thinking

Osho. The Best Wisdom you will ever read

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How could I forget him? For those who have heard about him, he gets a bad rap. Some call him the sex guru. I heard his retreats are free-sex romps. I don’t know; I have never been. I disagree with his free-sex advice. But what he says is stunning, and he never wrote a book. All of the books are his speeches that people transcribed into books. They couldnt have been written more perfectly. It makes me wonder if his genius was channelled. I have never read words so perfectly put together with great effort, let alone in extemporaneous speech.


The reason he included sex in his retreats was because he believed Westerners had no idea what bliss is, with the only exception being orgasm. His goal was to teach us how to get to bliss. But reading what he said is so profound. He never wrote a book because he believed that if you are following anyone, you are already off the path. As you know, all religions are entirely narcissistic, and the leaders are often fraught with scandals. I am just suggesting that you read some of his extremely profound statements.

The fact that he never wrote a book speaks to the unique honesty in what he was teaching. No other spiritual or religious leader ever said, Don’t follow me, don’t praise me, follow yourself.

A tiny sampling.
“The greatest fear in the world is the opinion of others, and the moment you are unafraid of the crowd, you are no longer a sheep. You become a lion. A great roar arises in your heart, the roar of freedom.”

“Listen to your being. It is continuously giving you hints; it is a still, small voice. It does not shout at you, that is true. And if you are a little silent you will start feeling your way. Be the person you are. Never try to be another, and you will become mature. Maturity is accepting the responsibility of being oneself, whatsoever the cost.”

“Drop the idea of becoming someone, because you are already a masterpiece. You cannot be improved. You have only to come to it, to know it, to realize it.”

“Life begins where fear ends.”

“The moment you start seeing life as non-serious, a playfulness, all the burden on your heart disappears. All the fear of death, of life, of love – everything disappears.”

These quotes reflect Osho’s emphasis on individual freedom, self-awareness, and the exploration of one’s true nature beyond societal conditioning.
He represented a real danger to society and organized religion. I can easily see why he probably was eliminated. He was jailed just long enough for a specific poison to be undetected in his autopsy. Makes sense to me. Everything I read that he said makes sense to.I have to put more here. Each one is magical.


“Truth is not to be found outside. No teacher, no scripture can give it to you. It is inside you and if you wish to attain it, seek your own company. Be with yourself. ”


“The real question is not whether life exists after death. The real question is whether you are alive before death.”


“Be — don’t try to become”


“Life in itself has no meaning. Life is an opportunity to create meaning.”


“The great appeal of drugs in the West is only because the West has succeeded in destroying the right hemisphere completely because of compulsory education.” I agree 100%. Look at all of the geniuses who dropped out.


“Everybody is born creative, but very few people remain creative.”


“To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it.”


“Be realistic: Plan for a miracle”


“Intelligence is dangerous. Intelligence means you will start thinking on your own; you will start looking around on your own. You will not believe in the scriptures; you will believe only in your own experience.” hmm do you think they killed him?


“The less people know, the more stubbornly they know it.” I know a few of those people


“Courage Is a Love Affair with the Unknown”. Exactly


“A certain darkness is needed to see the stars.” even better than it is always darkest before the dawn

Getting Started is Simple Physics

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I can’t tell you how many things I’ve read about getting started on tasks. In fact, I was just reading yet another article that proposed the usual BS: breaking tasks into smaller parts and other hints we’ve all heard so often that if they actually worked, I wouldn’t be reading yet another article on the topic—nor would you. Maybe the solution is a lot simpler and staring us right in the face.

I would bet real money you’ve experienced this phenomenon. It’s a fact, no different than gravity. But let’s not only use it but embrace it on every level. It’s simple physics.

What if it’s truly that simple? It’s true in the universe. Ask yourself: How many times have you said, “I’ll just put this one thing away,” and 15 minutes later, you’ve embarked on cleaning the whole room? How many times have you procrastinated doing your taxes, week after week? Finally said you began downloading some 1099s, and then realized you were all done and just needed to send them to the accountant? How many times have you said you’d just walk one block and found yourself walking a mile? How many times have you said you’d give up sugar, alcohol, or whatever for just one day, and it became a week or even a lifetime habit? “A body in motion tends to stay in motion” 

In fact, that’s what AA is based on. Life is a lot simpler than we make it out to be. By the way, guess what all the books on habits are based on? It’s all the same: do it once or for a few moments, and you’re often off to the races.

