IMAGINATION
In Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit #1 is "Be Proactive."
He defines one of the aspects that differ humans from animals is the ability to choose to proact rather than react.
He points out that in a reactive model, there is virtually no gap between stimulus and response.
Whereas in a proactive model there is a space that contains humans' "ability to choose". The traits, unique to humans that allow this, are
1. Self awareness
2. Conscience
3. IMAGINATION
4. Independence
Humans can be aware of their own feelings and mental state and compensate for them.
Humans have a sense of morality. (See previous post on Conscience)
Humans can IMAGINE multiple possible outcomes in advance as they assess appropriate actions to take.
Humans can think and choose independently.
I love how Covey addresses the controversy between whether we are more influenced by nature or nurture (genetics or conditioning).
"Is it nature or nurture?" "It's your choice."
Einstein said that imagination was more powerful than knowledge.
Ayn Rand "Throughout the centuries there were men who took first steps down new roads armed with nothing but their own vision. Their goals differed, but they all had this in common: that the step was first, the road new, the vision unborrowed, and the response they received — hatred. The great creators — the thinkers, the artists, the scientists, the inventors — stood alone against the men of their time. Every great new thought was opposed. Every great new invention was denounced. The first motor was considered foolish. The airplane was considered impossible. The power loom was considered vicious. Anesthesia was considered sinful. But the men of unborrowed vision went ahead. They fought, they suffered and they paid. But they won."
One could replace the above "vision" with "imagination"
Feedback always welcome.
Apr 4, 2017
Apr 1, 2017
CONSCIENCE
CONSCIENCE
Are we born with an inherent sense of right and wrong?
Or is it conditioning?
A google search produced the following:
"The inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action: to follow the dictates of conscience. The complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual."
"Inner sense" and "right or wrong" are very broad topics for a blog post, but I will attempt to summarize.
I don't believe right or wrong is a function of any divine revelation but rather a logical determination whereas life is the standard of value. Anything that enhances your life without harming someone else's life except in self defense is the good. Anything that harms your life is the wrong and that would include harming others unless in self defence, because there is no conflict between rational people. Exploiting others in any way will always be detrimental to yourself, in the long term.
An "inner sense" of the above must first come from a consistent view of ethics as described in previous paragraph. Otherwise, your "conscience" will leave you always in doubt from what you think will be ethical dilemmas. These will actually be the result of holding conflicting and or ill defined beliefs leaving you in a perpetual state of "self doubt, like a ball and chain, where your mind's wings should have grown." (Quote: Ayn Rand)
So CONSCIENCE can and should be "impelling toward right actions" like a moral compass but this can't work unless true north is objective.
As infants, we may have a sense of fear of perceived danger or attraction to perceived nourishment or pleasure but these are generally distorted by short vs long term as well as genetically inherited traits that cause us for example to recoil from a harmless garter snake and be indifferent to malevolent ideas. In other words, CONSCIENCE must be developed and it must be developed properly.
Feedback on what I've missed always welcome.
Are we born with an inherent sense of right and wrong?
Or is it conditioning?
A google search produced the following:
"The inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action: to follow the dictates of conscience. The complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual."
"Inner sense" and "right or wrong" are very broad topics for a blog post, but I will attempt to summarize.
I don't believe right or wrong is a function of any divine revelation but rather a logical determination whereas life is the standard of value. Anything that enhances your life without harming someone else's life except in self defense is the good. Anything that harms your life is the wrong and that would include harming others unless in self defence, because there is no conflict between rational people. Exploiting others in any way will always be detrimental to yourself, in the long term.
An "inner sense" of the above must first come from a consistent view of ethics as described in previous paragraph. Otherwise, your "conscience" will leave you always in doubt from what you think will be ethical dilemmas. These will actually be the result of holding conflicting and or ill defined beliefs leaving you in a perpetual state of "self doubt, like a ball and chain, where your mind's wings should have grown." (Quote: Ayn Rand)
So CONSCIENCE can and should be "impelling toward right actions" like a moral compass but this can't work unless true north is objective.
