“He who knows himself has insight.”

Wisdom of the ages. I have been seeking this self knowledge. Traveling and exploring the depths of my mind.

Can I know myself by the answers I give to questions?

Q: Distinguish the difference between refined utilitarianism and simple utilitarianism.

A: simple utilitarianism as Jeremy Bentham’s philosophy is understood by me is, that people and society at large would be more agreeable and generous toward well-fare and state support for the needy and unfortunate if they realized that it would benefit them in the long run as well.

Where as refined utilitarianism as coinciding with Jhon Stuart Mill’s philosophy go, is one that people or society should act as best they can for the greatest amount of people not because it is good for them but because it is best for the society as a whole.

There. Maybe that helps. Helps me in my philosophy class, but where else?

Some small warm glow sinks through as I read.

“Superior evaluations create superior lives” I think that was Socrates, or maybe that was Anthony Robins. Anyways, It is interesting.

The old School of Stoicism taught that suffering is not the absence of luck, but the blessing of God. Explained further because they said that God only tests the strong. Not the weak. Why should he test the weak. He knows they will fail. Quite a positive outlook on suffering. It reminds me of the Buddhist teaching. You know, life is suffering and we suffer because of our greed and selfishness. There is much truth to be found in these words.

How can I embrace my suffering and see the positive influence? Its not hard months or years after the matter. It is the present.

Suffering. We can not know joy without it. There is no Heaven without Hell. I have this little question for the cosmos. If levels of pain are linked to levels of pleasure, then does it not make sense to seek a high level of pain in order to reach a higher level of pleasure? I mean it sounds idiotic to cause pain to yourself, but if you look closer we do it al the time. Take a look at any physical activity. It always involves a level of pain in order to gain, Or do away with weight or just to get in to better health. This of course is a short term example and one that is easy to see. I think it is the long term suffering that we will avoid at any cost.

“Of great struggle a great character is produced”

Old hip hop daddy Acey Alone has a song that goes something like,”Hardship belong to me, I will never give it away or sell it for a fee, I regret to inform you of how hard it can be.” Cause hardship teaches you to be strong and humble and never crumble.

I feel open as a book to the cool wind, flowing over my pages, caressing the hills, mountains, deserts and traveling to the sea. I am in a constant flux, continually consuming and producing and contemplating this eternal reflection.

Thinking long term, evaluating a future that is not.

Words have power. I realize I must choose them wisely.

Consider for a moment the following quote “Fortune favors the brave” - Aeneid Virgil. I believe in life that most people are living life in “quiet desperation”, they fill helpless, they fill like victims, they have the mentality that the world or someone owes them something. Too many walk around with hang-dog expressions on there face, they don’t know who they really are and they are clueless as to there full-potential, their God-given gifts and talents.
I know because I to have felt this way. I have questioned my purpose in life. But fortunately, slowly I have woken up from a deep sleep, I have begun to really think and better yet to really understand myself. “Prosperity begins with self-interest” As an intelligent creation I am self-aware and realize that I must help myself before I can help anyone else. I must choose to be brave and so do you otherwise you will spend your life in misery.

Being brave does not mean having certainty, in fact it’s usually uncertain but it is significant and in most cases pushes us toward growth. What are you doing that requires bravery? Sometimes it is a simple thing like the courage to face the death of a loved one or choosing to stand up for what you know to be right even when everyone else seems to be enjoying the wrong.

When choosing to be an entrepreneur bravery is required. In my quest I will be brave. Again I ask you; What are you doing that requires bravery?

I would like to give some thoughts on the quest which I am undertaking, where that point began and where I hope it will take me. Not long ago the new year was approaching and a relative of mine came to my house to talk with me and my wife about our financial goals and some services he could do for us. Long story short I didnt sign-up for anything but it really got me thinking more about my own financial knowledge, I decided that I needed to get more self education on the subject.

Driving home from work a couple days later I thought that I would turn on the radio in hopes of finding some kind of talk radio discussing finances, business and such. Well I ended up catching the end of Free Capitalists Radio and was really drawn into it. The next day at work I downloaded a podcast and since then have simply been feasting on all the good thoughts and ideas flowing from the Free Capitalist movement.

I picked up the book “Why we want you to be Rich” by Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki, Along with what I read on other entrepreneurs blogs such as www.bornentrepreneur.com and millionaire mommy and my brain has turned on. Its true that once a mind is expanded by a new idea it never returns to its smaller shape (ok i quoted that wrong for sure). I’m not saying that I concur with evything I hear and am blindly looking for a way to get rich, it is the exchange of ideas that have really fueled me.

For the previous 18 months I have been waiting and worse expecting to receive wealth and glory from my job. Nothing at all against my work, which I love a lot, but I have been waiting for my company to make it so that I could ride on the coat tails and enjoy the pleasures of all my wild dreams. Well now that I have woken up I realize that I am the only one who can start the journey that I need to be following. That is a journey of education, self-exploration and discovering others ideas.

I am now learning to take control of my life, to take responsibility for EVERYTHING that happens to me, to realize true freedom, to accept truth, I’m going to allow myself to try and to fail, to learn and to grow. I am seeking to understand the principles of prosperity, where real value comes from and how to transition from consumerism to being a producer.

The greatest rewards will come from the personal growth and the ability to help others. The true wealth of family , friends and a closeness to God are the treasures that I will seek. Peace, prosperity and Positive vibrations to you all.

So I have set an audacious goal of earning one million dollars in one year. When I told my wife she just looked at me with the “keep dreaming” eyes, but she is optimistic and told me that she was glad she married someone who is not complacent. I have been reading and listening to a lot of positive material that has motivated me in this quest. I am hoping to increase my Financial I.Q. greatly this year. I have been reading Robert Kiyosaki, Anthony Robbins and listening to the Free Capitalist.

This goal is a big part of my goal of retiring at 35. Just for reference my net value is somewhere around -$3,000 which is not too bad considering the number of people deeply in debt. (80% of my debt is a student loan). Also my purpose for this goal is not just because I want to be rich and all that, but so I can help others, that of course includes my family and friends but also those who are in need.

I don’t have a strategy currently but that is not important, it’s the desire, commitment and faith which i feel are the most important. But I do have a goal that excites me and energizes my mind, I find myself thinking and searching for opportunities everywhere. If I don’t make my goal I will have still gained a lot of experience and the person who I become and the values acquired will be my biggest gain. Check back and/or subscribe to my blog to see my progress over the year.

So what is you New Years Resolution or Goal?