Comments on: What Do You Really Believe? What Do You Really Want?

By: Jean

Jean — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:47:06 +0000

Bruce,
I understand that you’re in a different stage of life now, and you’re reading different people. My trouble is when I hear the word “guru” I think of the Buddhist phrase: “If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him.” That doesn’t mean actual violence, it means don’t let anyone else be an authority on your life. It’s fine to read and hear what others have to say, but test everything with your own experience. That’s what the Buddha was advocating. And that’s why in this site I try to tell people what works for me and encourage them to share what works for them.

So, that said, what ideas from Chopra, Maxwell, etc. resonate with you and how are you integrating them into your life? I would love to hear about your experiences. Thanks!

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:48:34 +0000

Jean,

I definitely agree with the “pontificating” (there is a very fine line between guru and cult leader…:))

I guess I was just trying to make the observation that we all can learn from someone – but sometimes the teachers change over time.

In my 20s and 30s I learned from Zig Zigler, Brian Tracy, and Lee Iaccoca – now in my 40s I spend more time with Deepak Chopra, John C. Maxwell, Rumi, Tagore, and Whitman.

I don’t usually find them at the front of the bookstore (which is a shame) – but they are valuable teachers as I now focus more on my “inner” success.

Thank you for the dialogue – you really have made this a community!

By: Jean

Jean — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:14:56 +0000

Liara,
Amen to that! That’s what this site is all about: increasing our self-awareness, noticing what’s really going on. And one of the best ways to do that is to share our viewpoints and experiences. Thank you for contributing.

By: Liara Covert

Liara Covert — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:54:48 +0000

Learning to think for ourselves is one of life’s greatest gifts. Raising self-awareness is a tool that helps keep us humble. We realize how little we know and how much we have yet to learn. Its meaningful to share stories and to exchange ideas.

By: Jean

Jean — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:19:41 +0000

Bruce,
I agree blanket statements are usually only part of the story, but I’ve had the same reaction as Jenny to a lot of the more popular self-help material. I’m highly motivated, but I’ve never been interested in the more conventional ideas of success. Which simply means I had to do a bit more thinking to see what works for me.

Even though I’ve led groups and taught classes on all sorts of personal development methods (see About Jean) this site is about sharing rather than pontificating/teaching. We each have to become experts on ourselves, and I believe one of the best gifts we can give one another is to share our insights and experiences. That’s different than setting up some people as experts and others as learners.

Thank you for commenting and sharing.

By: Jean

Jean — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 18:04:17 +0000

Noa,
That’s a great way to end the day. One of my favorite questions is, “What’s the best use of my time right now?” The answer often has nothing to do with being more productive. It’s often your equivalent of a cup of tea.

I love your post Tea, My Liquid Rock.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:02:33 +0000

I don’t know that I’d ever be able to make a “blanket” statement on the motivations of personal development / self-help authors. Just as we need different mentors as we travel through stages of our life, so too we should always filter the information we receive through our current value system.

Success is different for different people – and at least for me – means different things at different stages of life. But I always believe that there are others out there who have insight and experience in achieving the life that I strive for – even if that experience has moved inside rather than outside.

Something tells me Jenny would agree (I think she reads this blog…)

By: Noa Rose

Noa Rose — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:33:34 +0000

Reminding yourself of the successes of the day is a good way to appreciate the present, and check to see if you’re on track with your plan for living fully. I call it the accountability test with this simple question: Did I make today count?

By: Jean

Jean — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:44:20 +0000

Jenny,
Glad you liked it! I love your blog.

By: Jean

Jean — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 03:23:03 +0000

Paul,
One exercise I do from time to time is ask myself in the evening, “How was today a success?” It’s similar to what you’re saying, I think. I’m simply assuming it was successful and looking at it more closely.

About having Maurice as a middle name. A friend of mine in college was named Herschell Snodgrass. He figured if he could survive that as a child he was invincible!

Thanks so much for coming by.