The Power of Indirect Action

Rule 14 The Power of Indirect Effort

Have you ever noticed that when you argue with people the argue back, when your fight the other guy fights back. When you hate, you are hated. But, when you love you are likely to be loved. You cannot teach you kids to be honest if you lie to them.

When one of my children was very young they stole some candy from the store. My wife has an eagle eye. She made them take it back and apologize to the store owner. Then she had them work off the debt.

My son taught me about unconditional love. Love should be given with no strings attached. Simply encourage people to be all they can be. That doesn’t mean you give an alcoholic a drink when he wants one. I does mean you give them love and respect and encourage them to come clean.

Sometimes, a person doesn’t respond. An abusive husband is domineering and violent because of his need to be in control. If you are in such a situation, it is time for you to cut you boat free and plot your own course.

Don’t try to do it on your own. Look for support. A mentor can help you plot your best course. Find some one you admire and respect who has achieved what you want to achieve. Finding a mentor may be as simple as asking for help.

One last thing, live in the moment but plan for the future. Don’t get upset if things don’t go as expected. Accept the challenge of the river. If you capsize your kayak you are going to get wet, but if you know how to do an Eskimo roll, you are going to come back up on top.

To often, we value our selves by what we do. When we loose a job, it can be devastating not only financially, but psychologically. The toughest job you will ever have is looking for a job. Remember, you are never a failure until you quit trying.

The present recession headed for depression has everyone scared. Our houses are loosing value and our retirement funds have lost half their value. People worry that they may loose their jobs. Many already have.

Many people believe in the great, independent, self sufficient American. It is the idea of everyone for themselves. Such people have never experienced being a single mom struggling to feed her children on a minimum wage job.

Many street people in Hawaii hold full time jobs, but they have to live in their cars because they cannot afford $1000 a month for a studio apartment. They join a gym so they can clean up and go to work. People who are hurting and cannot help themselves need help. Who is going to do it? Charities are struggling and failing to provide services. The only organization that can provide consistent help is our government. People who arbitrarily oppose “big government” simply want fewer services. Sure, welfare has its problems, because people tend to depend on it, but we must provide help for those who cannot help themselves. At the same time, we must help those people learn the skills needed for them to become independent.

Obama is right. Create jobs by repairing much needed infrastructure; help people go back to school and providing help to people who cannot survive without help. Otherwise, this country will descend into chaos and only a fortunate minority will be able to live the good life.

We must each take responsibility for our own life, but we also must make sure that our neighbors in trouble have the help they need.