But don’t forget another part of the first law: a body at rest will tend to stay at rest. Or closer to how it’s written: Newton’s First Law of Motion states that a body at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. This law is also known as the law of inertia.

So, you have to apply a disproportionate amount of force to get back in motion.

Have you also noticed how many of your 5-minute breaks turned into an hour? Talking to the guys here (I know you’re the gamers)—you took a break after working for an hour or a few hours (probably because you’re working from home), then decided to play one video game, and it turned into three or four? Or what about turning on the TV to catch up on the news, only to hear something designed to trigger you, and you just had to share it with a friend? (Okay, that one applies to all the myriad sexes.)

But don’t take my word for it. I’m merely asking you to look back on your life, even the past few weeks, months, or years, and ask if Newton’s Law applies to you. How many times have you gotten started on something difficult simply because you started—aka got in motion? I think it’s that simple. It applies to cleaning, decluttering, working on difficult things, and even the creative process. I’m pretty sure creatives are told to just start throwing out random ideas, thoughts, or paintings to see what evolves. Let me know with a comment.

PS: My previous idea a few posts ago was to do something for just one minute. That worked for me. My posture is almost perfect—better than it was even going back to my twenties. All I do is, for a moment—not even a minute—apply what the physical therapist taught me: stick your chest out and up a bit to open up your chest and relieve your back. The chest is where we get tight, and that rounds our shoulders. I often look to the right and left, up to 90%. That range of motion has also improved. I often grab the door frame to open up my shoulders, and on and on.

The point is, as in that post, even adding up one minute a day here and there—or, God forbid, a few times every hour (assuming you’re awake 18 hours a day, that’s 54 minutes a day)—I’ve now exceeded the amount of time you work out. And I would bet getting your body in motion all day is probably more beneficial than going to the gym for an hour and being a slug the rest of the day.

Back to the point of this blog—it’s actually a corollary to the one-minute idea. If you want to get something big done that requires sustained action, simply start. Or maybe it doesn’t require sustained action. But be cognizant that all you need is the initial push. Newton’s law is obvious. Does it take more motion to continue watching TV or scrolling on your phone, or does it require a certain amount of push just to get up out of bed or off your chair? It’s almost comical that I’m even posing this question.

Perhaps I need to hook up a pulley with a device to measure how many pounds of force it requires to lift your hopefully not-too-heavy body. So be cognizant of how many pounds of real physical and mental strength it takes to get started. And while you’re at it, how about making a habit of stretching your neck too? Otherwise, X, Z, and the youngest ones are all going to be hunched over, looking like 90-year-olds by the time they’re 40.

Sorry if this is too much information. I still have a functioning brain that brings other good things to mind when I try to convey even the simplest idea. So to recap: just get in motion. Hmm, what would be a good saying for that? Maybe “just do it”? How about “just start doing it”?

I would bet that might catch on. Just start doing it. Just start doing anything. Sure, the new AI, website, or article is going to hit some bumps and require a bit more work, but just start doing it. And if it ends up only being a minute, but you try every hour, that’s 18 minutes a day. And if you weren’t using a stopwatch, I would bet it might turn into an hour.

But one more time: the point of this is just get in motion. Often it’s actually easier to stay in motion.

PS It actually takes energy to stop a body in motion. Chew on that one. What if you became a perpetual motion machine. We have had days like that. We all certainly have had hours like that where we were on what we call “a tear” ripping through and getting an enormous amount of things done.

You chose that

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Probably a bad choice to make my point. Because now you are focusing on so many different things. But maybe accidentally it was the perfect choice. What are you thinking?

Did you choose what you are thinking about? Of course you did. And everything about who you are brought you to making that choice. Are you thinking, “what a slut” or your a guy, “thats hot” or “I would never wear that”. Funny this could be a post I did not intend to create.

Indulge my ADD for a moment. The point I wanted to make in this post was that we choose what we think about just as certainly as we choose what to wear. This probably only applies to women. But women get it. They can pull a red or a blue dress out of their closet as easily as they can pull a positive or a negative thought out of their brain to focus on.

