I must admit, sometimes I totally befuddle myself. Too many times in my life, I’ve tried to figure out the whys behind what I do. “Vic, what were you thinking?” “Why did I do that?” “Why did I say that?” “Why can’t I seem to get motivated?” “Why am I procrastinating?”
Those questions have taken me on a lifelong search for answers. For the most part, what I’ve found are theories and pretty crappy ones at that (Freud, I’m talking about you). However, based on the hundreds of books I’ve read over the years coupled with the hard science, I’ve arrived at some conclusions. These are my truths to claim and I don’t much care if you agree with them or not. It’s up to you to arrive at your own truth.
So, here’s what I know about me:
My body isn’t who I am. My body consists of mostly empty space (yeah, my brain too).
My body was created from a code (thank you mom and dad) with trip genes that can turn on and off. All living things possess such a code. I’m only a few genes away from being a chimpanzee and a few more from being a fruit fly (sorry creationists).
There’s a part of me that sits back like a lazy ass and watches with an apparent disinterest in what my brain, my genetics, and my chemistry direct my body to do.
My degree of financial success is solely dependent on the skills I acquire and the risks I’m willing to take.
Over the years, my experiences and education have changed my views on many things.
To survive, I require food, water, and shelter.
To thrive, I need to understand my emotional needs because they are the driving force behind what I do on a day to day basis.
I care very little about what others think or say about me.
I can dislike what someone does and still love them.
Truth is highest on my priority list
My greatest enemy is myself.
Here are the things I’ve learned from experience, books, and studies that seem true
The culture in which I grew up is a factor in what I do and how I do it.
I am only motivated to do things that I give value to.
When I lie, it is to protect my ego or that of someone I care about (white lies).
Fear is often behind doing and saying stupid things. The fear is that I’m going to look stupid causes anxiety, so I end up looking stupid. The fear I might fail stops me from moving forward and that is stupid.
My insatiable curiosity tends to dilute my ability to focus on one thing for very long. (I’m working on that.)
My level of happiness is solely dependent on what I believe, the way I think. and the actions I take.
The concept of a god as a creator was born out of our human need to answer the following questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? (We have our brain’s frontal cortex to thank for that.)
Hedonic pleasures are short lived.
Physical beauty is short lived.
Human to human connections are important.
I am intuitive. (So are you.)
There is a cost to everything I do. If I choose to do the dishes, the time isn’t spent writing this blog. If I write this blog, the dishes aren’t getting done.
There appears to be a connectedness to all things.
Okay, kids, that’s all I’ve got for this week. I suggest you look for your own truth. The best place to start is by questioning your present beliefs. Ask yourself where those beliefs originated. You can take it to the bank that someone gave them to you. Definitely, question the belief that an event or a person is the key to your happiness.
