Success for Everyone

Too often, perhaps instinctively, we think of success as a finite resource like water - in limited supply and once claimed there's less for everyone else. 

While success means different things to different people it isn't a finite resource. Instead of being jealous of other people's successes we ought to be supportive of them as there's nothing stopping us from also achieving success for ourselves.

If you're not competing, and are fortunate enough to live in a country with rights, then the only person stopping you from winning is yourself.

Directed Thoughts

"Once you learn to read, you will be forever free."

-Frederick Douglass

The mind, when left to wonder, usually goes towards what's known to it - our memories. Through this process we either generate new ideas or reminisce. Either can be good (to reminisce about past negativity isn't) yet reading help us learn new things.

"By three methods we may learn wisdom. First, by reflection, which is the noblest, by imitation, which is easiest, and third, by experience, which is the bitterest."

-Confucius

There's some wisdom that we can gain simply by thinking but we're limited. It's no possible, for example, to think ourselves into understanding a new language. We need to be exposed to it in order to learn it.

If your boredom isn't beneficial then consider picking up a book.

Putting the "Humanity" back in...

We've created a society that is making us sick; We work sitting, we eat junk, we isolate ourselves, we're exposed to toxic chemicals... 

To remedy the situation, we're offered various medication.

We don't need medication as much as we need to go back to the drawing board and build a society that better support the human condition instead of attempting to remove or make it sick. Who, for example, determined that it was acceptable to have toxic chemicals in our products? 

I shouldn't be required to read a food label to determined if the food is toxic or not...

We're so keen in removing humans from the equation that companies have replaced many of them with A.I.* even before it was ready for primetime. Efficiency and profit takes precedents over decency and health. 

We've reached a point where we need to ask ourselves what sort of future we want to live in as the one that's being proposed by our current society doesn't seem to want us in it.

*Yes, I understand the irony of using A.I. generated images while making this statement...

Nagging Spouse

"A spouse can be your greatest ally or your most formidable adversary-chose daily which one you'll be."

-Unknown

Having a nagging/adversary/confrontational partner may be forgiven when we're attracted to them but it becomes increasingly difficult to deal with as the attractiveness fades. If a relationship is a boat then both have to row in unison in order to get anywhere.

Does nagging someone ever get anywhere?

Self improvement is one of the most difficult things to do even when we're inspired or encouraged to do so... Do we really believe that anyone can change simply by being angry at them? Change has to come from within and while a spouse can help they certainly can't force anyone, but themselves, to change.

There's nothing wrong with voicing out our concerns but if it's constant then it could be a problem with you.

Clean Mind Clean House

 “Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world.”

-Jordan B. Peterson

Organizing a room isn’t something that comes naturally to me. It’s not until I started reading on a regular basis that I’ve been able to figure out ways to organize my place better.
There's a connection between messy thoughts and messy rooms that I only found through reading: Organized thoughts makes organized houses. 

It starts from the inside out.

Our minds is like a pile of dirty laundry. With time and dedication we're able to understand it for what it is and sort pieces of it out.

When it comes to organizing a house, the same logic applies. We need to be able to analyze a place and set it up in a way that make sense based on the layout and the things we own. It needs to be setup in such a way that when we require an item in the future we know where to look for it. Books should be on the bookshelf, batteries should be in the box, clothes should be in the closet... each item has it's place and they'll be easier to find if grouped with similar items.

How Much Is Working Costing You

One of the great annoyances of careers is that we often have to move to where the work is and work isn't always in areas where we want to live in. In Canada, those living on the East coast would either work for some time, or move, "out West". While there's nothing wrong with Canada's West Coast, those that move are leaving behind family and friends.

Additionally, a career requires expenses such as:

• Training
• Nourishment
• Transportation
• Child care
• ...

Some cost aren't monetary: 

• Mental/Physical Health
• Relationships
• Life
• ...

The cost of employment can be quite high. One has to wonder whether there's a purpose to it other than to fund a retirement? It's been said that if you "love what you do you'll never work a day of your life" but even if you love what you do there's still a cost to it. Is the quote suggesting that love makes the cost worth it?

Time Will Tell

“Your habits will determine your future.” 

-Jack Canfield

In your early 20s you can't really tell who's following good principles and who isn't. We can't tell because we're all starting out at roughly the same spot: We're all young, full of energy fresh out of school and feeling invincible. 

Over time, our habits will define who we are.

Fast forward 10-20 years and you can see more clearly who has and who hasn't followed good finance/health/relationship... principles. If they continue on the same path they'll have similar result for the next 10-20 years as nothing will change unless they do. A quote related to this, often attributed to Albert Einstein, says "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results".