What if your closet is merely a metaphor for you mind? So you can pull out a happy thought or choose a shitty thought out of the closet of your mind.

That was the point I wanted to make but by my choice of photos I landed up opening up this post to a plethora of other thoughts and ideas. So it was probably a bad choice. Because the simple point of choosing what we think is no different then choosing what to wear for the day.

That particular dress probably brings up a whole bunch of thoughts unrelated to simple choice. But maybe its the perfect metaphor for how difficult it is to make a simple choice. Because we have a plethora of memories connected to everything we see and hear all day long that will hijack our brains.

So yes, you get to choose. No its not always simple and straight forward. It often is. And when it isnt you still need to make choices that work for you. I still maintain happy thoughts are a choice as is red or blue dresses. Think about what you want to wear or think today. PS assuming you have all meditated, why not let the negative thought simply pass, as you do when you are meditating and focus on something positive, something you are grateful for, or something that gives you joy.

Getting Started is Simple Physics

| johnas9000

I can’t tell you how many things I’ve read because I, probably like everyone, have trouble getting started on tasks. In fact, I was just reading yet another article that proposed the usual BS: breaking tasks into smaller parts and other hints we’ve all heard so often that if they actually worked, I wouldn’t be reading yet another article on the topic—nor would you. Maybe the solution is a lot simpler and staring us right in the face.

Not only that, but I would bet real money you’ve experienced this phenomenon—or should we call it a fact? It’s a fact, no different than gravity. But let’s not only use it but embrace it on every level. It’s simple physics.

What if it’s truly that simple? It’s true in the universe. Ask yourself: How many times have you said, “I’ll just put this one thing away,” and 15 minutes later, you’ve embarked on cleaning the whole room? How many times have you procrastinated doing your taxes, week after week, in February after you get your W-2? In March, you finally said you’d begin downloading some 1099s, and then realized you were all done and just needed to send them to the accountant? How many times have you said you’d just walk one block and found yourself walking a mile? How many times have you said you’d give up sugar, alcohol, or whatever for just one day, and it became a lifetime habit? ““A body in motion tends to stay in motion” 

In fact, that’s what AA is based on. Life is a lot simpler than we make it out to be. By the way, guess what all the books on habits are based on? It’s all the same: do it once or for a few moments, and you’re often off to the races.

But don’t forget another part of the first law: a body at rest will tend to stay at rest. Or closer to how it’s written: Newton’s First Law of Motion states that a body at rest will remain at rest unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. This law is also known as the law of inertia.

So, you have to apply a disproportionate amount of force to get back in motion.

Have you also noticed how many of your 5-minute breaks turned into an hour? Talking to the guys here (I know you’re the gamers)—you took a break after working for an hour or a few hours (probably because you’re working from home), then decided to play one video game, and it turned into three or four? Or what about turning on the TV to catch up on the news, only to hear something designed to trigger you, and you just had to share it with a friend? (Okay, that one applies to all the myriad sexes.)

But don’t take my word for it. I’m merely asking you to look back on your life, even the past few weeks, months, or years, and ask if Newton’s Law applies to you. How many times have you gotten started on something difficult simply because you started—aka got in motion? I think it’s that simple. It applies to cleaning, decluttering, working on difficult things, and even the creative process. I’m pretty sure creatives are told to just start throwing out random ideas, thoughts, or paintings to see what evolves. Let me know with a comment.

PS: My previous idea a few posts ago was to do something for just one minute. That worked for me. My posture is almost perfect—better than it was even going back to my twenties. All I do is, for a moment—not even a minute—apply what the physical therapist taught me: stick your chest out and up a bit to open up your chest and relieve your back. The chest is where we get tight, and that rounds our shoulders. I often look to the right and left, up to 90%. That range of motion has also improved. I often grab the door frame to open up my shoulders, and on and on.

The point is, as in that post, even adding up one minute a day here and there—or, God forbid, a few times every hour (assuming you’re awake 18 hours a day, that’s 54 minutes a day)—I’ve now exceeded the amount of time you work out. And I would bet getting your body in motion all day is probably more beneficial than going to the gym for an hour and being a slug the rest of the day.

