Newspapers and other media often paint a dark picture of contemporary
education. Studies that compare the knowledge of mathematics of children
in different countries add little to the discussion, since many
question if teaching algebra to seven-year-old kids makes any sense at
all.
The three elements of unshakable self-confidence
The modern school curriculum contains a wide range of
subjects and attempts to develop children's talents in all directions.
From music to History, from drawing to sports, everything is there to
fascinate and entertain the minds of the young.
Since the variety
of subjects that are addressed in today's classrooms is mind-boggling,
how does one explain that many youths experience boredom at school? Does
the number of subjects correspond to a real learning need or is it
rather a fashion? Do we really want such complexity? What are the
essential elements of a good education?
History gives perspective
and, in this particular case, it teaches us a precious lesson. You
might be surprised to learn that, for almost two thousand years, since
the times of Aristotle until the Renaissance, a good education consisted
only of three subjects.
In ancient times and during the Middle
Ages, there was no radio, no television, and no internet. Books were
expensive and difficult to reproduce. The thoughts of the past were
carefully compiled and copied by hand. Education represented a
considerable investment and was held in high regard.
The three essential ingredients of personal development
Pupils
traveled hundreds of kilometres in order to enroll in schools that
featured famous speakers. The subjects that students were taught
equipped them with the most crucial skills that a man needs in life,
whatever his later choice of profession. If you mastered those three
subjects, chances were that you would do well in life:
1.- LEARN TO THINK LOGICALLY.
Even during periods of intense religiosity, such as medieval times, the
study of Aristotle's essays on logic was considered indispensable. The
mark of an educated man was his ability to think consistently, find
patterns, and draw conclusions from events. Even though this subject has
disappeared from the school curriculum in many countries, anyone can
afford to buy a copy of Aristotle's works. When it comes to learning
logic, the only barriers to acquiring knowledge are self-inflicted.
2.-
DEVELOP YOUR LANGUAGE SKILLS. Communicating your thoughts orally and in writing is the basis
of most commercial activities. Without proper syntax, men cannot make
themselves understood. Language allows individuals to formulate complex
connections between facts. Creativity without grammar frequently turns
out to be meaningless. The simple practice of reading good authors will
boost your ability to communicate in any field. Access to public
libraries is free in most countries. Are you using that possibility to
your full advantage?
3.- MAINTAIN HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS. The science of human choices
played a central role in education since the times of the Ancient
Greeks. Aristotle himself recognized the importance of learning moral
values as milestones in the path to individual happiness. Another
benefit of studying ethics is learning from other people's mistakes.
Making your own errors will teach you unforgettable lessons, but
learning from publications and good speakers is less expensive. In our
days, books are cheap and internet access is widespread. If you want to
learn, you will find many doors open.
The three pillars of personal growth
Do not pay attention to
those who criticize schools and teachers. Complaining is not going to
solve any problem. Realize that you are responsible for your own
education, self-confidence, and personal development. Identify which knowledge you are missing and go for it. The
world is full of opportunities for those who want to learn. Make sure
that you have the three basic ingredients well covered, move on, and pursue your
growth.
For more information about rational living and personal development, I refer you to my book The 10 Principles of Rational Living
[Text: http://johnvespasian.blogspot.com]
[Image by Gilles Gonthier under Creative Commons Attribution License. See the license terms under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us]
You cannot drive a car without traffic signs, a map, or at the very
least, knowing where you want to go. A sense of direction allows man to
make decisions, assess costs, and trade off alternatives. Most people
are aware of the importance of setting goals in life, but in order to
avoid losing motivation, it is crucial to keep your objectives visible
to yourself. There are four reasons for that:
Long-term
thinking requires sustained effort
Without reflection and
concentration, human life tends to decay into a succession of events
without order nor enjoyment. Using your days wisely and making the best
of your life is impossible without long-term thinking. Keeping your
major objectives in front of your eyes enables you to steer out of
time-wasters.