As infants, we may have a sense of fear of perceived danger or attraction to perceived nourishment or pleasure but these are generally distorted by short vs long term as well as genetically inherited traits that cause us for example to recoil from a harmless garter snake and be indifferent to malevolent ideas. In other words, CONSCIENCE must be developed and it must be developed properly.
Feedback on what I've missed always welcome.
Mar 31, 2017
WILLINGNESS
WILLINGNESS
What does this word even mean?
Well, i think to comply means reluctantly going along with something whenyou wish you didn't really have to.
Acceptance perhaps would be the next step towards making peace with it.
Than willingness must mean a step further along this continuum closer to actually embracing it.
Other parts of my mission statement refer to "lunging forward ", "enthusiasm" and "passion" and no doubt there is overlap and duplication in my mission but each segment pays homage, if you will, to various sources that have influenced me.
In this case, the source is the acronym H.O.W. from 12 step programs, in terms of "how" do you work the program, or "how" does one go about reaching goals? The acronym stands for "honesty, open mindedness and WILLINGNESS".
So while pop psychology might suggest that a positive attitude of willingness is a pre requisite for desired results, others may argue that it is, itself a result of an adherence to a proper philosophy where basic principles start with Reason, purpose and self esteem.
Either way, lack of willingness, I think all would agree would always be a major impediment.
Feedback and critique always welcome.
What does this word even mean?
Well, i think to comply means reluctantly going along with something whenyou wish you didn't really have to.
Acceptance perhaps would be the next step towards making peace with it.
Than willingness must mean a step further along this continuum closer to actually embracing it.
Other parts of my mission statement refer to "lunging forward ", "enthusiasm" and "passion" and no doubt there is overlap and duplication in my mission but each segment pays homage, if you will, to various sources that have influenced me.
In this case, the source is the acronym H.O.W. from 12 step programs, in terms of "how" do you work the program, or "how" does one go about reaching goals? The acronym stands for "honesty, open mindedness and WILLINGNESS".
So while pop psychology might suggest that a positive attitude of willingness is a pre requisite for desired results, others may argue that it is, itself a result of an adherence to a proper philosophy where basic principles start with Reason, purpose and self esteem.
Either way, lack of willingness, I think all would agree would always be a major impediment.
Feedback and critique always welcome.
Mar 29, 2017
OPTIMAL STATE MANAGEMENT
OPTIMAL STATE MANAGEMENT
Stole this one from Tony Robbins.
For those not familiar, the idea is first recognizing that there is an optimal state, not only of mind but of physical demeanor and attitude etc where we are far more effective and productive. The closest analogy would be that if being in "the zone" as some times referred to in athletic activities.
The second concept is that we have the ability to consciously bring ourselves into this "optimal " state whenever we choose to.
When I first heard Tony Robbins speak of this, he referred to a technique, I believe he called "anchoring". The idea was to vividly recall a time when you felt in that ideal state and to create a strong association with some other factor such as a memory, a smell or a piece of music for example. My memory may be failing me on the exact details but I'm pretty sure that was the gist of it.
The most important point was that this was something one could consciously control.
While I do acknowledge significant validity to that technique, I believe optimal state is best achieved within a multi factorial context that would include (partial list) proper
*sleep patterns (neurotransmitter regulation)
*diet
*microbiota
*exercise, movement and posture
*body weight and hormone control
*a philosophical outlook aligned with objective reality and focused on reason, purpose and self esteem (see previous blog posts
What remains though is the fact that these are all under our control** and perhaps more importantly is the independent will to decide to "take action" to seek and maintain that state in order to achieve, as opposed to waiting for the state to spontaneously occur (or second handedly wait for someone or something to do it for us)
Action precedes motivation and not the other way around.
Feedback appreciated.
**some may argue and I will concede, that for people who suffer from clinical depression, or for people in extremely negative circumstances, it may be far more challenging than I make it sound. Recent research however has shown that many of the factors I named can be effective ways to battle depression. I'm not claiming that I personally would make the right choices if faced with the challenge of mental illness or extremely negative circumstances but rather that, for some, the choices may be much more difficult, but this still doesn't amount to determinism. There is still a choice.
Stole this one from Tony Robbins.
