Favorite Inspirational Quotes

So many people “miss the boat” because it’s easier and more comforting to follow - to follow without questioning the qualifications of the people just ahead - than to do some independent thinking and checking.

Earl Nightingale

I picked this quote out of a talk, I suppose, that was given as the Insight of the Day Friday story.  I say talk as most of Nightingale’s stuff is in audio format.

It’s funny how this jumped out at me, or maybe I shouldn’t be surprised.  I was just reading an email where the author was exhorting his readers to not follow blindly an system, but to think out of the box.

I personally have always thought, and still do to a major extent, that it is a good idea to follow a system as outlined to start with.  But once you understand it, it’s time to make adjustments to make the system better for you and your circumstances.

It’s like making a dish with a new recipe.  The first time or two you follow the recipe.  But, after that, you modify it to make it more yours and more to your taste and that of your family.

But I suppose this quote is aimed more at the people who follow blindly the dictates of others without ever wondering why they are doing so.  It’s like the members of a political party who vote along party lines without ever really learning about the party’s candidate, his view, where he came from, and what he really plans to do.  Why?  Because they were told by the party to vote for this person.  No questioning.  No independent thinking.  No checking of the purported facts.  I guess that is what makes for sheeple and not independent thinkers.  It’s easier.

To some extent, I guess you have to do it.  You can’t spend the time looking up all the citations about a subject by yourself.  You would never get anything else done, much less take any action on whatever the topic was.  I guess that is why you must be very careful as to who you pick to listen to and take advice from as to what is important.  I know there are people who I have decided I should listen to.  When they say, read this book or do that thing, I am inclined to follow.  But I have reasons why I have chosen them and have taken the time to understand them and their qualifications even if I can’t do so for everyone and everything they suggest.

Tags: think