Let the Biker's draw Muhammad Cartoons in Phoenix , Arizona

PRESS RELEASE

 Contact:
Mike Ghouse, President
America Together Foundation
Dallas, TX | Washington DC
(214) 325-1916
MikeGhouse@aol.com
www.AmericansTogether.org

Let the Bikers draw Muhammad Cartoons in Arizona

Mike Ghouse of America Together Foundation, has released the following statements.

Let this be clear to my fellow Americans, we all have a collective responsibility to communicate and understand different values and learn to respect the otherness of others. ( An appeal to add to Friday Sermons is also made at the bottom).  

Let the Bikers draw cartoons of the Prophet, look to this as an opportunity to follow the practice of the prophet, he was a mercy to mankind and it is time for Muslims to demonstrate that.  What did he do when he was harassed on his way to Taif? He prayed in the tradition of Jesus, "forgive them God, for they know not".  God's will was to show a way to build better societies by mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill and not aggravating it.  Thus he turned the other check as Jesus had and prayed for the well being of all.

This Friday, I urge Muslims around American Mosques to open up their hearts an minds of understanding, instead of sulking, retrieving to a corner, getting angry or harboring ill-will, I ask them to pray for the well being of Biker Americans in their Friday Sermons across the land and hopefully across the globe. Let them make an effort to build a cohesive America where no American has to live in apprehension or fear of the other.  Let’s do our part right and seek God’s help in repairing our relationships.

I request the Islamic Community Center in Phoenix to welcome the guests with abundant supply of bottled water, leave it on the tables outside. If I can make it, I would like to be there and meet with our biker brothers and sisters.  I am one of them in free spirit, and one of you in practicing Prophet’s kindness.  More details at:  www.AmericansTogether.org

The free speech is an enduring value and the hallmark of civilizations, and we simply cannot compromise on it, however much a few may abuse it.  Indeed, Free speech is one strong element that will bind Americans together. 

Criticism can fade away or rain on us depending on how we respond to it. Lack of conviction in one's faith breeds intolerance towards criticism, whereas firmness in faith can lead us to learn from criticism, explore the infinite wisdom and realize the strength of our faith (Imaan); a worthy feeling to have, instead of living in doubt and shooing criticism away.

We need to handle criticism of Quran, Islam and the Prophet with grace, and respond to it gracefully. At least it increases the chances of mitigating the conflict and restoring harmony. The other way around is fighting back, which guarantees further aggravation of the conflict and isolation. Let freedom of speech remain the corner stone of Islam.

I urge fellow Muslims to be open to all the criticism with confidence, let the doors of communications be open.  Islam stands on its own; it does not need our defense, and it is silly to protect God or the Prophet, they are not weaklings or our property to protect, they belong to the whole universe, don't they?

APPEAL FOR FRIDAY SERMONS:

I hope and pray that we will let the world know that Prophet Muhammad was a mercy to mankind, through our acts.   God willing,  over a period of time, we will replace the wrong perceptions accumulated about us in the last 30 years,  and go back to good times of respecting each other. Ask your Imam to pray for the well being, safety and security of every American whether we agree with him or not. Prophet Muhammad was all about mitigating conflicts and nurturing good will, and let's consciously do that, so once again the world can believe that Prophet Muhammad was a mercy to mankind.  

As Muslims we seriously appreciate the gains we have had, that far outweigh the tensions given by a few who know not.
# # #

 References:

• Dealing with Quran burning conflicts, a movie is on the horizon about free speech: http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/04/reestablishing-right-muslim-attitudes.html

• Dealing with someone who cursed Quran – www.QuraanConference.com
• Dealing with Pamela Geller http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2015/05/pamela-geller-and-garland-shooting.html

• Working with Sean Hannity of Fox News http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2014/06/youre-dangerous-sparks-fly-between.html

• Criticism of Islam, Prophet and Quran
  http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/11/criticism-of-islam-prophet-muhammad.htmlThank you
  
  
  
  
  
  mike
  Mike Ghouse, Speaker
  Motivation | Pluralism | Human Rights | Religion.
  (214) 325-1916 text/talk
  ............................................................................................................................... 
  Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism, Islam,India, Israel-Palestine, Politics and other issues of the day. He is a human rights activist, and his book standing up for others will be out soon | He is producing a full feature film " Sacred" to be released on 9/11 and a documentary "Americans together" for a July 4 release.  He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News with Sean Hannity and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com - Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. 

