The “i”s have it, or Ironing Icicles in Iceland?

Written on January 23, 2012 by Kaarina in Business, Marketing, Motivational and Inspirational

iciclesI’m delighted to let you know that we had our greatest number of submissions for the letter “I”: over 40! Thanks everyone:)

Integrity topped the list, and was submitted by Bill Dorman, Stuart Mills, Claudia Anderson, Katie Gutwein and Jen Olney.

According to the dictionary, Integrity is defined as: “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.”  The Integrity-Based Business, an article in Fast Company, speaks to issues of integrity in Vision, Mission, Functions, Teams and Finances.

Dr. David Gruder, author of The New IQ: How Integrity Intelligence Serves You, Your Relationships and Our World states: “Integrity isn’t a burden – it’s a path to joy. Integrity isn’t a sacrifice – it’s a path to fulfillment.”

When we operate with integrity, in business and in life, we elevate trust, and as they say: People do business with people they know, like and trust.

Adam Toporek suggested Improve, and how can one argue against improvement? Taking a Kaizen approach – the relentless pursuit of a better way – small, manageable chunks of improvement – incremental improvement – can only benefit one’s business.

Ideas, Intelligence and Intuition were all submitted by David Goldstein.

One of my favourite places to find Ideas is TED:Ideas worth spreading.

Intelligence, the capacity to learn, understand and apply learnings has a fairly new cousin based on brain science, Emotional Intelligence, which Daniel Goleman speaks to in this podcast.

Intuition is something that I believe we all possess, but perhaps don’t always listen to or trust. I’m a firm believer in “trust your gut”, and observe the messages that come to you in “feelings” or “senses”. Frank Dickinson wrote a cool post about Intuition for Bloggers here.

Craig McBreen said we should be Industrious, and I couldn’t agree more. And by being Industrious, we strive to be, in Christine Cowley‘s word, Indefatigable.

Harkening back to Intelligence, Mark Harai said, and I quote:

“Intelligence – as in use it. Ignorance – as in learn more. Idiot – as in don’t be one.” No mincing of words there:)

Inspire was suggested by both Erin Feldman and Jen Olney. We inspire someone when we stimulate them to take action, or when we breathe life into a project or initiative. Inspiration can come from so many sources. I’m inspired by the beauty of nature, music, dance and painting. But I’m equally inspired by my own Initiative (thanks Amber-Lee for that one), from reading the success stories of others and from the things I can Imagine (thanks Hajra Khatoon for the Idea of Imagine:)

And of course, I could never give up an opportunity for a Beatles moment, so here’s Imagine. Yes, I’m a dreamer:)

Jayme Soulati stumped me with the word Interwebs. I now know that’s a slang, sarcastic term for the Internet. At least I thought it was, until I plugged the word into google and got bedazzled. So what does it mean Jayme?

Independence came from Mariam Kobras, and I struggled a bit with that word. One dictionary definition: “The state or quality of being independent; freedom from dependence; exemption from reliance on, or control by, others; self-subsistence or maintenance; direction of one’s own affairs without interference. Sufficient means for a comfortable livelihood.” I like the idea of Independence and Interdependence, depending upon the circumstances. (Is that too many dependent words in one sentence?:))))

Howie, in true space daiquiri style, said: “Indeed, I’ll incite Interesting Items Including Ironing Icicles in Iceland” (hence the title of this post:), while also providing Inexperience, Innocence, IPhone, Interloper and Isadora.”

Well, I don’t really know about the ironing of icicles, and I sure don’t want to be an Interloper, so I’m going to pick my favourite word in that mix: Isadora. Check out this grainy but beautiful video of Isadora Duncan. I love her statement: “To dance is to live. What I want is a school of life.”

And aren’t we all students in the school of life?

Whew! That was a mighty powerful list of “I” words. I hope they don’t give you Insomnia (see Jens Berget, I was able to get your word in there too!)

Now bring on the “J”s!

