The Book of Ten Sayings: 2

The Second Saying in the Book of Ten Sayings 

 2. Know Yourself

 How much misery and discontent and needless expense are created by people who don't know who they are or what they believe. At the basic level of rational survival, everyone needs a moral structure to make decision making easier. Of course, knowing that many or most people have no such moral code, the predators and exploiters are at the elbows of the naive and foolish, who let a stranger or a Hollywood film suggest proper and improper behavior--based on their own desire to shape decisions of their victims. And, of course, the religious cults and the professional predators have a field day harvesting the thoughtless, whose only value is "fun" or "excitement." These folks are always falling back on, "Why not?" because they have not the depth to imagine a negative outcome. "Here, Binkie, have some pills and booze. You'll feel great." "Uh, Okay, I guess, why not?" 

 If you are a young person, say under 30, you probably think that reading is a waste of time, because you can "always catch the movie." Or maybe you do read--the financial paper, the gossip mags, restaurant menus, romance novels--but don't spend a lot of time on them. Read to settle your brains and to develop a foundation of values and ideas on which you can build a life of meaning. In addition to reading, you need to live a life and to analyze your adventures to see what they mean to you and what kind of person you are and what kind you're becoming. Do you like roller coasters or art galleries? Hot chocolate in a ski lodge or umbrella drinks at the beach? Can you stand yourself? People who can't stand their own company are quite unfortunate because they are with themselves 24/7. Seek to gain understanding--of yourself and others. 

Answer some of these questions after giving them some extended thought.

 A. If you could be independently wealthy and not need to work, what would you choose to fill you life? Is there a particular type of career that appeals to you, but now, realistically, it doesn't pay enough to pursue?

 B. If you were put in charge of a charity with $100 million dollars to give away to anyone you chose, how would you divide it out? 

C. What is your view of human nature? Are people basically good or bad? What makes good people good? What makes bad people bad? 

D. What single proverb sums up your life's philosophy? 

E. How does your belief about death affect your belief about life?