Living Better & Too Much Advice

There is no shortage of advice these days. On how to be:

A Success….or Happier……or more Productive……or Fulfilled….and on and on.

But it’s time ask yourself:  What do *you* think is “the Answer”—and why that? Ya know, its kinda weird. For all the tons of books and advice out there, almost no one tells you to “trust your own judgement”.  Everyone wants you to follow *them* (while they make more money). People are too dependent and reliant on what others tell them is the answer—to “get ahead”…to “find Bliss”…or whatever.

I was just recently in a Barnes and Noble Bookstore and there are lots of books on “Mindfulness”. It’s all the rage these days. And meditation. In the bookstores, On Youtube.  But—the answer, keeps changing with time. As if they are fads that come and go.

Over the last 40 years, advice has been all over the map. But what do *you* think is best?  Is it all about:

“letting go”…..or “taking responsibility”……or “getting in touch with your inner child”….or cutting out “toxic people”……or “getting more confidence”…..or “finding your passion”……or starting your own business…..or “forgiving yourself”…..or “being assertive”…..or labeling half the people in your life as “narcissists” and then ghosting them?…..or buying excersize equipment?….or being more “grounded” (How? what does that even mean?)….or “balancing your Chakras?”…..or “being more mindful” ?

Next year, when the bookstores have another new batch of advice-books, will you jump on the Bandwagon or whatever the next fad is? Even the “experts” keep changing. So!  After all the books, and TedTalks, and Youtube videos, and therapists—-What do *you* think is best? and Why?
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Some thoughts on Spiritualism & Spirituality

I had fun researching and reading about what I’ll call “History of Alternative Spirituality/Occult.

Here’s some thoughts on Spiritualism.  The “Big-Daddy” of Modern Spiritualism would be, in my opinion, Andrew Jackson Davis. He wrote: The Principles of Nature (1847) and The Great Harmonia (1850). He died in January of 1910.

In 1875,  we got Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and the founding of Theosophy (the Theosophical Society). This was less Spiritualistic and more Occult than Spiritualism. By 1885, Andrew Jackson Davis would have been married 3 times and had all of them end. His popularity very likely diminished after that. In 1888, Blavatsky would write The Secret Doctrine.  A massive 2 vol. set that few would read completely. She had already written another 2 vol. set earlier called: Isis Unveiled (in 1877 ?).

Even though Davis’s popularity faded, many people were still interested in Spiritualism. Why rely on Davis? People wanted to communicate with the dead on their own. Then we got “the Ouija Board” (in 1891?)

But Science and Materialism were marching on, and we also had Robert G. Ingersoll “The Great Agnostic’ and his writings from about 1872 to 1899. In 1902, after Davis’s 3 marriages, Frank Podmore would write “Modern Spiritualism”. I believe this was a critque.  Then, 1914-1918, we had World War 1.

By the 1920’s, there were all sorts of beliefs one could get into: Spiritualism, Theosophy, “The Mind-Cure Movement” (as William James called it), Psychology, Christianity, Mysticism and more. Spiritualsim would still be popular in England. Arthur Conan Doyle would turn to Spiritualism, and Arthur Finlay would write the book “On the Edge of the Etheric”. Then, in America, we would have the Great Depression and also World War 2 and alot of people were likely too busy for alot of reading.

That’s my opinion, from reading and researching. I wasn’t there but I think that’s close to how things went.  If you want still more info, a good book on this kind of stuff is “Occult America” by Mitch Horowitz. Amazon.com should carry it.

Irish History & Folklore

I’m not Irish but I find several things about Ireland to be fascinating. In no particular order:

1. Leprechauns. Who was the first Leprechaun? What is their purpose?

2. The saying: “‘Tis the Luck o’ the IRISH”.  Does that mean bad luck or good luck? How did this saying get started?

3.  St. Patrick getting rid of all the snakes in Ireland. Was there really a St. Patrick? And, did he? Were there ever snakes in Ireland to begin with?

4.   4-Leaf Clovers.  Why are they Lucky? How did that get started?

5. Why so many things having to do with Luck? And how did the Pot-of-Gold-at-the-end-of-the-Rainbow get started? That’s Irish, too. Isn’t it?

6. What does it mean if someone is “Black-irish?  I don’t know.

7. Who were the Picts? Who were the first people to inhabit Ireland–and where did they come from?

8. Is there a language, native to Ireland, that is older than Gaelic?

9. Why does Ireland have all this Legend? Folklore?, etc., yet England is nearby and doesn’t appear to have near as much of this?  I find it interesting.