The most scarce resource is invisible
Time
continues to flow whether we have a great life or not. In the end, our
days will be gone anyway. The question is how to live them in the best
possible way. Happiness is never automatic. It requires thinking, goals,
action, and progress. Keeping your dreams visible makes you aware of
the passage of time and prompts you to move in your chosen direction.
A strong sense of direction wins over random noise
Daily events are meaningless
without perspective. In addition, the random noise of nihilism and
nonsense tends to discourage clear thinking. Maintaining a list of your
goals in a visible place helps you ignore the noise of the world.
Knowing where you are going is a fundamental element of self-confidence.
It allows you to discard what cannot work and persist in what will.
Only by ignoring noise can we put our energies to good use.
Steady progress, even if slow, is a major achievement in itself
The term success is frequently
attributed only to spectacular victories. On the other hand, one should
never forget that, behind every major achievement, there are years of
preparation and relentless action. Place your long-term goals where you
can see them everyday. That is the best manner to remind yourself that
something needs to be done right now in order to keep advancing towards
your objectives.
You cannot reach your destination without a
plan, a list of actions, and the will to correct mistakes as they
happen. Long-term goals allow man to evaluate alternatives, discard
wasteful undertakings, and learn from experience. Setting goals in life
is essential, but without constant action, little will be achieved. Keeping objectives present in our mind is what enables us to align present reality with future achievement.
For more information about rational living and personal development, I refer you to my book The 10 Principles of Rational Living
[Text: http://johnvespasian.blogspot.com]
[Image by Koshyk under Creative Commons Attribution License. See the license terms under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us]
Self-confidence is the most admired character trait that actors play in
movies. For most people, it dwarfs any other psychological or physical
attribute in terms of desirability. What is the key to attaining
self-assurance? Does it come from internal sources or from external
validation?
Rational living promotes self-confidence and peace of mind
Most advice given on the subject consists of isolated
prescriptions without logic or context. Telling people to repeat in
their head that they are capable and positive does not help much.
Focusing on external aspects, such as clothing, might lead individuals
to think that they lack fundamental value.
For two thousand
years, the writings of philosophers have linked personal happiness to a
feeling of certainty. The serenity that comes from trusting the future
cannot be replaced by artificial beliefs.
Self-reliance is the consequence of following the essential principles of reality, namely:
- What happens in the world is determined by the law of cause and effect.
- Human beings possess the unique characteristic of being able to set their own goals.
- Consistent purposeful action is the decisive factor that shapes the future of an individual.
- Ambitious long-term goals can be achieved by means of relentless activity in the chosen field.
- Progress is a natural process driven by persistence, mistakes, learning, and refocusing.
The antidote to stress, discouragement, and despondency
Despite
the impression that one might gain from watching films, self-assurance
is not a supernatural quality that chance bestows on certain people. It
is not an innate talent or physical capacity that only a few inherit,
but the result of continuous personal growth. It takes substantial
effort to develop and maintain self-reliance.
Lack of trust in
the future is originated by the conviction that nothing can be done to
improve one's situation. The size of problems and obstacles is
exaggerated. Opportunities are overlooked. Alternatives are not
explored. The impact of external forces is magnified beyond measurement.
Consistent purposeful action
The
opposite process takes place when we acquire a healthy, rational view
of the world. We become conscious of the fact that, primarily, our
actions will define how our life turns out. We learn to deal with the
undesirable aspects of reality by taking appropriate steps. We focus on
steadfast activity rather than on elements that we cannot control.
Uninterrupted
focus on one area allows accelerated learning. Incessant alertness
permits to discover opportunities that remain invisible to most.
Self-reliance is the result of implementing rational thinking through
long-term undertakings. If you pursue worthy goals through consistent
action, self-confidence is your natural due. Claim it.
For more information about rational living and personal development, I refer you to my book The 10 Principles of Rational Living
Text: http://johnvespasian.blogspot.com
Image by ggallice under Creative Commons Attribution License. See the license terms under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us
I had not seen the man on my way up to the mountain. Otherwise I would have remembered. He had set up a wooden table next to the path that led to the Inca ruins, offering his merchandise to the tourists.
