Ray’s Daily
November 13, 2019
Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”
Aristotle
As I look back on my past, I realize that for much of my life I did not really know myself. My career success just took me from one role to another. While I don’t regret any of it, it was not until late in life that I found the most personal happiness and by my own standards, success.
I had retired from the computer industry in 1990 and soon began a new career and life working to benefit children and others. My wife tolerated a major cut in income while providing me support as I traveled to help Kiwanis International and UNICEF improve the lives of millions of children.
These days since leaving that life behind I find that I not only continue learn more about myself, but I also get to invent new ways to enrich my days. What about you, do you know yourself? You may find the following can help you learn what you might have missed.
The Top 10 Questions to Ask Yourself and Why
by Dr. Dorene Lehavi
Self-knowledge is the KEY to having the life you want. Start by asking yourself some specific questions. Keep a record of your answers in a notebook or journal. Here are 10 questions to begin your journey and remember, YOU will always be a WORK IN PROGRESS.
- If you could do anything you want to tomorrow, what would it be? – The answer should not be something that is an escape from what you ordinarily would be doing, but in more positive terms of a true dream.
- What are your core values? – Core values became yours in childhood and you would not be you if you did not respect those. Make a list and then pare it down to the 5 that speak to you most strongly.
- What are your special talents? –
- What do you do better than most people you know?
- What were your dreams as a child? – If you have trouble remembering, go back and look at early photographs. Notice details to jog your memory.
- What is the thing you are most proud of accomplishing in your life so far? – If you are tempted to answer “getting into college” or “passing the bar,” ask yourself something more personal and unique.
- What will you regret not doing in your life if you continue as you are now?
- What do you want people to say about you after you are no longer living? What is your legacy?
- What do you want to do when you retire?
- Outside of parents who influenced your life more than anyone else; who had an impact on your life and what was it about that person that meant something to you?
The next step is to put self knowledge into action. That means you begin planning your life based on what you know about yourself. You notice if WHAT you do, act, behave, work, and make choices are in sync with WHO you are. It is complex because we are all influenced by the outside world to make the choices we do.
When you know yourself and act in accordance, the path becomes clear.
~~~
No one man can, for any considerable time, wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which is the true one.”
Nathaniel Hawthorne
~~~
“Sorry, we don’t have potted geraniums,” the clerk said, and then added helpfully, “Could you use African violets?”
“No,” replied Ed sadly, “It was geraniums my wife told me to water while she was gone.”
~~~
n the first day of school, the Kindergarten teacher said, “If anyone h
s to go to the bathroom, hold up two fingers.”
A little voice from the back of the room asked, “How will that help?”
~~~
Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
~~~
Bob: “My wife drives like lightning.”
Ted: “She drives fast?”
Bob: “No, she hits trees!”
~~~
The only substitute for good manners is fast reflexes.
~~~
A couple was having a discussion about family finances. Finally the husband exploded, “If it weren’t for my money, the house wouldn’t be here!”
His wife replied, “My dear, if it weren’t for your money, I wouldn’t be here.”
~~~
Better to understand a little than to misunderstand a lot.
~~~
A boy asks his father to explain the differences among irritation, aggravation, and frustration.
Dad picks up the phone and dials a number at random. When the phone is answered he asks, “Can I speak to Roger, please?”
“No! There’s no one called Roger here.” The person hangs up.
“That’s irritation,” says Dad.
He picks up the phone again, dials the same number and asks for Roger a second time.
“No, there’s no one here called Roger. Go away.
Don’t call again.”
“That’s aggravation,” says Dad.
“Then what’s ‘frustration’?” asks his son.
The father picks up the phone and dials a third time: “Hello, this is Roger. Have I received any phone calls?”
~~~
Few women admit their age, Few men act it!
~~~
A pious man who had reached the age of 105 suddenly stopped going to synagogue. Alarmed by the old fellow’s absence after so many years of faithful attendance the Rabbi went to see him. He found him in excellent health, so the Rabbi asked, “How come after all these years we don’t see you at services anymore?”
The old man looked around and lowered his voice. “I’ll tell you, Rabbi,” he whispered. “When I got to be 90, I expected God to take me any day. But then I got to be 95, then 100, then 105. So I figured that God is very busy and must’ve forgotten about me, and I don’t want to remind Him!”
~~~
“Students rarely disappoint teachers who assure them in advance that they are doomed to failure.”
Sidney Hook
~~~
A 16 year old girl bought herself a very tiny bikini. Very proud she came home and put it on. She then showed her mother how she looked in it. “What do you think mom.” , she asked.
Her mother replied: “If I wore that when I was your age , you would have been 5 years older.”
~~~
“We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.”
May Sarton
~~~
Ray Mitchell
Indianapolis, Indiana
Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.
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Comments on: "Who are you really?" (1)
so important and something to really consider. look at yourself in a very real way