Texas Faith: Are there cracks in America’s Christian foundation?

CRACKS IN CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION | THE GHOUSE DIARY

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2015/05/texas-faith-are-there-cracks-in.html

If those (few) church leaders quit bashing other religions, they will not lose their membership to Islam, Hinduism, Judaism or the “Nones.” The story is same from the other pulpits, if they stop claiming superiority of their religion, they will not lose their membership either. Let there be no prejudice and hate coming out of church pulpits, then things will turn around and we may see people flocking to the places of worship back again.

Mike Ghouse 
The GhouseDiary.com
# # #

Published - Dallas Morning News: May 26, 2015 3:06 pm
Joel Thornton

The latest Pew study on religion wasn’t great news for America’s Christian churches. In the last seven years, the percentage of adults identifying themselves as Christians has dropped from 78.4 percent to 70.6 percent. That might not sound huge, but if it continues falling at that pace, Christians will make up a minority of Americans in a few decades.

On the other hand, faiths such as Judaism, Islam and Hinduism are showing solid growth in our country. But the group making the biggest splash is “Nones” – atheists, agnostics and others who profess no religious affiliation. Many of them are millennials, and their numbers are growing.

Is Christianity becoming less important to Americans?

Are churches not meeting people’s needs? Do people think faith in a higher being is irrelevant in today’s wired society? Is there a feeling that you have to check your brain at the door when you listen to a sermon at church or go to a Bible study?
What do Christian churches have to do lure people back into the pews? And what are Islam, Judaism and Hinduism doing to raise their numbers?

MIKE GHOUSE, President, Foundation for Pluralism and speaker on interfaith matters, Dallas
Fear motivates action, and the majority in every nation, whether it is religious, political, racial or ethnic is constantly worried about their future. The question that haunts them is what will happen to them if minorities will become the majority. Will their lifestyle change, would they be forced to do things against their will?

The answer can be “nothing will go wrong” to “everything can go wrong” and a whole lot of different answers, depending on how we set up the systems.

A good example of assuring ourselves a guaranteed continuation of our values is sticking to our constitution, let our immortal declaration be our guide, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

We cannot go wrong if this is what we inculcate in every one that goes to our schools, we will have safe and sound future knowing, no matter who it is – Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Gays and Lesbians, Pagans or African-Americans, they will stick to the values we all adhere to. South Africa is a shining example of such a change, when the white minority turned over the governance to black majority, nothing went wrong. Thanks to the leadership of Nelson Mandela.

What binds us is our understanding of the freedom of speech; the recent controversies brought out many interviews from the street – almost all Americans stood up for freedom of speech. Likewise, if we can continue to inculcate the values of freedom, we can be rest assured that no matter who becomes the majority, our values, shared values, emanating from the wisdom of our founding fathers will endure.

In behalf of Muslims, I want to assure you this. Let there be no doubt about it, Muslims are for free speech. When we stand up for free speech, we align with most Americans; this is one thread that binds us with fellow Americans more than any other thread.

I urge fellow Muslims to be open to all the criticism with confidence, don’t shut it, and let freedom of speech remain the corner stone of Islam. Islam stands on its own; it does not need our defense, and it is silly to protect God or the Prophet, they are not weaklings or our property to protect, they belong to the whole universe, don’t they?

Christianity remains an important value associated with American values; however, the nonbiblical hate sermons in a few churches, particularly the evangelical ones will drive people away. If you recall the controversy unleashed by Pastor Robert Jeffress of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, when he called the Quran an evil book, a whole lot of the members clapped and rejoiced. That kind of hate will drive many sensitive men and women out of that church. You will find many who have walked away from Hagee’s church, while Joel Osteen gains new members for his inclusive and sensitive biblical sermons.

Not all churches are losing the membership, but those who are, they can go back to the basics and embrace true teachings of Jesus; of love and embracing the whole humanity. Their hate for gays and lesbians, Muslims, African-Americans and subtle hate for Jews and Hindus need to go. Let Jesus be the example, and they cannot lose but gain a whole of membership.

