Bill Bowman

Every Sunday I work at a certain Copy Store. I have worked there for around three years. When I started working there it was more of an actual job, 20 to 30 hours a week. Now I just show up every Sunday and help out around the store. It is often slow on Sundays, so I get time to study or read the books they sell.

They sell an inordinate number of self-help books in their retail section. Perfect for the resume-copiers and workers that frequent the store. Over the years I have read a good number of the books and I think that they have actually taught me some important lessons about life and relationships.

Before I enumerate the things that I have picked up from the books, I ask you to throw away preconceptions about “self-help” things. There is a stigma about “self help” that regards such books as snake oil for suckers. I propose that the books are not. Most of them propose a new way of thinking about life that a person might not encounter in the everyday, 9-5 life.

I will briefly list the things that the books have in common or connect on. I draw heavily from “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, “Your Best Life Now” by Joel Osteen, “The Last Lecture” by Randy Paust and “ The Four Hour Workweek” by Timmothy Ferriss. I have also thrown in some of my own opinions and observations.

Gratitude - be thankful for what you have. Consider the poor and suffering in the world and count your blessings. Accordingly, try to help others in the world by giving or helping when you can. If you are reading this, you have internet access so your are better off than 85 percent of the planet (made up statistic).

If you have food and water, can you really complain about life?

Positivity – it is my personal belief that thoughts have a great influence on reality. Do not be a “blind optimist” but always see the the silver lining. Looking for the good in situations will make every situation better. Support your friends and acquaintances in every new adventure.

... so which is it?

Confidence – to succeed in life you must believe in yourself. This is an unorthadox view (from what I have seen), but I believe that if you say you have that skill or talent, you will aquire it. I have previously used Lil Wayne as an example of this concept.

Which came first: the chicken (saying it) or the egg (being it)?

Vision – along the lines of “swagger”, having a vision for where you want to be is important. Visualization is discussed extensievely in self-help books. Basically, picture your future and it will come true (like Indiana Jones crossing the invisible bridge).

If Indy can do it, so can you.

Order – to do great things, your possessions and affairs must be arranged. This is not to say everything must be perfect, but the knowledge of where necessary things are located is essential.

Body – the base of the being is the body (say that five times fast). Keep the body and mind sharp. I try to stay in good enough shape to be able to outrun a dog for several hundred meters (I practice on Lady Bird Lake).

I think Lance could outrun rabid dogs on Lady Bird Lake.

Connection – maintain contacts with the positive people you have known in the past and cultivate new relationships with those you meet everyday. People are the true conduits for happiness and success.

Forgiveness – do not hold grudges against anyone. Holding a grudge does not hurt the “grudgee”. It only serves to embitter you and make you more negative. Do not hate others, but understand. In my life, I have found this hard to do, but realized its importance.

Open-Mindedness – do not discount other’s ideas because they are not like you. Listen to what they say and understand their perspective. Do not close your mind to others points of views because they disagree with yours or contradict your schema.

Simplicity - Having little and knowing much should be the goal. Bruce Lee said this:

One does not accumulate but eliminate. It is not daily increase but daily decrease. The height of cultivation always runs to simplicity.

I take this to mean a person must be unencumbered by the trappings of modern life. Be iterate and flexible.

Humbleness – I think it was Socrates that said:

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.

Now, everyone knows something, but the intent of the message is to be humble No matter how much you have done or seen; there is always more to learn. More to see and hear. Do not be content with yourself. Keep learning.

I will close in acknowledging that I am not a master in any of the above skills. I am still learning and seeking my own way. I hope that every person can strive to do their best and live their best life (now I am sounding like Joel Osteen).

I hope this post will serve as a work-in-progress for the concepts and ideas that influence me. I welcome any comments or criticisms!

What do you think?