I stood still in front of the table and inspected the products with
curiosity. The table was covered with red bricks. Old bricks, as far as I
could tell.
I bent over and looked closer at the bricks, wondering what was so
special about them. To me, they appeared to be normal red bricks, such
as those that you would find on any construction site. I contemplated
the man behind the table for a moment, trying to assess his age.
The brick salesman was in his late thirties or early forties and had an
intelligent look about him. Nevertheless, it was obvious that the poor
man had lost his mind. As I walked away, I shook my head, feeling sorry
for him.
What could possibly have happened to him? How come that he had lost
his capacity for reasoning? After walking a few steps, I decided to
inquire about the cause of his lunacy. I returned to his table,
only to see that he was putting labels on the bricks.
He would pick up a brick, examine it carefully, remove a sticker from a
plastic sheet that he had laid on the table, and then he would place the
sticker on the brick. Each sticker had a hand-written name on it.
While the man continued to place labels on the bricks, I picked one of
them and read the word on its label. "Kon" it read. What on earth
is Kon, I asked myself. I put the brick back on the table and picked up
another one. This time, I found the word "Apu" written on it. Apu? What
was that supposed to mean?
The man placed the labels calmly on the last bricks and turned to me.
"Which one do you like best?" he asked. I hesitated before replying,
since I did not want to hurt his feelings. Most likely, it was not his
fault if he had lost his mind. "Kon is a good choice," he went on, "but
if you allow me, I think that Apu would be the most suitable for you."
My reaction came instantly, as I was suspecting him of a hidden attack
against my honour. "Why do you say so? What does Apu mean?" The man
smiled at my incomprehension. "Kon is the Inca God of the Wind, the God
who brings good weather," he explained. "And Apu is the God of the
Mountains, the God who exercises his power through kindness and
understanding."
I could not help feeling flattered by the man's words. I have always
liked to portray myself as a kind person and I believe that once I even
heard someone actually called me so. "But what's the point of setting
labels on red bricks?" I countered, puzzled. I did my best to formulate
my question in a way that did not sound insulting.
The man seemed not to remark the absurdity of the situation and replied
in a matter-of-fact tone. ''The brick it's just a symbol," he indicated
patiently. "Like bricks, human beings are all essentially the same, but
like Gods, each individual is different. Each man's uniqueness lies in his
calling."
I won't tell you how much I paid for the brick, but I think that the
price was worth the story. Even years later, I still keep the red brick
on my living room table. Every visitor that has come to my home has
picked up the brick, read the label, and asked me what Apu means. "Apu,"
I always begin, "let me tell you about Apu."
For more information about rational living and personal development, I refer you to my book The 10 Principles of Rational Living
[Text: http://johnvespasian.blogspot.com]
[Image by Gusjer under Creative Commons Attribution License. See the license terms under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us]
Medicine and other sciences have advanced immensely since Antiquity.
Unfortunately, many of their fundamental principles have barely spread
beyond the circle of professionals and specialists. Even in the 21st
century, important segments of the population still know less about
their own health than about sports or entertainment celebrities.
Hippocrates identified the basic rules
Hippocrates
(460-370 BC), the most famous physician of Ancient Greece, already
identified basic rules for protecting our health. However, although many
generations have passed, his major discovery, the idea that sickness
rarely happens by chance, is still ignored by millions of people.
Centuries
ago, the belief that illness was a matter of bad luck was widespread in
society. In our days, even though such conception has become less
prevalent, it still plays a key role in determining how we live, how we
see ourselves, and how we make important decisions.
Allow nature to
exert its curative powers
According to
Hippocrates, medical practitioners should above all allow nature to
exert its curative powers on patients. Artificial remedies should be
avoided because they interfere with the self-healing capacities of our
body. Treatments should be mild and gentle, aiming at helping patients
recover their energies and strengthen their natural defences.
Illness,
better than cured, should be prevented whenever possible. Hippocrates
named the three essential risks that are, in most cases, responsible for
our physical decay: our food, our environment, and our personal habits.
The conclusion that follows is that each individual is primarily
responsible for his own health, barring irresistible accident or
catastrophe.