Back to the point of this blog—it’s actually a corollary to the one-minute idea. If you want to get something big done that requires sustained action, simply start. Or maybe it doesn’t require sustained action. But be cognizant that all you need is the initial push. Newton’s law is obvious. Does it take more motion to continue watching TV or scrolling on your phone, or does it require a certain amount of push just to get up out of bed or off your chair? It’s almost comical that I’m even posing this question.

Perhaps I need to hook up a pulley with a device to measure how many pounds of force it requires to lift your hopefully not-too-heavy body. So be cognizant of how many pounds of real physical and mental strength it takes to get started. And while you’re at it, how about making a habit of stretching your neck too? Otherwise, X, Z, and the youngest ones are all going to be hunched over, looking like 90-year-olds by the time they’re 40.

Sorry if this is too much information. I still have a functioning brain that brings other good things to mind when I try to convey even the simplest idea. So to recap: just get in motion. Hmm, what would be a good saying for that? Maybe “just do it”? How about “just start doing it”?

I would bet that might catch on. Just start doing it. Just start doing anything. Sure, the new AI, website, or article is going to hit some bumps and require a bit more work, but just start doing it. And if it ends up only being a minute, but you try every hour, that’s 18 minutes a day. And if you weren’t using a stopwatch, I would bet it might turn into an hour.

But one more time: the point of this is just get in motion. Often it’s actually easier to stay in motion.

PS It actually takes energy to stop a body in motion. Chew on that one. What if you became a perpetual motion machine. We have had days like that. We all certainly have had hours like that where we were on what we call “a tear” ripping through and getting an enormous amount of things done.

What is a Vacation? You Can Do It Right Here, Right Now

| johnas9000

One of the biggest aspects or renewal factors of a vacation is that you are someplace different. Consider this: we all have 70,000 thoughts a day and 80% of them are the same as yesterday. We wake up in the same bed. We use the same coffee maker and make our coffee the exact same way. We have other countless routines. But these routines bring up routine thoughts. You pick up your phone, call the same friend or relative that you know might be up early. That person might suck you into a political conversation, or whatever. Are you starting to get the picture?

The Renewal Aspect of a Vacation

The renewal aspect of a vacation is not that you are in Paris or the Bahamas; it’s that you are someplace else, stimulating different thoughts. I remember one day when I was living on 59th and 1st in NYC. I walked out of my building and challenged myself to simply walk two blocks and notice things I never saw before. I remember it like it was yesterday, even though it might have been 30 years ago. I might as well have been walking down the Champs Elysee.

I looked up at buildings I had walked past for 20 years. I noticed they were all four- to five-story walk-ups with interesting cornices at the top. I never even noticed how many stores and restaurants were in that one block, as I usually went straight to the Chinese or sushi place. There were actually a few other nooks and crannies I had never seen before. I was so lost in the thought of noticing things I had never seen before, it was literally like a vacation. Normally, I would purposely walk down that street for 20 years, seeing nothing and planning or worrying about my day. It’s that simple. Think differently.

Ways to Take a Vacation Right Now

  • Meditate: Meditation can help clear your mind and bring fresh perspectives.
  • Reconnect: Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in years.
  • Play a Sport: Engage in a sport you haven’t played in years.
  • Take a Class: Enroll in a class on something of interest to you.
  • Learn a Language: Even try the first free module.
  • Get Involved: Engage in someone else’s life outside of your small circle.
  • Listen to Something New: Discover new music or podcasts.
  • Walk a Different Path: Walk down a street you’ve never walked down before.
  • Rediscover Your Routine: Walk down the same street but challenge yourself to see things you never saw before. Look only at the rooftops (PS: don’t trip).

The Uncomfortable but Renewing Experience

Creating the renewal of a vacation can be as simple as changing your routine. It might be uncomfortable, but that is the renewal aspect of a vacation. When you’re in Paris, you don’t know where you’re going to get a coffee, how to order it, how much it will cost, or what it will taste like. Your mind is 100% occupied with new and different things, and for most of us, that is a “break” or a vacation from the boredom and the unpleasant aspects of our daily routine.

Conclusion

You don’t need to travel far to experience the renewal of a vacation. By simply changing your routine and thinking differently, you can stimulate new thoughts and experiences that refresh your mind and spirit. So take a trip down a different path, engage in new activities, and see the world around you with fresh eyes. Your vacation can start right here, right now.