 

 

 

 

 

  • http://twitter.com/skypulsemedia Howie at Sky Pulse Media

    Haha! You rock  Kaarina! And btw my Isadora is a Ballet and Modern Dance Teacher. And one of my relatives was trained by Isadora Duncan and I need to find the information she founded one of the organizations in her honor. 

    So much great stuff who would of thought ‘I’ was such a compelling letter?

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      “I” got lots of action and traction @howieatskypulsemedia:disqus , and I appreciate  your contribution! I’d love to know more about Isadora Duncan, from your perspective. She had a rich, tragic, amazing life. Who’d have thought that a scarf could play such a tragic role?

      Thanks for all the Invitingly Interesting “i”s! Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://markharai.com Mark Harai

    Hi Kaarina – I’ve been missin ya!

    Integrity. Inspire. Initiative. These are powerful “I” words for entrepreneurs!

    It always helps in business to have a bit of intuition too :  )

    Great way to get the brain juices flowing on a Monday morning, thank you miss…

    xxoo : )

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      Been missing you too my friend:) Thanks so much @markharai:disqus for dropping by. I always love to see that smiling face, and am grateful for your friendship and support. Happy Monday! xo Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://hajrakvetches.com Hajra

    Hey Kaarina,

    You are so awesome! :) Thanks for the lovely mention. Integrity seemed like the popular one. surprisingly we live in a world devoid of it somehow! :)

    Emotional intelligence was my thesis topic in masters! Idiot is a word that has many connotations for me. There is a Bollywood movie called “3 Idiots” it is based on the book “The Mistakes of My life” by Chetan Bhagat. The movie talks about how freely we use the word Idiot and how smart some idiots can actually be. Since the movie has been released and is such a huge hit in India and across, the word idiot has evoked many reactions. Also, there is now some pride to be called an idiot :)

    Now for the joy of J – Jabberwock : we are filled with it ;) and joy : because there seems to be an utter lack of it! :)

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      @hajrak:disqus , I’d like to think that Integrity will once again be rock-solid in our world, after all of the upheaval and turbulence of the past little while. And JOY…I’m full of it! (Now now people…please keep this G-rated when I talk about what I’m full of, haha!)

      Do you really think that there’s a lack of joy in this world? For me, joy is a very special word, feeling and action, because my Mission is a simple 3 words: To Spread Joy. That’s what I exist to do, and every day I’m on target to achieve my mission.

      Interesting word “idiot”. I must admit, I thought @markharai:disqus was very brave to use it, because it’s open to so many interpretations. Thanks for sharing the Bollywood movie, and how that’s opened discussion and debate on the word.

      You are down for jabberwok and joy, my friend;) Cheers! Kaarina

      • http://hajrakvetches.com Hajra

        Yes, I do feel there is an utter lack of joy. There is just too much pain around the world. And thanks to people like you who have the motivation to spread joy. Because there can never be too much joy! :)

        • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

          Ooooh, that makes me sad @hajrak:disqus , about your feeling that there’s a lack of joy. But it also inspires me to stay committed to my Mission. I am spreading a little joy your way today:)

          • http://hajrakvetches.com Hajra

            Received! :)

  • http://soulati.com/blog Soulati

    Heh. J is for Jayme. #ThatIsAll

    • http://hajrakvetches.com Hajra

      I like that!

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      Heh. I knew that:) #ThatIsAllTheSequel:)

    • http://www.bizchangerz.com Justin Brackett

      Wait – I thought it was for JustInTheSouth???

      • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

        Oh my goodness @justinthesouth:disqus and @soulati:disqus : it’s the battle of the J-names, haha! Cheers! Kaarina

      • http://soulati.com/blog Soulati

        Bwahahahaha (always wanted to use that); I was here first — nanananabooboo.

    • http://www.thejackb.com/ The JackB

      Jack- ‘C’ comes before y.

      • http://soulati.com/blog Soulati

        Dude? What?

        • http://www.thejackb.com/ The JackB

          you said that you were first but I had to show you that you were wrong. Damn, think my kids are rubbing off on me.