Holistic medicine is based on ancient precepts
Modern holistic medicine has adopted many of
Hippocrates' precepts, emphasizing a balanced diet, adequate rest, mild
exercise, and peace of mind. Does it not stand to reason that it is
immeasurably less expensive to avoid sickness than to cure it? Why do
millions of individuals destroy their health thought self-defeating
behaviour?
No one possesses perfect knowledge of the impact of
each of his actions on his own health, but we do know enough to be able
to prevent a large number of self-inflicted diseases. How many people
are actually unaware of the perverse effects of smoking? What percentage
of heavy drinkers can claim to ignore the dire consequences of
excessive alcohol intake?
The answers to those questions point
out to individual responsibility. In ancient times, patients used to
blame sickness on supernatural forces. Nowadays, victims of their own
faulty behaviour frequently blame third parties for illness or injury.
In some cases, this is done with the aim of seeking a financial reward
or other type of compensation.
Millions of
people still make the same mistakes
During the last fifty years,
massive efforts have been devoted to raising public awareness of
fundamental health issues. The results, however, are all but
encouraging. Advertising campaigns aiming at making individuals more
responsible for their own health have still to provide evidence of
long-term success.
If we look around, we still see millions of
people making the same mistakes that citizens of Ancient Greece made in
Hippocrates' time. We remain passive in the face of environmental
threats to our health, we eat the wrong food or too much of it, and we
lead unsustainable lifestyles that end up damaging our body.
What
is the reason of the failure of most attempts to increase personal
responsibility in health matters? Are people impervious to rational
arguments? Is the message not sufficiently powerful or interesting?
Shouldn't the importance of a good health not be self-evident to an
adult audience?
The root of the problem might lie more in the
theory than in its implementation. The whole discussion about
responsibility might be missing an essential factor whose role in health
protection is little understood, namely, entrepreneurship. Individuals
who possess personal initiative want to take their destiny into their
own hands, not only financially, but also in the area of physical and
mental well-being.
Entrepreneurship helps prevent sickness
Entrepreneurship helps prevent sickness
because it trains the mind to compare current actions with future
consequences. Medical doctors advise patients to behave and eat
rationally. Similarly, businessmen assess markets, identify what
consumers want to buy, and design their products accordingly.
They
know that going against the facts of reality will fail to produce
profits or, even worse, might push them into bankruptcy. Mistakes teach
entrepreneurs what doesn't work. Errors force them to correct a
misguided course. Their efforts are channelled productively into worthy
pursuits.
Better health starts with a better lifestyle
Business is at the same time self-regulating and
self-encouraging. In the market, virtuous behaviour tends to occur
naturally because it furthers businessmen's own interests. There is no
reason that would prevent a similar process from taking place in the
field of preventive medicine.
If we want to improve our health,
entrepreneurship is a workable, although far from self-evident solution.
Few people change their lifestyle before they internalize the necessity
to do it.
Smokers who quit their noxious habit have often been
shaken by the realization that they are shortening their days. Their
transformation frequently takes place after witnessing a fellow smoker
die of lung cancer.
Rote learning rarely instils personal
responsibility, neither in the field of preventive medicine nor in other
areas. Entrepreneurship is a much better approach to encouraging
individuals to take command of their health.
Principles that should be engraved in our souls
Hippocrates'
principles should not be engraved in stone, but in our souls. They
should not be presented as dead words, but as promises of a better
future.
The essential characteristic of entrepreneurship, the
need of constant focused action, promotes rapid learning to an extent
that no education system can equal. Telling someone a hundred times a
day that he should behave responsibly will simply put him to sleep.
In
contrast, showing him the advantages of entrepreneurial action might
whet his curiosity and prompt him to action. What man learns through
example and experience is rarely forgotten. Hippocrates, who also made a
point of practising his own theories and preaching by example, lived to
be 90 years old.
For more information about rational living and personal development, I refer you to my book The 10 Principles of Rational Living
[Text: http://johnvespasian.blogspot.com]
[Image by David Berkowitz under Creative Commons Attribution License. See the license terms under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us]
