February 21. The Latest after a Hiatus: Destroy All Gurus, Free Yourselves of Your “Invaders,” and Enjoy All the Awesome Stuff that Life Has to Offer!

Hello folks…

My brain has been totally full dealing with all sorts of stuff, so I haven’t posted anything recently. But hopefully I can be a little more active in the near future. One of my strategies will likely be writing less for most posts so each isn’t a prohibitively laborious effort. I like to make them good and at least reasonably well copy edited, and that takes time.

Today I don’t have any “great quotes” ready, but I think I’ll just write about a couple of things that are on my mind.

#1: Destroy all gurus!

The title is inspired a game one of my kids plays called “Destroy All Humans.” I think the humans are okay, but some of the stuff we humans do is pretty destructive.

One of the worst things we sometimes do is completely give up our freedom, autonomy, and ability to think to people who claim to be experts on life and have all the answers. These charlatans are called “gurus.” I can tell you one thing for certain: nobody has all the answers, and that — of course — includes me.

Why do we sometimes follow gurus? Well, it’s tricky to figure things out and make the right decisions. But that’s just the way life is! That’s part of being human — we can do cool stuff, but we can also get it wrong a lot of the time. Get used to it — there is no healthy cure for being fallible.

But we sooooooo want a cure for the fundamental uncertainty of life and the feelings of insecurity that sometimes come along with it. We sometimes want to get rid of that feeling of insecurity so badly that we abdicate our self-decision to someone who claims they can do it better for us. Again, the word for the person who wants us to give our decision-making power to them is “guru.”

Please, resist this impulse to give yourself to someone else. Yeah, it’s great to listen to and take advice from people who have good ideas — that’s one of the ways we learn. But when we give up our freedom to think freely and decide things for yourselves, we are giving up a basic aspect of our humanness. And those who allow us to do that are complicit in that essential moral crime. These criminal “gurus” claim to know it all — especially about how you should do it. But all they do is rip us off of the most important aspects of ourselves.

Anyone who claims to be able to make all your decisions for you and that you should follow them is wrong and doing you harm. Not only are they telling you to do what helps them but harms you, but they are stripping you of your ability to think, err, and learn, one of the greatest abilities and opportunites humans have. So the guru who claims to be your “best friend” is pretty much your enemy. Don’t give your enemy control. Just don’t do it!

As mentioned, it’s fine to take advice. But if they want “all” of you, vigorously say “NO, NO, NO!!!” You’re worth more than being their mental slave!

Simply put: don’t let a “guru” take away your “soul,” which is your basic ability to be your own thinker and own person. Better to screw up a lot than to let someone else screw you out of being yourself. Period.

That’s why I say, “Destroy all gurus!”

#2: Destroy your phone!

Not literally, of course. But the point is: “destroy” its power over you and take back your freedom.

Phones are designed to be all-encompassing and “all-providing,” meaning controlling. Like gurus, they pretend that they “have it all.” But in fact, in many cases they take more than they ever give. One thing they take is your peace of mind! They are the invaders of life — always bringing you the latest “emergency” message or news which can “can’t do without.” But in reality it’s those interruptions that steal away your tranquility, your happiness, and your autonomy.

I’m not a guru, but here’s what I did this weekend: I turned the damned thing off! It’s been off all Saturday evening and I’m not turning it back on until Monday.

OMG! Am I dying! Is my life ruined???? Far from it. I’m having a great day free of its influence. I’m enjoying myself, listening to music, reading, writing, thinking peacefully and clearly. The world really looks like a wonderful place without that stupid thing buzzing and bleating all the time. Later I’m going to go on a nice long walk. Guess what I’m not taking along: my stupid invader-phone! Like I’m going to die without it. If I ever believe that, I’ve lost everything and gained nothing good in return.

So my advice (not guru-esque) is to live without that “stupid invader” as much as you can. When you do, you’ll find 1) you can do perfectly well without it, and 2) the world is full of wonderful stuff that has nothing to do with your phone, messages, calls, social media, and all of the other crap that comes with it. And if someone can’t live without getting in contact with you via phone instantaneously, all I can say is this: they are pretty sad indeed. Either get that person out of your life, or find a way to set healthy boundaries. (And if it’s kids, get a freaking sitter!!!)

#3: The world a cornucopia of wonderful — and free — stuff!

Phones and gurus aside, the world we live in is full of absolutely wonderful stuff! Before I started writing this I was listening to the choral works and symphonies of Mozart. Mozart died in 1791 at a time when those who heard his music in live were nearly always the very wealthy. Now everyone can hear all his works for free! And if you want to know more about him and his awesomeness, there are innumerable websites and loads of great books. I just got a great new biography of him, Mozart: The Reign of Love, by Jan Swafford. Sure, I paid for it, but through the library you can get if for free. Free! And it will tell you all about him and how he wrote his music. Mozart is just one person and one very worthwhile subject of thousands upon thousands out there! Every day I’m learning so much right now. It’s absolutely amazing! What life offers to all of us is absolutely amazing!

How awesome are the times we live in! All this great stuff is at our “fingertips,” though I’d recommend keeping your “invader” phone off while you read and listen to it so you can really enjoy it. We have and can do so many wonderful things to do that were completely impossible not very long ago. How anyone’s life is not chock full of incredible, amazing things is beyond me. Whatever stinks can be easily compensated for. Really!

So, those are my thoughts for the day. Take advantage of all the wonderful stuff in life, but don’t let it get ruined by our stupid electronic “invaders” and the vile “gurus” that want to strip you of your freedom, autonomy, and humanity. You can “turn off” the bad and “turn on” the good! Use your own good sense and freedom to choose what is good, glorious, inspiring, and right — for you!

Speaking of what’s right, I’m looking forward to hearing what you folks think is “right,” or otherwise, in what I’ve said today.

I hope you’re all doing well, and I’ll try to generate more content for us to share together. If you need some background inspiration, I’d recommend that you listen to the following beautiful clarinet concerto by Mozart. Again, it’s totally free! It’s amazing what we have access to today. Enjoy!