Are you one of those people who gets motivated, excited, or educated about the things that you read? Well I certainly hope so since you are reading my blog right now, but I also want to put up the caution flag, because not everything that you read is going to steer you in the right direction!
One of the great things about the Internet is that anyone can be a writer, and for people with talent and/or knowledge that is worth sharing, that freedom is great. However, there are also people who don't have much writing talent, or much knowledge to share, but that isn't stopping them from writing!
Now, don't get me wrong. I would never tell someone not to express themselves just because they don't have a writing degree, or because they don't have a plaque hanging on their wall from some prestigious university. I have neither myself, yet the things that I write tend to be worth reading, or at least that's what I've been told.
The trick here is to read information and run it through the filters of your own experiences. Just because one person has a certain point of view doesn't mean that you necessarily need to agree with it just because you found it written on some blog, website, message board, or an offline publication.
For example, I got this quote in my email this morning, credited originally to Elizabeth Taylor:
"It's not the having, it's the getting."
Okay, I'll buy that. Life is a journey, not a destination, and all of that. I agree. However, at the same time, it is ALSO the having. I have a wonderful set of circumstances that are in the process of coming into my life right now, and the "getting" part of the end result of those circumstances is certainly enjoyable. It's exciting and exhilarating even!
Nonetheless, I have no intention of getting to the end result and then not enjoying that result when it gets here! That's like going out and buying a new computer, or iPod, or big-screen TV, but then never using it. That doesn't make any sense to me.
So, referring back to the quote about about focusing on the "getting" rather than the "having," that quote does not resonate with me. Just because Elizabeth Taylor originally said it does not mean that I need to agree with it.
As you go through your day to day and week to week routines of reading things online, getting motivational quotes via email, or reading empowering books or magazines, allow yourself to take in all of the incredible feelings of empowerment, motivation, and courage that those types of media can bring you.
However, for every phrase, sentence, saying, or axiom that crosses your path, ask yourself if YOU believe those words. If you do, then run with it. If not, don't be afraid to kick it to the curb!
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I agree with the heading of this article- unfortunately there is very little education that teaches children how to “read the media” – the powers of discernment only really develop at about age 16 or so – by then chidren have been exposed to plenty of messages, which may or may not be true. The question is how do you teach the truth and then the answer is “What is the truth” – it becomes a philosophical argument which can be manipulated to suit the religious, social, economic, psychological, spiritual beliefs of each individual as seen within the contexts of the society he is in and his or her particluar genetic structure, abilities or disabilites. ie. what is true for a blind man is not what is true for a sighted one, or what is true for an American is not necessarily true for a Frenchman for eg.
The internet has become a free-for-all medium where anybody can post about anything they like. I guess the safest thing to say in any situation is “in my opinion….” then refer to sources you know to be authoritative like the British Medical Journal (for health issues) perhaps (plenty of others of course) Unless you can prove your credentials everything that you say must be read in that context (as a personal opinion only) and measured against other more recognised or “tried and true” sources. Just my opinion of course.
Viv,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and you are making exactly that point that I’m talking about here. Just because something is written down doesn’t mean that it’s “the gospel”. Even texts from well-known organizations are open to errors and different interpretations.
The idea is to read things and then decide for yourself if those things ring true for you.
I think critical examination of ideas is incredibly important in the pursuit of personal development. Any idea you consume and make a part of yourself will have a huge impact on the success of your efforts. It goes along with the philosophy of “you are what you eat”, except it applies to your brain as well as your body.
It is doubly important that we teach this lesson to our children. With the information overload they are facing, it will become even more difficult to sort out the wheat from the chaff. Effectively filtering out the garbage will make them less likely to become victims of self-styled “gurus”.
@viv
I think it is just as important to filter ideas from “authoritative” sources as it is from those that are less well respected. People in positions of power and authority aren’t right simply because of their positions. Highly reputable scientists publish papers all the time the are refuted years later by new “authorities” with new information. Medical journals publish an article today that says wine is harmful, and tomorrow they publish the exact opposite. On top of that, “authorities” often have agendas, and will use their position to further their own world view. Assuming someone is more likely correct because they are viewed as an authority can be as serious a mistake as assuming something is correct because it was on the intarwebs.
Quint,
What an excellent addition to the conversation your comment was – thanks!
I love what you said about things that you feed your brain being along the same lines as “you are what you eat” when it comes to the physical body. That is a very true statement, and thanks for sharing that easy to remember analogy.
Very good point. Just because someones says or writes something does not make it true. I often see quotes that dont work for me. It is good to mindful of what we take in and discern weather it fits or not. Great post.
Love this Aaron: “However, for every phrase, sentence, saying, or axiom that crosses your path, ask yourself if YOU believe those words. If you do, then run with it. If not, don’t be afraid to kick it to the curb”! Too often people accept what they read as truth when it’s simply the authors opinion.
Thanks for the positive feedback, Mark. I know that especially in the circle of people who look for motivating and empowering information online, a reality check to take it all with a grain of salt is good advice.
Craig,
That is very true. The idea of not believing everything that you read is hardly a new one, but since being an “author” is so easy on the ‘net, it bears repeating in this environment that each of us should draw our own conclusions at all times!
Hi
Thanks for the reminder. We all have to remember to think critically about what we read, hear and see in action. There are 2 traps:
1) Not thinking critically and believing everything
2) Thinking cynically and never believing anything
Most of us tend one way or the other. The most healthy and productive position is somewhere in the middle.
Thanks
Tom
Tom,
You are so right, and thanks for pointing out those 2 differing ends of the spectrum. The middle ground is definitely the place where the magic happens!
Great point. I hope that most of us are intelligent enough to question the source.
I’m quite happy to have found your blog again after a long time away.
babygirl
I entered the comments section to say exactly what Tom said!
I’ll only add that the 2nd position feels worse to me than the 1st. The 2nd is 100% negative, while the other is more naïve and not necessarily negative.
Erica!!
I’m quite happy that you found my blog again, too! It’s been awhile, and it’s great to see you around these parts.
I’ll swing by and check out your new site as soon as I have some time to read through and check it all out. 🙂
Patricia,
That’s a good distinction – negativity vs. naivity. The middle ground is definitely more appealing!
I’ve found your blog from Personal Development Partners, and I believe I’ll learn something from here too.
I always think not every principle or rule applies to everyone. Even though the saying is true, it may not apply to me or it may not apply to my current situation. I like to read, but I’ll always pick what I really believe in or what can really apply to me. By reading those which cannot apply doesn’t harm too, coz from there, I know why it can’t be applied to myself, hence I get to know myself better.
Great post! So often when I’m talking to clients within a reading and give them information, I get the question “Where can I read more about that?” It just goes to show how we immediately look towards what is written as an authoritative source of information – whereas I like to point my clients inward as their own ultimate source!
Blessings,
Andrea
Kaka,
The “current situation” phrase that you used is SO important! Our lives change very rapidly, and what might apply during one period of our lives may not apply later, and vice-versa.
Truly quality information is good to put up on a bookshelf somewhere to be perused again later. You never know when something might apply to your life that didn’t apply the first time you read it.
Andrea,
Yes, our society has been “raised” on reading as a source of information, which is great, of course, and recommended within proper context.
However, as you indicated, looking inward is our best way to truly find answers, even if that inward look is just to ask ourselves whether or not we should believe something that we’ve read, or something that we have heard or seen.
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