#Ireland #IrishHistory #Legends #Folklore

Myers-Briggs and the 16 Types. ISTP vs. INTJ

It’s fun, and informative, to read about the 16 Types (personality types) and the MBTI, also known as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. But one thing I have not seen discussed or written about specifically is: a comparison between SP’s and NJ’s. There has been things written about SP’s and NT’s, But what about SP vs. nJ?  This video by EJarendee on Youtube is the closest I’ve heard of that would deal with that. I thought it was a good video.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOdPRVZIIjU  (please highlight and paste that link into your browser and watch on Youtube. I don’t know why it won’t already highlight here. Other links do). One thing I would add on my own, in general, it sounds like INTJ’s are more “grand schemer/planners” (future oriented) where ISTP’s are more immediate “what’s the best thing that I can do right now” (present moment)? My opinion. Hope you like the video. Thanks, Youtube.

Relationship Book: Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay by Mira Kirshenbaum

New Boyfriend? New Girlfriend? Maybe you’ve both been together awhile and now that the initial fire has settled down, you think about your future together. Or perhaps you’ve been together even longer and while things aren’t that terrible, but they’re not that great, either.

You’re thinking that things could be worse. But you also wish you were more happy. And you ask yourself: Should I stay or should I go?

Mira Kirshenbaum has written a good book to help you decide. It’s called: “Too Good to Leave, Too Bad to Stay”.   Amazon.com has this. Barnes & Noble could probably order it if they don’t already have it. An informative book!  Would be useful for men or women. https://www.amazon.com/Too-Good-Leave-Stay-Publisher/dp/B004TDDLP0/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1516665704&sr=1-2&keywords=too+good+to+leave+too+bad+to+stay   P.S.–like this post? I blog about several different topics. Music, Books, Spirituality, TV,….   Explore my posts. Followers welcome!   🙂

Over-used Words.

Funny how there are different “cool” words, over time, that are used to describe things. Or is it? Because they get sooo over-used that it’s easy to get sick of them.

“Amazing!”  How often have you heard that one? What isn’t “amazing” these days?  It’s over-used. If you had to describe anything very positively for the next 2 weeks but you couldn’t say “Amazing”, what other word would you use?

“Surreal” . That’s another one. Ughh,  I never did understand how that one *ever* caught on! Why not simply say “unreal” or “hard to believe” or incredible?

Or–“Obfuscate”. Seriously, we could all live out our entire lives and never once have to bother even mentioning the word “obfuscate.”

Or, when anything is: a “Pejorative”.  Who are they trying to impress with their ultra-grammar vocabulary?  Just say Insult or put-down and be done with it. But there’s more—

To “Exacerbate”. You always know you’re talking to a hard-core Liberal when you hear that one. Probably an Activist. I never hear “exacerbate” in real-life. But I hear it fairly often on TV News. Usually from a protester, or someone who makes an “issue” out of everything.  Why say “Exacerbate” at all? Maybe they’re trying-too-hard to show-off how “educated” they are. Pffffftt! Why not just say: (to) “make worse”, “aggravate” or “Amplify”?  You never hear about anything GOOD being “exacerbated”. No one ever “exacerbated” an Orgasm.

Some words are kinda kewl but don’t last. I remember one year back in High School, whenever something was super-cool, it was “Outrageous!” That was the cool word. For awhile, everything was “Outrageous”. But the next year, students didn’t say that. I forget what the very next “word” was.

One word has stood the test of time and somehow hasn’t gotten irritating. “Cool” or “kewl”. That one, has lasted over different generations.

Some words, are just plain weird. Like: “Fleek”. Do I even wanna know what that is? Umm, not really. Why was this ever invented? Someone is trying to hard too be inventive.

Whatever happened to “Awesome!” ?   And isn’t it kinda funny that “hottest” and “Coolest” can both be used to mean the same thing? And what will be the cool word in 2020?  And will we get sick of hearing it?  Say it simple. Because simpler is better. And Cooler. (wink)

 

Book: “Philosophy Made Simple”, by Richard H. Popkin and Avrum Stroll

Philosophy. What is The Good Life?

Who was Aristotle? Who was Spinoza?

Who was David Hume? Who was Rene Descartes?

What is Hedonism? Stoicism? Pragmatism? What is Epistemology?

What is the difference between Subjectivist and Objectivist Ethics? How can each of them be criticized?

Explore what many Philosophers have thought, in the book: Philosophy Made Simple by Richard H. Popkin and Avrum Stroll.  It’s a fun read and you can learn alot.

Books: “Phantoms” by Dean Koontz

“Phantoms” by Dean Koontz is a good read! Read the outside back cover of the paperback. Stephen King described it as: Gruesome! Unrelenting!

This one gets good right away, in under 5 pages. Enjoy!  –theOwl30