  • http://soulati.com/blog Soulati

    P.S. Interwebs? That internally spideriffic network of hidden channels within the internet weaving life stories in and out with others and your avatar guiding the ship. (That’s my definition; was I close to the bedazzlement you saw?)

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      @soulati:disqus ,nothing can out bedazzle you, my friend:)

  • http://www.factotumep.com/ Erin Feldman

    I love the alliteration! What a great list of “i” words, too.

    The letter “j”? Joy.

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      @ErinFeldman:disqus , you and @hajrak:disqus are makin’ my day with Joy! Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://twitter.com/lorigosselin Lori Gosselin

    Great I’s Kaarina! Your challenge grows as more people contribute letters for this fun series! Okay, my J word is “Jump” as in jump right in and live your best life! 
    Happy Monday!
    Lori

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      You are so right @twitter-82923382:disqus . The challenge increases as more people submit words, but you know I LOVE A CHALLENGE:)

      I like your “jump right in”, and have a fabulous photo in mind for that. You are down for Jump! Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.unlockthedoor.net Stuart Mills

    Very good Kaarina, the words keep on amazing me!

    For ‘J’, how about ‘jigsaw’, ‘jocose’, and ‘jauntily’? :-)

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      Got you down for all three @UnlockTheDoor:disqus :)

  • http://adriennesmith.net/ Adrienne

    Wow, what a list and what great contributions Kaarina.  This has become quite a fun series you’ve put together and boy has it got everyone talking.  Now that’s how it’s done to get your readers interacting.  We can all learn something from you.

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      Thanks so much @d1f6f72fd673fa202677b90f0774c7af:disqus . I’ve been delighted with the interest and participation of people who continue to surprise, delight and challenge me with the words they submit. And now that I watched the video over at your place today, I’ll be ramping up for videos too! Great to see you here, my friend. Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.gaurano.com Jonathan Gaurano

    Hi Kaarina! 

    I recently just stumbled on your blog, and this is such an AWESOME IDEA/Activity! Okay. For J? 

    I like these two words: Justice and Jocular. 

    “No JUSTICE, No peace” is a common chant among protesters. Especially in this climate, I think Justice is a very profound word that creates action against the oppression of today.

    As for jocular? Through all the seriousness and hardships that this society instills on our lives, we have to remember that being ‘playful’ can keep us sane. Humor keeps the soul young and alive.

    Thank for this activity, I love it. (:  

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      @jonathangaurano:disqus , so glad that you stumbled here! Welcome to the blog and our community here. The welcome mat’s always out, so I hope you’ll become a regular:) I’ve got you down for both Justice and Jocular for next week’s alphabet post, so be sure to tune in next Monday for letter J.

      I’m just heading over to your site now, and look forward to what I hope will be continued connection. Welcome, welcome and I hope to welcome you back often:) Thanks for taking the time to comment and participate. Delighted you like the idea. I’ve been thrilled with the response. Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.slymarketing.com Jens P. Berget

    Hi Kaarina,

    No wonder why integrity is at the top of the list, it’s such a powerful word/meaning when it comes to business. But did Bill really submit that one? :)

    Thanks a lot for adding insomnia. I am doing my best to get some sleep, but it’s hard at the moment :)

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      @berget:disqus , I am wishing you Indescribably Idyllic nights of sleep.  And yes: Bill did submit integrity:) Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.thegoodnessgrows.com Mimi Meredith

    Ideal interjection of intellectual ideology to inspirit immediate inspiration!
    Thanks Kaarina, for being all you are and growing great goodness!

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      Wow @MimiMeredithAZ:disqus , that is one powerful mouthful! And what a kind thing to say: thanks! Now how about some “J” words for next week’s alphabet post? Cheers! Kaarina

  • Christine

    Nicely done Kaarina, and thanks for the I-clusion of indefatigable (which I think I am not today!) Keep up the great I-spiration.

