I know, I could have chosen to tell you to be kind, to be forgiving, to trust your loved ones, or to feel generous.
Those are very important, I agree with you. So, yes, do that too.
But let me tell you what I've learnt in 2021. Humanity has lost critical thinking, and we might go toward our own extinction 😁.
I know, writing this sentence and smiling at the same time, makes me a potential Dexter, you're probably mad at me now, thinking you've wasted your time clicking on that dexter picture, and wonder if I am just trying to troll you.
But truth is, this year, more than any other years, I got smarter than the year before (+1%), and learnt about the importance of thinking. How did it work?
Well, I decided to trust my guts, my instinct, and always be a few steps ahead of the game, something politicians and chess players have in common.
You see, I've spent many years, trying to prove to people that I was smart, and at the end of the day, I wish someone would have told me that it's a waste of time.
The problem is, we live in the eyes of our peers, and very often, we are looking for acceptance, and praise.
I have also stopped doing this, because I realize that most people are really lazy, and don't research anything, don't read, and are just waiting for the end of their lives to come.
That's pathetic, but you cannot save everyone. Save yourself first, that's the lesson for today! Thanks!!
Hahah ok I am not done, far from it.
I have a confession to make. I am a doer. Not a deer, not a dork, a doer.
I do things, I think afterwards, and while it has been beneficial in some situations, truth is, I could have yielded much greater results with a little more planning, a little bit more thinking.
So this year, and we started doing this approximately 12 months ago, we started making outrageous plans, like we had the cheat codes for this "video game".
e.g: Learning how to fly a plane, learning coding, learning how to edit videos, growing as a homesteader, learning about new herbs, becoming a better artist, learn about our own psychology and countless other subjects, that have always interested us but we were too scared, too intimidated to even pull the trigger.
Some "projects" stuck to the wall, some didn't, but what was important is that we have many conversations with my wife, about the type of person we want to become, and again, be a few steps ahead of institutions, establishments, we started seeing the world completely losing their minds, going into a mass hysteria, but we already knew what was the end game, so it didn't matter to us.
You know what makes you a real idiot?
Fear.
It's actually the best way to control you, and make sure that you stay that way.
Have you noticed that every time you are asking questions, or argument with someone, they will ask you "Oh, you're an expert now?"
You know the feeling, right? Well, this year we learnt the so called experts make mistakes, and that researching a subject, isn't a bad idea.
That maybe won't make you an "expert", but it will help you to prepare.
"To prepare for what Ed"?
For whatever, be ready to move if you have to, be ready to stay if it's for the right reasons, but you...Cannot...Give...Up on yourself.
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War
So my advice for you this year, leave your preconceived thoughts on the side, about what you know and you don't, and learn.
It starts with opening one tab, one book, listen to a podcast on a subject you've always wanted to know, but you cannot become complaisant, not now, because the outcome might be irreversible.
If you still don't understand what I am talking about, well it actually varies from one person to another, so I tried to keep it as broad as possible, and not going political 😄.
We are losing the battle for common sense, critical thinking and I have a feeling that this year will test our strength, our courage in ways that we cannot imagine yet.
Trust me, you want to be on the side of humanity that thinks for themselves, especially this year, and for this, you cannot surrender the most precious tool that we've been gifted with: Your thoughts.
Being smart, might also mean for you, to work smart. It's the second day of the year, how are you going to plan your strategy for this year?
Are you going to rush into things, and burn out, or will you have the wisdom, to work in ways that accommodate your life, and make sure you don't lose the fire?
If you decide to keep your eyes closed at night, who will make sure the fire doesn't run out?
I am supposed to tag someone for this, but there is only a few hours left before it ends, anyway I nominate @fermentedphil that always has great reflections.
Fear is the biggest virus. Very cleverly written @edprivat. Thought provoking without actually committing to controversial subjects (umm - politics) or upsetting anyone (except maybe @fermentedphil who you put on an almost expired hourglass)
Yeah, touchy subjects and fragile ecosystem, I am not ready for an all out war!
I didn't use the word virus, I don't know what you're talking about 😄
@fermentedphil can create something amazing any day, any time haha.
I'm all open to learning too ;D
Cute, talented, funny and now smart?!!!