If those few church leaders quit bashing Islam, they will not lose their membership to Islam, Hinduism or Judaism or the “Nones.” The story is same from the other pulpits, if they stop claiming superiority of their religion, they will not lose their membership either. Let there be no prejudice and hate coming out of church pulpits, then things will turn around and we may see people flocking to the places of worship again.

To read the opinion of other ten panelists, please visit Dallas Morning News at  http://dallasmorningviewsblog.dallasnews.com/2015/05/texas-faith-are-there-cracks-in-americas-christian-foundation.html/#more-55642

Thank you

mike
Mike Ghouse, Speaker
Motivational | Pluralism | Human Rights | Religion.
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
............................................................................................................... 
Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism, Islam, India, Israel-Palestine, Politics and other issues of the day. He is a human rights activist, and his book standing up for others will be out soon | He is producing a full feature film " Sacred" to be released on 9/11 and a documentary "Americans together" for a July 4 release.  He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com - Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

Allah or God, Muslims, Music in Islam, jokes and hereafter

to make us beings that can think, think for themselves. Prophet would not have gone to Hira to meditate there for years, at the age of 40, after pondering about life, religion, God, human suffering and the poverty, just as the Buddha did, Muhammad (pbuh) received revelations about oneness of God, and how to bring about harmony among the living, and commonness of humanity despite the differences.

Now coming to your points:

1.       "Do any of you know that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) taught any one though his words, actions and deeds about either poetry or music?" 

Response: Prophet did not teach to be musicians; his role was guide humanity towards living in peace and harmony and to be a good human being. Did he teach Medicine to cure ailments? Did he teach how to build things that will make one’s life easy – like cars and plane? Should we indulge in finding cures and innovate transportation methods? 

2.      "Did Prophet Muhammad (SAW) encourage any of the sahabahs to be jokers!" 

Response: Prophet had a good sense of humor, and humor is a part of life. Indeed he said Islam is a religion of fitra. I don’t know if you know that or not. However, he did not open a comedy club, his mission was to teach how to be a better humans and how to build cohesive societies.  Humor is part of life and we should joke and enjoy the life.

3.      Our short stay in this life is extremely serious

Response: This is the problem – a serious problem among Muslims. It is a major flaw in your understanding of Islam.  God has given this wonderful life to enjoy and not to ignore it, thinking about Akhira without living the God given Hazira is cheating ourselves.     Our inabilities and in-capabilities should not cause us to escape into the Akhira. By God he has given this life to live it to the full, its Amana, we cannot cheat the present for the future. Live a full life my friend.

4.      No where in the Qur'an did Allah (SWT) call Himself ilah or God!

Response: So, you are limiting God, that he does not know any language besides Arabic?  My friends, God is all knowing and all present.  He is closer to us than our jugular veins – meaning he knows us before we can even think about it.  Did you forget that God in 49:13 had said he has created many tribes, nations and communities? Had he wanted he would have made us all factory specified, exactly alike?  He made us different with different thumb prints, DNA, race, religions, nations…  The best ones are not those who call him Allah, but those who respect his creation by any name. 

Let’s not commit the shirk of creating God and Allah; it is one and the same.

Here is my information, in response to yours:

Mike Ghousewww.WorldMuslimCongress.com
www.ShariaLaws.com

www.QuraanConference.com

www.QuraanToday.com www.blasphemylaws.blogspot.com

 

A few profiles: 

1. Google Profile - over 9 Million visits -https://plus.google.com/108969690090944956820/about

2.  CV - http://mikeghouse.net/MikeGhouse-CV-03.12.14.pdf

3.  Old Profile - http://mikeghouse.net/Profile.asp

4.  Muslim Speaker (4 years old) -http://mikeghouse.net/MuslimSpeaker.MikeGhouse.asp

5.  Pluralism Speaker – (4 years old)http://www.mikeghouse.net/InterfaithSpeaker_MikeGhouse.asp

6.  Statistics – A year old http://mikeghouse.net/Discolosure.asp

Thank you

mike
Mike Ghouse, Speaker
Motivation | Pluralism | Human Rights | Religion.
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
...............................................................................................................................
Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism, Islam, India, Israel-Palestine,Politics and other issues of the day. He is a human rights activist, and his book standing up for others will be out soon | He is producing a full feature film " Sacred" to be released on 9/11 and a documentary "Americans together" for a July 4 release.  He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com - Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.