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      Thanks @d152f13e6e257544ef311f92d2114da1:disqus : I shall indefatigably endeavour to inspire:) Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.thejackb.com/ The JackB

    inveigle- to win over by wiles

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      I like it you wiley wabbit @TheJackB:disqus , but now I need J words:)

      • http://www.thejackb.com/ The JackB

        Jobbernowl, Jackpudding, Jobbery

        • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

          Sorry I asked, haha!

          • http://twitter.com/adamtoporek Adam Toporek

            jussive. has nothing to do with business, but a favorite J word that nobody uses.  :)

          • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

            Thanks @twitter-223833082:disqus : I love having my mind stretched:) Now where’s that dictionary…

          • http://www.thejackb.com/ The JackB

            jobbery- the conduct of public business for private gain.
            jobbernowl-a blockish or stupid head.

          • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

            Thanks @TheJackB:disqus , but what about Jackpudding?

  • http://twitter.com/bdorman264 Bill Dorman

    Incredible…….that icicle could kill somebody………:).

    Integrity, it’s never the wrong time to do the right thing.

    Great post and certainly some great ‘I’ words provided.

    Looking forward, juvenile would be in my vernacular; imagine that. Justification would be my big boy word……..

    Busy day; sorry I’m late to the party. 

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      Never a need to apologize, my friend. The party’s always open:) And isn’t that icicle cool? (pun intended)

      I have you down for Juvenile and Justification. Hope the busy day was a productive, profitable one. Cheers! Kaarina

  • Anonymous

    Kaarina, I am impressed by your inherent inimitable insight! I am sad that we only have 26 letters in our alphabet. The alphabet posts are so interesting! And I love your photo of your with that ginormous (and deadly looking) icicle! For “J” I’d like to suggest jejune and juxtapose. ;-) . I’m off to play a quick game of jai alai ;-) .
    Thanks for all of the fun you stir up here!
    Claudia

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      Thanks so much @socialmediadds:disqus : people have really gotten on board with this series, and the words submitted really challenge me to think long and hard, and research for each post. And yes…the ginormous icicle would defy “ironing in Iceland”, right @howieatskypulsemedia:disqus ? Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://pioneeroutfitters.com/AlaskaChickBlog/ Amber-Lee Dibble

    AWESOME!!
    I must say, Inspiration and Integrity are my favorites. BUT! I have been thinking about Emotional Intelligence since I first heard of it in an interview on Smart Boy Designs by Christian…I think I’ll save this one for a day I have good bandwidth so I can download the pod cast you mention by Daniel Goleman. (Thanks for that!)

    Justice (I believe in it), juxtapose (because that was one of my son’s words when he was little!), January (because to me it means beginnings), Jabber (that is what I call noise) and joy.

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      @girlygrizzly:disqus , you might want to start on Daniel Goleman’s site, where you’ll find lots of great info on Emotional Intelligence, without having issues with bandwidth. There’s also a book entitled “Emotional Intelligence 2.0″  that includes a code to test your own EQ.

      You’ve added to the already growing list of “J”s, so thanks for that:) Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.craigmcbreen.com/ Craig McBreen

    Hi Kaarina,

    When I saw that photo I thought every comment would mention the icicle. It could do some serious damage :) ;) You’re becoming quite skilled at weaving together all the words in each alphabet post AND being nice and squeezing everyone in!Very busy lately so sorry I’m tardy.When it comes to J words, I think of Jack. Jack-o’-lantern, jack-in-the-box or TheJackB. ;) BUT I don’t mind being considered a Jack of all trades. How about that? And jargon, as in, I’m so green I’m sill learning the jargon used by those wizards on the interwebs.

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      As I said to @twitter-34985693:disqus , early or late to the party, or somewhere in between, everyone is always welcome!

      Yes, that icicle was one of many gargantuan ones hanging over our sunroom. I saved them before they did any damage:)

      Thanks for that list of “J” words @CraigMcBreen:disqus . @TheJackB:disqus is getting some traction, so I see some friendly competition mounting among the names of @soulati:disqus and @justinthesouth:disqus . Hmmmm…I shall plot and scheme how I will weave my (inter)web around that! Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.late-bloomers.net Barbara Klein

    Hi, Kaarina! 

