Over the last few decades a lot of folks have spun their wheels trying to get ahead based on the notion that wishing mixed with a dash of positive thinking will magically bring them success. It’s big business – self-help. Now, don’t get me wrong, it is great to have a positive attitude. There is real power in positive thinking. Self-help books are full of good ideas. Writing things down on paper, for example, is useful for lots of reasons – but, perhaps it would do us some good to tax our minds a little more and wade through some more complex stuff. The suggestions we find in this years top selling self-help books might be easier to read, but, why not chew on something a little more satisfying? Read something that actually makes you think, really think, not just half-way think. There are more really good works out there that are both wonderful and free that it is a shame that more people don’t take advantage of the wisdom that is there for the taking. Even if you don’t want to literally read, you can easily find lots of works for free in audio form. Reading philosophy, I think, is like a natural mood/attitude enhancer. Listen, life is short and there is more stuff written and published on any given day in today’s world than you could read in your lifetime. Be selective in what you feed your brain and soul with. A shortcut, a real shortcut is to find a list of greatest works. Take a bite out of one of those lists. You’ll like it, even if it takes a bit more chewing.
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.
— Gandalf, J.R.R. Tolkien
I’m Alright
Life Less Ordinary