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Dear Imam,

Thanks for the response, I appreciate your integrity.

On my part – I am going to enjoy the Music, tell jokes and listen to them, call God or Allah to mean the same, and focus on my life on earth. I don’t need to rob my time from the present to give it to the Akhira, Akhira is automatically sequences, if I am good to my present, it translates into Good for the Akhira.

Jazak Allah Khair

Mike

Dear  Mike Ghouse:

Wa salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu wa maghfiratuh! I made a mistake with reference to poetry and music! Prophet Muhammad (SAW) did listen to both! As far as my other comments we will have to agree to disagree!
Yours in Al-Islam, 
Akmal M. Muhammad
Imam Akmal M. Muhammad 
Co-founder/Chairman/CEO 
The Islamic Freedom Foundation, Inc. (TIFF) 
2301 Glenallan Ave. STE 105 
Silver Spring, MD 20906  

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In a message dated 5/26/2015 4:32:13 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

Dear Believers:

As salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu wa maghfiratuh! No one knows the intent that is in another's hearth as to why they do or don't do or say or don't say about something. Only Allah (SWT) knows the true intent of one words, actions and deeds, besides the individual himself. However, we can call a spade a spade if we see a spade! To call a person a murderer if we saw them commit murder is our responsibility! So, if a person wants to act like a fool then that is his right and we truly don't know his true intent; but one can say he acts like a fool! 

To say what Allah (SWT) will or will not do is a grave error! "So God will not take him to task if he says something 'thoughtlessly"  None of mankind has that knowledge! According to the comments of the Joker he has given a great deal of thought in what he says and do!

My questions to all: "Is this the example set by Prophet Muhammad (SAW)?" "Do any of you know that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) taught any one though his words, actions and deeds about either poetry or music?"   "Did Prophet Muhammad (SAW) encourage any of the sahabahs to be jokers!" 

If you study history this foolish behavior was the way of the Romans, "Court Jesters or Jokers!" So, Joker are you striving to be pleasing to the West or to Allah (SWT)?

Our short stay in this life is extremely serious and we so-called leaders need to behave in a way consistent with the behavior of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to the best of our ability! Question: "So-call leaders, where are you leading the the believers? If this is the behavior of the leaders no wonder the Muslim Ummah is in such a sad state! 

No where in the Qur'an did Allah (SWT) call Himself ilah or God!  I pray you all stop calling Allah (SWT), God! Ameen!  Allah (SWT) is Most Merciful and Most Forgiving, therefore,correct the error of your ways and seek Allah's (SWT) Mercy and Forgiveness!

Yours in Al-Islam, 
Akmal M. Muhammad
Imam Akmal M. Muhammad 
Co-founder/Chairman/CEO 
The Islamic Freedom Foundation, Inc. (TIFF) 
2301 Glenallan Ave. STE 105 
Silver Spring, MD 20906

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From: yunus mohammed 

Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 12:24 AM
To: Rafiq Lodhia
Subject: Re: FW: "MERA-NAAM-JOKER"

Rafiq Sahab,

My reply command couldn't address all the recipients. Can you circulate this sigh from my heart to all. 

To all, "I think Rafiq Sahab is not astray or disobedient as a Muslim as some may think of him. I think when he sees his serious calls falling on deaf ear, he follows up with something humorous. Those who do not wish to hear from him can simply ask him not to send him any mails or simply delete his incoming mails. But if we start passing judgement on people we speak like God and I understand all the recipients of the chain mail are community leaders, I wonder if it is right for any of you to say about the other:  This is your way of life but perhaps you don't like to trod on it.

Let me quote from the Qur'an lest somebody may put a label on me:

God will not take you to account for any frivolity in your oaths, but He will take you to account for the intention* in your hearts. (Indeed) He is Most Forgiving and Gracious” (2:225).

I do not believe that Rafiq Lodhia Sahab has any bad intentions. So God will not take him to task if he says something 'thoughtlessly"; why should one be so harsh to him. May be I am myself disoriented.

