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Thank you.
It’s newsletter time again folks. Here’s what waiting for you:
Check it out here: Feb 2012 newsletter
The first newsletter of 2012 is here! In it you’ll find:
Check it out: Jan 2012 Newsletter
You’re going to too many meetings. If Michelangelo did as many as you, he’d never have been a master.
http://predictablesuccess.com/blog/if-picasso-had-your-schedule-wed-never-have-heard-of-him-redux
Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.
–Thomas Jefferson,
How does a renaissance person think? Here’s one psychologist’s thought:
“people who are high in both thinking style are Renaissance people. They have the brains of scientists and the sensibilities of poets. In other words they have the positive features of both thinking styles and do not have their negative features because they are kept under control by the other thinking style.”
For more, check out the whole post-
http://www.creativitypost.com/psychology/how_renaissance_people_think
What kind of side-projects do successful executives work on? Polymath ones of course!
http://www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/292434/pet-projects-of-tech-execs
Victory is mine!
I’ve recently been crowned the champion of my Fantasy Football league. Though it may seem trite, I consider it an accomplishment – especially since I finished dead last just two years ago when I started. Down rain on my small wins!
Help your year was productive, interesting, and fun. In case you missed them the first time around, here are top five post on Rogue Polymath for 2011.
1. What qualities made Steve Jobs a polymath?
http://roguepolymath.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/polymath-profile-steve-jobs/
2. Can you really give 110%?
http://roguepolymath.wordpress.com/2011/03/08/the-secret-to-giving-110/
3. A tribute to a fallen hero
http://roguepolymath.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/my-weekend-a-tribute/
4. Don’t look to politicians to save you
http://roguepolymath.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/politicians-will-not-save-us/
5. Failure is always an option
http://roguepolymath.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/failure-is-always-an-option/
What was your favorite Rogue Polymath post from this year?
How well do you know your Christmas Carols? Prepare to be informed, Rogue Polymath style.
Good King Wenceslas
Origins:
The carol was written by Englishman John Mason Neale in 1853, but its origins are much more complex. The tune comes from a 13th century Finnish tune recorded in a book of school music in 1582. The lyrics seem to be based on a Medieval Czech poem of a legend of King Wenceslas.
Who was this guy Wenceslas?
Technically, he wasn’t a really king (just like Lord Farquad). He was the Duke of Bohemia (present day Czech Republic) during the Tenth century. His real name was Vaclav (Wenceslas is the German version), which doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. However, by all accounts, he was a good guy. He also founded St. Vitus Cathedral.
His brother, Boleslav, was not such a good guy. He arranged for Wenceslas to be murdered on his way to church, thus ensuring himself a permanent spot on the ‘naughty list.’ Wenceslas was vindicated by being declared a martyr on the church and is now the patron saint of the Czech Republic. In your face Boleslav!
Eventually, he was posthumously given the title of King (so that part is kind of true). The story of going out in the snow to help a poor peasant is probably mostly legend as Wenceslas became like a rock star in the years after his death.
What about this Stephen person who was having a feast?
The Stephen referred to here is the first martyr of the church (Acts 6 & 7). His feast day is December 26th, hence the reason for this song being a Christmas carol. The feast of Saint Stephen was part of the Twelve Days of Christmas (you remember the 12 days of Christmas right?). The day after Christmas remains a popular day in the United Kingdom and is celebrated as Boxing Day.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_King_Wenceslas
http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/carols_stories.shtml
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/good_king_wenceslas.htm
