Non-practice

I read an article (Scopul este elevul, nu materia! – WebCultura) talking about memorizing things and using critics’ ways of seeing the literature.

I especially liked the conclusion: „If this Romanian education aims to take children away from literature, then to continue, because it succeeds wonderfully.”

It’s funny to see that the very means of looking at the literature (via critical analysis) is lacking to the process of learning literature itself.

The way in which the pupils are taught literature is not that fine, in my opinion, and the article gives good reasons for this.

To aim to teach critical analysis, and, at the same time, not apply critical thinking on your own system – now that’s a paradox!

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The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴ The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵ The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶ “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

⁷ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

⁹ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

¹¹ “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

¹² “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

¹³ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

(Matthew 25:1-13 NIV – The Parable of the Ten Virgins – “At – Bible Gateway)

I like this Parable.

You need to keep focused on prevention, non-delay. No procrastination is allowed. That affects everything.

Likewise, you need to love society.

If everyone did that, there would be no Prisoner’s dilemma – Wikipedia.

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Some people might have a lot of requests, they could insist, they could be complaining, and talk a lot.

Yet, I don’t consider that „energy vampires” actually exist.

I think that each of us has some weak points in our communication styles.

I also think that we should try to be receptive to constructive feedback.

Yet, at the end of the day, an annoying person could have good results, while a people-pleaser might not be a productive person.

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There’s a story about a Colibri that keeps trying to put out a fire, even if it has little resources (Pasarea Colibri | arta si natura).

In my opinion, you should try a lot and do good.

It’s like voting.

Stubbornly, do good, even if you don’t see results.

Do your part.

Recycle, even if your neighbors don’t do so.

Fight for the truth, keep pushing, insist, be a better you than you were yesterday.

Seinfeld once shared the story of his calendar and the chain of red X’s with a young comic. His main advice:

Don’t break the chain!

Do something related to your craft every day, no matter how small the action is.

Jerry Seinfeld’s Productivity Hack: Don’t Break the Chain! | by Bob Baker | Medium

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I used to think – „Hmm, people who play blind chess (without looking at the pieces) are some great chess players!”.

In time, I discovered that, while for certain a player playing blind chess knows some things, the ability to play blind is a consequence of a high-level play, not a target.

So, first, you’ll need to learn how to play at a high level, and then you’ll be able to play blind chess.

If you put it as a target – „I must play blind”, you might learn, but with little success.

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In a video I am not able to find at the moment (it might be this one – Despre bătrînețe: întrebări, neliniști, bucurii – YouTube), perhaps between Andrei Pleșu and Gabriel Liiceanu, one of them (I think) spoke about a quote: „After a certain age, you’re responsible for the way you look”.

I find it surprisingly true. What a person does for a job and has a habit of thinking about influences their looks.

After the age of 30, you should control your emotions and body (how you look). You are also responsible for your internal states, you can no longer blame your parents, and how you look on the outside.

The growth is constant from year to year, which is surprising. You know a man at 20, at 30 he’s a middle manager, at 40 he has a big position. You’ve known him since he took office, now he’s managing others.

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Sometimes, I think of this:

Are you willing to lie, in order to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

I think that the truth needs some lying.

You can’t be the mirror in Snow White, that constantly tells people they’re ugly.

You need to refrain from telling some truths.

Some truths need to be kept hidden.

Being honest doesn’t give you the right to be rude.

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I think I heard two times in my life this saying: „We’re not an NGO, we need profit!”.

I didn’t like it at all.

Of course, you’re not an NGO, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t focus on the good thing.

Of course, you won’t dedicate your life to others, but you’re not an opposite of an NGO, you just have some different aims.

Any institution requires values and a purpose.

Every person has a set of motifs.

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