The Traps of Life

[VIVAlasVEGASBaby]

Originally posted by Krassus
I disagree with 'The Trap of Superiority.' I could go on for hours here, but i'll try to make it relatively brief. This isn't a curse, but a blessing. And a highly rare one at that. Don't mistake it for arrogance, which is what you described. Believing you're the best at what you do creates a self-fulfilling prophecy that makes you the best even if you weren't before. And i mean truly believing, not just pretending to believe. Very few here will understand this, as very few people believe in themselves in this way. But every truly successfull person will develop this belief before they achieve that success. This self-fulfilling prophecy i mentioned is the polar opposite of depression. Just like depression causes you to not want to be happy, which in turn makes you even more depressed, belief in your own superiority gives you strength to do things you would have never dared to do if you didn't believe in yourself, which in turn makes you even more superior among the crowds, which gives you even more power to go after THE most desired things. It's like a giant snowball, and the further it rolls, the harder it is to stop it. When we go out there in search of great things, the things everyone wants, we're met with a lot of competition. And if we don't believe, truly believe that we're superior and have the power to beat all of them to the prize, the competition will destroy us, stomp on our snowball. I think Napoleon Hill summed it up best by saying that success is beyond most people, as it simply isn't part of their own self-image, and their belief of what they can achieve. Your post is an excellent example of how information can bring power, but also of how easily power can destroy if misused. Something like this, if misunderstood and assimilated into a person's personality, can cause some very serious damage to a person's career, social life, and so forth. The people who believe they're the best at the one thing their energy if focused on get all the girls, all the jobs, all the best things in life. The people who just see themselves as ordinary feed on the leftovers. This is the way it's been and the way it always will be.

Well, i happen to disagree with you about a few things. I have come a long way since this post, so i definetely understand where you are coming from. I am a firm believer in humility which is pretty evident in not only this post but all of mine.

It seems like people can't accept being anything short of the best. Of course in some ways this is good, but when you truly release the chains and open your world, that is when anything is possible. Maybe it's not necessarily believing your not the best, but rather not caring.

People who take everything for themselves are generally some of the most miserable people in the world. I really don't know the answer. I wish i could prove to you that humility is the way to go, but i can't.

I really have no desire to prove myself anymore, which is what it sounds like you are describing (proving yourself). Arrogant liars who only lie to themselves. Why should you have to prove you're the best? The guys who are quiet about it are always the truly happy people.

Honestly, i can't tell you what the perfect person to be is, which is a trap in itself. There is no perfect person. There is no 100% true template that will fit everyone. Take what you want, leave what you don't want. Find where you are truly happy (whatever the hell that means) and stay there forever.

Best advice i have to give

 

[Krassus]

Originally posted by VIVAlasVEGASBaby
Well, i happen to disagree with you about a few things. I have come a long way since this post, so i definetely understand where you are coming from. I am a firm believer in humility which is pretty evident in not only this post but all of mine.

It seems like people can't accept being anything short of the best. Of course in some ways this is good, but when you truly release the chains and open your world, that is when anything is possible. Maybe it's not necessarily believing your not the best, but rather not caring.

People who take everything for themselves are generally some of the most miserable people in the world. I really don't know the answer. I wish i could prove to you that humility is the way to go, but i can't.

I really have no desire to prove myself anymore, which is what it sounds like you are describing (proving yourself). Arrogant liars who only lie to themselves. Why should you have to prove you're the best? The guys who are quiet about it are always the truly happy people.

Honestly, i can't tell you what the perfect person to be is, which is a trap in itself. There is no perfect person. There is no 100% true template that will fit everyone. Take what you want, leave what you don't want. Find where you are truly happy (whatever the hell that means) and stay there forever.

Best advice i have to give

I never said humility is a bad thing, it's quite the opposite. But there is a BIG difference between believing you're at the top of your game and rubbing that in everyone's faces whenever an opportunity comes up. The most powerful people in the world are the ones no one ever saw coming. They were quiet and stayed low up until they could soar without falling victim to the birds of prey. That's one of the main reasons they became powerful in the first place - otherwise they would have been crushed in their 'infancy' by others who would recognize them as future adversaries. But you absolutely have to believe in yourself, and in your ability to beat others in getting what you want. Because it takes some pretty incredible skills to get the best things in life, and someone who sees himself as simply ordinary will never dare to acquire or let alone use them.

 

[VIVAlasVEGASBaby]

You are right, my entry was mainly geared towards how you act, not how you feel. It's all about getting to the stage were you are good enough for yourself, without havign to prove anything to anyone. It's about knowing you're the best, but having no desire to prove it to anyone. On the other hand, it is comforting to know that there will always be someone faster, stronger and smarter than you. I don't know, i guess you should fall somewhere in the middle; between complete arrogance and 100% humilty. Find the right spot.

This is my 200th post

 

[salthepal]

Trap #22: The Trap of Why

i agree with this, and disagree at the same time ... u should know why about somethings, but only to know HOW to fix a problem or do something better ...

i think this part would be better if it was about focusing on the how instead of why ...

just my 2 cents ...

i loved this post .. made me think

 

[Marlimus]

If this is your writing, you are wise beyond your eyes.
Approved.

 

[Toushi]

I just realized now that this thread is damn old!

But, indeed, one of the best ones I've read here so far. Awesome stuff.

 

[flippinfreak]

Here's a link from 2005

lol After reading it, I can't tell if it was simply a rewrite job. Pretty big words for somebody who was 14 at the time...

 

[Toushi]

Lol... Yeah, who knows?

Anyways, it was still a good message.

