Know Thyself

As strong as I know I am, I also know that I have alot of weak points. I've found that these weak points are fairly easy to correct. Its because they are formed by habits. And they can be corrected simply by changing those habits. The cliche "know thyself" comes to mind when it comes to changing bad habits and making positive self-improvements. When you know your own tastes, your own strengths and weaknesses, it is fairly simple to correct them (depending on what they are, of course). I want to be the very best that I can be. I hate mediocrity. So, I always strive to find out what I can do better, what area's I can improve on, and how I am perceived by others.

This is probably the most important part of success in any area of life. Some people call it being real. Some people call it "doing you." Others say its just being yourself. But, all this comes down to knowing yourself. And then being your best self. Its hard to be yourself if you dont have adequate self-knowledge. This can be difficult because as humans we are constantly changing. But once you understand that change is necessary and normal growth can occur.

J.G.

Power: inside and out

For me, there is nothing better than power of some sort. I have always envied those with significant power over me. That power can be in the form of social, sexual, politcal, or even physical. I strive to be like the powerful people I see. Not so much as in their personalities, but the qualities that seperate them from the average person.
Women have sexual power over the average man. If you take away a woman's vagina, she is powerless (crude, but true). Politicians have the power to change our way of life; we unanimously grant them that position of power. Popular people have the power of influence; how many times has Angelina Jolie inspired you ladies to hit the gym?
Most of this is obvious to many Americans. But I think it is mostly overlooked. Most people work their 9 to 5's, come home, watch T.V., and go to sleep to repeat the same boring routine. They dont think about how they are virtually powerless. Not because of a lack of freedom. Although our country is far from perfect, we enjoy more freedom than any citizens of another country. It is because of a lack of mental power.
You dont need to have a high-status job or a few million to be powerful. Power is a lot of things. Its different for all of us. But the most basic form of power is having control over your own life. That means actively seeking out things that will better you and your family. That means not accepting just anything that life, and other people, hand you. Power is pushing through pain and adversity with equanimity. Power is being an individual. And there are fewer true individuals in our world than you think.

J.G.