Dr_Rez

If my retarded title didnt make sense just do this: Write a line, paragraph, or whatever you deem necessary to get the point across.

The point: It should be something that your glad to know in general everyday life. Something that makes you a better person, or just makes life easier and less stressful. It doesn't have to be something you have made yourself, but if its someone elses words then please only post it if you feel you fully understand it and live by it.

-------------------------------------------------------

I shall start.

Probably only 2 maybe 3 years ago I realized suddenly that all of the stuff I got wasnt making me the slightest bit happy. Not that I have tons of money or goods, but I have a huge longing for things like most people do. (think black friday) And dont get me wrong getting/buying/finding something you really want makes you happy for a little bit. Its like a relationship honeymoon period, or that new instrument you got. After some time (usually not much) it fades and your back where you started.

So the obvious message is not just dont covet material goods. because that is an impractical statement to make since their are many goods we cannot be happy or survive without. I mean try living without a toilet or glasses if you cant see. Try to see physical items as vehicles to an action or thought. The "thing" you are trying to obtain should be a vessel for an action or skill that will make you happy. Improving upon yourself instead of your financial/material situation is a wonderful thing. While wanting nice stuff isnt bad by any means, sacrificing too much time and effort getting it is, unless that stuff is going to better you spiritually, mentally, or physically.

I had a clear idea of what I wanted to say in my head but I really doubt I got the message across well here. Not only that but Im not at all free of wanting things. Many of the things I think are to better myself are really just a lust in hiding, so to speak. I dont doubt it takes many years to be free of lust/desire of irrelevant objects getting in the way of happiness.

I do hope this post wasnt so ****ty as to kill the thread before it starts because I would love to see what everyone else will write.

__________________
*Best chance of losing virginity is in prison crew*
*Always Checks Credentials Crew*
*nba > nfl crew*
*Shave one of my legs to pretend its a girl in my bed crew*

Thom Yorke

Growing up I tried to find my niche by being the kid who you knew had a ton of potential, but never cared enough to show you it. This applied socailly, to academics, sports, pretty much everything. I was purposely enigmatic with people by showing elements of my personality, but never fully developing proper relationships (ie. "Why does he not come out more?"). I left everything to the last minute for school and let people know I did. I never tried out for any teams and instead chose to show off in pick-up games.

I have always been an analytical person and I thought that I was so self-aware that I couldn't possibly trick myself into holding myself back, and thought that being someone who lacked drive and motivation just had to be my natural disposition. People gave me advice on how to overcome these motivation issues, which I thought was stupid because, if I heeded their advice, it would just be me trying to trick myself, which I didn't think possible because of how self-aware I was, or, rather, how self-aware I wanted to view myself as.

Well, turns out I was tricking myself. By dangling that potential out there I created something that would make me recognizable among people, while at the same time hiding my fear that I wouldn't be as good as I thought I could be. And the reason I did that was to provide myself with more self-worth, mainly due to social problems. By giving myself the idea that I had more to offer, it helped boost my confidence. What if I tried my hardest and wasn't as good as I thought I could be? Then I'd just be some kid with social anxiety.

Funny thing was that once I came to this "realization" it opened up alot of new potential. By opening myself up to taking advice from others, and doing things that I sluffed off before because I thought they insulted my intelligence by even considering it, I was able to improve in all facets of life. As for social anxiety, I was able to work on it. I was always aware of my social anxiety, but again, going by potential, I just attributed it to not putting myself in enough social situations. But now that I had decided to listen to others' advice, I decided the best route was shock therapy. It was as simple as that. Forcing myself out and forcing myself to build meaningful relationships did wonders.

At the end of the day I'm happy that this whole self-realization thing happened early in my life. I actually still catch myself doing this though. I think I'll know everything about something, and I have to remind myself that I really don't. It's sort of like that Aristotle quote, "All I know is that I know nothing." And in a way, this kind of acts as a barometer for my self-confidence...

All right, this is starting to sound nuts. Let's finish this up.

So basically, this is my advice: if you are constantly turning down other people's advice because you think you're above it, you probably need to work on something in your life that you're trying to ignore, no matter how self-aware and in control of yourself you think you are.

Dr_Rez

I agree completely mate. I think it can be summed up in saying "The more you know, the more you realize how much you dont know." I do the same thing and slowly phase it out of my life. Its funny how when your a child you are so incredibly egocentric. Your view of your self is actually not your view at all it is the culmination of everyone elses view of you, or at least what you think their view is. I think this is ultimately the goal of every human, to leave the ego behind and live life for yourself. You should read up if you havnt on Eckheart Tolle. Hes says some interesting stuff on the subject.

Thanks for replying.

__________________
*Best chance of losing virginity is in prison crew*
*Always Checks Credentials Crew*
*nba > nfl crew*
*Shave one of my legs to pretend its a girl in my bed crew*

Odyshape

So basically, this is my advice: if you are constantly turning down other people's advice because you think you're above it, you probably need to work on something in your life that you're trying to ignore, no matter how self-aware and in control of yourself you think you are


That's something I have definitely been starting to see as I am getting older . For me it comes down to accepting that everyone is bound a limited by their own perspective including yourself. Its something quite beautiful though and explains why we need other people . We need other people to experience freedom because our own perspectives are never complete enough without speaking to other people.

My piece of advice I could give is shape your identity based on whats makes you happy not on projections or ideas you or others have about you. If you are ever in conflict because you want to like something but your "identity" is holding you back then reevaluate what your trying to be and if there is a real purpose behind it.

I always catch myself as well as friends of mine thinking we have an established identity when in reality we are just taking ourselves far to seriously and end up doing things we don't like just to support an a rigid identity. The thing is identity is shifting every moment and there is nothing wrong with that. True security in identity comes from being able to understand how unimportant having a rigid identity can be.

Which brings me to my last point:
Just because you understand a good piece of advice and can see why its useful that doesn't mean you really know it! Its not some kind of short cut to insight. Read a teenage facebook info profile and look at the quotes and you could understand what I mean. You look at people with quotes and insights put in there which are 100% opposite to how they behave.

Scarlett O'Hara

My advice is:

Take people/events with a grain of salt.
Listen to your intuition as it's usually right.
Get into a fitness regime as young as possible.
Take time to listen to people who are intelligent, you might just learn something.
Take risks if you are wanting to get your dreams to come true.
Learn from other people's mistakes rather than just from your own.
Try and enjoy being single and learning about yourself.
Save. <---I need to do this big time.

__________________

Janszoon

Avoid serious relationships when you're young. Hook up with as many people as possible.

__________________
A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man

Time & Place

25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die

last.fm

skaltezon

One thing I've recently learned, is never give eight pieces of advice when you're only asked for one.

__________________

Scarlett O'Hara

__________________

Odyshape

Thank you for the encouragement.
I'll make you proud.

Actually the greatest piece of advice

Howard the Duck

try reading a woman's body language before you hit on her

fastidious playng with her hair when she looks at you - you're good to go

__________________


Malaise is THE dominant human predilection.