Dr. Rien at the Brew permalink

    Paul Day,

    By Christmas I donated my wife the block calendar: Business Spirituality. She has discovered your blog with the newsletter 'Life as a gift. " Now I am a preacher and tell her that I Kanazondag (17 January 2010) about the "Marriage at Cana" in the Gospel of John ga sermons. This story tells of a wedding. Mary and Jesus and the disciples are invited. But that party is likely to fall into the water, because the wine is. How should it continue, is it still good, in short, how do you cope when you find the wine runs out? "Oh, I have a beautiful thought of Paul de Blot on" Life as a gift "- which I will just mail it," said my wife.

    I loved your letter appealing - really exciting (and sometimes liberating) what you write about yourself on planning and success in your life.

    I also just joined. I want you to know that I have a few quotes from this newsletter have included in my sermon (indicating the origin of these quotes). I have received positive responses from several people after the service, although I do not know whether any of these quotes and specialists have contributed. A reaction had certainly to do with what I quoted from you.

    Thanks Paul! And wonderful to see how things a man just can seizures. So I experienced it all!

    Sincerely, Rien

    29 January 2010

    @ Rien at the Brew Day Rien, I understand your empathy, because I am parish priest and hospital chaplain.

  • January 12, 2010

    Life is a gift. How wonderful to meet people that I recognize myself and who inspire me. Your striking words I want to pass, such as within La Scuola, Academy of Life. To inspire others. And to the "day of life 'on 21 March to announce. Please send us your permission to use your texts to publish.
    Peace and all good,
    Ria Pool Meeuwsen

    Short description
    La Scuola is a young company of two people who believe in ideals. Who find life meaningful, enjoy it and want to share it with others. "In our sanctuary for (philosophical) meaning of life and we provide courses, workshops and meetings inspiration. These are aimed at meeting and reflection from the three basic questions: Who am I, what is for me the good life, how will I live? Imagine your life is a work of art. Who are you, life as an artist? '

  • January 4, 2010
    Prof. Dr. Paul jm Elsen permalink

    Thank you Paul,
    For you a blessed New Year. In particular, for you and me I wish that we may continue to inspire each other!

    See you soon bye.

    Paul Elsen JM

  • January 4, 2010

    Dear Paul,

    What a gift for your consideration of this new year to receive. And what a gift I said yes to you when you came on my path.

    Lots of recognition from my own life where I several times in 25 years with the death of nearby faced. Very intense as you sit in the middle but certainly situations where you have your own choice. You are not your disease you fear or pain. I have always experienced that looking back on all these things have made me increasingly, the experience gave me strength, freedom and wisdom. Slowly I became more myself. Nice also to recognize the strength in others who are open to what is really there and that with attention and love their fellow human beings meet.

    When I was a 21-year-old comatose after 3 weeks in intensive care seriously wounded at the traumatology department of the St. Joseph Hospital in Eindhoven facing allegations came I was in the fortunate position that I could say yes to life. I could not currently run, my jaw was fixed after 13 fractures in my skull, my shattered thigh was full pinnnen my leg was a scaffold to another and here and there, some not previously gediagnositiseerde breaks out. Revalitdatie The doctor gave me 30% residual disability as a prospect along.
    I chose the positive side of the situation: I was still alive, could eat through a straw, I could see who was visiting, enjoying the sweet words and maps, was pleased with the care of staff, had fun with their felt the loving care, I looked forward to each day. Learned my smell again discovered through the soap when washing the clean sheets, flowers and the smell of liquid food and the smells of the visit that kissed me or hugged.
    The hospital stay of 3 months, rehabilitation from wheelchair to crutches to limp lasted 9 months and 5 years and 15 surgeries later, the medical piece as good as I could and ended with a repaired skull and bones again fully prepared to live on their way to new challenges and life lessons.