For those not familiar, the idea is first recognizing that there is an optimal state, not only of mind but of physical demeanor and attitude etc where we are far more effective and productive. The closest analogy would be that if being in "the zone" as some times referred to in athletic activities.
The second concept is that we have the ability to consciously bring ourselves into this "optimal " state whenever we choose to.
When I first heard Tony Robbins speak of this, he referred to a technique, I believe he called "anchoring". The idea was to vividly recall a time when you felt in that ideal state and to create a strong association with some other factor such as a memory, a smell or a piece of music for example. My memory may be failing me on the exact details but I'm pretty sure that was the gist of it.
The most important point was that this was something one could consciously control.
While I do acknowledge significant validity to that technique, I believe optimal state is best achieved within a multi factorial context that would include (partial list) proper
*sleep patterns (neurotransmitter regulation)
*diet
*microbiota
*exercise, movement and posture
*body weight and hormone control
*a philosophical outlook aligned with objective reality and focused on reason, purpose and self esteem (see previous blog posts
What remains though is the fact that these are all under our control** and perhaps more importantly is the independent will to decide to "take action" to seek and maintain that state in order to achieve, as opposed to waiting for the state to spontaneously occur (or second handedly wait for someone or something to do it for us)
Action precedes motivation and not the other way around.
Feedback appreciated.
**some may argue and I will concede, that for people who suffer from clinical depression, or for people in extremely negative circumstances, it may be far more challenging than I make it sound. Recent research however has shown that many of the factors I named can be effective ways to battle depression. I'm not claiming that I personally would make the right choices if faced with the challenge of mental illness or extremely negative circumstances but rather that, for some, the choices may be much more difficult, but this still doesn't amount to determinism. There is still a choice.
Mar 25, 2017
I'm back!....ramblings after 18 months....
Recently, I began to read a book written by someone who had previously expressed appreciation for my writing on this blog. She told me she truly valued my opinion, and I got the impression that my writing had encouraged her to do the same.
This led me to feel a certain degree of guilt and regret, as she took the initiative and actually published a book, while I fell off the wagon and have completely gotten away from the blog.
In fairness, I have been journaling, and in this day and age, I've heard it said that everything has become a blog including facebook postings and whatever presence you have on social media. But that sounds like rationalizing to me.
I've also heard it said, that if "everything is a priority, than nothing is."
My work has been very high on my list, as my new role has brought on perhaps the steepest learning curve of my career, and this has been very rewarding.
My fitness activities, and my guitar playing are also priorities that have not required me any discipline to stick to, as, over the years, these have become very addictive habits. (I recognize my limited natural talent, but that makes these no less rewarding) Thankfully, my fitness practices involve brief infrequent exercise and are not very time consuming, but guitar is something that you can immerse yourself for hours, and in fact requires a commitment of time in order to improve.
Relationships with family are critical, and, since my last blog post, we now have a new grand daughter, bringing us to five grandchildren, but this is the first one who lives in the same city as us.
I am resisting temptation to edit, and put the above paragraph first, recognizing that family "should" come first, but I'm not sure the order of my thoughts, first thing in the morning, dictates my hierarchy of values, but perhaps those that I've allowed to preoccupy my time the most. I'm reflecting in real time, and this reminds me of the true value of blogging beyond the end result created.
Other "priorities": ballroom dancing, hockey, my finances, my wife's new business, a new property we just bought that will require a lot of work, reading (which I have been doing a lot of) as in lifelong learning... and I'm back to the thought of "if everything is a priority, then, nothing is"....
...and yet, I'm reminded of two things.... Being the Hero of your OWN life, has always made me think of the renaissance man who is in fact well rounded, physically, intellectually, financially, emotionally, and skill wise. A warrior and a poet, etc. Secondly, I admit, that there are still many places in my life, from me to steal time, to be more focused on things that matter, mainly web surfing guitar sites, too much facebooking etc.
In a previous post, I reflected on people being spectators of life, rather than actors, and I recognize that while philosophizing about life is crucial, living it is the true art.