Too muchhhh ;p
I cannot wait to see what you have up your sleeves - I know it is going to be good!
Have an amazing 2022!!
Hahaha you are just being charming because you know I am working on Angels On The Moon 😁
But I'll take it, thank you!
So much pressure now hahah, my chest is feeling tight, heeeelp.
Happy New year To you too dear (smart) friend!
Oh damn, there is a time limit on it? Your post falls into my area of research, or kind of. I am going to write a post for tomorrow! If I miss the deadline, too bad. But awesome post, man. Think. What a virtue we are losing. I wrote a post a year or two ago in which I ranted about university students (philosophy to make it even worse!) not being able to use critical reasoning. To my shock, because I am not on social media so I am not exposed to all the people on the web haha, I realized that few people possess critical thinking skills. In any case, thanks for the tag! Will write something up and reflect on your reflections.
Well technically you have 3 hours left so hahah, it's a tough one. I just like the way you mind goes in some places, that have very relatable ideas, but yet you manage to express complex thoughts.
What you're saying about uni students, it's really not their fault. They've been told their entire life to get into the mold, and everything else is 'off subject", I can't find the right term for it. In other word, thinking out of the box is never required.
3 hours!? Damn, this feels like one of those mornings at school they tell you about the test you are about to write that you totally forgot about. I am a couple of gin and tonics in and do not think I will muster up the intellectual soup to write something nice now. My creative writing skills are available between 14:00 and 17:00. Oddly specific.
Thank you so much! I love to make complex things simple but with the focus on keeping the complexity of the subject at hand.
Yeah true, but the uni is also trying to push numbers (profit, it is always profit!) and lecturers cannot keep up, setting papers that will mark easily because the class is 700 big (I helped with an ethics class for engineering students and the group was 700 strong haha. It was just me and the head lecturer.)
Ah the famous gin and tonic that changes all the plans haha.
Wow 700 souls, that's a gargantuan work!
Amazing my friend 👍 I think a lot people understand this, just it’s hard to accept it and it’s much easier to bury your head in sand.
One of my watched videos today suits your story very well 👌
Brilliant video. Damn...Speechless. The backward escape is exactly how most of the population is being controlled, TV is the opium of the people haha.
I love that it offers a solution, a forward escape and create a new reality.
I just don't know if we are enough for this. I don't know if you know a text called "Civil Disobedience"?
I know what it means. Revolutions happens even with small numbers of population involved. Majority of population are just passive spectators.
Sometimes it’s hard to keep faith in society and looks like humanity keeps repeating these mistakes like history cycles.
And as I said before, it’s much easier to comply and to go with flow, even if you deeply feel wrong.
Sorry for English, sometimes it’s hard to express myself in writing 😜
https://xroads.virginia.edu/~Hyper2/thoreau/civil.html
That's the text from Hendry David Thoreau, it's in old English, but you might find some interesting stuffs!
You're expressing yourself just fine, no worry!
Agreed, people don't learn unfortunately!
Definitely will check it, thank you Ed 👍
Agree with you Ed. Fear is the mind killer, just have to silence the ego and get on with things hey
Yoyoyo! You damn right!! Are you back "back"? Good to see you around brother!!
Hehe, I'm unfortunately back at the day job tomorrow so my time is going to be eaten up by that again. I'm making tunes again though and finishing up what I started many moons ago. Good to get some closure on those!
Hope you're keeping well your side!
Yes, it's all about being open, open to change, open to learning, open to receive. So many people have shut down this last year, completely consumed my fear and that is what weakens people.
Love these reflections and the advice, we have so much to relearn and remember, here's to being more self sufficient and more accepting and letting ourselves be guided by love. Best wishes for 2022, hope I get to jam with you this year xxxxxx
Best Wishes to you to, we're looking into Spain to be honest as a long vacation maybe we can jam soon haha, I mean the border is supposed to be closed until end of Jan, but then it should open up possibilities for us.
You can't save everyone. What happened, is affecting people's psyche in ways we will only understand in 20 years. I almost want to say, that the information available out there is the same for everyone, so there is no excuse if you still don't understand what's going on.