Yunus, 

Iraq and Syria genocide in waiting - what should we do?

SYRIA-IRAQ  WHAT SHOULD WE DO
VIDEO https://www.facebook.com/RudawEnglish/videos/797437973697441/

I feel her anguish and pain.  No human has to live in insecurity and non-stop threats, we the Americas screwed up big time and must own it up.

We have to do the following:

Secure the Christians, Yazidis and others who are being targeted. Muslims are praying for them. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/muslims-to-dedicate-frida_b_5679118.html

Gas the entire ISIS territory or 50 Square Miles area at one time, and knock out the ISIS terrorists for 24 hours, pick them up and put them on trial. Do not kill them, we have chance to uproot terrorism.  

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/president-obama-go-ahead-_b_5765264.html

http://americatogetherfoundation.blogspot.com/2015/05/press-release-muslims-challenge-al.html


Dick Cheney and George Bush need to be put on Trial, if they are not guilty, spare them or ask the nation what we need to do to them for destroying the world.

Mike Ghouse

Reflections on Memorial Day 2015

REFLECTIONS ON MEMORIAL DAY | www.TheGhouseDiary.com
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2015/05/reflections-on-memorial-day-2015.html

Please do not wish a “Happy Memorial Day” on this day; it is not a celebration to be happy about, it is rather an observance to commemorate and ponder. We observe the Memorial Day on the last Monday of May every year; remembering and honoring the men and women who died while protecting and serving our country.

Why does it matter to you? The freedoms that you and I cherish or take it for granted, did not come to us on a platter and was not a given thing either, it was earned for us through the sacrifice of men and women who fought for it. It is particularly important day for all the immigrants who enjoy full civil rights and equal opportunity in America.

I am pleased to share my thoughts, hoping you would find it to be a meaningful day for you. What will I do and what can you do is as follows.

The tradition of Memorial Day observance began after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and confederate soldiers who died in the civil war. Indeed, it was the civil war that abolished slavery which was the stepping stone for passing the Civil rights Act of 1964 and the very cause for the immigrants to make it to America.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and reflection, it is time to pray for those have passed away, whether they are related to us or not and whether they have served in the military, police and fire or not. Please take a few moments to remember all those who have influenced, affected and cared for us, and those who cared for others whether we know them or not. It is not necessarily a noble thing or a religious thing, it is the right thing to do.  Indeed, it is the thing that enriches our souls and brings humility and connects us back with ourselves.

On the Memorial Day in 2010, I drove from Louisville to Dallas, an 840 miles journey and stopped at every cemetery that was visible on the road side. I said a short prayer asking the creator to restore the balance on the earth though forgiveness to those who have sinned and bring completeness to those who left incomplete transactions in life.  I particularly remember stopping at 4 national cemeteries, and there was one near Nashville on I-40 for the veterans, which was off the road, and I drove through a creek to get there and paid my homage to the men and women who died for my country's freedom. It just feels good to be a part of the whole.

What is the point in doing all this? Its a moment to connect with ourselves and know thyself. We are on run every day chasing the next moment, and there is no time for ourselves...we give time to strangers, friends and others, and it is a good idea to give some time to ourselves. 

The best thing you can do for yourselves is it to take 'an hour' away from everything and every one, and reflect on your life. There is nothing more peaceful than knowing yourselves. 

There is a beautiful Islamic supplication that asks God to forgive the ones who are alive and the ones who are dead, and the  parents, family, friends, believers and strangers. It runs something like this, “Dear God, forgive me and my parents and my teachers and all the believing men and women, the living and the dead with your mercy. Amen." Thank God for this inclusive pluralistic prayer seeking goodness for all the living and the dead.

It is time to pause and reflect on life and express gratitude to those who helped shape you. In my case, I will take out some time to reflect about my Mother, Father, Maternal Grand father, Dadski (father figure), my late wife,  one of my two favorite uncles, the relatives I was close with, the teachers who were good to me, and the strangers who were good to me, and friends who have passed away and several others.   

I will pull over on the road side at every cemetery I spot on the memorial day and silently pray for them. Praying for the unknown connects you with the unselfish-self in you, giving a sense of joy that is hard to explain. Try it and see how good you feel about yourselves - visit a cemetery, eventually we all have to go there.