While the person with the dull saw, needs to stop long enough to sharpen it, the person who spends all his time sharpening, will never get any work done. (speaking of which, a new discovery has been the joys of craftsmanship (another priority?) where one actually comes in direct contact with reality in a way that academics never will, and utilizes one's brain even beyond the limitations of language... ie. music is not notation.)
In any case, here it is, a post, and I am recognizing that whether I keep this commitment to continue of not, truly is important to me, in the satisfaction that I get when I do, and the regret I feel when I don't.
Thanks, if you happen to read. :)
This led me to feel a certain degree of guilt and regret, as she took the initiative and actually published a book, while I fell off the wagon and have completely gotten away from the blog.
In fairness, I have been journaling, and in this day and age, I've heard it said that everything has become a blog including facebook postings and whatever presence you have on social media. But that sounds like rationalizing to me.
I've also heard it said, that if "everything is a priority, than nothing is."
My work has been very high on my list, as my new role has brought on perhaps the steepest learning curve of my career, and this has been very rewarding.
My fitness activities, and my guitar playing are also priorities that have not required me any discipline to stick to, as, over the years, these have become very addictive habits. (I recognize my limited natural talent, but that makes these no less rewarding) Thankfully, my fitness practices involve brief infrequent exercise and are not very time consuming, but guitar is something that you can immerse yourself for hours, and in fact requires a commitment of time in order to improve.
Relationships with family are critical, and, since my last blog post, we now have a new grand daughter, bringing us to five grandchildren, but this is the first one who lives in the same city as us.
I am resisting temptation to edit, and put the above paragraph first, recognizing that family "should" come first, but I'm not sure the order of my thoughts, first thing in the morning, dictates my hierarchy of values, but perhaps those that I've allowed to preoccupy my time the most. I'm reflecting in real time, and this reminds me of the true value of blogging beyond the end result created.
Other "priorities": ballroom dancing, hockey, my finances, my wife's new business, a new property we just bought that will require a lot of work, reading (which I have been doing a lot of) as in lifelong learning... and I'm back to the thought of "if everything is a priority, then, nothing is"....
...and yet, I'm reminded of two things.... Being the Hero of your OWN life, has always made me think of the renaissance man who is in fact well rounded, physically, intellectually, financially, emotionally, and skill wise. A warrior and a poet, etc. Secondly, I admit, that there are still many places in my life, from me to steal time, to be more focused on things that matter, mainly web surfing guitar sites, too much facebooking etc.
In a previous post, I reflected on people being spectators of life, rather than actors, and I recognize that while philosophizing about life is crucial, living it is the true art.
While the person with the dull saw, needs to stop long enough to sharpen it, the person who spends all his time sharpening, will never get any work done. (speaking of which, a new discovery has been the joys of craftsmanship (another priority?) where one actually comes in direct contact with reality in a way that academics never will, and utilizes one's brain even beyond the limitations of language... ie. music is not notation.)
In any case, here it is, a post, and I am recognizing that whether I keep this commitment to continue of not, truly is important to me, in the satisfaction that I get when I do, and the regret I feel when I don't.
Thanks, if you happen to read. :)
Oct 9, 2015
Open Mindedness
By doing this, I will be adhering to the following spiritual principles:
Rationality, Integrity, Independence, Honesty, Justice, Productiveness and Pride.
From these will naturally follow OPEN MINDEDNESS, Courage, Optimal State Management, Willingness, Conscience, Imagination, Self-Awareness, Style, Grace and (expletive) Attitude!
Well, I now realize that it has been almost six months since my last entry into this blog, so, obviously I have not been very diligent. Since my last entry, I have made a fairly major career change.
While remaining in the same industry, my new role is quite different from the one that I left. In continuing along the topic of taking individual parts of my personal mission statement, as blog entries, I arrive at the topic of OPEN MINDEDNESS. It is interesting timing for me to be speaking of this.
It is a trait, which is sometimes associated with having no coherent philosophy and being open to any new idea, without having a rational filter with which to evaluate them, thus jumping potentially from contradiction to contradiction like a ship without a rudder or sails being led in whatever direction the wind or current takes it.
On the other hand, even when being consistent to principles, one can make errors, and with those same principles, find the means to correct those errors and come to a greater understanding of reality.
