The Seeds of Disappointment

... and only you will live with the result.

Let’s begin with a very simple premise: We live in a complicated, confusing, and often hostile world. It’s as important to gain an understanding of that, as it is to gain understanding of each other.

The reason this is so important is because otherwise there is a distinct tendency to continually feel at a disadvantage -- like a lamb in the midst of a wolf pack. With that feeling present, one tends to grasp at straws; taking poor advice and/or direction because the assumption is that others know more than we do.

The source of this `advice’ could be anything between a well intentioned friend to commercial advertising. No matter which it is, it’s often the wrong advice, and it’s you -- not they -- who pay the price. The most reliable guide you can have is your own intelligence and intuition. The problem exists that we too often under-rate our own intelligence. You must break this habitual assumption in all areas of your life -- not just in regard to your relationships.

You want to take a vacation, and you are torn between Mexico and Hawaii. Having never been to, or read much about either place, you ask a friend who’s been to both. Your friend adamantly endorses Hawaii, and has nothing good to say about Mexico. What isn’t revealed is that your friend took a discount bus charter to Mexico, but the trip to Hawaii was a company convention. Obviously the experiences would be totally different, and their memories and perceptions just as different.

Your friend isn’t you, any more than you are him or her. Instead of just accepting someone else’s thoughts, why not do some reading & research, and pick the vacation place which most appeals to your tastes? Then you will be making a decision based on your wants and needs. Also, you’ll have made the decision for yourself, and that will afford you a sense of control you’d not have had otherwise.