.....latest newsletter.
Rising to the Occasion
We live in an interesting time and within a very polarized world where the yin and the yang of things is very black and white. Unfortunately, when this black and white trickles down to the folks, it's not so black and white anymore. Indeed, it's often more shades of gray and more and more people get the feeling that it's a "damned if you do and damned if you don't" world that we live in. Why is that? It would be easy to launch into a discussion about political or religious differences at this point, but then that would be looking outward when in my view, we should always first look inward.
Soul searching, as it has been termed, is all about an inner examination of motives, beliefs, and so forth. The very phrase presupposes at least two things. First, we have the ability to evaluate our selves. Second, we are somehow capable of being dishonest with ourselves at a level beneath the surface of what we think of as normal ordinary consciousness.
Dishonest with our selves at an unconscious level is something I think of as "falsophrenic," and falsophrenia really is pandemic today, especially in the United States and other highly developed countries.
Falsophrenic is derived from 1) false in the sense that we are not in touch with our authentic selves and 2) phrenic in the sense that this is purely an issue that arises from how we manage our minds.
Some of the symptoms of falsophrenia would include the holding of two mutually exclusive values or beliefs, and either being unaware of the discrepancy or inventing arguments to justify or rationalize it.
Another symptom can be seen as an escape mechanism: I am feeling so out of balance and lost that I need to immerse myself in distractions such as shopping, TV, drinking and eating. And there are of course, many other symptoms but I think you get the picture.
We live in a mediaocracy today. Governments around the world use the media to manage their message. This is as true in the US as in China, albeit not as pervading or as outright in the censorship.
Nevertheless, the media, whether video news releases (VNRs) aimed at "winning the minds and hearts" of the audience and produced by governmental agencies with the aid of psychological operations, or the local retail commercial designed to teach consumption--consumption after all drives
our economy; it feels good to shop, shopping relieves stress and anxiety, things like fancy cars and clothes define us, etc., and all of this seeks to own your thoughts, desires and ambitions.
With all of these overt attempts to manipulate our psyche, what are aware people to do? Should we throw our hands in the air out of frustration? That would be the easy thing. A Pontius Pilot action--it's
on you--not on me attitude. Should we scream and yell and complain about all of the things that simply aren't right? Should we just lament the confusion and angst, complaining to those who will listen? What should we do?
In my mind there are two things we must all do. The first is of course to pay attention and spend some time everyday thinking about the things we do and why we do them. Are our views and opinions simply following the popular views of the day. After all, it feels better to agree and belong than to disagree and be all alone. Whatever your views and values are, spend some time exploring the opposite view points. Are there any points that you do agree with? Why do 'they' think and feel
the way they do? Is there any value in 'their' ideas? It is only by doing this that you can be certain your ideas truly are your own. Just remember though, everyone has an agenda that they wish to foist upon
you and it is up to you to sort it all out.
The other way to discover who you are is by learning about your worth.
In my mind, the best way to learn about your worth is by helping others. When you go to the aid of another in need, you quickly realize two things. First it feels good. Second, you're important--you make a difference. If just to one other human being--you are important! Think about it--what else makes you feel better or more fully realize the power of one? What is the power of one? I was recently interviewed by radio host Steve Mariboli. Steve and I share an idea that surprised me
when I heard him vocalize it. He simply refers to this as the power of one--one good deed, one kind act, one smile, one caring action, one person changing the world one person at a time.
If we want the world to change, we need to change. We must become what it is that we seek. By example we lead. People are creatures of imitation. Behavior is contagious and that's why the past has seen hysterical illness spread, vigilante actions carry out atrocities, honest hard working people look the other way while someone is brutally raped and/or killed.
I believe in the vast unlimited potential for good that resides within every human being. It may lay dormant for a lifetime but it is never to late to raise it up. The person who at eighty risks everything to save one drowning child, the first good thing they have done in their entire life, nevertheless may have just saved the child that saves the world.
There are lots of true stories about the person that saves someone only for that someone to later save a loved one of the original rescuer.
It's never too late.
I believe that it's never too late because there was a time in my life when I had given up. I know that you too can become valuable to yourself by becoming important to others. There is no form of
self-esteem so powerful as the knowledge that you have made a difference.
I encourage you to make the commitment that from now on you will go out of your way every day to do some charitable thing for someone in need. I also challenge you to be certain to do some special thing, carry out a little extra love if you will, at least once a week for every member of your family. I know that if you will do this, you will find all the wonderful things in life that are there waiting for you and they include a world that improves one person at a time.
Thanks for the read,
Eldon
Stay well, happy and lead by example.
Cris (El Baron)
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