What I mean by open mindedness is continually evaluating conclusions, to determine if they continue to stand up to logic, given the addition of new knowledge, to what one was aware of when first drawing those conclusions.
In Galt's speech, he points out that, using logic, when two people disagree, one will be right and one will be wrong, but no one loses, as, if the person who is wrong has made an error of cognition, he can only benefit from learning from the other.
In my previous role, I had set short and long term goals, and I felt that I had not yet achieved my full potential in this role. I'd often told people that the reason I was staying in the role was that I hadn't yet accomplished what I had set out to do, and that if and when I ever made a change, I would do so only after I felt I had reached my goals.
I felt that making a change before that, was akin to failure, even though I had questioned on a number of occasions whether my goals were truly realistic, at least for me.
Only by stepping out of that role, could I ever have gained a new perspective, in which I now believe, that sometimes, it may be a matter of not being in the role that truly uses your greatest strengths. Einstein said something to the effect, that everyone is a genius, but you shouldn't judge a fish by his inability to climb a tree.
One could certainly accuse me of rationalizing giving up before I reached my goals, but, and I know this may not seem entirely rational, but as I am entering the third month in this new role, I truly feel like this is a far better fit. I'm learning new things every day, which is something I enjoy and excel at. I am getting an opportunity to use my analytical side far more, as well. I feel more passionate about what I'm doing than I have in a long time, In other words, I'm having a riot!
Also, my former role, for the last several years, increasingly included a growing need to be a compliance officer, and all indications were that this trend was to continue growing exponentially in the future. This included enforcing a regulatory environment, with which I felt no sympathy, in fact quite the opposite. A growing number of people in our industry feel this way, and there are definitely signs of Atlas Shrugging as people choose to retire earlier, and are sometimes reluctant to bring in sons an daughters into the industry.
What I've always loved is being able to provide value to entrepreneurs striving to success, and to clients who desire to achieve long term, rational financial goals, and this is where my focus is, in in this new role.
So I'm referring to open mindedness, in the sense of actually considering and deciding to make a change which I had previously thought of as "giving up", when now, I am increasingly convinced it was a matter of making a rational decision of aligning myself better with my strengths and values.
It is true that all worthwhile endeavours will be challenging, and the rhetoric of not giving up until one reaches a goal certainly has great validity, but if it begins to feel as though the challenges outweigh the passion for the goals, it may be wisdom, to consider if there is a misalignment (as in a bad romantic relationship).
Ultimately my goal is to achieve personal excellence, and whatever career I choose is simply the vehicle to achieve that. I am now feeling as though I am in a new vehicle that suits me better, and I am more committed than ever to the ultimate goal of achieving personal excellence!
Thanks for reading.
Rationality, Integrity, Independence, Honesty, Justice, Productiveness and Pride.
From these will naturally follow OPEN MINDEDNESS, Courage, Optimal State Management, Willingness, Conscience, Imagination, Self-Awareness, Style, Grace and (expletive) Attitude!
Well, I now realize that it has been almost six months since my last entry into this blog, so, obviously I have not been very diligent. Since my last entry, I have made a fairly major career change.
While remaining in the same industry, my new role is quite different from the one that I left. In continuing along the topic of taking individual parts of my personal mission statement, as blog entries, I arrive at the topic of OPEN MINDEDNESS. It is interesting timing for me to be speaking of this.
It is a trait, which is sometimes associated with having no coherent philosophy and being open to any new idea, without having a rational filter with which to evaluate them, thus jumping potentially from contradiction to contradiction like a ship without a rudder or sails being led in whatever direction the wind or current takes it.
On the other hand, even when being consistent to principles, one can make errors, and with those same principles, find the means to correct those errors and come to a greater understanding of reality.
What I mean by open mindedness is continually evaluating conclusions, to determine if they continue to stand up to logic, given the addition of new knowledge, to what one was aware of when first drawing those conclusions.
In Galt's speech, he points out that, using logic, when two people disagree, one will be right and one will be wrong, but no one loses, as, if the person who is wrong has made an error of cognition, he can only benefit from learning from the other.
