We all have so much in common. We all get hungry, thirsty and tired. We all have moments of self-doubt and moments of great confidence. We are all capable of occasional failure, yet we all also have the potential for tremendous success. It is not fair to say that any of us are worse or better. It is just that at certain times, under certain circumstances, we become more (or less) likely to shine.
The so-called experts have, they say, invented tests that can measure intelligence. Yet surely, to make such a claim is, in itself, evidence of extreme stupidity. There are so many different sorts of intelligence. Some people, for example, have excellent mathematical skills but no ability to understand emotionally loaded situations.
Some questions call for a lot of careful thought. At the very mention of them, we feel that we want more information, more time to think and for more expert opinions to canvas before we commit ourselves to a particular point of view. There are, of course, other questions that we can reply to, too quickly and confidently. They need not cause us any confusion or concern.Some questions call for a lot of careful thought. At the very mention of them, we feel that we want more information, more time to think and for more expert opinions to canvas before we commit ourselves to a particular point of view. There are, of course, other questions that we can reply to, too quickly and confidently. They need not cause us any confusion or concern.
Computers contain vast power within a tiny space. Yet aren't you and I blessed with similarly impressive hidden powers? Nestling within ours skulls are biological mechanisms that generate endless thoughts. We carry around the memories of an entire lifetime and draw on these whenever we need to make a choice. Yet just as computers can sometimes go wrong, our brains can access misleading data.
They say that faith can move mountains. Well, they don't all say it. Geologists certainly don't! Nor do structural engineers charged with the responsibility of blasting tunnels through cliffs. And there are a lot of very deeply religious people who live in the regions of Napal and Tibet, yet Everest remains in just the same position. So maybe faith can only move some kinds of mountain, some of the time. But faith, plus a little pragmatism on your part, will be sufficient to get you beyond the mountain that gets in your way.
Student journalists soon learn that news stories need to contain an element of the unusual. A great editor once declared that the phrase, 'Dog Bites Man' is not worthy of a headline. He went on to explain that he would be very interested in a story that he could caption, 'Man Bites Dog.' So what does that tell us about the news we read and hear every day? It represents the exception, not the rule.
Why should you expect the cosmos to be kind to you? Have you done something to deserve a boon from the heavens? Or a gift from the gods? What if you have behaved in some reprehensible fashion? What if punishment or deprivation might be more appropriate? How could that be so? And what entity, celestial or earthly, would dare to assert the right to decide that this were the case? You must certainly not think such things about yourself. Expect wonderful progress.
Where do monsters lurk? Which are the bridges that have trolls living under them? How can we pick a path through the forest that will keep us safe from tree goblins? Anger can be a strong source of motivation. So can jealousy. These negative emotional experiences are like wild horses. If you can only hold them still, long enough to attach a cart to them, they can pull it a long way. But you will have no control over where they take it. You will move something, shift something, achieve what could be considered progress by some standards, but you will ultimately be a victim to the forces of chaos then.
The so-called experts have, they say, invented tests that can measure intelligence. Yet surely, to make such a claim is, in itself, evidence of extreme stupidity. There are so many different sorts of intelligence. Some people, for example, have excellent mathematical skills but no ability to understand emotionally loaded situations.
Some questions call for a lot of careful thought. At the very mention of them, we feel that we want more information, more time to think and for more expert opinions to canvas before we commit ourselves to a particular point of view. There are, of course, other questions that we can reply to, too quickly and confidently. They need not cause us any confusion or concern.Some questions call for a lot of careful thought. At the very mention of them, we feel that we want more information, more time to think and for more expert opinions to canvas before we commit ourselves to a particular point of view. There are, of course, other questions that we can reply to, too quickly and confidently. They need not cause us any confusion or concern.
Computers contain vast power within a tiny space. Yet aren't you and I blessed with similarly impressive hidden powers? Nestling within ours skulls are biological mechanisms that generate endless thoughts. We carry around the memories of an entire lifetime and draw on these whenever we need to make a choice. Yet just as computers can sometimes go wrong, our brains can access misleading data.
They say that faith can move mountains. Well, they don't all say it. Geologists certainly don't! Nor do structural engineers charged with the responsibility of blasting tunnels through cliffs. And there are a lot of very deeply religious people who live in the regions of Napal and Tibet, yet Everest remains in just the same position. So maybe faith can only move some kinds of mountain, some of the time. But faith, plus a little pragmatism on your part, will be sufficient to get you beyond the mountain that gets in your way.
Student journalists soon learn that news stories need to contain an element of the unusual. A great editor once declared that the phrase, 'Dog Bites Man' is not worthy of a headline. He went on to explain that he would be very interested in a story that he could caption, 'Man Bites Dog.' So what does that tell us about the news we read and hear every day? It represents the exception, not the rule.
Why should you expect the cosmos to be kind to you? Have you done something to deserve a boon from the heavens? Or a gift from the gods? What if you have behaved in some reprehensible fashion? What if punishment or deprivation might be more appropriate? How could that be so? And what entity, celestial or earthly, would dare to assert the right to decide that this were the case? You must certainly not think such things about yourself. Expect wonderful progress.
Where do monsters lurk? Which are the bridges that have trolls living under them? How can we pick a path through the forest that will keep us safe from tree goblins? Anger can be a strong source of motivation. So can jealousy. These negative emotional experiences are like wild horses. If you can only hold them still, long enough to attach a cart to them, they can pull it a long way. But you will have no control over where they take it. You will move something, shift something, achieve what could be considered progress by some standards, but you will ultimately be a victim to the forces of chaos then.
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