I am writing this every year as a reminder, several of my friends have called and wrote that they also made the trip and it felt good for them.
 
Let's wish (pray). Dear God, we thank you for the life and the freedom you have given us, and we thank all those who have sacrificed their lives to have this freedom to stand freely and pray here today, I salute our men and women in the uniforms for protecting and defending our freedom. Amen.

Oped - http://www.opednews.com/articles/A-Muslim-s-Reflections-on-by-Mike-Ghouse-Memorial-Day_Mike-Ghouse_Motivation_Muslim-Guy-150524-285.html


God bless America.
Mike Ghouse, Speaker
Motivation | Pluralism | Human Rights | Religion.
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
...............................................................................................................................
Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism, Islam, India, Israel-Palestine, Politics and other issues of the day. He is a human rights activist, and his book standing up for others will be out soon | He is producing a full feature film " Sacred" to be released on 9/11 and a documentary "Americans together" for a July 4 release.  He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com - Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. 

Listening is a powerful skill

LISTENING IS POWERFUL | THE GHOUSE DIARY.COM

http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2015/05/listening-is-powerful-skill.html

Remember your recent date, meeting with your business partner or the sale you wrapped up?  Do you recall he/she pouring her heart out and telling all the good, bad and ugly things of life? If you listen to him/her intently with all your heart, mind and soul, you'd become his/her best friend.   
Communication is a two Way Street, once she realizes that you have heard her, and effortlessly let her know what you understood, it bonds you. There is nothing more powerful than listening.

There is not a soul on this earth who would not want to be understood, repeating what you just heard from the other is very effective; you don’t have to agree, but just acknowledge what she/he said, once that acknowledgement takes place, and people will fall head over heels for you, if they feel you really understood them. There are times we wreck that ideal intentionally or accidentally.

I have met a few individuals who are super good listeners...among them General Pervaz Musharraf ranks very high for his listening skills along with (I blame him for what he did to Pakistan, and sequentially to the possible relationship with India) a few other great ones.

Last night I met someone who beat Musharraf in listening test; former Congressman Ron Paul. Hell, he is a damn good listener, even though we met for 5 minutes or less, he listened to me and repeated what he understood – about Libertarianism and Pluralism. 

 I was in a press conference in 2001-2 with Musharraf in Washington Press Club - when he walked out, I was determined to have a minute with him and he gave "7" instead. My Questions were direct, “should something happen to you, do you have a backup plan?”  He told me that he has the plans – that was pure BS. Then I asked him to initiate Cricket Diplomacy - he was right, it was up to the sports clubs and not him. Now during those few minutes, his ambassador Lodhi, interrupted twice - he turned around and told her, I gave this man 7 minutes and if you interrupt, I will add that time back,  she walked away... he listened to everything I said and repeated. That is a quality we all can learn.

Listening binds you with people… it is an aphrodisiac. It is not just listening, but not allowing competing thoughts, acts and talks – those 7 minutes were solid 7 minutes of communications.  Foot ball is played in 3 hours, but net play is only for an hour making every second of that hour count.  

One of the best things I have done in my life was – to sit by Mom in my last few visits,  just sit next to her for three to four hours and listen to her.  OMG, the joy on her face made my life, and I can last through my end times with that energy.  She probably knew that I was sleeping when she was talking to me, however, my brain had figured out to keep oon, ooing as if I was listening…  Does that happen to you? Now I do the same with my sister and it is such a joy to me, I mean really listen to her and not oon oon.

I am constantly making an effort to be a good listener, and trying to see my gross and net time with the individual is the same.  I want to get it all in one shot, instead of going back and figuring out.  Way back I used to take notes, now I don’t. I want to listen and capture all of it, and don’t want my mind to wander.  At times I feel so good for being a good listener, and I wish I could score ‘A’ all the times, but have learned to live with D’s once a while.  If you are monotonic like my mother and Henry Kissinger, I am gone into the world of puffy clouds.

 Give it a shot to be a good listener, you’ll love it.

