Seth Godin : Stupid and lazy

Stupid and lazy:

(Is it that you can't do it or perhaps you don't want to do the work?)

When I was in college, I took a ton of advanced math courses, three or four of them, until one day I hit the wall. Too many dimensions, transformations and toroids for me to keep in my head. I was too stupid to do really hard math so I stopped.

Was it that I was too stupid, or did I merely decide that with my priorities, it wasn't worth the work?

Isn't it amazing that we'd rather call ourselves stupid than lazy? At least laziness is easy to fix.

People say that they are not gifted/talented/smart enough to play the trumpet/learn to code/write a book. That's crazy. Sure, it may be that they don't possess world-class talent, the sort of stuff that is one in a million. But too stupid to do something that millions and millions of people can do?

I'm not buying it. Call it as it is and live with it (or not). I'm just not willing to believe we're as stupid as we pretend to be.

by Seth Godin

Seth Godin : When is it okay to start worrying?

When is it okay to start worrying?:

A friend was waiting to hear about the results of a job interview. He hadn't heard in a while and he asked me, "how long before I should start worrying?"

Of course, the answer is, "you should never start worrying."

Worrying is not a useful output. Worrying doesn't change outcomes. Worrying ruins your day. Worrying distracts you from the work at hand. You may have fooled yourself into thinking that it's useful or unavoidable, but it's not. Now you've got one more thing to worry about.

Seth Godin

A point to add...

While I'm in this metaphorical and philosophical mood this evening, another thought occurred to me. To be able to learn to speak, we had to listen to the sounds in which to replicate.

My point being that listening had to come before speaking. Sometimes listening can be just as, if not more, important than speaking. We can be more effective in the way we speak if we listen and asses prior to saying anything. I know that I am guilty and would be wise to remember that when engaged with others.

At least this is my opinion.

A random thought...

As I am laying in bed unable to sleep, I started having some late night philosophical musings about life.

I was thinking about some of the greatest artist that have ever lived. Many of the received no recognition or support for their work throughout their lifetimes. They expressed themselves through their art because it made them happy or fulfilled or it was what they felt they needed to do. I am sure it was difficult for them to not give up and move onto something that would have been supported or "socially acceptable". Thankfully for us, they did not and their talents have influenced the world and the way we think. And maybe the reason they were not accepted had somethings not realizing the good thing until it's gone.

As for currently, I believe there are some take aways from this point. Whether or not we get recognized for the things that we do, does not mean that we should give up on our passions or beliefs. The things we do will be important. So even if our efforts go unnoticed now, they can become momentous in the future. Even if its for no one but ourselves. We have a responsibility to be the cultivate and manage our happiness. This serves as a reminder to pursue my passions to fulfill my life even when the harshest critics are disagreeing.

The disclaimer I want to add is this: That yes I believe to follow one's own hearts and passions. I also believe that there is merit to seeking advice from those trusted individuals along the way. There is nothing wrong with asking for help when it is needed.

Paris - Pont des Arts Bridge

This is the bridge in Paris where lovers lock Padlocks to seal their love and throw the keys into Seine River. It is supposed to love in your love forever.

This bridge has so many couple attaching locks that the Parisan government actually has to cut the locks off relatively often. 

This is one of my favorite pictures that I took during my Trip because of the composition and the subject matter.

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