To complete the chapter on social health, consider the importance of your word. In most situations, you are a free agent, free to give or to withhold your word. You can promise, commit or agree to something, or you can
Western civilization, culture, government and religion were built largely on the insights and teachings of two masters, Socrates and Christ, and on efforts to understand and live by these teachings of self-knowledge for self-mastery. Educated, ‘powerful’ people have also misused
Another consideration of social groups involves looking at the nature of their books of rules and constitutions.
First, all sets of rules and all constitutions are flawed documents. Why? They’re flawed because they’re products of human minds, which are
Self-actualized people all speak in personal ‘incorrect’ ways, spontaneously, without memorized sets of stories, texts and explanations. They don’t stick to only a few limited scripts. They encourage you to convey your own experiences uniquely, and welcome you to give
The psychologist Alfred Adler suggested making a distinction between people, who are worth caring for, and unacceptable behavior, which has to be addressed. “I love you but your behavior is unacceptable, and I expect you to change it for the
Social pressure can’t get to your central core. You are free in that core even when your body is being pushed or pulled around, negative words are used, and others speak to you in demanding or demeaning tones. It’s good
When you are not in touch with the wholeness that comes from the feeling of belonging to life, you are vulnerable to social manipulation. Others can deceive, coerce or bully you to submit to their specific personal or social agenda.
Even when you are strong, some people may still be toxic for you and you may be wise to exclude them from your circle of daily interactions. However, avoiding such people does not mean that it’s okay for you to
What price do you pay for membership? Do you give up personal independence and freedom to become and remain a member? Why are you willing to do so? When you’re only weakly committed and unaware that you most truly belong
One of my inventions has made it around the world, far broader than I could have ever done alone, simply because others stole it. Theft of ideas does not diminish me. It enhances me, and that’s sexy. After all, thieves