In my previous role, I had set short and long term goals, and I felt that I had not yet achieved my full potential in this role. I'd often told people that the reason I was staying in the role was that I hadn't yet accomplished what I had set out to do, and that if and when I ever made a change, I would do so only after I felt I had reached my goals.
I felt that making a change before that, was akin to failure, even though I had questioned on a number of occasions whether my goals were truly realistic, at least for me.
Only by stepping out of that role, could I ever have gained a new perspective, in which I now believe, that sometimes, it may be a matter of not being in the role that truly uses your greatest strengths. Einstein said something to the effect, that everyone is a genius, but you shouldn't judge a fish by his inability to climb a tree.
One could certainly accuse me of rationalizing giving up before I reached my goals, but, and I know this may not seem entirely rational, but as I am entering the third month in this new role, I truly feel like this is a far better fit. I'm learning new things every day, which is something I enjoy and excel at. I am getting an opportunity to use my analytical side far more, as well. I feel more passionate about what I'm doing than I have in a long time, In other words, I'm having a riot!
Also, my former role, for the last several years, increasingly included a growing need to be a compliance officer, and all indications were that this trend was to continue growing exponentially in the future. This included enforcing a regulatory environment, with which I felt no sympathy, in fact quite the opposite. A growing number of people in our industry feel this way, and there are definitely signs of Atlas Shrugging as people choose to retire earlier, and are sometimes reluctant to bring in sons an daughters into the industry.
What I've always loved is being able to provide value to entrepreneurs striving to success, and to clients who desire to achieve long term, rational financial goals, and this is where my focus is, in in this new role.
So I'm referring to open mindedness, in the sense of actually considering and deciding to make a change which I had previously thought of as "giving up", when now, I am increasingly convinced it was a matter of making a rational decision of aligning myself better with my strengths and values.
It is true that all worthwhile endeavours will be challenging, and the rhetoric of not giving up until one reaches a goal certainly has great validity, but if it begins to feel as though the challenges outweigh the passion for the goals, it may be wisdom, to consider if there is a misalignment (as in a bad romantic relationship).
Ultimately my goal is to achieve personal excellence, and whatever career I choose is simply the vehicle to achieve that. I am now feeling as though I am in a new vehicle that suits me better, and I am more committed than ever to the ultimate goal of achieving personal excellence!
Thanks for reading.
Apr 3, 2015
12 OBJECTIVIST STEPS?
I first read of Objectivism in the early 90's. I had abused drugs for much of my life, primarily marijuana and alcohol. In the 80's I began to exercise regualry and to think about health. (some semblance of growing up)
This led me to the writings of Mike Mentzer, a bodybuilder who regularly quoted Ayn Rand in his books and articles. It also led me to give up drugs and alcohol, at first on my own and eventually through 12 step programs. I picked up Atlas Shrugged quite by coincidence when visiting a relative, seeing it in his bookshelf, and recognizing the name due to the references from Mike Mentzer. As for many reading this, it was a life changing experience and I've not looked back.
During this time, I continued to attend 12 step meetings, and became aware of apparent contradictions between Objectivism and some of the principles in 12 step groups. I use the term "apparent" because I would argue that there is much alignment as well.
I also realized that had it not been for 12 step groups, I would never have discovered Objectivism, as this would not have been possible in my drug induced fog. (Evasion is necessary to use drugs, and drugs facilitate evasion, a vicious circle)
I discovered with delight the essay by Ayn Rand in which she spoke of the Serenity Prayer in a positive way. (I believe this may have been in the essay "The Metaphysical versus the Man-Made".)
I also wrote Leonard Peikoff asking about what what I thought may have been a dilemma for me, but explaining, among other things that my "higher power of my understanding" was Reality itself and not any mystical god.
My interpretation and paraphrasing of his reply (this was a while back, and I don't want to put words in his mouth) was that my interpretation and continued use of this support system was not unhealthy.
All this to say, that my blog entry today, is my first attempt at taking the "12 steps" and reinterpreting them in a manner that I believe comes closer to correctly expressing their underlying basic principles, in a manner that I think most Objectivists would relate to.
