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Learning from the Wisdom of our past #72
A weekly wisdom blog from BobBarnardnm.com
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Please share this with your friends so we can encourage others to consider wisdom.
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Thoughts on the intersection of Society/Culture, Productivity/You, and Wisdom/Knowledge.
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Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom – and no such thing as public liberty without freedom of speech. Benjamin Franklin
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I'm finishing up last year's tax data for the accountant, which is one of my favorite tasks. And, of course, meetings and physical therapy, etc. Perhaps with enough physical therapy my life will be back in balance.
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The wisdom quote for this week.
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Hermann Hesse offers some perspective:
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“Learn what is to be taken seriously and laugh at the rest.”
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I was brought up during a time in our society when everything was binary: black/white, right/wrong, true/false, etc. I am learning that this way of viewing the world doesn't work. Our world is not either or - a linear view. It is much more chaotic. I hate to use our current political situation as an example, but it is so easy. A conservative friend says there is waste in our government. I don't doubt that, but how the current administration cuts waste is a disaster. Let's get back to Hesse's quote.
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This quote emphasizes the importance of discernment and maintaining a balanced perspective in life. It sounds straightforward, but in reality, it isn't easy. What do we take seriously? I try to treat only the things I can control seriously and ignore the rest. I must admit, though, that I am not very good at it. It is hard to ignore the rest when it is so loud and affects many people, family members, and others.
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For example, if someone asked me to take a position in an organization and I said yes, then they gave it to someone else. How do I laugh it off? How do I use my discernment to control my emotional response? Here are some more points to consider :
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- Hesse's quote requires that we continually discern between important and trivial Matters. To me, this discernment means determining what impacts my life that I can control. Only we can decide what deserves our attention and concern. Right now, I'm doing my best not to write articles about what Trump and Musk are doing to our country. I also ignore any news articles that include either in the headline. I can easily discern that I can't control them.
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2. Humor can help us cope.
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We need to be willing to make fun of ourselves and look for humor in all situations. This is not to say that you make fun of others to lighten the mood, because that may backfire and they may be offended. But there is humor around us that we can see if we look for it.
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3. Balance Seriousness and Lightheartedness:
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I am by nature a serious person, but you can't be serious all the time. Look for the laughter in life. Balancing the two will make you a better person to be around. This is not my strong suit.i have heard the admonition to balance throughout my life. We were told to have a wok/life balance. this has never made any sense to me.
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4. our world requires us to grow Personally and have a healthy Perspective towards change:
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Knowing how to distinguish what matters helps us to see the world and our daily encounters with others differently. For example, how do you feel when you meet a person who has an important position and title- a little awe struck or do you think he is a human just like me.
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As the world changes in this AI Era we must discuss the need for shifting perspectives to enhance well-being and personal happiness.
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As Hesse says Discern what you have to take seriously, and let the rest run off, like the water on a duck's back.
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What do you take seriously?
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What do you need to ignore?
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How do you plan to make your current life one within your control and full of laughter?
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List those parts of your life you control and are taking seriously.
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list those things you are ignoring or can't control.
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Examine how you can recognize the difference.
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what can you move from the control list to the can't control list.
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