    Thank you so much, for bringing us the alphabet in a new way and endlessly inspiring us!

    My  ”J” words:

    juggernaut (rather not), Mick Jagger (a role model for endless energy?), juice (well, not only the one we like to drink) and jaggery (because I am a foodie and I use it a lot in my Asian recipes, and there can never be enough in our lives).

    Have a joyful day, Barbara

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      Thanks @BarbaraKlein:disqus : a powerful list of “J” words. I have no idea what jaggery is, so you’ve given me something new to research and learn about. Everyone’s input makes me stretch and grow and learn as I work to weave all these fabulous words into a post, with business links and references. Thanks so much! Cheers! Kaarina

      • http://www.late-bloomers.net Barbara Klein

        Hehe, jaggery (a little hint: it is called differently in some Asian countries)! This is exactly what is so exciting about your alphabet: the twists and turns make us grow in all directions (figuratively) with you waving your magic wand – what a sight!

        • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

          Thanks @BarbaraKlein:disqus for the hint: my curiosity is piqued, and I LOVE to learn! Reaching for my magic wand now, haha!

  • http://twitter.com/adamtoporek Adam Toporek

    You could definitely stop someone’s invective with that icicle!

    I liked the “I”s a great list Integrity, Inspire, Improve.  You know, at the end, you are going to have to do a wrap up alphabet post where you pick the best one from each letter!

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      @twitter-223833082:disqus , that’s a great idea! Maybe we can have a vote…cough, party…to pick the best for each letter. You’ve piqued my creative thoughts on how to do this. I like it! An Alphabet Wrap party…with bacon:)

  • http://twitter.com/DeliberateBlog Melody Fletcher

    Hey Kaarina, I’m still loving this series! Ok, J….
    Joy! – What we’re here to experience
    Jokes (clean) – a great way to joy
    Jokes (dirty) – a better way to joy. Ha!
    Jejeje – Spanish for hehehe (seriously, no hoke)
    Jammin’ – A great metaphor for how we should live our lives. Completely absorbed in the rhythm of the moment, making our own contribution to the whole, not following, not leading, just enjoying.
    Jingleballs – Bill knows.

    I could go on but I want to leave some for the other contributors. I’m kind like that. Also, everything I’m coming up with now sounds kind of dirty…

    Ciao bella!

    Melody

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      You are making me LOL @twitter-342207359:disqus . Awesome “J”s that will definitely get included. Thanks! Cheers! Kaarina

  • Erica Allison

    Wow. How do you pull all of this together? Just amazing – and that’s not my J word.
    How about Jump as in jump in – don’t jump before you plan or jump in and see what you can make of it. Two schools of thought and both with merit. Me, I’m surprisingly a jump in and see what you can make of it kind of girl, but I often come across as the other! ;)

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      Glad you jumped right in here @47d58be98d1441a276245024c9457dbf:disqus :) I’ve got you down for Jump, my friend. Cheers! Kaarina

  • http://www.kbkcommunications.com/blog Katie Gutwein

    Wow, it took me quite some time to hop over here!  Yeesh :) .

    Thanks so much for including my “i” word, Kaarina.  I think Integrity is so stinkin’ important in both our professional AND personal lives.  So much so, that I am utterly speechless when I see a lack thereof.  (We’ve cleaned up messes with our clients, as a result of others’ lack of integrity.)  It really makes me sad.

    As for a “fun,” “i” word, I like “iPhone.”  Mine is a constant companion :) .

    And for “j,” how about Jump?

    • http://twitter.com/KDillabough Kaarina Dillabough

      “Jump….go ahead an’ jump”…I’m singing as I write:) Great to see you here @KGutwein:disqus . You know the welcome mat’s always out, so whenever you hop (or jump:) over, it’s all good. And I just love the sound of your sentence, “I think Integrity is so stinkin’ important”. With you on that. Cheers! Kaarina

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