 

[typical]

The really sad part about this article is that I've seen a similar version years ago, and yet I was too dumb to act on it, not anymore though.

 

[Gubby]

The really sad part about this article is that I've seen a similar version years ago, and yet I was too dumb to act on it, not anymore though.

Lol trap of yesterday (sorry )

Why is it that nothing ever goes into the DJB anymore? The DJB could do with having half of its articles cut and being topped up with articles like these. It's not even representative of the best of this forum.

I'm gonna PM an administrator and get this DJB-ed if he'll listen ^^

 

[Suckaazzclown]

I Can't Believe I ****ing Missed This Bad Boy Right Here.

This Is The ****!

 

[disciple]

Impressive amount of insight and wisdom for a 17 year old. I wish I had realized alot of this stuff when when I was 17.

I could have avoided alot of future mistakes. But then again, there are alot of things I did right too. Although many of us would love to go back and correct our past mistakes, it is those mistakes that were part of nature's training for us.

Those mistakes and setbacks taught us how to become the men you want to be.

Speaking on the trap of not being able to do or be everything you want, I agree that there are times and situations when you have to know when to cut your losses and live to fight another day so to speak.

But just because you fail to get over a mountain today does not mean it is impossible to get over that mountain.

All of the great advances in terms of technology, civilization, inventions, records that have been broken etc., were accomplished by people who as Bruce Lee said, used no limitation as limitation.

I never put limits on myself or my abilities because the truth is that we as human beings are capable of ALOT more than most of us realize.

The truth is that most people go through life having only tapped about 10-15% of their true potential mentally, physically, and spiritually.

The average person only uses 10% of their brain's capacity.

I believe that the people that are able to break records and perform seemingly "superhuman" feats physically or intellectually have tapped into the vast power that resides within them and all of us.

There are different ways human beings have learned to tap into this power such as though meditation, hypnosis, religious or other kinds of faith, scientific knowledge, trial and error, the human will, emergency situations, etc.

It is probably the same inner power that the Chinese call chi, which is also known as the life force.

So to borrow a catch phrase from Star Wars, you must learn to "use the force".

 

[Peter89]

Extremely good post!! 5 stars!

 

[Call_Me_Daddy]

bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump. Bump.

 

[6-heads lewis]

The truth is that most people go through life having only tapped about 10-15% of their true potential mentally, physically, and spiritually.

The average person only uses 10% of their brain's capacity.

1st line is hippie hogwash. It is possible (even likely) that there is no such thing as spirituality or divine beings or anything beyond scientific explanation.

Tapping complete mental potential is absurd, everything is based on perception anyway, and people excel in different fields and in different ways. Tesla's brain capacity was incredibly advanced and he came up ideas well beyond his time, and yet we now have access to his ideas anytime we please. If I were to simply have him explain everything to me, does that make me at the same mental level as him? Obviously no... but yes. See what I mean?

This is evolution at work. We probably use a high percentage of our brain capacity, its just that as soon as a concept is uncovered, we now longer have to use any brain capacity to incorporate it (I dont have to understand Alternate Current to take advantage of it), and now use our brain capacity to come up with new ideas.

2nd line is an urban myth, look it up.

I agree with a lot of the things you said and I dont mean to be insulting.

 

[6-heads lewis]

I liked your 'traps' by the way, I'd say the key is to just stop analyzing and fantasizing, and accept what you really are: decaying matter.

Personally I've spent far too many hours reading philosophy and analyzing the human condition, and its done nothing but make me cynical, neurotic, depressed and devoid of faith or hope. And a lonely virgin by the way.

The best life path from my experiences: Look as good as possible (AN ABSOLUTE MUST!), talk as much as you feel comfortable with but watch your mouth, find a job you enjoy that pays well enough to covers living expenses, doesnt require extensive schooling and has spillover benefits (ie a bartender, personal trainer, car salesman). If you've already finished school and racked up a huge debt like me, look into one of these jobs as part-time work, and try and incorporate the two together. Degrees are good to fall back upon, though sometimes thats all they're good for.

Be kind to your fellow man, improve society and help those who are in need whenever possible, but recognize that only you truly have your best interests in mind. This doesnt mean everyone is out to get you or that they're all *******s, it just means that consciously or unconsciously people want you to exist in a way that makes them happiest. We all do this.

Dont do drugs, smoke or drink too much, but at the same time, dont immediately accept society's judgments as your own. Research steroids, prozac, rogaine, viagra, supplements, etc. before deciding if they are beneficial to you.

Avoid emotional decisions, dont dwell incessantly on the past, and drop your ego (btw if you figure out how to do either of these please let me know). Dont delude yourself or believe in fairy tales, but dont take this to the extreme and become a cynic (the same problem, except from the other side of the fence). Just try and have a blank status quo with no expectations, and react temporarily and accordingly to positive or negative events as they come.

Accept things that are out of your control, dont rigidly follow ANY religion or lifestyle, contemplate most things (not everything) with an open mind and incorporate whatever can improve yourself and society most efficiently. 'Truth is whatever works for the individual' - Mastering your Hidden Self

Oh yeah, and dont be a boxer. It will defeat you in the end.

 

[lurker]

old post quite good. who am i kidding its great. 5stars

 

[Flyer]

definately worth a bump

 

[VIVAlasVEGASBaby]

Thanks everyone for the praise! I haven't been around the forums in a while. Nice to see this is still popular

 

[Precursor]

Vivalasvegasbaby.. wow i'm doing some math here..check it out

your 18, and you wrote this 3 years ago. so you wrote all this while you were 15? thats awesome dude