Much much much love to you haha 🤣
Well said. I’m so excited about how much I have yet to learn! And I’ll never run out! Isn’t that a wild thought? And AMEN to critical thinking! Go team. 👊🏻
Cheers to you guys! Indeed, though you guys know already a lot about homesteading, what are you focusing on learning this year?
Good question! We hope to expand the farm so we have a lot to learn, especially about bush hogs and farrowing. Farming and faith will be our main focus.
Fear is crippling, freezes you in your tracts. Fear of failure keeps one from trying something new.
Don't be an Idiot, so many people think that if they don't follow the masses they will be considered just that, an idiot.
Choices should be made after thinking of alternative ways to accomplish a goal and if all options are considered and then if your choice happens to be like most, that's not a bad thing, at the very least you have thought for yourself.
I hope the New Year showers you and the family with many blessings.
Wise words @thebigsweed! So happy to see you around here, I hope your winter isn't too cold, we are having very warm temps here for the season, it's really weird.
What you're saying about the masses, it's just a natural, human reaction, wanting to be with the pack, wanting to be normal.
This is what most people are scared of, being cornered, alone, castaways. I think that's why banishment was so dreaded in the old days, and a useful way of controlling the plebs.
Thanks for your words of blessing, I wish you all the best to you and your loved ones!
These are the talks you have on a bonfire night; Likewise, well said, Ed. I hope that this year your ideals will make you great, your plans will materialize, your family will be your first confidant and that music will bring out your most critical thinking.
Hey what's up my brother!! I wish you also the best things for this year coming, I look forward to hear more songs from you too, I wish you all the well deserved success!
Great advice and nice reflection. I really needed this advice the other day. I literally did the stupidest thing during my time in France, possibly my life 🤔
This isn't totally related to the more deep thoughtful explanation of your post but I'm going to share because you know by now, I love talking about myself on your posts lol.
My wife and I were walking through the forest we always walk through just tromping our way through chattin away like la la la la la
After 15 mins we came out of the path to a dirt road and there was a man standing there facing our direction. I was like la la la 😁 Bonjour! To which he replied quietly 😒 Bonjour.
As I passed him I was like 😱 "oh shit! he's wearing all orange...
😱 Oh shit! He's standing behind a camouflage blind...
😱 Oh shit! He's holding a rifle...
So my wife and I slink by him quietly with our heads down in shame 😳 for making all kinds of noise and probably ruining his hunt and after we pass I look up and see 12 more hunters spaced out every 15 feet all wearing orange, all holding rifles and all facing the direction of the forest we just walked out of like a friggin firing squad 🤯
We had to walk by every one of them to get out of there. They were probably fucking pissed that we ruined their hunt.
Fucking idiot!! Stupidest thing I've ever done. No critical thinking in sight that day🙃.
Dude this is genius are you kidding me? It's like borderline Naked Gun or Mr Bean, the kind of "idiot" that just saved the day! Do you realize that by ruining their hunt party, you probably saved a family or deer. Close your eyes, can you hear them, looking at you with their tiny Bambi eyes, saying: "Thank you @leaky20, you saved our lives"! ❤️👌🙏
Haha yeah that was a silver lining I guess. I think it was boar though, not deer. I didn't see this but as we were walking my wife saw a boar cross the dirt road ahead. After that the hunters started blowing horns and stuff so we might have actually saved that boar for real lol.
So what new projects, skills and knowledge do you plan to learn this year? Sounds like you guys took on some serious personal growth projects last year.
Amazing!
I agree what you said about fear too. Limits are self created.
Yeah dude, it has almost become a competition with the wife to see who can become the most awesome person.
She is obviously winning 😃 (in case she reads this haha)
I was learning how to homestead this year, and build shit, now I wanna learn spanish before I cross that border again. Ola!
We also plan to learn how to live on the fly, if we have to 😁, especially because of you know what inside you know who, and me say nono.
My wife gonna learn how to fly this year
Nice, man. Those are good goals. Impressive.
Maybe I should set some goals. But what, that's the question. 🤔
Hahaha what do you want?
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Thank you!!!
There's definitely some poetry into it hahaha. Well, you know what to do then!
Best of Luck to you too for this year!!!