    Three months ago I had to think back again: a humanitarian trip we were together with Patch Adams in the slum of La Carpio in Costa Rica. A young man (Michael) of 25 years, I met there, driving around in a wheelchair, his legs were paralyzed. After I had driven round in his wheelchair, even juggling, and a few wheelies had made, I asked him how it had come. He began with saying, "You are not your problem". That we had together at heart level in any case address and we looked at each other like we're together a lot longer than these few minutes knew. Michael said he and 8-year-old boy had climbed over a fence to retrieve a ball in play. In addition he is the owner of the site where the ball was shot into his back and thus result in paralysis of his legs. He told more than a year in the hospital to have lain with much pain and that he was also in the 12 years thereafter always continued to oppose everything and everyone. Much anger and aggression. Michael said in that period on the drug and alcohol addiction and crime have become had become. On his 21st year, however, he was with his then girlfriend and a daughter that was for him the moment the situation to turn around. He said yes to life, yes to love. He discovered his artistic talents, made beautiful colorful paintings that clear messages preached. He soon went the young children of La Carpio (shantytown of 20,000 inhabitants) and sign painting business. And thus he came to his strength and is now so full of life of a community development. He serves as an example for many. After our conversation he drove his wheelchair for the audience and gave a lecture about his life on the basis of a number of works he had made. Really very inspiring to meet this young man.

    I feel grateful that through the Creative World vulnerable children around the world may help in their strengths. By letting them play with their talents and creativity along that road to find their passion so they are able to shape their own future.

    It is my wish in 2010 together with people like Michael to inspire others to also make their contribution in order to love the world for us all a little prettier. Concretely, the Creative World in La Carpio 100 young people (15-25) creative coach so that they can offer lasting an offer to 2000 children.

    Paz, Amor, Allegria
    Peace, Love, Joy
    Peace, Love, Fun

  • January 4, 2010

    Dear Paul,

    I think this is a beautiful message from you. Thanks for that!

    Geertjan Aleven

  • January 4, 2010

    Dear Paul,

    Thanks for this clear and beautiful words in your New Year! I wish you also a very spiritual and material good new year.

    I completely agree with you that our life is largely determined by what happens on our way and how we handle this. You can always say yes or no, but unfortunately many people let themselves be led by others without them thinking about their own lives!

    I have seen many things in my life but have always removed the positive, even though this was not always easy.
    I chose a life focused on service to others and this has given me lots of love, friendship and pleasure brought. I worked with my wife still had the good fortune in later life (I am now 50 years old and she 40 years), a beautiful child (a "miracle" dei Flora we call it) to get that now almost 4 years.

    I also chose to help people to work where I get the chance, many people speak about their motives, their motivations and aspirations in life. We talk often about what really matters and what they are really happy. I realize that searching and finding a suitable working environment for people using their motives and talents can develop myself also a great boost and satisfaction.
    Your movie to small business owners about your vision has inspired me tremendously, especially since I recognized many from my own life.

    I wish you many years of good luck and wisdom in this world and look forward to your next post!

    With very best regards,

    Karlo Heijnen
    06-23226301

  • 3 January 2010

    Dear Paul,

    A fine, exciting word
    before the start of the new year!
    Thank you.

    Dirk

  • 3 January 2010

    Dear Paul,

    Thank you for this beautiful words!
    I learned the words that I take, even Essential to life.
    We can say much, much more, but words 'should' and that can be lived if you have the words in your deepest in late! And yours Paul, come to me in real!
    I wish you, your loved ones and all readers:
    "Every heartbeat is a new opportunity!"
    Many heartbeats needed in 2010!

    Love,
    Monique de Waal (Mojogi)

  • 3 January 2010
    Prof. Dr. Marcel court permalink

    totally agree, well spoken, fully say yes to what befalls us is the cosmos recognize as a loving and intelligent beweging.hoop you back to speak, happy and healthy 2010!

  • 3 January 2010

    Dear Mr. de Blot,

    An outstanding, with a core tangent, article.
    Currently I read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_swan_theory and fits in well with your article.

    Also I read http://www.ottoscharmer.com/publications/summaries.php . There is a mindset outlined where the black swan theory throws the towel in the ring. Based on this perspective, I am working on starting a business. If you want to know, tell you like more about it.

    Are you known to Hans Leewens' piece on health care ("From curing to caring and healing)? He argues here for a strong focus on attention to the patient, an inward turn. He considers (rightly mi) health care is an excellent target for the 21st century Renaissance advocated by him to start. One of the consequences of this way of working is significant savings. At your request I send you.

