Most people think that the opposite of love is hate.
The opposite of love is actually indifference. Love and hatred are both a strong passion for something (which in effect means they are two sides of the same coin based on the law of duality). Indifference is a lack of passion.
Are you indifferent about something? I know indifference has got the better of me and robbed me of passion several times in my life.
Here is a recent personal example:
I recently stepped down from a business that was taking a lot of my time for very little reward. I initially joined the team because I was passionate about the direction of the business. After not making an income for some time I have had to walk away from active involvement to focus on doing work that pays.
I have held onto my shares in the business for the time being. However, I am starting to contemplate whether this is a good decision. The business is at a point now where I am indifferent about its future. I do not want to be actively involved but it would seem I am trying to hedge my bet by maintaining my shares. I now think that it may be a better option to cut the ties and sell my shares if I am not prepared to be involved completely. This would allow me to put more attention into things I am passionate about.
Indifference is taking its toll in our lives. We don't speak up for what we believe in, opting instead to tolerate the opinions of others. We give things a half-hearted attempt rather than giving them our best attention or none at all (Nassim Taleb's philosophical notebook entry #132 gives some good examples). We avoid making decisions and instead sit on the fence of indecision.
Eliminate indifference today! Make a decision that will have a radical impact. Give something your best attempt. Speak up for what you believe in. The sooner you begin to eradicate indifference and embrace passion, the sooner you will see new results in your life.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Choose your citizenship
Have you ever been judged?
Where you're from, your religious beliefs, your nationality, etc. can all cause people to make decisions about who you are. People judge based on questions such as where you are from, etc. before truly getting to know a person.
Where are you from?
In ancient times, people used to determine a lot about your status, wealth, success, etc. based on where you were from. Are you from Athens, or Greece? When people begin to form opinons about you based on your age, race, gender, etc. their perception can prevent them from taking you seriously. Luckily, you do not have to buy into these sorts of questions.
Great thinkers of the past helped come up with ways to answer the question in relation to citizenship which allowed them to be viewed differently from the rest of the world. Rather than accepting the standard, they either raised it or eliminated it altogether.
'I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world' Socrates
Socrates determined long ago that it was better not to let people make judgments about you based on where you were from,or what nationality you were. Instead, he thought it better to be seen as a citizen of the world. Being a citizen of the world allowed him to be free from preconceived opinions based on his citizenship.
'But our citizenship is in heaven' Paul: letter to the Phillipians 3:20a
Paul from the Bible took a different approach to the situation. Why be judged by the world's standards, or show allegiance to them? Is it not better to show allegiance to God and his standards? This view is an alternative view to Socrates (who Paul would have been aware of, due to his knowledge of Stoicism and other philosophies from his upbringing in Tarsus). Paul uses this statement to show his allegiance to God and the His divine plans rather than being judged by the worlds standards and expectations.
Where are you from? To what/whom do you show allegiance? You don't have to take the traditional view of making opinions of someone based on where they are from, their nationality or their upbringing. Instead, choose to redefine the boundaries, to set a new standard or to eliminate it altogether.
Where you're from, your religious beliefs, your nationality, etc. can all cause people to make decisions about who you are. People judge based on questions such as where you are from, etc. before truly getting to know a person.
Where are you from?
In ancient times, people used to determine a lot about your status, wealth, success, etc. based on where you were from. Are you from Athens, or Greece? When people begin to form opinons about you based on your age, race, gender, etc. their perception can prevent them from taking you seriously. Luckily, you do not have to buy into these sorts of questions.
Great thinkers of the past helped come up with ways to answer the question in relation to citizenship which allowed them to be viewed differently from the rest of the world. Rather than accepting the standard, they either raised it or eliminated it altogether.
'I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world' Socrates
Socrates determined long ago that it was better not to let people make judgments about you based on where you were from,or what nationality you were. Instead, he thought it better to be seen as a citizen of the world. Being a citizen of the world allowed him to be free from preconceived opinions based on his citizenship.
'But our citizenship is in heaven' Paul: letter to the Phillipians 3:20a
Paul from the Bible took a different approach to the situation. Why be judged by the world's standards, or show allegiance to them? Is it not better to show allegiance to God and his standards? This view is an alternative view to Socrates (who Paul would have been aware of, due to his knowledge of Stoicism and other philosophies from his upbringing in Tarsus). Paul uses this statement to show his allegiance to God and the His divine plans rather than being judged by the worlds standards and expectations.
Where are you from? To what/whom do you show allegiance? You don't have to take the traditional view of making opinions of someone based on where they are from, their nationality or their upbringing. Instead, choose to redefine the boundaries, to set a new standard or to eliminate it altogether.
What was old is new again
For a long time, I have been a little apprehensive about continuing to write on this blog. Finding a future direction for this blog was becoming difficult. Luckily however, that has changed.
This name of this blog is Moore Thought. It's called that because I'm Josh Moore and these are the philosophical thoughts.
I have removed all the previous posts, which were scattered and without focus. New blog posts will be aimed at outlining the key thoughts, meditations and reflections I have. It is my hope that these thoughts may also be of value to you.
Regards,
Josh Moore
This name of this blog is Moore Thought. It's called that because I'm Josh Moore and these are the philosophical thoughts.
I have removed all the previous posts, which were scattered and without focus. New blog posts will be aimed at outlining the key thoughts, meditations and reflections I have. It is my hope that these thoughts may also be of value to you.
Regards,
Josh Moore
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)