Monday, April 20, 2009

Peculiar Persuasion 4/20/09

If you don't know where you're going, you will probably end up somewhere else.

Lawrence Peter
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A warm, spring greeting to you.
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I don't know, but it seems to me original thought is becoming more and more unpopular as the days go by. People are busily involved in useless activities. Radio and TV news and interview programs air inane nonsense. People come out of nowhere to sing badly on TV just to have a moment in the spotlight while other people watch them. City councils, state and federal congresses pass silly legislation. Authorities on so-called important subjects orate on them without giving a moments heed to making any solid sense. And all that is as it should be.

"If ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise" the old saying goes. But since when is ignorance bliss? If you don't know where you're going, you may take the wrong road. What's so blissful about that? What's so blissful about being wrong, foolish, backward, unaware, stupid? I'll tell you. Read on.

"Ah, but I don't have to think for myself, My husband tells me what to think, or my pastor, or the guy on the radio. Besides, I'm too busy, I can't waste time sitting around mulling things over. I have work to do."

Nothing serious was ever done without prime thought behind it, under it, over it, in front of it and on both sides.

"Okay, I'm going to think, I'm going to sit here and think, just think. I'm going to sit here until I think of something to think about. Now, let's see, what shall I think about? I wonder what I should think about. I guess if I think real hard I might come up with something to think about."

"Yon Cassius has a lean and hungry look, he thinks too much, such men are dangerous." (Shakespeare) To be sure thinking can be dangerous. You might solve a problem. If you think clearly about something you might come upon the truth (gasp!). You might find that some long held and cherished beliefs are just a stack of nonsense, Or what's worse, you might actually discover a great idea. Just think of the trouble you can avoid if you give up this silly notion of thinking for yourself.

"I don't like to think. Thinking disturbs my thoughts."

No, no. Slogan Mentality: that's the modern way. And it won't matter where you end up.

DB - The vagabond
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Let a happy surprise be yours today.
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10 comments:

Linda's World said...

My happy surprise today was sun and warm temperatures. You should have been here, I would have let you help me mow the lawn. Linda in Washington

Unknown said...

As my mum would often say when my sister and I were growing: "G-d gave you a brain and He expects you to use it. My happy surprise is i am taking a break from rearranging the apartment. And the fact that I can not only do it by myself, but without any pain :)

Arlene (AJ) said...

My happy surprise was a dear neighbor bringing over a gallon bucket of strawberries for us to enjoy. We all wait for Strawberry Hills USA to have their first of the season berries, so what a delightful and delicious surprise.

Beth said...

It wasn't a surprise, but I had a very pleasant afternoon with my family today!

B.

Linda S. Socha said...

Hello DB

My happy surprise was a comment on my blog from one of my favorite blogger friends. THANKS. I appreciate anything you have to say friend
Linda

Judith Ellis said...

There is such truth here, DB. Thank you.

Lori said...

And some people don't want to find that they have to be responsible for themselves and accept consequences for their own actions if they think for themselves instead of just letting someone else think for them.

Rose~* said...

I've always been one to follow my own instincts, instead of following the pack. I had many discussions with my daughter's teachers about the way that they also enjoyed "beating to their own drum". . .

Ken Riches said...

The media and following public remind me of a phrase we use at work, "do not follow the soccer ball". Our society, including the media and politicians, follow what ever issue or complaint is the current hot topic, just like a bunch of five year olds playing soccer and all running after the ball, where ever it is kicked.

Joyce said...

Love it...My happy surprise was my neighbor volunteering to scrub my front porch for me now that the weather is nice.
Hugs, Joyce