Mike Ghouse is motivational speaker and a trainer committed to building cohesive work places and societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.  Mike has been on Fox TV with Sean Hannity for over 100 shows, and equally on nationally syndicated radio talk shows. He has authored over 2500 articles and has two books on the horizon, as well as a film and a documentary in the making. His work is listed in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at TheGhouseDiary.com

Home again at New Homes workshop with Mar'Sue Haffner

HOME AGAIN WITH MAR'SUE HAFFNER | THE GHOUSE DIARY.COM
http://theghousediary.blogspot.com/2015/05/home-again-at-new-homes-workshop-with.html

Dallas, May 20-21 - My former boss Mar'Sue Haffner called me up to give a talk on dealing with New Home buyers from different cultural backgrounds.

It was a two day workshop for updating and equipping the new homes sales people and Realtors with the latest in technology, diversity of the consumers and their needs.  The home buying public deserves to have well trained people in the market to help families achieve their dream of home ownership. 

The work shop was conducted by Mar'Sue and Ralph Williams; two of the best sales trainers in the home building industry. I was in the Home building business for nearly 25 years, and it was like being home with this group, and what a joy it was to be a part of their team.  

Beverely Biehl and Von Truong talked about Feng Shui, and Ram Konara talked about Vastu Shastra. They gave amazing presentations and shared their expertise in their field, it was impressive!  You know what? When a black cat runs in front of you, as Beverly pointed out, you become cautious and take the steps to prevent any mishaps. Unlike that superstition, Feng Shui, and Vastu Shastra are real sciences that help you live a better life from enhancing the positive energy from sun, wind, water, trees and other elements of nature in applying to the layout and arrangement of the house. Indeed, all of this training is to help families improve the quality of their lives.

I have always considered Mar'Sue to be one of the top trainers in the home building industry; she has a big hand in the meteoric success of Grand Homes, she kept the organization together. Indeed, she is one of my favorite mentors along with Mike Davis (Drees) and Bob Hafer (Ryland). I also owe my extensive-intensive training to Gemcraft Homes from the early 80's.

Ralph Williams is an incredible trainer - he was quick on his feet and connected with the people, and there is none like him when it comes to interpreting numbers for the detailed oriented organized customers and making it easy for them.

We had a good combination of seasoned professionals as well as the newbies in the business, the exchange of experiences among them was awesome. I am glad to see them express it so well.

Thanks to the sponsors David Reas and Peter Klamkin of Reverse Mortgage and the super Realtor Leonard McManaman of Keller Williams, who made this workshop possible.

My talk was centered on 'personal commitment’, and what it can do for you in whatever you choose to do in life, and what does it take to excel in what you do. I concluded the talk by urging everyone to tie the loose ends of their lives and business as frequently as they can. This includes but not limited to following up with the customers, they deserve to be called back, practicing the critical path of guiding them through the process of home buying, having the information on the finger tips, and finally  sticking to the systems in place on the business side.

 On the personal side, complete the little incomplete transactions with family members, friends and other people including customers you deal with, boldly seek forgiveness for any shortcoming on your part. Tying the loose ends of life is one of the best things you can do for yourselves, it empowers you to have a sense of completion with every transaction of life and every day. Indeed, it releases you from all the negativity that rests with incomplete transactions of life.  Make yourselves a free person, unencumbered by the previous negative transaction to march on to the next with your full heart, mind and the soul.

I shared a few pointers on sales – listening and connecting with people. Not putting them on spot but understanding the permission they have given to go ahead and take the next step. Learning to negotiate and make it easy for the first time home buyers, particularly the Asian buyers, and understand their motivations.  Be just and fair to all, you cannot go wrong with that, you'd sleep well and each one of them will sleep well know that you were just to each one of them, and fair within your limitations.

Special thanks to Brittney Myers for organizing this efficiently, everything went flawlessly. Thanks also the management of Pirch facility, nice!  Of course it was a delight to see a few people, whom I have not seen in a while.

The home buying public deserves to have well trained people in the market to help families achieve the American dream of home ownership.

Mike Ghouse is motivational speaker and a trainer committed to building cohesive work places and societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.  Mike has been on Fox TV with Sean Hannity for over 100 shows, and equally on nationally syndicated radio talk shows. He has authored over 2500 articles and has two books on the horizon, as well as a film and a documentary in the making. His work is listed in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at TheGhouseDiary.com.