I've been reflecting on where my beliefs come from. I can see that they have changed significantly over time. As I've changed who I allow to influence these beliefs, my thoughts and beliefs have changed, and I have changed for the better.
In my teen years I was strongly influenced by popular culture. I loved The Who, The Rolling Stones, The Sex Pistols and The Ramones. Much of the message I heard was quite hedonistic and contrary to more traditional teachings I heard in school and in church. I really didn't give it a lot of thought, after all, Keith Richards himself said, "I don't think rock 'n' roll should be analyzed or even thought about deeply." Is it any wonder that I was confused?
As I grew older I began to look at the lives of those considered great by society. I saw that people like Gandhi, King and Mother Teresa stood out from the rest. These were people of power, of influence, of integrity; they were people who were changing the world for the better. Their lives stood in stark contrast to those of Mick Jagger and Sid Vicious. Maybe Keith Richards was wrong. Maybe it was good to think deeply about the messages I was hearing.
I began to analyze the lyrics of Rolling Stones songs. I began to look at popular media with a critical eye. Much of their message had to do with substance abuse and fornication. Were people who indulged in these things better or worse off for having done so? Actually, they were much worse off. Substance abuse can lead to addiction, mental illness, unemployment, organized crime and even prison. Fornication puts one at higher risk for unfulfilling relationships, unwanted pregnancies and STDs. Let's face it, if James Bond were an actual person, he would be a sad and lonely old man with genital herpes.
There is much more to life than what is presented in the popular media. There are wonderful, universal principles that lead to true fulfillment and happiness. These include integrity, respect, self-sacrifice, wisdom and love. These are the principles followed by those whom we consider to be truly great people. Who is capable of living this way? We all are. As more of us choose to live this way, the world becomes better.
There are many great teachers who instruct us on how to achieve true happiness and success. Since the principles are universal, they each teach the same message in their own unique way. I have been particularly impressed by the words of Stephen Covey, Napoleon Hill, Earl Nightingale, Bob Proctor, Victor Frankl and Joel Osteen. Many of these teachers have free resources available on-line.
Take a step away from the popular media and look at it critically. Ask yourself if that is what you really want to believe and if that is how you really want to live your life. Remember, we really do become what we think about. Search the internet for words of wisdom from some of the teachers I have mentioned, or others you are familiar with, and see if they resonate in your soul. There is so much greatness inside of each and every one of us. In my own profession as a teacher, I reflect on the words of Parker J. Palmer, "Good teaching cannot be reduced to technique; good teaching comes from the identity and integrity of the teacher." Just imagine a world where everyone lives to their full potential and we all work together. We really do live in an exciting era in history!