Having said that, I post this, openly requesting suggestions for better wordsmithing to achieve what I am attempting, pointing out to any potential errors in my thinking or choice of words.
So here it is:
1. We admitted that "evasion" of reality was not only impractical, but was either the actual cause of every problem in our lives, or at the very least made those problems much, much worse, and prevented any solution.
2. We realized that dealing with reality through reason, was the only sane way to deal with all challenges and achieve happiness in our lives.
3. We made a decision to align our lives with focusing on and cherishing reality, avoiding rationalization and justification (evasion) at all costs.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of our strengths and weaknesses to the best of our awareness and ability.
5. We admitted publicly and especially to ourselves, with absolute honesty, the exact nature of our wrongs, to the best of our knowledge.
6. We assumed an attitude of complete commitment to lifelong character improvement.
7. Humbly realizing that this process would involve lifelong learning about ourselves, as well as making additional distinctions about our character and how to deal with them, we continually looked for sources of wisdom to aid us in our quest.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and took the responsibillity to make amends to them all.
9. We made direct amends to such people, wherever possible, except when to do so, would injure them or others.
10. We continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
11. We sought through inquiry, and continual learning to improve our conscious focus, cherishing and alignment with reality, not only obtaining knowledge, but acting on it in accordance with reason, purpose and self-esteem.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
This led me to the writings of Mike Mentzer, a bodybuilder who regularly quoted Ayn Rand in his books and articles. It also led me to give up drugs and alcohol, at first on my own and eventually through 12 step programs. I picked up Atlas Shrugged quite by coincidence when visiting a relative, seeing it in his bookshelf, and recognizing the name due to the references from Mike Mentzer. As for many reading this, it was a life changing experience and I've not looked back.
During this time, I continued to attend 12 step meetings, and became aware of apparent contradictions between Objectivism and some of the principles in 12 step groups. I use the term "apparent" because I would argue that there is much alignment as well.
I also realized that had it not been for 12 step groups, I would never have discovered Objectivism, as this would not have been possible in my drug induced fog. (Evasion is necessary to use drugs, and drugs facilitate evasion, a vicious circle)
I discovered with delight the essay by Ayn Rand in which she spoke of the Serenity Prayer in a positive way. (I believe this may have been in the essay "The Metaphysical versus the Man-Made".)
I also wrote Leonard Peikoff asking about what what I thought may have been a dilemma for me, but explaining, among other things that my "higher power of my understanding" was Reality itself and not any mystical god.
My interpretation and paraphrasing of his reply (this was a while back, and I don't want to put words in his mouth) was that my interpretation and continued use of this support system was not unhealthy.
All this to say, that my blog entry today, is my first attempt at taking the "12 steps" and reinterpreting them in a manner that I believe comes closer to correctly expressing their underlying basic principles, in a manner that I think most Objectivists would relate to.
Having said that, I post this, openly requesting suggestions for better wordsmithing to achieve what I am attempting, pointing out to any potential errors in my thinking or choice of words.
So here it is:
1. We admitted that "evasion" of reality was not only impractical, but was either the actual cause of every problem in our lives, or at the very least made those problems much, much worse, and prevented any solution.
2. We realized that dealing with reality through reason, was the only sane way to deal with all challenges and achieve happiness in our lives.
3. We made a decision to align our lives with focusing on and cherishing reality, avoiding rationalization and justification (evasion) at all costs.
4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of our strengths and weaknesses to the best of our awareness and ability.
5. We admitted publicly and especially to ourselves, with absolute honesty, the exact nature of our wrongs, to the best of our knowledge.
6. We assumed an attitude of complete commitment to lifelong character improvement.
7. Humbly realizing that this process would involve lifelong learning about ourselves, as well as making additional distinctions about our character and how to deal with them, we continually looked for sources of wisdom to aid us in our quest.
8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and took the responsibillity to make amends to them all.
9. We made direct amends to such people, wherever possible, except when to do so, would injure them or others.
10. We continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
11. We sought through inquiry, and continual learning to improve our conscious focus, cherishing and alignment with reality, not only obtaining knowledge, but acting on it in accordance with reason, purpose and self-esteem.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
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