    Also, my focus is in the co-shaping of a spiritual renaissance. See http://r2meshwork.ning.com/

    Serve the same purpose with organizing my wife and I in our neighborhood movie nights, followed by dialogues. See http://sites.google.com/site/weburnparadoxes/movies-can-get-us-started

    Last night a reunion of the group 'Integral leadership in sustainable development' attended. There was to see how new thinking and doerichtingen themselves to warm up in the wings. Mindful of Buckminster Fuller's' if you want a better society, building a parallel to the old, so the old loses its right to exist, the old does not change. "

    To thoughts about anything in your designated theme "what do we do with the things that seizures'

    Yours and your readers in 2010 might inspire half full glass to see.

    Emil Möller

  • 2 January 2010
    Prof. Dr. Emmeken Peeters permalink

    Nice message, all you have been allocated and not to plan (see the birds of the field ....) and you can say yes but the best, accept it.
    For you a happy, healthy and bright 2010!

    Emmeken

  • 2 January 2010

    Dear Mr. De Blot / best Paul

    Thank you for sending your e-mail 'Life as a gift. " There are many wise words in the article where I can use. I would like a few paragraphs and to quote from my blog post. If you take a look there, you understand why.

    But first let me tell you how I have found thee, a fine example of "meaningful" coincidence. Two years ago I became seriously ill as a result of meningitis. The resulting total deafness and partial blindness. I've now fitted with an implant and also the light in my eyes is partially returned. If your senses are turned off so suddenly, you are quite thrown upon yourself. At a stroke I had plenty of time to think about things, about faith, hope, love and other existential questions. Replies I was not ready so fast, but I decided to, once again I could see a keyboard-the source of knowledge on the internet to tap.
    In December 2009 it was so far and I started a blog "The Wise Web 'which I would call readers to share their knowledge on subjects to share their opinion and to achieve more insight and depth to come. An ambitious plan, which stands or falls with the visibility and quality of the blog.
    I started out friends, acquaintances and relationships Goooglen to find out their address and get support. This provided a reference to Nyenrode, in which I came across an article in scepter which was referred to your inaugural lecture as professor. I was so fascinated by the subject Synchronicity that I decided to dedicate an article to which you are quoted extensively .. This New Year's Eve, I have published in our weblog. In disclosing the sources I came to your blog, signed up for the newsletter and added the links to the article. On New Year I received your mail "Life as a gift" sent an unexpectedly rapid response which I am very happy. It is a great addition to the summary that I have promised my readers. Incidentally, I've got two nice anecdotes about coincidence! In summary, this is for me a good example of "meaningful coincidence".

    Hoping for a positive response on your part, I remain with respectful greetings,
    Dr. Frank W. van Exter

  • 2 January 2010
    Prof. Dr. Marlies permalink

    Dear Paul,

    Thank you for your inspiring words and I wish you a very good, but most healthy 2010.

    Sincerely,

    Marlies.

  • 2 January 2010
    Prof. Dr. Sandra Mendes permalink

    "Life does not happen to you, it happens through you"

  • January 1, 2010
    Prof. Dr. Ton Well permalink

    Dear Paul and fellow readers,

    How wonderful to as the new year starting with the sound of your message. In my desire to my loved ones and relationships I
    also written in this spirit: "Fine fest days .... and dare even to do nothing." Precisely in these days open to surprise you lay a good foundation by not all full plan.
    I like to add to my wish for everyone who reads this with a haiku that I traditionally more than 25 years closed, now this year:

    The release makes
    the bed clean for unity
    of body, heart and soul

  • January 1, 2010

    Dear Paul,
    Thank you for another great contribution.
    In 2010 I hope to put the joy of all your fine products to enjoy. As I say "yes". Because even your posts are for nothing to me and always inspire. At a time when many people only know what they do not want, it is our role and task of ever new possibilities to show themselves by the choices we make. That is inspired!
    Sincerely,
    Hessel Frings

  • January 1, 2010
    Prof. Dr. Show van der Linden permalink

    Dear Paul.