You Can Only See Clearly from a Higher Point

| johnas9000

For those involved in self-development, growth, or even psychotherapy, have you ever noticed the endless “aha” moments? I used to lovingly curse out my friend David Ellzey, who coaches me using the Sedona Method and his own unique blend of skills. I would lovingly say, “WTF? Why didn’t you teach me this 10 years ago?” And to this day, we keep discovering more and more layers. Or is it that we are reaching higher and higher vantage points from which we can make even greater distinctions in every area of our lives for more meaningful and richer relationships, as well as not giving too much attention or personal energy inappropriately in business situations?

For example, you certainly don’t want to be seeking approval or wanting to be liked by your vendors, although you can have a healthy and sometimes friendly relationship. There is a border often crossed by those who seek to be liked by everyone. But the point of this blog is that there are countless things you simply cannot see while you’re blocked by so many childhood, adolescent, or in some cases even adult traumas.

Who doesn’t know an injured woman or man who is incapable of trusting and having a loving relationship? Or one who chooses the same type of person over and over again because it represents something missing from their childhood? These scenarios know no bounds. They exist for some of the obscenely wealthiest and successful among us and across the board. But while you are stuck in the mud or the valley, you can’t even see the next valley or the mountaintop. Maybe you need to learn more or climb higher to see what you couldn’t see before.

Key Points to Consider

  1. Endless Layers of Growth:
    • Personal development is an ongoing journey. Each “aha” moment reveals new layers of understanding and self-awareness.
    • As we grow, our perspective shifts, allowing us to see and understand things that were previously hidden.
  2. Importance of Vantage Points:
    • Just like climbing a mountain, personal growth gives us a higher vantage point. From these new heights, we can see further and make more informed decisions.
    • Higher vantage points help us distinguish between meaningful relationships and those that drain our energy.
  3. Impact of Childhood and Adolescent Traumas:
    • Unresolved traumas can block our vision, keeping us stuck in repetitive patterns.
    • Recognizing and addressing these traumas can free us to see new possibilities and healthier patterns.
  4. Navigating Business Relationships:
    • In business, it’s essential to maintain professional boundaries and not seek approval from everyone.
    • Healthy business relationships are built on mutual respect, not on the need to be liked.
  5. Healing and Growth for Trusting Relationships:
    • Many people struggle with trust and relationship issues due to past traumas.
    • Healing these wounds can open the door to healthier, more trusting relationships.

Conclusion

The journey of personal growth and development is like climbing a mountain. Each new height reached offers a clearer view and deeper understanding of ourselves and our relationships. By addressing unresolved traumas and continuously striving for higher vantage points, we can achieve greater clarity, more meaningful relationships, and a more fulfilled life.

Exploring Your “Woulds”: Bringing Clarity to Your Dreams

| johnas9000

What about your “woulds”? We often find ourselves saying, “I would do this if…” But what if we truly considered these “woulds”? What would you do if it were easy, if you had the money, if the steps were clear, if you had part-time help, or if you had the time? Isn’t it worth considering your “woulds”? Perhaps bringing your “woulds” out of the woods might truly bring you clarity.

The Power of “Would”

How many people have found themselves saying, “This is what I would do if I had the money”? Some of those people were lucky. They lost their jobs and were forced to follow their dreams and their passions, ultimately becoming successful in pursuing their dreams. It’s time to stop and examine your “woulds.” Great clarity, greater success, fulfillment, and purpose will be found when you get out of the darkness of the woods and bring out your true “woulds”—the ones that are in your heart and soul.

Identifying Your True “Woulds”

Your true “woulds” are often apparent. How many times have you spoken to a friend, and they are blown away by your passion when you speak about your art, music, love of healthy foods, cooking, exercise, teaching, or any other interests? There are as many vocations and avocations as there are people. In today’s connected society, you could be teaching a course to people anywhere in the world. With today’s AI technology, it could be simulcast in many languages in real time, and even questions and answers can be handled in real time.

