Wow.
I just got done reading the first chapter of my macroeconomics book, and I am.. flabbergasted. I am blown away. I am so blown away, that I had to come here to my computer and write about it.
This guy who wrote the book, James L. Gilbertie.. what is he, a motivational speaker on the side, when he's not devoting his time to writing "wonderful text" books? At the end of the chapter, he devotes a little section about goal setting. I'm just reading along, thinking "alright.. whatever".. but as I read further, it's like 'holy shit. this guy is getting really into what he's saying.' Maybe a little too into it.. I mean, when you start talking about "Mr. Procrastination", his "partner in crime.. Ms. Distraction", and their "allies", which include sleep as an escape.. all I really wanna know now is.. how many toads did that guy lick that day? My goodness.. this guy is talking about "Club Mediocrity" which has "hired two major promoters who have been very successful at recruiting 99 percent of Americans to join the club", the two "promoters" being the above mentioned "devious characters"..
Is it just me.. or does talking like that seem a little juvenile for a college text book? Text books are supposed to be dry and boring, especially economics text, right? At any rate, I am amused... and halfway inspired to clean up my messy act. I, for one, am very guilty... extremely guilty of submitting to the lures of Mr. Procrastinator and Ms. Distraction. And.. I had no idea this practice was common enough to mention in a textbook, but.. I am also shamefully guilty of using sleep as an escape. Got a problem on my hands.. don't know what to do at the moment.. don't want to think about it.. just want to pretend it doesn't exist.. hey, I'm tired. I think I'll sleep. Yes, my mind will actually operate that way. I hope I'm not the only one.
Anyway, on to the delightful ramblings of Mr. Gilbertie. Discipline, I've often told myself lately, has become a very weak area for me. I need to learn to discipline myself once again. I used to be very very good at it. I been slippin. So I like this quote from the writer of wonderful textbooks: "Without discipline, a person becomes the proverbial ping-pong ball bouncing erratically through life, making no real progress towards any meaningful goals." I like ping-pong. It's been forever since I've played it. I wish they had a ping-pong table in the community room instead of a pool table. I suck at pool.
But the best.. is when Mr. Gilbertie wraps up his lit'l speel. [speal? *shrug* i have no idea..] I swear, I feel like I'm reading an advertisement.. or being recruited for something.. Here. Just listen to this: "The choice is yours - 99 percent of people chose a life of mediocrity. [don't be one of them] Is that what you chose for yourself and your children? [gotta have the guilt factor] If not, become part of the 1 percent of Americans who chose to be totally successful. [that means you'll be really special] Start now! [Don't hesitate. Call today!] Do the goal-setting workshop, follow the steps, reap the bountiful rewards from your efforts, and always remember.. THERE AIN'T NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH. [sizable donations will be greatly appreciated]
By the way.. that stuff in brackets.. that's my little input and comments. Think of Mystery Science Theater 2000.. or 3000... whatever. I just wanted to make that clear because.. some people just don't get it.. *shakes head in disappointment*
In conclusion.. [what, did I just write an essay or something..?] I just have to say that I am.. halfway inspired by this man's ramblings. I.. really need to figure out what I want in life.. and find some direction. I was asked not too long ago about my dreams and hopes. First of all, I was very touched that someone might be interested.. But.. I am very disappointed in myself that I didn't have an answer. I must seem so boring and dead to other people. I don't know what I want. And.. lots of times I feel like I am already dead.. I'm just drifting.. I imagine myself a wandering ghost... like i said, just waiting.. I know this may sound morbid to people who don't get it, but.. the best part to all this is that one day it will all be over. Life, like a beautiful story, will have its ending.
But.. for the time being.. I need to do some soul searching.. I need to figure out what I want.. I need to communicate w/ myself.. heh.. I still have disassociation tendencies.. And.. heh.. like my ex has told me many times.. I need to have some goals.. or maybe even just a hobby.. something..
I will work on it. Life is one never-ending struggle. But you get to have some fun in between.
LJ