I woke up and read a friend's blog post covering several topics, and polished-off with a graphic that I wouldn't want to look at too often because it was kind of creepy. This blogger-buddy said something interesting and a bit provoking.
"If it's hard to kick the self-help habit, then seek other people's advice on how to become a better person, follow it and become one...if only to blog about it when and if it happens."
Thought provoking even if I disagree with the sentiment.
It's my plan to spend the rest of my life trying to be a better person. I'll let you know how it went, if and when I have my death-bed moment. Growth and change is a worthy goal for anybody. Another friend wrote about the power of one voice among many. I agree with that, and there is power in individual good deeds, too. That's a cliche-way to say it, but remember all the random acts of kindness a few years back? How could kindness ever be a bad thing? I'm not talking about stupid kindness, like taking that nice hitch-hiker home for the night, but things like supporting programs for the homeless, writing a lonely person a letter, or just letting a car merge into your lane.
As for "self-help" books...If you don't have a community that can help you move along your self-improvement path then, by all means, seek out the written words to educate and enlighten yourself. Wisdom is hidden all over the place and a lot of it is preserved within text. Words are amazingly powerful. Words can be in lovely old books, new shiny books with silly covers, within blogs, letters, poems, on billboards, and all over your computer screen. This is why we have critical thinking skills. When you read bullshit, say so. Don't be embarrassed because you're a seeker.
"If it's hard to kick the self-help habit, then seek other people's advice on how to become a better person, follow it and become one...if only to blog about it when and if it happens."
Thought provoking even if I disagree with the sentiment.
It's my plan to spend the rest of my life trying to be a better person. I'll let you know how it went, if and when I have my death-bed moment. Growth and change is a worthy goal for anybody. Another friend wrote about the power of one voice among many. I agree with that, and there is power in individual good deeds, too. That's a cliche-way to say it, but remember all the random acts of kindness a few years back? How could kindness ever be a bad thing? I'm not talking about stupid kindness, like taking that nice hitch-hiker home for the night, but things like supporting programs for the homeless, writing a lonely person a letter, or just letting a car merge into your lane.
As for "self-help" books...If you don't have a community that can help you move along your self-improvement path then, by all means, seek out the written words to educate and enlighten yourself. Wisdom is hidden all over the place and a lot of it is preserved within text. Words are amazingly powerful. Words can be in lovely old books, new shiny books with silly covers, within blogs, letters, poems, on billboards, and all over your computer screen. This is why we have critical thinking skills. When you read bullshit, say so. Don't be embarrassed because you're a seeker.
I'm a seeker, too. Wisdom wears many faces. Sometimes our own children or a placemat at Denny's, (or where ever.) They even have books to help you tune up your bullshit meter! Maybe that's what I'll read next... Seek on, friend. AKA Jude
ReplyDeleteStanding up to bullshit, especially when it comes from people you'll have to see again (family, neighbors) is hard. It's not quite as hard with friends because those are relationships you choose, but it's still not easy. Unfortunately, there are usually consequences for speaking your mind. That's not a reason not to do it, though. Life's too short to put up with bullshit.
ReplyDeleteI love the term, "self-helplessness". Too many people pace back and forth within their self-imposed limitations like that circus bear who was caged his entire life and when the cage was removed he continued to pace the same space even without the bars.
I like the photo of the huge moth. Thanks for the inspiration, Beck.