Steps to Bringing Your “Woulds” to Life

  1. Identify Your Passion:
    • What is it that you would do if all obstacles were removed? Consider your hobbies, interests, and the things that make you feel alive.
  2. Clarify the Steps:
    • Break down the process into clear, manageable steps. What do you need to do first, and what comes next?
  3. Seek Resources:
    • What resources do you need? Consider financial resources, time, help from others, and any tools or equipment.
  4. Create a Plan:
    • Develop a step-by-step plan to turn your “woulds” into actionable goals. Set deadlines and milestones to track your progress.
  5. Leverage Technology:
    • Use technology to your advantage. Teach online courses, create digital content, or start a virtual business. The world is your potential customer base.
  6. Take Action:
    • Start small if necessary, but take the first step. As you progress, adjust your plan as needed and keep moving forward.

Real-Life Inspiration

Consider the stories of people who turned their “woulds” into reality:

  • Entrepreneurs who started businesses with little money but a lot of passion.
  • Artists and musicians who pursued their crafts despite financial uncertainty.
  • Teachers and coaches who reached global audiences through online platforms.

These individuals found great success by following their passions and bringing their “woulds” out of the woods.

Conclusion

There is no excuse to not pursue your passion in today’s world. The whole world is your potential audience, and with the right steps and mindset, you can bring your “woulds” to life. It’s time to stop shoulding on yourself and others and start exploring the possibilities of your “woulds.” Embrace your passions, clarify your steps, and take action to create the fulfilling life you envision.

Are You on the Road Less Travelled, Most Travelled, or Not Travelled?

| johnas9000

The book “The Road Less Travelled” sparked a movement towards meditation and self-reflection. It’s great to reflect on your life and your soul, but what about the actual path you’re on? The road we choose in life shapes our experiences, our happiness, and our fulfillment. So, let’s explore the roads most travelled, less travelled, and not travelled at all, along with their benefits and pitfalls.

The Road Most Travelled

This path is well-worn and widely accepted by society. It often includes marrying within one’s culture and religion, settling down, having a stable job, and following societal norms.

Benefits:

  • Predictability: Provides a stable, predictable life.
  • Support System: Surrounded by like-minded people and a strong community.
  • Less Risk: Fewer unknowns and generally fewer risks.

Pitfalls:

  • Lack of Exploration: May leave you wondering about life outside the bubble.
  • Conformity Pressure: Pressures to conform can stifle individual growth and creativity.
  • Potential for Regret: Following a set path without questioning may lead to mid-life crises or regrets.

I often think about what my life would have been like if I had taken this road. My parents wanted me to marry a nice girl within our culture and religion, which likely would have led to a peaceful life. But I always questioned everything and still do. Considering the high divorce rate, the road most travelled might not work for everyone.

The Road Less Travelled

This path involves questioning societal norms, exploring different lifestyles, and often pursuing passions that aren’t mainstream.

Benefits:

  • Self-Discovery: Provides opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
  • Fulfillment: Pursuing passions and interests can lead to deep fulfillment.
  • Innovation: Encourages creativity and original thinking.

Pitfalls:

  • Uncertainty: Constant unknowns and instability.
  • Isolation: Can be lonely and isolating, as fewer people understand or support your choices.
  • Risk: Higher risk of failure and facing numerous challenges.

I always wondered what life would be like on this path. Despite the unknowns and perils, this road is filled with excitement and exhilaration. However, life comes with no guarantees, and it’s like a puzzle with an unknown picture, regardless of the path you choose.

The Road Not Travelled

This is the path of constant adventure and discovery, where you forge your way through unknown territories and create your own rules.

Benefits:

  • Excitement: Constant novelty and adventure.
  • Independence: Complete freedom to chart your own course.
  • Unique Experiences: Rich, diverse experiences that few others have.

Pitfalls:

  • High Risk: Extreme uncertainty and potential for significant setbacks.
  • Loneliness: Often a solitary journey with limited support.
  • Stress: High levels of stress and the need for constant decision-making.

I’ve often said I wish my brain allowed me to join the union, get married to a “nice” girl, settle down in Staten Island or NJ, have kids and a dog, and watch my family multiply. But my brain craves adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine. My life will continue on the road not travelled, filled with excitement, novelty, and adventure.

