Whatever you call the force that send you messages (I call it God, some people call it “the universe” or “inner wisdom” etc), that thing has been screaming at me lately.
Here’s some stuff it’s sent me. The first is a question for Seth Godin on the blog The Art of Non-Conformity. I like it because it applies to me, and to anyone who wasn’t taught what Seth is advising we teach our children. So, if I didn’t learn those things as a child, I need to learn them now, as an adult.
Seth- What’s your best advice for raising a free artist from birth? (Seth’s answer:) Teach your children. Well. Reward them for a C if the C was earned with good intent and high curiosity. Ask them hard questions all afternoon and at dinner. Turn off TV. Teach dangerous science tricks. Inquire at all times. Kids need to learn two things: 1. solve interesting problems and 2. lead That’s it!
The second is from the most awkward Philosopher/Sage of Our Time, Conan O’Brien. Here’s the quote heard round the world. He was addressing it to young people, but, like the advice above, if it’s not something I learned as a young person, it’s time to learn it now:
All I ask of you is one thing: please don’t be cynical. I hate cynicism — it’s my least favorite quality and it doesn’t lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.
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