    Let me start with you and especially blessed and healthy 2010 to be desired.
    Read with interest your article. While reading, I thought about my life. 83 years which, even in elementary school, my future is largely determined by people I meet heb.Van their advice, good advice and help I have always, in gratitude, used. As the eldest son of a peasant family after I am an agricultural training, fascinated by the physics experiments by the teacher in seventh grade and the support of my mother, I'm the world of physics and mathematics ended. After studying electrical engineering (LTS) I am using the then
    Director (after flush with the LTS and abridged training to high school) work at Philips. Degree through evening classes, I "s who obtained the authority to
    giving lessons in electrical / electronics and physics and mathematics at primary and secondary vocational education. At the age of 40 I received the order a UTS, later MTS
    to establish and further develop. I have also during my directorship at the MTS I have laid the foundation for the restructuring and retraining of workers from local and regional industry to this the gap in technical knowledge and skills, resulting from technical developments, promote and possible to in the industry. It is a training institute created in which several thousands of employees their knowledge refreshed and have expanded their opportunities and making certainties
    as workers were better. Sixty years of age Am I gone back in business
    partly with an advisor and help in setting up the company where my son started. I'm also up for three years been involved in the development of the training people working in the indnustrie (the current SBK). At SBK work now eighty employees. All these activities had been impossible for me as many
    had helped me in this spontaneously. What I've learned is that the greatest reward that a person can get to see that it is worthwhile to use the help of others and, where possible again to apply as an aid for those who turn can use. I hope I succeeded in my time after I retire useful and meaningful to spend.

    Greetings Toon van der Linden

  • January 1, 2010
    Prof. Dr. Lenie Ozga permalink

    You can edit the message so beautiful and simple writing. It is exactly what I would say, if I could put into words the way.
    Thanks,
    Lenie

  • January 1, 2010

    Do not plan but friends! Nice advice, Professor.

    John Lennon wrote: "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans"

  • January 1, 2010
    Prof. Dr. Lot Steenberghe - Blokpoel permalink

    Dear Paul,

    What an inspiring words as on the first day of the new year! Thanks for that and I will from now on then just let it happen and say Yes to.
    For you a surprising and beautiful 2010.

    Lot Steenberghe - Blokpoel

  • January 1, 2010
    Prof. Dr. Nathalie permalink

    Beautiful! Wise words from a wise man. Thank you!

  • January 1, 2010
    Prof. Dr. Els Duivenvoorden permalink

    Very nice to receive and read! Thank you! With cordial greeting ...... Namaste ..... Els Duivenvoorden ....

  • January 1, 2010

    Dear Paul,

    Life as a gift and your gift as a reflection on the first day of a new year. Thank you!

    Making choices I experience true freedom as the highest because I was choosing the reality - my view of reality - from the choice of approach and embrace. Only then can I justify my choice of effects. Only then do I keep balance in my being.

    We have a new year began. A time measurement of what we have behind us. A moment of reflection of past choices and enrichment of the growth to continue.

    An inspiring 2010 to all
    Namaste / Arnold

  • January 1, 2010
    Prof. Dr. Gea Boon permalink

    Mr Paul de Blot, you touched, stirs, touches me. If Grand Finale your recent article, life what befalls us. Thank you, and yes life is ours, it for free, gratuitous as you write. Beautiful. I enjoy your sharing your writing. You accidentally fallen to me? No, you are a gift from a dear friend who has alerted me to you. Thank you for your own.
    I wish you a beautiful, wonderful new year.

  • January 1, 2010

    Dear Professor De Blot / Dear Paul,

    Thank you again for a very inspired newsletter. Reminds me of the words of John Lennon when he said: "Life is what happens to you, while you're busy making other plans".

    Despite this 'toevalig present' yet again but the new year start with good intentions. Because the universe has no definite answer to the full this year 'thoughts' yes', with the dominant intention is to have more fun in all that I' attributable '.

    I wish you the same, good luck and wisdom, few plans and many wonderful surprises!
    Sincerely,
    Manu van Poppel

  • January 1, 2010

    What power assumes if someone (paul) says: In my personal life is all I have planned failed. All boasting is excluded therein. If I am able to say this, it means that I am alone all day but gifts to unpack. Is not that a fun activity in 2010. Thanks for this first gift Paul



"What is your reaction to my column? On behalf of the other readers thanks for the feedback. Responding can also similar. It would do me a favor. Unfortunately I can not answer all comments. Thank you for your interest" - Paul de Blot

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