Reflection and Balance

Regardless of the path you’re on, it’s valuable to step onto the opposite road occasionally. If you’re on the road most travelled, try something new or different. If you’re on the road not travelled, take a break and spend some time on the comfortable, well-worn path. It’s okay to take a break from fighting dragons and navigating the unknown jungle every day.

A Proposal for Reflection

Reflect on the road you’re on and consider taking a few steps on the opposite path. Life is a journey with no guarantees, and exploring different roads can provide a richer, more fulfilling experience. Embrace the adventure, the stability, or the novelty that each path offers, and find your own unique way to navigate through life.

P.S. Whether you are aware of it or not, you are on the road not travelled. Every little thing that made you who you are is unique. No one had the exact same parents as you. Were they domineering, demanding, not around, divorced, loving, nasty, abusive? No one went to the same kindergarten, grade school, high school, and college as you. No one had all the same teachers and coaches you had. Even if you had an identical twin, your paths diverged here and there. So, enjoy your road.

And when is it time to create a road that literally doesnt exist but is of your making.

Shit for Brains: The Most Common Path to Success

| johnas9000

Yes, original thinking leads to amazing things like the lightbulb, Tesla, and other great inventions. But you might argue that even Apple started as a mismatch of the Sony Walkman and Blackberry. The more common route to success I’ve witnessed requires suspending all critical thinking and blindly following a formula. It’s not glamorous, but it works. Let’s dive into why “shit for brains” might just be the most reliable path to success.

The Common Path: Shit for Brains

Franchises: The Recipe for Wealth

Take franchises, for example. They’re a goldmine if you follow the rules. McDonald’s even has a university to ensure franchisees do everything by the book. Divergent thinking? Not allowed. Stick to the formula, and you’re set for life.

Multilevel Marketing (MLM) Companies

Then there’s Amway and other MLMs. People have made untold fortunes by following the company’s script without applying any of their own critical thinking. Just do what they tell you, and you could end up wealthy.

Real Estate and Courses

Consider your friend who took a course on flipping houses or accumulating real estate. They didn’t think; they just followed the steps. If their timing was right, and they hit a boom period in real estate, they’re probably sitting on millions now.

Anecdotal Evidence: The Mainframe Distributor

I’ll never forget my childhood friend who got a distributorship for large mainframe computers in the seventies. He didn’t dot every I or cross every T, and some of his computers ended up in Russia. He had to clear up his troubles in DC later, but he’s obscenely rich now. Not thinking and just plowing ahead worked out for him.

The Middle Path: Challenges and Realities

Most of us fall somewhere in the middle, balancing between blind conformity and radical originality. This middle path is tricky. It requires you to follow some guidelines while thinking outside the box just enough to make improvements or find unique solutions.

The Road Not Travelled: The Thrill of Divergence

Then there’s the road not travelled, filled with excitement and unknowns. For some of us, like me, this path is where we find our joy. It’s not always the way to immense wealth, but it’s rich with personal fulfillment and adventure.

Embracing Originality

Those of us who love the road not travelled have what I call a mismatching brain. We crave exploration and innovation, even if others don’t always understand us. It’s a lonelier path, but incredibly rewarding when our ideas catch on.

Personal Happiness: The Traditional Route

I’m sure some of you have friends who followed the traditional marriage route. They married through arranged marriages or chose partners within their community, religion, or culture. Many of them went on to have extremely happy, successful lives surrounded by like-minded people. This route, too, can lead to personal happiness and fulfillment, reinforcing the idea that following a well-known path without questioning can lead to a happy and successful life.

Conclusion: Two Paths to Success

In summary, both paths—the shit for brains route and the road not travelled—are valid routes to success. The former is reliable and often leads to wealth and happiness by following proven formulas. The latter is for those who seek excitement and fulfillment through originality.

For those of us who thrive on the unconventional, the road not travelled offers a richness of experience that conventional paths lack. It may not always lead to immense wealth, but it brings joy and discovery.

A Proposal for Reflection

So here’s my proposal: either follow the well-known path without question or embrace original thinking to become a one-in-a-billion innovator. Reflect on where you stand and choose the journey that fits your personality and aspirations. For me, the road not travelled is where I find my excitement and joy, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Next time, let’s delve deeper into the joy and challenges of the road not travelled. For those of us who love adventure and the unknown, it’s a journey worth every step.