Those that don't live intentionally are more likely to end up somewhere they never wanted to be to begin with. Always set yourself small goals in any important areas of your life and work towards them.

Same Or Better

Almost 20 years ago now, I attended a leadership seminar where the speaker said we should always leave things the same or better than when we arrive. Since then, I've attempted to use the same strategy everywhere I go whether it be in an hotel, a hockey game or work - when I leave things are either the same or better than when I arrive.

Often this simply mean to clean up after yourself. Sometime it's about insuring that the project is in a better state when you left than when you came in. Before I leave somewhere I ask myself how I can leave the place the same or better than when I arrived?

If everybody did this the world would be a better place. I hate seeing piles of garbage after a show or chair not properly stored after an event. If everyone did a small part there wouldn't be a need for people to pick up after ourselves.

Weird Universe

The Universe is weird regardless of its size. If it was smaller, and only included the Sun and the Earth, it would still be weird to us. It's weird because we have a degree of awareness to it - it's weird because being aware, and able to make these observations, is weird.

The Universe is as infinite as our curiosity. Perhaps if the Universe was smaller, we wouldn't be as curious. After all, what else would there be for us to do once we've learned everything that there's to know about our theoretical small Universe?

The frustrating part of this existence is that we only get to live through a tiny fraction of it. We're only aware of this infinite Universe for a 100 years, if we're lucky, which is painfully inadequate for anyone wanting to understand infinity.

Expanding Our View

Years ago, I was working at a software company. I was sitting in the lounge, on one of my breaks, reading a book on Philosophy when the CEO walked in and asked "Why aren't you reading books on software?" to which I replied "Because there's more to life than software...". With a puzzled look on his face, he left.

Recently, I read the "A Thomas Jefferson Education" book by Oliver DeMille and was reminded of that interaction. In his book, Oliver DeMille argues that people today are highly trained but poorly educated which creates situations where people aren't aligned morally. This is partly the reason why morally bankrupt individuals have found support in some areas of the world.

"It is only he who has learned to like himself who can be generous and friendly with other persons." -Les Giblin

In order to live, what I would consider to be, a complete human experience one must be proficient in one area of his life while also be knowledgeable in other areas such as relationships, health, philosophy, politics, finances... To only focus on one area is to miss out on all others and the narrow view creates situations where your beliefs aren't being challenged which opens the doors to being taken advantage of.

Spend time learning about your area of expertise while also looking at other subjects.

Where It's Okay To Scream

My sister won lodge tickets to a hockey game and invited both my dad an I. We had an amazing view of the game and it was one of the best matches I had seen in a while.

While I'm not much of a sports fan, I realized that arenas are a great outlet for stress. Throughout the night, people screamed/cheer/booed at whatever was happening on the ice seemingly forgetting, for a brief moment, the troubles of their lives.

The more I got into the game, the less my troubles seemed to matter. As I was screaming/cheering, I felt a weight getting off of my shoulder.

If there's anger inside of you and you feel like screaming - go support one of your local sports teams (where these behaviours are usually encouraged). Obviously, remain polite as you let it all out.

We're Never Better Than Machines

The fastest man in the world isn’t faster than a car. The strongest man in the world isn’t stronger than a bulldozer. The most intelligent man in the world can’t memorize as much information as a computer. In every situation where man is faced against a machine he comes short. 

When it comes to my job, I think about machines the same way I think about death. The question isn't on whether or not I will die, or be replaced by a machine, but when.
What remains important through this transition is whether or not we will still be free to pursue fulfilling human lives. What we ought to do today is start thinking about a purpose beyond wealth brought forth by labour as it's likely going away.

In the Star Trek universe, humans have evolved beyond the need of money. With their basic needs met, everyone is free to pursue their passions without monetary constraints. After all, what would be the point of an economy where everything is automated? Is this the sort of future that awaits us?

Focused Learning

"Nobody knows what knowledge will prove to be of use, and what is destined to be useless."

-John Stuart Mill

Most don’t learn beyond what is necessary for them to survive and surviving is all that they do.

Some people indulge too much in hobbies. If you can name all Star Wars characters, but can’t pay your bills, then you’ve been learning about the wrong things. Hobbies are only meant to be temporary escapes: They’re not meant to take over someone’s life.

In order to thrive in the Information, dawn of the A.I., Age it is important that we continuously learn about things that will support our lives both at home and professionally.

Learn about your work, how to be a better partner, about how to become a better member of society.